(Chapter 3)
Peter continued to relive the pain as the car hit him, his body flying up and rolling over the hood of the black vehicle till he fell hard to the asphalt. He had the dream over and over, seeing the look on his friend's face as he stared up blankly. Neal was crying, his face pale and tight as he looked down at him. Peter tried to speak, say something but his body refused to respond to his commands, his eyes rolling back into his head as he succumbed to his injuries.
Two brown eyes suddenly burst open, flickering around the blurred scenery of the space around him. He was confused, thinking back to the accident. Elizabeth was there, her face worried and he wanted to speak. She had said something that woke him up. He saw her and two other figures try to calm him, sound hitting him although the pulsing in his ears muted much of the sound from his ears. He wanted to say something but his body relaxed, giving in to his pain and weakness. He could still hear them speaking, Peter trying to wake up and talk but unable to. He was fading again till he heard it, that magic word. Elizabeth was there and he looked up at her again, eyes open as he tried to convey to her what he'd heard. He remembered now. Neal had been here. The young man talking to him in the darkness. Neal was in trouble and someone had to know. Someone had to help as he saw Elizabeth look at him, nod knowingly before he passed out again.
It was sometime later he felt consciousness hit him again. Peter opened his eyes and peered around. The room was beige, with flowery trim in yellow. The curtains matched with the same beige and yellow, Peter gingerly moving himself more upright as he sat up. His eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light of the room as he continued to wake up. His throat felt dry, tongue thick in his mouth. He looked to his right and found the nurse call button, pushing it. He wondered where Elizabeth was as he tried to think straight and bring his thoughts together. It only took a few minutes before the door opened to his left and he saw a young woman in scrubs walk in.
"Mr Burke. How are you feeling?" She looked surprised but hid it well as she helped fluff his pillows, adjusted the bed for him and took his vitals. He opened his mouth but nothing came out but a small squeak. She glanced at him curiously before walking over to the sink, pulling a cup off and filling it with water. She handed it to him, helping Peter drink it till he requested more. Once his thirst was sated, he felt more able to speak.
"Tha... nks." He looked at the door curiously, the nurse noticing.
"Are you expecting anyone?" She said as she finished checking his pulse, vitals and checking his reflexes. He nodded a worried look on his face. She wrote on the clipboard at the end of his bed and then smiled at him.
"I'll let the doctor know you're awake. Did you need me to call anyone for you?" She obviously wasn't his usual nurse so he wasn't sure what to say.
"My wife. Dr. Monroe will know how to contact her." He felt tired but he needed to stay awake. His gut was telling him something was wrong. He tried to remember what but Peter knew he was forgetting something as he watched the nurse leave and the door shut. He closed his eyes, a headache making him weary as he tried to recall what it was he had forgotten.
Jarrell won't get away with this. I'll find out how he knew where I was and why he did this if it's the last thing I do.
Neal...
Peter opened his eyes knowing he had to do something. He started to move ever so slightly, removing the blanket from across him as he started to remove the monitors. He was barely pulling out the first IV, his face crinkling in pain as he moved to sit up more and push his legs over the edge of the bed. He froze a moment as he heard the door start to open. Peter saw a short figure in scrubs and a mask come in who closed the door, turned and almost scream when they saw him.
"Suit... I thought you were unconscious."
Peter blinked feeling a bit relieved suddenly as a slight smile curved his lips.
"Mozz?"
The figure removed their mask and nodded then put it back on.
"I was told you were unconscious. You look awake to me."
Mozz's muffled voice broke through despite the mask and Peter nodded.
"I was but... Neal. Something is wrong. I need to find him." Peter had pulled the last IV out and was trying to stand when his legs gave out. Mozzie caught him, helping him to a chair. He seemed honestly worried about him considering.
"Careful, Suit. You need to rest but you're right. Neal is in trouble. He's gone missing."
Peter looked at the con who left him to look in the closet. The agent wasn't sure what to say, his head slightly fuzzy as he felt a temporary weakness. Mozz returned and dropped a set of clean scrubs and shoes on the bed.
"Come on, Suit. Get dressed."
()()()
Neal had a headache, his temples throbbing as he started to come to. He thought he heard voices but mostly he heard other things. His eyes opened slowly, focusing on dark walls and then looking as the scene became clearer that he was in a wood paneled room. He let his glance move around him, finding he was bound to a bed in a small cabin-like room with a single shuttered window. It was evening from what he could see, crickets chirping loudly outside.
Crickets?
