(Chapter 4)
Neal finished looking over the plans one last time, giving Mozzie some last minute instructions before he left his friend and his room. He crept down the stairs hoping that June had gone to bed and slipped out the front door into the night air. The evening was breezy, a cool wind gently whipping at his hair as he walked down the street and hailed a cab. He gave the driver the destination and sat back, eyes closed and tried to relax. He hoped that Peter was ok and that he would be able to do what was needed to free the agent. He felt in his pocket for his cell, the idea of it secure. Mozzie would call Jones. Jones would call him. Things would work out... he hoped.
It took a few minutes before he arrived at his destination downtown. He had the cabbie drop him off a few blocks at a nearby cafe he'd found online. It was 24 hours and fit someone being in the area this time of the morning. The driver didn't give him a second glance, yawning a bit as he took the money and drove off. Neal waited a few minutes before sneaking off down the street as if he were just walking, making the last block to the bank and hiding out in the alleyway Hartwell had indicated on the blueprints.
It was 10 minutes before he felt his cell vibrate and pulled it from his pocket.
"I'm here. Where are you?" Neal's voice was less than enthused, the sound of someone clucking their tongue on the other end.
"Have some faith, Caffrey. I have a man, his name is Soren. He will be there in just a moment. Listen to his instructions. Once you're done, I'll send you Agent Burke's location. Understand?" Hartwell's voice was cold and professional. Neal nodded at the phone, his partially illuminated face grim as he did so.
"Yeah, I understand. Let's just get this over with." Neal's voice was cold as he heard a click of the cell hanging up.
()()()
Neal stood there a while waiting for the man when he heard footsteps. He ducked into the shadows until he found a bright light in his face, raising his hands to cover his eyes.
"Caffrey?" The voice was deep, slightly foreign he thought as he nodded despite the light. The light went out and a tall shadow of a man stood in the darkness.
"Soren I taken it?" The man gave him a grunt for an answer before he pushed something into Neal's hands. It was a sturdy black knapsack, probably for the item he was stealing.
"So, what is this item I'm looking for?" Neal asked, a husky arm pressing him back against the wall. He gasped but another hand pushed itself against his mouth.
"Go up the storm pipe and into the window. Once inside you're going to take the vent into the third room, exit into the office and there's a safe. The item is hidden there. Max didn't tell me what it was but said you would know. Understand?" He felt the man's hand pushing harder against his chest and face till he nodded assent. He felt the pressure give and he took in a breath.
"Good, now get going. I will wait here for your return and watch your back." He could imagine the man grinning darkly and nodded again as he turned and looked up at the storm pipe. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he could just make out the hand and footholds he needed. It would take a bit of work but he could shimmy up. Neal didn't bother asking Soren for a boost but took a running leap up a few feet and starting climbing. He was glad he had brought gloves, the brick cutting into them but not his fingers. He nearly slipped once or twice but made it to the window and pried it open. He had expected it to be wired but nothing happened, the lights for the alarm off as he entered. Hartwell no doubt had jimmied them.
Neal followed Soren's instructions, he saw a large vent and immediately pried it loose. It was big enough for someone of his size to squeeze into quite easily. He peered inside but there were no alarms or infrared detectors so he slipped through and started crawling, making it after a few minutes to the third vent. He could see a fancy office on the other side with a large walnut desk and fancy leather chair. He pried the vent open, pulling the grate inside and slipping out and down.
"That was easy enough." He whispered to himself as he noticed the electronic lock on the office door and other alarms that had been turned off. Neal searched the room till he found a rather large fake Matisse on the wall nearest the window. He pulled it carefully away to find the safe behind it. He pulled out the knapsack to find tools to pick the combination lock. It took a few minutes but he finally got in. The door for the safe swung open with a quiet creak, Neal peeking inside in the dim light.
The safe had the usual contents: bonds, some bills wrapped with paper amounts, insurance policies and the like. He couldn't see what sort of art or other precious item Hartwell would be looking for that was so special. Of course these items weren't valueless but they weren't art related.
Neal kept digging, looking carefully for something hidden when he finally saw it. In the top right corner of the up-most shelf he saw a very small symbol of the Di Vinci man. It had been printed on the metal of the safe as an icon but when he reached to touch it, he heard a soft 'click.' The back of the safe was now open, a secret compartment revealed. He waited for it to finish and peered into the new space seeing a scarlet clothed item. Neal reached in and pulled the item out, the scarlet cloth a heavy velvet material covering what seemed to be a book or similar item.
