Chapter 143: A Big Secret

"Or perhaps we could access the confidential database of the NYPD and see what they know about you?"

Castle joked with Mozzie while cleverly using Neal's laptop. Through a backdoor he had long planted in the NYPD's network, Castle effortlessly breached the NYPD's confidential database right before Neal and Mozzie's eyes, bypassing the firewall with ease.

Watching Castle navigate the NYPD's confidential database as if it were his own home, Neal and Mozzie could barely pick their jaws up off the floor, astonished at Castle's ease of access. Mozzie, with a series of astonished exclamations, watched Castle roam freely within the NYPD's database.

In fact, Castle was taking a shortcut. Using Neal's laptop, Castle knew it would be impossible to hack into the FBI's database quickly. The real reason he could hack into the NYPD's database so swiftly was that he had previously, during a case with Beckett, discreetly opened a backdoor in their network. This brief demonstration gave Neal and Mozzie a direct impression of his hacking prowess.

Neal Caffrey, though a renowned art thief, was an amateur in network technology. At best, he could cheer Castle on or marvel at his operations. Mozzie, more knowledgeable in network technology compared to Neal, still couldn't compare to Castle. Castle's hacking skills were top-notch, awarded directly by the system, making Mozzie's skills seem elementary in comparison. Mozzie understood the significance of Castle's abilities; hacking into the NYPD's firewall in a few minutes with a standard laptop was no small feat.

Unaware that Castle had already prepared a backdoor, Mozzie thought Castle was merely putting on a show to impress them with his computing skills.

After a quick tour of the NYPD's confidential database, Castle meticulously erased any trace of his intrusion, exited, and then, with a satisfied smile, looked at the stunned Neal and Mozzie. "What do you think? Didn't expect a writer like me to have such incredible hacking skills, huh? Impressive, right?"

Castle's deliberate boast brought Neal and Mozzie back to their senses. Despite Castle's extraordinary computer skills, he was still the same old jokester they knew.

Castle's humor refocused Neal and Mozzie's attention on the information he had brought.

Neal, smiling, poured Castle a glass of 45-year-old Château Cheval Blanc wine, urging him to continue sharing the information about the current incident.

Castle took a sip of the wine and continued, "I mentioned that only three people survived from that submarine, one of whom was Vincent Adler's father. Vincent learned about this from his father, but unfortunately, his father couldn't remember the exact location of the sunken submarine. For some reason, he couldn't even recall a rough estimate!

To find the submarine, Vincent had to look for the other two survivors. One died shortly after arriving in the USA, leaving only one remaining telegraph operator. This operator not only took a music box that once belonged to the Russian Tsar but also recorded the method to create the submarine's distress signal receiver on the comb of the music box!

Theoretically, finding this music box and deciphering the notes on the comb could reveal a fractal pattern. This pattern could then be used to build a device to receive the distress signal from the sunken submarine. Simply put, finding the music box equals finding the submarine!

This explains why Vincent would trouble Neal for the music box, especially since Neal was once Vincent's student. Knowing Neal wouldn't give it up easily, Vincent used Fuller to coerce Neal through Kate, ensuring that even if Neal knew about Fuller, Vincent would remain hidden.

However, things didn't go as Vincent planned. We enlisted the help of Barry Street, who exposed Fuller and indirectly Vincent to us, completely disrupting Vincent's secret search for the music box to locate the submarine."

Castle's revelation left Neal and Mozzie utterly stunned. They were amazed at Vincent Adler's cunning and Castle's formidable intelligence-gathering skills, which uncovered many classified details. Neal felt deeply grateful and proud of his friendship with Castle, which had begun years ago when Castle, curious about the life of an art thief, befriended him. This connection not only helped find his missing girlfriend but also revealed secrets from 70 years ago.

Seeing their astonished expressions, Castle teased them, "This is just the beginning. I have even more explosive news. Once I'm done, you'll be even more surprised. Especially you, Neal. I hope what I say next doesn't ruin some of your fond memories…"

Castle's preamble confused Neal. What could he possibly say that would ruin his memories?

Mozzie, ever composed, sipped his wine and advised Neal, "Just listen to Rick. He won't keep anything from us. You'll know soon enough."

Castle, with no intention of keeping them in suspense, continued, "The person who had the key technology to locate the submarine was named Hunter. He had a granddaughter named Alex Hunter..."

Castle's words truly shocked Neal. He stood up from his chair, incredulous. "Rick, what are you saying? Alex? How is that possible?"

Castle, unconcerned with Neal's reaction, was determined to reveal everything. "I suspect that when Alex asked for your help to steal the music box, she already knew its secret. Vincent, having learned about the submarine from his father, likely executed the Ponzi scheme on Wall Street eight years ago to fund his search for the submarine. Based on current information, the submarine was a treasure ship, not a military vessel. Vincent wanted to find and retrieve it.

As for Alex, I doubt she was unaware of the music box's secret since it was her grandfather who hid it. Neal, did Alex ever tell you the music box came from her grandfather when she asked for your help?"

The revelation about Alex's background left Neal speechless. He knew Castle had no reason to lie, so it had to be the truth.

When Alex sought Neal's help to steal the music box, she never mentioned it was from her grandfather. She merely said it was valuable and that someone specifically wanted it. This raised two possibilities: Alex either wanted to keep the music box for herself or the person who wanted it was Vincent Adler. Regardless, Alex had indeed concealed the true nature of the music box from Neal.

However, Neal didn't believe Alex betrayed him. If Alex were in league with Vincent, Vincent wouldn't have needed to use Kate to coerce him. He would have known Neal hadn't succeeded in stealing the music box back then.

___________________

Read Ahead

P@treon.com/Mutter