Chapter 133: The Inside Story

Anxious to deliver the newly acquired information about Kate's location and the details behind the incident to Neal, Castle didn't waste any time at Barry Street. After sincerely explaining to 'Uncle Powell' that both he and Neal were eagerly awaiting this intelligence and couldn't stay to chat, Castle forcibly handed five lion coins, each worth $100,000, to Charlie, despite Uncle Powell's amused expression. He then thanked Charlie profusely for his help, apologized again to Uncle Powell, and hurried off with the folder.

As soon as he got into his car, Castle called Neal Caffrey. With just the words, "I found Kate," Neal nearly lost control of his emotions. Castle quickly calmed his passionate friend, assuring him that he was on his way to Neal's place at 87 Canal Street, which finally helped Neal regain his composure enough to hang up the phone.

Next, Castle called Mozzie to inform him that he had obtained Kate's location from Barry Street but needed to discuss some critical matters with both Mozzie and Neal first. He urged Mozzie to drop everything and head to Neal's apartment immediately, emphasizing that certain decisions required all three of them.

Without further delay, Castle started his car and headed straight for Neal's residence at 87 Canal Street. He planned to disclose Vincent Adler's hidden schemes to Neal, who still regarded Adler as a mentor. Castle wanted Neal to understand that Kate's sudden breakup and disappearance were orchestrated by Adler, who believed Neal possessed a certain music box. The music hidden in the comb of the music box contained a fractal code that could be used to create a radio transponder to locate a German submarine sunk off the coast of New York in 1945, filled with treasures looted by the Nazis. This was Adler's ultimate goal.

Originally, Castle was worried about how to reveal this intricate plot to Neal without arousing suspicion about his source. But once he received the folder from Charlie, those concerns vanished. Hence, Castle had been so generous with the lion coins as thanks to Charlie for such a thorough investigation that not only found Kate but also unearthed the involvement of Fuller and, ultimately, Adler.

Reaching Neal's loft, Castle saw the door open and Neal pacing anxiously inside. Clearly, Castle's phone call had left Neal too agitated to sit still. Neal rushed to greet Castle, his face showing evident impatience.

Without any preamble, Castle handed the folder to the visibly anxious Neal and walked to the wine rack, selecting a fine bottle to open.

Neal took the folder with a hint of apology, saying, "Rick, I'm sorry. I was just so anxious..."

Castle waved it off without turning around, "Neal, I understand. The answers you want are in that folder. Read it first. But I must warn you, it contains more than just information about Kate's disappearance; it explains why she left and her current situation. I hope you can stay calm after reading it. Mozzie is on his way too. Once you've read it, I'll tell you some things not in the folder."

Neal felt a pang of unease at Castle's serious tone, sensing that there were unpleasant truths ahead. Forcing himself to stay calm, he sat down and started reading the folder's contents.

Castle, meanwhile, picked a Burgundy wine, poured it into a decanter, and let it breathe, preparing to share it with Neal and Mozzie while discussing the next steps.

As Neal read each line, Mozzie hurried into the room. Seeing Neal engrossed in reading, Mozzie inferred that Castle had indeed obtained news about Kate. However, he was puzzled why Castle had urgently summoned him.

Mozzie gave Castle a questioning look. Castle, without hesitation, said, "Mozzie, either I tell you now or you wait until Neal finishes reading. You'll understand everything then."

Castle then poured three glasses of the decanted wine, handing one to Mozzie to help him settle down, placing another on the table for Neal, and taking the third himself, sitting down to wait.

The folder wasn't long, just two pages, but Neal read slowly, grappling with the revelation that his mentor, Vincent Adler, was behind everything. When Castle placed the wine in front of him, Neal snapped out of his painful reverie. His eyes reddened, he handed the folder to Mozzie, and hoarsely asked Castle, "Rick, did Barry Street find all this? How credible is it?"

Castle dropped his usual playful demeanor, knowing the gravity of his answer. This would determine Neal's response and the success of Castle's side mission.

"Neal, I guarantee the information is accurate. KING vouched for it. After getting this, I met with KING directly. He was adamant, and I trust he wouldn't risk Barry Street's underground reputation for a joke. Plus, I paid them five lion coins. I doubt they'd give me unreliable intel after that. So, I completely trust what's on those pages."

Castle's firm assurance confirmed Neal's suspicions. He slumped back into his chair, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Castle didn't disturb Neal. Mozzie, having finished reading, was equally shocked. He knew the terrifying implications of confronting Vincent Adler, who had been both mentor and father figure to Neal. Helping Neal retrieve Kate meant facing Adler head-on.

Mozzie's only feeling was a throbbing headache, contemplating the daunting task ahead.

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