Early the next morning, the Cutter Sisters were standing across the street from the Burke home.
"I want to know why we're stealing a painting that's only worth about four thousand dollars." Chris said. "All of the other stuff Wexler made us steal was worth way more."
"I have no idea." Tiffany said. "Maybe it's something personal between Wexler and this Agent Burke."
"Yeah, Burke is probably investigating the slimy bastard."
"Language."
"There's Burke." Chris said. The two girls watched as he stood in the doorway and kissed his wife.
"That is disgusting." Chris said.
"I think it's romantic." Her older sister replied.
"You would."
They watched as Peter got into his car and drove away, a few minutes later Elizabeth also left the house.
"Let's get this over with." Tiffany said, as they jogged across the street and went to the side of the house.
"Even if we get away with this." Chris said, as Tiffany started jimmying open a window. "Wexler still won't let Matt go."
"I know." The teen replied. "But we have to play along until we figure out a plan."
"I really wish we had time to disarm the security system." Chris said, as her older sister opened the window.
"We should still have plenty of time before the cops show up." Tiffany said, as they climbed through the window. "If the painting is easy to find."
"It's easy to find." Chris said, pointing to the painting hanging on the living room wall.
They heard a low growl behind them and turned to see a yellow dog standing there.
"Oh look." Chris said. "They have a dog."
The dog let out another low growl.
"Easy boy." Chris said, removing one of her gloves and slowly walking over to the animal. "We're friends."
"Careful, Chris." Tiffany warned.
"He's not a guard dog." Chris said, as she knelt in front of the dog and started petting him. "He's too friendly, he's a pet.'
"Let's go." The teen said, as she grabbed the painting. "The cops will be here very soon."
"Bye boy." Chris said, standing up. Then the two sisters quickly climbed out the window and lowered it back down. They were a block away when they heard the sirens approaching the house.
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Peter Burke was sitting in his office when the home security people called him to inform him that his silent alarm was activated at his house. He quickly left the building and headed home, Neal was with him.
"Who would break into a Fed's house?" Neal asked, as Peter drove.
"I can think of a few people." Peter said, giving his partner a sideways glance.
"I'm innocent." Neal defended himself with a small smile. "And I'm sure Alex is also."
Peter parked his car in front of the house and the two men got out and walked inside, Peter showing his badge to the officers standing outside.
"Over here Peter." A familiar voice said. The two men walked over to where Jenny was knelt in front of Satchmo, she was getting a print off of his collar.
"What happened?" Peter asked, scratching the dog's head in greeting.
"Someone jimmied open that window." The forensics scientist said, nodding towards the window. "No prints were found. But not many people can resist petting such an adorable dog, so I'm hoping the intruder left a print. I pulled a few from the collar, I'll match them and see if I was right."
"What was taken?" Neal asked, looking around.
"The Graffton painting." Peter said, confused. "Why would someone break into a….." Peter stopped talking and quickly pulled out his phone. "Neal." He said, as he dialed a very familiar number. "Call Jones and tell him and Diana to get over to El's store and bring her to the office."
Neal nodded and quickly did as he was told, although he had no idea why Peter sounded so worried.
"Hey Honey." El's voice came through the phone.
"Are you at work?" Peter asked.
"Yes."
"Lock the door and stay put, Jones and Diana are on their way."
"O..Ok." She said, Peter head a door being locked. "What's wrong?"
"Not sure yet, probably nothing. But I don't want to take any chances."
"Peter." El's voice sounded slightly irritated. "Tell me what's wrong."
"Someone broke into our house." Peter said. "They stole the Midnight Dance painting."
"Why?"
"Not sure."
"You think it's personal?"
"Maybe."
"But who would know about the painting?"
"I don't know Honey, it may be nothing. It might just be a thief who knows very little about paintings."
"Or it could be someone who wants to hurt you, through any means nessacary." El's voice sounded worried.
"It will be okay, El." Peter assured her.
"Be careful, Peter."
"Always am."
Peter heard the sounds of someone knocking on a door.
"Diana and Jones are here." El said.
"Are you sure it's them?"
"I'm looking directly at them."
"Okay, they are bringing you to the bureau. I'll see you there."
"Okay, I love you Peter."
"I love you too, El."
Peter hung up.
"What's with the painting?" Neal asked.
"I gave that painting to El on our first wedding anniversary." Peter said.
"You have bad taste in paintings." Neal said.
"El loves that painting." Peter glared at the younger man. Then he glared at Satchmo. "Some guard dog you are."
