Chapter 27: John’s Vacation BUFF

"What? You want me to help you erase your speeding ticket from the records? Are you awake? Dreaming much? Do you think it's that easy to erase a speeding ticket?

Besides, aren't you usually very careful when you drive? Last time you were in my car chasing robbers, you were lecturing me about how careful driving is every driver's duty. So, what now? You want me to bend the law for you?"

Hearing Castle's sneaky request to help him directly delete the speeding ticket records from the police internal network, Beckett couldn't help but voice her sarcasm.

"Hmph, let this bastard give me grief, calling me reckless. I can't even erase my own speeding tickets…" Beckett thought resentfully.

"I had to go to Long Island today to pick something up, and I might have been a bit too eager on the road…"

Castle, careful to keep a smile, felt he might still be saved and hoped Beckett would quietly help him just this once.

"No, I can't do it. Don't think that just because my computer is connected to the internal network I can do whatever I want. I can indeed look up such information, but that's it!

A lot of things are beyond my access. Erasing speeding tickets is definitely not within my authority."

Having recently assisted Beckett diligently in her investigations, at least she was now patiently explaining to him why she couldn't help, wasn't she?

"Ah... I thought you could handle this with your computer!" Castle felt somewhat disappointed.

"By the way, I'm heading to France in a couple of days. You don't have any cases on hand, right?" Castle, slightly disappointed, shared his main reason for visiting today with Beckett.

Beckett looked at Castle strangely: "What are you doing in France? It's not a book signing, is it? Your novels are being sold in France now?"

"Is it strange that my book is sold in France? My novels are available in several languages!"

Realizing Beckett misunderstood, Castle didn't correct her, letting her keep her assumption.

"Then go ahead, the recent cases are not challenging, and we already have suspects for most. We just need to arrest the targets directly; there are no special investigations needed. You can go to France and stay as long as you need."

Though it's really useful to have an assistant, Beckett admitted to herself that she was capable enough to solve cases whether Castle was there or not.

"Don't forget our gifts when you go to France!" Esposito chimed in from the side.

"Of course, guys, I won't forget you!"

Castle smiled broadly. Now that preparations were complete, he could relax and head to France... no, he was going to France to be a hidden mastermind, hoping he could safely stay out of trouble and maybe even achieve a zero-fatality victory.

Back at home, Castle subtly learned from Alexis about the exact departure time for Kem and Amanda and set his departure two days before theirs.

He felt that arriving in France two days ahead to set up would probably be about right.

He also sneakily obtained Kem's phone number from Alexis's contacts and tested his newly-acquired hacking skills to invade Kem's phone, securing the contact info for her truly cool dad, Bryan Mills.

On July 11th, Castle boarded a first-class flight from Kennedy Airport directly to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

"Welcome, Mr. Castle!" a charming flight attendant greeted him warmly as he boarded with large sunglasses and an air of disconnection.

Quietly refining his plans in his mind, Castle arrived at his destination - Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France.

Exiting the airport, Castle looked around, hoping to spot Pete, who was responsible for luring female tourists into the human trafficking ring. Perhaps due to timing or just bad luck, he didn't spot him and eventually took a cab.

After settling into a luxurious suite at the Four Seasons Hotel near the Champs-Elysées, Castle rented an inconspicuous Citroën and drove to Paradise Street, the location of the Albanian trafficker gang in the original drama, to scout the terrain and surroundings. As for the friend or relative's house that Kem and Amanda would visit, he wasn't sure of the location and would have to wait until two days later when Kem and Amanda arrived to find out.

Yes, Castle's plan was to start tracking them from the moment Pete made contact after they landed, following them closely and waiting for the plot to unfold.

This way, he could ensure the mission's success without being disrupted by unforeseen events.

Opting not to stay at the Paris Continental Hotel was also part of Castle's plan to remain hidden.

This way, even if Castle used the 'Lion of Fury gold coins' Gianna gave him, only Gianna and John would know he had been to Paris and used the

 coins in the underworld.

For someone determined to stay behind the scenes, or rather to disassociate himself from the sensitive homicides that would happen in two days, this was the best approach.

"Rick, you're in France?" John's surprised voice came over the phone as soon as Castle answered.

"How did you know I'm in France?" Castle was confused.

"I'm back in New York, and Gianna came back with me. Her father's health has improved recently, and she wanted to take this opportunity to visit New York since Santino still doesn't know I'm with Gianna. We're taking a vacation in the US before the inevitable confrontation when we return to Italy. Once Santino sees me with Gianna, our relationship is likely to deteriorate quickly. We might not have much free time then due to his potential scheming.

I just called your house, and Alexis told me you had just gone to France.

What are you up to? I was in Marseille for over a month, and you didn't come, but as soon as I leave, you go there?

I was planning to introduce you to Gianna!"

John complained over the phone.

"Oh, I'm here in France for some business, and I'll be back in no more than five days. You can't wait a few days?"

Castle quickly reassured John and told him he would return soon.

"Alright, I'll wait for you! I was wondering why you suddenly needed 'Lion of Fury gold coins.' It must be for this trip to Paris, huh? Rick, if anything comes up, don't forget to let me know immediately!"

John, hearing a hint of unrest in Castle's hurried words and choosing to respect their friendship by not prying further, simply hinted enough over the phone to let Castle know he always had his back.

"Thanks for your concern, John. I'll let you know if anything happens.

Just enjoy New York with Gianna!

Keep it up, work hard, and give me a chance to be a godfather soon…"

Castle was secretly moved but quickly changed the subject.

After hanging up, John said meaningfully to Gianna beside him, "It seems our writer wants to make some big news on his own this time…"

Meanwhile, moved by John's friendship, Castle didn't hesitate to make another call, speaking in standard Mandarin, "Hello, boss, it's Castle, the guy who shopped at your store last time. I need to order a hundred boxes of Ningxia goji berries, send them to Long Island... this address, remember, the recipient is John Wick! And pass him a message, 'Midlife crisis, so brew some goji in a thermos!' Got it? I'm transferring the money now!"

Hanging up, Castle chuckled mischievously.

"After all, I'm no devil, John, enjoy the vacation BUFF I've given you!!!"

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