Chapter 6

Within a short time, sounds were again heard at the door. With apprehension and adrenaline pumping, Neal and Peter jumped to their feet, waiting to see the source.

Pedro holding a pistol, and Emilio fingering a set of handcuffs, stalked into the room. The Unisex Glamour Salon owner looked ill at ease while his cousin sported an amused smile.

The overbearing enforcer stared directly at Peter. Waving the cuffs in the air he swaggered forward and confronted his victim. Pausing for effect, attempting nonverbal intimidation, Emilio remained silent.

Disregarding the amateur ploy, displaying an impassive gaze, Peter locked eyes with his nemesis.

"Here to turn yourself in?" he inquired.

Neal hid a momentary smile and looked on with silent admiration.

Stiffening with displeasure, the bully reached out, forcibly shoving his captive against the wall. Pinning him by the shoulder, Emilio slammed his fist into the agent's midsection. Peter slumped over gasping for breath. The stronger man pulled his prisoner upright and again delivered another blow.

"This isn't… going to gain you any leniency on your sentence," wheezed Peter, as he struggled to pull himself up straight.

Neal, enraged with the situation, gestured for Pedro's intervention.

"Stop it, Emilio," Pedro ordered. "He's not responsible for what they did to you in prison."

"They were federales, Pedro! This one's the same. No different. We agreed; this man's mine. You handle Caffrey." He said the name contemptuously.

"Then cuff Burke and take him out of here. No more games."

"Turn around," said Emilio, as he opened the cuffs.

"Wait," said Neal.

Bristling at the interruption, Emilio turned toward the conman.

"I have valuable information to offer. It's about Burke."

Catching his audience's attention, Neal stepped forward. "Is it worth my freedom if I provide you the means for some easy cash? I know how you can get Agent Burke off your hands and finance your escape out of the country."

Curiosity aroused, Pedro looked startled. "How'd you know we're planning to leave the country?"

"It makes sense. The federal authorities will pull out all the stops for a missing agent. You'll be liquidating your assets and fleeing to Mexico, mitigating the possibility of capture. I'm betting you have relatives, paid officials or someone in the drug cartel to help you disappear." Neal smiled. "Extra money will cover more bribes." He paused. "What if you can shift the kidnapping of a federal agent on to someone else? Stick them with the all the heat?"

Standing silent, breathing shallowly to ease the pain from Emilio's two assaults, Peter wondered what con Neal was fabricating. Would the two men accept the bluff? First glancing at his associate, he looked down at the floor with unease, awaiting the proposal.

"What're you talking about?" sputtered Emilio to Neal. "What information do you have?"

"Look. I'm a felon on a work-release program with the feds. If you cut me a deal, I'll help you out."

"You'd sell out your friend, here?" Emilio, gesturing toward Peter, was not convinced.

"He's my handler, not my friend. I don't want to see him hurt, but Burke's always known I put my own interests first." Neal went on. "So will you accept my offer?"

Pedro nodded. "We'll listen to what you have to say. If it's worthwhile, I'll consider releasing you after we're safe. Right now, amigo, you're valuable as our hostage."

"Enticing scenario. Since I don't have much choice…" Shaking his head, Neal sighed. "Okay. I happen to know that capo Vincent Gioeli is anxious to get his hands on Burke. The word on the street," he elaborated, "is that Gioeli's been gunning for him for weeks. He should be willing to pay you a pretty penny for his whereabouts."

"Neal…" began Peter.

"I'm sorry Peter. Maybe you can work out a deal later with Gioeli."

"Why does the mobster want Burke?" asked Pedro.

"Burke closed down his nephew's lucrative number's game with the help of some informant. Gioeli's nephew was killed. The capo wants retribution. My associate here has been laying low to avoid any nastiness."

"He's lying," sneered uncertain and suspicious Emilio, as he walked back to the doorway, handcuffs still in hand.

"Emilio, this won't take long to check out. Come on." He laughed. "We'll give Caffrey the benefit of the doubt. I'm willing to wait a little while to pick up easy money. If Gioeli wants to take care of our problem, let him."

As his cousin exited the door, Emilio paused looking over his shoulder. "If you're lying, Caffrey, I'm coming back to personally take care of you. Pedro won't stop me this time. You two are dead men."

The door slammed shut.

Peter, with a wry smile, turned to confront his associate.

"First, Emilio and now Gioeli want me. Anyone else I'm unaware of? All of a sudden, it seems, I'm a valuable commodity."

"Peter, I didn't have time to come up with a plausible story," Neal deadpanned. "So I offered this one."

Ignoring the jibe, Peter ran his fingers through his hair and breathed a sigh of relief. "You bought me some time, Neal. Even after I told you not to interfere…" He bit his lip and hesitated. "Thanks."