Chapter 2

Neal straightened his tie as he got off the elevator at the Homicide Division offices. He paused as he looked in through the glass partition. There were stark differences. There were many more agents working homicide for one. There were more desks cluttering The Pitt as the WC called it. And there were mounds and mounds and mounds of paperwork. Files were lying everywhere and nothing seemed to be in order.

"A tornado would probably help them get organized." Neal thought as he let himself in the door.

"Good, you're here." Ruiz said in lieu of a greeting.

Neal put turn on his million watt smile and extended his hand. "Good morn…."

Ruiz looked at Neal. "I'll show you to your desk later. Right now we're going up to my office." He started up the stairs with Neal following.

Ruiz let Neal in and then closed the door.

"Just so you know…I think that this goodwill stuff is crap! I took you because I had to. The only place that criminals belong is behind bars. You are very lucky that Agent Burke has you as his pet convict, don't ever forget that." Ruiz had started in right away. He was just now taking a breath. "I don't like working with criminals to catch other criminals. That is why we at the FBI have a whole division devoted to exploring the criminal mind."

"Criminal Psychology…." Neal spoke up.

"Yes, criminal psychology." Ruiz paused, fuming. "And for future reference, when I want your opinion…I will ask for it." He said, his voice had an edge to it.

Neal took the hint. He understood the threat. And he continued to listen.

"These are people who have degrees and study for many, many years to be able to know the criminal mind. They interpret and predict criminal behaviors. And we hire them to do that job so that we don't have to deal with arrogant blue-eyed cockroaches who wear expensive suits and fedoras."

Neal had to literally bit his tongue to keep from speaking.

"Look, I have you for a week. You do what I tell you to, keep your opinions to yourself, and we won't have any problems." Ruiz stated. "You got it?"

Neal took it as a signal the meeting was over, and he stood.

"Oh, and your office will be in the basement. I don't show off pet-convicts by putting them by the front door, not like White Collar does. All cockroaches belong in the basement." Ruiz opened the door to his office. He exited and Neal followed.

Neal followed Ruiz onto the elevator. The ride was taken in silence. Ruiz exited, and again, Neal followed.

"Your desk is here." Ruiz pointed to a desk under a dim light bulb. "Over there is the file room. We have lots of old cold cases that can use your…expertise." Ruiz chuckled. "If you have any questions, ask the clerks." He said, pointing to the door of the file room.

Neal soon discovered the 'work that required his expertise' was clerical work. Work none of the agents wanted to do, stuff they felt that was beneath them. And it seemed that Ruiz had told the other agents that Neal was there specifically for that reason. When Neal came in the next morning, his desk was covered with stacks of files.

"Make sure you got those done now Caffrey." Agent Chuck Abrams said sarcastically as he dropped yet another file on top of the growing stack.

"They've been laying around for months, what's the rush?" Neal murmured as he worked on a file.

"What did you say?" Agent Abrams asked, challenging Neal.

"…nothing, Agent Abrams." Neal said, quickly.

"Thanks right." Abrams gloated. "Cockroaches can't speak."

WC WC WC WC WC

"I am worried about him, Peter." El said as she placed a plate of food in front of her husband. "He's in enemy territory."

"I knew it was a mistake to take you to see that movie." Peter kidded his wife, even though she loved the action thrillers as much as he did.

"Very funny, Agent Burke." El said firmly. "You said Neal was concerned for his safety. Isn't that a reason to pull him?"

Peter shook his head as he swallowed. "I'm monitoring his anklet. And today he was in the building, all day." He paused. "I need proof of actual pending danger. Everybody at White Collar knows how Ruiz feels about Neal. Ruiz has not exactly been quiet about it."

El seemed to consider what Peter said. Then she asked. "But what if something happens to Neal?"

"Then I do what I told Neal I would do." Peter stated. "I'll kill Ruiz in his sleep."

"Hon, I just…" El started. "…I wished you would take this more seriously."

TBC