Everything Old is new Again

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Twenty-Five

How many holes can a heart hold?

It was two hours after Peter went back to the mansion that he entered the hospital with Diana. Jones met them at the door. Walking into the hospital Peter was surprised to see Mozzie there without his disguise looking very angry.

"He's hurt, Suit. Why is he handcuffed?"

"Sorry, Mozz, that's the rules when ordered to wear an anklet. If it's broken or missing, he has to be handcuffed and guarded. Unfortunately," he showed him Neal's anklet. "This one is broken, and we don't have a backup. Thanks to budget cuts that has hit St. Louis, his new one will be waiting for us in New York. Apparently, these things are not cheap."

"With how many he's broken, it's no wonder we were denied a new coffee machine," Jones mumbled.

Mozzie angrily crossed his arms. "Well, I still don't like it."

Diana looked behind Mozzie. "How is he?"

"Doctor said he should be all right," Jones said. "They cleaned him up and gave him some new stitches. Doc said they found that he has bruised ribs on both sides. He's been given some painkillers for the pain. He seems pretty happy right now. I love painkillers."

Peter tightly fisted his hands, "Sullivan," he whispered. Neal hid his pain, he had no idea just how badly Sullivan hurt him.

"They want him to stay here at least a day. Being rained on and in the mud, they want to make sure he doesn't get an infection in that wound on his shoulder. He won't be released until Thursday morning."

Mozzie slyly smiled. "He'll be fine, Suit. I heard the nurses fighting over who's going to take care of him."

Peter patted Mozzie on the shoulder, "That's our Neal."

"He's in room 265, Suit," Mozzie said. "I'm going back to the motel room. I assume you're staying."

"You would be right in that assumption," Peter said.

Mozzie handed him car keys, "You can use the rental, I'll take a cab back to the room. After some rest I'm going home. Suit, it was a blast. Next time you need any help, please don't give me a call."

Peter stuck out his hand, Mozzie didn't hesitate to shake it. "Mozzie, we never would have found him if it wasn't for you. Thanks for the help, Dr. Coleridge."

Mozzie executed the politest bow, "The pleasure was mine, Suit." Standing up he said, "He's like a brother to me. I would have sold my soul to help him. In fact, walking into your office was as close as I got, I thank you for never giving up on finding him. I'll see you in New York." Mozzie brushed past Peter. Peter quickly grabbed his arm.

"Suit!" Mozzie shouted. "Is something wrong?"

Peter held his hand out, "The anklet, Mozzie." Peter had been around Neal long enough to know when his pocket was picked.

Mozzie sheepishly smiled as he pulled out the anklet and handed it to Peter. "I make no apologies, Suit."

"Mozzie," Diana sung. "Were you going to try and get the code for the anklet to help Neal?"

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. Once again, auf Wiedersehen." Spinning on his heals he quickly walked down the corridors.

Before going to Neal's room, Peter asked Jones, "Did you tell him what we found in the mansion?"

Jones shook his head, "Not a thing, boss. I figured you'd want to tell him."

"Thanks, Jones and Diana. Thank you for backing me up. I never would have found him without your help."

"Not a problem, Boss," Diana said. "That's why we're here. Besides, for the record, we always believed from the beginning that he didn't run too. Jones and I have a plane to catch this afternoon. We'll see you back in New York."

Peter walked down the empty corridors. It was very early in the morning. He knew Neal's room by the guard stationed outside. Entering the room, he saw him lying on a hospital bed with his arm in a sling. The other hand was cuffed to the railing. A young blonde nurse was giving him some water.

"Peter," Neal said with a beefy grin. Changing into a grateful one he said, "Thank you, Vicky."

"No problem, Neal," Vicky replied with a smile. "If you need anything, just push the nurses button." She placed the call button in his hand with the sling.

"I'll be sure to remember," Neal said. Peter's grin grew as he saw Neal watch the nurse leave the room.

"Guess you're not as injured as I thought," Peter said.

Neal feigned a hurt look. "Peter, it's torture being handcuffed while wearing this sling, and my ribs." He feigned a hurt look as he rubbed his arm on his side.

