Chapter 2

June had been gracious to extend to James another suite similar to Neal's in her house. She felt it was important for father and son to bond once again. James had accepted at once even though Neal wasn't sure that it was a good idea; he wanted his privacy and felt that having his father too close would cramp his style. He didn't know this man and even though part of him wanted to be close the other part was scared that he wouldn't want him since he was an ex con. He made that part clear in Peter's office that morning.

"So how does it feel to have a father living so closely?" Peter asked the next morning as Neal joined him in his office.

Neal shrugged, "I would have liked it better if he wasn't in the same house but in an apartment across town."

That got Peter's attention. "Problems having him so close?"

"He forbid me associating with Mozzie…says that he is the reason I'm a conman; if I hadn't run away I would have been a model citizen and not the ex-con I am now," Neal replied angrily.

"Well that won't ever happen…you separating yourself from Mozzie. I take it that your father doesn't understand that if Mozzie hadn't taken you under his wing you might have died on your own. I'll have a talk with your father and try and get him to understand," promised Peter before handing Neal the folder to their next case.

Neal looked down at it as a smile graced his face, it was an art theft case and it happened at the MET. "Someone stole a Winslow in broad daylight without anyone noticing?" he exclaimed excitedly. Winslow was an artist rumored to be Winslow Homer's great, great grandson. The artist was known only as Winslow but his style was so very close to that of the famed American artist that many felt that the rumor was correct. His art was the rage of New Yorkers.

"Yep, and to say the least the security at the MET are beside themselves to wonder how that happened and why they have do not have a tape of the crime," Peter replied seriously. "Can you ask Mozzie to look into it for you…check all of his sources for some clue?"

Neal nodded and took out his cellphone to make the call as he wandered to his desk unaware that his father had just walked in and when he overheard Neal talking to the person he forbid him having contact with snatched the phone before grabbing his son by the ear and marching him out to the elevators and punching down in the first empty one that arrived. It happened so quickly that Peter hadn't had time to stop and explain.

As soon as the doors closed and the elevator started up James hit the stop button and turned to Neal angrily, "So this is how you obey me…I told you not to have any more contact with this fellow and now I catch you in conversation with him…I guess Peter is right you only understand a good spanking!"

"NO! You don't understand, Peter told me to get in touch with Mozzie…he's my contact and we have a new case," Neal explained speedily as he saw his father rest his hands on his belt.

James stared at his son while trying to read the truth in his statement and finally nodded. "Okay we go back to Peter and if I find out that this is a lie to save your butt…"

"It isn't…Peter will back me up."

"He had better…" but before he could say anything more the door opened into the concerned face of Peter Burke.

"James…you didn't?"

"No…but is it true what my son told me about Mozzie being his contact?" asked James as Neal looked on anxiously.

"Yes…we need to talk," replied Peter as he motioned for Neal to stay behind.

"Neal, get back with Mozzie and I'll try and explain things to your father."

After Neal left the office Peter turned back to James. "I know you think that Mozzie led your son into crime but you don't know the whole story. Neal was picking pockets and pulling scams long before he met Mozzie. Neal wouldn't have survived if he hadn't met Mozzie when he did. Mozzie looked out for him until he was able to do it himself…you owe Mozzie for saving your son from dying on the streets of New York City at such a young age. I wish they hadn't turned to crime to survive but I'm so glad that Mozzie was there when Neal needed him the most and you should too."

James listened carefully and watched the emotion as it showed on Peter's face while he was explaining and nodded when he had finished. "I was wrong. I thought Mozzie had taught him those skills and I understand that Neal had to revert to stealing to survive…I just wished I had been there to keep him on the straight and narrow so he wouldn't be an ex-con now."

"You were framed but now that you are cleared of those charges so now you can work with me to keep him straight," replied Peter with a smile.

While Peter and James were talking Mozzie had called to tell Neal some news about the case. He had found a possible connection between the theft and a local businessman rumored to have a collection of many of Winslow's art. What made him an interest to the FBI for this case in particular was that some of his collection contained stolen art…or so Mozzie said? Neal thanked his friend and hurried up to report to Peter.

After a quick knock Neal hurried into Peter's office without looking at his father to report, "Mozzie found something," before handing over the name he had written on a piece of paper. "Mozzie thinks he is connected…that he in fact has a collection of stolen art and among them the Winslow stolen from the MET."

Peter glanced at the name before turning to James and saying, "Your son's contact his come through for us once again and I must get back to our case. I'm glad that we were able to clear up that misunderstanding and for the moment my CI is safe from your belt," he added with a smile.

James nodded and after giving Neal glance said, "Sorry about that son, I guess I'm trying too hard. It's just that I want to protect you like I did when you were four. I'll try and do better in the future."

Neal nodded and said, "I'm just glad that I still have my gibed tongue and was able to talk you out of it before you were able to talk with Peter. I know that you just care about me…no hard feelings," and with a brief hug James left his son with Peter to do his job and walked away feeling proud.