Hearing Walter's acquiescence, Simon chuckled with satisfaction. "I want you to find Officer John McClane, make him wear only his underwear with a sign on his chest and back that says 'I Hate Black People,' and have him stay in a black neighborhood for half an hour..."
Walter exclaimed, "Are you crazy? Making him wear only underwear and that sign in a black neighborhood? He wouldn't last five minutes before being attacked! You're sending Officer McClane to his death!"
Simon laughed heartily. "John McClane isn't that easy to kill. Those are my conditions. Remember, if you refuse or try to cheat, I'll immediately detonate another bomb in a crowded area of New York. Time is ticking. It's 8:52 AM now. I expect you to find Officer McClane and get him to that neighborhood by 9:30. If he's not there by 9:40, walking around with that sign, I'll set off another bomb. Also, you must stay at least two blocks away, no backup for McClane! Good luck, gentlemen..."
Walter, furious, slammed the phone down and turned to his subordinates. "Where's John? Why haven't I seen him?"
One subordinate quickly replied, "John's been suspended again recently, so he hasn't reported to the precinct. He's probably passed out drunk somewhere."
Walter, seething, ordered, "Find that bastard John McClane immediately! And get me Captain Roy Montgomery from the 12th Precinct. His intel was right. Damn it, this Simon guy is using John as bait to distract us."
His subordinates rushed to follow orders. Walter then called Captain Montgomery, who was at the 12th Precinct waiting for Castle's intel to locate Simon's bomb in the school. "Roy, your intel from last week, where did it come from? I just got a call from a guy named Simon. His demands are exactly what you warned us about. Buddy, I need your help. Simon wants McClane to wear a sign saying 'I Hate Black People' in a black neighborhood for half an hour. It's a death sentence!"
Montgomery laughed. He and Castle had anticipated this scenario when Castle first mentioned that Simon might make McClane wear that sign in a black neighborhood. Though skeptical at first, Montgomery trusted Castle and discussed a contingency plan. Castle had a strategy to turn the potentially uncontrollable situation with Zeus into a manageable one.
Confidently, Montgomery told Walter, "You're asking the right person. Here's what you can do: first, do this... then do that... and finally, this..."
Walter was astonished as Montgomery laid out a well-prepared plan. It dawned on him that although the NYPD hadn't taken Montgomery's previous intel seriously, Montgomery had trusted his sources and prepared for this exact scenario. Walter realized Montgomery must have been ready for Simon's demands, even predicting Simon's tactic of using McClane as bait.
With Montgomery's clear guidance, Walter felt reassured. His subordinates reported finding John McClane, still groggy from his hangover. Walter knew he needed to follow Montgomery's plan to the letter, getting McClane and the sign to the specified neighborhood quickly. If he failed to meet Simon's deadline, there was a real risk of another bomb going off in a crowded area.
Montgomery, after hanging up with Walter, immediately called Castle. "Castle, your intel was spot-on. Simon really did demand that McClane wear a sign saying 'I Hate Black People' in the black neighborhood. Are you sure everything is set up?"
Castle, lounging on Little Fatty's couch with snacks in hand, watching the drone feeds of the chaotic New York streets, casually reassured Montgomery. "Yes, it's all set. I have someone ready to assist McClane. Don't worry. I'm also working on finding the bomb Simon planted in the school. I'll notify you as soon as I have concrete info. Relax."
Montgomery felt reassured, grateful for having Castle involved. He realized that bringing Castle into the precinct had been a wise decision. Castle's advance knowledge and strategic planning were invaluable. Montgomery looked forward to the chance to shine in front of the NYPD's top brass and the public.
Meanwhile, Castle, after ending the call with Montgomery, leisurely found Zeus's number. He explained the police's predicament and detailed the impending arrival of a white officer with a provocative sign in Zeus's neighborhood. Castle emphasized that Zeus must ensure the officer's safety and promised a satisfactory reward for his help.
Zeus was frustrated but couldn't refuse after hearing the whole story. Protecting the officer was also in Zeus's best interest, considering the threat posed by the bomber. Reluctantly, Zeus agreed to Castle's request.
Shortly after hanging up, a police van screeched to a halt outside Zeus's hardware store. Walter, following Montgomery's directions, had delivered the still-hungover John McClane to Zeus's doorstep.
John McClane, dressed only in a white tank top and shorts, cursed under his breath. Suspended and drunk the previous night, he hadn't imagined that last week's intel about Simon would turn out to be true. After the explosion on Fifth Avenue, Simon specifically demanded McClane's participation in this deadly game. Only Walter's assurance of backup and support had given McClane the courage to face this dangerous task. Otherwise, even someone as bold as McClane wouldn't dare to wander the black neighborhood with such an inflammatory sign.
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