(Chapter 29)
Peter saw the car first before he put two and two together. It was the same car that had nearly run him down the other day. It came barreling out of the alley by the shop as he left the Taurus and ran into the junk store gun out.
"Neal?"
He hissed is quietly, trying to call the young man on his cell and getting voice mail first then hearing a quiet buzz somewhere towards the back of the shop.
"Neal?"
Peter saw Kitaro, checking for a pulse and realizing the man was dead. He sighed as he pulled out his cell again and called up Diana and Jones.
"Situation... we have one person dead and I'm looking for Neal and Mozz. Not sure what's going on but let NYPD know."
He gave them the details and hung up as he moved further towards the back of the shop and found Neal unconscious on the floor. There didn't appear to be any one else around until he noticed the slumped form in the corner.
"Mozz?"
He checked Neal for a pulse and breath, relieved to find them as he saw the huge goose egg on the back of the young man's head. He pulled off his jacket and placed it under the con's head as he moved to untie and check Mozzie. The little guy was bleeding, his face pale and wan, eyes slightly open.
"Mozz? Can you hear me? Help is on the way."
He saw those eyes look up at him a moment then close, Peter worried not just for the con but for Neal. If Mozzie died... He heard a weak cough and realized the little guy was still with them but the wound was deep in his chest as he applied pressure and called 9-1-1 with the other hand. It was just a few minutes later Diana and Jones burst in with NYPD and paramedics.
"Neal's fine but unconscious. Mozzie..."
He couldn't find the words to say what he wanted as the two agents understood and helped him, one taking over where he was as Peter moved to gently nudge Neal. The con gave a weak groan but didn't wake up as he stayed near him and watched Mozz taken on a stretcher. Peter was surprised when Hughes showed up as another stretcher came for Neal. He would have gone in the ambulance but Reese pulled him aside.
"I'm sorry Peter but I have to put you on temporary suspension."
The agent was shocked as he looked between the ambulance leaving and his boss.
"Reese..."
The older agent held up a hand although he looked somewhat apologetic.
"He's going back to prison as soon as he's confirmed healthy to do so. This experiment is over, Peter. You're not thinking clearly and today's incident proves it. Did you think I wouldn't find out about his anklet?"
Peter was shocked at first, almost embarrassed but Neal was hurt and so was Mozzie. Anger took over for a moment.
"Reese... Take my badge if you have to but this isn't what you think! Adler is behind this! A car tried to run me over just the other day and the same car left the premises just a few moments before I entered. I have the plate numbers to prove it. Someone is trying to make sure Neal doesn't make it and I get put in the wringer. Sir..."
Hughes held up a hand looking tiredly at him. It wasn't that he didn't want to believe him but the higher ups were on his back. Reese looked only slightly apologetic at him as another agent walked up. Peter recognized him immediately as one from the Department of Justice.
"What is DoJ doing here, sir?"
The agent glanced at Peter with minor regard.
"Making sure you don't let a dangerous criminal out on the street. Where is Caffrey, Hughes? How was he able to get out of his anklet yesterday, Agent Burke?"
The man was arrogant at best which bothered Peter more but he wanted to leave them and go see how Neal and Mozzie were. Hughes held his arm.
"Burke... we need a statement from you about what happened. Why did Caffrey have a gun?"
Peter blinked forgetting he had seen it there in the con's hand but knowing Neal hadn't used it.
"I showed up when I heard the car speed off. When I realized it was the same vehicle that tried to run me over in front of my home the other day, I got suspicious and went inside. I found the shopkeeper dead, Caffrey unconscious and his friend hurt. I honestly did not take note of the gun, sir. He's non-violent by nature."
The DoJ agent shook his head, waving some men down and whispering orders to them Peter could just hear. The men jumped into a car and took off after the ambulance which Peter wanted to do.
"Reese..."
Hughes held up a hand to him again, talking off to the side with the man from DoJ, Agent Blackston but came back with a grimmer glance.
"Your badge Peter and gun. I'm sorry. I'm also going to have to ask you to not visit with Caffrey. He is no longer your responsibility."
()()()
Adler smiled from his perch across the street. Larssen had done a much better job than he'd thought. Something would have to give soon and he knew with the Agent on forced leave Peter would do something to help Neal. They were loyal to the other for reasons he didn't understand but if it got him what he wanted, he could wait while the pieces fell into place. He left the room and went back to his waiting limo around the corner, Kate sat there in the backseat watching him as he entered.
