(Chapter 2)

Despite Mozzie's continued refusals to involve the FBI directly, Peter and El finally convinced him that if he would let the Feds help out, maybe just maybe something could be done to free Neal and make it look like Mozz had done what he promised. At least it was worth a shot to let Peter try.

Peter managed to get a meeting with his boss to discuss the situation even though it was Saturday afternoon.

"Leonard Green... that snake in the grass? Dammit. I knew he was guilty but the evidence had vanished before we could get to the original records. Those families who placed their 'loved ones' inside were on his side saying he helped to cure if not give solace to their ailing relations. Crap!" Hughes sounded angry or maybe he was just pissed at the fact he had to deal with the one case he couldn't prosecute on.

Peter just sat there and listened to his boss go off till he had gotten it all out of his system and turned to him again.

"So, the idea is we pretend like Caffrey's friend went through with his part of the bargain and I play dead? I think I can do this if it will get another case opened up on the Green case file. If we can't prosecute him on old murders we can get him on kidnapping a Federal consultant. Eliot Ness would be proud." Reese sounded rather cheerful, patting Peter on the shoulder.

"Ok. Let's get this set up and you can go in and get Neal. Jones will help you."

()()()

Mozzie had let Dr. Leonard know he was setting up a meeting with Hughes for Sunday. The physician had seemed more than gracious, guaranteeing that Neal would be unharmed in the meanwhile. The good doctor didn't realize he was being wiretapped by the FBI who was getting more than enough info on him to put him away for more than just kidnapping a Federal consultant.

Early Monday morning, Leonard Green walked into the dimly lit closet of a room they had placed Neal Caffrey in, striding over to the young man's bedside and pointing a bright pin light in both of the young man's eyes as he opened them up. Neal was unconscious, eyes dilated nearly black for the most part from drugs but still reeling from that first day when they had given him the electro-shock treatment. The young man shuddered and twitched. Green started to think he might have met this man before but the name was not one he had known or could find in any records so maybe he was mistaken. He shrugged, starting to leave when he heard the young man mumbling through his gag. The physician moved back to remove the gag and hear what he was saying when the door opened and one of the orderlies stood a shadowy form against the bright lights of the outer hallway.

"Yes, what is it?" Green sounded annoyed, moving from the patient to the doorway as the orderly waved him over.

"I think you may want to read this." The orderly passed him an envelope. Green opened it up and looked inside to find a note that simply read: Hughes is dead.

Green smiled making a motion towards the bed.

"Bind his arms behind him and bring him along." Green was smiling broadly as the orderly loosened Neal's bonds and pulled the young man's arms behind him, securing him at the elbows. He tossed him over his shoulder and followed the doctor out.

They walked down the hallway till they came to a more secluded area of the hospital. Green pulled out a key with a red ribbon on it and pushed it into a door. It opened with a soft click. He pushed the door open and held it for the orderly as they entered, locking it again behind him. The room was all in white and layered in what looked like padding to keep noise from traveling. In the middle of the room was a large metal tub. Inside were rings on the side and bottom. The orderly lay the young man down on the floor as he moved to what appeared to be an ice machine. He lugged the device over to the bucket and turned it on. It made a soft vibrating sound at first then several bits of ice fell with a loud clang as the ice poured into the tub filling it up. Green smiled.

"You know how this work. I have a client coming in a few moments so I will be back later to check on your progress." Green saw the orderly nod as the doctor left.

()()()

Monday came around and everything was falling into place. Mozzie had already dropped off the note saying he had killed Hughes while Peter was undercover as a possible client with Jones sneaking in as an orderlie. If all went well, Neal would be gotten back safely by the end of the day. There was a warrant already written out and held by Hughes himself who was in waiting with some more agents outside, waiting for Burke and Jones' signal.

Peter showed up dressed in a nice looking suit courtesy of June. She had one of Byron's suits tailored to fit him so he would look like a man of leisure. The agent felt a bit out of place in the suit but El had fawned over him as they had it made to fit him by June's own seamstress. He had to fit in when he went to the clinic to pretend he wanted info on how to place his father in their care. Mozzie filled him in on what to say and how to act from what he recalled of previous visitors.

It was 9 am and Peter showed up in a confiscated Mercedes courtesy of Evidence. He parked the vehicle in the front most spot and strolled out of the back, another agent opening the door for him as they pretended to be his valet and chauffeur. Peter gave a cursory nod to the man and strolled over to the clinic entrance. Leonard Green was just walking out to meet him, his first thoughts to sock the man in the face if not shoot him but he held back and gave a false pretense of caring.

"Jared Simkins? I'm Dr. Leonard Green. Please... come in." Peter had already walked past him as if the man didn't exist, feigning as much snobbery as he could stand. Green ran after him anxiously which was what Mozzie had said would happen. The man wanted his money, or at least the money he thought he would get by putting his supposed father away here.

"Green was it? How do I know you'll be able to care for my father. He's a very grudging patient. He's been thrown out of better asylums than this." Peter's tone was cold and emotionless something he had had to practice reluctantly but managed to pull off apparently as he saw the gleam in the doctor's eye.

"Yes, your father. We have a section for problem patients. They are given all the proper due and respect they deserve. Shall we go on a tour?" Green waited till Peter deigned to nod at him and flourished towards the hallway.

()()()

Jones was mopping floors and blending in quite well as an orderly as he saw Peter pass by with Green. He made his way back towards where Green had come from originally and down into a secluded corridor. It was quiet with only two doors one of which he could just make some quiet noise behind. He tried the orderly keys he had gotten from Mozzie and tried all the keys but none seemed to work. He made his way back towards the main area to find a key.

()()()

The orderly had put a 6 inch layer of ice inside the tub before he stopped the machine and went back to pick up Neal. The young man moaned beneath his gag as he was moved. The orderly sat Neal inside the tub, securing his arms behind him to one of the rings and then binding his legs and securing them to another along the bottom. He tied another one around the young man's neck and secured that to another ring before he walked back to the ice machine and started it up again.

Neal shivered slightly as he sat there, the ice piling around him higher and higher. While the machine worked, the orderly grabbed a bucket and filled it with water and started to fill the tub shifting the ice to fill in around the young man as tightly as possible. Neal's face contorted slightly as he began to wake up from the cold, his body responding to the change in temperature, body struggling slightly.

At some point the orderly stopped the machine, topping the machine off with enough water that it was up to Neal's chin, the young man submerged but for his head in a frigid bath of ice. The orderly smiled, pushing the young man's face into the icy water a couple of times before leaving the room.

()()()

(15 years ago...)

Nick Halden peered curiously through the keyhole of his father's study and nearly gasped when he saw what was going on. His father was arguing with an associate over the split of assets in the company when he heard the soft pop of something and saw the man fall to the ground dead. He knew his father was a no nonsense business man but he didn't think he was a murderer! The boy gaped in silent horror as he saw his father move into view, smoking pistol with silencer in place. His father was smiling in an unfamiliar fashion.

Darrian Halden had taken Nick in after his mother died even though she had only been dating him at the time of her death. Darrian had taken an instant liking to the boy and his mother when they'd met in Central park one Sunday. His mom had loved the good looking distinguished business man and his charm. She'd fallen hook line and sinker, hoping secretly to marry him one day. They had dated a year before she was killed in a hit and run. Nick had cried at the news, Darrian comforting him like a true parent. It was because of Darrian's kindness that Nick had been able to survive the death of his mother.

Nick had liked his foster father from the beginning, the man teaching him all kinds of neat tricks like how to beat the tables in Vegas, copy artworks for fun and other interesting tidbits. He had the impression his father must have been some kind of carny or magician before he had become a business man. He never quite knew what kind of business it was his guardian did but he knew it vaguely had to do with art and fine imported antiquities. They had traveled to the continent quite a bit with Nick learning quite a bit about art forgeries and how to tell one from the real thing with Darrian's help.

It had been fun to pull one over on his father's associates when he was allowed to use his talents to make his own forgeries. Neal felt like he was doing something to grow closer to his new parent and it helped to ease the loss of his mother as he kept busy. Besides Darrian got him all the best tutors and teachers to get him up to par with the world of art and antiquities. He no longer went to regular school but had his own schedule and was regularly assigned to visit the local museums and galleries for his assignments. He had felt like the luckiest boy in the world...

Nick moved away from the door in shock. He forgot about the urn on the pedestal behind him till he banged into it, the vase falling to the floor with a resounding crash. He made to run but one of his father's men had already come around the corner to investigate. The bodyguards had never scared him before but now he noticed their hidden holsters and narrow eyed glances. He suddenly realized that these men were not good men although they had been there as body guards for him and his father for the past two years. Nick turned to run but ran into his father who had opened up the study door without him hearing. The boy looked up at his guardian wide eyed, seeing him for the very first time for who he really was.

"Tony... take Nicholaus to his room." His father's voice was cold, emotionless unlike the man who had been caring for him since his mother's death. Nick backed away but Tony grabbed him and pulled a gloved hand around his mouth and another around his arms dragging him down the hall. He was kicking and struggling, screaming in muffled tones as he watched Darrian stare uncaring at him before going back into the study.

The boy continued to struggle as he was yanked into his bedroom and thrown across the bed. Nick made to crawl to the other side and run but Tony had him by the leg, another body guard coming in and pinning his arms behind him. Nick screamed and yelled but once he felt his arms cuffed behind him, the man pushed a rag into his mouth and tied another one around his mouth tightly.

"This kid has got some spirit in him." Tony said it with a dark smile his fist hitting Nick across the chin hard and stunning him. The boy slumped across the bed, head hanging over the other end.

"Finally... ask the boss what he wants done with him." Tony sat on the edge of the bed, tying the boy's ankles together with some tape before leaving the room.

()()()

Neal shivered in the icy bath, his old nightmares returning to him vividly as he felt his body succumb to the coldness of the water. He had stopped shivering, his face an ashen gray, cheeks only slightly flushed pink. His eyes fluttered beneath closed lids, face still twitching slightly, the only signs he was still conscious. He thought he heard a familiar voice, opening his eyes to look blearily around.

"Nick... I'm so sorry. I never knew he was this kind of man. I never would have left you with such a man if I had been able to stay with you. Please forgive me for leaving you alone." He felt her arms around him hugging him close wanting to hug her back but unable to in his current state.

Mom? Neal was staring at her blurry form as he felt the room sway and his head slump forward into the icy water.

()()()

Peter had bumped into Jones when he made the excuse he had to take a call. Green had taken the moment to leave him in the office alone, Jones entering through a side entrance.

"Find anything?" Peter's voice was anxious, pulling at his tie then stopping. He was uncomfortable but he had to keep up the charade for a little while longer. Jones shook his head.

"There is this one door I bumped into in the back of the clinic. None of the keys Mozzie borrowed work for it and it's the only door that doesn't open. Maybe Neal's there?" Jones quickly shifted into orderly mode as Green returned, Peter back to his snobbish role as Jared Simkins.

"What are you doing in my office? You're not supposed to clean in here today!" Green looked pissed but Jones just acted surprised looking around and then back at the doctor.

"I apologize sir... I'm new here. I was just told to clean the offices today." Jones picked up his things and started out the door he came in, Green closing and bolting it from his side with an angry sigh.

"Sorry about that scene. Sometimes you just can't find good help. So... have you decided if you'd like to bring your father here? I'm sure we can accommodate any request for the right price." Green sounded keen, Peter imagining a ka-ching sound going off in the man's head like a cash register. It made him ill but he made a shake of his head, standing.

"I still have three other places to look at but I will definitely keep you in mind, Dr. Green was it?" He saw the irritated look pass then turn to a false smile on the man's face. Peter smiled inwardly, walking to the door and making his way to the front lobby and door. They did the usual false dance of people who want your money and don't want to act desperate for it, Peter holding all the cards as he shrugged coldly and made his way back to the Mercedes. The agent acting as valet opened the door for him and he slipped inside sighing in relief as the door closed and they were hidden form the world behind a veil of sun tinted glass.

"What next sir?" The agent was peering at him through the rear view mirror as they took off. Peter grimaced and spoke into his ear piece.

"Park out of sight for now. Jones, where are you?" Peter waited as he heard Jones answer back.

"I can let you in the back way if you'd like and I have a white uniform for you, courtesy of Mozz." He could hear the smile in Jones' voice, nodding back with a grin.

"Be right there."

()()()

Peter met Jones at a back entrance to the clinic for janitorial and maintenance staff. He had shrugged into the white overalls for the orderlies and left his suit in the Mercedes hidden behind a nearby copse of trees. They had Hughes ready to come in, warrant in hand to distract from Peter and Jones opening the mystery door. They were listening for the right moment when they heard the sound of Hughes confronting Green, the man obviously in shock that the chief was alive. Peter whispered: Ka-Ching! as they slipped to the door and started to pick at it. It took a few minutes but with the distraction of Hughes at the front, all the staff had gone to see what the ruckus was and Jones and Peter were free to work on the door.

