While Neal was still weighing the pros and cons of involving the FBI and Peter to combat Vincent, Castle explained to Kate with a serious expression, "Kate, I know you think that since you've temporarily escaped Fowler's control and reunited with Neal, getting Neal to help Vincent find that music box and then steal it to give to Vincent will make Vincent stop targeting you and Neal, right?
But Kate, I need to tell you, if you really think that, you're making a huge mistake!
First, how can you guarantee that even if Neal manages to steal the music box and give it to Vincent, Vincent won't use this to threaten you again? Don't forget, Neal is still under supervised release. If you let him steal the music box, you're just extending his sentence!
Secondly, do you even know why Vincent set up such an elaborate scheme to lure Neal? How can you be sure that once Vincent gets the music box, he won't silence you and Neal?
Lastly, if you truly want to eliminate the threat of Vincent and that federal agent, the best way is what I just suggested: have Neal tell his current partner everything. I believe that just the mention of Vincent Adler's name will get Neal's partner to agree to help!"
After saying a lot, Castle felt parched, so he stopped to take a big sip of wine before turning to Mozzie, who had been quietly contemplating since he entered. "Mozzie, what's your opinion?"
Mozzie glanced at Neal, who was still deep in thought, then put down his glass and spoke seriously to Kate, "Kate, I agree with Rick. Rick's suggestion is the best way to completely resolve this. You must understand, appeasing Vincent only shows fear and submission. Why would he let you and Neal go if he sees you're scared and yielding?"
At this point, Neal finally snapped out of his contemplation. He had already accepted Castle's viewpoint and was ready to explain to Kate the reasons. He wanted to reassure her about his safety and gain her full support without hurting her pride or increasing her worries. However, Mozzie didn't give Neal the chance and continued speaking before Neal could.
"Neal, Kate doesn't want you to be troubled by Vincent's affairs anymore, so she suggested finding and handing over the music box to Vincent. Rick and I understand this idea, but now we want to know what you think. Will you confront him head-on or retreat? Whatever you decide, Rick and I will support you!"
Neal Caffrey wasn't stupid. If he were, he wouldn't have become a world-class forger and art thief within just ten years. He looked apologetically at the anxious Kate and gently said, "Kate, Rick and Mozzie's suggestion is the correct one. If we don't cut off all of Vincent's plans for us now, we'll live in his shadow forever. I didn't hate him when he disappeared with ten billion dollars back then because he hadn't wronged me and taught me a lot, enabling me to live independently after he left. But this time, Vincent crossed the line by using you to threaten and coerce me. It's really made me furious!
I don't want to face this kind of situation again, so I've decided to follow Rick and Mozzie's advice to eliminate Vincent's threat to us once and for all!"
When Neal made his stance clear, Kate knew that her boyfriend was genuinely enraged by Vincent's manipulation through the federal agent and their forced breakup. Though she still worried that confronting Vincent with just their combined strength was a risky endeavor, she didn't openly oppose it anymore. She merely expressed her concern, "I don't oppose your plan to fight back against Vincent, but Neal, consider carefully. Can the three of you, even with your FBI partner, really take on Vincent and his allies?"
Kate's question was exactly what Castle intended to discuss with Mozzie and Neal today. Hearing her concern, Castle took over the conversation, "Kate's question is precisely the point I planned to discuss today. Neal, since we've decided to confront Vincent, there are things we must do. First, you need to tell your partner Peter everything that's happened. Let him know that Vincent Adler, who disappeared after evading capture, has resurfaced. This time, Peter might have a chance to settle the score and capture Vincent. Only by drawing his attention can we leverage the FBI's resources and bide our time!"
Neal hesitated, "Rick, if I tell Peter everything, you and Mozzie won't be able to stay hidden."
Castle smiled calmly, "I don't have a problem with it. I haven't committed any crimes, and at most, I've only made some contacts for you on Barry Street. Even if the FBI finds out, it's no big deal. The real question is whether Mozzie is willing to expose himself to the FBI's scrutiny. I know he's always been wary of the government and trusting the FBI will be tough for him!"
Castle's words lightened the previously tense atmosphere surrounding the topic of Vincent. Everyone smiled and turned their attention to the innocently implicated Mozzie.
Mozzie reacted as if his tail had been stepped on, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Like Rick said, I haven't committed any crimes either, and at most, I just helped reunite you with Kate. Why should I be afraid? And even if we cooperate with the FBI, can they really figure out who I am?"
Mozzie's bluster made everyone laugh, but despite the humor, Neal knew his old friend's wariness towards government agencies was sincere. Mozzie was an orphan who had been on his own since running away from his foster home at twelve, drifting through Detroit's underworld. He had always stayed outside America's social security system. The U.S. government might not even be aware Mozzie existed. However, for Neal's sake, Mozzie was willing to appear before the FBI, a significant sacrifice.
Neal kept his gratitude to himself, knowing that verbal thanks were too insignificant compared to the risks Castle and Mozzie were taking for him. Silently deciding to repay them in the future, Neal summed up their conversation.
"Alright, we'll proceed as planned. I'll meet with Peter this afternoon and explain everything to him. I'll tell him that Vincent is the mastermind behind all this. I believe that once he hears Vincent's name, he won't stand idly by!"
Castle smiled and reminded Neal, "I think it's best to invite Peter here and show him that you've already found Kate. That way, he's more likely to believe that we stumbled upon Vincent's involvement while searching for Kate. Don't forget, the person spearheading Vincent's plans is someone within the FBI. Make sure your partner understands that the threat to Kate's safety and the coercion you're facing come from within their own ranks. Only by making him aware of this can you prevent Fuller from using the FBI's power against you. Understand?
Neal, our strategy is to leverage the FBI's power against Vincent. But they could use Fuller to do the same to us. We need to take the initiative to use the FBI's power. This is the main point!"
Castle's reminder made Neal nod, signaling that he understood the priorities. Seeing Neal's clear response, Castle sighed in relief. Neal was in a much better state now compared to the original timeline, where he was devastated by Kate's death. Although he had spent almost four years in prison, Neal's outlook remained positive and cheerful, which was one of the main reasons Castle, even without a system mission, was willing to help him. And now, with a system side mission, Castle was even more determined to aid Neal in defeating Vincent.
Castle stood up to bid farewell to Neal and Kate, "Since you're planning to meet your partner this afternoon, I'll take my leave. If anything comes up, just call me!"
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