A short plane ride and a nice drive later and Rick was walking into the Burke house. "Hey Elizabeth, I'm sorry for not bringing anything. I told Peter to stop off and get something from the bakery but he said no." Rick said swaying as Peter helped him to the couch.
"That's okay Rick. I think there's still a bunch of wine left over from the last time you were here." She said patting him on the cheek with a big smile.
"Good, I hate showing up empty handed." He said nodding before letting his head fall back on the arm of the couch.
"Rick is kind of a light weight when it comes to pain meds." Peter said smiling.
"Did he really get into a gun fight?" Elle asked pulling Rick's shoes off.
"Six guys in two SUVs rolled up to his car with him and Fowler in the back seat. About two thousand rounds fired later he ended up killing four of them. He took two shots to the vest, and his car is shot to hell but he's fine." Peter said as they walked into the kitchen.
"Unbelievable." She said shaking her head.
"He's going to get a medal for this." Peter said.
"He earned it. Jordan said she wanted to come home early but he said not to. He didn't want to worry the girls. That's when she asked us to look after him. Poor dear, it's still his first week." She said smiling a sad smile.
"He's a good agent. This is going to be what every week looks like if he keeps this pace up." Peter said.
"Where's Neal, I thought he was with you guys?" She asked checking on her baked chicken.
"He asked to be dropped off at Sara's house. He said they might make it for dinner, but he wasn't sure." Peter said smiling.
"He's getting the hero treatment?" She asked laughing.
"Rick said he hide behind a magazine rack during the shoot out." Peter said laughing.
"Heart of a lion." She said.
"You should have seen him today. Walking around with a vest and a gun in a shoulder holster acting like an agent. He looked the part." Peter said proudly.
"Rick was right. If you treat him like an agent, he'll act like one." She said smiling.
"I can see a day when he's not wearing the anklet and working with us. I'm telling you Elle, I've never been this happy. I've got you, Neal, Jordan and Rick. I even like Sara. She's a nice girl and I like the fact that she keeps Neal out of real trouble." Peter said grabbing a beer out of the refrigerator. "And all the credit can be laid at that man's feet." Peter said pointing at Rick who was sprawled out on their couch.
The next thing Rick knew Elizabeth was waking him up and it was dark out. "Time for dinner." She said smiling.
"What time is it?" Rick asked looking at his watch.
"It's a little before seven. You've been out for five hours." She said helping him sit up.
"Oh. These pills really do a number on me. I'm not going to be able to take them and go to work." Rick said standing up holding his chest.
"I think getting shot counts as a good reason to take a few days off." Peter said watching him sit stiffly in the chair next to him. "Still hurting?"
"Not as bad." Rick said shifting in his seat. "Instead of excruciating, it's just really bad now." Rick said smiling.
"Well after you eat you can take another pill and sleep it off in the guest room upstairs." Elle said setting a glass of water in front of him. "And no wine with dinner. You're too much of a light weight." She said patting him on the shoulder softly.
"What are we having this time Elizabeth? I think you're my second favorite chef next to Carrie." He said sniffing the air.
"Chicken Kiev over a bed of wild rice, and garlic potatoes. I figure the starch will help settle your stomach after the pain pills." She said setting a plate in front of him.
"Wow, is this how you eat every night Peter?" Rick asked looking at the food in front of him.
"It's one of the reasons I married her." Peter said smiling at Elle as she set two more plate on the table.
"Some one else coming?" Rick asked.
"Neal and Sara, but they're running late." Elle said smiling.
"Probably scrambling to get dressed." Rick said.
"Most likely." Elle said. "Let's give them another minute and then we'll start without them." She said sitting across form Peter.
"Let's hope they get here fast. I skipped breakfast and missed lunch. The last real meal I had was brunch yesterday. Wow, that was yesterday." Rick said shaking his head.
"Been busy Rick?" Elle asked smiling.
"I have been. I feel like I'm really getting my footing as an agent. I love my team and I love the cases we've been working. That reminds me how did you arrest go today?" Rick asked looking to Peter.
"Easy. Diana walked in with the money. Donovan told her the reason there was a hold up with adoption was because the birth mother wanted a pay off of two hundred thousand. Diana flashed the cash and asked if this would get the adoption pushed through. He said yes and that he just spoke to the birth mother today. That's when Diana pulled out her badge and arrested him. As we were dragging him out of his office Mark the Shark walked up. When he saw the agents and flashing lights he backed off." Peter said.
"Good. At least one of us had a good day." Rick said.
The bell rang and Peter let Neal and Sara in. When they sat down Sara turned to Rick. "How are you feeling Rick?" She asked.
"Like I was shot. Twice." Rick said smiling.
"I can see how that could happen." She said laughing.
"Oh I wanted to give you this back." Neal said taking off his suit jacket showing them the shoulder rig with the Inox in it.
"It fit you really well. Like it belongs." Rick said taking the rig.
"I'm surprised at how comfortable it is." Neal said smiling.
"It makes you think about what you'll do after your four years are up. Maybe we can talk the director into letting you stay on as a Jr. agent. You can work your way up to the top from there." Rick said.
