Chapter 2: All's Fair

Saks Fifth Avenue. Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

Peter watched Neal as he peered through a jeweler's loupe at the diamond-encrusted handbag. They'd spent the morning visiting stores that carried the Tracy Hicks line. Saks was the last one on their list. So far, they'd found two others who'd been provided with rip-offs. Was Saks Fifth Avenue yet another victim? The store manager waited anxiously for Neal's pronouncement.

It wasn't a good sign that the corners of his mouth were already drooping. Peter doubted Neal needed to use the loupe. He'd confided earlier that the tool was mainly a prop to make the store representative feel less embarrassed about being taken.

"I'm sorry to report these are synthetic diamonds," Neal said, his voice dripping with commiseration. She visibly deflated before their eyes.

"We alerted the handbag department as soon as you contacted us that there might be an issue," she said. "I suppose it's for the best that no one had made a purchase the past two days."

"How long ago did you receive the shipment?" Peter asked.

"I checked our files when you called. The purses arrived on the seventeenth of August."

Peter added the date to his notepad. "The earliest delivery date we've discovered for a shipment containing knockoffs was June 15."

"That's a small relief," she said. "It will limit the number of customers we need to contact."

Peter asked for a copy of the customers' contact information. Neal's assignment this afternoon would be to call them and arrange for Bureau agents to collect the bags for verification. Diana and Jones were already working undercover at the factory. Ms. Hicks had made the arrangements personally. Jones was focused on the delivery process, while Diana was investigating the fabrication department.

Peter's thoughts wandered as Neal examined the other Hicks handbags on display. Peter planned to take him to lunch. If the promotion came through, this was potentially the last fieldwork they'd been doing together. Damn, he was going to miss working with Neal. How would he react to the news? Likely, he'd be relieved that he'd be able to join Henry and Sara at Win-Win without any concern about deserting Peter. Sure, Neal would miss Jones and Diana, but his interests lay elsewhere.

Win-Win's office wasn't far from the Federal Building. He and Neal could still meet for lunch. And there'd be plenty of other opportunities. Peter had signed up to volunteer at the kids' telescope workshop at the university for another year. He and Neal could meet on campus. Of course, now that Sara was in New York, there'd be other demands on Neal's time. The same could be said for Peter . . . eventually . . . if Baby Burke ever decided the moment was right to make their presence known.

"Three of these handbags are counterfeit," Neal said.

Peter stopped wallowing and returned to the task of hand. "I'll notify the agents to pick up the entire lot for processing."

Neal gave him a quizzical look. After the manager left to retrieve the list of purchasers, he said, "There aren't that many. We could easily take them back with us."

"No, we can't. We're going to lunch. I'll even let you pick the spot. On the Upper East Side, you must have a number of favorites."

"This feels like a celebration," Neal commented. "Did I miss something?"

"You're starting your third year at Columbia," Peter improvised, grasping at low-hanging fruit. "I haven't heard about the courses you're taking."

Neal's eyes narrowed as a smile crossed his face. He leaned to one side, studying something off to the right.

"What do you see?" Peter demanded.

"Sara and June. They just entered the bridal salon." Neal's smile widened. "Let's go say hi."

"Oh no, you don't," Peter ordered, gripping his arm. "It's bad luck to see the wedding dress in advance."

"But Sara's just started looking," Neal objected, craning his neck for a better view.

"You can't take a chance. June may have found a gown Sara will fall in love with. Besides, we're not finished here. Look, the manager's returning with the list. After we're done, we're marching straight out of the store. Trust me, you don't want to tempt fate."

#

"You were at Saks?" Sara smiled as she pictured Neal's expression. When Neal called her, she assumed it was to ask about her first day back in the New York office of Sterling-Bosch. "Why didn't you come into the salon?"

"Peter wouldn't let me. He claimed it was bad luck. You don't believe in that, do you?"

"Not really, but, honestly, after all the obstacles we've had to overcome, do we want to take the chance?"

Neal's only reply was a huff. Sara had negotiated a relaxed schedule for her first week at work. She and June planned to take advantage of her lunch hours to visit bridal shops for inspiration. She already had a general idea of what she wanted, and Neal's curiosity was waving at her. Should she make a game of it?

"How am I supposed to select suitable attire if I don't know what your gown looks like?" he challenged.

"That would be difficult," she agreed. "But it won't be a problem. I'm picking out what you'll wear."

