- "This is getting way out of hand, Rawlins. We killed a bunch of Homeland agents. Madani knows your name and now we're what? We're kidnapping women and kids in broad daylight!"
- ―Billy Russo to William Rawlins[src]
The Kidnapping of Sarah and Zach Lieberman was an abduction of Sarah Lieberman and her son Zach planned by William Rawlins and Billy Russo and executed by Anvil agents in order to track down Frank Castle.
Background[]
- "Mom, where do you think Pete is?"
"His name's not Pete. Everything he told us was a lie. We're lucky he didn't kill us, too." - ―Leo Lieberman and Zach Lieberman[src]
Frank Castle's return reported by the news
Following a confrontation with Lewis Wilson, Frank Castle's face was caught on a camera and the footage of him running away from the New York City Police Department was reported by the news outlets.[2] As the public became aware that Castle did not die during the explosion some time ago, the Lieberman family watched the news and found out that the "Pete Castiglione" that they knew was actually Castle. Zach Lieberman was angry and scared that they man they thought to be a friend had been lying to him, while Sarah Lieberman said that they should not make any rash decisions and keep a low profile, as David Lieberman taught them.
Dinah Madani summoned Billy Russo for interrogation regarding the firefight that killed several Homeland Security agents and revealed that she knew about William Rawlins. Realizing that their situation much more dire than before, Rawlins spoke with Marion James and informed her that Castle possesses senstive information that could put the whole CIA in danger should it be revealed. Rawlins had to admit that he was involved in some activities that were not exactly legal but brought CIA valuable intelligence, so Rawlins believed he was right. Deeming Castle is too much of a liability, Rawlins assured James that he has a civilian asset ready to take Castle out but they needed to find him first.
William Rawlins asks Marion James for help
He requested James to provide him with CIA's surveillance system in New York City, and although James was frustrated that Rawlins had been lying to her, he noted that if the truth comes to light, she and the whole agency will be affected. James reluctantly fulfilled Rawlins' request, so he could track any potential sightings and mentions of Castle through monitored channels. Eventually, Zach called the police and reported that Castle had been spending time with them under a fake name, which Rawlins managed to pick up. He then contacted Russo and ordered him to send his men after the Lieberman family, as they were their only clue on where to find Castle.[1]
Kidnapping[]
- "Well, look, thing is, I think it's best you come with me. For your own protection."
"I really appreciate the offer, but I'm sure we'll be fine."
"You're both coming with me." - ―Jack and Sarah Lieberman[src]
Billy Russo sent Jack and a group of Anvil agents to Lieberman Residence, disguised as the NYPD officers that were responding to Zach Lieberman's call. Jack spoke to Sarah Lieberman about the call, but she denied it and tried to ward him off when Jack tried to talk to Zach, saying that he had no right to question a minor. Jack then asked Sarah how does she know Frank Castle but she denied that as well and gestured Leo Lieberman to run, telling Jack that she is not present at the moment. Jack then said that she and Zach should come with him for their own protection, but when Sarah tried to reject him, Jack made it clear that it was not a request.
Sarah Lieberman gets attacked by Jack
Sarah then told Zach to run for his life and when Jack tried to go after him, Sarah struck him over the head with a lamp and the two got in a brief fight. Jack attacked Sarah, pushing her into the kitchen, as she then hit him with a hammer and grabbed a knife, threatening to kill Jack if he touched her children. However, Jack's partner then revealed that he already caught Zach and pointed a gun at Sarah, forcing her to drop a knife and surrender. With two of the Liebermans now captured, the Anvil agents brought them over to Russo, and William Rawlins used Sarah's phone to track down her calls with Castle and found the location of his hideout.[1]
Aftermath[]
Frank Castle and Micro watched the footage of what transpired through cameras at Lieberman Residence and Micro was horrified to see his family in danger, but Castle told him to get himself together. Castle then called Leo Lieberman who was on the run and instructed her to get rid of her phone, so she could not be traced, and instructed her to wait for him at a specific location. However, Castle then told Micro to come for Leo instead, while he would stay at hideout and wait for Russo's men to come for him. As the squad of Anvil agents raided the hideout, Punisher was able to kill them off in a firefight, leaving only Jack alive.
Leo Lieberman reunites with her father
Realizing that Russo was not present, Punisher interrogated Jack and demanded him to tell where the Liebermans were but when he said that he was not told of their location, Punisher finished him off. He then called Russo through Jack's phone and informed Russo that if anything happens to the Liebermans, he will have Micro expose everything about him and William Rawlins to the public. Russo responded by threatening their lives, saying that if he wanted them back, both Punisher and Micro would have to surrender to him. Later, when Leo arrived at a designated spot and reunited with her father after years of being separated, they were joined by Castle and Dinah Madani who was also called there.[1]
Castle and Micro gave an official testimony regarding Rawlins and Operation Cerberus, although Micro refused to cooperate and provide evidence unless he was sure that his family is safe. Both of them then arranged an exchange with Russo, as Anvil brought in both Sarah and Zach Lieberman to capture Castle and Micro. However, the Homeland Security interrupted the exchange, which resulted in Micro being shot and Castle getting captured by Anvil, while the Liebermans were rescued by Madani and her men. In reality, Micro made a deal with Madani and faked his death, so Castle would be the only who got caught, while he was taken to the Homeland Security and properly reunited with his family.[3]