Moz nodded in agreement with Castle's self-deprecating remark about his lack of planning skills. "Yes, Rick, it seems you have a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses! Don't worry, your suggestion is very constructive. I'll think it over tonight, but we should wait until we meet with Neil and Kate tomorrow to discuss it further. What do you think?"
Seeing Moz mock him so seriously, Castle didn't mind. He smiled, shook his head, and focused on driving. After dropping Moz off in Brooklyn, he headed straight home.
Meanwhile, Neil, having reunited with his long-lost girlfriend Kate, lay in bed with her, recounting how Castle had helped him. He explained how Castle enlisted the help of Barry Street, known for his near-omnipotence in New York, to find Kate. They had also discovered the involvement of Agent Fuller and, through him, traced everything back to the mastermind, Vincent Adler. Now, Neil was asking Kate what Fuller or Adler wanted from him that was so important they would use her as leverage.
Unfortunately, Kate didn't know that Adler's ultimate plan involved finding a German U-boat off the coast of New York. She only knew that Fuller threatened her, forcing her to leave Neil and then kept her under surveillance to use her safety to coerce Neil into handing over the music box.
Hearing that Fuller controlled Kate because he believed Neil had the music box left Neil bewildered. He hadn't actually acquired the box in his last heist. The problem was that even if he told Fuller he didn't have it, Fuller wouldn't believe him, thinking it was a lie to free Kate after she escaped his control.
With too little information to formulate a comprehensive strategy, Neil remembered his meeting with Castle and Moz the next day and decided to stop worrying about it for now. With Kate by his side, after all these years, it was time to seize the moment and reconnect with her.
While Neil and Kate were enjoying their reunion, Castle had returned home, showered, and planned the next day. He decided to review his manuscript one last time in the morning before sending it to Gina, then head to Neil's place at noon with Moz. Together, they would discuss how to confront and counter Adler and Fuller.
Determined, Castle woke up early the next morning, made a hearty breakfast for his daughter, then retreated to his study to review his new manuscript. Finding no major errors, he sent the electronic draft to his publisher with a note that he would discuss his next project after taking a break. He instructed Gina to handle the publication of the first book in the Nicky Heat series and not to disturb him for the next month.
With that done, Castle called Moz and went to Brooklyn to pick him up before heading to Joan's mansion at 87 Canal Street.
Neil and Kate, after a night of intense catching up, had prepared wine and snacks on the terrace, awaiting Castle and Moz's arrival. Neil knew that without Castle's help, facing Adler would be an uphill battle.
As soon as Castle and Moz arrived, they were warmly welcomed by Neil and Kate. After pouring wine for everyone, Neil got straight to the point, "Rick, Moz, last night I talked with Kate. She only knows that Fuller threatened her to leave me so he could use her to coerce me into giving up a Russian czar's music box. The last known appearance of this box was in 1945, but I didn't manage to steal it during my last heist. The problem now is that even if I tell Fuller I don't have it, he won't believe me. He'll think I'm lying because Kate escaped his control."
Castle and Moz exchanged a knowing look before Moz spoke, "Neil, Rick and I discussed this issue last night after we left. Don't worry. Let's review the information we have first. Then, Rick and I have a plan that we'll share with you. For now, both of you, listen to Rick as he outlines the current situation."
Moz handed the conversation over to Castle, who seemed to have the clearest understanding of the situation.
Castle didn't hold back. "Neil, we know that Kate broke up with you because Fuller was threatening her. Fuller was acting on orders from Vincent Adler, your former boss and mentor. They didn't expect you to cooperate with the FBI to gain your freedom. They've been keeping Kate under control, hoping to use her to force you into handing over the music box.
"So, what are our advantages? Thanks to Barry Street, we found out Fuller is involved, and through him, we identified the mastermind as Vincent Adler, the man behind the largest Ponzi scheme of the last decade. Initially, we were intimidated by Adler's power and influence. However, his involvement gives us a chance to turn the tables."
Neil, finally able to speak, asked the pressing question on his mind, "What opportunity do we have to gain an advantage over Adler?"
Castle, pausing to catch his breath, continued, "Neil, this opportunity hinges entirely on you. Last night, Moz and I discussed that to change the power dynamics between us and Adler, we need to involve your FBI partner, Peter Burke. By doing so, we can leverage the FBI's resources against Adler.
"We believe that if you tell Peter about Adler's plan to use Kate to coerce you, Peter will step in. Don't forget, eight years ago, Peter was the lead investigator on Adler's Ponzi scheme case. If you give him a lead that Adler is trying to force you to hand over the music box, Peter will be motivated to capture Adler. Neil, do you think your partner Peter Burke will agree?"
Neil was deep in thought after Castle's detailed explanation. But Kate had a different perspective. "Rick, your plan is good, but why can't we just find the music box for Adler? If we give it to him, he'll stop focusing on Neil, right?"
Kate's suggestion highlighted the difference between their approaches. She wanted to avoid conflict and was willing to help Adler find the music box to keep Neil safe. In contrast, Castle, Moz, and Neil preferred a proactive strategy to eliminate the threat entirely, even if it meant involving the FBI.
Castle, however, wouldn't allow Kate's idea to derail his plan. He had personal stakes in this mission, including completing his side tasks and seizing a chance to turn the tables on Adler. His goal was to use Adler's quest for the submarine as leverage for his own gains. Allowing Kate's plan would undermine his carefully laid out strategy.
"No, Kate," Castle said firmly, "Giving Adler the music box would only temporarily remove the threat. We need a permanent solution. By involving Peter Burke and the FBI, we ensure Adler and Fuller can't threaten Neil or anyone else again."
Seeing the determination in Castle's eyes, Neil nodded. "Rick's right, Kate. We need to end this once and for all. Tomorrow, I'll talk to Peter and bring him into our plan."
Castle felt a sense of relief. They now had a solid plan to leverage the FBI's power against Adler, ensuring their safety and securing a future free from Adler's manipulations.
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