Billionaire Mafia Boss Offers $500,000 Reward for Retired Police Dog That Sends His Son to Prison

Chapter 6

The FBI took Mike and Shadow to a secure location — a safe house outside Seattle.

The next forty-eight hours were a blur of debriefings, medical examinations, and endless questions. Mike learned that five of Castellano’s contractors had been killed in the firefight. Four others arrested. Tom Davis had survived his shoulder wound and was being treated as a hero.

The media had gotten hold of the story, and it was everywhere: *Retired cop and K9 hero hunted by mafia boss. Dramatic FBI rescue.*

Anthony Castellano Senior had gone silent. His lawyers released a statement denying any involvement in the attacks — claiming it was unauthorized action by rogue elements. No one believed it. But proving it was another matter.

The FBI was building a case. It would take time.

Meanwhile, Mike and Shadow remained in protective custody.

On the third day, Sarah Chen visited.

She looked tired but satisfied. Mike met her in the safe house living room, Shadow at his side as always.

Sarah smiled.

— You look terrible.

Mike managed a weak grin.

— I feel terrible. Thanks for saving our lives.

She waved it off.

— You would have done the same for me. Besides, I couldn’t let Castellano win. Bad precedent.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

Then Sarah said:

— The FBI wants to use you. They’re offering full protection. New identities. Relocation. The whole witness protection package. In exchange, you testify against Castellano. Help them build a RICO case.

Mike had expected this.

— What are my chances?

Sarah’s expression turned serious.

— Honestly? Fifty-fifty. Castellano has resources. Even in prison, he has reach. You’d be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.

Mike looked at Shadow.

— And him?

— Shadow too. You’re a package deal.

—

Mike spent the rest of the day thinking.

Running forever wasn’t living. It was just existing. But what choice did he have? Castellano had made his intentions clear. The man wouldn’t stop unless…

An idea began forming. Dangerous. Possibly stupid.

But it might be the only way to end this permanently.

That night, Mike requested a meeting with Agent Rodriguez.

The FBI agent listened to Mike’s proposal with growing concern.

— Mr. Cross, what you’re suggesting is incredibly risky. We can’t guarantee your safety.

— You can’t guarantee it anyway, Mike replied. — Not really. Castellano will keep trying. But if we do this my way, we end it.

Rodriguez studied him for a long moment.

— I’ll need to run it up the chain. Give me twenty-four hours.

—

The plan was simple in concept, complicated in execution.

Mike would agree to testify — but publicly, with media coverage. At a press conference, he would lay out everything: the bounty, the contractors, the manhunt, all of it. He would dare Castellano to come after him again — knowing the entire world would be watching.

The FBI hated it. Too exposed. Too dangerous.

But Mike was insistent.

The only way to stop running was to stand still.