He unwrapped the square item and gasped in awe at what was inside. It was an original copy of Di Vinci's notes and diagrams. The paper looked very delicate and fragile, yellowed with age but still in great shape. He wondered how Marin had gained possession of something such as this when he knew a copy, a real authentic copy was in a museum in Italy. He awed at the sight, wanting to touch it but leaving it in the acid free plastic covering, blue eyes glittering with fascination.
"So you did find it after all." Neal heard the voice behind him in the darkness, having been too distracted by his find to hear the soft footsteps. He started to turn when he heard a quiet 'pop' and felt something hit his neck. Neal reached back and felt a small dart in his skin, his vision already starting to blur before he'd registered the shot. He slumped forward against the safe, feeling his body begin to give into the dart's contents. Someone grabbed him, pulling him back roughly by the shoulders and tossing him aside. It was Soren, the man grabbing the manuscript and pushing it into the bag Neal had been given. The goon left the safe cracking tools behind, the safe open and glanced down at the con.
"Hartwell... sends his regards." He saw Soren pull something out that glinted shiny and black in the dim light of the office. A gun. Neal pulled himself together and rolled under the walnut desk, the bullet from the silencer just missing him. He heard the man curse and then the sound of feet approaching from outside.
"Someone's in the office. Set off the alarms!"
Voices of guards could be heard, Neal trying hard to remain conscious as he heard Soren exit the room through means he could only guess at as he hid under the desk. Neal waited, the guards outside unable to enter with the electronic lock out of commission. He peered out from under the desk and looked around, seeing the coast was clear and pulled himself to his feet warily. With some effort he shimmied back up to the vent and closed it up again as he made his way back to the original entry point.
"The thief is smart. He found the piece, Max. I'm going to let the cops get him. It's getting a little hot here and how much are they going to believe an ex-con, CI or not?" It was Soren's voice he heard outside the ventilation shaft. He waited, holding his breath as he tried to remain conscious. Whatever was in that dart was powerful but his adrenalin from the chase and nearly getting shot was keeping him conscious for now. He waited till he heard the henchman exit through the window before he did the same. He didn't quite make it all the way down before he fell to the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Neal was starting to feel his adrenalin rush end and the drug take over. He had to make it to safety and quick before the cops caught him.
"Someone exited out the window on the third floor near the alley way. Check the alley!"
Neal limped across the alley and saw a fire escape leading up into the next building which seemed to be under construction. He managed to hoist himself up to the ladder from a nearby dumpster and climbed the rickety rungs till he made it to the third floor and slipped inside through a broken window. The building was apparently under renovations for offices, furniture scattered about in plastic if not boxes.
He scooted past the main rooms and headed for what he hoped was an exit when his cell buzzed. Neal paused, his eyes widening in the darkness unsure if he should answer it. If it was Hartwell, he might be checking to see if he was still free or alive. Neal check the number but it came up 'unknown caller' which meant it could even be Mozzie for all he knew. He hesitated, his fear, terror and frustration creating a haze that mixed into pure confusion with the dart's contents as he tried to figure out what to do. The phone stopped buzzing and he heard a soft beep as he got a text message. He read it:
"Neal, where are you? It's nearly 4 am. Should I call Jones?"
It was Mozzie calling. He gave a sigh of relief, speed dialing his friend and pushing the phone to his ear as he started to move again. The room was swaying drunkenly as he continued towards what he hoped was an exit.
"Neal? Where are you? Are you ok? How did the heist go?" Mozzie sounded worried, his usual paranoia definitely in full swing. Neal swallowed hard, finding his mouth dry and tongue feeling rather thick.
"I... it was a... trap. Max... lied..." Neal stumbled and fell, the phone sliding a few feet away from his hands but he couldn't move to grab it. He was too exhausted, his body giving in to the drug as he felt his vision begin to fade. He could just hear Mozzie on the other end despite his helplessness.
"Neal? Neal... what happened? NEAL!"
()()()
Mozzie heard the sound of breathing in the background and then silence, his eyes widening in fear. He jumped when he heard the knock on Neal's door and turned to see June peeking in.
"Mozz, is everything... where's Neal?" She had obviously figured out something was going on but the little guy wasn't sure how much to tell her. At this point although he knew Neal was in danger and told him to contact Jones, he was debating even doing that but he had to do something. Neal was in danger!
"Neal... he uhm... I need a ride to somewhere." He wasn't sure what else to say and he saw June nod, her manner understanding as she picked up his vibe. She must know Neal was up to something. June was smart and she wouldn't turn Neal in if he was in the right.
