Yesterday, after learning that this situation was caused by current CIA agents, the director immediately instructed his subordinates to verify the matter. However, the New York Police Department (NYPD) had already taken the five individuals back for questioning. Despite this, the five agents refused to admit to anything and were quickly handed over to the FBI, making it difficult for the CIA to obtain any information. After all, the relationship between the CIA and FBI was far from amicable; in fact, it was quite hostile.
Additionally, this incident involved the Vice President and an African envoy, who was killed on the spot by these so-called "CIA agents." As a result, the FBI, under Hughes' leadership, completely isolated all information channels, making it even harder for the CIA director to figure out which division these five culprits came from. It wasn't until the media, whose investigative prowess far exceeded that of his own agents, revealed the truth that the CIA director realized these idiots were from the African division.
The director immediately suspected that the mastermind behind this was the arrogant and self-righteous Colonel Johnson. But!!! The problem was, this guy wasn't even with the CIA anymore!
Damn it! Johnson had already resigned! He had left the CIA and was reportedly working as the security chief for Senator Charles Haan of Montana. Yet, after leaving the CIA, this bastard still had his former subordinates carry out this dirty work, and now, the NYPD had caught them red-handed, effectively placing the blame squarely on the CIA. The more the director thought about it, the more he wanted to cry.
There was no doubt those five idiots were indeed his real agents, but they had followed Johnson for so long that they no longer cared about the consequences of their actions. If they hadn't been caught on the spot, it might have been okay, but the fact that they were caught within five minutes of shooting the African envoy made everything worse!
Now, the situation was dire. The FBI, after receiving this hot potato from the eager-to-pass-it-off NYPD, had the agents in custody. The long-standing animosity between the CIA and FBI made the idea of getting these men back a pipe dream.
To make matters worse, New York's media had already caught wind of the fact that the culprits were CIA agents and were broadcasting it far and wide. The CIA director had a sinking feeling that he was about to take the fall for this whole mess.
What infuriated him even more was the fact that Johnson had disappeared. After causing such a disaster, the man was nowhere to be found. The director was on the verge of losing his mind.
But there was an even bigger problem at hand. According to intelligence reports, Johnson had teamed up with the troublesome Senator Charles Haan to set a trap for Vice President Andrew. And as if that wasn't enough, they apparently also tangled with Frank Moses, a retired CIA operative? Damn, that's practically suicide!
The director couldn't help but admire the sheer stupidity of these two. It's one thing to mess with political rivals, but to go after Frank Moses? Even sitting in his office, the director could tell these idiots thought they were safe pulling the strings from behind the scenes, believing Moses wouldn't figure it out.
But the director knew full well just how terrifying the R.E.D. files in the agency's basement were. He was certain Moses already knew the full extent of the situation. As far as the director was concerned, Senator Haan was as good as dead.
However, none of this really mattered right now. The director's most pressing concern was how to extricate the CIA from this unexpected political disaster.
While the director was wracking his brain, Becket arrived at Castle's Long Island estate. She was there to check on her two subordinates and witness Bob's condition. Early that morning, Esposito had called her to inform her about the events that transpired the night before, so Becket felt she had to come by.
Castle, knowing his girlfriend was coming to check up on him, hurriedly stood at the front door to greet her, even at the cost of enduring jokes from Neal and Mozzie.
As soon as Becket parked her car at the front door and got out, she saw Castle grinning from ear to ear by her car door. "Why are you standing here?" she asked, puzzled.
Castle, feeling guilty, immediately welcomed his girlfriend. "I heard you were coming, so I thought I'd wait for you here."
"Oh, by the way, when you went home last night, did Alexis say anything about me not coming home?"
Becket scoffed. "What have you done that makes you so nervous?"
Castle, who had no intention of hiding anything from his girlfriend, chuckled awkwardly. "The reason I didn't avoid Esposito last night is that I wanted him to let you know, so you'd be prepared. Besides, even if I have some small plans, none of them will take place in New York, so what's the big deal?"
"By the way, is your precinct responsible for security at Andrew's fundraising event tomorrow night?" Castle asked, almost hinting that something might happen.
Becket replied, "No, tomorrow's event will be handled entirely by the FBI and the Secret Service. I think it's because we, the NYPD, outshone them yesterday, so tomorrow, we'll only have a few patrol officers managing traffic. Security will be entirely up to them."
Castle felt relieved, but Becket wasn't going to let him off the hook. "So, something will happen tomorrow night, right? Is it that bald guy from last night planning something against Andrew?"
Castle nodded. "Yes, but don't worry, Andrew will be fine. In fact, I'll be emailing him later to inform him that Senator Charles Haan and Johnson are the masterminds behind his embarrassing incident. Tomorrow, it's just a group of retired agents planning to scare Andrew and then release his dark secrets once the dust settles."
"As long as it doesn't involve your precinct, there's no need for you to get involved anymore," Castle added.
By then, the two had entered the house, where a room full of people awaited them. Mozzie and Neal were sitting on the sofa, laughing and greeting Castle and Becket. Esposito, Ryan, and Bob stood up to greet the increasingly authoritative Becket.
Neal had never actually met Castle's famed girlfriend, though he was aware that his friend had written a bestselling novel based on her. Seeing Becket walk in, Neal couldn't help but be impressed by her beauty, and he was happy for his friend. So, when Castle introduced Becket, Neal immediately stood up from the sofa.
Becket had long known about her boyfriend's close friendship with the infamous Neal Caffrey, and Esposito had already briefed her that morning about the shady plans these guys had been concocting. So, she wasn't surprised at all by Neal's ridiculously good looks.
After the introductions, Becket got straight to the point: "This morning, the Attorney General personally called, requesting that we transfer the 'temporary' protection and jurisdiction over Bob Lee Swagger to the FBI. The Attorney General has promised to send enough personnel to ensure Bob's safety and will also launch an immediate investigation into Colonel Johnson. I'm here today to ask Bob what he wants to do.
"Since this case no longer falls under the NYPD's jurisdiction, there's no reason for Bob to stay under our protection. Moreover, Bob, you don't need to worry. We've thoroughly documented this case, so even when you're with the FBI, all they'll need from you is a testimony. They won't restrict your freedom. Besides, I think you can handle yourself well enough, right?"
Everyone had already anticipated that Bob would eventually have to cooperate with the FBI, as he had provided the serial number of the car that proved Colonel Johnson had sought him out in the mountains. Since the Justice Department had now set its sights on Johnson, Bob knew that in order to clear himself from the situation, he would have to follow the FBI's request to provide a statement. Therefore, after hearing Becket's words, Bob calmly agreed.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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