Disclaimer: I don't own White Collar or any of the characters.
Note: Discovered this while cleaning and figured I would post it.
Identity
By: Lost-Remembrance (Red Tail)
Chapter One
"I don't understand," Peter said, frowning in confusion and at the person delivering the news. "Who decided on this without my say so? Neal Caffrey is under my jurisdiction and supervision." It went without saying that he was the only one who had been able to catch Caffrey; he had a better track record than any other agency agent. "Why the sudden change?"
"You've received your orders, Burke, I suggest you follow them. The board has decided that Caffrey has done enough for the Bureau to redeem himself. He is free from our power and reformed." The severe looking woman sent her cool blue eyes onto Peter's, staring him down, "Hughes and those under your team have already been notified that Caffrey is to be left alone."
The suddenness of this left Peter reeling, barely able to comprehend what was going on. The suit inside him took over, analyzing the situation and responding as a seasoned trained agent. Something was going on. He wouldn't get anymore responses out of this tight-lipped lawyer. Peter wasn't sure exactly what had happened regarding Neal, but he'd be damned if he didn't get to the bottom of it.
It was a Monday morning and the first sign, beyond having difficulty finding his most recent favorite tie (a gift from El) was that Neal was late. The infamous conman had impeccable timing, necessary from his trade, and was always either early or on time for work as a consultant. It was when nine o'clock had come and passed that Peter felt an inkling of worry trickle into him.
His questions had been answered at the arrival of the glacial female lawyer. When she strode up to Jones, demanding to see Agent Peter Burke, he knew he was in for a rough start for the week already. The news and orders she delivered were unsettling.
Neal, after everything that had happened, wouldn't just disappear without saying a word to Peter. He was different now. Peter nodded to the lawyer and she briskly left. Peter raised his eyes to lock onto Diana and Jones. They silently stood and walked over to his office, closing the door behind them.
They would get to the bottom of whatever mess Caffrey had managed to land himself in. This 'reformed' status of Neal's was just the tip of the iceberg.
TBC