Peter and Mozzie stared at the postcard like it was some rediscovered painting. The agent turned it around again and again hoping it would tell him something new.
"I thought we were done with these games." Mozzie said reproachful.
"I thought so too. But it's Neal's hand writing. I could tell it apart from every other after all these years. But I wish I could say what place he means when he writes:Where it all started."
"That's easy. The card is addressed to you so he means the place you two met the first time face to face."
"The bank."
"Exactly." Mozzie lectured, "And the time is also clear."
"It is. And he can be really happy I know he wants to meet us there tomorrow."
"Yeah who would know you interest in Viking history would help you one day."
Peter shot Mozzie a dirty look and put the postcard down.
"You think Rachel will be with him?"
"Hopefully not."
"Mozzie..."
"What? She tried to kill me!"
"I know but we will need her help. It seems like she has more knowledge of this damn group than we have."
Mozzie made a face like he ate something bad.
"It would be the only way to make sure your bosses don't sue Neal for this whole thing."
"Unfortunately yes. And like you pointed so nicely some days ago she might got played by those Phalanx guys as well."
"But that doesn't excuse this poisoning thing." Mozzie mumbled under his breath. Peter glared at him and went to call Jones and Diana up in his office.
"Something new on Caffrey?" Diana asked hoping for good news.
"Yeah, he sent a postcard."
"What? I hope this is no sick joke." Jones said and picked up the card.
"It's not. What ever happened the last five days he seems to have a plan."
"And that what worries me. It can't be good when SHE is involved." Mozzie said stern
"Do you still hope she didn't got played?" Diana asked with a hint of a smirk.
"Don't tell me anyone of you guys doesn't hope the same."
The lack of denial made Mozzie look triumphantly.

"You know I hate being on the silver plate." Mozzie lamented for the sixth time since he and Peter took position in front of the bank.
"Me neither and if you don't stop lamenting about that I will smash a greenhouse."
Thankfully Mozzie shut up. A moment later a boy came to them.
"Are you agent Burke?"
"Yeah..."
"This guy told me to give you this." the boy handed Peter a piece of paper and vanished. It was a notice to meet Neal in a cafe only a block away.
It was a small one and it was easy to spot Neal and Rachel at the back of it quite snuggled up to each other and holding hands. The moment Neal spotted Peter and Mozzie his face lit up but kept silent till they sat down at their table.
"Good to see you, Neal." Peter said honestly happy his friend was save.
"Good to see you."
"So what's this game of hide and seek about?"
"We don't want to risk to end up six feet under." Rachel explained, "You found everything about Phalanx?"
"Yeah, we got to Neal's apartment the morning after you played Bonnie and Clyde."
"I am sorry it went that way. I didn't know how close you were and..."
"We know about the brain washing. We found their operation center to keep Neal under control."
"There was a whole operation center just because of me?" Neal asked a little bit too amused for Peter's liking.
"Yeah and I can tell they needed it to make sure you do what they want."
"Sounds like you wish you had the idea."
"I had the anklet."
"I am glad you have fun but could you tell us why we are here?" Mozzie stopped their banter.
"We have a plan how to fight back Phalanx, make sure your higher ups will set Neal free and if everything goes as planned clear my name too." Rachel summed it up.
"I assumed you have been set up after we found the surveillance videos and weekly reports about Neal.
"They stored the surveillance feed?" Neal asked slightly uncomfortable.
"Yes and I know what you want to ask. The answer is yes. I got told a certain person yelled "Stop that!" when he stumbled over it with Diana." Peter said with a devilish side glance to Mozzie.
"Oh please we are all grown ups here." Rachel rolled her eyes annoyed.
"That doesn't mean others has to witness it." Mozzie pouted upset.
"Could we please come back to this plan?"
"Good idea. We set up a meeting with one of their spokespersons. My team got access to their database two days ago and we copied everything we could." Rachel explained.
"You want to blackmail them to leave you alone and clear you and Neal."
"Fair deal I think."
"At least no one gets shot or almost killed this time." Mozzie added.
"Moz, could you please stop that?" Neal asked friendly.
"Eventually..."
"I still have a back up syringe." Rachel said with a threatening smile.
"No one gets injected with anything." Neal said serious and looked between Mozzie and Rachel.
"Back to the topic again. Where do you want to meet?" Peter snapped his fingers in front of their eyes.
"Central Park." Rachel answered.
"And when?" the agent asked annoyed.
"In two days at noon. We told them what we want and what will happen if they don't play along."
"Oh dear Lord..." Mozzie sighed.
"I know, Moz, it's not perfect and not clean but the only way to solve it." Neal reassured his friend.
"Are you sure she didn't use the fact you got brain washed?"
"I am. I know it's hard to understand. I never resolved to those methods but there is no other way. They will continue to come after us."
"I can't say I like this but Neal is right." Peter stated, "How can we help?"
"We need back up in case the guy comes with his cavalry."
"Consider it done. Where do you stay until then?"
Neal and Rachel looked at each other and started to smile.

With a relieved breath Rachel closed the door of the hotel room and leaned with her back at it. She slipped out of her high heels and threw them in a corner to prevent Neal falling over it when he came a little later. The view out of the hotel window was amazing and she took in the lights of the thriving city underneath her. It must have been minutes she stood there when it suddenly knocked on the door. She expected Neal but a concierge stood in the hallway with a huge parcel in his hands.
"Mrs. Montessi?"
"Yes?"
"Your husband asked me to get this for you. A colleague will bring you the ordered dinner in an hour like you wished."
"Thanks a lot." Rachel took the parcel with a slight frown and went to get a tip. Moments later she opened the gift from Neal and had to smile. She pulled out a couple of scented bath ingredients along with a some candles with the same scents, truffles and a soft green chemise. With the note to herself to slap him for this she smelled her way through the candles. About 30 minutes later she heard the door go open. Neal came over to her and placed a kiss on her temple.
"Hey, where you've been?"
"May seem odd to you but I went home to get me some clothes and I wanted to see June."
"I bet she had a hard time to let you go and I also bet it was partly because of me."
"Becca..."
"No, it's okay. I guess I wouldn't react differently. I did horrible things, I deceived a lot of people, I invaded her home... maybe I have to sneak in when we want to meet."
"She's not my mom who forbids me my girlfriend," Neal burst out laughing.
"I know but for her you're a part of her family and she wants to protect you."
"But without you I wouldn't be back here and I told her that. Just give it time, okay? June is a forgiving person."
"Which other choice do I have?"
"I see my present has arrived..."
"Yeah, it did and I think we should put the "do not disturb" sign on the door as soon as we're finished with dinner... just to be safe."
"Seems like I'm not the only one who has a hard time to keep his hands to himself."
"Very funny, Mister! By the way... how did you manage it to get this suite?"
"You know... the right amount of cash, some people who owe you favor."
"I think I have an idea. And I can't remember I ever told you that sandalwood is one of my favorite scents. I don't think you found this in any file of me."
"Every time we met you wore a perfume which contained it and it suits you very well."
"And the chemise?"
"I just thought the green would look perfect on you."
"I guess you want to see if your assumption is right?"
"Right now?"
"After dinner..."