Thanks for the reviews so far and have fun with the second chapter. I started seeking for a beta-reader but this may take some time...I hope my writing is good enough for you until I find someone ;-)
Normaly Neal would have had to stand a blast because of the „break-in" but the young man recognized that his partner was too tired and dazed at the moment. „I didn't want to wake up Elizabeth." he answered and it was the truth. „She's not here..." said Peter brushing through his short hair with the left hand. „She'll have a free day tomorrow and went out with a friend...anyhow..." he rubbed his eyes and took the paperpile. „I'm glad you woke me 'cause I have to look through this until tomorrow, otherwise I'll be unprepared at work and not make any progress...again."
Neal grinned. „Until tomorrow? What to you think how late it is?" Peter glanced out the window into the darkness, then at his watch and had to realize that it was far beyond midnight. „Dammit!" he shouted frustrated. „Will you tell me on what you're working right now?" Neal wanted to know eagerly. „Yeah...I wanted to call you in for this anyway the next days or so. We could need you help. It's a smuggler, dealing with rare arfifacts. He's called Edward Maddock and is messing around for quite a while now with agencys in several countries searching for him. But he always slipped away. Only two days ago a secret informant let us know that Maddock is going to come to New York to sell some of his items...but have a look for yourself. I can't go on reading this, my eyes are burning like hell...I never worked on a case before that's producing so much paperwork. Tracing him down nearly seems to be impossible." Peter stood up and offered Neal his chair. „Hm strange, I never heard of this guy...I'll look through this. Why don't you go to bed, Peter. You're looking pretty worn out." „Oh no, Neal I won't let you down here alone and unobserved. I'll stay right here on the coach to hear what you'll have to say. And wait for El..." he glanced at his watch and looked worried. „She should already be here by now..." „Ah, I'm sure she's just having a good time. You worry too much, not everyone out there is a criminal." „How soothing to hear that from you." came the ironic reply as Peter stretched out on the coach. Satchmo plodded towards him to be pet. Meanwhile Neal delved into the papers.
About an hour passed while he was reading until also his eyes began to burn in fatigue. Neal had to find out that Maddock was suspected of many crimes but none of them could be proved. Everytime a team in the USA or Europe had overtaken a building in which he was said to trade his antiques to take him down he was long gone. No one could really imagine how he kept escaping the law for such a long time. Neal leaned back in his chair and started thinking about what kind of man that smuggler could be. Referring to his record he was born in Michigan as the only son of rich parents, went to college and became a criminal for some reason when he was around 20. But how did he manage to stay one step ahead of the authorities since then? Perhaps he posessed several IDs and a huge network of accomplices who provided the local agencies with false information about his trading plans. That was at least what Neal himself would try to do. Which tactic however he used Maddock had to be a very powerful and influentially man that knew Neal for certain.
Without making any noise he stood up and went to the nearby sideboard to pour himself a nice glass of wine. Even though Peter did not really enjoy that beverage Neal knew that Elizabeth always kept a few bottles in the house for herself. The low snoring in the absolut silence that reigned the rest of the house let him know that Peter was sound asleep again. As was Satchmo. Neal considered waking his partner but then decided not to since there were only few hours left until he had to get up again for work. With his glass of wine he sat down again, deep in thoughts.
Around 2pm he heard a car driving by and stopping near the house. Shortly after the door opened and Elizabeth stepped in. „Hi El!" he called because he didn't want to scare her. Chuckling she somehow made her way in the room, Neal noticed that she was staggering a little. „Hi Neal!" she approached to him and hugged him warmly.
She didn't seem to be surprised at all seeing him sitting in their living-room. The strong scent of alcohol which Neal immediately realised explained that fact. She seemed to have had a nice evening. „I joined Peter to help him out with a new case..." he explained himself. „Where's Pete?" Neal pointed to the couch and watched her going to her husband . „He's been working too long again, hasn't he? If he goes on that way he'll propably get burn-out syndrom or something like that one day." she complained worried. „Don't worry, Peter can handle that." She woke her husband with a tender kiss on the forehead. „Wake up, Honey. Time for bed." As Neal watched the scene he felt a light sting. Was it jealousy? Peter began to move grumbling and sat himself up yawning. „El?" he gave her a kiss. „I hope you enjoyed the evening?" „It was great!" she answered smiling. „But I'm really tired...come on." She took him by the hand and started guiding him through the room towards the stairs like a little child. „I guess I'll leave now..." called Neal who felt a bit superflous. „Yeah, see you at 7, I'll pick you up!" came Peter's answer right before the couple moved out of sight and Neal made his way home.