"That won't work. I insist on seeing what I'm buying."

"But you're not buying it. You already agreed to let me pay for the wedding. You're picking up the honeymoon. Moreover, as I distinctly recall, you wanted to surprise me on where we're going. Did you change your mind?"

"No, although I'd be happy to tell if you'd like to know."

"Thanks, but I prefer it this way." Sara glanced at the bare walls of the tiny cubicle of an office Sterling-Bosch had assigned her. She hadn't expected anything better since she'd only be working there for a month. Should she cover the walls with photos of wedding gowns? How would that fit into the game? "But I hate to see you frustrated. How about a challenge?"

"I like it already! What do you have in mind?"

"Let's see—there are three parts. Style of wedding dress—and remember that you still won't be able to see it, but I'll confirm if you're right. You'll also need to discover the name of the designer and the venue for the wedding. "

"I knew I should have insisted on paying for the wedding."

"Too late," she declared. "And as you know, thanks to Mozzie handling my investments, I'm rolling in it."

"As am I," Neal reminded her.

"Isn't life grand!" As part of their new partnership arrangement, Mozzie was their business and finance advisor. His trading acumen was such that the stock market had become his bank account. Mozzie wanted to pay for the venue. He claimed the right as her uncle. But she told him he already had since she was benefitting from his investment advice. "You have a week to solve the puzzle," she added. "To win, you'll need to provide me with the correct answers by next Tuesday evening."

"What's the prize?" Neal asked. She could picture the sly smile on his face.

"I'll confirm your guesses. Bonus prizes may be forthcoming but since you're at work I'll mention them later."

"I'm already filling in the blanks, but you realize this only makes me more eager to win. What if I need more time?"

"Then you're out of luck," she said, grinning at his enthusiasm.

"You strike a hard bargain. I don't suppose you'd like to drop any hints? After all, you know how clueless I am."

Sara's heart skipped a beat at his reference to the con they'd pulled on their friends so they could date in secret, and that gave her an idea. "Here's your first clue. My choices all have personal significance. In the coming days, the astute observer may notice additional clues scattered about."

#

Sara hadn't placed any restrictions about asking others for help. Neal flipped a business card between his fingers as he considered his options. Luckily there weren't many customers to contact about forged handbags because Sara's challenge was much more intriguing. And it came at the perfect time. He was treading water at White Collar till Jemison announced her decision.

Sara would undoubtedly inform June, so he shouldn't look to her for assistance. Besides, June was an expert con artist. Any information she gave him could be misleading. He already knew that Sara had asked Elizabeth to be the wedding coordinator.

The challenge was put on hold when John Hobhouse called from London. He had the news Neal hoped to hear. Interpol had approved the expansion. John would like him to commit to eight hours a week. It was time to start digging that rabbit hole in earnest.

Neal retreated to an unused interrogation room to place a call to Henry. When he answered, Neal heard traffic in the background.

"You caught me just as I was hailing a cab," Henry explained. "What's up?"

"I'd like to discuss a business opportunity with you. There's also the small matter of a personal challenge. Do you have any free time this afternoon?"

"I'm heading for my last appointment for the day. I could be at the Federal Building at around four o'clock."

"We better meet off-site. Are you familiar with Foley's Tavern?"

"White Collar's favorite watering hole? I know where it is but haven't gone there. If this is supposed to be a private conversation, aren't you worried about being overheard?"

"Not at that time. Everyone else works till five. Now that Columbia has started, I've switched to the early schedule. I'll be off the clock. The subway station is close by. I should make it to Columbia in plenty of time."

Neal took a breath when he ended the call. The next person he needed to talk to wouldn't be so straightforward. John had mentioned he'd also notified Peter. How had Peter replied? Would he be at liberty to discuss it with Neal?

#

Henry had already grabbed a table by the time Neal showed up at Foley's. When the server arrived with Henry's beer, Neal ordered a Chardonnay.

"Does the business opportunity you mentioned concern you?" Henry asked.

"We've talked about Win-Win expanding into the art crimes space," Neal replied, not answering directly. "I know of an investigator who could be available. He may even land you a contract with Interpol."

Henry smiled. "John called?"

Neal nodded. "He's received the expected approval to expand operations. I talked with Peter afterward. He was noncommittal as usual but I could tell he doesn't think it will be a good fit for him. He'd already as much as confirmed that Jemison will cancel the Bureau's contract with Interpol."