"You look happy, Vincent. I guess your errand went well?"
She was so innocent and malleable. He was going to enjoy this game till the very end.
"Yes, actually it did. Shall we go eat now?"
()()()
Fowler watched the scene from across the street, a hat pulled over his face. Burke was in deep and Adler wasn't going to be finished with him until he gave up on the con if he was lucky. Vincent had found the agent's weaknesses: his wife and Caffrey.
He saw Hughes take the agent's badge and gun knowing that if he was watching, Adler was too. The man had something up his sleeve. He saw the frenzy die down and Peter leave the scene headed home. Fowler followed in his own car, a rented mini-van he thought would be easier to deal with and give him a place to stay when he needed it. He parked around the corner from Peter's home, the agent unaware of him as he headed back and waited. He wanted to talk to the agent alone despite his better judgment, he had to warn him. It took about an hour before the man came out with his dog in tow and Garrett followed. He came up upon the agent and pressed a finger into his back making him take pause.
"Just keep walking, Burke. We need to talk."
Burke nodded stiffly as he took him around the corner to an alley. He didn't expect it as the agent turned and grabbed him, spinning him around and pushing him up against the wall.
"Why are you helping him Fowler? What has Adler got on you?"
Peter was adamant, holding him tight but he knew some tricks as he hit the agent hard on the chin, stunning him. He would have done more but the yellow lab attacked him, holding him at bay. He saw Peter get up after a moment and sit there staring at him, blood dripping from a busted lip.
"Burke, get your dog off of me. I'll talk."
()()()
They talked for a bit, Peter hearing how Fowler had been blackmailed to work with Adler. The promotion from Violent Crimes to OPR a surprise for him as well when it happened. He only knew Adler had plans for him and when they were doing he would give him a tape that showed him killing the man he thought had killed his wife. Peter called Jones on a private line and told him to bring Diana over. Both agents showed up at the cafe they ended up at hearing Fowler's story and how he had helped Adler get revenge on and manipulate Caffrey until recently. He was in hiding and intended on staying that way till Adler was stopped.
They let the ex-agent leave once he had given Peter enough to find Adler. He was still worried about Neal and Mozz, both agents saying they had little contact with the two but heard Neal was going to be released soon to Riker's and Mozz was still unconscious. He wanted to get in there and actually see the young man feeling responsible. Adler had gotten him out of the way from helping. It meant Neal was in danger of being killed or taken prisoner so he would work for the man although he doubted Caffrey would do such a thing.
"We'll keep you in the know, boss. Don't worry."
He thanked them as they left in separate vehicles and he walked back home with Satchmo. El looked worried, waiting by the door for him as he came back. She noticed his split lip right off the bat and bruises.
"Honey, what happened?"
He no longer had the backing of the FBI, uncertain how he was going to maintain a protective detail on Elizabeth.
"I saw Fowler... I can't tell you much because you'll be in danger. Go visit your sister, El. I'll take you there and then come back. Being on leave they won't put a detail on either of us."
She nodded as they went upstairs and started to pack. He was going to stay here but would send his wife and the dog away. Best he could do for the meanwhile. They still had the music box if anything which Diana was hiding. Neal had the key somewhere safe he hoped although he was tempted to dig through the young man's things to see where for safety's sake.
It only took a few minutes for Elizabeth to get her things together and call her sister. She told her they were having the house sprayed which would explain why she brought the dog. Peter locked up the house tight and they packed into the car and left. At her sister's he explained he still had work but would be staying with a friend. She had noticed his split lip although they'd cleaned it up a bit before he left. He chalked it up to a bad fall down the stairs at work and a missing wet floor sign. She seemed to have bought it as he quietly bid Elizabeth good-bye at the door and left.
The drive back was the hardest for him. He was going to be alone till he figured out how to get back at Adler. He had to get in touch with Neal in the meanwhile but for now he was pretty much on his own. He didn't want to involve Diana and Jones any more than necessary so they wouldn't be put on leave. They'd be his eyes and ears for small things but he would have to do the main stuff himself. He worried about Neal and wondered if he had waken up yet when he got a call on his cell. He ran it through the car dash and was surprised it was Agent Kim.
