CHAPTER 2
"You're Tessa?" Neal asked, surprised.
"Yes," she replied.
"I can show you my ID, if you want," she said with a smile.
'Wow, Peter's head's gonna explode when he hears that one', he whispered so she couldn't hear.
He was smiling. Maybe this isn't going to be so bad after all, he thought.
He was lost in thoughts and she was the one staring now. She obviously liked what she saw.
"Everything okay? You seem very surprised to see me, what did you expect?" she asked as she invited him to sit down.
He smiled, "A ten year-old kid."
"Happy or disappointed?" she asked.
"Happy," he said.
"I've never babysat at all. I wouldn't know where to start, what game to play," he explained.
"I've got a few ideas," she teased, smiling at him.
Obviously, her mind was set on something else.
He decided to change the subject before the situation got out of hand and asked for something to drink.
"Coffee okay?" she asked.
He nodded. She went to the kitchen to get some ready. It only took a few minutes.
Neal sighed, wondering what to do now. But he couldn't help smiling at the situation.
She came back with the coffee and sat next to him.
Neal and Tessa talked some over coffee before being interrupted by Neal's cell ringing. It was Peter.
"Everything going well so far?" he asked.
"Very well," Neal said.
"How's everything with Tessa?"
"Really good," Neal answered.
Peter thought it was weird that Neal didn't seem mad at him anymore. Something must be up, he thought but didn't say.
"Are you having fun playing games with the kid?"
"You have no idea," Neal said as Tessa couldn't keep her eyes off him.
Tessa's hands were already on his shirt.
"Well, good to hear, keep me updated, okay?" Peter asked.
"Sure."
Maybe I should have told him about Tessa being all grown up, he thought. Oh no, what Peter doesn't know can't hurt him. He smiled and hung up.
Tessa tried to kiss him.
"I'm sorry, I can't," he said even though he was dying to kiss her.
He was very professional, well at times. She was a little bit young for him anyway; he was over ten years older than her. Not that the age really mattered nowadays.
On his side, Peter was meeting with Tessa's father, Mark for the first time. He went to his place as Mark wasn't comfortable going to the FBI office.
He owned another house he sometimes used for business meetings to avoid bringing work at home where his daughter lived. That's where they met today. It was very important to him to keep business and private life separate.
"She's all I have," Mark said about his daughter.
"Since her mother died it's just the both of us. If anything happened to her…"
"Don't worry, she's safe, we have someone keeping an eye on her," Peter tried to reassure him.
"I just called and everything's going well," Peter said.
If only he knew…
"She's more precious to me than anything in this world," Mark said.
Peter nodded. "I know, she'll be fine, everything's under control."
"So, what can you tell me about the gambling, the casino… Anything?" he asked.
"Well, the boss is Sam, I've only met him a few times but he's okay. The illegal gambling takes place at the back of the casino, hidden behind closed doors. Needles to say there are a lot of guards, security, it's not easy to get in," he explained.
Peter nodded to show he understood.
"Okay, so we've agreed you take me with you to see what's going on. I'll be your cousin in town for a few days. A cousin with some cash to spend, they need to see I have a lot of money and I will lose a lot of it," Peter said.
Mark was pacing. He was nervous. He got himself some strong beverage and asked Peter if he wanted some but he declined.
Not on the job, of course. Peter was a serious guy.
"You need to lose at least ten thousand, that's when they come after you. They offer you a credit line, a big one, and that's how it all starts."
"I see, okay, it shouldn't be that hard to lose money. You've never seen me in a casino," Peter joked.
Mark tried to smile but he was too anxious.
Peter left and saw Mozzie near his car.
"What's up, Mozzie?" he asked, confused to see him there.
"How's it going with the snitch?" Mozzie asked.
"Not a snitch," Peter replied.
"Well, how do you call it then?"
Peter was thinking but Mozzie wouldn't even give him the time to breathe.
"He's giving you info to bust people he's in touch with and those people can't know he's talking to the FBI, he's a snitch," Mozzie said proudly.
Peter just nodded to put an end to the discussion.
"How do you know about the case anyway?" Peter asked, curious.
"How do you think?" Mozzie said.
"Neal couldn't keep his mouth shut, once again," Peter said, annoyed.
Mozzie didn't say a thing, for once. Peter should have known by now that Neal and Mozzie were really close and sharing a lot of info.
"I'm busy, Mozzie, what do you want and how did you find me here?"
Then he thought again.
"Well, don't answer that. What are you here for?"
"Just checking in," Mozzie replied.
"Oh I get it," Peter started. "You miss Neal, is that it?"
"Don't be silly," Mozzie said.
He shrugged. Of course he was missing his friend. But he wouldn't admit it.
"How is Mrs Suit?" Mozzie asked to change the subject.
"She's fine."
"Maybe I'll go say hi," Mozzie said.
Poor El, I don't know how she does it, Peter thought to himself and smiled.
"Don't change the subject. I get it. No Neal for a few days and you feel lonely, you miss him," Peter said.
Mozzie threw his hands in the air. "As I said, Suit, just checking in, gotta go now."
With that, he left. Peter let out a laugh.
On his side, Neal was still with Tessa. Trying to avoid her touch. She was pretty and she obviously liked him.
"So, what do you want to do today?" he asked.
"How about some shopping," she said.
Oh goodie, a man's dream, Neal thought, sighing.
"You can carry all my stuff," she added with a smile.
He smiled, and they left of course in a limousine. He just hoped she wasn't the type that liked going shopping for hours.
Later that night, Peter and Mark went to the casino. Mark had agreed to introduce Peter to the big boss, Sam, if they got the chance. They were on their way.
"Remember, I'm your cousin, and try not to be too nervous, act as usual," Peter reminded him.
"Easier said than done," Mark said.
They parked and knocked on the door. Then, the ritual started. You needed a password to get in. Then, people would check you for weapons…
Neal and Tessa were going from one store to another at a speedy rate. Neal was wondering how a woman could walk that fast in high heels and spend so much money in so little time.
He was following her everywhere and carrying her bags. They stopped to grab a bite.
"Not too bored?" she asked him.
"Not at all," he lied.
"What's planned for tonight?" he asked, anxious already.
"I wanna go out," she said.
Neal was feeling tired already.
Everything was going well for Peter and Mark so far. They were gambling some, winning some, losing some. Then, Mark decided it was time to go gamble for real with the bad guys. He showed Peter the way to the back door.
"Hi everyone, this is my cousin, Peter. Peter, this is Sean, Patrick, John and Tom," Mark made the introductions.
Sam wasn't there yet. He usually showed up later and generally when someone needed a big credit line.
They were playing poker. Peter was losing. But not fast enough. He wanted to lose a lot more a lot faster so he could meet that Sam guy and get things going.
Someone opened the door to bring drinks and Peter took a peek inside the casino where he had been a few minutes ago. Suddenly, Peter's jaw dropped open.
"Oh no, tell me I'm dreaming!"
… TBC …
THANK YOU FOR READING SO FAR – More chapters soon!