"Maybe. I'll tell you what, it doesn't sound like a bad idea, which is something I never thought I would be saying." Neal said.
"I like the idea of dating an FBI agent." Sara said.
"So you're dating now?" Rick asked.
"I think we are." Neal said.
"Good for you two. You guys look good together." Elle said.
"Since we're all in happy relationships, we should do a couple's weekend." Rick said. "We can all head out to my house in the Hamptons this weekend. It's where I was supposed to be coming home from today. The house is huge and has four bedrooms, a private beach, and a fully stocked bar. If we get out there on Friday there's a charity ball that night hosted by the Mayor. He has the house three doors down from me. What do you guys say? Peter and Elizabeth are you in?" Rick asked.
"I'm in. It sounds nice." Elle said.
"Yeah. It does sound nice." Peter said.
"What do you think Sara?" Neal asked.
"I say lets go for it. It sounds like it could be fun." She said.
"Then we're in." Neal said.
"We should invite Diana and her girlfriend Christie too. If they don't want to tag along then I can call Roy and his wife Evelyn. Roy is the captain of the twelfth precinct. He's a great guy to hang out with and his wife Evelyn is really nice." Rick said.
"It will give me a reason to go shopping. I'm going to need something to wear." Sara said.
"Good point. One day you guys should all go dress shopping. Make a morning out of it. I'm sure Jordan doesn't have something to wear." Rick said. "In fact. I'll pick up the tab because you guys have to go super high end. It's the Mayors ball. A lot of very wealthy and powerful people will be there." Rick said.
"This might be a good opportunity to hand out business cards." Elle said excitedly.
"That won't work. Trust me the last thing people want is a business card when they're having a good time. Instead pick out the best piece in your art gallery. I'll buy it and hand it off to the Mayer for the silent auction and have him put the name of your gallery on the auction booklet. You see no one remembers the person that handed them a card but if people like the things in the auction they keep the book and go looking for the galleries and stores listed in the booklet. Trust me, I've done it before." Rick said.
"I think I'll do that. We just got this nice piece from this new artist. It will be perfect." Elle said.
"Great, how much is it?" Rick asked getting up and getting his black case.
"I'm not sure. Let me see." She said grabbing her laptop off the counter and bringing up her inventory. "Oh, it's a bit steep."
Rick opened the case and turned it to her. "I'm sure I can afford it." He said.
"Price is listed at ten thousand." She said showing him her computer.
"I'll take it." Rick said setting a stack of hundreds on the table. "Do you have anything that would look good in my guest bedroom? The walls a pretty bare in there."
"What color is the room?" She asked going back to her inventory page.
"Light gray almost white." Rick said going back to his food.
"I have a few that will work, but I think this one would look good in a bedroom, it's white Lillis in a light blue vase." She said showing him the laptop.
"That is nice. I'll take it." Rick said
"This is one of the cheapest pieces in the gallery and it get no attention. I'm glad it's going to a good home." She said.
"If you like it so much why haven't you sold it already? You would think the pieces you like would get the most attention." Rick said.
"Well, it's a Burke original so I can't very well sell it to a customer." She said blushing.
"You painted that?" Neal asked looking at the pitcher.
"I did. I'm a fully trained artist, I just never get the time to paint. And when I do I just can't find inspiration." She said smiling sadly.
"I was the same way for a long time too." Neal said nodding.
"Then what happened?" Elle asked.
"I started forging bonds. It turns out I'm really good at copying, I'm not so good at painting originals." Neal said smiling.
"Well I can't do that." Elle said. "Especially not with him in the house." She said pointing to Peter.
"If you two are so good at copying then why don't you copy nature? It's what all the greats did." Sara said.
"I would love to paint you." Neal said to Sara.
"You don't have to smooth talk me Neal we're already sleeping together." Sara said and then remembered the other people at the table, and she blushed.
"Don't mind us, we already figured that was going on." Rick said smiling. "But her earlier suggestion is valid. Why don't you just paint things? Objects, people, landscapes. Just because you guys can't throw something on a canvas and call it art doesn't mean you two aren't artists. It means you're practical people. All the art in my house is realism. It looks like what it is, or it's a really cool photo. You guys live in one of the most visually interesting cities in the world. Set up an easel in a park and go to town." Rick said.
"That's what I've been telling her but she always gives me this look. Like the one she's giving me right now. I think it means I'm not getting the point." Peter said.
"You're not." She said.
"Peter, you don't understand what it's like to sit in front of a blank canvas and have nothing. No idea where to start, where to go, what to make. I'm surprised Rick is on your side of this, he's a writer." Neal said.
"Was a writer, and I was never very imaginative I wrote mystery novels." Rick said.
"Still at one point you had to start writing. You had to sit in front of a blank page and try to figure out what to write." Neal said.
"Not really. You write." Rick said confused.
"I think I can help here." Sara said. "Rick, when you're writing a book where do you start?" She asked.
