(Chapter 4)
Elizabeth gave Scott a moment to wash up, finding some clothes that Peter didn't use anymore for him to wear. The younger man wasn't quite her husband's size but the clothes seem to fit well enough as he came down a few minutes later and the three were ready to leave for the Bureau. El took the lead as they left the house, everything in the clear when a cough nearly made her jump.
"Mrs. Burke... Going out a little late aren't we?"
El turned with as calm a face as she could to find the same frightened look hidden away on Mozzie and Scott's faces. The man wore a dark blue NYPD uniform and badge, a nightstick at his side and a curious but kind smile on his face.
"Officer Talbert... Making your rounds?"
The man nodded looking between Elizabeth and the two men with her. It was obvious he was worried about her, his eyes spying Scott who was doing his best to be bland as was Mozzie. She had to do something to distract the officer but was too surprised to think what.
"Yes. Great night for a walk... Is your husband at home?"
Elizabeth knew that ever since the Keller incident Peter had asked some friends at the local precinct to pass their house off and on when she was alone. Maybe her husband had asked Jack to come by tonight?
"No. He's working late. I was just... taking my client and his son home. We've been planning an event for his wife."
Jack nodded, still eying the two men suspiciously as if he were seeing something there she didn't. Scott was sticking to the shadows so his face wasn't very obvious despite the nearby street lamp. Thank goodness for that she thought as they moved towards her parked car and she popped the doors with the remote.
"Come on Jason... Mr. Armisen. Your wife must be worrying where you two are this late. (She turned to the officer with a false sigh) Surprise anniversary parties are so hard to plan for."
The officer nodded, smiling at her with a little less worry as the two men piled into the back seat quickly but trying their best not to look like it. El moved to enter the car. His hand gently grasped her sleeve making her turn as he gave her a curious look.
"I can escort you if you like, Mrs. Burke."
She saw the terrified look in Mozz and Scott's eyes but smiled as naturally as she could, pulling her arm away gently.
"I'm fine, Officer. I'm meeting my husband afterward for coffee. I'll tell Peter you said hello."
He nodded back as she slipped into the car, waved at him and pulled out into traffic. They could still see the officer scratching at his chin in the rear-view mirror watching them until they were out of sight and everyone let out a loud communal sigh.
"That was close! I think he knew something was afoot but luckily your charms distracted him, Mrs. Suit."
El glanced up into the mirror and grinned, Mozzie moving to the front seat, leaving Scott by himself in the back. He quickly pulled on his belt and seemed to calm down a bit more, his usual messenger bag held tightly in his lap.
"Well, one down and a whole office to go. I'm surprised Peter sent him to watch over me but he's not picking up his phone."
She gave a quiet sigh of frustration, Mozzie leaning over to her.
"He's probably busy with the other Suits looking for young Robin Hoodie here. Won't he be surprised when you bring him in?"
El looked at him a moment nodding but didn't feel any victory in one-upping her husband. Scott was innocent and Neal in danger but she could only go to the one place and person who could help them.
"It's not like Peter to not answer his phone but maybe... you're right Mozz. Scott, are you ok?"
She watched him nod back to her in the mirror from the shadows of the backseat. He had his arms wrapped around him, eyes staring out the window at the city lights as they passed. It was closer to midnight now and El had a feeling the excitement was only beginning. They parked the car near the FBI Offices, El putting on the special tag Peter had given her when she came to visit as they exited the vehicle.
"Well here goes... nothing."
They were standing there, about to cross the street when she saw a familiar face stepping out of the Bureau.
"JONES!"
She called out glad to see a friendly face as the agent turned around then spotted her. He looked both ways before crossing over to see her, a yawn on his lips as his hand moved up to cover it.
"Mrs. Burke... What are you doing here so late?"
He hadn't spied Mozzie or Scott yet, the two behind the car but his eyes spotted them after a moment as El smiled cautiously at him.
"I came to talk to Peter."
Jones blinked at her then noticed who was with her and stiffened a bit but she held up a hand, moving closer to whisper.
"He's innocent. He's turning himself in for questioning but we need to talk to Peter. It's important."
He nodded, eyes narrowing in Scott's direction but holding back at doing anything more than revealing he still had his gun on him.
"If you think so but I need to report this to Hughes. I can take you upstairs..."
Jones kept his eyes between all three of them until she nodded and smiled in relief.
"Good. I need to talk to Peter though. Where is he?"
She was motioning for Mozz and Scott to follow when Jones gently touched her arm.
"Peter went home nearly 2 hours ago."
He looked as confused as she did, everyone pausing a moment before continuing across the street and finishing up the conversation.
"The Suit is missing? First Neal now him? We should probably go hide..."
