Chapter 358: Joining the Team
The old man sneaking around outside early that morning, trying to plant listening devices—Mike—really did work with Lawyer Goodman.
Though calling him a "subordinate" wouldn't be accurate. Partner was a better word.
Frank had just gotten Goodman's file from the private investigator, and almost immediately afterward, Mike showed up to bug his house.
That wasn't because Goodman had overwhelming influence—it was because Mike himself was just that capable.
Mike was a retired veteran cop, highly experienced and skilled in all kinds of surveillance and counter-surveillance methods.
When the private investigator Frank hired was digging into Goodman, he had planted bugs in Goodman's home and office.
Mike found them.
Relying on years of police instincts, he traced the trail back to the investigator, and then quietly planted his own bugs on the investigator in return—planning to uncover who was behind the investigation into Goodman.
After all, Goodman's business dealings lived in the gray area. He made his money skirting the edges of the law—his background was anything but clean.
When Frank contacted the investigator, Mike picked up on it.
So he followed the investigator… all the way to Frank's house.
And that so-called "top-tier" private investigator never even realized he was being tailed.
After locating Frank's residence, Mike stayed outside, watching the place for an entire day.
Mike had chosen the early morning on purpose—when people were in their deepest sleep and least alert—to scout the area and plant a few bugs outside the house.
But he ran into Castle.
Castle was an elite who had fought his way through places like Afghanistan and Iraq. His skills were top-tier, and years on the battlefield had ingrained in him a constant state of vigilance.
Against someone like that, Mike didn't stand a chance. Within seconds, he was subdued. A retired cop and a former special forces soldier weren't even in the same league.
Once Frank confirmed Mike wasn't a threat but actually connected to Goodman, he had Castle release him.
"You were military, right?" Mike said, rolling his shoulder as he looked at Castle.
Castle didn't respond.
"You work for Goodman. Mind telling me a bit about him?" Frank said, pouring Mike a cup of coffee.
"What do you want to know?" Mike asked calmly, completely unbothered by the situation as he took a sip.
"Let's start with how you two met," Frank said.
The two of them chatted like old acquaintances, while Castle sat silently nearby.
Mike was Goodman's fixer—bodyguard, investigator, and problem-solver rolled into one. He knew plenty of Goodman's secrets.
Of course, he didn't reveal everything—only harmless bits and pieces.
Still, Frank learned things that weren't in the file.
They didn't talk for long before a knock came at the door.
It was Goodman.
Clearly, he had rushed over the moment he got the call—probably jumping straight out of bed. Even so, he had taken the time to put on a suit and neatly comb his hair, doing his best to maintain his image.
"I'm really sorry," Goodman said quickly. "I didn't realize Mike was talking about you."
"It's fine. Just a misunderstanding," Frank replied lightly. "Mike and I got along just fine."
With a single sentence, Frank brushed the matter aside. After all, he had been the one who initiated things by hiring someone to investigate Goodman.
Goodman, for his part, didn't mention the private investigator at all—as if it had never happened.
"Why don't we grab some breakfast?" Frank suggested.
By now, the sky was fully bright, and people had started appearing on the streets for their morning runs.
Goodman readily agreed, while Mike excused himself and left—the rest had nothing to do with him.
After breakfast, the two sat on a park bench.
"Remember what we talked about before? Money laundering… and making money?" Frank said.
"Of course," Goodman replied, his heart skipping a beat, though he tried to stay composed. "Have you found an accountant?"
"Things have… changed a bit," Frank said after a pause.
"Changed?" Goodman frowned.
"Do you want to join Heisenberg?" Frank asked suddenly.
"—!" Goodman froze.
Those few words hit him like a shockwave.
Information was part of his business—he knew about Blue Angel, and he knew about Heisenberg.
That was exactly why those words carried so much weight.
Frank said nothing, simply watching the lawn ahead, giving Goodman time to process.
"Wait… are you saying you… you guys are…" Goodman finally stammered, trying to find the right words.
He had met both Frank and Walter before.
"Yes," Frank said calmly. "We're part of Heisenberg."
"…This is…" Goodman's eyes flickered.
"So—do you want in?" Frank asked again.
"Of course! Of course I do!" Goodman blurted out, unable to hide his excitement. This was like a golden opportunity falling straight from the sky.
Then he paused, regaining some composure.
"…Can I actually join?"
His words were careful, but the meaning underneath was clear: Do you really have the authority to bring me in?
He didn't think Frank and Walter were founders—far from it.
When he first met them, they had seemed inexperienced. Walter had even privately asked about money laundering, like a complete amateur.
Heisenberg, on the other hand, was rumored to be a massive, mysterious organization.
There was no way its leaders would be that green.
In Goodman's mind, Frank and Walter were just low-level operatives—maybe mid-tier at best.
So he had his doubts.
"You can," Frank said simply.
Goodman's mind raced.
So Frank had some authority—maybe management, maybe a small boss?
"You don't need to worry," Frank continued. "Your background has already been reviewed. It's clean—no major issues."
"If we're going to work together, I need to know exactly what kind of person you are. That's why I had someone look into you."
Frank didn't claim to be one of Heisenberg's founders.
Instead, he followed Goodman's line of thinking—and let him draw his own conclusions.