"The victim. You always start there. If you don't have a good victim you don't care if the killer is caught. You think of a person. An average, everyday person. Who are they? What do they like? What's their goal in life. When you have a good victim in your head then you spend the next few days thinking of ways to kill that poor, run of the mill sap. You think of every way they can bite it until you find the worst way possible. Then you think up the kind of person capable of doing such a thing to that nice person. Why did they do it? How did they do it. You outline it step by step until you have the crime scene in you head. Then you send in your good guy and they pick apart your killer until they catch them. Easy really, I'm surprised more people don't write books." Rick said.
"Well there goes my argument." Sara said looking shocked. "But it does drive home a point my father told me once, you can't argue with a crazy person." She said smirking.
"Hey! I am not… okay I might be a little crazy." Rick said shrugging.
"I have a better argument. Peter why don't you play for the Yankees?" Neal asked.
"I hurt my elbow in high school and I can't pitch fast enough." Peter said.
"I was hoping for a speech about not being as good as a pro baseball player but you think you could be playing for the Yankees if not for a high school injury?" Neal asked.
"I do. I was very good. If I kept at it I might have been the best." Peter said.
"So we're sitting at the table with two crazy people." Neal said.
"Hey. I'm not as crazy as Rick." Peter said laughing.
"I still can't argue that." Rick said shrugging.
"Don't look at me." Sara said. "I have zero skills when it comes to art, or sports. I had a mixed bag of talent and I found a job I could do well."
"How about this, when we go out to my house in the Hamptons. Bring some art supplies with you, get hammered, and just paint things you see. Maybe when you sober up you'll see your putting too much pressure on yourselves." Rick said.
"Okay fine." Elle said.
"I'm in if she is." Neal said.
"Okay." Rick said. "Now if you don't mind I'm going to take another pill and pass out. Here's another ten for the Burke original." Rick said dropping another stack on the table.
"Rick that's like a hundred times what the price tag says." She said shaking her head.
"Well art is all about what someone is willing to pay for it. I say a Burke original is worth this much. I think it looks great and I can't wait to hang it up in my home. I'll swing by the gallery some time this week and pick the two paintings up. Now if you will just point me in the direction of the guest room, I'm starting to feel my cracked ribs." Rick said getting up slowly from his seat.
"Need some help up the stairs buddy?" Neal asked wincing.
"No I think I can manage." Rick said through gritted teeth as he stood up straight.
"Right, Peter help me get him upstairs." Neal said slipping his arm around Rick's shoulder.
"Come on supper agent, the guest room is at the top of the stairs to the left." Peter said supporting his other side.
"This really makes me feel weak." Rick said as they helped him to the stairs and Neal took him the rest of the way up. Peter followed with the pill bottle and a bottle of water.
"Shut up and take your pill." Peter said.
"That sounds like a good idea." Rick said popping a pill. "Neal, did you tell Peter we figured out the Adler connection?" Rick asked.
"I thought you did." Neal said.
"What Adler connection?" Peter asked.
"We think Vincent Adler is behind this whole thing. I used to work for him, well I was running game on him. I had no idea he was a fraud. I thought he was legit. It's why we targeted him. I was under for six months. I became the man that I am today while I was running that con. Adler knows everything about me. About Kate. Rick has his guy looking for him. Hopefully he can find him. Once we do I want to be there when we take him down." Neal said.
"Wow, this could be huge for all of us if we catch Adler. You know how many man hours went into his manhunt? Rick will be getting two medals." Peter said.
"If we catch Adler, then we should go before a judge and ask for more rope on Neal's leash. The man can't even make it to north or south Manhattan." Rick said feeling tired.
"I don't know if that's going to work. We can try, and with both of us we might get somewhere, but you never know. It's an OPR decision, and you never know with those guys." Peter said.
"I have an in at OPR. I'll look into it." Rick said laying back in bed. "But right now I'm just going to pass out for a bit." Rick said as his eyes drooped down and his head hit the pillow.
"He really is a light weight." Peter said.
"I don't know, let me see that bottle. No wonder he keeps passing out. These are way too strong. Mozzie took these after he threw out his back. When he wakes up tell him he needs something weaker." Neal said as they walked out of the room. When they got downstairs the two women were laughing. "Something funny?" Neal asked.
"We're just laughing at Rick. He left his case open again. That man throws around money like water and he just leaves massive quantities laying out." Sara said.
"We're family. He would do anything for family." Neal said remembering this morning.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Peter asked.
"Rick views people through a lens of Family, friends, and outsiders. He's with Jordan. Her daughter is now his daughter. Jordan treats you like a brother so he treats you like a brother-in-law. You guys treat me like a son, so he treats me like a nephew. You treat Jones and Diana like younger siblings so he treats then like cousins. Rick was supposed to have dinner with Ken tonight I think because he told me he was having dinner with the in-laws tonight. It's an interesting way of viewing the world and I kind of like it. I like having an uncle Rick. He's cool." Neal said.
"So what does that make me?" Sara asked.
"My girlfriend, so niece." Neal said "And don't think I don't know that was a trick to get me to say Girlfriend." Neal said kissing her.
"Stop Neal, your parents are watching." Sara said laughing.
"Peter, how did we end up with a son?" Elle asked smiling.
"I have no idea." Peter said.