Mozzie looked about to run off when El caught his arm and herded him and Scott before her.
"We'll be safer inside. Jones... I need to talk to Hughes if he's still in."
She watched him nod, leading the way with Mozzie, Scott and El following in that order. The usual visitor pass option was skipped and they went straight up the elevators, Jones using a key to activate it.
The ride up seemed to take forever, Scott looking the most nervous of all. Jones was eying him when he moved closer and El acted as mediator.
"You're that Robin Hoodie kid..."
Scott looked at the agent with a slight nod of his head, eyes moving to look at Mozz but especially El. She coughed and intervened.
"He's innocent, Jones. He's told us what happened. Neal's been taken by the same people he was being coerced into doing the robberies for. Tell him..."
Jones had his arms crossed over his chest, serious look on his face as Scott swallowed then began. He started telling how he had been staying with Jessica Marks and was supposed to meet her for his weekly appointment that same evening she was murdered. The door was open when he showed, his usual entry through the back door. He found a blood trail from the kitchen as he entered that led back into the living room. The 38 year old woman was already dead by the time he found her. There was a knife laying near the body and without thinking he had picked it up and tossed it aside. He felt for a pulse or something to show she was alive but her green eyes just stared up at him without seeing. He meant to pull out his cell and call the murder in when he saw shadows outside and recognized Angelo from Tony Vega's gang staring inside through the curtains. He had to leave without calling the incident in, escaping through the basement hatch. He'd been on the run since, finally deciding that if he would talk to anyone, Neal Caffrey would be the his best bet.
The agent glanced at the young man, arms still crossed over his chest, face stoic as he seemed to be mulling over the contents of his story. El was hoping for some reaction as she noted they were up to the 19th floor now. Finally Jones nodded, placing a hand on the con's shoulders and smiling slightly.
"Antonio Vega. Peter's been trying to get some dirt on him for a while now. I'll see what I can do but unless we can find proof Vega and his gang are in on this, there's not much to say you weren't the murderer."
Scott looked anxious suddenly, his eyes on the door as if he'd bolt if it opened up on another floor. El seemed to sense his anxiety, scowling some at Jones' truth but knowing that's what it was. He was a reasonable agent but like her husband he was pretty no nonsense when it came to crimes. They all turned when the bell rang to indicate they were finally on the 21st floor. The doors slid open slowly and Reese Hughes stood there about to step in when he coughed, eyes widening in surprise.
"Jones. I thought you were headed home... Elizabeth?"
El nodded with a weak smile as she watched his eyes widen more seeing Mozzie behind her and finally another figure that was hidden some behind Jones. The agent stepped forward whispering to his boss, some of the conversation obvious to El. They were discussing Scott, El moving forward to defend him as they exited the elevator.
"Reese..."
He turned at her voice and nodded, indicating Jones watch the young man and Mozzie who went along as protection into the bullpen of the White Collar department. El watched as they took Scott into the conference room and Diana followed along with two other agents. She was worried but turned to her husband's boss and friend.
"He's innocent, Reese. He was kidnapped by men who still have Neal! He's turning himself in to help the case. Jones can tell you what he said."
The older man frowned some, this going against protocol but nodding before changing the subject.
"Why are you here bringing him in, Elizabeth? Peter should have brought him in."
She nodded, glancing down at the cell she pulled out of her pocket.
"He's not answering his phone and I've left several messages. He never came home. Could he have been following a lead?"
Reese nodded, sighing a moment as they walked back into the White Collar department and he led her to his office. The phone was ringing as he entered so he answered it quickly.
"Hughes..."
He was listening intently, an odd look on his face as he nodded, writing down details and then answering.
"Check surveillance footage. I want to know why it's still there. Thanks for the heads up Reggie."
The agent looked upset, turning back to her with a reluctant glance.
"Reggie was going home for the night and noticed Peter's car was still parked in the garage. He knows I sent your husband home around 10 because I asked him to have a report ready for him when he returned tomorrow morning."
El felt a chill wash over her. She hadn't wanted to believe anything was wrong but now, now it was evident something may have happened to her husband. Peter was missing.
"It could be nothing but they will check the footage and see what happened. Maybe there was an issue with the car."
He was being hopeful but it was nearly 2 hours later and it wouldn't take that long to get a cab ride home even at this hour. She shook her head.
"The car was fine today. Something else must have happened."
She turned to see Scott sitting in the conference room cuffed to a chair with Agent Blake and Barrigan watching him while Mozzie looked annoyed at the situation, pacing the room talking about something which was obviously bothering Diana.
"Maybe it has to do with Neal's capture. Scott told Mozzie and I about the murder but not what happened with Neal. He seemed nervous."
