Reborn as an American Writer

After basking in his daughter's admiration, Castle decided it was best to stay humble. Under Alexis's astonished and worshipful gaze, he explained, "Actually, I'm not a detective, sweetheart. I just have access to more information than the police, sometimes even more than they do.

First, the New York Recycling Company, which claimed to have the world's most advanced battery recycling technology, had already been on my radar. Someone mentioned to me that their so-called advanced technology had some major flaws. But since I had no dealings with the company, I just kept the information in mind without investigating further.

But then this case came up, and it all clicked. I had heard some rumors about the company, and coupled with the poor performance of the woman claiming to be the victim's fiancée, it was hard not to suspect the company."

Castle's explanation aligned with Alexis's understanding of her father. She knew that due to his writing career, he had connections across various circles in New York. Sometimes she even wondered how many people he actually knew. As she pondered, she continued eating her breakfast and listened to Castle.

"Plus, you know, Beckett is very dedicated and hardworking. She also put in a lot of effort and made significant contributions to solving this case," Castle added.

Alexis giggled. "Dad, it sounds like you're trying to defend Detective Beckett. I didn't say she didn't contribute!"

Castle didn't feel embarrassed at all about revealing his thoughts to his daughter. He solemnly said, "Well, it's true. This case wasn't solved by me alone; it was a team effort."

Alexis finished her breakfast and, after a sip of orange juice, wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I'm done. I'm off to school. We can talk more about it when I get back, okay?"

Castle, with a pained expression of 'my daughter is growing up and isn't my little girl anymore,' watched Alexis grab her backpack. He suddenly remembered something. "Alexis, do you need any allowance? Do you have enough pocket money?"

Alexis, who was about to leave, turned back mischievously. She grabbed Castle's wallet from the coffee table and took out a thick wad of cash. "Thanks, Dad. I was planning to buy some reference books after school... Wow, Dad, why do you have so much cash in your wallet? There must be over two thousand dollars here!"

Castle, who had millions of dollars in cash in his personal stash, smiled and didn't comment. He signaled for Alexis to take the cash. "That's nothing. One day, I'll fill your bed with cash so you can see what it's like to sleep on a pile of money."

After preparing breakfast for his daughter and sending her off to school, Castle wondered why his mother, Martha, hadn't gotten up yet. The front door opened, and he remembered that since he returned, Martha had been staying with her boyfriend, Chet. 

Martha, with little explanation, said she was home to pick up a dress for an evening event with Chet. She then went straight to her room, leaving Castle alone with a table full of food.

Castle spent the entire morning at home, using the rare free time to plan his next steps.

Firstly, he needed to stay close to Beckett. This would help him complete his system's main tasks, build her goodwill, and temporarily deceive Vincent Adler, making Adler think Castle was unaware of the secrets hidden in the music box and the submarine. By sticking with Beckett, Castle could thwart any attempts Adler might make against him.

Secondly, he needed to ensure Harry's highest level of surveillance on Adler's group. This was crucial. Castle learned that Adler had brought a Panamanian-registered salvage ship to New York, indicating serious intentions. Without an insider in Adler's team, Castle had to rely on Harry for thorough monitoring, which required Castle's technical support.

Additionally, Castle needed to warn Neal and Mozzie to prioritize their safety. Adler might attempt to eliminate them to clear any threats before recovering the submarine. Neal's situation was relatively safe, as he was constantly with FBI agent Peter, making it unlikely for Adler to provoke the FBI. Mozzie, however, was more vulnerable due to his solitary lifestyle.

Castle also had to cover their suspicion of Adler's intentions. They needed Adler to recover the treasures before Castle and Neal could plan their heist. Once Adler brought up the submarine's contents, Castle intended to secretly steal them, leaving Neal and Mozzie to clear their names afterward.

After outlining his plans, Castle received a call from Winston, informing him that his order of weapons and drone modification parts was ready for pickup at a Brooklyn warehouse. Winston, a supportive uncle, reassured Castle that the five million dollar deposit was sufficient, and any additional costs would be covered as a gift.

Grateful for his uncle's generosity, Castle hurried to the warehouse. Upon arrival, he found his order securely packed in a large van. Winston's men even offered to deliver it to a location of Castle's choosing, but Castle, confident in his concealed carry permit and rapport with the NYPD, decided to drive the van himself.

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