Meanwhile, far away in the United States, after a fierce mental struggle and feeling the urgency of dwindling time, Brian finally dialed the number Castle had left him.
Observing the incoming call from the United States, Castle answered with a relaxed tone, knowing it was likely Brian calling. He immediately reassured the anxious father: "Hi, Kem's dad. While we are speaking, Kem is on her way to the U.S. Embassy escorted by my people. She's a bit out of it right now, so she couldn't contact you immediately!"
The sound of Castle's voice, strangely familiar, instantly revitalized Brian: "What? You've already rescued her? Thank you, man, you can't imagine how grateful I am."
Brian, the tough guy who hadn't flinched despite three broken ribs, was nearly in tears on the phone.
"Don't mention it, buddy. I'm also a father, and my daughter is Kem's classmate! I totally understand your feelings. By the way, I took out the group that kidnapped Kem, none of them survived, so no need to thank me!"
Castle ultimately decided not to hide his identity from Brian, considering he was a former CIA heavyweight. It might be useful to have him owe a favor.
"It's you... Mr. Castle?"
Brian's voice was filled with immense surprise!
No wonder he was once a CIA big shot; just from the clues that his daughter was Kem's classmate and the vaguely familiar voice on the phone, Brian quickly realized he was speaking to Castle, the bestselling author and father of his daughter's classmate.
"Yes, it's me! Last month, my daughter asked if she could go to France with Kem, though she ended up going on vacation with her mother instead. I just happened to be coming to France for some business when I discovered Kem had been kidnapped. I was about to contact you, but then you had that accident…"
Castle, ever the opportunist, exaggerated his role, thinking there was no harm in embellishing his story when there were no witnesses.
"..." Brian, once a super spy and now disabled, blushed hearing Castle joking about his accident.
"So, buddy, I immediately called your wife to tell her not to worry. I was already in France, and I couldn't just stand by while my daughter's classmate was kidnapped, right? Plus, being a father myself, how could I stand by and watch this happen?"
Castle energetically bamboozled Brian, who was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.
"So you took down those scumbags all by yourself?"
Brian found it hard to believe. A writer, engaging in gunfights and emerging victorious?
"Oh, well, not exactly, buddy. I'm just a writer, not some super soldier. But I have money and connections! I hired a team of mercenaries to help out. They rescued Kem and her friend Amanda, and they are escorting them to the U.S. Embassy as we speak. They should be arriving soon!"
"Man, I can't tell you how grateful I am. After the car accident, I was about ready to give up."
Castle's explanation, attributing his success to hired help, finally realigned Brian's shaken worldview, but his gratitude was palpable over the phone.
"Alright, buddy, you need to take it easy with your injuries. Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, I took out the trafficking ring that kidnapped Kem, but from what they said under pressure, there's a guy named Valentino behind them. I plan to take care of him too, but don't worry about it. I just wanted to let you know."
Castle figured if he was going to have Brian owe him, he might as well go all in.
"Mr. Castle, after my accident, knowing I couldn't come to France, I asked a former superior to help rescue Kem. Even though you've already saved her, since you still have plans and actions to take, could I contribute somehow? This is a request from a father. Could I give your contact info to my former boss so he can get in touch with you? Just so you know, I used to work for an intelligence agency, and so did he, so we can definitely help."
Brian was eager for a chance to vent his frustrations and felt indebted to Castle for saving his daughter without seeking repayment.
"Wow, you have a substitute ready to step in because Brian can't make it? Perfect for facing Valentino directly while I pull the strings from behind!"
Castle was thrilled at the prospect of maneuvering from the shadows.
"Sure, buddy, you have every right to seek revenge! I'm staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris. Have your guy come find me!"
Castle agreed, eager to fulfill his role as a mastermind behind the scenes.
"I say, buddy, we're both fathers, and it's clear Kem is going through her teenage years…"
Having discussed the serious matters, Castle started chatting with
a now-relieved Brian about the trials of fatherhood as he drove.
The conversation was light and without incident, and after learning that his daughter had safely reached the embassy and would soon be sent home, Brian agreed to meet up with Castle once he was back in the States.
After returning to his hotel, Castle immediately extracted his high-performance computer from his personal storage space and began hacking into Paris municipal surveillance to erase any trace of himself and the Black Fox team.
After taking care of these tasks, Castle planned to relax with a good bath before waiting for Brian's superior to arrive.
"Valentino's club isn't going anywhere, and with the TV news bizarrely boasting about the police's 'thorough' investigation and heroic rescue of dozens of kidnapped girls, he's unlikely to suspect anything before I make my move. So, there's no rush."
Content, Castle luxuriated in a bath and then indulged in a spread of exquisite French cuisine delivered by room service. As he sat on the sofa watching the explosive media coverage of his day's work, the doorbell rang.
"That must be Brian's superior!"
Castle got up to open the door, curious about who this substitute might be.
Upon opening the door, he was startled to find a distinguished older man resembling the Hollywood star Sean Connery standing there.
"Father..."
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter