Chapter 4

As Neal walked away he could see Peter talking to Sara and had an idea what that conversation was about. He sat down at his desk to wait and remember.

"So you were saying about Neal," prompted Sara.

"I captured Neal after three years of chasing after him and he was sentenced to four years in prison for bond forgery. His girl friend, Kate visited him weekly up to about five and a half months left of his sentence when she told him goodbye. He set about escaping and did so with about three months left of his original sentence because he was sure that Kate was in trouble. I caught him the second time in Kate's empty apartment; he missed her by two days. He had four years added to his sentence for his escape. He asked that I visit him in a week's time because he wanted something from me."

"What did he want?"

"He wanted out. He didn't want to spend the four additional years and had a proposition for me. He would help me solve white collar crimes for the next four years instead of spend those years unproductive in prison. He would wear a GSP tracking anklet so we could keep any eye on him. After some thought I agreed and here we are and with his help we are solving white collar crimes. He's got a great place to live and a two mile radius when he's not on the job and he is secretly looking for Kate. He has help in that with a close friend helping, Mozzie."

"He would be Caffrey's helper that the FAA security remembers?" asked Sara.

"Probably and Mozzie has helped us too. During his time with us Neal fell under the interest of OPR, the Bureau's version of Internal Affairs. One of their agents was interested in a piece that Neal was thought of stealing. He made a deal with Kate that would give them a new life in its exchange. Neal's anklet was turned off and allowed him to head for the airport and a plane to make their escape. I learned about it and realizing that this wasn't what Neal thought tried to stop him from going. I prevented him from getting on that plane by trying to convince him not to go…anyway to cut it short my interference kept him off the plane when it exploded. Unfortunately Kate wasn't so lucky and died on that plane…the plane that the black box voice recording copy in this package contains. Although I don't condone his methods I do understand why he wants to hear this," concluded Peter.

Sara nodded sadly and asked, "I do too; so what do you think he will find…closure?"

"Maybe; but I bet he wants to know who killed Kate and tied to kill him and hopes that he can learn something from this copy that might give him a clue," concluded Peter.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Talk to him…privately. Sara trust me with this and let me handle this my way," pleaded Peter earnestly.

Sara nodded and left the package with Peter as she left his office. She even smiled sympathetically with Neal on his way out of the building prompting him to return to Peter's office.

Peter looked up as Neal stood by the door and motioned for him to enter,

"Come on in and shut the door behind you," he instructed and waited until Neal was sitting in front of his desk waiting for Neal to say something.

"Peter, I'm sorry…but I had to know what happened," apologized Neal as he kept his eyes downward.

"Neal, look at me," requested Peter quietly.

Neal did as he was asked and once Peter had his gaze said, "I know kid; I know but once again you went about it the wrong way. I could have gotten you this information if you had only asked. You did what Sara said, didn't you?"

Neal nodded, "but it worked. We got the bad guys and the bonds were recovered and Sara even got her 2% recovery fee."

"Yes, it worked out this time but it could have gone in the other direction just as easily," replied Peter. "You have got to learn to follow the rules and every time you don't you will be punished…there is no exception this time. My hands are tied…you tied them by doing it your way instead of the FBI's," scolded Peter.

"It will be worth it if I can listen to that tape…please Peter," pleaded Neal.

Peter sighed but handed Neal the package as he pulled out a tape player and placed it in front of him. Neal tore the envelope apart and put the tape in the machine and moved closer to listen carefully to what was said.

Peter waited and listened along with Neal. The tape wasn't long and Neal looked up with tears in his eyes. "It doesn't really say much…the pilot and co-pilot conversation was cut by the explosion…they were alive one moment and dead the next. At least no one s-suffered-d," Neal said as he wiped the tears from his face.

Peter got up and walked to Neal's side to offer some comfort, "I'm sorry Neal; I really am. I wished I could have done something that would have saved Kate too…I just had no idea that anything like this could happen. I was just trying to save my kid brother from doing something stupid."

"Thanks Peter," replied Neal quietly as he took comfort in Peter's nearness.

"Come on, kid; let's go home. El waiting and she's wanting us home before dark," ordered Peter as he grabbed his coat.

Neal nodded and followed his friend and big brother out he door snagging his own coat and hat on the way home.

It wasn't until they were on the way home that Neal said, "Peter?"

"What?"

"Did you mean what you said earlier?"

"What did I say?"

"About me being punished."

"Oh, yeah," replied Peter happily.

"You don't have to sound so happy about it," Neal said regretfully.

"Sorry…but after El feeds you I'm going to hopefully beat some sense into you," replied Peter sternly.

"Couldn't you punish me in some other way?" asked Neal hopefully.

"I could make you eat Devil's ham sandwiches for a week," suggested Peter with a smirk.

"I rather take the paddling," replied Neal.

"That can be arranged and soon."

"PETER!"

The End