NEAL AT BAT1
By Peppe1951
Summary: A new case for Peter and Neal to solve involving the theft and forgery of Baseball cards. Warning: Disciplining of an adult. Don't like? Don't read! Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA.
A/N: This Story is from an idea and request of BunBunBabe. Thank you for your input.
Chapter 1
Neal had his feet up on Agent Burke's desk once again with his eyes shut catching a catnap while he waited for Peter to arrive. Peter walked in a minute later reading from the folder of their newest case. He easily knocked Neal's feet from his desk and waiting the excon as he hurriedly took his seat.
"Wake up, buddy," called Peter, "we have a new case." Peter didn't even reprimand Caffrey for his feet on his desk since he knew it would do no good and he realized that Neal did it mainly to annoy him like a younger brother would do to his big brother. Peter hadn't realized it but in the short time since Neal had been released into his custody the distinction of ex con and FBI agent had swiftly changed to an into a brotherly relationship, with Peter thinking of Neal more as a kid brother and Neal considered Peter the big brother he never had.
"I wasn't sleeping; I was just resting my eyes," declared Neal as he looked alertly at his friend. "A new case? I hope it won't be as boring as the last."
"It won't," assured Peter as he handed the folder over to Neal to read. "You are familiar with Justin Scott?"
"Yes…he's the founder of the Grande Museum in the Plaza District; it is mentioned that he has exhibits to rival even the Louvre in France," replied Neal interestedly. "Was something stolen there?"
"Nope, but at his residence…stolen and forgeries left in their place. It seems he has a collection of something he values quite highly…the report doesn't really say what it is only that the collection is worth three or four million dollars. We are to check it out immediately," added Peter as he grabbed his jacket and while Neal scrambled to grab his hat on the way out.
The Scott residence was located in one of Manhattan's Gated Community's most elegant neighborhoods, Gramercy Park. "Gramercy is one of those neighborhoods that define their vision of the city's classy, moneyed elite; women with tiny dogs and expensive manicures stroll the sidewalks, and the park itself is gated - with only those lucky enough to live in a building facing onto the park being given keys - proving that it's something worth locking up," Neal read from the folder describing the place where Justin Scott called home. "If something was stolen from here then the thief was special indeed."
"You just be sure that no one looks in your direction when any suspects are discussed," remarked Peter seriously. "I don't want to even hear that this looks like something Neal Caffrey might pull."
"I didn't do it," replied Neal, "If you are asking."
"I'm not asking until we learn what was taken," replied Peter as they drove up and parked outside Gramercy Park.
All it took was for Peter to flash his badge for them to be ushered into the residence of Justin Scott with the man himself answering the door. "Agent Burke, I'm so glad you could come…and who is this?" asked Scott of Neal.
"This is my consultant, Neal Caffrey," replied Peter hesitantly.
"Caffrey? Why does that name sound familiar," asked Scott as he shook Neal's hand. Then recognition came and he stated, "You are the one that jumped from the fourth floor to escape…and he is your consultant?"
"Neal was framed for that crime; we proved it and he was cleared," explained Peter tightlipped.
"He was in prison before he was released to your custody earlier…he became a consultant to help catch others like him; if my memory doesn't fail me. How is that working out?"
"Great…he has helped us solve several crimes," praised Peter.
"I see…well, let's hope you didn't have anything to do with my theft, shall we," Scott said disapprovingly.
Neal only glared at him; he hated to be accused, even off handedly, for something he didn't do, and nodded.
"What exactly was stolen, Mr. Scott?" asked Peter formally.
"My most prized possession…my Baseball Card Collection!"
"Your Baseball Collection!" repeated Neal in shock. "You've got to be kidding….that is worth three or four million dollars?"
"Neal!" scolded Peter, "some cards can be very expensive, Neal; depending on the card, the age of the card and the rarity of that card," explained Peter to Neal's amazement.
"Really?" Neal asked as he looked at Justin Scott, who nodded with amusement.
"Well, if nothing else this proves that you weren't the one responsible in their theft, young man," commented Scott, "you definitely wouldn't steal something you do not believe to be valuable."
"See, I told you that I didn't do it," Neal said again.
"Just what cards were taken Mr. Scott?" asked Peter as he got out his notebook to take notes.