"Sir... I'm still on leave but I was curious if you still needed help with that project. Let's just say I'm very interested in the outcome."
He felt just a bit of warmth in his eyes. The man had been shot defending his wife and was just barely over his wounds and wanted to help. Peter tried to think what to say since they were talking in code.
"The project is on hold but still very much alive. I'll be in contact. Thanks, Kevin."
He heard a slight movement on the other side and then an answer.
"No problem, sir. Your friend is doing better. I was there today for a check up and heard the news. The little guy is stable."
Peter felt relieved at the news, thanking the agent before they hung up. At least he knew both Neal and Mozzie were ok. Diana or Jones must have had him call. He returned home feeling better about things as he entered the house and closed the door, locking it. He was no longer taking chances with anything even with new locks. He headed upstairs to change into something more comfortable when he felt something wrap around his face tightly. He couldn't breath, a strong hand holding his arms to his sides as the plastic bag continued to cover his mouth and nose. Peter struggled to escape but his assailant held him tightly till he finally collapsed in a heap on the floor. The bag was removed from his face, one arm cuffed to something he wasn't aware of in his semi-conscious state.
"It's a good thing you sent your wife to her sister's Agent Burke. Unfortunate for you that you're no longer needed with the code figured out by Caffrey's friend. Thanks."
The agent was still too weak to respond, footsteps fading as he heard a slight hissing sound. It took a few minutes before he gave a gasp and his body started to work again. He gave a little cough, something making his lungs ache as he sat up weakly and saw that the gas for the hearth was leaking. Larssen was going to kill him with gas? He tried to stand but his strength gave out and he hung by his wrist from the bed frame, slumping against the side of the mattress. The gas was filling up the room quickly, Peter giving a weak cough in response. He was feeling dizzy, his head fuzzy but he thought he heard movement nearby and footsteps. His body slumped down to the floor heavily and he was just conscious of someone having freed him from the cuff, the sound of hissing stopped, a breeze in the room as a window was opened and a feeling of someone carrying him out and downstairs.
"Burke... hey!"
Someone slapped his face hard and he coughed, hacking as he tried to get the gas out of his system and catch his breath. Peter wheezed, his rescuer helping, hitting him on the back off and on. He opened his eyes to see a face he didn't expect.
"F... ow... ler?"
Peter kept coughing, his lungs hurting a bit but he was breathing, catching his breath finally as the man nodded.
"Yeah... not what you were expecting?"
He shook his head, a wry grin from the other man.
"I heard what happened to your con and his friend. It looks like you're in the same boat as me."
Peter nodded ever so slightly as he swallowed hard.
"Why... are you... here?"
Fowler looked nervous, helping the agent to his feet as he led him over to what looked to be a mini-van.
"Get inside. We can't talk here."
()()()
Peter called Jones and with some convincing, Fowler agreed to talk to Hughes. They spent the night in a junkie hotel to hide from Larssen and Adler going early the next day to the Bureau. Fowler was nervous but he wanted to help. Hughes was surprised when Jones led him to an interrogation room filled with both Fowler and Burke.
"Peter, I thought I told you you were on leave. What is 'he' doing here?"
Hughes looked like he wanted to understand but he was still under fire for what happened Sunday. Burke turned to Jones who spoke for him.
"Sir, Fowler had some information you might be interested in. If I didn't think it was important..."
Reese held up a hand and nodded for them to leave as he talked to Fowler alone. Peter sat outside tiredly, Jones noticing the bruises now and split lip.
"Boss, what happened to you?"
Peter looked up with a vague shake of his head.
"Things... How's Caffrey and his friend?"
Jones sat beside him and spoke quietly.
"Caffrey finally woke up but he's still groggy. They had to medicate him because he reacted to the little guy being shot. They had to calm him down so he's still in the hospital but he's being watched, new anklet and cuffed to the bed."
Jones sounded unhappy about the last part much as Peter felt guilty about it. He still hadn't heard what he needed to hear. The agent filled in the blanks.
"Mozz is fine. The bullet missed his heart by a few millimeters. We didn't have a name for him so he's under an alias for his protection. The DoJ and OPR are taking over everything dealing with Caffrey and his friend so not sure what's going to happen with him once he's put back in prison."
