Beckett and Alexis, still standing on the street, were puzzled as to why Castle knocked on Neil's door, only to turn and leave after a brief conversation with a blonde woman. Yet, they quickly caught on—this woman was likely Neil's rumored girlfriend. And with Neil absent, neither of them minded, as they were more interested in exploring the famous canals and sights of Venice. Alexis, especially excited to be in Venice for the first time, couldn't wait to tour the city by boat.
Castle, after explaining to the two that Neil wasn't home, led them to rent a boat for sightseeing. Meanwhile, he discreetly used his Bluetooth earpiece to contact Jarvis, asking him to find out where Neil had run off to.
It only took Jarvis a few minutes to reply, "Mr. Castle, Neil Caffrey has been spending the last two days with two acquaintances, apparently planning a heist to steal a collection of gold from a local Venetian resident. He's currently with a John Bridger and a Charlie Croker, scouting a house here in Venice. Shall I contact him now?"
Trailing behind the delighted Beckett and Alexis, Castle was somewhat surprised that Neil couldn't keep out of trouble, even in Italy. Then, he heard a familiar voice that only he could hear. His system, dormant for so long he'd nearly forgotten about it, chimed in:
"Host detected the accidental involvement of John Bridger in a theft plot. System mission: Ensure that after the heist, John Bridger, Charlie Croker, and Neil Caffrey are not double-crossed by Charlie's partner, Steve, who intends to keep the gold for himself.
Mission requirements:
1. Ensure that John, who originally died from Steve's betrayal, survives.
2. Ensure Steve, who intends to double-cross them, does not leave Venice alive.
This is a regular system mission. Completing it will reward the host with a randomly selected skill."
The unexpected mission caught Castle off guard, but after listening closely, he realized why Neil's report from Jarvis felt strangely familiar. This was essentially the plot from The Italian Job, where a gold heist is planned, but one of the crew members double-crosses the rest.
In the original plot, there was no Neil—just a young version of Charlie, who looked strikingly similar to Bob Lee Swagger, and Steve, a ruthless traitor who killed John by drowning him after they successfully stole the gold. Charlie, out for revenge, later recruited a team of experts, including John's daughter, played by Charlize Theron.
Castle couldn't recall every detail but remembered enough to piece together that the system's goal was to make sure John, Neil, and Charlie weren't double-crossed after securing the gold. Since the mission only required him to step in once they had the gold, he figured they must still be in the scouting phase. There was no rush—he could enjoy sightseeing with his girlfriend and daughter and meet up with Neil later at the hotel.
Since the task was so straightforward, Castle wondered if the system was going easy on him. All he had to do was warn Neil about Steve's intentions, and seasoned pros like Neil, Charlie, and John would be prepared. In the original plot, they were only caught off guard because Charlie had trusted his longtime partner, Steve. But with Neil, Charlie, and John on alert, it was practically a guaranteed win.
Castle chose not to mention Neil's escapades to Beckett, who was happily taking in the views of Venice with Alexis. Instead, he boarded the rented boat with them, snapping photos and recording videos while acting as their "tour guide." This trip was supposed to be a vacation, and even though his system was determined to "assist" him in saving tragic protagonists from film plotlines, this mission was so easy it barely required effort. Why risk ruining the experience for his family?
The only real casualty of his interference would be those iconic modified Mini Coopers, which might never be seen zipping around Los Angeles. And if Charlie had been hoping for a romantic moment with John's daughter, it might not happen. Castle chuckled to himself—especially curious if this "Charlie" might just be a young version of the Bob Lee Swagger he knew in New York, or someone entirely different.
Quietly instructing Jarvis through his Bluetooth earpiece to gather more information, Castle put the matter out of his mind for now, focusing entirely on his time with Beckett and Alexis. Venice was, indeed, a beautiful city, steeped in history, once the final stop on the Silk Road and a hub of cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. Even Beckett, with her strong, practical demeanor, was enchanted by the city's beauty, let alone Alexis, who was thrilled.
After a day of exploring the city by boat and enjoying a delicious meal at a traditional Venetian restaurant, Castle led his two tired but happy ladies back to the hotel Gianna had reserved for them on the water. With Beckett and Alexis exhausted and ready for bed, Castle suggested he go meet up with Neil.
Beckett, aware of Neil's reputation, was relieved. While she held nothing against Neil personally, her role as a NYPD precinct chief meant that befriending a world-famous thief was a bit uncomfortable for her. After urging Castle to return to the hotel early, she took Alexis inside to rest.
Once Beckett and Alexis were safely settled, Castle headed out toward Neil's house, as Jarvis and Kate had already informed Neil of his visit to Venice. Neil, who had briefly left the crew of thieves to check on Castle, was now back home, ready with a bottle of red wine.
When Castle arrived, he noted the welcoming but puzzled look on Neil's face as he realized Castle was alone, quickly deducing that Beckett and Alexis must have retired to the hotel. Neil warmly invited him in.
But as soon as they sat down, Castle's first question caught Neil off guard: "Neil, are you planning a heist here in Venice?"
Understanding that Castle must have used his AI to track his activities, Neil didn't bother hiding the truth. "Yes, I am. After I got here, I received a call from an old friend asking me to join his team for a heist in Venice. I owe this guy a favor, and he's older now. His plan is to blow open a safe filled with gold, sink it, and then retrieve it with diving gear. But he's not as fit as he used to be, so he asked for my help.
And wouldn't you know it? I just happened to be in Venice when he called. I owe him a big favor, so I agreed. How did you find out?"
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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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