He tried to think straight as to why he was bound, his mind fuzzy. He shook his head to clear it but instead felt nauseated, swallowing hard as he found he was also gagged, rags stuffed in his mouth and tape pulled over his lips. Neal struggled against his bindings but was still too out of it to do much as the room spun around him. He heard a door creak open and turned to the left to see a figure in a black turtle neck and jeans walk in.
"Mr. Caffrey... so nice to see you again."
The man was tall, short cropped black hair and bright green eyes. His nose was hawkish, features chiseled as if out of granite, his expression just as hard and unbending. Neal felt his eyes widened when he realized who this was: David Jarrell.
"Ah, I see you remember me now. It's been what... ten years. I've had a hard time trying to look you up Mr. Michaels but I knew eventually you'd take a misstep. How unfortunate the man who's sworn to help and protect you in your rehabilitation was the one who ended up betraying your location to me. He'll be taken care of in due time. I have someone on their way to visit him now. Agent Burke knows too much and I can't have anyone knowing who I am or what I look like. You were the exception..."
He paused, leaning over as he sat on the edge of the bed and drew closer to Neal, a menacing air about him.
"I was disappointed in your little deception but I know now why you did it. Same reason you've screwed many of your former partners on a job: morals. It's funny to think someone who would steal a priceless artwork from a museum would be squeamish about violent acts. It's not much different than stealing and makes things so much more interesting."
Jarrell was right over him now, one hand suddenly reaching out as he gently then tightly squeezed Neal's nose shut. The young man struggled but was bounded securely as he felt his chest begin to tighten up and head feel like it might explode. The man just smiled coldly at him.
"Don't worry, Mr Caffrey. This isn't the end. Trust me."
()()()
Elizabeth spoke with Jones after Neal had vanished, his cell ringing as he excused himself to answer it.
"Jones... What? I'm on it. Thanks Diana."
He hung up his cell looking more conflicted than he had. El was uncertain what was going on till he looked at her more disappointed than he had been.
"Caffrey cut his anklet. He's running. I'm going to have to leave you Mrs. Burke. Can you get home ok?"
He looked upset, her own emotions mixed at the news. Something didn't feel right. Why would Neal cut his anklet. She grabbed Jones' arm.
"Some thing's wrong with this, Jones. Neal wouldn't just run or do what he did without a reason. You know him almost as well as Peter. Let me try and call him. Talk to him if he'll let me."
She was pleading as he nodded, helping her as they crossed the street.
"Make the call but they said he was last over this way. I need to check it out."
Jones left her on the corner as he check out the alley way. Elizabeth made the call hearing a sound nearby. She turned to see Jones heard it too. They both walked cautiously over to a dumpster and the agent peered inside. There was a cell there. Neal's. El paled looking at the agent as he picked it up and glanced at the screen.
"Other than your message, there's a personal note here."
Jones pushed the phone to his ear and listened to the message.
"If you find this, I'm sorry Jones. I had to do what I did for the sake of everyone. Jarrell is a dangerous man and I'm the only one who knows what he looks likes. They're coming to get me. Contact Mozzie."
The message ended there, Jones sighing.
"Sounds like Jarrell got to him first."
Jones sounded worried, Elizabeth following him out of the alley as they made it back to their cars.
"Who's Jarrell? Is he the one that caused this?" She was starting to put the pieces together, Jones nodding reluctantly.
"Yeah. Big shot racketeer. Looks like Neal is familiar with him. Not sure how this relates to Peter's injury but I'm going to find out. You might want to stay with friends if you can. I'll escort your car to your home?" He asked concernedly but she shook her head.
"I'll go to the hospital. I need to see how Peter is doing."
()()()
Peter did his best to look stable as he walked beside the shorter Mozzie who tried not to look like he was holding the agent up but he was. Peter felt like he was going to faint but they had to get out long enough to figure out what was going on with Neal and he was willing to risk it all to find his friend.
"Just hold on, Suit. We're almost out. Just a down the elevator and we're gone."
Peter nodded at the conman, trusting the little guy would help him. They got into the elevator and were alone long enough Peter could relax as he leaned against the bars along the side. Mozzie looked a bit nervous, mask still over his face.
"He was going to meet with me but your junior suit interfered. He was doing this for you. I'm not certain where he went but he promised to contact me. He hasn't been answering."
Mozzie sounded worried, pausing as the doors opened and they pretended to be just two physicians walking down the corridor and exiting the building. They hailed a cab, Mozzie helping Peter inside the back as he moved around to other end and entered. The agent slumped back against the seat looking pale, face flushed ever so slightly as beads of sweat formed on his brow. Mozzie reached up to feel his forehead.