Peter nodded back, hearing movement in the interrogation room as he stood and Fowler walked out. Hughes whispered something to Jones who nodded, taking the former OPR agent away while Reese motioned Peter into the room and closed the door. They sat across from each other a moment, silence growing till the older agent spoke up.
"Fowler told me he found you cuffed in your home with the gas on. Did you need to see a doctor? Go to the hospital?"
Reese sounded concerned as he shook his head.
"I'm fine and I want to make sure that Caffrey and his friend remain alive. Adler isn't going to stop going after him, Reese. He's ruthless! Let me visit him. I just need to be sure he's ok."
Hughes looked like he agreed, finally nodding.
"I believe you, Peter. It's not that I didn't before but protocols have to be observed. You should have told me about the breach on the anklet on Saturday."
Peter nodded realizing that had been his mistake but he knew what was going on and Neal had called him.
"I had it under control but I will call you next time, Sir. I promise."
Reese nodded as he moved closer and patted him on the shoulder.
"I'll call ahead and tell them to let you see Caffrey and his friend. I heard both are doing well but I'm sure Jones told you that. Diana's already over there. Just go through her."
Peter thanked his boss. He was about to leave when Hughes coughed to get his attention.
"Peter... I'll see what I can do about getting your badge back tomorrow. I'll pass along to Agent Blackston what Fowler told me and your own experience. I think he might be interested in hearing it."
()()()
Neal was fighting sleep but the drugs they'd given him were more than effective. He had to talk to Peter and see Mozzie. They had to let him see Mozz...
His mind was fuzzy as he remembered what happened and having sensed Peter beside him. Where was the agent? Why hadn't he come to visit him? Was he angry with him? Neal didn't know what was going on, his head still aching from the crack Larssen had given him. He had seen the hit man shoot Mozzie and then leave them there. Why hadn't he kill him too? What did Adler still want with him? Where was Peter?
He remembered waking up in a panic but they had restrained him and drugged him till he could barely remember his own name. People would come in and check on him. Laughing voices spoke around him that talked as if he weren't there. They said things that worried him.
He's the reason Agent Kim was shot and Burke was put on suspension! I hope they throw the key away and let him rot...
Neal wondered how much of what he'd heard from those random agents in his dreams was true. He wasn't sure what was real anymore as he sat up the best he could. One wrist was cuffed to the bed and he noticed the anklet back on. They weren't taking any chances with him this time. Peter should be here to talk to him and tell him what was going on. The agent's absence bothered him as he tried to make sense of everything.
The door to his room opened and his eyes moved sluggishly towards it. A nurse with a mask walked in and closed the door with a click. Her hair was bundled up tightly beneath a cap matching her blue scrubs but something about her seemed different.
"Mr. Caffrey... how did you ever come to this?"
He knew that voice, a smile stretching his lips as he drunkenly tried not to give them away.
"Definitely not... clean liv... ing. Alex... why are you here?"
She pulled the mask down a little and grinned at him with a mischievous wink. She quickly uncuffed his wrist, her eyes looking at the anklet.
"That is going to cause some issues."
She would have said more but the door opened, Alex quickly pulling her mask up again as they both looked to see a familiar face there.
"Agent Burke, you should have given me fair warning."
Peter shrugged as he locked the door and walked over. Neal looked confused.
"Are you working together? Is this a prison break?"
He must be dreaming or else the world was insane. Peter winked.
"Just pretend this is a really nice dream. You'll never see it again. I have the key."
Neal blinked as Peter released the anklet and they helped him from the bed. The agent passed him some clothes.
"Get changed. We don't have much time."
Neal smiled standing up when his eyes flew open and he found himself staring up at a dull white ceiling. He'd been dreaming. He sighed heavily, the quiet jingle of his cuff probably what woke him. He felt a kind of depression fall over a slight amusement curving his lips to a smile as he thought back to the dream. Peter breaking the law. That should have tipped him off it wasn't reality.
"Go in, boss."
That sounded like Diana's voice, he thought as the door opened and in walked Peter Burke. Neal blinked wondering if he was dreaming again. The agent moved towards him, a cautious but tired look on his face.
"Hey..."
He noticed the bruises despite his groggy brain, pointing at the agent in response.
