(Chapter 9)

June sat at home listening to the howling wind outside and wondering why Peter and Neal hadn't showed up as planned earlier in the day. It was going to be a long miserable night, the weather sounding like the horsemen riding through the city as she curled up on the couch with a book and some hot tea. She had barely turned the first page when she heard a knock at the door. It was quiet enough she hadn't really taken it seriously till the knock became a bit louder and more evident. Some poor soul was out in this weather visiting her? She couldn't think who it might be as she cautiously headed to the front door and peered out, a cane in her hand as a weapon. The figure was wrapped up tightly against the weather, standing in her stoop and peering inside. She blinked and opened up the door letting them inside.

"Mozzie? How... What brings you to my home so late and in such nasty weather?"

She was surprised to one have a guest and two that it was Mozzie who she had only heard from in the occasional letters and notes. He had been scarce since Neal vanished and she wondered what had brought the con out of hiding.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you when you were obvious sitting down with a book and tea but something's come up."

Mozzie seemed agitated if anything as he stood in the doorway, June closing the door as she shivered and made a motion for him to come in to the foyer. He nodded, shuffling uncertainly behind her as they came to the bottom of the stairs and couch. His eyes moved upwards to the floor above.

"I have hot water brewing if you'd like some tea, Mozzie?"

He glanced at her nervously before finally nodding as she moved towards the dining room and kitchen beyond. He stood still bound in his warm clothes as she smiled back at him.

"Take off your jacket and get comfy. You're not going out in this weather, Haversham."

She clucked her tongue at him as if he had been visiting her often and he finally nodded almost self-consciously as he started to remove his multitude of scarves and sweaters. She entered the kitchen and debated as she poured another cup of tea whether or not he should know about Neal but since he was here it would be the best way to tell him. Maybe they could call the young man at the Burkes' and he could talk to Neal directly. She smiled at the thought turning to take the cup back into the foyer. When she arrived the room was empty but she saw a neat pile of coats and scarfs on a nearby chair, hearing sound upstairs. She took the cup up with her along with her own as June made her way towards a familiar but long disused space. The door was open and she saw Mozzie looking around in the dimly lit room, a single lamp on.

"I missed him too, Mozz."

She saw him turn and nod slightly as she placed his cup on the table they used to play chess on and sipped from her own cup. Mozz looked around a bit more before he walked back towards her.

"You won't believe me June, which is why I came to speak to you but..."

He paused as if uncertain how to continue when he finally blurted it out.

"I think Neal might still be alive."

She watched him looking at her as she nodded back and he blinked as if uncertain what she was thinking.

"June... do you understand what this means?"

She nodded, putting her cup down and pushing his towards him.

"I know what it means. I've seen him. He's not the same Mozz."

The little guy started to grab the cup then stopped with a shocked look up at her.

"Seen? As in he was with you? He came here?"

His voice went up in pitch but she placed a hand on his shoulder and calmed him, shaking her head.

"No, he showed up at the Burkes' and they invited me over for brunch Sunday. I had no idea why till he showed up and I nearly fainted. He looks so different. That spark I always liked missing from his eyes."

June felt a sadness at the thought of her former and hopefully soon to be returning tenant. He had already been through so much when this happened and to have been missing for a year didn't help. Mozzie just stared at her.

"You've... seen him... I wonder why he never... oh yeah... my numbers were changed. I wonder if he tried to call."

He sounded a bit glum suddenly as she sipped at her tea and he finally took his cup and sipped a little. They sat there in quiet a few minutes before he finally spoke again.

"So he was with the Suit and his wife? Do you think we could call them? Maybe visit?"

He sounded so excited suddenly but June just quietly nodded.

"Tomorrow I think. They were supposed to come by for some clothes and his toiletries but never did. I haven't heard why but I guess something came up. I'll call them in the morning. The weather is terrible tonight! You'll stay here, ok?"

Mozzie blinked up at her smiling finally as he nodded. He pointed at the closet as he rose and moved to grab a familiar board game.

"Three out of four, June?"

She nodded with a smile as they set up the Parcheesi board.

"Sounds like a plan."

()()()

Neal was dreaming, nightmares of being on that ship again with Lynkos only now he saw another face he had forgotten about as memories long hidden started to dredge up.

He thinks I'm you, captain. I did as you told me.

He heard the voices speaking softly in the background, eyes shut as the voice he knew as Lynkos spoke softer than he was used to and another replied.

That is how I want it. The rest of them think you are me. I will be able to help control them with you being the scary monster and I being the kindly fellow crewman wishing for everyone to just do was you say so nothing bad happens. Nobody would ever suspect the gentle giant known as Jankov would be the true monster behind this ship. You are being paid well, do as I say and you will get those papers you wished for.

