(Chapter 9)
Peter and El left after helping to clean up with June. There were a few left overs, Jones and Diana taking some as did Mozz. It was a quiet ride back home, Peter having left a message with both Jones and Diana to meet him tomorrow. In the car, El stared out the car window, the faint reflection of her face on the glass, her expression thoughtful.
"El?" Peter knew she had been upset hearing about Neal's death as if the younger man had been family. Knowing he was alive was a shock but she had hid it well once they left Neal's room. They didn't tell a soul but Peter would have to bring it up with Jones and Diana, see if they were on board. It was Neal's only chance at coming back to the land of the living and for Peter to prove what had been going on was still important.
"I'm ok, Peter. Just thinking... all this time..." Her voice trailed off and he could just see her shudder through the corner of his eye as he drove. She was crying, he heard the soft sniffling of her nose, he hand moving up to wipe at her blue eyes.
"I know. I was thinking about it when he called. Nearly 3 months and we didn't know he was alive. He hid him well." Peter cursed under his breath, El turning to look at him as he finished.
"He? Do you know who had him, Peter? Peter... what aren't you telling me? Who had Neal?" She sat up straight, blue eyes glittering at him in the dim lights of the dash. Peter kept his eyes on the road as they pulled into the street before their home and he parked along the curve. He didn't turn right away, eyes looking ahead as he seemed to be contemplating something.
"No... I just meant that in a rhetorical sense. If I knew who had him, I'd have done something already. I'm sorry if you thought I knew." He glanced over at her and she nodded but he knew she still had doubts about what he said. It was bad enough he told her that Neal was alive but he couldn't risk telling her about Bancroft. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, removing her seat-belt and opening up the door. He hesitated, still thinking about what he had lied about but it was for a good reason.
"Peter... are you coming?" El leaned over and glanced inside, Peter nodding as he finally removed his seat-belt, pulled out the keys and left the car.
()()()
The next day Peter sat in a coffee shop not too far from the FBI offices. He was alone with a large cup of coffee and a danish, neither touched much even though he had been there a good 10 minutes. He glanced up when he heard the bell of the front door and saw two familiar faces walk in. Diana noticed him first, waving slightly as she stopped at the counter with Jones, ordered something to drink and eat before joining him.
"Hey boss, we're here." Diana sounded cheerful enough, smiling at Peter as she pulled a chair out and sat across from him. Jones did the same greeting him with a little smile.
"So, Peter... what did you call us out the corner coffee shop for? I'm sure it wasn't for their mochaccinos." Jones grinned as did Diana, Peter only giving a slight shake of his head but smiling back.
"No, these foofy drinks are good but they just remind me of... Neal." He sighed a moment finally taking a sip of his coffee and making a face as he realized it had gone cold.
"So much for it being hot... uhm speaking of Caffrey, what did you both think of the memorial?" His voice took a lower more solemn tone, both agents faces dropping to a sadder expression.
"It was beautiful. I think... Neal would have enjoyed it. Thank Elizabeth for me again." Diana wiped at her nose slightly, sniffing. Jones coughed.
"June and El did a lovely job of things. It's a shame... Well you know what I mean." He left it at that and Peter nodded. They were good people and they had liked Neal almost as much as he did. He contemplated telling them but he had to be sure first.
"I went up to his room during the party. I saw Alex." He paused a moment as he remembered how sad she looked. Diana reached across and touched his hand.
"Peter, we all miss him but that's not why you called us is it?" She looked into his eyes, Jones too as Peter tried to think what to say.
"It is and it isn't. Someone called me after Alex and Mozzie left the room, I can't say how yet but... It was Neal. He's alive!" He whispered the last part, leaning in so only they would hear. Peter saw the surprised and almost sad pitying looks from them. They thought he was losing it. Diana made to open her mouth but he stopped her, hand raised.
"I know, it sounds crazy but he called me using someone else's cell. I can't say who till I get further proof but I believe Neal. He's been a prisoner all this time against his will and his captor made it look like he died in that car accident with Agent Soren. I gave up too soon..." He put his face in his hands a moment, hiding his emotions till he heard a cough. When he looked up he saw Jones smiling slightly.
"I guess you want us to do some unofficial digging?" He was grinning now, Diana following suit.
"We're glad to help. Just give us the word." She looked fierce, eyes glittering. Peter just smiled thankfully.
