Chapter 2: Felon
It was Christmas Eve when Neal dragged himself up the stairs of the mansion to his loft. It had been a long day but now it was finally over and he could look forward to a few days off. Peter had his in-laws staying for Christmas so Neal didn't expect to see Peter again until the first day back at work. Instead of with the Burkes, Neal would be enjoying celebrating here at Riverside Drive with June and her extended family, starting with drinks and carol singing as soon as he had showered and changed.
Half an hour later he was slipping on his shoes, about to head down stairs, when he heard a timid knocking on his door. He opened it to find June's granddaughter, Samantha, and her younger brother standing there. At their feet was what looked like a pet carrier decorated with red, green and gold ribbon around its handles.
Samantha handed Neal a manila envelope as, with a hopeful smile she said, "Gran said if you don't want her, maybe you would let us adopt her." Then, taking her brother's hand, she turned and led him back towards the stairs, leaving Neal holding the envelope and staring at the pet carrier.
Crouching down, Neal peered into the carrier to see two feline eyes staring back at him from the creature huddled at the rear of the carrier. "Well, I guess little one, I'd better bring you inside while I try to find out what this is all about."
Neal brought the carrier inside and put it up on the table before opening the envelope. Inside the envelope he found two slightly smaller envelopes. He recognised Peter's hand writing as he read "open me first" on one, and "open me last" on the other.
Opening the first envelope, Neal found an information sheet from a New Jersey cat rescue organisation on what he assumed was the cat in the carrier. It started with a photo of a white cat with ginger and black mottling its back, tail, and one ear. Under that was some basic information, followed by a brief story of how the cat came into the care of the shelter.
Neal baulked at the first heading.
Name: Felon
Really! That had to be Peter's doing. Surely neither the cat's original owner or the shelter had named it "Felon". He kept reading.
Sex: Spayed female
Age: Approximately 2 years
Health issues: None; fully vaccinated
Temperament: Shy but affectionate
He read Felon's story. It seemed the cat was a stray that had been trapped and surrendered to the rescue shelter by a craft store owner. The store owner had at first found it amusing when the cat started occasionally sneaking into the store and stealing a ball of cheap yarn. But when it became a daily habit and Felon developed a taste for only their finest and most expensive yarns, 100% merino wool, mohair, cashmere, alpaca, angora, bison, and even a ball of their silk yarn, the store owner stopped laughing and the cat ended up behind bars at the shelter where she was dubbed "Felon".
Neal sighed. Only Special Agent Peter Burke of the FBI would be able to find a thieving, tri-coloured cat named Felon in what had it been since the elevator conversation, ten days?
Opening the carrier and reaching inside, Neal gently lifted the cat out. Holding her at eye level he said, "so, are you a kindred spirit my calico friend, or should I say fiend?" before placing her on the ground. He watched as Felon hesitantly looked around before slowing slinking off to explore and finally crawling under the sofa to hide.
The second envelope contained a Christmas card with, of course, a picture of cats wearing Santa hats on the front. He opened it to read Peter's message.
"Merry Christmas Neal
Here's a fellow parolee to keep you company"
On a separate slip of paper was added,
"P.S. Cat supplies are downstairs with June
P.P.S. I'll pick you up Sunday at 11 for lunch and an afternoon of culture"
Neal smiled to himself. It seemed he would get to go to that new art gallery after all. He was sure Peter's desire to limit time spent around his father-in-law was behind Peter's change of heart but he didn't care. He'd take the win any way he could, even if it came with a cat attached.
AN: Does Neal keep Felon or let June's grandchildren adopt her? I'll leave that for the reader to decide.
One of my cats, a ginger tom, was the inspiration behind the yarn thief. He loves getting into my left over yarn and I am forever finding it left all over the house…every day! (but better that than the finished rug he use to drag around)
Thanks for Reading!