Neal smiled. He noticed neither one denied it. They all shared a happy smile, and finished their coffee in a contended silence. A silence that was broken by Rick snoring loud enough to hear it down stairs. "I forgot to mention it but when he sleeps in an awkward position, he snores. Good luck with that." Neal said laughing.
Jordan looked at her watch, it was a little after four and she was still groggy from her nap on the plane. All she wanted to do was find Rick and curl up next to him. The car pulled up outside of the Burke residence and she got out. Her driver, Frank she thought he said got her three bags from the trunk. "Would you like me to take them in for you Ma'am?" He asked.
"No, I got from here. Thank you." She said looking for her big set of keys in her purse. "Oh, here I forgot the tip." She said handing him a twenty. "Thanks." She said.
"Always nice to drive Mr. Castles family around." Frank said getting in the car.
Jordan found her keys and opened the front door. She got her bags in and saw Peter at the top of the stairs. "You know home invaders rarely us a key." She said smiling.
"This feels more like I'm catching my daughter trying to sneak in." Peter said with a tired smile.
"I didn't wake Elle did I?" Jordan asked as he came down the stairs.
"No. Her and Sara killed a bottle of expensive red at dinner. She's out like a light." He said.
"How is he?" Jordan asked.
"Fine, with the right kind of pain meds he should be ready to go back to work. And he wants to go back to work. He already has his guy looking into Adler." Peter said.
"Adler? Like Vincent Adler the ponzzi guy? What the hell have you guys been doing since I've been gone?" Jordan asked.
"We've been busy. Rick works at a very fast pace. Why don't you sit down and I'll tell you all about it. Now that your back you can help us if you're not too busy." peter said.
"Don't you have to sleep? You have to get up in two hours for work." She said sitting at the table.
"No, we're all taking the morning off. We did a bust yesterday morning." Peter said.
"Is that where Rick got shot at?" She asked.
"No, I think I better start from the beginning." Peter Said.
A half hour later Jordan walked into the guest room and saw Rick knocked out on the bed with all his clothes on. "You look like a hot mess." She said laying down next to him.
"I feel like a hot mess." He mumbled.
"So it lives. How do you feel?" She asked rolling over to look at him.
"Like I've been shot." He said smiling.
"Well, it's not the first time it's happened. It's not even the first time this summer. You're like a bullet magnet." She said smiling as a tear roll down her cheek.
"Hey, it's not a big deal. I was wearing a vest and standing behind to car door." Rick said holding her awkwardly.
"It is a big deal. I know because I've been selling that lie to the girls and your mother all day. Most agents never have to even fire their weapon in the field. You shot five people in your first week." She said.
"Well. I mean if you want to get technical. I shot the gun out of Fowlers hand yesterday morning so that number should be six." He said smiling.
"It's not funny Rick. You have to slow down. You're going to get killed if you keep trying to solve every crime in the state. There are other agents and cops out there, it's not just you." She said.
"I know there are other agents working. They're getting shot at too. Will killed two of the hitters yesterday. Neal hid behind a rack of Magazines but you can't have everyone play the hero, someone has to be the plucky sidekick." Rick said kissing her.
"That's another thing. I don't like you hanging around Caffrey. He has a way of putting black marks on careers." She said.
"That was old Neal. He's changed a lot in the last five days." Rick said.
"He can't change totally. The man is a Con artist." She said.
"I think we have to have a real conversation about what I've been doing. I'm not just trying to be a good agent I'm trying to make things better. You should talk to Neal. Ask him about what changes he's made in the last five days." Rick said.
"I will, but right now I need sleep. Now roll over so you're not hurting yourself and let me hold you. You're the one that's been shot." She said.
"I can do that. Sleeping without you has been really hard." He said as they shifted around so he was on his back and she was curled up on his left side.
"It's been treble. Let's not do it too often." She mumbled as she drifted off.
Rick smiled and fell asleep. He woke up when a beam of sunlight peaked through the curtains and fell across his face. He cracked open an eye and looked at his watch. It was almost ten. "oh, Jordan, we have to get up. Were late for work." He said shaking her.
"No we're not. Were doing a half day." She said.
"Oh. In that case we have time to fool around." Rick said running his hands over her body.
"We are not going to fool around. You have two cracked ribs. There is no way we can have sex without hurting you." She said smiling.
"Well this sucks." Rick said with a pout.
"And besides, I don't want to do anything in Peters house." She said touching his chest.
"Why not? They're going to be doing stuff at the beach house." Rick said.
"When are they going to the beach house?" Jordan asked sitting up on her elbow.
"This weekend. I figured with the girls in Chicago and the Mayer calling me to RSVP for his charity ball I figured we could make it a couples weekend. You and me. Peter and Elizabeth. Neal and Sara. And maybe Diana and her girlfriend Christie. If not them then the Captain and his wife Evelyn." Rick said.
"Sound's like fun." Jordan said smiling.
Peter knocked on the door. "Hey are you two decent in there?" He asked through the door.
"No but we are fully clothed." Rick said laughing.
"Good. Elle made breakfast. Come on down. Rick do you need help down the stairs?" Peter asked.
