Chapter Fifteen

"You were right, Peter."

"Of course I was…about?"

"Aubrey." Neal smiled brightly. "He does not like me, and he absolutely thinks I was responsible for the Bashiri break in."

"You are."

"That's besides the point." Neal shrugged. "I'm still impressed."

"You're not going to be so impressed when he actually finds evidence against you."

"That's still never happening." Neal replied confidently. "Out of sheer curiosity let me know when the illegal paintball story gets back to you."

"I've heard it already." Peter rolled his eyes.

"Wow," Neal made a show of looking at his wrist despite not wearing a watch "that took less than twenty minutes."

"It's a small office, Neal, you might want to refrain from discussing your ass with anyone around here if you don't want its condition to become common knowledge."

"I don't really care. Who told you? I doubt Aubrey came running back in here."

"No, Aubrey is driving to Baltimore. I over heard Dammers and Roteska talking about it when I was getting coffee."

"Peter…" Neal admonished.

"I wasn't eavesdropping, they just weren't being careful."

"I don't care about eavesdropping." Neal smiled. "You're Section Chief now, you shouldn't be getting your own coffee."

"Fine, I'll make you do it for me from now on."

"On second thought it does send a good message to your troops that you're willing to do your own menial tasks."

Peter just shook his head sadly, not willing to engage Neal further on this particular topic. Lounging casually in one of the chairs in front of Peter's desk Neal didn't seem to be suffering any after effects of the previous night other than occasionally rubbing at the cut on his arm through his onxy jacket. If not remembering what happened was bothering him still he wasn't showing it, he looked ready to simply move on to whatever was next. Considering they didn't really have many options Peter decided it was probably a good thing that Neal's enthusiasm hadn't been tempered. Although at the same time it meant he probably hadn't really learned to be more careful with Frost in the future either.

"So, quick lunch and then off to meet this 'Bone Baron' character?" Neal suggested.

"You're lead on this case so whatever you want."

"In that case definitely food first, I found a wonderful little hole in the wall Greek place just up the street. You need to try it before the health inspector shuts it down."

"Can we go somewhere that doesn't have Salmonella on the menu?"

"You'll be fine," Neal assured "I order off menu there anyway."

After an undeniably tasty meal of a highly seasoned mix of potatoes, vegetables, and what Peter prayed was lamb they were off to the outer limits of DC to speak with James Arvid, the Bone Baron. Neal had used the lunch break to bring Peter up to speed on everything he'd learned about the eccentric collector. Arvid had come from a rich family, and had expanded his wealth as a successful surgeon who had pioneered a new technique in cardiac surgery. However after the death of his wife ten years ago he had pulled away from the medical community, a year later he had started his collection and seemed to have devoted most of his time to that pursuit since.

Despite being talkative during lunch Neal had fallen into silence now that they were driving. Scratching at his arm he then started to rub circles into his right palm with his thumb. It was something he did when his hand was getting close to cramping up in an effort to keep it from getting out of control. Giving up on his hand Neal gingerly rubbed at his forearm again.

"Neal, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"That bad?" Peter asked knowingly.

"It's not terrible, I just don't have any tolerance to pain anymore." Neal sighed. "These days if I just cut myself shaving it bothers me for hours. Dr. Harris assures me it's going to get better in time, in fact he called me this morning asking if I could come in again so I'm going to assume you told Frost about this morning."

"I did." Peter admitted. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have."

"It's okay, you were just concerned."

"I'm very concerned, but that's not why I told him. I was angry and looking to place some blame."

"Ah," Neal chuckled "hoping to frighten Frost into being a little more careful with me?"

"Something like that."

"Well, thank you, but if you're hoping to keep me out of trouble it's going to take more than a few stern words to Frost."

"Trust me I know keeping you out of trouble is an impossible task."

"I appreciate that you keep trying."

"It's what partners are for."

"Partners…I still like hearing you say that. Although you do realize that continuing to try to and accomplish the impossible is basically the definition of insanity." Neal teased.

"I am well aware."