Henry pulled the popcorn bowl closer. "We've discussed the potential issues with Jemison for months, but you've never expressed a desire to jump ship. I assumed Peter was the main reason you wanted to stay with the Bureau. Am I right?"

Neal shrugged acknowledgment. Henry knew him well. "But the situation's changed. For the past week, Peter's been sending signals that he may not be at White Collar much longer."

"What's he been doing?"

"Little things at first, like standing on the balcony outside his office and gazing wistfully at the bullpen. He's been talking up the advantages of Sara working at Win-Win and how it must give me ideas. Today was the most blatant of all. First, he wanted to discuss the types of cases Sara would pursue. We joked around. I mentioned that my work at the Bureau wasn't done till there was a pool table in the bullpen, and he didn't fire back with an immediate rejoinder."

"Like that was an excellent reason to never get one?" Henry suggested.

"Exactly. Up to a few weeks ago, he would have zinged me with something similar. Now it's like he's doing his best to encourage me to leave." Neal paused to take a sip of wine. "Over lunch today, Peter reminisced about memorable meals we've had while on cases—like when we discussed the possibility of working for Interpol over Japanese food or the first time he took me to his favorite deli. He even brought up the restaurant in St. Louis where we discussed what it would be like to work at the Bureau."

Henry exhaled. "I see what you mean. You don't go on a nostalgia trip like that for no reason."

"I switched topics before he realized how obvious he was being."

Henry rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If Peter's about to get a new assignment, that could explain the suggestions he's made to the Arkham Files stories."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you find it odd that Peter didn't go with us to Tirelia?"

Neal shrugged. "It was a logical plot development. Now that Arkham Elizabeth is pregnant, there are additional reasons why Peter might not be available."

"You're right that El was the one who came up with the idea, but what if Peter put her up to it? We know Peter has used Arkham Files before to plant a personal message. This could be one as well."

"A subtle hint that I should partner with you rather than him?" Neal considered the possibility. The Arkham Files Round Table writing group was continuing to meet on an informal basis even though there was no longer any official reason to continue the stories. Mozzie was the chief writer. He was assisted by June and El. Henry and Diana dropped in occasionally when their schedules permitted it. "If Peter's up for a new job, he would have discussed it with El. Whoever came up with the concept, it makes sense for the stories, and I hope you agree that it's a good idea for us too."

"You know I do. I haven't pushed but it's been my dream ever since I returned to Win-Win. But I'll put a hold on any celebration. Peter's new job could fall through. Jemison could have a change a heart." Henry chuckled. "This is the real world, not Arkham Files. Life can get messy."

Neal appreciated his caution. Sara was treating it the same way. They'd discussed the possibility, even speculated about potential cases. It now looked like their dream could become reality, but dreams were just that.

Henry moved the popcorn bowl to one side. "Let's assume for discussion's sake that Peter is transferred to a new position and Jemison severs the Interpol connection. What kind of job are you looking for with Win-Win?"

"I'd like to work short weeks. John believes unless there's an active case, the Interpol work would involve around eight hours a week. If I'm able to attend Columbia during the day, I could actually have some evenings free."

"That will be a pleasant change, especially with Sara here. How many days do you want to have available for Columbia?"

"A minimum of one day a week, preferably two. How is your staffing situation for insurance investigators?"

"Our recruitment efforts are going well. We've already hired several who were released from insurance firms when the outsourcing began. Sara will help interview candidates who used to work for Sterling-Bosch. I assume you want to introduce the idea to John Hobhouse."

Neal nodded. "It helps that he's already familiar with Win-Win, and he's worked with you and Sara on cases. I don't anticipate any difficulty unless Interpol is a stickler for working with government agencies."

"I wouldn't worry about that. I'll dazzle them with our proposal. Interpol should be delighted not to have to work with a government bureaucracy. And here's a little sweetener for Interpol and you as well. Win-Win is in negotiations with Root32 to partner on security electronics."

Neal's mouth dropped. "You mean Travis could be working at Win-Win too?"

Henry nodded. "As a consultant."

"You're right. John will be thrilled. He's very familiar with Root32's work on anti-malware." Neal smiled at the prospect. "It's like you're putting the band together."

"And, of course, we'll continue our strong ties with White Collar," Henry assured him.

