Chapter 117: Neal's Current Situation

Hearing that Abraham was busy preparing for Abigail's funeral and couldn't meet Castle to select some collectibles for his own collection, Castle called Abraham after getting out of the taxi at his destination with Mozzie. He informed Abraham that he had found a buyer for the Tutankhamun scepter. Abraham, having no interest in the pharaoh's scepter, gave Castle full authority to handle the transaction.

Pleased with Abraham's understanding, Castle set a time for the funeral and hung up the phone.

Mozzie, having spotted Castle while he was on the phone, approached and greeted him once he was done, "Rick, you're here. Let's talk as we walk..."

Castle warmly hugged Mozzie, whom he hadn't seen for days, and laughed, "Buddy, didn't I already tell you to handle the collectibles? Why drag me out here for this? You know, I'm currently solving a case with that pretty detective from the NYPD. You're interrupting my progress with her!"

Mozzie, slightly flustered by Castle's hug, replied, "Oh, sorry, Rick, for interrupting your flirting with the detective. But, buddy, the buyer for the Tutankhamun scepter is very interested. Are you sure you trust me with such a valuable item?"

Castle feigned anger and said seriously, "Mozzie, we're good friends. If I entrusted these items to you, I don't doubt your dedication. If you keep saying that, I'll get angry!"

Feeling warm from Castle's trust, Mozzie seriously asked, "Do you know how valuable that scepter is? The buyer's initial offer is already in the nine figures. If we negotiate well, the price could be even higher. You know, that scepter belonged to Tutankhamun!"

Castle chuckled, "I don't care who it belonged to. I only know it belongs to us now. And by us, I mean you and me.

Mozzie, as I said, you find the buyer and make the sale. You'll get ten percent of the proceeds. So, it's up to you to get the best price!"

Feeling the rare warmth of trust, Mozzie redirected the conversation to business, "Rick, are you really authorizing me to handle the scepter and the other artworks?"

Castle nodded affirmatively, "Yes, Mozzie, I told you before. I'm not in a position to negotiate directly with buyers, and they found us through your channels. So, you handle it. I trust you!

By the way, the scepter is in a secret warehouse. Since I was investigating a case with my muse detective, I didn't bring it. Are you in a hurry? If not, I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

Mozzie wasn't in a rush since they had taken high-resolution photos of Adam's collection, which he used to attract the buyer's interest. These photos were enough for the buyer to decide to purchase the scepter, so Mozzie called Castle to inform him personally.

After briefly discussing the scepter worth billions, Mozzie, feeling miffed about Neal's collaboration with the FBI, vented to Castle, "I don't understand why you guys like dealing with law enforcement. You have an excuse for gathering novel material, but Neal, what is he thinking? Even to find his missing girlfriend Kate, isn't it too much to cooperate with the FBI?"

Castle, intrigued by the gossip about Neal, asked, "So, how's Neal doing? Has he started his consultant job at the FBI? Hearing about his missing girlfriend Kate reminds me, I have a reliable source that could help find her. Want me to ask him if he needs help?"

Mozzie, full of complaints about Neal, replied, "The FBI pulled him out of prison for his first case to catch the infamous 'Dutchman' Curtis Hagen. He's gone mad. Even working with Peter Burke, does he need to try so hard?"

Castle, interested in the details, urged Mozzie to continue.

Amused by Castle's curiosity, Mozzie, annoyed by Neal's decision to work with the FBI, reluctantly continued. They found a quiet café, and Mozzie detailed Neal's recent activities to Castle.

Once seated and after ordering coffee, Mozzie began, "You know, Neal is very likable. The hotel the FBI initially arranged for him was a dump. We were both shocked by the rundown place.

But Neal's luck is incredible. That afternoon, while buying clothes, he met a kind lady named June. Learning about Neal's situation, June generously offered Neal her mansion's attic, saving our charming Neal from living in a dump surrounded by junkies, prostitutes, and thieves..."

Sipping his coffee, Mozzie continued, "Neal signed a deal with the FBI to work as a consultant for their White Collar Crime Division. Under Peter Burke's supervision, he wears an anklet and operates within a two-mile radius of the FBI's New York office in Times Square. That means he can't go to places like Brooklyn or Queens. If he steps out of the radius, the anklet alerts, and he's thrown back in prison..."

Castle expressed sympathy for Neal and urged Mozzie to continue, knowing the firsthand account would be more engaging.

Mozzie, sensing Castle's intent to let him vent, recounted Neal's situation passionately, "Neal barely settled when Peter gave him the first task: to help investigate Curtis Hagen, an art forger as skilled as Neal. This guy's forgeries of paintings and bonds are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Yet, Neal dived headfirst into the investigation, working as hard as a real FBI agent! Just to show his value as a consultant, but it's insane!"

Castle, amused, but wanting to support Mozzie and Neal fairly, said, "Mozzie, you know Neal needs to prove his worth in this first case to show the FBI he's valuable. We should support him as his friends!"

Mozzie, realizing the truth in Castle's words, calmed down and agreed, "You're right. Neal needs to show his worth to keep the FBI from throwing him back in prison.

By the way, Rick, did you say you have a source that can help find Neal's missing girlfriend, Kate? Really? You're not joking?"

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