10.
Today is the day, Neal thought as he got out of the shower. He didn't have a chance to finish the painting last night, so he would have to concentrate on that. Then when Mozzie got here, they would finalize their plans. As he shaved, he thought about telling Angela of his and Mozzie's plans to leave...would she join them? Should he complicate her plans? Unfortunately, he couldn't come to a conclusion because he heard Mozzie hollering
"Hello!"
"Be right out, Moz" Neal yelled as he cleaned his face, pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and tee shirt, and met Mozzie at the dining table. He had three Styrofoam cups of coffee and large frame wrapped in brown paper.
"Late start, huh Neal?" he handed him a cup, noticing he was not fully dressed.
"A little..." Neal said, then Mozzie saw that the painting was not done...he pointed to it...Neal shrugged.
"I will finish it today..."
Mozzie smirked, "distracted, were we?" he asked, then looked around,
"Where's Angela?"
"Guess she's in her room." Neal went over to the painting, picked up a brush, dipped it in paint and started.
"Do you think tonight?"
"Tomorrow night. Everything will be done, and the museum is closed Wednesdays...no cleaning crew around."
Neal was focused on painting.
"Plus, I need time to check in with Peter today, make sure he will agree to shut the anklet down." Neal turned to Mozzie,
"Isn't this a ridiculous way to live?! Check in with Peter, make sure he will unlock this damned thing...I'm a grown man..."
He realized he was getting agitated, so he smiled at Mozzie, "it is so time to go Mozzie, I can't stand it!"
"Neal, you have to focus, okay? Calm down...finish this, contact peter, then go relax...go take Angela someplace. I'm going to do a few things. Call me when you get back". Mozzie left. Neal sat on his stool, and concentrated on painting.
"Good morning, Neal" Angela said as she entered the room. She was dressed, ready to face the day.
"Morning...Moz brought coffee...a few more hours, and this should be done he gestured to the painting. What do you think?"
Angela took her cup and sat at the table.
"Looks wonderful..."
Neal turned to her. "Come look closer..." he grinned...
"Oh no...Something about being close to you and that painting...put the brush down and step away," she teased. Neal did as she asked. She got closer, and admired the work he had just done. Before she could speak, he got behind her and put his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck gently, then released her.
"I'm going to finish this later...right now I need to get dressed and call Peter.
Moz brought the frame. I'm thinking I can take care of all of this tomorrow night."
"What can I do in the meantime?" she asked as he went to his room.
"If I have to go to the office, come with me. Peter said to monitor you..." he quickly came out dressed casually, the phone in his hand. He was calling Peter.
"Hey Peter..."
"Hello, Neal."
"Need me for anything today?" Neal paced slowly around as he spoke.
"Why? Visiting any other galleries with priceless art?" he said sarcastically.
"Angela likes art, Peter...she asked to go, and the Neue Gallery is within my 2 miles..."
"Okay my friend, just remember you are almost home free...I wouldn't want you to screw anything up"
"Um, peter, I would like to go with Angela to that pawn shop tomorrow sometime...I think she can show me where the coins are"
"Show you? Not tell you?"
"Yes...she won't let me go without her...she said that's the deal..." he looked at Angela as she spoke.
"You think that's wise?"
"Peter, you got to be around this woman for a while...she is a real pain in the ass..." Neal smiled at Angela...
"Remind me to thank you for this assignment!"
Angela just shook her head.
"Well, that's out of the two miles radius, so come on in tomorrow and we can unleash you."
"Okay Peter, see you tomorrow."
He clicked the phone closed. He was smiling. "The day is ours..."
"So, what's something we can do that's within 2 miles?"
"Do you like to walk?"
"Yes, why?"
"Let's just walk 2 miles in every direction...we can get some breakfast, walk some more...see what we find"
"Sounds like a plan...let me get my purse I'll be right out..."
Angela went to her room and got her purse, but took the pouch with the coins and put it in the dresser drawer.
She never saw much of New York, and after a few days she probably never would. That thought suddenly gave her heart a twinge. She sat on the bed. Could she go through with this? Should she tell Neal what she's up to? No, that's not an option. He might try to interfere; could she never see him again and be happy? No... Did he feel the same? Their intimacy said yes he did. So, maybe she could contact him after she leaves and gets her money; if anyone could understand why she did what she did, it was Neal Caffrey. That's it then. On with the show.
After breakfast at a sidewalk cafe, they walked thru central park. Walking encourages talking, and they each shared more of their life stories. They were sitting on a bench, just watching the people walking along.
"I am going to miss this city..." Neal said.
"Miss it? Where are you going?"
That was the second time Neal slipped.
"Oh, eventually I want to move on...once I'm free to go wherever I want..."
"Where would that be?"
"I have always been partial to the southern climates...somewhere tropical..."
"Nice choice!"
"What about you? Once you get the money you're looking for? Ever think of just hanging around here?" if she said she would, he would know they would be together. It would be so easy, so natural, for her to tell him the truth that she had to leave when she got her money. But she didn't.
"I might..." he took her hand in his, and kissed it. Then pulled her to her feet.
"So, where would you like to go next?" Angela did not let go of his hand...she squeezed it tight.
"Back to your apartment..."