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Tiffany and Chris once again went to Wexler's house and into the study, Tiffany laid the painting on the desk.
"Very nicely done." Wexler said.
"Where's Matt?"
"Attic, go and say hi. You two are going to stay here for a while."
"And if we refuse?" Chris asked, glaring at him.
"Then I break Matt's fingers." Wexler replied with a smile. "One by one."
"Then I guess we're staying." Chris said.
"Good choice."
One of Wexler's goons took them to the attic. Once they were inside, the door was locked form the outside.
The young boy was sitting on the mattress in the floor.
"Hey Bud." Chris said, as the two girls also sat down on the mattress.
"We're not getting out of here, are we?" The nine-year-old boy asked.
"Sure we are." Tiffany said. "It'll just take some time."
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Peter and Neal walked into Jenny's lab, once again classical music was being played. But the volume was turned down low, Jenny was on the phone.
"I mean it, Luce." She said into the phone, her voice agitated. "If you even think about it, I will call Mom. Yes I know I'm a tattle tale." She looked up and saw Peter and Neal. "I've got to go, see you after work. Bye Luce." She hung up and turned the music off.
"What did Lucy do this time?" Peter asked with a smile.
"She's threatening to dye Amber's hair blue." Jenny said, shaking her head. "I swear, my sister is a teenager at times."
"Why would she dye your three-year-old daughter's hair blue?" Neal asked, once again taken in by the woman's green eyes.
"Because she gets some sick pleasure out of torturing her older and wiser sister." Jenny said. "I found a match on one of the prints on Satchmo's collar."
"Great." Peter said. "Who is it?"
"Christina Francis Cutter."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Why would she break into my house?" Peter asked, confused.
"No idea."
"Thanks, Jenny." Peter said.
"Anytime, Peter."
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The next morning, Neal was sitting on his terrace going over paperwork. He was trying to figure out what the Cutter children were up too.
"You're up early." June said, as she joined him. "Interesting case?"
Neal told the older woman everything they knew, which wasn't very much.
"I put word out on the street that Nick Halden was interested in buying the stolen necklaces." Neal said. "So far, no luck."
"This case hitting close to home?" June asked, as she saw a look of pain flicker across the young man's eyes.
"What do you mean?" Neal asked, flashing a smile. The case was indeed hitting close to home, drudging up old memories. Memories that he wanted to forget.
"Don't play games with me." June said, her voice slightly stern. "I know you, I can tell when something is bothering you."
"They are just so young." Neal said. "And we haven't heard anything about Matthew being with them. I can't quit thinking that they are being forced into this."
"What does Peter think?"
"He agrees, especially after the break in."
They heard a knock on Neal's door and the door opening. "Grandma June? Neal?"
"Out here, Honey." June called out. A moment later nine-year-old Samantha walked out, still dressed in her pajamas.
"Good morning, Sammie." Neal smiled.
"Morning Neal." She said, returning the smile. "Morning Grandma June."
"Good morning, Honey." June said, she hugged the young girl.
Then Samantha gave Neal a hug, which he returned.
Neal looked at the young girl, she was the same age as Matthew Cutter. If someone was forcing those kids into this, Neal was going to put a stop to it. Any way possible.
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Later that afternoon, Neal was sitting at his desk when his phone rung. He didn't recognize the number.
"Hello." He said into the receiver.
"Mister Halden?" A young girl's voice said.
"I am."
"I understand you are interested in some necklaces that I recently acquired."
"If the price is right."
"Seventy-five thousand, that's a savings of twenty-five thousand. You are not going to find a better deal then that."
"I agree, when do you want to meet?"
"Nine in the morning, a restaurant called Ralph's. It's on Graham Street."
"I will be there. How will I recognize you?"
"Go into the game room. Sit at the back booth on the left, it will be reserved for you. Make sure you have the money."
"I will be there."
The line went dead. Neal sighed, then stood up and went to tell Peter about the call.
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The next morning, Neal was inside the surveillance van. Peter and Jones were with him, Diana was inside the restaurant. Other agents were spread out inside and outside.
"I hate this." Neal said. "They are just kids."
"Kids who broke the law." Peter reminded him. "Besides, if we are correct about someone pulling the strings, we need to find out who so we can stop them."
"And if we are wrong and the kids are working alone?"
"Then they get arrested and pay the price." Peter said.
Neal sighed; sometimes working with the straight and narrow Agent Peter Burke was aggravating.
Neal jumped out of the back of the van and jogged across the street to the restaurant. He walked to the back of the building and into the game room. Several people were playing pool and video games. Neal walked to back booth and saw a small reserved sign, he sat down and scanned the crowded room.
