(Chapter 10)

Peter didn't know what to think when he left the prison. Caffrey was being his usual self, redirecting and not giving him anything to work with. It was obvious he had the money but that's not what he had been convicted of or what was bothering the agent. The money had been forgotten to some extent in the heat of everything else going on although it still seemed important to Vincent Adler.

Adler...

The man had died. Peter had seen him sink to the bottom of the lake as he tried to save Neal. The man had been shot! There seemed little possibility of the man being alive but apparently he was. He had survived drowning and he was wanting the money Caffrey had taken from him for his own purposes. Jones had showed him a file that the con's friend had given him on the flashdrive. It had maps of the coast off the Eastern Starboard with X's but no idea what they identified and several documents about a lost music box belonging to Catherine the Great. None of the contents made much sense but they were putting some time behind the scenes into researching what Adler had been up to while looking for some means to reduce Neal's sentence for what he had sacrificed to help Elizabeth and himself.

Peter sighed, wiping at his face tiredly as he sat in his car in the prison parking lot. He pulled out his cell and called his wife. Three rings and she picked up with a cheery greeting.

"Hey Honey, where are you?"

He hadn't told her he was going to see Neal. Peter felt bad lying but it was a necessary risk.

"Thought I'd meet you for lunch. Just got finished with some work. Have the rest of the day."

She sounded excited as he started up the car and put it in gear.

"I was just getting finished with... (No put that over there. Thanks.) some work. I put the agents with me to good use."

He could hear the smirk in her tone as he smiled to himself and continued driving. Traffic wasn't too bad for the time of day as he made it back to the city and her offices in no time.

"I won't tell Hughes you're cross-training our people for catering services."

He heard her laugh in her relaxed manner, happy to know she was back to her old self after what had happened. It had been a harrowing time as he rushed back to his home that night after the dropped call (had it only been over a week since then?) Peter thought about it as he parked the Taurus across the street from her office and sat there a moment.

The agent had tried to call her several times without any success as he got his wife's voicemail and finally just tossed the cell aside as he pulled up to his home and saw two cop cruisers already there, lights flashing. His front door was open as he parked his car and barely slammed the door shut as he ran across to his house and flashed his badge at the officer guarding the door. The man let him through when he identified himself.

At first glance he noticed the front door was hanging partially off its hinges where someone had smashed it in. The neighbors were out of the country so it was quiet if anything. There wouldn't have been many witnesses. He looked to see the coffee table overturned as was the doggy playpen as he glanced around for his wife uncertain he could contain himself if she was hurt or missing. Peter heard a squeaky yelp and saw an officer holding Satchmo in his arms, the puppy wiggling happily. He felt some relief at seeing their dog but he wanted to see his wife! He moved towards the officer with the puppy when he heard a tired, shaky voice speak.

"I'm ok... Did someone call my husband? He works for the FBI."

Peter felt his heart start again as he saw his wife sitting on the floor near the officer with Satchmo. She looked haggard, hair mussed but beautiful as he moved forward and coughed. Elizabeth looked up with an expression like she hadn't seen him in years as she stood and flew into his arms. The officers left them alone a moment to reunite as Peter hugged and kissed his wife like it was the first time.

"El... hon."

He was speechless but he wanted to say so many things. She just smiled at him with those blue eyes he loved as he smoothed her hair from her face.

"hon..."

Peter returned to the present as a car horn brought him back. He slipped out of the vehicle and locked it as he crossed the street to her offices and went inside.

"We can add 10 more place settings. Not a problem. Yes..."

El was on the phone rolling her eyes till she saw her husband there and smiled back at him. She kept with her call.

"And you want 8 more seafood and 2 veggie meals with those additions. Not a problem. You're very welcome. Thanks!"

She hung up the phone making a bit of a face.

"Hey honey. How was work?"

She moved over to hug him soon as she had written down what was said over the phone and handed it to her assistant. He turned to see the two agent assigned to her moving flowers and some other boxes around the room. He smirked slightly as they kissed.

"Maybe Hughes can have you teach our people the fine art of flower arranging? Might be a great skill for undercover work."

El rolled her eyes at him as she tweaked his nose, arm still firmly around his waist as she turned to watch the agents and her assistant.

"Just arranging some items that came in today. Some I didn't order so I have to put them aside to return them once I can contact the parcel service. They claim they don't know who they came from so they can't send them back and I don't want to open packages that aren't for me. Just been hectic today but I think we can leave long enough to eat."

The two agents had finally noticed Peter there and paused in their duties for Elizabeth to nod their head respectfully at the senior agent. He nodded back as they finished up and walked over.

"I guess they're going to follow us, hon. We'll go in the Taurus."