He wanted to open his eyes, see the faces but he was too tired, too weak as he felt himself slowly falling back to the darkness. The voices fading and were replaced with other sounds. He heard the lapping of water close at hand as he started to waken. He shivered, the cold air washing over him as he became more and more conscious. His body felt cold, goosebumps covering his arms and chest when he finally realized he was missing his coat and sweater. When did he take them off? Hadn't he fainted in the cave? What had happened?

Neal's eyes finally fluttered open to dim yellow light, squinting against it as he felt a pressure in his chest and head. He opened his eyes a bit more as he tried to focus on what was around him and found himself in a canoe. He tried to move but his arms were bound behind him and a rope bit into his neck when he tried to sit up. The boat rocked softly as he lay inside of it, looking up at the top of a dark cavern ceiling. Rags filled his mouth and another was pulled around his lips effectively gagging him as he struggled to free himself but was bound securely with zip-ties and rope.

"Our young hero wakes up. I was wondering when you would. I didn't think you wanted to see your friend for the time you slept. He's been waiting to see you."

Neal turned his head towards the speaking figure to see a blurry form some feet away on the shore. His vision started to focus and he could see the leering face of Jankov there, the man grinning dangerously at him. There was someone beside the man, another figure still and hanging from the wall by their wrists.

Peter?

Neal gave a muffled cry, rocking the boat as he moved to try and free himself of his restraints and reach his friend. Jankov laughed, the sound filling the cavern as it echoed around him.

"You wish to see your friend up close? You cannot save him, helpless as you are, thief. Would you martyr yourself as you promised the others for your friend? You didn't die but my friend did and so I killed those you trusted from my old crew and left them as clues. Revenge is sweet, is it not?"

Neal blinked at the man, narrowing his gaze as he fought against the ties but didn't feel them budge as he finally fell back against the wooden planks of the canoe tiredly. Jankov seemed to understand, that dark smile on the face he had thought would never hurt anyone. The man had everyone fooled.

"I see your thoughts. You wonder how someone like me would do as I did. There is little to explain when money is at stake. You stole for money did you not? I heard those stories. I read about you. This man placed you on a leash and you let him lead you around like a pet doing tricks. With me you would have been free to do your craft. Free of a leash."

Neal would have spit in the man's face if he wasn't gagged, doing his best to throw a look like daggers at his tormentor. He wanted to get up and beat the smile off the man's face but he couldn't, Jankov seemingly knowing that.

"No worries my friend. You and your friend will soon be but memories. Bodies disappearing out to sea. Nobody will know what really happened."

Neal rocked the boat as he fought with the bindings despite the futility of the act. He wanted to kill this man, his anger brewing as he brooded over the treatment of Peter, the agent hanging unmoving from his wrists.

Peter... wake up! Peter!

He thought hard to his friend, muffled voice indistinguishable as Jankov left them for a bit to prepare. Neal had to communicate with the agent as he kicked at the end of the canoe with his feet in a pattern hoping to get Peter to respond. When he didn't see movement or hear sound he lay still, eyes looking around uncertain how to escape from this trap. He had fallen right into it, bitterness filling him at his stupidity. They weren't going to escape this as he closed his eyes and tried not to think about the consequences. He had returned to the one place he considered home and those he considered family only to be taken from them again. Peter would be killed with him and Elizabeth... what about her? Neal felt his eyes grow wet with tears, frustration filling him when he heard it.

Neal opened up his eyes the closed them again, listening to the sound.

W-H-O-S-T-H-E-R-E

Neal felt a smile on his lips, hope filling him as he turned to see Peter still hanging on the wall on the shore of the cavern but noticed movement from the man, his feet banging the wall loud enough to send the message. He tapped his own message back to the agent. After a moment he heard a reply.

N-E-A-L

The agent tapped his name back, the con smiling through his gag as he hoped the GPS was at least broadcasting out. It was their only tie to anyone looking for them with the earpiece gone. He listened to the wind howling just outside the cave in the distance. It echoed back to him like the distance sound of some animal growling as he tapped a message back to his friend.

U-O-K

He waited, the quiet sound of breath traveling from the shore to him as he listened for the reply. It came shortly after.

B-E-N-B-E-T-T-E-R

U

Neal nodded towards his friend from the boat but could see that Peter's head remained slack, hanging down where his chin still lay on the agent's chest limply. He wondered what Jankov had done to his friend as he answered back.

H-E-L-P-I-S-N-E-A-R-B-Y

H-O-L-D-O-N

He thought he saw the agent's head lift a tiny bit, a hint of eyes looking across the water at him but it was too dimly lit to be sure. Jankov had taken the lantern with him and only a very dim light flickered in the cavern from a nearby torch on the wall. It was enough to see Peter by and to get an idea of where he was as Neal tried to figure out some means to escape. It was going to be up to him but at the moment he was far from capable of it, arms bound securely behind him. Anything he would have had on him, Jankov would have removed by now which is probably why he left him vulnerable with his jacket and shirt off. He shivered in the cool air in only his tee and pants. He didn't have his shoes on anymore as he started to feel a chill though his socks on his feet. The temperature had been cold but it must be cooler in here he thought as he tried not to think about the cold.