"What happened to you, Peter?"
He noticed a slight shrug from the agent.
"Larssen. You'll never believe who saved me."
Peter sat in the chair beside him, Neal sitting up as much as he comfortably could with the cuff. He noticed the agent watching him and those brown eyes glancing unhappily at the cuff.
"I guess they thought I'd run again despite the concussion and Mozz. So, who was it that rescued you, Peter?"
It was obvious the agent felt guilty about something although he wasn't sure what yet.
"Fowler. He talked to Hughes at my request. He's on the run from Adler apparently. I think we might have a way to get at Vincent finally but I... I won't be able to get you out of this right now."
There was something else there. Peter wasn't telling him something. Was Mozzie ok?
"Peter what aren't you telling me? It's not..."
The agent shook his head.
"Mozzie is fine. The bullet missed his heart. They have him in intensive care under an alias till he wakes up but he's healing fine. I was going to visit him after you. I had to be sure..."
The agent's pause was more than understood. Peter had been worried about him although why Neal couldn't figure out. He just assumed he had put him here and had him tied down with guards but something else was bothering the agent.
"You didn't bring me here did you? Diana was kind of tight-lipped when I asked yesterday. Peter, what's going on?"
The agent stood and paced a moment, finally turning to face him again.
"Hughes put me on suspension per OPR and DoJ. They want you in prison locked up and that's where you're going soon as they deem you well enough. Fowler's testimony today convinced Hughes that I was telling the truth about Adler but your run on Saturday. He's going to talk to the higher ups about getting me reinstated. El's at her sister's till further notice along with Satchmo."
Neal took it all in despite the fuzziness of his head. Peter was on suspension because he ran and Larssen had attacked him. If anyone should feel guilty.
"Peter, I'm sorry. If I had known..."
The agent held up a hand.
"My wife would be dead and I'd not only still be chasing you but a widower. You saved her life that day and you can't know how much I thank you for that, Neal. I'll figure something out. If I can get reinstated, I can work out a deal for you. Fowler's testimony has to be worth something."
Diana ducked back in looking between the two men.
"Visiting hours are over, Peter. Blackston just found out Hughes let you in. He's having a fit."
Peter nodded with a grimace, patting the young man on the shoulder.
"Neal... I'll be back. I promise. I'll find a way."
Neal grabbed his hand before he left. Handing him a sheet of paper.
"For Mozzie if he's awake."
()()()
Peter didn't like what was going on or how Neal was getting treated. Blackston be damned, he was going to see that Neal got a fair shake. He had done wrong but Adler had been a major reason why. He went to the cafeteria to get some coffee, footsteps following. He turned to see it was Diana.
"Boss..."
She sensed the tension as they sat and had coffee.
"Thanks for watching out for him, Diana. How's the little guy? I was planning on seeing him before I left."
She shrugged looking sadder than he would have thought. Both Neal and Mozz had grown on his team and himself.
"They said the bullet narrowly missed his heart but he's still unconscious. Caffrey was upset when he woke up and wanted to see him so they sedated him when he wouldn't calm down. Blackston's orders. I don't think he has anyone's best interests at heart other than the department looking like their doing their job. Hughes has Jones and myself watching with the DoJ and OPR contingent so that we know Caffrey gets some fairness. They would like to just throw him in now and toss the key away."
She sounded pissed off. They'd all worked with Neal on two cases already and found he was a pretty good team mate. He thought outside the proverbial box but he had managed to help them solve two major cases. That had to be proof of something.
"I got the idea he didn't know about my suspension..."
She pursed her lips and nodded.
"Hughes didn't want to advertise that anymore than necessary. I hope we can fix this and get Caffrey back."
He nodded as they finished their drinks and stood. She gave him a short hug which he reciprocated.
"Call me if you need anything, Peter. Mozz is in room 304. He's got a guard but it's hospital security. They don't seem as concerned about him as Caffrey."
She sounded mad about that in a way knowing all they'd gone through with Adler but he just gave her a knowing look.
"Keep and eye out for Neal and Mozz. Is the item safe? I'm sure Adler will make a move soon."
She nodded as they parted and he moved down the hall to visit the little guy they only knew as Dante Haversham or Mozz. He entered the room without much of a look from the guard. Mozz was asleep, eyes shut. He had barely made his way to the chair when he heard a weak voice.
