American TV Writer

Castle's idea of buying an estate wasn't without merit. The 2008 subprime mortgage crisis and the subsequent financial meltdown had left many Long Island estate owners severely impacted. Many had suffered significant losses, making them eager to sell their properties. Castle, being a wealthy man, could easily afford to buy one of these estates. Even without touching the money he made through Moz's channels by selling Adam's collectibles, the illicit funds from Brazil stored in his personal vault, or the substantial royalties he received from licensing his drone technology and flight control system through Gianna to an Italian aircraft manufacturer, Castle was financially secure. In fact, just his royalties from the twenty-six novels he'd written would be enough to purchase an estate in Long Island, where property values had plummeted due to the economic crisis. Many were willing to sell.

So, when Castle mentioned buying an estate, everyone supported the idea, especially Harry. He was thrilled at the thought, knowing that if his Uncle Rick bought an estate nearby, he would have more chances to stay there and spy on the girl he had a crush on. For Harry, this meant more opportunities to discreetly watch the girl who had stolen his heart.

Castle wasn't lacking in living space either. He already owned a luxurious beachfront villa in the Hamptons, a favorite vacation spot for the wealthy near New York, complete with a private beach. However, after spending more time in Long Island recently, Castle realized why it was called "New York City's backyard." With Gianna's estate located there and Harry having a crush on a local girl, the idea of buying a place there sparked his interest. Plus, with the ongoing economic downturn, estate prices had dropped considerably compared to previous years. Purchasing property now would not only be a bargain, but it could also provide tax benefits, something Castle was keen to exploit.

After all, his recent deal with Northrop Grumman may not have involved a cash payout, but the IRS, one of the most feared agencies in the USA, would definitely be aware of the transaction. There was no hiding it when it came time for next year's taxes. Even Castle, with all his wealth and connections, couldn't avoid the scrutiny of the IRS. This was why he had Gianna keep his recent large sum of licensing royalties in a Swiss bank account to avoid taxation. But the IRS would be all over the Northrop Grumman deal, and purchasing a large property now could help him reduce his tax liability for the upcoming year.

It wasn't just the financial incentive, though. Castle realized that with all the chaos surrounding him lately, he really did need a bigger place. His Hamptons villa wouldn't suffice anymore. Long Island had proven to be the perfect spot, being close to New York City while offering a tranquil retreat. With the financial crisis still affecting the country, plenty of people were looking to sell their properties, making this a prime opportunity.

Gianna, for her part, was fully supportive of Castle's plan. If Rick bought an estate on Long Island, it would make her partner, John, happy to have him as a neighbor. Excited by the idea, Gianna immediately volunteered her estate manager to gather information on available properties in the area.

Castle knew this wasn't something that could be rushed, so after accepting Gianna's offer, the five of them relaxed in the dining room and began casually chatting.

Meanwhile, Senator William Bracken, who Castle thought had been neutralized after Beckett's investigation, had reached the breaking point. Realizing that his political career was likely over and that he could even face prison time for his previous crimes, Bracken was desperate. With his future looking grim, he was determined not to let the people responsible for his downfall—Beckett, Castle, and the congressman who had triggered the whole situation—go unpunished.

Bracken, who had long maintained a network of hired killers, was not well-acquainted with the infamous Continental Hotel, a hub for assassins. However, years ago, through a stroke of luck, he had met Sloan, the head of the "Brotherhood of Assassins." Now, with his back against the wall, Bracken remembered the Brotherhood and their reputation for efficiency. Filled with fury and desperate for revenge, he decided to hire them to kill Beckett, Castle, and Congressman Gavin, the man who had dragged him into this mess.

Bracken was unaware, however, that the Brotherhood of Assassins was in the midst of internal turmoil. Despite this, blinded by rage, he dug up the contact information Sloan had given him and made the call. On the other end of the line, Sloan, who was currently dealing with the traitor Cross wreaking havoc within the Brotherhood, was stunned. The last thing he needed was a request from a senator to eliminate three high-profile targets, including a congressman and a New York police precinct captain.

Under normal circumstances, Sloan might have accepted the job without hesitation, but the timing was terrible. The Brotherhood was already on edge due to Cross's betrayal. Sending someone out to handle these targets would be a dangerous gamble, as Cross was a sniper who could take out his enemies from kilometers away. Who would dare risk it?

Still, rejecting a senator wasn't wise either. Sloan didn't yet know that Bracken was on the verge of losing his seat and might even end up behind bars. Sloan believed the senator still held considerable power, and offending him could have serious consequences. So, after weighing the pros and cons, Sloan reluctantly agreed to take on the job and assured Bracken that the Brotherhood would handle it.

With Sloan's guarantee, Bracken hung up the phone, feeling a bit more at ease. However, his focus quickly shifted back to trying to salvage his political career, frantically making calls to arrange meetings and discuss his future.

As for Sloan and the Brotherhood, they now faced the additional burden of fulfilling Bracken's request, even as they struggled with the chaos caused by Cross's rebellion. Whether they would be able to complete the mission remained to be seen.

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