Castle, always a man of action, immediately set his plan into motion. Since his daughter was at school and his mother wasn't home, he figured he might as well use the time to visit the Continental Hotel in New York and ask Uncle Winston for a favor.
His recent trip to Brazil had exhausted the majority of the military supplies he had previously asked Winston to procure. It was time to replenish his stock.
Without delay, Castle pulled out a massive suitcase and retrieved a full five million dollars in cash from his personal stash. After all, it wouldn't be right to ask Winston to procure military-grade drones and equipment without footing the bill himself. He also brought along two bottles of top-quality rum he had purchased in Brazil as a gift. He couldn't show up empty-handed when asking for a favor.
Castle loaded the suitcase into the trunk of his Mercedes S400 and drove straight to the Continental Hotel, located in central Manhattan.
As soon as the lobby manager, Garon, saw Castle walk in with a huge suitcase, he sensed that this restless writer was here to ask Winston for another favor. Despite his inner grumblings, Garon maintained a professional smile and greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Castle. Are you here to see Manager Winston? He's in his office now. Would you like me to escort you up?"
Castle politely declined Garon's offer, shaking his head. "Hello, Garon. Since Winston is in his office, I'll just go up myself. Could you let him know I'm here? Thank you!"
Garon, well aware of the close relationship between Castle and his boss, didn't push further. He gestured towards an inconspicuous elevator that led directly to Winston's office. After Castle acknowledged his thanks and headed for the elevator, Garon returned to the front desk to call Winston and inform him of Castle's arrival.
"That kid! Didn't he just return from causing a ruckus in Brazil? What's he doing here so soon?" Winston, reviewing the hotel's recent performance reports in his office, was puzzled by the sudden visit. He had already learned through the Continental's extensive underground intelligence network that Castle had been in Brazil. Castle's recent actions in Rio de Janeiro, particularly involving the notorious drug lord Hernan Reyes, had not gone unnoticed.
Winston knew that Reyes had been targeted by a gang of American street racers and subsequently killed by DSS (Diplomatic Security Service) agent Hobbs. This had thrown Rio's underworld into chaos. Winston couldn't fathom how Castle, with no apparent connection to Reyes, had gotten involved in such a dangerous situation. However, with Castle on his way up, Winston hoped his questions would soon be answered.
Castle, familiar with the office, casually wheeled the suitcase full of cash into Winston's office. Since learning that Winston had secretly protected him and his mother, Castle's attitude towards him had changed significantly. He was genuinely grateful to this elder for his help.
"Hello, Uncle Winston. I brought you the best rum from Brazil. You should try it..." Castle's tone was unusually respectful as he placed the two bottles on Winston's desk.
Winston, knowing Castle's penchant for mischief, sighed and removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose before speaking. "You little rascal, after turning Rio upside down, instead of resting at home, you come here. What do you want from this old man now?"
Castle realized that Winston was aware of his recent escapades in Brazil. But since he had done nothing illegal, he wasn't concerned. Smiling, he began to explain.
"Uncle Winston, it's a misunderstanding. I didn't cause any trouble in Brazil. It's all a big mix-up..."
"Misunderstanding? A misunderstanding that leaves the notorious Hernan Reyes dead? You little troublemaker, can't you stay out of chaos for even a day?" Winston scoffed, clearly unsatisfied with Castle's explanation. Castle had no choice but to give a detailed account of his Brazilian adventure.
He explained that he had gone to Brazil for a vacation, only to get entangled in a plot involving his hacker friend and Dominic's team, who were seeking revenge on Reyes. Castle's role was merely to assist and protect them without getting directly involved in the heist or confrontation.
As Castle described the events, Winston's expression shifted from disbelief to shock. "Are you saying that Reyes set an ambush for the DSS agents who were after Dominic? This guy must have lost his mind! A local drug lord daring to go against US government agents?"
Winston's interest was piqued because he knew Reyes and his powerful influence in Rio. He was astounded that a group of American street racers, aided by DSS agent Hobbs, had managed to rob and kill Reyes. Winston now understood that Castle had played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the chaos that unfolded.
Castle proudly narrated how he had warned and aided Dominic's team multiple times, providing them with a safe house and a yacht. Winston, who knew Castle's character well, realized that Castle had orchestrated the events out of sheer enjoyment for chaos.
As Castle finished recounting his story, Winston felt a deep sense of exhaustion. The favor he owed to Castle's father seemed to demand more than he had anticipated. This young man's antics since teaming up with John to take down the Tanasoff family had only escalated. Winston couldn't help but worry about how much longer his heart could handle Castle's constant troublemaking.
While Winston pondered how to advise Castle against his reckless behavior, Castle finally revealed the reason for his visit. "Uncle Winston, I'm here because I need your help again. I can't just drop by for a chat and bring you some rum, right?"
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter
Get 33% off all subscription levels from Jan 10–17! Use code: CF4C2