"If you hurt that bad, I think I'm going to ask that you get a second nurse. One built like a wall with a cobra tattooed on both arms." Laughing, he said. "Seriously, how are you feeling?"

Moving his shoulder, he scooted up in the bed. "Better, now that I'm out of that place."

"Neal," Peter looked concerned. "I wish you would have told me how badly Sullivan hurt you."

Neal tried to brush it off, "If I did, you never would have agreed to our great escape plan."

Peter shifted his feet, "You got me there."

Neal noticed that Peter was holding a small package. He also saw a look he knew well. "Peter, what's wrong?"

"The mansion, Neal. The Marshal's, they uh, they found two dead bodies in the parlor."

Neal angrily pursed his lips, "One of them is Nolano." It was a statement, not a question. He now knew why Peter looked so sad.

"I'm sorry Neal, but yes. I never would have found you if it wasn't for him. He gave me the box to track you. He told me that before Peintre died, he made him promise to stay at the house and to keep an eye out for you. He knew what Albert and Lilith would try after he died. Nolano asked me to tell you that he was sorry for what he did, he said he missed having a true artist back in the house. But when he saw how sad you were, he regretted what he did."

"He was very close to Peintre," Neal said. "I can understand why he brought me there."

"He told me to tell you that Peintre was very proud of how you turned out. And that he was also very proud of the man you grew up to be."

"He taught me everything I know about cards and picking a pocket. He was the one that opened my world to other things. If not for him, I would have stayed with Peintre."

Peter sadly smiled, "Then I have him to thank for giving me such a great CI, partner and friend."

Neal pointed to the package Peter carried, "What's that."

Peter held the package in two hands. "I had the Marshal's give it to me. I thought you might want it." Opening up the package, Peter held up a photo frame. Neal gently smiled as he saw the older man's face in the photo.

"Well, I hope you'll be able to endure staying in the hospital until you're released on Thursday."

Neal patted the nurses call button in his sling. "I think I can manage it."

"Good, build up your strength. We'll be going back to New York Thursday afternoon. Friday there's going to be lots of questions asked, I want you to take it easy until then. And, if you feel up to it, you may have to talk to Kramer. But don't worry, I'll be there with you. If I see him getting aggressive, I'll end it there."

Neal felt touched to see Peter going into protective handler mode. "I'll be fine, Peter. I just want to get this over with and put it behind me."

"I'll be back later." Peter was about to leave the room but suddenly stopped. He spun around and walked back to Neal. "I almost forgot something. I found this in the mud in the cornfield." He pulled a small object out of his pocket and laid it on the tray in front of Neal.

Neal stared at a small black ball.

"Thanks Neal, hitting Sullivan in the back with that distracted him enough for me to give the upper hand in our fight."

Neal brought his slinged arm up. His fingers gently rolled the ball on the table. "This is Nolano's. He told me that I needed to exercise my hands every day to keep them in shape. In a way, he saved you too." Looking up his eyes were glistening. "Thank you, Peter."

Peter gently smiled, "Thank you, Neal. I have to say that was one hell of an adventure."

"Yes, it was," Neal softly said.

"Well, this time I'm going. Diana and Jones are flying back to New York today. I'll be back later on this morn…" he stopped to check his watch, it read four twenty-six. "I need to get some rest first or I'm going to drop. I'll see you this afternoon. Take it easy, Neal. See you later."

As Peter left the room, Neal tiredly closed his eyes. This was the longest night of his life. So much happened. He couldn't believe Nolano was dead. He thought the man would live forever. Opening his eyes, he shook his head. He never knew Peintre made him promise to stay, to stay for him. Keeping that promise cost him his life.

He stared at the photo. He grimaced as he stretched out his hand and picked up the frame. He slid the backing of the frame down, for he knew it had a secret. In the back was a second photo. One that Peintre put there as well. Neal gazed at the face of a younger Nolano smiling as he stood next to him. It was the only time he saw him smile. Nolano thought Peintre destroyed the photo, but he kept it.

"Goodbye, Mr. Nolano," he said in a choking voice. He cleared the tightness in his throat.

He felt another hole form in his heart, it joined the many others that existed there. Taking in a deep breath, he would continue to wear his 'I'm all right' mask. He tried not to be close to people because he feared of losing them. But he knew that was the life of a con man.