"I have a list ready for you Agent Burke," replied Scott as he handed over a page listing the cards taken.
Peter's eyebrows went up as he recognized the names of the cards and the amount each card was worth. "You have the Gretzky T206 Honus Wagner card?" Peter asked in awe.
"Yep," replied Scott with a smile," and the T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson card as well."
"W-who were they?" asked Neal curious.
"Only two of the most expensive baseball cards of all times," replied Peter. "The Wagner card was sold at auction for 2.6 million dollars and the Jackson card went for $200,000."
"I paid 2.8 million for the Wagner card," corrected Scott with pride.
Neal looked at the man with an expression of disbelief, "You paid that much for a couple of baseball cards?"
Scott nodded and added, "the others on the list didn't cost as much as those two but they are costly too and they mean something to me beyond their monetary value. I've been a Yankee fan for some time and so the cards of Babe Ruth and Micky Mantle mean a lot to me so I also have the 1961 Topps Dice Game Mickey mantle baseball card that I bought for
$90, 000 and the Babe Ruth's card that I paid $500,000; and I also have two Ty Cobb cards that sold for $200000 collectively; so you can see my collection is easily worth three to four million and have been insured for that amount as well. Although I will be reimbursed for the amount I really rather have my cards back."
Neal only nodded his head numbly; he had never in his wildest dreams considered something like baseball cards to have such value. "You said something about forgeries been left in their place…how do you know for sure that they are forgeries?"
"Come and see. I have detailed photographs of my cards taken for insurance. Compare them with what was taken and you can see the differences quite clearly," replied Scott as he led them over to where the collection had been displayed and handed Neal the photographs to compare them with. Once Neal saw the pictures next to the cards left he could easily see the differences. "I see what you mean…the forgeries are good and if you didn't have the photographs to compare them with you would be hard pressed to see any differences but next to the pictures the differences are easy to spot," declared Neal as he handed them over to Peter.
Once Peter had seen them he agreed and asked, "you say that this theft must have taken place this weekend? Where were you while this was taking place?"
"My grandson, Tommy, and I were attending a Baseball Memorabilia convention in Chicago. We left late Friday evening and returned Sunday afternoon. I bought him some baseball cards so he could start collecting and follow in my footsteps. He was interested in the newer players; Tommy is only nine," explained Scott proudly.
"Was there anyone here?"
"Only the staff, whom have been with me for years. My wife took the opportunity to visit with our daughter, my grandson's mother. The last thing I did was to remove the cards from their display and lock them up in my safe where I was sure they would be safe," explained Scott.
"Can we see the safe?" asked Peter.
Scott agreed and showed them the massive safe where his valuable baseball cards had been left. Neal approached it, putting on gloves before he touched it. He scrutinized it quite closely looking for any obvious signs of breaking into before saying, "if they broke in they had to have the combination. There are no signs of tool marks anywhere."
"Who has that combination Mr. Scott?" asked Peter.
"Only me," replied Scott," although I do have it written down in case my wife or lawyer need to get in and I'm not available, but it is hidden and only my wife knows where."
"We need to talk to your wife and see if she inadvertently let something slip about its location that led someone to find and use it."
"It's not possible; I called her as soon as I realized they had been stolen; she assures me that she has kept out secret…she knows how much those cards mean to me and their value. I assure you that she has done nothing to allow those cards to be stolen!" declared Scott firmly.
Neal and Peter exchanged a look but wisely aid nothing. "Mr. Scott I mean no disrespect; I'm only trying to locate your stolen objects," assured Peter carefully.
Justin Scott nodded his understanding, "I understand that Agent Burke and I've been racking my brain on how this has happened. I'll do anything I can to help you."
"Can you give me a list of your and your wife's activities for the last two weeks, no matter how important or minute they might be? Maybe we can find a connection that will lead us to your cards?" asked Peter.
"I'll do it at once; won't you be seated while I get your information…and can I get you something to drink while you wait?" he asked graciously.
"No, that won't be necessary," assured Peter as they watched their host leave.
Scott returned about fifteen minutes later with several sheets of paper listing both his and his wife's appointments for the last two weeks. "I don't know if you will learn anything from this but if it helps I'm only too happy to oblige."
Peter took it and said, "We will keep in touch and hopefully discover what happened and return your items," and with that he and Neal left.