Reese nodded as he motioned for her to follow, going up the stairs to the conference room. The three agents inside stood up and nodded to them while Mozzie kept on with his tirade, only pausing at the presence of the two entering the room.
"Mrs. Suit... Tell them he's innocent. Don't roll your eyes at me, Lady Suit."
Diana looked about ready to kill Mozzie when El moved over to whisper to him.
"Don't make this harder on him... Scott... Where did you last see Neal?"
The younger man glanced at her, a sullen expression on his face as he gazed around at the surrounding agents then nodded.
"East side of town off the docks I think but a few blocks away. I walked from there to your home. I would recognize it if someone took me back."
He was being cooperative despite the look on his face, Hughes nodding in agreement as he moved closer and stood near the young con.
"Mr. Rivers, there are some strong allegations against you. Mrs. Burke here seems to think you're innocent and I have the impression Agent Jones does too."
He turned his eyes over to the junior agent who was standing by the door and nodded back.
"Yes sir. He says Tony Vega's gang is involved. They've been known to coerce ex-cons back into the fold."
Hughes gave a nod, El looking at the scene and hoping to find out more about Neal's whereabouts. She felt it had something to do with Peter's disappearance.
"Sounds like his MO alright. We'll investigate this but we have a new problem. Caffrey is missing and so is Agent Burke apparently. Does anyone know if Burke was following a lead on his own?"
Diana and Jones both shrugged with a shake of their heads.
"Peter didn't go home?"
Diana sounded worried as Hughes and El both shook their heads. Right about then they heard a knock and a tall guy with short dark hair and a goatee dressed in a brown polo and black khakis showed. He had a laptop and folder in his hands.
"Reggie... You could have had Menger do this for you."
The man shrugged as he moved over and hooked the laptop to the main monitor and the screen came to life.
"Looks like Agent Burke was taken in the garage. The men had masks on so we can't ID them but right here..."
He pointed out a blurry image that had been blown up and improved to show a very sketchy shot of a tattoo on someones neck.
"This tattoo matches one found in the criminal databases. It belongs to Gregorio Mikos. He's one of Tony Vega's top muscles and hit men."
Reggie showed them the film, turning to see El move to exit the room after a moment. Mozzie followed, his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure... Peter is ok. Neal's with him. They have each others back."
She nodded but felt hopeless. Last time her husband had been taken, it was Neal who rescued him or at least helped to. Now they'd both been taken. Who was going to save them?
"Sounds like NYPD has a hit on Scott being in Peter's neighborhood. An Officer Talbert called it in."
El perked up looking over at the conference room at the discussion inside as the words hit her. Mozzie gazed at her expression, a strange smile on her face.
"Mozzie... Vega kills off the people who don't agree with him, right?"
She was sniffling at the thought but he nodded uncertainly.
"Yes, he's known as the tough love gang leader. He will convince you by force to join then get rid of you without another thought. He's also big on police scanners. Mostly how he escapes from the law so quickly. Why?"
The idea of her husband and Neal under this man's capture frightened her but she had an idea.
"I think I have an idea... back me up."
El went back to the conference room, wiping at her eyes and collecting herself to break into the discussion inside. Blake and Barrigan had Scott up on his feet and cuffed as they prepared to have him lead them to where he'd last saw Neal. She got Reese's attention as he walked over.
"I'll have Agent Jones escort you back home, Elizabeth."
She shook her head and whispered something back.
"I think I have an idea how to catch Vega and find Neal and Peter."
He blinked back at her with a quick shake of her head but she held up a hand and pulled him outside towards Mozzie. The little guy looked terrified.
"Tell him what you told me about Vega."
Mozz was trembling, mouth opening but no words escaping until she glared at him and he finally spit it out.
"He likes to listen... in on uhm... police scanners. That's how he evades capture."
He looked afraid but El turned back to Reese and smiled.
"Why don't we make him think you're on to him. I know the officer who knew Scott was in my neighborhood. He confronted us outside my home. He would help."
Reese looked uncertain but Jones had come over and nodded.
"Sir, it would be a good way to draw Tony Vega out. He likes to do things himself or at least witness them. If he thought Scott Rivers was dead... do you have Officer Talbert's number, Mrs. Burke?"
She nodded, pulling out a card. Hughes finally nodded and went back into the room to inform the rest of what they were doing. It was nearly midnight now and they weren't sure what else to do.
"Barrigan... Blake. Take Mr. Rivers to find that warehouse. Jones, call Officer Talbert and talk to his supervisor about putting this plan into motion. I think his name is Blaine."
He was barking out orders, another agent hired to watch and escort Mozzie but mostly Elizabeth back to her home. He volunteered to stay with her until they found Neal and Peter. Once they were "settled" at the Burke house, Mozz pulled out his own scanner and had it playing in the background as the operation commenced.