N-E-A-L

He heard the tapping and turned to see that Peter was looking at him now. The agent's face had raised enough to be seen now but whether or not the agent could really see him...

I-M-H-E-R-E

He thought he heard a relieved intake of breath from the shoreline, the rattling of chains obvious as the agent moved slightly. At least they were alive but for how long. Jankov had something planned or he wouldn't have left them alone. It was his way even as the captain to lure his prey into a sense of safety then pull it out from under them when they didn't comply. He was about to tap another message when he heard footsteps, the rattling of chains evident as Peter shifted. Neal lifted his head as much as he could with the rope around his neck. Light filled the cavern a bit brighter as the huge man returned.

"Like two boys. Passing messages they think their parents don't know or understand when in reality their elders know so much better. Shall we get started?"

Neal didn't understand except to think he may have overhead their little chat in Morse code but even so, they gave little away. What could Jankov use? He heard the rattling of chains and looked to see the man pulling Peter from his place on the wall and lowering him to the floor, manacles still in place as he pulled the agent's arms behind him and dragged him near the shoreline. Neal had a bad feeling as he saw something shiny in the man's hand, drawing back the agent's head as he injected him with something.

"Your friend cannot talk to you in any means if this is to work. A martyr communicates through their sacrifice and actions, not words."

Jankov spoke oddly as if hinting at something as Neal felt the boat move, rocking more than he liked as it neared the shore.

"You need to sleep for the test to come, thief. If you pass, your friend and you live. If you don't, well... I get my revenge."

The man was looming over him now, reaching down to grab at his hair as Neal made to move away but couldn't. He felt his neck bared as something sharp pricked it and he felt a warmth from the site. His body started to relax almost immediately, head turning to see how Peter was as his vision began to blur in and out of focus, sound echoing oddly through his ears. He saw the agent slumped across the shoreline on his side, arms still bound behind him.

Peter...

He felt his thoughts starting to fade away, breaking up as everything started tunneling to black.

"Sleep thief till your test is ready."

()()()

Elizabeth curled up on the couch, looking out the window at the storm that had brewed up. It had begun with only a bit of wind howling then the rain and sleet started up in earnest. She shivered hoping that Neal and the rest of them were ok. The beach had to be cold.

"Mrs. Burke?"

She turned at the sound of her name, an agent she didn't know very well addressing her.

"Hughes wants to speak with you."

She blinked, uncertain what to think as she took the cell and answered.

"Reese? Tell me they found Peter."

She was hopeful but something told her that it wasn't just the weather that foretold hard times. She heard quiet on the other end then a voice.

"Not yet, Elizabeth. We're... still looking but there's something else I needed to discuss with you."

She heard the tone of his voice and felt a cold chill unassociated with the weather fill her.

"I want the truth, Reese. What's going on?"

There was silence again and then he spoke.

"Neal's gone missing. They're tracking him but with the weather it's touch and go. Jones and some agents are still out by the cove waiting for the weather to clear. It's possible he found Peter and is trapped by the weather but for now we can only wait till the morning or for the weather to clear up. I'm sorry."

She nodded, understanding of course the complexities of the weather when it came to a search. Peter had explained it to her in the past.

"Just find them, Reese."

They said their good-byes and she handed the cell back feeling more glum than she had. They were trapped out in this weather? Would Neal and Peter be ok? She felt Hughes was holding something back but for now she could do nothing but wait for news. She almost wished Mozzie was around to bug something so she could hear something more. As if on cue, her own cell rang and she picked up the phone from the coffee table.

"Elizabeth Burke... June? It's good to hear from you."

She talked to the older woman to keep her mind off the worry at hand. Soon she realized why Neal's former landlady had called.

"Mozzie is there?"

She moved upstairs for privacy reasons, going into the bedroom and closing the door.

"Peter's been kidnapped and Neal went to look for him but... Hughes told me they lost contact with Neal and the weather is so bad outside."

Elizabeth hinted as much as she could at what she was requesting. She heard June acknowledge her request, a smile on her lips of relief.

"Thank you. Tell him... Tell Mozzie I owe him a meal."

She hung up the phone as she tossed it aside and lay back on their bed. She could smell the light scent of her husband's cologne on his side and missed him terribly. Something was wrong beyond Neal just going out of contact range. Hughes was holding out and Mozzie would hopefully figure it all out for her. She had to know how Peter and Neal were doing and if anyone could find out, it would be Mozz. She sighed, curling up on the bed and staring out at the storm raging outside.

Bring him back, Neal. Be safe.