(Chapter 5)
On the fourth day after coming to the hospital, Peter was finally alert. He stayed conscious most of the day with the nurses threatening to drug him to sleep when he tried to get out of bed. He was bored as well as anxious. Peter had a vague memory of talking to Elizabeth the day before about Neal. When he remembered what the topic of the conversation had been about he wanted out of the hospital. Only one more day and his partner and friend was going into the lion's den. He had to be there for support if not backup.
"Honey, you need to rest. You've only just waken up and you're still hurt. Neal will be ok. He has Hughes, Jones and everyone else in the department along with several police officers working to make sure he's safe." El sounded just as concerned about Neal but she was right, Peter would be no good to the con in his current condition. He was still recovering from the shot and beating he took from Vinni and Roberto and had a few more days before they would consider letting him out. Peter leaned back against the bed and sighed.
"I've always been there for him except the thing with Rice and Wilkes and you know how badly that turned out till I was involved." He crossed his arms over his chest, a crinkling sound where he was bandaged from the beating and his one arm in a sling for his shoulder wound. El nodded at him and patted his arm gently.
"I know how you feel, Honey. He told me all about the operation and then some. I think he feels somehow responsible for what happened even though he knows deep down he's not." El seemed more worried than usual so Peter put his good hand on hers, making her turn and look at him.
"Did he tell you something that might be important? I think I remember you mentioning he knew the people who did this?" He glanced at her but she averted her eyes slightly as if unsure how to answer but finally she stood and paced, speaking as she walked around.
"Neal told me in confidence but... well... This was before he was on the radar." El seemed hesitant to speak but she kept on, knowing she had to tell him, Peter looking at her even more curiously as she paced around the bed.
"Neal said he used to be a pick-pocket and well he picked the wrong pocket and met a mobster named... Gam something or other. I can't remember the name but the mobster liked him and took him in but Neal realized immediately that he didn't like that lifestyle and ran away from it. He wasn't taken in by them once he knew what they were. That at least shows he has some sense." She came back to the chair and sat down again, looking at Peter with a pleading look.
"He feels so guilty for what happened because he knows one of them. Don't make it any harder for him Peter... please?" She hugged him gently, putting her head on his shoulder and he held her with his good arm and nodded.
"Gambosa... figures. I can see why Neal never told me about that. If his being friendly with Gambosa had been known that would have looked badly on him... but why wouldn't the hitmen have gone after him too? Did Neal tell you anything else? I just want to be sure he's going to be safe from these men if he's going to help capture them." He felt El lift her head a bit and look at him.
"Neal said they called him Nicki..." Peter nodded back, hugging his wife close. That would figure. One of Neal's oldest alias was Nick Halden even before Peter knew about the young man. This would make sense why Gambosa would not have found Neal when he left and even why there was no mention of him. It was too early in the young con's career to be on his record but it was important to know in case it came back to haunt Neal in the future. Peter would have to make sure his partner told him about that part of his life. It definitely explained his wardrobe and love of the Rat Pack if nothing else.
"El? Do you have your cell phone? I need to make a call."
()()()
The day of reckoning had arrived. Neal was nervous if nothing else and he had Mozzie out and about looking for and distracting Vinni. Roberto had called to confirm their reservation at the bistro. Meanwhile, June's house looked like the FBI offices there were so many Feds running around and a few cops to boot. They were all converging there for the operation. It was still early enough and the Bistro was going to be manned by a combination of cops and Feds who would be posing as passersby, patrons and various other extras. Neal was friends with the owner and he was the one who knew what was going on. He was happy to oblige one of his favorite patrons with help taking down a mobster. The owner had had too many problems with protection schemes by the mob in the past so he had no problem assisting. Only the owner and a few trusted staff knew what was up for safety's sake. Roberto would never know what hit him long as Vinni stayed away.
Mozzie promised to stay in communication with Neal through texting as much as possible. Neal was glad when he received his first text from him.
"Vinni is going nowhere. Seems his tires mysteriously vanished during the night along with the distributor cap and some other major parts. He should live in a better part of town."
Neal chuckled to himself, texting back a quick reply.
"Thx, Moz. You're the best!"
