Chapter 115: Cooperation

Beckett was a bit puzzled. After Castle proposed a brilliant idea to get the cooperation of the toughest federal prosecutor in New York, Candice "Hard Candy" Robinson, he then turned around and expressed uncertainty about meeting the key person in the case, the fugitive Jimmy who had undergone plastic surgery to change his appearance. Did he have other ideas?

With some time left before they reached the prosecutor's office, Beckett decided to use the opportunity to get Castle to reveal all his hidden thoughts.

Beckett didn't hesitate, "Do you have any other ideas or plans? While we're still on our way, spill everything. Don't worry about any negative impacts on our current investigation. I've told you before, say what you have to say. Are you doubting my judgment?"

Castle, trying to be charming, glanced at Beckett who was glaring at him while driving, "I don't have other plans, I just think that if I were the person from the Soprano family tasked with hunting down Jimmy, I would certainly be watching the police investigating this case to find Jimmy..."

Beckett was startled, "You mean someone is following us now?"

Castle quickly replied, "No, no, no, I'm not saying that someone is following us now. I'm saying that directly meeting with the well-hidden Jimmy has two risks. One, if we tell him that Dr. Joshua was killed using his own signature method, it might scare him. If he gets too frightened and refuses to testify against the Soprano family, we'll be in trouble with both the FBI and the Federal Prosecutor's Office.

Second, they can hide Jimmy's whereabouts well, but our movements are public. If the Soprano family's hitman follows us and finds Jimmy, it will not only be troublesome but also damage the relationship between the NYPD and the FBI.

Our investigation so far has clearly shown that the Soprano family tortured Dr. Joshua to find Jimmy, who had altered his appearance. We only want to catch the killer; there's no need to meet with Jimmy. After all, the FBI and the prosecutor's office likely know everything he does."

Beckett understood that Castle was looking out for her and the NYPD, but she also knew that Castle's perspective was too narrow. Smiling, she patiently explained why they needed to go to the Federal Prosecutor's Office.

"Castle, your concerns are valid, but our case is deeply connected to Jimmy, who is under protection. As a law enforcement agency, we have an obligation to coordinate with the FBI and the prosecutor's office. Although we often clash with the FBI, we do have a cooperative relationship with the Federal Prosecutor's Office. Their ongoing investigation of the Soprano family shows that the Sopranos are getting desperate. They wouldn't be so eager to find and kill Jimmy if they weren't.

If we focused our investigation on the Soprano family without informing them, it might alert the Sopranos and ruin their investigation. But by sharing our findings and working together, we can increase the efficiency of our investigation. Additionally, by notifying them, we retain the initiative. Even if something goes wrong, we remain in control.

This is the proper way for law enforcement agencies to operate. Got it? And when I talk to Candice, don't say anything!"

Castle, realizing Beckett's reasoning, nodded quickly, "Oh, that's what you were considering? I understand now. I'll stay quiet and watch you handle Hard Candy Candice."

Satisfied with Castle's response, Beckett focused on driving towards the Federal Prosecutor's Office to discuss the case with the renowned "Hard Candy" Candice Robinson.

Candice Robinson, the formidable Assistant Federal Prosecutor known for making criminals cry, had brown hair and an aggressive demeanor. She met with Beckett and Castle in her office. After listening to Beckett's explanation of Dr. Joshua's murder, Candice didn't immediately admit that Jimmy had struck a deal with the prosecutor's office to trade information on the Soprano family for immunity and protection. Instead, she denied any involvement and refused to cooperate with the NYPD in solving Dr. Joshua's murder.

Beckett had anticipated this. Unfazed by Candice's refusal, she pulled out the bank statement showing the payment from the prosecutor's office to Dr. Joshua for Jimmy's surgery. "Assistant Prosecutor Robinson, I have proof that your office paid Dr. Joshua for Jimmy's plastic surgery. With this, I can get a warrant to compel you to produce Jimmy, as he is a key witness in my case. If I do this, it might disrupt your investigation.

I don't want to fight you or the FBI. I'm just a New York cop trying to solve Dr. Joshua's murder. He was killed because he helped you. You have a responsibility to help catch his killer."

Candice was momentarily at a loss for words. Sensing an opportunity, Beckett pressed on, "We know you've done a lot to bring down the Soprano family. Jimmy might be your strongest asset. I understand your caution, so I'm not insisting on meeting Jimmy in person. He's well-hidden, and exposing him would be risky for both of us.

Our goals don't conflict. My case might even help your investigation. Working together will be more effective than going it alone."

Beckett's words struck a chord with Candice. After some thought, she looked at Beckett, "What do you need from me? We can't risk exposing Jimmy."

Beckett saw Candice's softened stance and smiled, "We don't need to meet Jimmy directly, but you can. One thing I must warn you about: telling Jimmy about Dr. Joshua's murder using his method might scare him into refusing to testify. I want to prevent that."

Candice appreciated Beckett's respectful warning and her attitude visibly improved, "What exactly do you need to know from Jimmy? If it's about the Soprano family, he's already told us everything."

Beckett smiled back, "We just need to know if anyone else in the Soprano family uses Jimmy's signature method of binding victims with tape and suffocating them with plastic bags. That's all."

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