"Thank you, both. Just... keep this to yourselves for now. Nobody else knows but my wife, which brings me to my next topic. Jones, if you can uhm tail her. Keep out of sight but make sure she's ok. I'm worried about her." Peter watched Jones nod with a little salute. He smiled at both agents.
"I guess that's it for now. Just report to me after hours and don't leave a trail. This concerns Neal, the music box and the person behind it all. That's all you need as proof."
Both agents nodded at him as they all rose, picking up their untouched drinks and food and tossing them in the trash on the way out. Peter waved to them both as they exited the building. He turned to cross the street to where his car was parked when a large black sedan came flying down the street and hit him, knocking him to the asphalt. Peter groaned, his head and body both aching although they had stopped short when hitting him so it had been less than full speed. He was just aware of the sound of feet coming closer, hands touching him and pulling him painfully to a half standing position. Peter could only just struggle but he was too weak, the hands holding him securely till he felt his cheek pressed against what smelled of leather upholstery, cool and smooth. Someone pulled his arms back tightly, binding his arms at the elbows before something was pushed against his face that smelled sickly sweet. He struggled but soon passed into unconsciousness.
(Earlier that morning...)
Neal woke up the early next day to the sound of the bolt sliding back on the door and the creak of the knob. He was sluggish from sleep so he didn't have time to react when Derek and the rest of Bancroft's hired heavies held him securely in his bed, flipping him over in his sleep pants and tee as his arms were pulled back and tied at the elbows. He tried to resist but Derek socked him hard, stunning the young man into submission. He felt his legs and ankles secured with zip ties, head throbbing from the punch. Someone pushed rags into his mouth and pulled tape over his lips effectively gagging him. Neal gave a muffled protest.
"Just when I thought you might finally be one of us, Halden. Such a shame it had to come to this. Take him!" Derek made a motion as the other men pulled Neal roughly towards the door and out into the hallway. He was half carried half dragged through the hall till they stopped at a door he didn't recognize. Neal struggled but a gun was pressed against his neck and cocked.
"Behave... or it will be worse, Halden." Derek's voice was dangerous, the gun pulled away as he was dropped into the dark barren room which looked no more than a large closet. His already bound arms were pulled up and back as he as secured to a pipe with a chain.
"You'll have time to think about what you did till he talks to you. Ta-ta!" Derek turned as the others left and closed the door leaving Neal in darkness. His eyes darted around the pitch dark closet fearfully, memories he'd forgotten seeping into his mind.
"MMMmmph!" He pulled against the chain which rattled loudly in the small space disturbing his psyche more as it echoed in his mind bringing back horrible images of past abuse. He struggled for what seemed hours before he slumped painfully against his bonds and finally passed out, exhausted. Bancroft must have found out about the call. Why else would he be here? The thought entered his mind as he fell deeper into the darkness.
()()()
Peter felt nauseated and achy when he finally came to. He couldn't move, his arms still bound tightly behind him as he found himself secured to a chair. He had been gagged, rags filled his mouth and he felt tape pulled over his lips. He struggled some but winced, body hurting when he moved.
"I see you're finally awake, Agent Burke." Peter stiffened initiating a whole new wave of pain as he tried to turn his head to see who had spoken.
"I know you already know it was me who took your precious CONsultant. He's being punished for his disloyalty. I think Halden will be glad to see you here. Maybe seeing you killed will make him work that much harder for me." Bancroft was smiling as he walked into view, Peter's eyes widening then slowly narrowing as his face darkened with anger.
"Don't worry, he's been treated more than well but he has to know disloyalty is less than tolerated. You let him do quite a bit more than I would and it cost you greatly at times. Why would you tolerate such a person unless you considered him nothing more than ... family." Bancroft grinned evilly.
"What would one do for family? Nearly kill a man who he thought guilty? Save someone from certain death when they were running away? Or maybe..." He paused a moment, crouching close and staring straight into Peter's brown eyes.
"Allow themselves to be imprisoned to protect the ones they care for... Which are you, Agent Burke? Which is your CONsultant?"
oOoOo
Author's Note: I think (hopefully that's all it was) nobody saw or posted about Chapter 8 because of the mess on FF last night? Please let me know what you thought if you read it and the next chapter will be longer. Thanks!
