While Castle was in his mansion, engaged in a tense back-and-forth with the three military representatives and the two rival CEOs, the Coast Guard had already moved into position at Long Island Sound. A patrol boat, four speedboats loaded with armed personnel, and a helicopter were steadily closing in on the yacht carrying the four Japanese "terrorists." Meanwhile, at the southern gate of Castle's estate, Taro Hiroen and his brother, Jiro, remained oblivious to the fact that four sniper rifles had already locked onto them.
Inside the command center, all eyes were on the drone feed, with the chubby technician, Harry, waiting for the go-ahead to proceed. The plan was simple: once Joe managed to lure the reporters further away from the van under the pretense of delivering an important announcement, Big Ivan's snipers would eliminate the Hiroen brothers. Only after that would the Coast Guard launch their assault on the yacht.
Finally, Joe appeared at the estate's southern gate, calmly stepping into view. Using the promise of "breaking news," she successfully drew the reporters away from their scattered positions near the gate and closer to her. The journalists, eager for new information, quickly surrounded her.
As the reporters swarmed Joe, Harry, monitoring the situation through the drone, confirmed that the Hiroen brothers showed no signs of movement and had not started their vehicle. Without hesitation, he gave Big Ivan the green light.
"Boom-boom... Boom-boom."
The sound of four sniper shots echoed sharply through the air, startling the gathered reporters. Panic briefly spread among them, but Joe immediately stepped in to reassure the crowd:
"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. What you just heard were controlled sniper shots taken by the FBI and NYPD to neutralize the remaining perpetrators from last night's attack on Castle's estate.
"These individuals, classified as 'terrorists,' were armed with high-powered weapons and had parked their vehicle dangerously close to all of you. Attempting to apprehend them directly would have risked a violent confrontation that could have endangered everyone here. Therefore, we made the decision to eliminate the threat before they could act. Please stand by while we verify their status, and I will provide you with the latest updates shortly."
Joe's years of experience as a detective and her current role at the FBI were evident in her calm yet authoritative demeanor. As she addressed the reporters, two teams of federal agents moved toward the van. One team established a perimeter to keep the reporters back, while the other cautiously approached the vehicle.
After ensuring the van wasn't rigged with traps, the agents opened its doors, revealing the Hiroen brothers slumped in their seats. Both were confirmed dead, having been shot with precision. Each brother had been hit by two .338-caliber sniper bullets—one in the chest and one in the head. Death had been instantaneous.
For Big Ivan's snipers, this was a routine operation. The 300-400 meter distance was well within their effective range, and their high-quality rifles and specially selected sniper rounds, courtesy of Castle's deep pockets, made the task almost trivial. Additionally, the Hiroen brothers, being nothing more than gangsters, lacked any counter-surveillance training. Their choice to sit together in the van's front seats made them easy targets.
To ensure there were no mistakes, Big Ivan had instructed his snipers to aim for both the chest and head. The brothers had no chance. Their fate was sealed the moment they decided to attack Castle's estate.
Ironically, the Hiroen brothers had been somewhat lucky the previous night. A detour caused by a police operation pursuing a serial killer had delayed them, sparing them from being part of the disastrous assault that had ended with the deaths of Watanabe and the mercenaries. Had they chosen to abandon their plans, Castle might never have pursued them. But their decision to escalate the situation—planning an RPG attack on the estate and an ambush on Castle's vehicle—sealed their doom.
Fortunately, their lack of knowledge about the TOW anti-tank missiles in their possession meant that the more dangerous weapons were never used. Each TOW missile carried over six kilograms of high explosives, far surpassing the destructive power of the RPGs.
At the southern gate, the reporters quickly realized that the van was the focus of the operation. Some began taking photos and filming the federal agents who had surrounded the vehicle. Meanwhile, others seized the opportunity to question Joe, now standing amidst the press:
"Agent Joe! How did the FBI confirm that the individuals in the van were part of last night's attackers?"
"Agent Joe, don't you think it was reckless to launch a sniper operation so close to where we reporters were stationed without giving us any prior warning?"
While many reporters focused on photographing the van, a vocal minority began to grill Joe, particularly about the FBI's decision to proceed with the operation without notifying the press. The accusation that the authorities had disregarded their safety sparked a wave of collective indignation among the reporters.
Joe, however, had anticipated such questions. As she watched agents unload an RPG launcher from the van, followed by two military-green crates containing the TOW missiles, she calmly reached for her radio.
"Bring the weapons here," she instructed. "Let's give the press a firsthand look at what was inside that van."
Joe, a veteran of the NYPD's 22nd Precinct and now a seasoned FBI agent, had no illusions about the media. She knew their primary role wasn't to uncover the truth but to shape public opinion, often in ways that served the interests of the powerful. In her eyes, reporters were tools used to pacify and manipulate the masses. They existed to distract the public with sensational stories while maintaining the status quo.
She had no intention of sugarcoating her response. As federal agents carried the weapons from the van to a display area near the press, Joe prepared to confront the reporters head-on.
When the reporters saw the RPG launcher and TOW missile crates, their outrage quickly began to dissipate. The sight of such high-powered weapons made it clear just how dangerous the Hiroen brothers had been. For those who had accused Joe of recklessly endangering their lives, the evidence was undeniable: had the brothers been given the chance to use these weapons, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Joe even considered offering an exclusive interview to the most vocal critic among the reporters. She knew that a little flattery and the promise of an inside scoop would be enough to redirect their focus. After all, the media's loyalty was easily swayed by access and attention.
Her thoughts were pragmatic, even cynical: If I give this guy an interview, he'll probably drop his safety concerns and focus on hyping up the FBI's actions instead.
For now, Joe's priority was clear: protect Castle from further scrutiny and minimize the fallout from the operation. She would deal with the press on her terms, using their predictable nature to her advantage.
(End of Chapter)
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