Castle, unaware of the bigger picture, didn't realize that even if the Anonymous submitted all the evidence regarding Vincent Adler's case to the FBI, Director Hughes might not launch an investigation against him as expected. What Castle didn't know was that Hughes had already noticed something fishy about him in that case. The impressive tracking software Castle provided through Joe was, in a way, an indirect admission of his involvement.
What Hughes hadn't anticipated was how quickly Castle reacted. A secret CIA task force had already begun investigating Castle, a move Hughes was aware of and planning to suppress, using the longstanding animosity between the FBI and CIA as a pretext. Surprisingly, Castle handed Hughes a perfect excuse on a silver platter.
A dead Vincent Adler and a stash of stolen WWII treasures were insignificant compared to the incredible tracking program displayed on Hughes' laptop. This software could turn his New York field office into the FBI's crown jewel. It was a massive accomplishment.
Although Joe mentioned that Castle only granted exclusive access to the software for three years, after which it would be available to the entire FBI, Hughes was satisfied. Even in New York, the software wouldn't be exclusive to his field office, as the NYPD would also gain access to it. But for now, being the only FBI division to possess such technology was enough.
Hughes understood that this software was essentially Castle's hush money. Given his extensive experience and close ties to Shawn, Hughes had already suspected that the missing items from the submarine during the Vincent Adler case were taken by Castle. However, due to his friendship with Shawn, Hughes had chosen not to pursue the matter further. Now, with the CIA stirring trouble over Castle's technology, Hughes found himself inadvertently benefiting from their actions, landing this groundbreaking software without any effort. He couldn't help but laugh at the irony and silently thank the CIA.
The software was also safeguarded against duplication, preventing Hughes' superiors from copying it for other offices. This provided Hughes a solid excuse to deny sharing the software with other divisions. He was well aware of his superiors' ambitions and knew they would be tempted by such a powerful tool. The CIA's desperation for it only highlighted its value.
In the U.S., only the Los Angeles field office on the West Coast could rival New York's FBI field office. These two powerhouses handled the bulk of high-profile criminal and terrorist cases in their respective regions. However, New York's unique status made it a perennial hotspot for criminal activity, leaving Hughes often overwhelmed. With this software, he could finally take the upper hand and outpace the NYPD in their shared jurisdiction.
Having secured this favorable arrangement with the FBI, Castle returned to his estate to focus on compiling information on the "Rockset" organization. He decided to present this parasitic group within the CIA as a gift to Benjamin Arthur, the incoming President. Since the CIA directly reports to the President, it would be crucial for Arthur to consolidate control over the agency early in his term. Handing Arthur such sensitive information could serve as a significant bargaining chip, allowing him to streamline or reform the CIA effectively.
Castle had no intention of directly confronting the Rockset organization. Given their deep entrenchment in the CIA, their true strength was anyone's guess. Letting the President deal with this secretive group was far more straightforward. After instructing Jarvis to compile detailed intelligence on Rockset—personnel data, organizational structure, and key positions within the CIA—Castle decided to present it all to Arthur personally as a congratulatory gesture for his inauguration.
Once these tasks were settled, Castle was finally able to relax. Meanwhile, Beckett returned home after several days away. While Castle had been in Missouri, Beckett and DEA agent Sidney, with Jarvis' assistance, had dismantled a local drug ring and arrested Vulcan Simmons during a transaction with international drug lords. The operation's precision was entirely thanks to Jarvis, who enabled Beckett's team to capture Simmons red-handed.
As for the powerful congressman backing Simmons, Beckett stuck to the plan she had discussed with Castle. She handed the case over to Sidney and the DEA, knowing her jurisdiction didn't extend to Washington. It also allowed the DEA to claim some credit, strengthening their collaboration.
Beckett was content with dismantling the local drug ring and capturing Simmons, leaving the congressman's fate to the DEA and Sidney. She returned to Long Island to celebrate with Castle, knowing the drug lord was finally in custody.
Castle, however, hadn't forgotten his earlier thoughts about eliminating Simmons once and for all. Now that Simmons was under NYPD custody, Castle couldn't risk an overt move that might trouble Beckett or her department. Yet he feared Simmons could escape justice through his political connections. To ensure Simmons wouldn't resurface, Castle resolved to discreetly take matters into his own hands. Naturally, Beckett could never know about this plan; she would never condone such an action.
The next morning, with Beckett off to work, Castle was contemplating how to deal with Simmons when Mark called.
"What did you say? GE wants to talk to me? About what?" Castle asked, puzzled that Mark seemed to be playing middleman for General Electric.
Mark explained the situation. "You know the B-2 bomber uses engines made by GE, not Pratt & Whitney. But your engine modification technology is exclusively licensed to Pratt & Whitney. While they're eager to leverage this technology to become the new engine supplier for the B-2, the Air Force and pilots prefer upgrading the current GE engines rather than replacing them outright.
"The problem is, apart from Pratt & Whitney, only you have the capability to upgrade those engines," Mark concluded.
Castle raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you tell GE and the Air Force that I've already exchanged this technology for a 0.9% stake in Pratt & Whitney? Why would I help GE, Pratt & Whitney's competitor?"
The issue seemed straightforward to Castle, leaving him perplexed as to why Mark even bothered to call.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]