Peter had booked a flight to return to New York Thursday afternoon. Neal caught many worried glances when he boarded the plane wearing cuffs. An Air marshal made sure to sit behind them to signal the passengers that there was nothing to fear.

Jones and Diana had taken a flight back the day before. Peter was happy to see Jones greet him at the airport with a new anklet.

Seeing Neal with cuffs and a sling, Jones looked concern. "I bet for once, you're happy to be getting this, Caffrey," Jones said, as he kneeled down on one knee. Placing the anklet on, the Air marshal unlocked the handcuffs on Neal.

"Thank you, Ricky," Neal told the Marshal.

"Stay out of trouble, Neal," the man said. "I'll be at the coffee shop next week. I want you to show me that trick." Ricky spun the cuffs on his fingers as he walked away.'

"Trick?" Jones asked.

"Oh," Neal said. "Perfectly innocent. He's an amateur magician. He wanted me to show him how to do a side steal. It's how to control a card anyplace in the deck."

"Aaaand," Jones said. "That is why you'll never be invited to my poker games."

Peter had Jones drive Neal to his apartment. He knew he'd be alright when he was met with a concerned June and Mozzie at the door. Leaving him in capable hands, Jones drove Peter home. Elizabeth greeted him outside at the top of the stairs. He told her about the fight, but she still looked shocked at the bruises on his face and seeing him limping up the stairs.

She hugged him tight. "Hi, hon. I'm glad your home."

Entering his home Satchmo greeted him as well. He spent dinner telling her everything that happened. The rest of the night he just wanted to hold her tight. He came so close to losing his life, but he never regretted going. The alternative was Neal spending the rest of his life as a prisoner in that mansion.

The next morning Peter picked up Neal from his apartment. He looked happy. He was wearing one of Byron's suit and vests and had his signature hat on his head. Peter frowned when he didn't see Neal using the sling.

"Neal," he said in a no-nonsense way. "Where's your sling?"

"I know," Neal said. "I was supposed to wear it for a week. But it just didn't go with the suit." Cheerfully grinning, he got in the car.

Reaching the office as Neal went through the glass doors he looked up. He saw Hughes and Kramer speaking in front of Peter's office.

Peter could see the unease on Neal's face. "Just give your deposition on what happened. Don't worry, I'm not going to let Kramer take control. Everything that happened was not your fault. Just tell the truth. You may not be on Hughes Christmas list, but he's learned to respect your skills."

"All of them but the running part," Neal said.

"Yes, I and the government feel the same." Peter quietly smiled. "I promise, everything will be all right. If you feel tired after the deposition, I'll have someone drive you home."

Silently nodding, Neal went to his desk and Peter approached Hughes and Kramer. Taking off his hat, he placed it on his Socrates statue. Picking up his rubber band ball with his right hand, he watched Peter talking to Hughes as he squeezed the ball and flipped it in the air. After all he went through, he wondered if Kramer still wanted to take him to Washington.

Jones approached Caffrey carrying a small box. "Hey, Caffrey. We all pitched in and got you something."

Neal's smile changed from a happy grin to a curious one. He couldn't imagine what they bought him. Opening up the box he saw a fedora hat.

"Since we had to cut up the other hat for the DNA sample, we all pitched in and got you this one."

Neal took out the hat. It was a cheap felt knockoff. "The other hat was an original wide brimmed fedora worth $500."

Proudly grinning, Jones said, "Got this one for $30. Enjoy."

"Yes, thank everyone," Neal said, as he wore a forced smile. Hearing his name called, he looked up. Peter was signaling him to come, he saw Hughes and Kramer walking to the conference room. Taking in a deep breath, he headed to the room. He heard Jones and Diana say, "Good Luck."

Entering the conference room, he was surprised to see his painting of 'The Girl with the pearl earring' still sitting on its easel. Hughes and Kramer sat at the head of the long table. Both wore a very serious look. A male agent was sitting in the center of the table. In front of him was recording equipment. Peter invited Neal to sit at the opposite side of the table. Neal sat on the side of the table. Peter sat next to him. With Peter controlling the interview, he asked Neal to tell them everything that happened.