He spotted Tiffany and Christina playing a game of pool, the younger girl was very good. Tiffany was alright, but no where as good as her younger sister. Neal watched as they watched him. He knew they were scanning the room to make sure he was alone.
After several minutes, they walked over and sat across from him.
"Damn." Chris said. "It's the cartoon dude with the paper flower."
"I told you." Tiffany said. "That is classic rat pack."
"A woman of impeccable taste." Neal said, flashing a charming smile at the teen. She blushed and quickly looked away.
"You got the cash?" Chris asked.
"Yes. Do you have the necklaces?"
The two sisters looked at each other, and then Tiffany placed her purse on the table and opened the top. Neal peered inside and saw the necklaces.
Neal laid a briefcase on the table. Then he saw the girls looking at the entrance of the room. Neal also looked and saw a large man holding a young boy's arm. The boy short dark brown hair and brown eyes, he knew he had to be Matthew.
"Alright." Tiffany said. "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Halden." Then her and her sister stood up. The teen grabbed the briefcase and they quickly left the room, a few moments later the goon and young boy followed.
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
"Why didn't he give the signal?" Jones asked. Him and Peter were still in the van.
"I don't know." Peter said.
"Peter." Neal's voice came through his earpiece. "They weren't alone. A large man in a dark gray suite and a young boy were there."
"I see them." Jones said, as he watched the screen. Peter looked and saw the two sisters walking down the sidewalk, the man and boy were a few yards behind them. Then he saw Neal following the man and boy.
"He's armed." Neal's voice said. "We can't risk busting them."
"Keep following them." Peter instructed. "We'll follow you."
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
"Why were Fisher and Matt there?" Chris asked, as her and Tiffany walked.
"I guess to make sure we didn't double cross Wexler." Tiffany said. "Look, this may be our chance."
"Only one goon." Chris said. "Out in the opening." She smiled and added. "Should be fun."
"What ever happens." Tiffany said, as they stopped walking and turned around. "You get Matt to safety, don't worry about me."
"I am not leaving you."
"This isn't about me, it's about Mattie. You have to get him to safety."
"But…."
"Promise me."
"Okay." Chris sighed. "I promise."
Fisher stopped walking and gave the girls a confused look, wondering what they were up too. Matt smiled and thought that whatever happened would probably be fun.
The two sisters walked right up to the man and stopped in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Fisher hissed, tightening his grip on the boy's arm.
"London?" Chris asked.
"London." Tiffany agreed.
"London?" Asked a confused Fisher.
"London." Matt smiled.
"HELP!" Chris screamed, as loud as she could. Several people turned and stared at them.
"Please someone!" Tiffany shouted. "He's kidnapping our brother!"
"Let go!" Matt screamed, struggling to get away. "Help me!"
Several men rushed over, and Fisher quickly released the boy and took off running.
"Let's go." Tiffany said, as the three kids ran in the other direction.
They ducked into an alley about four blocks away.
"We're safe." Tiffany said.
"That was cool." Matt said.
"Very cool." They jumped and turned towards the entrance of the alley. Two men were standing there.
"Mr. Halden." Tiffany said. "What are you doing here?"
"And who's your friends?" Chris asked, although she already knew the answer. His friend was Agent Peter Burke.
"You broke into my house." Peter said. "I believe you know who I am."
"We don't know what you're talking about." Tiffany said.
"It's over." Neal said. "Come on."
The three kids walked over and stood in front of them.
"France?" Chris asked.
"No." Tiffany said firmly.
"Kansas?"
"Kansas." Tiffany agreed.
"What's Kansas?" Peter asked.
"A state famous for growing corn." Chris said.
"No tricks." Peter said, as him and Neal stepped aside to let them pass.
Once on the sidewalk, Matt grabbed his head, and then sank to the ground.
"Matthew?" Peter asked, as him and Neal quickly leaned over the young boy to check on him. Once they were both bent over, Tiffany and Chris placed a foot on their butts and shoved them hard. Both men flipped over and landed on the ground. Then Matt jumped up and all three kids took off running.
They stopped when two people stepped out in front of them.
"Going somewhere?" Jones asked.
"That was not a nice thing to do." Diana said.
"Maybe not." Chris agreed. "But it was fun."
"No more tricks." Peter growled, as him and Neal walked over to them. "Let's go."
/
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I want to thank everyone for the kind reviews and for the alerts. I will update as soon as I can. Please let me know what you think.