Beckett had no idea what Castle was plotting. Watching her husband smirking smugly, she couldn't contain herself any longer. The commanding aura of a strong woman exploded as she demanded, "Talk! What are you even trying to do here?
First, you refuse the FBI's request. Then, you say you want to notify the Japanese government that you're 'calling it quits.' Now you're talking about digging a trap for those little sneaks. What exactly are you planning?"
Castle, knowing full well that if he didn't explain himself, he'd likely be banished to the couch for the night, finally decided to lay out his reasoning.
"Here's the thing," he began, adopting his most diplomatic tone. "First off, I've already vented my anger and gotten revenge. Other than that bastard Watanabe Taro, who's still stewing in Washington with the arms delegation, we haven't actually suffered any real losses in this whole mess, right?
So why should we completely burn bridges with the Japanese government?"
Beckett raised her eyebrows and interrupted, "You think you haven't already burned that bridge to ash? Their entire intelligence network in Hawaii has been dismantled, and now the FBI in New York is running wild, hunting down every operative and sleeper agent they've got.
You really think they don't already hate you to the bone? That's beyond naive."
Castle waited for her tirade to finish before shaking his head. "No, you're wrong. What I've done so far has just been a measured response. Sure, if I don't send them a message saying this ends here, it could escalate to the point of causing them catastrophic losses. But that's exactly why I plan to notify them that I'm calling it off. For now."
Beckett looked incredulous. "If that's the case, why didn't you just accept their apology and settle this when they sent someone to grovel earlier?"
Castle chuckled awkwardly. "Well, at the time, I hadn't thought it through. Plus, I hadn't given the New York list to Joe yet. I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone—pay back the favor I owe her and have the FBI help clear out the Japanese operatives and sleeper agents in New York. After all, that's where we live, and it's better for us if they're gone.
But today, when the FBI showed up at my door asking for the full list, I realized this couldn't go on. Two states losing their networks is one thing; dismantling their entire operation across the U.S. mainland is another. That's why I decided to pull back now and let the Japanese know I'm not someone they should mess with."
He added with a mischievous grin, "Of course, I'm not giving the list back to them. Even if I wanted to, they wouldn't believe I didn't keep a copy for myself."
Beckett narrowed her eyes. "So what's this 'digging a trap' business you were talking about?"
Castle's grin widened. "Look, if I notify the Japanese that this ends here, their natural paranoia won't let them fully believe me. They'll probably still move to evacuate their operatives and sleeper agents who've already received withdrawal orders. And once those people start moving, the FBI—which is monitoring domestic activity like hawks—will inevitably pick up on it.
Here's the genius part: once I 'make peace' with the Japanese, any operatives the FBI catches will have nothing to do with me. I'll be completely out of the picture.
And don't forget—Joe has a copy of the same 'Eye of God' software that you and the NYPD use. So once the Japanese agents start moving, she'll be able to spot them, and the FBI can nab them. Meanwhile, I'll just sit back and watch the show."
Beckett finally understood. Castle wasn't just calling off his grudge with the Japanese government—he was redirecting all the fallout toward them.
By refusing to hand over the full list to the FBI and simultaneously signaling a truce to the Japanese, Castle would create the perfect scenario for both sides to clash. The Japanese, uncertain of Castle's intentions, would likely proceed with their evacuation plans, giving the FBI ample opportunities to track down and arrest their operatives. And through it all, Castle would remain uninvolved, effectively wiping his hands clean while reinforcing his image as someone no one should dare provoke.
But, of course, Castle had even more up his sleeve. What Beckett didn't know—at least not yet—was that Jarvis had left a little "present" for the Japanese. During its violent hack of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office's database, Jarvis had planted a hidden backdoor—one so well-concealed that the Japanese would never find it with their current technology. Castle hadn't activated it yet, but it was there, ready to use if the Japanese ever crossed him again.
With this backdoor, Castle could gain access to far more than just the intelligence network in the U.S. If the Japanese government dared to provoke him again, he could expose their operations in other countries as well. Castle's message of "peace" was nothing more than bait for a larger trap, one that would only spring if the Japanese made the mistake of underestimating him a second time.
After hearing Castle's full explanation, Beckett shook her head in disbelief. "You're really something, you know that? First, you hit them where it hurts. Then you tell them you're willing to let it go, all while setting them up for a bigger fall if they don't behave.
You've basically turned double-dealing into an art form. You'd make a fine politician."
Castle laughed heartily. "Come on, Beckett, it's not that bad. Look, we both know the Japanese government isn't going to forgive me anytime soon. They're small-minded and vengeful—it's in their nature. I'm just making sure they know I'm not an easy target. Besides, I'm not the one who started this whole mess. If Watanabe Taro hadn't been such an idiot, Alexis and I would still be back in New York, enjoying Christmas.
And hey," he added with a grin, "this tropical Christmas wasn't so bad, was it? When was the last time you got to spend the holidays on a warm beach?"
Beckett rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. Castle's logic might be twisted, but it was hard to argue with results. At least Alexis was safe, and they'd made the best of an unexpected situation.
Later that evening, Castle had Jarvis create an anonymous email address and draft a message to the Japanese Cabinet Secretary. The email politely informed them that Castle considered the matter settled and would not escalate further, provided they ceased all future provocations. Whether they believed him or continued their evacuation plans was entirely up to them.
At the same time, Castle discreetly contacted Joe Martinez in New York, advising her to prepare for increased activity from Japanese operatives as they tried to relocate. With the FBI's unique "Eye of God" software, Joe would likely score big in the coming days, cementing her position within the Bureau and finally allowing Castle to repay the favor he owed her.
As the Japanese government scrambled to interpret Castle's message, and the FBI ramped up its counterintelligence operations in New York, Castle shifted his focus to more personal matters. He enlisted Robin's butler, Higgins—a former MI6 operative—to help organize a welcome banquet for John Wick, Gianna, and baby Onora, who were flying in from Rome the next day.
While the Japanese government and the U.S. State Department scrambled to navigate the diplomatic fallout from the espionage scandal, Castle was busy planning a festive New Year's celebration in Hawaii. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him.
But as far as Castle was concerned, he'd done his part. Let the diplomats and spies fight their battles—he had friends to entertain and a new year to ring in.
(End of Chapter)
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