He put his phone away as Jones walked over to him and gave him a curious glance.
"You seem pretty cheerful. You set?" The agent smiled at him and handed him a small boutonniere for his lapel. Neal glanced at it curiously.
"Perfect. I guess you read Gambosa's profile?" Neal shifted weight from foot to foot, Jones finally grabbing his shoulder to stop him.
"Sort of. Peter called and said the mobster's men tend to wear these when they're out and about. Figured it would be something you'd do as a kind of token greeting. It's also your wire." Jones finished hooking it up and Neal started to shift his weight again. He was getting antsy but he had to be calm. This was for Peter's sake. Roberto had to be taken down. Jones looked at Neal curiously.
"Spaghetti." Neal spoke into the boutonniere and Jones chuckled.
"Yep, heard you loud and clear, and here's one for your ear so you can hear us." Jones handed Neal a small hearing aid looking device. Jones spoke into a small mic on his jacket and Neal nodded.
"Now, to get to the Bistro and get Romani on tape saying what he did. You guys come in with the cops and get both of us and nobody's the wiser that I was in on it." Neal smiled but it was tight, his eyes betraying a slight fear. Jones patted him on the arm.
"Relax Neal. Peter also said 'break a leg' and wished he could be here. He's going to be listening in from the hospital." Jones smiled, Neal blinking.
"Wow, he really likes his work..." Neal seemed surprised by the comment as June walked up from behind and hugged him gently.
"Or he's that worried about you. Just be yourself, Neal. You'll do fine." She squeezed him gently and Neal nodded with a shake of his head.
"Thanks, June... and Peter!" He spoke into the flower and hoped his friend and partner heard him.
()()()
Peter was in the hospital, eyes perked up as he seemed to be listening to something. He smiled suddenly with a little nod of his head as he turned to speak but didn't. El was sleeping on the small sofa in the hospital room so he kept from making noise. Peter had heard Neal speaking into the mic he had helped to make happen when he called Jones and Hughes. He wanted to be sure that he could keep track of Neal and he was listening to the operation as it started. He was nervous but now at least he could listen to what was going on without wondering about his friend.
Peter closed his eyes and listened to Neal speaking quietly into the boutonniere.
"Peter? I'm going in. Wish me luck? Hey El!" Peter smiled again, peering over at the figure of his sleeping wife. She had been by his side most of the week only leaving when she had to take care of things at home or for her business. Peter watched her sleeping, his attention split between listening to his partner on assignment and watching his wife resting. At least he could feel like he was supporting Neal as the operation progressed.
"Here goes..." Neal's voice was clear over the ear piece Peter wore as were his quick confident footsteps as he made his way into the Caligrazi Bistro, the ring of the bell over the door evident. The sound of patrons and staff moving around the small establishment could be heard in the background along with Neal's quick steps on the tile floor. Peter continued to listen as he heard someone call out.
"Nicki! Over here!" Neal's breath seemed to intake just a bit more nervously than usual or maybe it was just Peter's imagination but he could sense a little hesitation as his partner walked towards the person who spoke.
"Nicki, glad we could take the time to get together. Mr. Gambosa wanted me to send his greetings and his regrets. When he heard who I had bumped into on the outside, he was so happy to know you were doing well for yourself. So, I hope you don't mind but I already ordered a little wine for the occasion." Peter stiffened a bit listening to the mobster speak of his boss so affectionately. Gambosa had been one of those mobsters that had done little more than kill and intimidate those around him till he had gained enough power to control a huge section of the Mafia in New York City. It had been hard to do but Peter had helped to put the man away permanently. He never imagined it would have come back to haunt him like this.
"Roberto, as always you know how to choose the best wine." Neal's voice was smooth as ever, a pause where he must have been taking a sip of wine.
"Great vintage too. So, how is Tony doing? It's unfortunate he couldn't be here. I would have liked to see him again." Neal's voice continued to sound like someone who was just out with an old friend. Peter listened intently, a small pang of worry despite everything sounding normal.
"Nicki, he always held you in great esteem. You had a way of charming people into doing things. He'd have asked you back but under the circumstances... Well, he is doing his best to take care of business from the inside." There was the sound of silence from both men as what sounded like a waiter appeared and took their order. Once the waiter had left, Peter could hear Neal speak up again.