Excited once more Neal laughed and started wondering out loud what the inside of the Bone Barron's house looked like. Peter knew that Neal often changed both moods and topics when he didn't want to talk about something, however this time around he genuinely seemed better for having the brief discussion. No longer mucking with his arm Neal used his hands to gesture while he talked without difficulty. Peter didn't understand how Neal's condition could turn on and off so rapidly, but he was gratefully that Neal was able to find some relief without the use of drugs.

"Wow," Neal comments as Peter pulled up to the large wrought iron gate that surrounded Arvid's home "very nice, this place is huge."

"He probably has a lawyer on retainer living in his house somewhere."

"I love a challenge."

"This might be as close as we get to Arvid toda…" Peter trailed off as the gate rolled open when approached rather than them having to request entry which Arvid could have easily denied.

"So far so good."

"You're not in the door yet," Peter noted as he parked in front of the large Colonial mansion "and we don't have anything close to enough evidence to get a warrant if he asks for one."

"Then hopefully he won't ask."

Looking confident that he'd be able to talk his way into Arvid's house Neal tightened his deep blue tie and stepped out of the car. Letting Neal take the lead Peter kept half a step back as Neal walked up to the large wooden front door.

"Check out the door knocker." Neal pointed out the large brass femur bone mounted upside down so that the ball end of the bone rested against the striker plate.

"Creepy."

"I kind of like it. He has a theme and he is sticking to it."

Using the brass knocker rather than the door bell Neal rapped the heavy brass bone against the door three times. Waiting for an answer Neal slipped his hands into his pockets and leaned all his weight onto his left hip. Peter cleared his throat gently and when Neal looked over at him he shook his head slightly. Realizing that Peter was pointing out that his posture was far too casual Neal pulled his hands back out and shifted his weight more evenly. First impressions were important when dealing with any suspect particularly one that held most of the cards like Arvid did. It used to be Neal's role to appear to be the nonthreatening outsider to put people at ease and off their guard, but he was no longer a consultant, he was an authority figure and he needed to look like one.

Neal was about to try the door knocker again when the door was opened by a distinguished older gentleman with bright silver hair dressed in a deep red smoking jacket with a white dress shirt accented by a black day ascot cravat. Neal was a little surprised that Arvid had answered the door himself, having expected there to be a butler living in the home. The unusual attire fit well on Arvid and matched what little of the dark interior of the house that Neal could see. Along with the vintage style clothing Arvid's slicked back hair, strongly angular features and broad shoulders gave an impression of being a man out of time, more fit to be the start of a movie set in 1940 Hollywood.

Arvid had appeared annoyed at first to have unannounced visitors however once he had seen Neal he had become instantly transfixed. Neal was used to people staring at him, but this was different, this was more the intense scrutiny of a jeweler trying to determine if a diamond was real. Usually after a moment people tended to realize they were being socially awkward with him and either looked away or at the very least made eye contact. Arvid just narrowed his eyes slightly as if trying to read some fine print as he turned his head slightly to the side and continued to inspect Neal's features.

"James Arvid?" Neal asked slightly unnerved by the intense inspection.

"You have an amazing mandibular ramus and base." Arvid stated rather than answered the question. "That truly is perfection."

"Thank you." Neal replied cordially. "You're James Arvid?"

"I am. You must be FBI." Arvid turned and gave Peter a better look. "At the very least you are."

"We both are." Neal assured taking out and displaying his badge. "Agent Neal Caffrey, this is my partner Special Agent Peter Burke."

"I take it this is about Joshua Fitz and his Nazca skulls."

"Can we come in and speak with you?" Neal asked evading answering directly.

"Do you have a warrant?" Arvid asked raising a silver eyebrow doubtfully.

"Do we need one?" Neal asked with a bright smile.

"Usually I'd say 'yes'," Arvid announced before pausing for effect "but for you two I'll make an exception…please, Gentlemen, come in."

Arvid didn't step to the side, instead he just retreated back into the dimly lit house expecting his guests to follow. Neal went to do so without hesitation however he stopped when Peter reached out and snagged the elbow of his jacket to stop him. Neal looked over his shoulder at Peter who had his brow furrowed.

"What the hell was that about?" Peter asked quietly.

"What?"

"'You have an amazing mandibular ramus'?" Peter repeated Arvid's odd statement.

"Oh, that." Neal smiled. "Just a compliment."

"A compliment?"

"He likes my jaw line or rather the bone underneath it."