The man in charge of it all, Rinzon, was part asian and part french. He wore a vampire costume, of the classic dracula variety. His dark eyes narrowed at Peter. And he turned to Neal casually. "I see you brought company Mr. Devore. Normally the plus one is female, but..." he shrugged. "We don't judge. You just surprise me."

"My female friend came down sick at the last minute." Neal said mildly. "This is Peter Barris, my primary buyer."

"I like parties." Peter said, "especially when I might get a deal out of them".

Rinzon bowed his head politely, "Please, enjoy yourselves. We'll talk more later."

They glanced at each other and proceeded to mingle. One of Rinzon's server's came up and offered them wine. They each took a glass, knowing Rinzon was watching.

"Neal..." Peter eyed the glass warily. Ever since his poisoning, drinking in these situations had him extra cautious.

"Mm." Neal looked at the wine sadly, casually moving among the crowd, he lightly switched it with another drink on a server's tray, when the server wasn't looking.

Peter glanced around and when no-one was looking emptied his into a potted fern covered with fake cobwebs.

"He can't be poisoning all his guests, Peter." Neal observed sipping lightly.

"Why chance it?" Peter glanced at the younger man, who somehow looked like a born aristocrat even in the cowboy outfit. Darn it, he noted, he even pulled that off, looking like a classic cowboy with his brown pants, leather boots, vest, and light shirt and hat. The only thing off was the belt with it's fake gun in the holster and bullets. And that's just because he knew Neal didn't like guns.

"We'd look suspicious." The young man fired back. Studying the snacks.

Peter looked at them and flinched. He wasn't sure whether they were specially decorated for Halloween or if this was really exotic food, but no way was he inclined to touch it. Food shaped like eyeballs and insects was not his preference. He'd stick with your standard sugar cookies with a glittery pumpkin painted on, thank you.

"It's a Halloween costume party. Everyone looks suspicious." Peter counted a pirate, a vicious looking old style mob guy with heavy scarring and a cadaverous character he couldn't identify. The lights in through room were multi colored but left the room overall feeling dim and moody. He'd spotted several cameras hidden between the lights. Woman appeared, dancing on tables, as spooky music played. They too, had that vampire look. Peter wasn't convinced their odd dance was all acting, nor the eyes just made up. They almost looked drugged. Some of the party girls now moved amid the crowd smiling at men and making more than one female guest frown. But then a few handsome young male vampires joined the crowd and these seemed to be targeting the woman.

One of the girls smiled and said something to Neal and he smiled back smartly, adjusting his old western hat. Peter frowned. Rinzon appeared then and motioned the girl to move off. "Please, we must talk. This way."

Neal moved into step with Peter and murmured. "Something was off about her. I think she was drugged."

Peter nodded, uneasily wishing this party were on more accessible grounds. The van and backup were over five minutes away.

The whole house appeared to have been done up for this party. Even the hallway bore signs of the creepy season. Dark shadows, fake trees and corpses with phony blood mingled in the hall so that instead of a normal hallway, it was a total cramped maze in itself. Peter was feeling claustrophobic. The music faded behind them. He twitched as a fake spider lowered onto his arm and picked up his pace. He retrieved his cowboy hat as a low hanging false branch knocked it off. He could hear Neal's steps just ahead as the younger man stepped between the fake trees. There was a soft click. He froze as he stepped between the same trees. He could see a little way ahead. No sign of Neal. His stomach tightened. "N..George?" He called softly, remembering the alias at the last second. He hurried forward, reached the end and found an empty room, also decorated. But no Neal. How could he have vanished so fast? "Not good. I've lost him." He said for the benefit of the listeners in the van.

Neal had stepped through the trees following Rinzon. He'd heard a soft click behind and glanced back and noticed the darkness. . But he didn't see the man behind who'd shut a disguised door. He kept after Rinzon. It took him a few more steps before he realized Peter wasn't behind him. Alarmed, he glanced back. He took his hat off on impulse, his hand lightly dropping it into the nearby shadow as he turned further and stepped aside. "Peter?" He called softly.

Rinzon stopped and turned. He was looking up and down at him appraisingly His fangs were showing. In the darkness, with moody colored red lights, Neal had a sudden sense of dread. He felt his skin crawl. He forced his best fake poker face on and said, "I think I lost Peter back there. Guess I better go retrieve him."

"I think not."

"He's..." Cold metal touched his neck and a sudden heat, followed by a sharp blast of electricity silenced him. He crashed to the floor, unconscious. Rinzon motioned to two people who came forward and picked the young man up.

Peter had hurried back to where he'd lost track of Neal. He was certain that the young man hadn't vanished that fast unless there was another exit he'd missed. Searching the disguised hallway he found a latch under a giant spider. Wincing, he pushed, pulled and the door opened. He stepped in cautiously.

Eyes wide he sought shadows and costumed dummies for real threats. He stepped deep in the shadows hoping to avoid notice. Voices ahead, but he didn't call out now. Something soft was underfoot and he bent down. His lips tightened and he avoided swearing as he found Neal's hat. One hand dipped to the pistol on his belt and he crept forward.

He followed the voices and eventually spotted them carrying the young man down a hall to a garage. He hurried after.

"Quickly. His friend will notice his absence." Rinzon ordered.

The Halloween decor was both blessing and curse, slowing the agent but giving him cover. "I see him. Neal must be unconscious. Rinzon's loaded Neal into a black truck. He's got a whole fleet down here." He whispered.

The rear door wasn't shut and Peter darted forward, careful to avoid the rear view mirror and the men opening a garage door. He dove for the truck, climbed in and stumbled as he found himself walking on bodies. He gasped softly and flopped down in the back as someone came around to shut the door. As it rumbled shut and cast the truck into shadow, he found the one he was looking for. "Neal!"

Neal didn't stir, but probing under his friend's cowboy handkerchief, Peter confirmed his vital signs were good. Feeling around Peter found the surrounding people in the same straights. Alive but out cold. At least four others were there, two men and women besides Neal. He lurched as the van started to move. He hoped the team was right behind him.