We have a 512 in progress. Copy.
Someone reported a robbery in progress at Congress and 5th.
There was so much chatter it was hard to take in until just around 12:15 when they heard the big announcement.
Federal suspect spotted near Brooklyn Heights. Shots fired. Suspect was armed and fled. Suspect killed. ID says his name was Scott Rivers. Federal suspected confirmed.
Even though they knew it was faked, it sounded so real El gave a little gasp. Mozzie hugged her despite his dislike for touch and she let him, imagining Peter was there with her.
()()()
Peter watched the goon named Mikos hit Neal across the chin, the CI slumping more in the grip of the two men that held him. Vega smiled broadly, both dragged along towards the end of the wharf. There was a chiming of a bell not too far away from a weather buoy and the soft hint of wind churning the air. The city seemed so far away, only a quiet roar as he watched them cut the bonds off Neal's limp form. One of the two men held his partner as they lifted up his shirt and injected him through the navel.
"Did you know most coroners leave this spot unchecked? It will be too late before they find out what he was given. (Him, next!)"
The gag was removed from Neal's mouth as Peter felt his own bonds cut, arms pinned behind him tightly as the man who'd injected his partner moved closer with a fresh syringe. His shirt was already being pulled out and his stomach exposed as Vega continued to smile.
"One less flea bothering this dog. Make sure the undertow gets them. Good-bye, Agent. I hope you and your pet make up in the afterlife."
Peter was still gagged, struggling against the men holding him but feeling his struggles become less as the needle pierced his navel and warmth began to move outwards from the area.
"Mmmmphhh..."
His body sagged heavily, the gangster's laugh echoing in his head as he was moved towards the wharf.
"Shoot him first then toss both their bodies in the water. Make it authentic."
Vega was moving back towards the car, obviously uninterested in seeing the rest as Peter felt his mind floating in a comfortable haze. His eyes fell on his partner and all he wanted to do was apologize. There was a part of him that didn't want to see the con get his commutation. He blinked at that thought wondering why he would be thinking such a horrible thing when it hit him. If Neal left he would lose the best friend and partner he'd had in a very long time. Suddenly all he wanted to do was tell Neal why he shouldn't go if he did get his sentence commuted but something flashed near the men holding him.
"What the... Dammit! The cops are here!"
Peter wanted to turn his head but it was too heavy just with the weight of his own thoughts so it hung there, eyes still watching Caffrey who was held limply under another goon's arm.
"I say we dump them and run. If they catch us, they have to leave to save their friends first."
He didn't understand what they were saying until the man holding Caffrey panicked at another close bullet ricocheting near them. He tossed the nearly unconscious con towards the edge of the wharf, blue eyes languidly moving to look at him. Peter thought he saw Neal's lips move, a single word clear: bye.
Someone nearby winced and Peter felt himself dropped to the ground, his body like jelly as he hit the gravel hard.
"THIS IS THE FBI! YOU'RE SURROUNDED!"
Peter heard the words but his mind was elsewhere. He had to tell Neal what he had been thinking but Neal was... gone? He found some strength in his need to talk to the con, crawling to the edge of the wharf in the confusion as the goons surrendered or ran. Peter peered over the edge into the inky dark waves and slowly slipped head first into the cold heartless river and silence. The water was cold but the quiet felt right as he felt himself sinking, bubbles of air escaping his nose as he plunged deeper into the water, eyes peering into the darkness but seeing nothing but the dim light from above fading.
Neal?
His lips moved in silence but his mouth remained shut, his body having enough thought to keep the little air he had in his body as he sunk even farther into the darkness.
Neal?
The words were thought but loud as if he had spoken them in the silent watery atmosphere, eyes looking around as he continued his slow descent. He didn't see his friend, eyes searching until he thought he saw a glint of something just a few feet below him. His body was still sluggish from the drug but he managed to move in the icy water and dive down further towards the figure, more air bubbles escaping as his brain started to feel fuzzy and his chest tighten slightly.
His hands reached out as they neared the glint and his eyes saw what looked like a foot, wingtip shoes and something green flashing dimly. He grasped the leg and pulled up but the figure was heavy, the weight bringing him down with it as his mind started to wake up and he glanced upwards. The surface seemed so far away suddenly as Peter started to realize where he was. More air bubbles escaped but he managed to find Neal's face, blue eyes now colorless in the gloom of the water staring dark and empty up at him.
Neal...
He pressed his lips to the young man's, pushing air into his friend's lungs. Suddenly there was movement as those dull eyes moved to look at him, Neal's hand grasping at his arm just before Peter passed out.
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: The roller coaster continues... hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
