Chapter 2
"I didn't know that you had regular places." Peter said as they walked down the street to the museum.
"Well, I won't be leaving anytime soon so I should probably make myself comfortable."
"That sound like a good idea." Peter said with a smirk.
"I didn't know that people like her existed." Neal continued his conversation about Angie and Daisy. "She seemed really concerned for the girl."
"Yes, Neal; there are still people who are kind and caring." Peter replied in a mocking tone. "So what are you going to do about her?"
"She is not my type." Neal said
"Oh, I know that."
"How can you know that? You haven't even seen her."
"Because she is kind, caring and a waitress. She probably doesn't have any interest in killing, hunting or tricking you."
"You make me sound like a freak."
"I am just stating my experience with your girlfriends."
"Let us just focus on the case." Neal said but Peter continued to smile as they met the manager. It was a quite simple case. A painting needed to be authenticated. However, the real issue was that the painting had been stolen many years ago. "Just another day at the White Collar division" Neal smirked. It was truly just another day. The case was simple but it could not be solved without effort. Few obstacles were to be overcome by Neal's usual wittiness, and all was well when the end was good. However, it was a busy week, and Neal didn't have the opportunity to return to Espresso House.
Nothing had changed. He stood in the line and almost expected that Daisy would return to steal again but to his surprise he found Daisy in new clothes sitting by the counter and drawing. When Neal ordered his coffee, he took the liberty to question Lucy by the counter, and he charmed her with a smile as he asked, "Isn't that the girl who tried to steal last week?"
"Yeah, one of your workers is taking care of her for while."
"So have you found her parents?" Neal asked knowingly that she didn't have any.
"Not yet" was the short and apathetic answer.
Neal had just gotten his coffee when Angie walked in after waitressing the table outside. Once again he placed himself close to them without drawing any attention. Daisy smiled to Angie and showed her the drawing. Angie stroked a hand through her hair as she smiled back, and then moved on to clean the tables behind Neal. He could not see her but he could hear when one of the other waitresses approached her in a mild voice.
"It has been a week, Angie. Have you called the social child service?"
"Not yet. I will do it soon."
"You said that three days ago too."
"Don't worry, Lisa. I know that I can't keep her with me."
"Well you sound like someone who is trying to find excuses to keep her."
"Lisa, she ran away, and she can do it again. She is very unhappy there. If she runs away again, she won't come here. What if something bad happened to her?"
"Why do you have to worry about that? You are getting too attached."
"You don't have to worry, okay? I don't have the economical situation to keep her with me. I know that."
"Then make the call."
"I will, I just need to make sure that she will be fine."
"You are making this harder on yourself."
Neal glanced at Angie as she walked passed him and before he could hear anything more, his phone rang again. Peter Burke. he had to leave again. However, leaving became harder and he found himself looking back as if we waiting from them to stop him.
"She kept the child?" Peter stopped suddenly and turned around to look at Neal. "She needs to make the call."
"She will. She just need some time."
"Neal, this is..."
"Peter, come on."
"I am just saying..."
"She knows, Peter."
"She could adopt her."
"I don't think that she would do that."
"I don't know. If you can get so attached to child in a week, I wouldn't be surprised if she would do it."
"Peter, no one would take on such a great responsibility without really thinking it through."
