Among the three factions involved, Hernan Reyes' group was undoubtedly the most powerful. As the local kingpin, Reyes had not only a large number of subordinates scouring Rio de Janeiro for Dominic's crew but also the backing of the local police force. This home-field advantage made Reyes' faction the strongest on paper.
Hobbs and his team, although few in number, embodied the brazen confidence of imperialism. Driving a heavy armored vehicle through the capital of a sovereign nation, they flaunted their authority without a care. This blatant display of power placed them just behind Reyes in the pecking order. Watching from the sidelines, Castle rated Hobbs' team as the second most formidable force.
On the weaker end of the spectrum was Dominic's crew, caught between Reyes and Hobbs. Without Castle's intervention and the hacking skills of the little fat boy, they would have been captured long ago. Castle and the fat boy were eagerly waiting to see if Dominic's crew would find the strength to turn the tables on Reyes. This was the biggest suspense.
And then there was the last faction—Castle and the little fat boy—the ultimate puppeteers and chaos makers. Initially, the fat boy joined the fray to save his friend Tej, but after watching Reyes and Hobbs chase Dominic's team for three days, he quickly succumbed to the dark side. Now, fully understanding the situation and the motivations of each player, he wholeheartedly embraced Castle's suggestion to stay hidden and watch the chaos unfold from a safe distance.
Having discarded his limited scruples, the fat boy had hacked into Reyes' private office computer, activating its camera without detection. He and Castle were now gleefully watching the live feed from Reyes' office, where the crime lord was losing his temper. Sitting in the fat boy's hotel room, they laughed at Reyes' furious outbursts, munching on chips like they were watching a movie.
Reyes, a short middle-aged man with clear European heritage, was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. In his office, he was berating his men. He was livid that a bunch of American punks had managed to slip through his grasp repeatedly in his own city. Reyes prided himself on controlling Rio, so the fact that Dominic's crew had evaded capture was a personal affront.
Adding to his anger was the audacity of the American federal agents. Reyes fumed over their threats, vowing that if they thought they could intimidate him on his turf, they were sorely mistaken. He raged against Dominic's crew for their brazen defiance, against Hobbs' team for their arrogant threats, and against his own men for being useless fools unable to catch a group of American misfits. His tirade reflected his frustration at their repeated failures and the perceived insult to his dominance.
Watching Reyes' meltdown, Castle and the fat boy were thoroughly entertained. Castle couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction from orchestrating chaos from behind the scenes. He turned to the fat boy with a smug grin, saying, "See, kid, isn't this way more fun than risking your neck with Tej and his friends? And a lot safer too."
The fat boy, who had even lost interest in the beach and its scantily clad ladies over the past few days, nodded vigorously. "You're right, Uncle Rick. If it weren't for you, I'd be out there running for my life, like a dog with its tail between its legs. I'd be no match for these guys, especially that big guy Hobbs. If he caught me, at least I'd be safe since I'm an American with a clean record. But if Reyes got me, I'd be toast!"
Castle chuckled, half-lying on the sofa, and replied, "Exactly. Tej and his buddies are in over their heads. They have no idea how outmatched they are against Reyes. You've seen how Reyes tightened the noose once he got serious. Dominic's crew stands no chance of robbing him without getting crushed. And don't forget Hobbs is lurking around too. I bet if Reyes captures Dominic's team, Hobbs would demand they be handed over immediately."
The fat boy, unfamiliar with the nuances of such power plays, looked puzzled. "Really? Uncle Rick, you're saying that even if Reyes catches Dominic's crew, Hobbs would just show up and demand them? How could he pull that off?"
Castle, sensing a teaching moment, sat up and explained, "Hobbs represents the United States. Think about the U.S. mindset—'If I want something, you must hand it over.' Hobbs is used to throwing his weight around because of who he works for. Remember, he's been driving that armored vehicle around the Brazilian capital like it's his backyard. Do you think he's afraid of someone like Reyes, who operates in the shadows?"
The fat boy nodded slowly, starting to grasp the idea. "So, you mean Hobbs is banking on the fact that Reyes can't afford to defy the U.S.? If Reyes captures Dominic's team, he'd have to hand them over because he wouldn't want to risk American retaliation?"
Castle smiled approvingly. "Exactly. But here's the catch—I don't think Reyes will play along. Reyes' main goal is to get his hands on that memory card containing his smuggling routes and hidden cash stashes. Until he retrieves it, he won't let Dominic's crew go. So even if Hobbs demands their surrender, Reyes will hold out until he gets what he wants."
Castle continued, "Hobbs' overconfidence is his downfall. He's too used to getting his way because he works for the U.S. government. But he's facing Reyes on his turf, and this isn't some small-time South American country. If Hobbs runs into Reyes head-on, I doubt he'll come out on top. Remember, this is Brazil, not some pushover nation."
The fat boy, still somewhat bewildered, nodded again, shifting the conversation to a topic that piqued his interest more. "Uncle Rick, you mentioned wanting to see if Dominic's team would fight back when pushed to the brink. What do you think they'll do next?"
Castle, ever the patient mentor, explained, "Look, kid. Dominic and his crew have barely escaped capture, thanks to our help. But do you think someone as prideful as Dominic will just roll over and give up? I don't think so. They've got the memory card with Reyes' dirty secrets, and they've got a decent team—drivers, explosives experts, firepower, and tech support from you and Tej. And most importantly, they have Dominic and Brian, the original 'chosen ones.' So, I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to strike back against Reyes."
He paused, letting the fat boy digest this, then added, "They're mad from being hunted, and they have the means to fight back. So, they might just decide to go for it and hit Reyes where it hurts. And that's what I'm hoping to see. A real showdown on the streets of Rio."
The fat boy's eyes lit up at the thought of watching such a spectacle unfold. As Castle leaned back into the sofa, both men prepared to witness the next chapter in this real-life "Fast and Furious" saga, confident that the ensuing drama would be even more thrilling than the last few days of cat-and-mouse chases.
Dominic's crew, battered but not broken, would soon face a crucial decision. Would they choose to hide indefinitely, or would they gather their resolve and mount a counterattack against Reyes, despite the overwhelming odds? With the safe house provided by Castle, they now had a brief respite to plan their next move.
Meanwhile, Reyes, unaware of the eyes watching him, continued to rage in his office, oblivious to the fact that every word and gesture was being monitored. Hobbs, on the other hand, remained determined to capture Dominic and bring him to justice, unaware of the potential collision course he was on with Reyes.
As the stage was set for the next act, Castle and the fat boy settled in for what promised to be a high-octane showdown,
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Read Ahead
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