Rick stood up wincing. "No, I'm moving around better today. My chest still hurts but I can breath better." Rick said shifting around a bit.
"Come on lets get some food it you." Jordan said leading him out of the room. They came down and saw peter in sweats and Elle dressed for work. "Hey Elle." She said hugging her.
"Hey Jordan, did you have fun on your trip?" Elle asked making two plates.
"We did, the girls love it. Room service and a nice view will keep them insanely happy for the next two weeks. Plus Martha has something planed for everyday. We went shopping Friday and saw Macbeth that night. We went to the Art Institute on Saturday and went to this little movie house that serves food at the table and saw a double feature of Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's. On Sunday we had a spa day and that night we got dressed up and went to the last night of Don Giovanni at the Lyric opera house. It was amazing. From there I got on Rick's plane and made here by four." She said with a big smile.
"Wow, you guys really went all out." Elle said.
"Oh that's not all out. You've never met Martha Rodgers. That woman is a party by herself." Jordan said.
Rick's phone rang and he reached into his pocket but it wasn't there. "Any one know where my phone is?" He asked looking around.
"You left it on the table last night." Elle said getting up grabbing his iPhone off the charger. "It was dead so I put it on my charger." She said handing it to him.
"Oh, it's Miguel." Rick said. Looking at the missed call list, "And he's called six times this morning. This is not going to be a good call." Rick said calling him back. "Hola Miguel!" He said in a cheary tone.
"Hola? I'll give you hola Bendajo. You killed my car!" Miguel shouted loud enough for them to hear.
"Miguel. Technically it was my car." Rick said gently.
"Was is the right word. You killed it! Less then one week and you killed one of the best things to come out of this shop ever!" Miguel shouted.
"Really you should be happy Miguel. I proved your car can take a beating. You should take pictures and use it in your sales pitch." Rick said trying not to laugh.
"I know my cars work! I build ugly ass SUVs to catch bullets. That car was supposed to last you forever. You know how many man hours went into building that car?" Miguel asked.
"I know Miguel. It's the best car I've ever owned that's why I'm going to need you to fix it. How long do you think it will take?" Rick asked before pulling the phone away from his ear
"FIX IT!? YOU CAN'T FIX IT! IT'S DEAD!" Miguel yelled.
"Miguel. Relax. You'll give you're self a stroke. Take a deep breath and give me a time frame. What are we talking about? Two, three days to fix." Rick asked.
"Try two weeks." Miguel said tiredly.
"Two weeks? It only took you six days to build. How is it going to take two weeks to fix?" Rick asked.
"Your's is not the only car were working on Rick. Were building three cars at the moment and we still have the three SUVs we were building. This is not going to be an easy fix. Every panel on the car besides the trunk is full of holes. We have to strip it back to the bare frame and rebuild the shell. Then we have to fix the damage done to the engine. New glass. Lights and the paint oh god the paint. How could you Rick?" Miguel trailed off almost in tears.
"Trust me Miguel. Yesterday I had no intention of getting shot at. I was sitting in the back seat of my beautiful car in a gestation when six guy drove up and started shooting at me with Sub machine guns. If I didn't have that great car I would have died yesterday." Rick said.
Miguel sighed. "I didn't know that hurmono. Are you okay?" He asked feeling bad about yelling.
"I took two to the vest, but I'm fine. That's why I want you to fix her up for me. That car saved my life Miguel. I want Her back as soon as you can get her to me. I know you built a driving piece of art. What I need is KITT from knight rider. If this first week is any indication of my job then that car is going to come back to the shop a lot. You better get used to her being full of holes. In fact I want you to paint a Purple heart on the side under the badge. She's taken a bullet for me once. She earned it. I also need a loner. Something I can drive around until you get her back to me. Something that can do what she did yesterday. If you don't trust me to rent, I'll buy. I can't do this job without an armored car, but if I'm buying then I want the meanest god forsaken ride you have. I want fire and brimstone." Rick said smiling an evil smile.
Miguel sighed. "How about The Reaper?" Miguel asked smiling.
"That might just work. You're my first stop Miguel, I'm never driving anything that's not combat ready. I always fancied myself James Bond, I want a car to match." Rick said. "Black Betty is that car. She's hurt and I want her back." Rick said.
"I understand. Give me two weeks and she'll be running like this never happened." Miguel said.
"Thank you Hurmono. I'm bringing my black case. Charge me what ever you think you need to. Money is not an issue where Betty is concerned." Rick said.
"I'll send the boys to bring The Reaper out of her cage for you." Miguel said.
"See you in a couple of hours." Rick said hanging up.
"Black Betty?" Jordan asked.
"Shut up Francine. Now do you have work clothes or do you want me to have Jena bring you something?" Rick asked.
"Can't we stop by my place? I have some mild pain pills so you can stop wincing every time you move." She said.
"Okay we go to Miguel's first then your house and then the office. Peter, do you want Jena to grab something for you?" Rick asked looking up her number.
"What's this now?" Peter asked.
"A suit, something that hangs nicer then the burlap sack you wear to work everyday. She's going to need your sizes anyway. She's going to have to get us our tux's for the ball on Friday. You should let her try to fit you now." Rick said.