"You feel feverish, Suit. Maybe we should go back." He started to lean towards the front when Peter stopped him.
"I'm... fine. Just get me to..." Peter was fading, his voice trailing off as Mozzie shook him ever so gently.
"Suit... Hey!"
Mozzie was trying to wake him as he passed out.
()()()
Elizabeth parked the Taurus and walked into the hospital. She was tired, stifling a yawn as she headed straight for the elevator and up to her husband's room. The hallway was relatively quiet for the time of day as she pushed the door open and peered inside.
"Peter?" She was shocked to find the bed empty, sheets strewn aside with the monitors and IVs detached. Elizabeth moved near the bed as she tried to figure out what was going on. Something caught her eye near the pillow as she reached to move it and pull the item out. It was a small note on blue hospital stationary.
Elizabeth,
I'm ok but I needed to find Neal. He's in trouble. I'm with Mozzie. We'll contact you when it's safe.
Peter
El read the note once more before she pushed it into her pocket and reached for the nurse call. She had barely touched it when someone grabbed her from behind, a gloved hand wrapping around her mouth and another around her arms. She struggled as she was pulled away and dragged back. Another figure appeared with a syringe, tapping it gently before pushing it into her neck.
"We were expecting your husband but you'll do."
Elizabeth couldn't see the man's face, a surgical mask over it as whatever they gave her started to affect her. She fought to stay awake but it was almost immediate as she slumped in their grasp, vision blurring to black.
()()()
Neal woke up to find himself no longer bound on the bed but his arms pulled back and tied at the elbows again. He lay on the dirt floor of some kind of cellar it seemed, the dim light from a small dirty window just barely telling him it was dawn. The room was brick and mortar, hand crafted and roughly at that. It was more a root cellar than anything and barely five feet in height. He sat up as best he could, swallowing hard as he caught his breath although he was still gagged. Neal struggled to free himself when he heard a soft sound from nearby in the darkness.
Who's there?
Neal was looking around, eyes adjusting to the gloom as he moved closer to the figure as he wiggled closer.
El?
Neal got close enough to nudge the other figure, seeing she was also bound and gagged. He worried when she didn't move, checking for breath and pulse, relieved when she had both. He saw a small bruise on her neck realizing they must have drugged her as he continued to try and wake her.
Elizabeth gave a soft groan but remained unconscious as Neal realized what he was going to have to do. He winced as he pulled his right shoulder out of place, giving a muffled cry as his arm slowly came free enough for him to yank one wrist free and pull his other loose. Once he was free, Neal untied his feet, pulling the tape from his lips and spitting out the rags. His arm hung at his side aching but he ignored it as he worked on untying Elizabeth, removing the tape and rags from her lips. She gave a gasp of breath before slumping in his arms as he finished releasing her.
"El? Wake up, it's Neal." He nudged her but she remained unconscious as he sat up against the wall and held her limp form against him. He gingerly pulled off his jacket, draping it over her as he moved away to find a way out. There was a hatch on the far side by the window on the ceiling but it was bolted from the outside doing him no good since he couldn't pick it. He sighed, moving to the window and glancing out. He saw lots of brush, grass and trees. Wherever they were, it was rural. He tried to think where and remembered Mozzie telling him Jarrell had been staying at a cabin. Maybe this was it?
Neal felt weary all of a sudden. The second wind he'd had leaving him as he slumped back against the wall by the window and passed out.
()()()
Elizabeth was trembling when she woke up, uncertain of what was going on till she opened her eyes and looked around. The space was small and cramped, barely tall enough to stand in at around five feet and cold. She noticed a jacket draped over her but the scent wasn't one she recognized as Peter's. It took her a moment to think who wore that kind of cologne.
"Neal?" She whispered to herself, looking around the root cellar as she shifted tiredly, the drug still in her system and making her feel tired and lazy. She saw the small window but could tell immediately it wasn't big enough to escape through. El gave a little gasp of surprised when she notice the figure slumped against the wall in the shadows, approaching cautiously as recognition hit her.
"Neal... Neal!" She was excited to see a familiar face despite her fear at not knowing where she was. Her mind was still fuzzy at the details as she nudged him gently, the young man giving a faint groan of protest and wincing when she touched his right arm. She noticed his limb seemed a bit more loose than normal, quickly removing her sweater and using it to tie his arm into a loose sling as she brushed the hair from his face. The room might be cool but his face was warm and sweaty although he didn't have a fever. His breath was hard and pulse faster than it should be. El had only a small bit of CPR and first-aid training because of Peter and her business, using what she knew to help Neal. He didn't wake but shifted ever so slightly, his groan sounding more pained as she tried to calm him.