()()()

Neal spent the next week looking up information on something he thought he'd never do but he had to get out of his cell to help Peter and El. Mozzie came back mid-week with what research he had on the item in question he'd asked him to look for and the person most likely to help him find it. He wasn't surprised to see the name and wondered if they would welcome him back into their lives. It was worth a shot contacting them if he got out of here as he finished up what he was doing and was taken back to his cell. Along the way there were two inmates fighting, Bobby telling Neal to stay where he was as he went to assist the guards. Several other inmates were standing around watching from their cells with excitement. A guard walked over past the scene and nodded to Neal to follow him. The con looked back at Bobby who was still busy with the other inmates and guards. The man pulled Neal hard on the chain making him trip a bit but he caught himself before he fell. The man smiled darkly back at him, something familiar about the guard he wasn't quite sure of as they passed his cell. He was about to say something but the guard glared back at him to keep quiet as they moved further into the back of the corridor where it was empty and quiet. Neal had a bad feeling suddenly as the man pulled the chain around his neck and up, pushing him back against the wall with a crack of his skull against the plaster, arm pressing against his chest pinning him in place.

"My boss has a message for you, Caffrey."

There was a slight accent there, English maybe he thought as he tried to control his fear and breathing with the chain pressing against his windpipe and the man holding him securely in place.

"He wants the item he told you about if you want your Fed friend and his wife to stay safe. Understand?"

Neal nodded weakly, face flush from the chain blocking his airway. The guard smiled at him, a hint of brown eyes glittering back beneath the cap before he felt himself let go. The con collapsed as he slid to the ground and lay there trying to catch his breath.

"Remember what I said."

Neal lay there as the guard moved away, leaving him alone in the corridor on the floor. The cement floor felt cool beneath his cheek as he let himself lay there a moment before hurried footsteps approached, getting closer. They guards went past him without stopping, the con curious as he started to sit up and found the key stuck in the cuffs. The mystery man had left the key but for what reason? Adler was messing with him but with the risk of Peter and El being hurt he turned the key and freed his hands and feet, moving back from the main hallway till he found a staff room and cautiously peeked inside. It was empty but for a clean guard uniform, boots and belt on a bench. It looked strangely out of place as he moved closer and saw a note on top.

Get the money and item we mentioned if you want to protect your friends. Well be in touch.

He read it twice before he finally made up his mind to put on the suit and boots. There was also a false moustache and hairpiece he went into the bathroom to fix on. Adler had thought of everything. Neal sighed as he hid his prison garb, made himself look official and headed out of the room to leave. He'd have to pass through the main gates and then to the outside. Someone might recognize him or maybe not. He'd figure something out as he felt around in his pockets nervous and found a key card as he made it to the only locked gate. He slid it nervously through the slot and heard a beep affirming it was legal. He smiled at the officer outside and left the building. He almost wished he had been able to take the information he'd found on the items he wanted to show Peter but at this point he was already out so what was the point? He could always bring it up later if he was caught again but for now he had no choice but to try and appease Vincent's wishes. Neal saw a vehicle next to the exit and waited for the coast to be clear before he went towards it, opened up the truck and sat inside the cab. He pulled the wires from the steering and started to chew at them hitting the contacts till the car engine started and he pulled out of the parking lot like he was supposed to be there. Agent Burke would not be happy but it was this or the consequences.

()()()

Peter was on his PC typing a report when he heard his named called out. Hughes was standing in his doorway as he glanced up and saw his boss looking at him with something akin to anger. He wondered what was up as he followed his boss to his office next door and closed the door. Hughes motioned for him to sit as he looked ready to yell but didn't.

"I wanted to let you know Burke before you heard it elsewhere. Caffrey escaped."

The agent gawked at his boss, standing up as he paced a bit then turned back to the older agent.

"Why would he escape? He asked me to see him in two more days. It doesn't make sense, Reese. Why leave now when he knew we were trying to help him?"

Hughes looked back at him with sympathetic eyes.

"I know you trusted the young man and he helped you and El but he's still a criminal. This only proves what I thought was true. I'm sorry, Peter."

The agent didn't know what to say as he left the office and went back to his own. He had to call El and tell her what was going on. No... He couldn't tell her. Not yet. He grabbed up his jacket and keys and left the offices. Once he took the elevator to the lobby and went to his car, Peter just sat in it for a bit thinking. Caffrey had seemed so sincere about sticking with them. They had made plans and he had made a promise to the young man but apparently Neal had had other plans. He wondered if Dante would know where he was if he could contact him. What was El going to think? She liked Neal as much as he had and now...

Peter sighed, wiping at his face tiredly before he started up the car and went to look for some reason behind the young man's change of mind. The wind was picking up outside, the air cooler than it had been. There was definitely something stirring in the atmosphere.

()()()

Elizabeth looked up as her assistant, Viki asked her to come to the door. There was a delivery but apparently only she could sign for it. El nodded as she put her notes down and walked to the front door. A man bundled up against the weather stood there, cap pulled over his face but he had the delivery company's logo on his uniform. She barely noticed him except to sign a form and take an envelope from him. El looked at the him as she thanked him and took it inside. Some kind of storm was blowing in, the door rattling slightly, as she sat at her desk and carefully examined the item and opened it up.