"I'm still stuck on the burlap sack jab." Peter said.
"Why am I even asking you? Jena, I need a suit and shirt and tie. I'm also going to need you to fit someone. Elle will give you his sizes and the address." Rick said handing her the phone.
"I'm sorry, but did you just go over my head?" Peter asked smiling.
"No I just went to the source of all the information in this house. Now I need a shower desperately. Jenna should be here in fifteen minutes. Thank you guys for letting me crash here, and for breakfast Elizabeth. Your cooking is amazing as always. If you will point me in the direction of the nearest shower I will stop stinking up the place." Rick said smelling his shirt. "I'm going to have to burn these clothes." He said.
"The shower in upstairs on the right. Towels are in the cabinet to the left." Elle said.
"Thank you." He said walking upstairs.
"What just happened?" Peter asked.
"Jena is coming over. She will change the way you live." Jordan said smiling. "I fought against her for a few minutes, then I tried on my first pair of Jimmy Choo's. After that I just wear what she picks out for me." Jordan said.
"She's good?" Elle asked.
"Unbelievably good. Style, cut, color, she knows it all. She never brought me anything I couldn't run in, or be comfortable in. She know what you do and dresses you for the part, just better." Jordan said.
"But I like my suits." Peter said in a whiny tone.
"And you'll like this one better." Jordan said laughing.
Elle just sat there enjoying the byplay. Someone rang the bell. she opened the door to find a very perky blond holding garment bags. "Hi I'm Jena!" She said excitedly.
"Elizabeth." She said letting her in.
"I have a Donna Karen v neck red dress that would look amazing on you. Let me write that down. Jordan this bag is for Rick. I hope he has shoes because I didn't have anything in his style. You must be the 44 regular. I'm Jena. Here put this on." she said handing Peter the garment bag.
"I have to shower first." Peter said looking at the bag.
"Well get to it. I want to check the cut before I go." She said turning back to Elle, "You're a six right?" She asked writing in a little black book with a gold pen. "And shoes?" She asked. Studying Elizabeth in a way that was making her very uncomfortable.
"8." Elle said.
"I just got a whole shipment of Louboutin's in size 8's yesterday. We'll have to have a session at my studio some day soon. You have the perfect figure for some of the pieces I just got. What field do you work in?" Jena asked without looking up.
"I own an art gallery." Elle said.
"Then we are defiantly going to want to put some bold colors on you. The Donna Karen red dress is a good start. I also have a few items I'd like to see you try on from the Chanel classic line. We'll start from there and work on a rack for you. I have a rack set aside for Jordan to pick from too. You guys should come together, we'll open a bottle of Chrystal and try on clothes. It'll be fun." Jena said. She looked up as Rick and Jordan came down the stairs. "I knew the light gray Tom Ford was perfect. How do you feel?" She asked.
"Good. I like the cut." Rick said pulling at his cuffs.
"When I'm on, I'm really on. Now what is this Jordan? Jeans and a t-shirt? Are they at lest Prada?" Jena asked turning her around to read the label.
"No, they're Walmart . You have to have comfortable clothes too Jena." Jordan said batting her hand off her ass.
"You say that now but when I pour you into a pair of dark wash Pradas your ass will thank me. At lest you're wearing the bra I gave you. It keeps the girl looking perky." She said adjusting Jordan's bra much to Jordan's consternation.
"Jena!" She said.
"We need to get you to my studio soon. Your rack is almost complete. I'll start on Elizabeth's rack today. Until then let me go grab the green Gucci bag from my car. It will go good with that green dress." Jena said rushing out of the house.
"Is she always this perky?" Elle asked looking shocked.
"You get used to it." Rick and Jordan said in echo before laughing.
"I doubt it." Elle said. Jena came back in with a green purse, a cream colored jacket and a shoes box.
"Here is the bag, I also found this Chanel jacket that will go with that dress and this pair of four inch albino snake skin Jimmy Choo's. Try this on and lets see if it works. What's taking him so long, he's a man, shower, shave, boxers, suit. I'm going to go check on him." She said starting for the stairs before Jordan and Elizabeth stopped her.
"I'm sure he'll be coming down soon." Elle said shaking her head.
"I hope so. I have a meeting with my guy over at Prada." She said impatiently.
"Peter, are you done? Jena has to go soon." Elle called up the stairs.
"Be right down." Peter said. A minute later he came down the stairs in a slate blue two button suit that made Elizabeth's breathing irregular. "So what do you think? Better then my regular suits?" He asked.
"Jena, I'm going to need you to redo his closet." Elle said not taking her eyes off Peter.
"I'd be happy to. I love a good challenge." Jena said. Neal rang the bell, and opened the door. Jena was on him in a flash. "Is that a Devore? And that hat. Who does your wardrobe. I have to meet them." She said touching and pawing at him.
"Someone help me here?" He said looking around.
"Neal Caffrey, met Jena Cosgrove. My stylist and part cat. Jena stop pawing at Neal and say hello." Rick said.
"Hello, now where did you get the suit?" She asked.
"A nice lady gave it to me." Neal said. He looked at Peter with a raised eyebrow. "New suit?" He asked.