But probably not with Peter. Win-Win's investigations often meshed with White Collar's focus on frauds and embezzlements, but not necessarily to Peter's new job, whatever it would be. Would he even stay in New York? The band wouldn't be the same without him.

"When will you speak with John?" Henry asked.

"It's a waiting game for now, but the way Peter's been talking, I expect Jemison will soon announce a decision. Once she does, and if it's what we expect, I'll call John to test the waters about my hypothetical new status. In the meantime, I have a personal challenge to fill the time."

"What's that?"

Neal told him about the game Sara had devised.

Henry exhaled. "That's a tall order to accomplish in a week."

"I'm feeling lucky. Sara may enlist June and El's help with leaving clues. Peter's agreed to keep an eye out at home. Of course, whatever he finds could be a red herring. Sara can be very devious."

"As can we," Henry declared. "I need to visit Sterling-Bosch this week. I'll meet Sara in her office. She must realize I'm helping you. So anything there could be a clue. I wonder what she was thinking about when she said personally significant."

"It pertains to all three areas," Neal cautioned. "Since her mom was a seamstress at Disneyland, the designer could be someone who'd worked on a Disney movie, for instance. I wondered if Sara would reference a historical period for the style of gown. She majored in history and she loves historical romances."

Henry smiled. "Both of you are hopeless romantics, and this challenge is further proof of it. You mentioned El and June might try to mislead you. I'd be wary of Diana too. I've learned from our Round Table discussions how sneaky she can be. Speaking of sneaks, I assume you've spoken with Mozzie?"

"He's meeting me at Columbia this evening."

#

Mozzie filed the photocopies in the top drawer of his desk at the bunker. His secret office in the basement of the Aloha Emporium had served him well. And it would continue to do so. Only Neal had been privileged to visit his most secure retreat to date. Mozzie had considered showing it to Janet but knowing the location could put her in danger from Unknown Enemies. His present research was a case in point. Even Neal didn't know about his file on Konigsberg or the mounting evidence he'd accumulated about the Templars. Had he at long last found evidence of Hitler's secret experiments? Was the Voynich manuscript connected to the UFO in Giovannino's painting? Only the bunker provided sufficient security for his research.

But a public address had a distinct appeal, especially now that June had given her blessing to his secret spiral staircase to the stars. In the future, he'd be able to access the terrace directly from his suite just like his Arkham Files counterpart Dante Atwood. After the appropriate amenities were in place, it would be an ideal location for thought experiments while gazing at the night sky.

His suite at the mansion would be a haven for Walter Ellis, scriptwriter extraordinaire. And that reminded him . . . Mozzie pulled out a well-worn notebook and jotted down a few notes. The Voynich manuscript might appear on Doctor Who before his actual research was revealed.

He stood up from his desk chair, a replica of the one used by Captain Picard, and donned a corduroy jacket for his stroll over to Neal's art studio.

He liked the multifaceted dimensions of his life. As he made his way through the emporium, he gave a wave to Billy Feng who was serving a customer. Billy was also a chameleon. Former expert cat burglar, he ran the emporium with his daughter Maggie, partnered with Mozzie on organic honey products, tended one of the finest orchid collections in the city, and maintained a martial arts studio for a few select students. Of course, Billy didn't have as many dimensions as Mozzie did, but there were very few who did.

How many dimensions would Neal achieve? Con artist, art expert, Bureau minion, soon-to-be husband . . . Did he wish to maintain his secret persona of art forger and thief? Mozzie hadn't discussed it with him yet. Deliberately or not, Neal was fabricating an ideal cover for an underground identity—a figurative bunker. Sara could join him with a second identity if she so chose. Someday over a Sauterne, preferably Chateau d'Yquem, they should discuss options.

When Mozzie arrived at Neal's art studio, it was plain to see which dimension was uppermost. Neal was in faded jeans and a paint-stained t-shirt, standing in front of an easel. He looked young enough to be an undergrad even though he now had his masters.

"What masterpiece are you working on now?" Mozzie asked.

"My most challenging workshop assignment to date. I'm to educate the audience on how it felt to be a member of Raphael's workshop."

Mozzie perched on one of the stools by the worktable. "Is this why you asked me over? Your text message was intriguing. The game's afoot sounds more like something I'd send you."

Neal set down his palette. "This is a time for you to don your Sherlock Holmes attire. We have a mystery to solve."

