Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin, USA Network et al. This is for fun, no copyright infringement is intended.


Taking Account


June was a sweet old lady who doted lovingly on her grandchildren.

She had been her husband's confidant, the keeper of his secrets, the guardian of his success.

She could beat anybody – even Neal – at poker. With a vengeance.

She had had to look out for herself in a time and place where women, especially black women, were still considered lesser human beings.

She had been called a nigger whore and struck across the face by both police and FBI bullies as they raided her and Byron's gambling club.

She had always taken great pleasure in deceiving the fine men of law-enforcement who treated her like dirt whenever and wherever she could.

She had never given a rat's ass if the working class gambling addicts she goaded on at the tables to take greater risks had wives or children who might have needed the money so foolishly spent.

She never cared if the gangsters they fleeced at the club would just turn round and squeeze the money they lost out of some desperate shopkeeper, struggling long hours to support his family somehow.

Secure in her wealth she never spent a moment's thought about living a daydream she didn't earn.