"Don't even start with me. Can we all get on with our day please?" Peter said.
"Neal what are you doing here?" Rick asked.
"I swung by with a black car to pick you up. I figure you would want to drive by Miguel's the check on your car. "Hello agent Shaw." Neal said smiling.
"Caffrey." She said eyeing him suspiciously.
"That's were I'm headed now. I take it you want to see how far along you car is coming?" Rick asked.
"The thought had crossed my mind, but I didn't know agent Shaw was back from Chicago." Neal said.
"Lets go. You can tell her about the changes you've made in your life." Rick said leading them out of the house with his black case, and one of Jordan's bags. "Neal grab those two bag." He said.
"On it." He said grabbing the two bags and following him down the stairs.
"Give him a chance Jordan. He's turned a corner." Peter said.
"Is it real or is he playing Rick for something?" Jordan asked.
"I think it's real, but see for yourself." Elle said hugging Jordan as they walked out of the house.
On the car ride over Neal talked about going straight, and turning his back on being a con man. He talked about how Mozzie was writing a book.
"How is our little friend doing so far?" Rick asked.
"He's got a twenty-six page outline and it's still going." Neal said.
"Good, he'll have three books worth of ideas. That crazy little guy is going to be the next, well me." Rick said thinking about it.
"He's counting on it. He said he want's to pay you back as soon as he can. It's his big goal. You know he idolizes you right?" Neal said.
"I know, why do you think I got him to turn so fast? I knew my in was writing. The thing is, it's not a con, he can defiantly do it. Like I said, any fool can write a book." Rick said.
"What was my in?" Neal asked.
"The Burkes. You like the way they treat you and I used it to make you see reason. You're happier today then you were yesterday right?" Rick asked.
"I am. I spent the night at Sara's place." Neal said smiling.
"Waking up next to a good woman will make waking up easier." Rick said holding Jordan's hand.
"It really will." Neal said ay they pulled up to the shop. "I can't wait to see what they have done." Neal said getting out of the car with an excited smile on his face.
"So you changed a con man." She said shaking her head.
"Two of then. You'd like Mozzie. He's oddly cultured, and slightly crazy in a very entertaining way." Rick said asthey walked in. Rick was looking around the shop for Miguel but he turned back to Jordan when she tightened her grasp on his hand. She looked like she was going to cry. He followed her eyes and saw his car. "It looks bad, but she took every shot like a champ." Rick said leading her to Black Betty. He ran his hand over the side of his car and felt the bullet holes.
"It's one thing to say it and it's a whole other thing to see it." She said letting some tears fall.
"That's why I'm always going to drive an armored car." Rick said.
Miguel walked up to them. "I know she looks bad but we'll have her running and looking pretty again soon." He said wiping the car fender with a rag.
"Two weeks?" Rick asked looking at the back door he used as coverage. "I want that door. Just like it is. I want to hang it on a wall somewhere. It's done enough." Rick said.
"I get it." Miguel said. "Now do you want to meet The Reaper?" He asked smiling.
"What's The Reaper?" Jordan asked looking confused.
"It was an idea I had a while ago." He said leading them to the back of the warehouse. "A car so evil, and badassed it scared the living crap out of people. A car that could drive to hell and back. When Rick first asked me to build him a car I was going to show him The Reaper, but he wanted something practical. There is nothing practical about The Reaper." Miguel said showing them a car under a black silk car cover. From the shape of it he could tell it was a muscle car. "Allow me to introduce you to The Reaper." He said pulling the cover off the most evil looking 1967 Chevy Camaro Rick ever laid eyes on. It was matte black with gloss black RS graphics and the paint looked like it absorbed all the light around it. It was sitting low and wide on big black rims and super wide track tires. The lights were hidden behind a black grill and the windows had limo tints. The font bumper was gone and it had a carbon fiber front air diffuser giving it a clean look. It had a carbon fiber rear lip and the back bumper and side pipes where black anodized aluminum. Miguel open the hood. "Chevy LS1 with twin turbos pushing 40 pounds of boost, that's good for 1500 horse power. 0 to 60 in 2 seconds. Top speed, I'm too afraid to find out." Miguel said turning the key, flipping the three switches and hitting the start button. The engine turned over and then it boomed to life shaking the ground. "Full bullet proof all the way around." Miguel said opining the door for him to look inside. "Two leather racing bucket seats and a bench in the back. Leather all around, with the wooden steering wheel, and pistol grip shifter. The trunk is not a safe like the BMW but it locks. But my favorite part is the sound it makes." He said motioning for Rick to get in.
Rick sat in the leather bucket seat and wrapped his hands around the steering wheel. He gave it some gas and the whole car lifted, and the sound that came from the engine was a truly unholy. "Can I take her for a spin?" Rick asked with an evil smile.
"Go for it." Miguel said jogging around to the other side of the car and opening the door for Jordan. "Rick's lady." He said waving her in.
"Thank you." She said getting in, she turned to Rick. "This car is totally impractical." She said as he idoled out of the warehouse. When he got to the street he jammed the accelerator and was thrown back in his seat. In the blink of an eye they were flying down the street. "Like I was saying, totally impractical. You should defiantly buy it." She said smiling.