"It's ok, Neal. Everything will be ok." She was trying to comfort him as well as herself, uncertain what was going on as she started to remember things. She curled up by the con, pulling the jacket over them both, trying to keep warm. After a few minutes, Neal started to curl up against her, his head on her shoulder as he mumbled quietly.
"Kate..."
El felt a twinge of sadness thinking about what he must be dreaming but she just shushed him quietly, soothing the young man till he fell into a more comfortable sleep. Whoever was holding them would come soon and with Peter in the hospital...
Peter. She suddenly remembered he was missing. Did they have him too?
She felt a sudden fear not knowing where her husband was till she felt something in her pocket and pulled it out. The note. Peter had left the hospital early with Mozzie. She sighed in relief but worried how Peter would deal if he was still hurt. He must have known something was up if he left. Elizabeth sighed again, trying to get comfortable but worrying about where and why. She only knew someone had taken Neal from the message on his cell phone Jones had found earlier and now she was in the same place.
Elizabeth wasn't sure how long it was before she woke up to the sound of footsteps overhead and then a scratching sound. She opened up her eyes and nudged Neal. The young man barely moved but finally roused as she hissed to him.
They both turned to see the hatch open up, dust falling down upon them and a man with a gun come down followed by another.
"Mr. Jarrell would like to talk to you, Mrs. Burke." The man was light haired with brown eyes, a pistol in his hand as he approached them. Elizabeth scooted back away from him, Neal watching from beside her, blue eyes gazing up dully.
Elizabeth struggled when the man grabbed her, screaming. She felt him wrap his arms around her and another around her mouth, holding her tightly when someone leaped up and the man was flung aside. El looked up from where she'd fallen in the midst of the fight and saw Neal had leaped at the man, punching at him with his good hand. She saw the gun had fallen to the side but when she went for it the second man cocked his weapon and she stopped, hands up.
Neal was still fighting with the man when the second walked up with the pistol and hit him on the back of the head. It was too sudden for her to warn him, the con slumping to the floor stunned as the two men moved him aside, one pulling out some cuffs. Neal was dragged to a nearby corner and cuffed behind as Elizabeth was helpless to assist. One man approached and grabbed her by the arm tightly, pulling her towards the hatch and pushing her up to another man as she looked back one last time at Neal.
()()()
Peter woke up as the cab came to a stop. Mozzie nudged him, helping him outside as they walked towards some familiar looking steps.
"Why are we at my house?" Peter muttered, his body aching with each step but making it up the small stairs. He didn't have his key when they got to the top, his hands feeling around the pocketless scrubs.
"My keys... they're back at the hospital, Mozz. Can't get inside." Peter felt grouchy suddenly if not tired, leaning against the outside wall with his eyes shut. He felt the little guy move around him, something jingling in his hands. After a moment he heard the door open and a hand touch his arm.
"Never say never. Come on suit." Mozzie was smiling up at him as Peter opened his eyes and nodded. He wasn't going to complain this once about the methods, considering what was at stake. Maybe El would show up soon. He needed to call her and make sure she knew he was ok. He stumbled into his house, going immediately to the couch and plopping down as he slumped against the cushions. He was still in pain, his strength threatening to leave him at any moment.
"Suit... here's a change of clothes."
Peter opened his eyes again, never realizing he had closed them in the first place as he looked to find a pair of his favorite sweats and a tee on the coffee table. Apparently Mozzie knew enough to get him something he liked to wear that would be comfy. He nodded with a tired but thankful look at the little guy as he moved to change. Mozz left the room for the kitchen, giving him privacy long enough to finish up and dump the scrubs on the floor. He hobbled over to the shelf and picked up his backup cell and started to phone his wife as Mozzie walked in with a couple of glasses of water and some pills. Peter eyed the pills cautiously.
"Aspirin. I can get you something stronger if you want but I have to call my friend."
Peter shook his head, taking the glass and pills as he sat down with the phone and waited. He got the voice mail, leaving a message.
"El, if you get this, Call me back. I left you a note under the pillow in my room. I'm safe. Love you." He hung up the cell and dialed another number while taking the aspirin and water, waiting for the next one to pick up.
"Jones, FBI."
Peter swallowed hard, trying to find his voice.
"It's Burke. I... I need you to help me with something."
There was silence a moment then another voice piped in.
"Is that you, boss?"