If we had never met, things would have been so different than they are. I may still have ended up in the same place but not under the same pretense.

Don't think of this as good-bye but adieu. Just watch your step when crossing the road and next time, try the wine. I think you would have liked it.

She blinked at the writing trying to figure out what it meant when she heard the bell over her door jingle and looked up to see Peter step inside. He was shaking himself off a bit as she noticed it had started to rain outside. El pushed the note back into the envelope as she stood up and looked at her husband.

"Peter, whatever are you doing here so early? What's the matter?"

She saw his expression as he slung his coat over a hook by the door along with his scarf. He was nearly soaked as she moved over to hug him and help him to a chair in the lobby. He was trembling slightly.

"Caffrey... He ran."

She didn't know what to say as those words sunk in. Nick... Neal ran? Why would he run? The note was forgotten as she pulled him closer to her and he leaned his head on her shoulder tiredly. She wasn't sure how the young man had come to be a part of their lives but he had.

"He was in prison wasn't he? How did he escape? I don't understand. He knew we were working on his case right? Even Hughes was helping you."

Peter nodded back to her as he sat up and gazed with a confused expression in his eyes. She could already see the distrust forming there when he had finally learned to accept the young man. Something felt wrong but what could she say?

"He disguised himself as a guard and escaped. That's all I know. I'm going to have to chase him again, El. He fooled us both but I should have expected this. Hughes tried to warn me. Leopards can't change their spots."

He sounded angry, hurt and after all that had happened she didn't blame him yet none of this made sense. Neal had promised to cooperate. She'd sensed a trust in them as she trusted him. He had saved her life and her husband's.

"There has to be a good explanation, Peter. We'll figure this out."

()()()

Neal abandoned the truck on a not so great side of town after ditching the prison guard outfit. He'd found street clothes in the back of the vehicle upon further exploration. Things were starting to feel too easy as he made his way up the street in his disguise. The moustache itched but he had to keep it and the wig on or he'd be found out. He wondered about contacting Mozzie but with the heat from Adler and the authorities he decided against it. The little guy was safer away from him. Once Mozz heard of the escape he'd be wary of any visitors and go into hiding which was for the best. Neal was better at taking care of himself without putting others in danger. He'd have to contact the person on his list though once he got out of town but for now he needed a place to stay, money, and access to and ID. The weather was changing, wind picking up as he walked swiftly down the street till he found himself at an old thrift store as it started to rain. He was stuck for the moment, the wind howling outside as the rain drops splattered loudly outside the store.

"Oh dear... I thought I'd have time before the weather changed to get back. Do you think you can use these? I hate getting rid of them but it seems I should let someone else who can use these have the opportunity."

The voice was kind and sweet as Neal turned to see a woman standing there at the counter. She had several garment bags (not the cheap kind) that the clerk was opening. He moved a bit closer as he tried to look less than interested while still getting a peek at the contents. She was dressed well with expensive jewelry and clothes, her hands pulling off her gloves. He was right behind her, looking to see something he thought he'd never see as the clerk revealed a very nicely tailored suit from the bag. There were also some shoes (used but in great condition) and a couple of fedoras. Neal's interest was piqued if nothing else as he moved in for a better look.

"Do you mind?"

He watched her turn and smile at him with one of the most welcoming smiles and shook her head.

"Not at all. I'm glad someone is taking an interest in them. They've been collecting dust in a storage room at my home. They were my late husband's."

Neal tried on a jacket and the hat and she smiled, fixing the lapels on it as he wore it and smiling brighter.

"This one was for dancing. I always liked the way Byron looked in it. The neighborhood was nicer then."

She seemed comfortable with him letting him try on another jacket, hat and the shoes as the clerk waited to see what was up and they chatted. He found out she was a widower and she lived nearby. Her husband had died a few years ago and she was only now beginning to let go by donating some of his clothes and possessions she no longer had a need for. She introduced herself as June as he smiled and thanked her. The storm was getting worse as he went to look out the window to figure out where to go. Someone touched his shoulder and he turned to see June standing there.

"You look like you could use a place to rest. I have a room if you're interested. It's full of things past but it can be cleaned up. I also have more suits."

Neal was surprised she was being so nice to him, his guilt at what he had already done and why getting the better of him as he shook his head.

"I couldn't but thank you."

He made to go out into the weather to escape her kindness but she stopped him, her hand holding his arm gently.

"I can tell a person dealing with some dilemma. I'm a good listener. We could get coffee at the end of the block."

She kept hold on his arm till he finally nodded. Neal knew he shouldn't but something about her made him feel comfortable. It made him think about the Burkes and something he needed to do as they left the store and headed along the covered walk towards the coffee shop.