A hundred and twenty-seven days later…
"I don't understand Moz," Neal vented. "It's been months since Keller disappeared, and we've got nothing." He paced around the apartment and ran his fingers through his hair in distress.
"My street contacts have their ears open, but there still hasn't been any chatter. Unless Keller got to them first with a bribe."
"No, I've been tracing the bills Moz. Keller hasn't spent a dime of the money. There's no way he got out of the country."
"You know, not that I endorse or place any faith in government organization, but this kind of stuff was considerably easier when we had the suit working the system from the inside."
Neal gave Mozzie a thanks-for-reminding-me look.
"Maybe the FBI has a lead," Mozzie offered up in desperation, though it pained him to even utter such a falsehood on Neal's behalf. "Have you tried reaching out?"
"They won't take my calls," Neal replied in frustration. Ironically, at that very moment, his phone buzzed.
"Speaking of calls…" Mozzie pronounced. "I'll leave you to it. Adieu my friend." He sat down his near-empty glass of wine and headed out the door.
"Elizabeth," Neal answered. "What a pleasant surprise."
"Hi Neal," said the voice on the other end of the phone.
"What can I do for you?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to come over for lunch."
"Lunch?" he asked, surprised only because dining was more of a tradition she shared with Mozzie.
"Yeah, well, I made more food than I can possibly eat on my own and I thought it would be nice to see you."
"Of course," Neal replied. "I'll be over in thirty."
"Great, see you then."
...
"Elizabeth, this is delicious," Neal raved. "Thank you so much for the invite. You still make the best meal in town." As he took another bite, Neal noticed that Elizabeth was picking and prodding at the food with her fork.
"You alright?" he asked with concern.
"Hmm?" she muttered, distracted. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
But Neal wasn't fooled by her forced smile. "What is it?" he provoked with determination.
Elizabeth seemed reluctant to answer. "I have my last ultrasound today," she finally admitted, breaking eye contact. Neal was confused as to why she seemed to be skirting around the subject. Elizabeth was always strong and enthused when it came to the baby. What made today any different?
Neal sat down his fork. "Is everything okay?" he asked apprehensively, distressed by her evasiveness.
"Everything's fine," she assured him. "I just…" She took a deep breath. "I don't want to go alone." Elizabeth finally blurted meekly.
Neal was caught completely off-guard like never before. His expression was a mixture of shock and pride, and he opened his mouth to respond without having a clue what to say.
"I'm sorry-" she immediately apologized. "I knew it was weird. I shouldn't have-"
"No, no, no," Neal interrupted, not wanting her to think he was uninterested or unsympathetic. "You just scared me is all. I'm glad you're alright." He rose from his chair to give her a hug.
"It's just- if Peter can't be there…" she explained. "I'd like it to be you."
Neal was utterly speechless. "I'd be honored," he admitted with a beaming smile and the threat of tears forming in his eyes.
