Despite Gianna's words, Castle maintained his lazy, indifferent posture. "Gianna, it's good you didn't let that Bernard family from France come to New York right away. Vincent's situation isn't fully resolved yet, so it's not the best time to bring out those items. But since you've mentioned that your D'Antonio family has close ties with them, returning those two paintings and the sculpture shouldn't be an issue."
Gianna was frustrated by Castle's alternating moments of shrewdness and utter cluelessness. She couldn't help but interrupt him, as he seemed ready to push these matters aside. "Rick, do you have any idea of the value of those two paintings and the Michelangelo sculpture?"
Castle finally sat up a bit, looking at Gianna with curiosity. "Are those paintings really that valuable? I know Michelangelo, of course, a Renaissance master. But what about the paintings?"
Gianna, already aware that Castle's knowledge of Western art history was abysmal, didn't bother trying to educate him. She simply laid out the facts. "Rick, one of those paintings is by Monet, and the other by Van Gogh—both are irreplaceable masterpieces. But even those two paintings together don't match the value of the Michelangelo sculpture. Combined, these three pieces are worth at least five hundred million dollars on the open market. Do you understand?
Even if we're returning these items to the Bernard family, no matter how close their relationship is with my family, we can't just let them take them back for free. Although these items are technically yours, I can't just stand by and let you give them away without compensation. Do you get it?"
Castle understood perfectly well; it was the old adage of "give an inch, take a mile." In his previous life, as someone from China, Castle was no stranger to the intricacies of human relationships. The truth was, Castle simply didn't want to think about it. He wasn't concerned about money at all. His income from twenty-six novels, plus the recent success of his latest book by Nikki Heat, which was still on the New York Times bestseller list, and the valuable items he acquired from Adam—far more precious than the artifacts in Gianna's basement—meant that Castle had no real need for more money. On top of that, he still had the cash from the heist with Fatso in Brazil from Hernan Reyes.
So, despite Gianna's mentioning the immense value of the art pieces, Castle wasn't particularly interested. He had few expenses, and with a large sum from an Italian aircraft manufacturer for drone technology rights still untouched in his account, he couldn't care less about the three pieces' worth.
However, he did agree with Gianna's decision to delay the Bernard family's visit. After all, Vincent was still unaware that the submarine he had pinned his hopes on was already empty. Even if they were going to return the three items to the Bernard family, it would have to wait until Vincent was fully dealt with.
At the same time, Castle had no intention of handing over the three items to the Bernard family for free. Despite the close relationship between the Bernard family and Gianna's family, Castle wasn't about to give away something so valuable just for the sake of that connection. Not to mention, if the items were worth five hundred million dollars, he would at least want half. Even if he had no use for it, he wasn't going to let some unknown Bernard family take advantage of him.
Gianna had notified the family that they had found these items, but she hadn't been so foolish as to promise they could have them back for free. She only informed them that they had traced the items' whereabouts. Castle wasn't an idiot; he knew exactly what Gianna was up to.
But since he really didn't want to deal with the Bernard family, Castle quickly passed the responsibility back to Gianna. "Gianna, you don't have much on your plate right now, so why not help me out and handle this? Their family is originally friends with yours, right? So let's set the price at half of the market value—two and a half billion dollars should be fair as a fee for finding these items. What do you think?"
Gianna shot a sideways glance at Castle, who had revealed his true colors. "Rick, that's a fair price. Their family isn't short of money, and this will earn me some goodwill from them as well. So, it's settled?"
Castle, now slouched back on the couch, replied lazily, "No problem. Just wait until we've completely dealt with Vincent before we move these items. By the way, Mozzie is discussing things with Neal regarding Neal's situation. I suspect Vincent will attempt to kidnap Neal in the next few days. When that happens, I'll need John to help me out. I can't handle Vincent alone."
Having received Castle's approval, Gianna wasn't concerned about what Castle and her boyfriend were planning. Instead, she was more interested in the gossip between Castle and Beckett.
At the mention of this, Castle perked up, sitting upright on the couch and eagerly chatting with Gianna, who was now more focused on the gossip than her usual business-like demeanor.
Meanwhile, in the small building behind the estate that belonged to Fatso, Mozzie was on the phone with Neal. As expected, after Peter learned from Neal that Vincent Adler was not only in New York but had also salvaged a Nazi submarine filled with treasures from World War II, he immediately reported it to his superior, Hughes. Hughes, in turn, secretly reported it to the higher-ups at the FBI. Upon learning that the New York office had a chance to capture the infamous conman Vincent Adler and recover a treasure-laden submarine, the FBI's leadership quickly agreed to Neal Caffrey's demands. They would exchange Vincent Adler's whereabouts and the submarine for a pardon of Neal's four-year sentence, which he was supposed to serve under FBI supervision.
As long as Neal Caffrey could lead the FBI agents to the well-hidden Vincent Adler and the submarine he salvaged off the coast of New York, the FBI would agree to Neal's request and formally erase the four years of his sentence with a written document. Neal was on the phone with Mozzie, his legal advisor, to discuss this.
Hearing Neal's excited voice, Mozzie remained calm. "Neal, this isn't something the FBI can decide on its own. They need to involve the Justice Department. Your pardon must come from the Justice Department to have legal standing. Understand?
Your situation is very delicate right now. I suggest you don't go home tonight. Stay at the FBI office, because if you go home and Vincent's people snatch you, the FBI might tear up the verbal agreement you've reached."
Neal chuckled on the other end of the line. "Mozzie, I'm well aware of how dangerous my situation is, which is why I've insisted the FBI provide my pardon by tomorrow at the latest. But I'll need you to be there, as my legal advisor, to sign off on it. Only after that will I fully cooperate with the FBI.
The FBI's plan is likely to throw me out there to be kidnapped by Vincent's men, letting them reap the rewards without lifting a finger. But I've made it clear that if they try that, I won't guarantee anything. They're in a bind right now—they're afraid if I get kidnapped before they're ready, they'll lose everything. So tonight, I don't even need to hide in the FBI office. I've got plenty of people protecting me, openly and covertly."
Mozzie laughed. "That works too. Signing the documents tomorrow before any action is a good plan. Vincent is under constant surveillance by Fatso, so he won't be able to pull any surprises. But be careful. Don't forget, if you're kidnapped alone, it won't work with our plan. You need to make sure your partner is taken along with you. Got it?"
Neal knew full well that tying Peter to him was the best way to clear his name. It was simple enough—he'd just make sure to go out with Peter after the pardon was signed tomorrow. Vincent was desperate; there was no way he'd hold back.
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