Sundown ya better take care

If I find you been creepin' 'round my back stairs

Sundown -Gordon Lightfoot

A/N Set in the same universe as The House You Live In

Sundown

"Who are we here to see?" Elizabeth asked as Reddington knocked on the door.

"Vanessa Cruz. You might recall her from last year."

"Vanessa Cruz? Yes, of course I recall her. She was that frame artist."

Lizzie pestered him with questions as he knocked again. "The FBI has been looking for Cruz. How long have you known where Cruz is?"

When Reddington declined to answer Elizabeth answered for him. "Cruz didn't just happen to get away. You helped her escape didn't you?"

Reddington didn't get a chance to answer – not that he likely would have – because the door swung open.

Following Vanessa into her expensively decorated living room, Reddington turned on his charm full blast. "Vanessa! How are you, my dear? Looking as lovely as ever! Listen, I have another job that could use your particular exper -"

Hearing a floorboard creak in the other room, Red and Dembe both drew their guns. Elizabeth followed suit.

"Who's here?" Red asked.

"No one." Vanessa lied.

"Who knows you are here?" Reddington repeated.

Not getting an answer, the frown on Red's face deepened. "Dembe, watch her."

Following behind Red, Elizabeth was surprised to see … "Mr. Kaplan? You didn't say that Mr. Kaplan was meeting us here."

Mr. Kaplan – shoes in her hand – was coming down the back staircase in her stockinged feet. She rolled her eyes at the sight of them.

Reddington spread out his hands in a what gives gesture.

Mr. Kaplan snapped at him. "What? You thought you were the only one who likes pretty things?"

"Oh. Oh!" Elizabeth caught on.

Reddington turned to Elizabeth and began misquoting The Godfather. "Can you believe what I have to put up with? I'm trying to run a business here, but Mr. Kaplan is off banging the cocktail waitresses two at a time. Customers can't even get a drink at the table!"

An unimpressed Mr. Kaplan stared him down before muttering, "I'm getting too old for this."

Seeing his raised eyebrow, she clarified. "The sneaking around. Not the other part."

"Mr. Kaplan, if you are done taking advantage of Ms. Cruz's body would you mind if I took advantage of her mind for a few hours?"

Brushing past them Mr. Kaplan gave Red a directive. "Just have her back by bedtime."

Watching her go Reddington shook his head in admiration. "Such a player, that one."

Finis

A/N Reviews greatly appreciated.