The door finally made a click as the lock released and they entered. The room was bare with white padded walls. The only items in the room were a large metal tub directly in the center and what appeared to be an ice machine. Peter ran over when he saw a figure slumped inside the tub. Jones covered his back locking the door behind them.

"Neal? Oh God... Neal...!" Peter pulled the young man's face up which was only partially submerged, removing the gag from his friend's mouth. The young man's skin felt icy to the touch. Peter reached in to pull him out with Jones help but they found the young man was strapped down. Peter pulled out a pocket knife, plunging his hands into the icy water and cutting Neal free, pulling the unconscious man from the tub. Neal didn't move, his skin pale and ashen with a bluish tinge around his lips.

"Neal... wake up!" Peter cut the straps off from his partner's arm and feet laying him on the floor flat. He felt for a pulse and found a very weak one as well as a slow heart beat. Neal's breath was shallow and nearly non-existent but he was alive. Peter looked around and finally found some linens in a closet and pulled some blankets out and wrapped them around the young man tightly, rubbing at his arms and limbs to keep him warm.

"Come on Neal... wake up. It's Peter." Peter kept trying to warm the young man to wakefulness, even hugging him close hoping to contribute a bit of his own body heat. Jones nudged his boss pointing at his ear piece.

"Sounds like they've arrested everyone that was involved. We're in the back corridor and we need a paramedic!" Jones was talking into the receiver.

()()()

Nick woke up in the back of his father's limousine. At first he was confused but when he found himself cuffed, ankles taped, he remembered the scene in the study and started to thrash around. He stopped when he saw Tony pointing a gun at him. He just stared at the man with wide eyes, afraid to move as he remembered his father shooting that man. He wasn't sure if his father would shoot him but he was certain Tony would at his father's command. Nick just slumped there, head still hurting where he had been socked but he knew he had to get away first chance.

"Ah... Nicholaus, my dearest son." Darrian's voice was filled with false emotion. The man peered over from the front seat where he sat with the driver.

"It's a shame you had to see that unfortunate scene but I guess you're not going to be the willing partner I had hoped for when I took you in. Now I have to send you away for a nice rest. I've even found you a psychiatrist to talk to. He's going to take good care of you from now on." The man continued to smile, turning away from the boy as the partition closed again. Nick just blinked, staring at Tony and the gun, his ire growing as he wished he could strike back but knowing he couldn't in his current state. He would have to wait.

After a while the car stopped and Tony grabbed Nick by the shoulder and started to drag him out along with another bodyguard. He struggled and kicked helplessly, making as much noise as he could but nobody was there to help him as they pulled him inside the clinic. He saw his father move off to the side and follow a dark haired man in a doctor's jacket. Two large orderlies took him from the bodyguards and he was untied only briefly to be strapped in securely to a gurney that had already been waiting. He pulled at the bonds, struggling but one of the orderlies held his head to the side, baring his neck and injected him with something that pricked at his skin. Nick felt a warmth spread from the site to the rest of his body feeling his mind start to fade as his limbs refused to respond. He could only compare the feeling to the one time he and a friend had snuck into his father's liquor cabinet and had a bit too much scotch. It didn't take long before the young man couldn't move much at all, falling into a drugged stupor, vision blurring in and out of focus.

"Come this way, Mr. Halden. We'll discuss the issue of your son." The voice sounded far away, familiar to his current self. He had heard this voice before... Neal knew he had... where...

"Thank you, Dr. Leonard."

()()()

Peter sat in the back of the ambulance with Neal as the young man was hooked up to an IV of what could only be called a warming solution according to the EMTs. It was the typical IV mixture which has been kept in a warming unit so it administers warmth directly inside the patient helping to offset hypothermia faster. Despite the warming solution, Neal still looked pale, a tinge of grayish blue to his skin as he lay wrapped securely in blankets. The one arm that had an IV stuck out, Peter holding his partner's hand between his to keep it warm.

"Just hold on, Neal." He thought he felt a slight squeeze from Neal but it was only for a moment. Peter squeezed back gently.