"I understand. Let me get dressed and meet me downstairs. I needed to go out and get some milk at the store for breakfast. I'll give you a lift on the way." She smiled her usual way but with a hint of worry knowing something was going on. Mozz nodded thankfully.
"Thank you June. I'm sor..." She held up a hand and left it at that as she exited.
()()()
They drove up in June's Bentley, Mozz looking down at his phone and looking intently at it as they passed the bank. He made a sound and motion, his manner upset.
"He's here... his phone is showing up as in that abandoned building beside the bank. So many cops! I'm hoping they haven't found him. Go around the corner, June." He was looking freaked out as they went around the block and made it to the back of the other building. June parked briefly, looking at Mozz.
"I'll be right back. Call me if something happens and I'll phone Agent Jones." She was looking at him with a worried look but he nodded.
"I will. Don't worry. I will." Mozzie ducked out of the car into the shadows and disappeared as June's car started back down the street. He found a broken window that had been boarded up and pulled a few boards aside to squeeze inside and look around. The place was dusty from disuse and obvious construction. Mozz found a staircase and started up as he followed the small blip of the GPS tracker on his phone leading to Neal. He didn't see anyone inside nor any cops outside so he figured the place was fairly empty and more than likely he could go in, find Neal and get out again before June came.
"Neal... Neal..." He was calling softly when he reached the 3rd floor. The GPS said he was close but he only found the phone lying on the ground and no Neal. Mozz was feeling scared now, taking a few steps back and heading for the stairs again when a hand touched his ankle and he just about screamed, falling down and scooting back.
"Mo...zzz..." The voice was weak and slurred a bit. Mozz peered into the darkness and saw a figure on the floor in the corner. He got up and shone a light. He saw Neal slumped against the wall, laying on his side, hand outstretched.
"Neal? Neal..." Mozz nudged his friend, noting the labored breath of his friend indicating he had been drugged. He wasn't sure he could lift the man up and drag him out but he had to try.
"Neal, can you stand? I need you to help me get you out. Neal?" Mozz felt his friend nod slightly as he moved weakly to a sitting position. With some effort Mozz got the younger man to his feet and held him up.
June was good to her word and showed up outside about the same time Mozzie managed to get downstairs and outside with Neal. The young man was barely conscious, slumping across the seat in the back as Mozz pushed him inside and slipped behind, closing the door. June took off immediately but not so fast anyone would be suspicious. He noticed a bag in the front seat next to her holding a carton of milk.
"My cover." She smiled slightly, her brow furrowing slightly as she peered back through the rear-view mirror at Neal. Mozz was leaning over the young man who was laying flat on his stomach across the back seat of the Bentley, breathing shallow and labored from whatever he'd been given. Mozz looked worried, pulling off his jacket and propping up his friend's head just enough to keep him comfy.
The trip back to June's was uneventful, Neal far from conscious when they arrived that both had to help hold him up as they entered her home. With some work they got the con upstairs and into bed, Neal's face pale and flushed, beads of sweat on his brow as he moved ever so slightly.
"Neal... Neal dear, it's June. Can you hear me?" June had grabbed a small bowl and filled it with water, dipping a cloth into it and swabbing his face. Neal didn't speak, his eyes moving slowly beneath closed lids, lips parting ever so slightly as he breathed.
"Mozz, does this look like a needle mark?" June had noticed a small bruise and red mark on the young man's neck, pointing it out to Mozz who blinked.
"Maybe. June... I need to tell you something. It's about what's going on." Mozz paused when he saw June hold up a hand but he shook his head and continued.
"I have to tell you. Neal was trying to help Peter. He's in danger and they threatened to kill him unless Neal did this certain thing." Mozz stopped there, trying to figure out what else to add. He watched June nod, taking in what he said and looking a bit confused.
"Peter's a hostage then? I talked to Elizabeth earlier. She said she was worried because Peter sent her a text that he was on a stakeout. She wanted to know if Neal was involved and I said I wasn't sure since he had come and gone so quickly. I hadn't thought to say anything till now when I saw him here." She blushed slightly as if feeling guilty for not mentioning that fact. Mozz shook his head.
"So they faked a page to El? She doesn't know... nobody does then." Mozz looked down at his friend laying there unconscious and paled. The Suit was in danger and only they three knew, Neal out of commission for who knew how long. He looked frustrated as he pulled out his cell and tried to figure something out.
"Should I call Jones?" June's voice broke through his deliberation as he tried to figure out what Neal would do. He did say to call the agent if something happened and it had. He nodded reluctantly knowing it was what had to be done.