"You just like bad boys in fast cars." He said grinning. "I defiantly want this car. It just really stands out in a crowd. I can't drive this around for work. It draw's too much attention." He said turning on to a dead end street and pulling a hand break u turn. "I'm sure he has a nice SUV I can barrow." Rick said.
"Rick, at this point there is no normal when you're concerned. Just do what you want and let the Bureau adapt to you. It will be easier that way. Now lets get back, buy this car and get to my place so I can change. I need a shower." She said looking at her hair.
"Okay." Rick said grinning as he drove around to the front of the building and into the warehouse. Miguel was standing with Neal. "I'll take it." Rick said.
"I thought you might. This one is a bit steep but it's one of the best thing's I've ever made." Miguel said handing over the sales document.
"It's not as bad as I thought." Rick said pulling the case and handing Miguel twelve stacks. "Second best thing I ever bought from you." Rick said tossing the case back into his new car. "You coming Neal? We have to stop off at Jordan's place for a bit and then it's off to work." Rick said pulling the seat forward so Neal could get in the back.
"Sure, if you don't mind Jordan?" Neal asked.
"Come on. You can talk while I get dressed." She said form the passenger seat.
"So how fast is this thing?" Neal asked and was promptly flung back in his seat. "Nice."
"Fast." Rick said punching it up to second and sliding on to the main street headed north to Jordan's place. When they got there they were kind of shocked at how small and messy it was.
"What? You think I have time to clean? I'm at work all day and Kelly makes mess, she doesn't clean it." Jordan said grabbing a bottle from a cabinet in the small kitchen. "Here, take one of these ever six hours for the next few days. It'll take the edge off but not knock you out." She said.
"What are these?" Rick asked.
"Pain pills from when I sprained my ankle a couple of months ago." She said grabbing a suit form her closet and some under clothes into the bathroom.
"So did you get any word from your guy?" Neal asked finding a clean place to sit on the couch.
"No, I'm not surprised either. If Adler has been on the run for this long then he won't be easy to track. Give it a few days, and we'll be kicking in doors again. "Right now I'm more interested in the 9mm John." Rick said grabbing a bottle of water from the almost empty refrigerator.
"Who?" Neal asked.
"The 9mm John. It's what I'm calling this guy. Every serial killer needs a title. This guy picks up young hookers in an old car, takes them somewhere quiet and empties a gun into their chest and arms. He then drives to a dumping site and dumps the bodies for the cops to find." Rick said.
"Jesus, and I thought the guys we chased after were bad. Do you have any leads?" Neal asked.
"None, he uses a different shity old car every time, and he doesn't have a type when it comes to the girls. The only common factor is young and pretty." Rick said.
"So you're talking about half the hookers working the streets." Neal said.
"Unfortunately, and we can't report it to the news outlets because it might make him go underground, and the only way to get good leads is to work a fresh crime scene. That means my hands are tied until he kills again. It also means I'm dooming some poor hooker. It's really bad. I'm going to spend the week really pouring over the files and see if I can find something." Rick said. Looking around the small apartment.
"Wow, it looks like your week is going to really suck." Neal said.
"It won't be too bad, I can always find something to do if things start to get too boring. This place is sad." Rick said looking around.
"Tell me about it, I thought special agents made more then this." Neal said.
"We make plenty." Jordan said coming out of the bedroom in a white suit. "For your information this place cost $1,250 a month, plus utilities. It's hard to find a good place in this city that's close enough to Kelly's school and the office." She said rubbing her hair with a towel. "I know this place is a dump, but it's temporary. We were going to move out at the end of the summer and find somewhere closer to York Prep." Jordan said.
"Well you're not coming to live back here that's for sure." Rick said looking around. "You should just move in to the apartment now. We can do it when the girls get back from Chicago." Rick said.
"It's not that bad, and I don't want to rush into living together too soon. You have no idea what kind of mess Kelly makes." Jordan said gathering her things.
"You know you guys mean the world to me. And besides I have a team of cleaning ladies. How do you think the house looks spotless all the time?" Rick asked as they walked out to the car. "You have no idea what kind of mess I make. I knew I found a kindred spirit it Kelly. We can eat messy foods and play laser tag in the house." Rick said.
"You have laser tag?" Neal asked.
"Top end. The same kind they have at laser zone." Rick said smiling.
"I want to play laser tag." Neal said.
"We'll throw a party. Laser tag, pizza, beer, and wine." Rick said.
"Now you're talking." Neal said.
"We can do it tonight." Rick said.
"Not tonight you can't. We have dinner and Aunt Betty's house." Jordan said.
"I thought you canceled dinner?" Rick asked.
"I tried to but they all want to get a good look at you. Pick your brain, make sure you're not some creep. You know, family dinner." She said.
"Interrogate me?" Rick asked smiling.
"Basically." She said nodding.
"So no laser tag." Rick said pouting.
"Man, your girlfriend is a total drag." Neal wined like a little kid.
"I know but she hot." Rick said.
"Children. The both of you are children." Jordan said laughing.