Capítulo 168: Chapter 168: Evacuation
Mozzie was quite convinced by Neal's confidence that Alex wouldn't betray him. Neal wouldn't make such a definitive statement without certainty, and Mozzie deeply appreciated Neal's knack for understanding women. Generally, the more beautiful the woman, the more confident Neal was. In this world where looks matter, how could a bald, short guy with old-fashioned glasses like Mozzie compare to someone as handsome as Neal Caffrey?
As Mozzie and Neal were discussing their next steps to deal with Vincent, Richard Castle received a call at home. The caller was Winston, who had just reprimanded Castle earlier that day.
"Rick, I just got word that Vincent Adler is planning to withdraw all his people from New York and move them to Argentina. I don't know why this is happening. You haven't gone to see him since you left my place, have you?"
Winston's puzzled voice came through the phone. He hadn't had time to send someone to warn Vincent to stop targeting Castle, so why was Vincent retreating? Winston immediately called Castle upon hearing the news, suspecting that Castle might have taken revenge or threatened Vincent after the failed assassination attempt.
Castle was equally puzzled by Winston's question but quickly grasped the reason behind Vincent's sudden retreat. Although he didn't know everything, he could guess about 80% of Vincent's intentions.
However, now wasn't the time to ponder this deeply. He needed to answer Winston, who was waiting on the other end of the line.
"I haven't gone to see him, but I think I know why he's running. After his failed assassination attempt on me and his expulsion from the Continental Hotel, Vincent must be scared. He probably thinks I'll retaliate immediately. Plus, he's already a federal fugitive. If he doesn't flee now, what if I report him to the FBI? I believe he's considering all these factors and that's why he's running."
Castle chuckled nonchalantly as he spoke to Winston.
Winston, however, didn't relax. His voice grew more concerned: "Rick, do you think this is a good thing? It's not. This means Vincent sees you as a significant threat. You won't be safer just because he's left New York. In fact, your safety is in even greater jeopardy!"
Castle was bewildered. Why would Winston be more worried now that Vincent had left New York?
Perhaps sensing Castle's confusion, Winston didn't hold back: "You've basically broken ties with Vincent. Today, he even sent someone to assassinate you, and though you managed to turn the tables, it shows he considers you a serious threat. For someone as wealthy and egotistical as Vincent, this failure and the humiliation you caused are unbearable. So, if you were in his shoes, safe from the FBI in Argentina, wouldn't you spend money to get rid of the person who humiliated you?"
Castle understood Winston's point: "So you're saying he'll secure his safety first, then hire people to come after me?"
Winston confirmed: "Exactly. Vincent clearly sees you as a formidable adversary. He knows you can cause trouble for him in New York, so he retreats to Argentina, where he has the upper hand. There, he can focus all his resources on eliminating you. He has plenty of money and won't have to worry about the FBI or your direct retaliation."
Castle recognized the gravity of Winston's concern but didn't want to show fear. He thanked Winston for the information and assured him he'd be cautious. He also asked Winston to keep an eye out for any hitmen or mercenaries heading to New York and inform him immediately. After expressing his gratitude for Winston's concern, Castle hung up.
Though Castle wasn't unconcerned, his real worry lay with Martha and Alexis, who were his vulnerabilities. Fortunately, thanks to the previous attack by Santino, Sean's bodyguards had remained to protect Martha and Alexis. Thus, as long as Vincent sent assassins or mercenaries directly after him, Castle didn't see Vincent as an immediate threat.
Yet, there was one frustrating issue. Even if he knew Vincent would seek revenge, Castle couldn't go to Argentina to kill him, especially since Vincent hadn't yet recovered the submarine.
It wasn't practical to pull a John Wick and single-handedly storm Argentina. While avenging himself might be satisfying, the submarine's treasure, worth billions, was too valuable. How could he justify the effort to recover it?
Damn, Vincent was truly cunning, creating such a dilemma. Unable to kill him outright, Castle now had to prepare for Vincent's potential attacks. Did he misplay his hand today?
Frustrated, Castle decided to leave these headaches until tomorrow when he could inform Neal and Mozzie of the new developments. He'd said before that his role was to brainstorm and gather information. Let Neal and Mozzie deal with the strategizing.
With this burden off his mind, Castle calmly went to shower and sleep, unbothered by the looming threat from Vincent.
The next morning, Castle woke early as usual to make breakfast for Alexis. After seeing her off to the library, he leisurely called Mozzie to share the news about Vincent's retreat from New York and his predictions about Vincent's next moves, despite Mozzie's exasperated complaints about their plans being upended again.
After advising Mozzie to enhance his security, Castle stressed the importance of finding the music box's current location. If Neal couldn't act due to the FBI's tracker, Castle would find someone else.
The key was to secure the music box first, ensuring Vincent wouldn't simply eliminate Neal. With the secrets inside the music box, they could replicate the machine from 1945 that located the submarine, thus forcing Vincent to return to New York.
Castle didn't believe Vincent could stay put in Argentina if he saw them recreate that crucial device. Given Vincent's suspicious and selfish nature, he'd surely return to oversee the submarine search, bringing the battle back to their home turf.
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