It was Diana in the background, the young agent sounding rather relieved. He smiled as he leaned back and nodded to the phone.
"Yeah, just barely. Hey... I wonder if you've heard from Neal." He shifted his weight some as he tried to get comfy.
"We were worried. The hospital called Hughes informing him that you were missing and there were signs of struggle. They found Elizabeth's purse in your room. I have it with us. Where are you, Peter?"
He blinked uncertain what they were telling him as Peter tried to take it all in. Had something happened to his wife?
"Elizabeth was there? I've been trying to call her. Mozzie helped and I'm at home. I need to find Neal. He's going after Jarrell." Peter slumped back as the pain started to get to him, the aspirin not kicking in yet.
"Uhm, Peter... you're not going to like what I have to tell you. Neal was taken by Jarrell. He was kidnapped and it looks like someone went to your room and took your wife. Diana went by to check how you were and the staff said someone dragged her away. We're still checking out leads."
Peter froze, dropping the phone as he heard those words. Mozzie moved over and took the cell, listening.
"I'm guessing this is Junior Suit? Whatever you just told him, he's looking rather pale. Yes... we'll wait. I'll tell him." Mozzie hung up the phone and placed it on the coffee table.
"I'm sorry. Sounds like Jarrell got to both Neal and El. You need to rest and I will help the suits till you feel better." Mozzie started to move away when Peter grasped his arm.
"This is my fault. I looked up those files and connected them with Jarrell. He won't stop till all of us are dead. She doesn't know anything." Peter sounded desperate even to himself, uncertain how to feel as the pain started to numb his brain and he felt about to pass out. Mozzie pulled his arm free but remained nearby.
"It's true you caused Jarrell to come after Neal but that's not the only reason, Suit. You're not wholly to blame for once." Mozzie sounded like he was being nice to him, Peter nodding as he felt his eyes start to close. He wondered what it was Mozzie was trying to tell him but his brain wasn't quite working. He didn't want to rest but his body was telling him otherwise as he lay across the sofa and felt a blanket placed over him.
"Sleep suit. I'll take care of everything."
()()()
Jones arrived with backup at the Burkes' home not taking any chances something could go wrong. Diana stayed back at the office to continue their sweep of any sign where Jarrell might be hiding and where he could be holding Neal and Elizabeth. The agent knocked on the door, gun ready when he heard it open and Mozzie stood there. The little guy looked a bit freaked but then calmed when he saw it was Jones.
"All you had to do was say please and I'd let you in, Suit."
The agent smirked at the little guy's nervous humor as they entered, a couple of agents staying outside. As they swept the interior, Jones went over to the sleeping figure of his boss on the couch and nudged him gently. Mozzie looked a bit uncomfortable.
"He's hurt you know. He needs his rest."
Jones blinked at the con's concern, nodding.
"So what is your part in all of this?" He saw Mozzie look at him as if trying to figure out how to answer without saying too much. One of the agents with him went to the back door and opened it when someone knocked. Another agent was there and the two talked till the first one closed the door, the other agent remaining outside as a guard. Mozzie watched it all in curiosity.
"I wish I had an answer to that because I'm tired of answering that question." Mozzie paused as if waiting for something but realized after a moment the junior suit didn't know the game.
"Yogi... Ber... ra. Jones, when did you get here?"
Peter's voice was quiet as he spoke, doing his best to sit up if not a bit stiffly. Jones helped his boss to get comfortable, Peter waving a hand for him to stop.
"I'm ok. What do you have on Jarrell and what's going on? Wish I had my notes..." Peter sounded like he was still pretty beat when Mozzie pulled something out of his messenger bag.
"Uhm... actually Suit..."
Jones watched as his boss' eyes widened. The con had handed him a notepad and some printouts.
"These are my notes! How did you? Never mind... I'm sure Neal had something to do with this and under the circumstances I don't care. Jones, check out all of these leads and... what is it Mozzie?"
Jones saw the little guy pull out another sheet.
"This... Neal had me look for places Jarrell might currently be. Under the circumstances as you said, well... you might care to look this over."
The agents looked over the paper finding it was a satellite view of a property just outside of the city on a rural strip of woods where the racketeer had a cabin. It was detailed with notes indicating guards, security and other important details. Peter looked impressed and Jones felt a bit of envy at the amount of work the little guy had put in.
"Jones, see what you can do about putting a team together. Tell Hughes I need to speak with him. Thanks for coming."
"Not a problem boss. I'll leave the agents here just in case Jarrell comes looking around. Get some rest.
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: Finally got this chapter written. Should get another one started soon. Thanks for reading!
