Within the U.S. mainland—especially in a city as crucial as New York—the number of operatives and sleeper agents planted by Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office was far fewer than in Hawaii. This disparity was largely due to the immense geographical distance between Japan and New York, making it significantly more challenging for Japanese operatives to embed themselves compared to Hawaii, where a substantial Japanese-American population had already existed for generations.
But this didn't mean New York was any less significant. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
The agents and sleeper operatives stationed in New York were of far higher value and often held much more sensitive positions than their counterparts in Hawaii. Recognizing this, Joe Martinez had no intention of idly coasting back to New York on a yacht with Henry at a leisurely pace. Time was of the essence.
Joe knew that Japan's intelligence agency might soon order a complete withdrawal of their assets in New York if they realized Castle had shared their names with the FBI. If the Japanese acted quickly, these high-value targets could escape easily by plane, car, or other means. There was no natural barrier like Hawaii's isolation to keep them contained.
Thus, even before boarding her flight back to New York, Joe had already mobilized her best team of agents. She had no doubt about the urgency of the situation. While waiting for her plane, Joe sent the full list of Japanese operatives and sleeper agents—Castle's "New Year's gift"—to the FBI Joint Operations Center at 26 Federal Plaza.
This center wasn't exclusive to the FBI; it also housed agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies. When Joe's deputy, Jabbor, received the file, he immediately dispatched agents Maggie and Jordan, along with their tactical teams, to begin the arrests.
Naturally, the primary targets were the high-ranking operatives directly tied to Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. The sleeper agents, though far more numerous, were assigned a lower priority and portions of their list were handed over to DHS for processing.
After the 9/11 attacks, the DHS had been established with overlapping jurisdiction over counterintelligence and domestic security. They, like the FBI, were authorized to investigate and arrest foreign spies operating on U.S. soil. Joe, Jabbor, and even Hughes—the FBI's New York Division Chief, who was rushing back to oversee the operation—agreed that leveraging DHS's resources would ensure as many individuals on the list were apprehended as possible. The FBI could focus on the key players while DHS handled the rest.
Meanwhile, back in Japan, the Chief Cabinet Secretary was grappling with the worst-case scenario. He received devastating news: FBI agents in New York had launched a large-scale operation, mirroring the one in Hawaii, targeting all known operatives and sleeper agents tied to Japan's intelligence network.
The situation had escalated far beyond Hawaii. The U.S. State Department, closely monitoring the fallout in Hawaii, had pieced together the full scope of Japan's infiltration. When they learned that Japanese spies had targeted major U.S. defense contractors and prominent individuals—especially Castle, who had recently contributed to a classified stealth bomber upgrade project—the State Department could no longer remain passive.
In Hawaii alone, dozens of intelligence operatives and agents directly linked to Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office had been arrested. This figure didn't even include the larger number of sleeper agents. Now, with the operation extending to New York, the scale of Japan's espionage activities became undeniable.
The revelations sent shockwaves through Washington. The U.S. government had long considered Japan a compliant ally, content to "kneel" under the weight of American dominance since the end of World War II. But this incident revealed a far more ambitious and subversive side of their supposed ally.
The arrests in Hawaii had already exposed a shocking level of infiltration, but the New York operation revealed something even more chilling. According to the initial reports from Hughes, Japan's operatives in New York had infiltrated critical financial institutions on Wall Street and advanced technology sectors. These fields represented the backbone of American economic and technological superiority. The discovery left both the FBI and DHS deeply alarmed.
And the implications were clear: if Castle had only shared lists for Hawaii and New York so far, how extensive could Japan's network across the rest of the U.S. be? Suddenly, all eyes turned to the man at the center of it all—the writer vacationing in Hawaii, holding what was likely the full list of Japan's operatives and sleeper agents embedded across America.
Unbeknownst to Castle, the list he had handed to Joe had already sparked a firestorm 8,000 kilometers away in New York. While he was enjoying the tropical weather, preparing to meet up with John Wick and his family for more relaxation, Castle found himself unexpectedly visited by the FBI's Regional Director for Hawaii. The director had been urgently appointed as the Bureau's envoy to negotiate for the complete list of Japanese operatives.
The FBI director approached Castle cautiously, with a respectful but urgent demeanor. After all, Castle had essentially handed the FBI in Hawaii one of its greatest victories in recent history. And now, they needed more from him.
As Castle sat in Robin's study, casually swirling a glass of whiskey, the FBI director explained the situation and made his request. Castle listened patiently, but as the man spoke, Castle's mind wandered. His thoughts veered off into an amusing realization:
Why the hell are all the women I know ridiculously strong-willed, ambitious, and accomplished?
Beckett, his girlfriend, was a fiercely independent NYPD detective who had risen through the ranks on sheer grit and determination. Joe Martinez, now a senior FBI agent, had seamlessly transitioned from NYPD to the Bureau, commanding respect from everyone around her. Even his ex-wife, Gina, was a shrewd and successful publisher. The only exception, perhaps, was Alexis's mother, Meredith, who was a bit vain and scatterbrained—but even she had been career-driven enough to pursue an acting role by sleeping with a producer.
Castle smirked at the thought, his mind drifting further. And then there's Gianna, another powerhouse of a woman... What is it with me and these iron-willed ladies?
"Mr. Castle… Mr. Castle?" the FBI director called out gently but insistently, interrupting Castle's wandering thoughts. The director's tone remained deferential, but there was an unmistakable urgency in his voice. "Have you had a chance to consider the FBI and Department of Justice's request?"
Castle snapped out of his musings and took a sip of whiskey before leaning back in his chair. He stared at the director, who was clearly on edge, knowing full well the weight of the decision Castle was about to make.
Castle grinned inwardly. He had all the leverage, and the FBI knew it. For now, he decided to keep them waiting just a little longer. After all, what fun is life without a little suspense?
(End of Chapter)
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