"Of all the hospital rooms in all the towns in all the world, you walk into mine."
Peter couldn't help but smile, the little guy blinking up at him. He didn't have his glasses on but the agent saw them nearby, handing them to Mozzie who nodded thankfully.
"Suit... where is Neal?"
The little guy's voice was a bit raspy but he seemed comfortable with him.
"Larssen hit him on the head pretty hard but he's ok. He's resting in another room. Did you need anything?"
He casually spoke, the con looking at him curiously but shaking his head.
"Other than being put in the system and wanting out, no."
Peter noticed the name on the bracelet as Mozzie adjusted his glasses and pointed at it. Mozz looked and blinked.
"I think you're ok. Oh I did bring you this."
He pushed the paper from Neal into his hand without being too obvious.
"I didn't read it. He said to give it to you if you were awake."
Mozzie nodded as he read the note then sniffed slightly. Peter saw his eyes start to close so he stood up quietly, patting the little guy on the arm before he moved to go.
"Suit... tell Neal not to worry."
()()()
Kate was definitely happy that Vincent was being so nice to her. She was upset by the news about Nick or Neal as he said his name was. She had been duped but what they'd had felt so real she wasn't sure what to think anymore as she sat in the hotel room and glanced around. There was something that felt so wrong and yet... Nick, he had told her about the money, his sentence and the anklet. He could have lied to her and he hadn't except why. She had accepted what he was because he was kind to her, loved her and showed her everything Craig hadn't. He had been the same or at least tried before the embezzlement. Maybe...
She heard voices outside her room and moved to see who it was. Maybe Vincent was there and they could go eat. She was enjoying this kind of "vacation" from the disappointments of her life. Kate moved to open the door when she heard them talking so clearly.
"I can't keep her with me forever. We either find a way to send her on her way or he comes after her. If he doesn't, she's not necessary. What do I need with a school girl who's heart was broken by a two-bit con? Are the preparations made for when and if he appears? I know the Feds have him for now but there's no more Burke in the way. My friends made sure of that. We just need Neal now that the code has been solved. It's a shame we had to shoot his friend. Smart fellow but trouble."
Kate covered her mouth, moving from the door realizing what she'd heard. Vincent had lied to her? It had seemed all too good to be true and now she realized why. Neal had told her more of the truth than the man she had thought she could trust like a father. She jumped when the door started to open, trying to paste a calm look on her face.
"Kate? Are you ok? Not still crying over Nick are we?"
Vincent's tone was no longer fatherly to her but cold as she sensed the falseness of it. She tried to act as natural as possible as she shook her head.
"No, just thinking about things. I can't... I feel badly taking so much of your time. I'm sure you're a busy man, Mr. Adler."
He looked at her closely as if trying to see something but she put on an innocent look and he shrugged, that fake smile still there.
"You're like a daughter to me. Why wouldn't I help you in your time of need. We were going to order in tonight, anything particular you would like to have, Kate?"
She shook her head.
"Anything is fine."
Vincent smiled at her but she only saw falseness there now. She wanted to run away, find Nick and tell him she was sorry. She followed him out into the suite's sitting area, Vincent talking to one of his men to order some food. She started for the door when one of his men blocked her way.
"Is something the matter, Ms. Moreau?"
He was suddenly very polite which made her nervous but she turned and shook her head.
"I just... I wanted to get some air."
Vincent looked at her curiously before he nodded and the man move out of her way.
"Don't go too far. The food should be here soon."
She nodded as she left the hotel room without trying to look desperate.
()()()
Neal was surprised by Peter's visit and more so by the call that came about an hour after the agent left.
"Nick?"
He wasn't sure what to think as it suddenly sunk in who was calling. Was he asleep again? He was still pretty groggy from the drugs the doctors had given him.
"Kate? Where..."
She sounded afraid, desperate somehow but he let her talk afraid she would hang up.
"I can't talk for long. He might have someone watching me. I'm sorry I gave up on you. I believe you, Nick... Neal. Please forgive me."
oOoOoOo
Author's Note: Getting closer to a conclusion! I might just make it in 30 chapters if I play it right but who knows. I already have an idea for my next story soon as this one ends. I just need inspiration on how to write it. I'll give more info later.