"You said it was that agent I saw the other night who put him away? How did that happen?" Peter smiled thinking 'Good boy, Neal. Get him talking.' There was a sound of tinkling glass or silverware and Roberto spoke again.
"Yes, Agent Peter Burke; Nothing in the newspapers about his death yet. I wonder if the Feds are keeping it quiet till they have a proper investigation but why do we want to speak of such things when we're catching up on good times, right Nicki?" Peter frowned, wondering if that was enough for Hughes to put this guy away but he didn't think so. It was too general for more than questioning and maybe a hold for 24 hours at worse. Peter bit at his lip and sighed to himself. He didn't want to admit it but Neal would have to work harder to get this guy to talk.
"Something the matter, Peter?" He turned at the sound of his wife's voice as she sat up on the sofa and gave a little stretch and yawn. Her hair was slightly mussed but he didn't care as he smiled at her.
"No, just listening to Neal's sting in progress. He's dining with one of the hit men." Peter's voice sounded worried if not anxious. He wanted to be there and she knew it but this was as close as he'd been allowed to the operation. El walked over and hugged him gently, pushing her ear to his to listen but it was currently just some mild chit chat between the mobster and Neal. She nestled close to her husband and he held her gently.
"I can go get us some food. How does Chinese sound?" She watched his eyes staring thoughtfully as he listened to the conversation in the ear piece. He nodded to her after a moment.
"Sounds good. Thanks, honey." He hugged her back as she stood up and left the room, Peter still listening in on the operation. He barely heard the door open again as Peter kept all his attention on the sound of the sting.
"I guess we didn't finish the job after all." The voice was familiar to him but he couldn't quite place it till he turned to look. Vincent, one of the goons that had tried to kill him, stood there the sound of a click evident as the door was locked.
"I think that will keep any unwanted company from interrupting us." Vinni's voice was quiet, bringing a chill as Peter made to reach for the nurses' call. He paused when he heard the click of a gun cocking.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Now, where is your friend? Roberto didn't tell me where he was meeting with him. He seems to be under the impression they're still all "buddy buddy" but I know better." Vinni walked towards the bed, gun raised.
Peter just gulped, the ear piece still sending him the operation as it was going on. He couldn't warn anyone of what was happening and nobody could hear him. Vinni made his way around the bed and yanked out the nurses' buzzer waving the gun at Peter dangerously.
"Roll over on your side, arms behind you!" Peter had to pull his one arm out of the sling to follow orders, wincing slightly as the goon yanked his arms back tight and secured his wrists with the buzzer cord. His shoulder was still healing, the wound stretching open some as his arms were secured behind him. Vinni smiled evilly.
"I'll ask you again, where is your friend meeting with Roberto?" Vinni held the gun to Peter's temple, the agent listening to Roberto speaking.
"Vincent? He's nothing more than hired muscle. Not a brain in his head. I let him do most of the dirty work like with the Fed. He shot Burke in the shoulder and then we just mussed him up a bit." Roberto laughed but it was enough to bring a smile to Peter's face. They had him; Both of them now. These guys would be put away with their boss. He felt a hand grasp his chin and pull his face around to look at the goon. Vinni's hazel eyes glared back.
"What's so damn funny, Fed?" Vinni sounded annoyed but Peter kept on smiling.
"Nothing much." Peter left it at that and it was enough to piss the mobster off where he smacked him across the head with the pistol. The agent slumped back against the bed, barely moving but hearing the sound of Feds and Police storming the establishment on the other side, taking both Neal and Roberto in. He heard a whispered voice speaking to him after a few.
"Peter? Can you hear me? We did it! Roberto's going away…" Neal's voice was excited but cut off as the ear piece fell out. Vinni yanked him out of the bed and threw him on the floor, grabbing up a pillow.
"Doesn't matter if you tell me or not. I'm finishing this job, Roberto be damned!" Peter looked up at the blurry figure of Vinni coming down at him with the pillow. Peter struggled as the object was pressed over his face. He felt the cord cutting at his wrists, his shoulder wound burning as he fought to free himself and fight back but after a moment his body went slack and everything went black.