Mozzie beamed with pride at Sara's challenge. Neal and Sara's initial courtship had started as a game. Evidently, that playful attitude would continue in the future—an encouraging sign. "Several ideas rise to the top, but the ambiance in your studio isn't appropriate . . ." His words trailed off to a shrug. The loft was out of bounds because of Sara. She'd also probably enlisted June's help.

A sly smile crossed Neal's face. "I figured that would be the case and prepared in advance." He pulled out a bottle of an imminently respectable Bordeaux from a storage cabinet.

Mozzie nodded his approval. "And for inspiration?"

Neal slapped a board game on the worktable. "Sara and I plotted the Clueless con with this game."

"Clue is ideal for both the venue and style of gown," Mozzie said, rubbing his hands together. "Grab a pad of paper and prepare to take notes."

A few minutes later with the wine bottle uncorked and the game pieces out, ideas began to flow along with the wine.

Neal fingered the game piece of Sara's avatar, Miss Scarlet. "There can't be anything more personally significant to us than this game. Clue was created in the 1940s."

"The time of Christian Dior, Bette Davis, and Rita Hayworth," Mozzie noted, considering the options. "I can picture Sara in a design inspired by Katherine Hepburn."

"So can I," Neal said, his features softening as he gazed at the blank canvas. "Sara said she'd provide clues. Was she referring to the game? The era of the '40s could also reference Aidan's short feature Pirates from Beyond when Henry, Sara, and I hijacked a U-boat. Sara would love to include something about the U-boat con."

"She may be thinking of the steamy scenes you had in that film courtesy of Henry. But let's not forget the origin of the Clueless con—Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. Yes, the Regency has much appeal. Your association with Darcy. Didn't Sara mention she's dreamed of you as Darcy?"

"If Sara is referencing nicknames, her gown could be inspired by seventeenth-century France," Neal said as he jotted down notes. "We've joked about her being Constance, and she's known about d'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers for years."

For a moment, Mozzie allowed himself to daydream about the clothes he'd wear and the hat. Especially the hat. If Sara chose a historical period, the attendees could all wear similar costumes. He and Janet should start discussing options.

"There's also Doctor Who and Rose," Neal said. "Though I'm at a loss to visualize what kind of wedding gown Rose would inspire. Harlequin and Columbine would be more suitable."

"Of course! Your characters in the commedia dell'arte would naturally lead to the greatest romantic couple of the Renaissance—Romeo and Juliet. Sara could tie the wedding to your coming-out party on New Year's Eve. The Renaissance would also evoke the artist you've been most closely associated with—Raphael."

"As well as the Renaissance Festival we attended. Sara and I gave impromptu performances of some of the romantic moments in Shakespeare." Neal began doodling gowns on his pad.

Before he got carried away, Mozzie felt obliged to point out an obvious inspiration. "Don't forget the Pre-Raphaelites. You've called Sara your Pre-Raphaelite muse, and surely you haven't forgotten your resemblance to a knight errant. Sara studied Arthurian legends in college. You visited the sites in Cornwall. Then there's the Pre-Raphaelite Expressionism movement you created with Aidan, Keiko, and Richard. It has much appeal."

Neal exhaled noisily. "This is going to be more difficult than I thought. We'd commissioned Keiko to make a glass panel for the living room. Sara could tie that to a period. Still, I have one ace in the hole. Guessing the designer is a cinch."

"You've already figured it out?"

"Who else could it be but Janet? New York's theatrical and costume designer extraordinaire! Janet's an expert on historical fashion. Sara would consider her the perfect choice even if they weren't such close friends."

"Janet wants to maintain her apartment in the garment district," Mozzie confided, "but the suite will be another pied-a-terre for her. I'm meeting her tomorrow at her place to go over plans. I'm sure a little detective work wouldn't be amiss."

References to earlier stories:
- Neal first associated Sara with the Pre-Raphaelites in The Woman in Blue. Neal, Richard, Aidan, and Keiko launched the Pre-Raphaelite Expressionism movement in The Shark of SoHo.
- Neal and Sara plotted the Clueless con to the Clue game in Nocturne in Black and Gold.
- The Renaissance Festival was in Night Howls on the Hudson.
- Aidan's film Pirates from Beyond was wrapped into the U-boat con in Harlequin's Shadow.
- Neal and Sara visited Cornwall in Lost at Sea.