Ethan wore a grave expression. "Something has felt off about this mission from the start. First, the deputy director bypassed our supervisor to assign me this clearly unusual task. Then, our team—normally deployed in Europe and the Middle East—was suddenly reassigned domestically. And now, we're only learning about the existence of this secondary team and their task at the last minute.
It's starting to give me a bad feeling."
Before Benji could respond, the ever-perceptive Luther spoke up. "From the mission's inception, this whole operation has felt strange. Are you thinking this isn't a CIA mission at all, but rather someone's personal agenda or a black operation?"
Ethan nodded without hesitation. "Exactly. I suspect the person who truly wants this software isn't the CIA itself, but someone within it."
Benji's eyes widened in realization. "You mean the deputy director who assigned this to us…"
Ethan cut him off sharply, unwilling to hear the name aloud. "Yes, him. It's the only explanation for the bizarre situation we're in. We still have to go ahead with tomorrow's plan, but I want everyone on high alert. What happened with Sam betraying me can't be allowed to happen again."
Luther, as sharp as ever, posed the question Ethan was likely already pondering. "So we proceed with the mission. But what if we actually succeed in obtaining the software? Do we hand it over?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Success or failure is ours to define. Until we figure out what's really going on, we can't just hand it over blindly. From now on, don't return to your safehouses. Stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we head straight to Chesterport. You two will remain on the yacht and cover me.
Luther, are you certain you can't hack into the estate's network?"
Luther shook his head. "That estate has a supercomputer running on a dedicated line. With just a laptop or the electronics from a van, I can't breach it. Besides, that place isn't just guarded by the supercomputer. Hackers like Harry Mitnick and that Ramsay guy are also on-site. The moment I try to break in, they'll catch me in under a minute. It'd be pointless and would only alert them.
Instead, I've done some reconnaissance. The estate has at least thirty bodyguards. Most of them spend their time in the gym during the day, probably because the writer doesn't leave home often. I've mapped out a safe infiltration route. The only dangerous part is getting from the beach to the supercomputer lab. But if the secondary team creates chaos by kidnapping the daughter, it should distract the bodyguards enough for you to slip in."
After finalizing their plans, the trio went to rest. The necessary equipment, as well as the yacht for the sea approach, had already been arranged by Nameless. They would pick it up at Chesterport the next morning. Satisfied with their strategy—and with a clear understanding that they wouldn't blindly hand over the software even if they succeeded—they prepared for the mission.
---
Meanwhile, Bob Lee Swagger, the world's most lethal sniper, had no intention of sleeping. After calibrating his sniper rifle at Gianna's shooting range, he was ready to eliminate Nameless. Castle, aware of Beckett's strong sense of duty, had deliberately avoided mentioning Bob's role to her. He knew she'd oppose using Bob to assassinate Nameless, a key figure in the Roxyette organization.
With Jarvis's help, Bob had located Nameless's safehouse. He would wait until the cannon fodder kidnappers made their move before striking. Once the chaos from Castle's counterattack on the highway drew Nameless's attention, lowering his guard, Bob would act. Knowing the layout of the safehouse and its security measures, Bob was confident the operation would be swift and decisive.
Castle found the notion of Nameless's "divide and conquer" tactic laughable. As someone who grew up studying strategies from millennia-old Chinese texts, Castle saw through it easily. Who did these amateurs think they were dealing with?
---
The next morning, as the sun rose, Alexis finally learned of the plot against her from her father.
"Someone wants to kidnap me? Then why not let Beckett arrest them if you already know? Why make me stay home and even refuse to let me call in sick?" Alexis asked in confusion while sitting in the dining room, watching her father cook eggs.
Castle answered casually while flipping an egg. "Because the kidnappers are CIA. Who knows if they're monitoring your school? If they realize you're absent, they might cancel the operation. How else can I take them all down in one swoop?"
Beckett, already finished with breakfast and preparing to leave for work, shot Castle a sharp look, clearly disapproving of his decision to share such a dangerous situation with Alexis. Castle's sheepish grin deflected her glare. "I know you think I shouldn't tell her to avoid scaring her, but does she look scared to you?"
Alexis smiled at Beckett. "Thanks, Beckett, but I'm not scared. Dad and you have everything under control, so why should I worry?"
Shaking her head, Beckett muttered her resignation. "Castle, I'm heading to the station to assemble the team. I'll also discreetly inform Deputy Chief Montgomery. Trust me, once he hears that the CIA is pulling stunts like this in New York, he'll make sure they pay. And don't forget your promise: capture the second group alive."
As Beckett left, Alexis asked curiously, "Dad, does Beckett mean there's another group besides the ones trying to kidnap me? Are they after you?"
Castle chuckled. "Not exactly. While the kidnappers target you, the other group plans to slip into our estate during the commotion and steal from the supercomputer lab. After breakfast, go to your room, lock the door, and stay put. I'll have everything sorted by noon."
Obedient as ever, Alexis nodded. After ensuring his daughter was settled, Castle stepped outside to meet Ivan. He instructed him to prepare to leave in fifteen minutes, driving Alexis's car to bait the kidnappers.
At the same time, Castle directed another bodyguard, Andre, to fortify the estate's defenses with ten men. Six more were dispatched to sea, using a yacht and a speedboat borrowed from Gianna's estate. Their mission: capture Benji and Luther on the yacht after Ethan disembarked.
Confident that the six burly bodyguards could handle the two tech specialists, Castle emphasized a peaceful approach. "Surround them and call out their names. Tell them Ethan is already captured. If they don't want him harmed or their boat sunk, they should surrender."
Castle harbored a soft spot for Benji and Luther, hoping to recruit them once they were inevitably ousted from the CIA after this debacle. He even imagined their potential value in future conflicts against rogue operatives. Thus, he instructed the bodyguards to minimize harm.
With everything in place, Castle watched Ivan—who had sworn to take down the kidnappers—drive off in Alexis's car. In the meantime, the ambush teams, already stationed for over an hour, awaited their moment to strike.
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