(Chapter 2)
Neal was tired when he finally finished walking back home from the bistro. He was worried about Alex but mostly about the presents they had so mysteriously been handed. Someone was playing with them, no coincidence they received them on the same day; A day they both dreaded. He quietly let himself into June's with the passkey and made his way up to his room. The door was slightly ajar as he looked inside and saw Mozzie sitting on the sofa, slumped over as if he were asleep. Neal closed the door quietly, removing his shoes as he tiptoed across the floor and over to the kitchenette. He saw the bottle of wine from earlier and poured himself a glass.
"You can't fool me!"
He nearly jumped as he turned to see Mozzie sitting up and looking around blearily. Was his friend having a nightmare? He turned and noticed the box that held his cuff-links was missing. He moved closer to his friend on the sofa, a worry coming over him when Mozzie turned and looked at him with a strange blank expression. There was evidence he had been drinking, a glass on the coffee table but that didn't explain this episode.
"Mozz..."
Neal saw the little guy focus somewhat on his voice then back away, a fearful look on his face.
"I know who you really are! You can't fool me! You're just his lap dog and you're here to steal my secrets! You can't have them. I won't let you!"
He was shocked at the words from his friend, putting the glass down and trying to calm him but Mozzie was far from calm as he continued to back away till he grabbed up a large cane and held it dangerously before him, swinging it back and forth.
"Mozz... it's me. Neal. Calm down!"
The little guy wasn't calming and that's when he saw the cut on his friend's hand and the dilated look of his eyes. He did the only thing he could under the circumstances.
"They put a chip in my head, Mozz. You have to help me take it out."
The little guy was looking at him curiously then stopped, cocking his head as he dropped the cane.
"I told you not to trust them. Is it in a tooth?"
Neal didn't know how far to go but he had to help his friend and find out what was wrong. He nodded.
"Yes, I think... well I heard some weird voices the other day. What do I do, Mozz?"
The little guy moved closer to him, reaching up to grab his chin when he took a good look at the cut on his friend's hand. It looked red and raised with a slightly spider veined look that made him worry. Neal let the little guy look in his mouth, Mozz nodding and peeking inside when he saw the box and cuff-links on the floor by the sofa. The silver was tainted with a drop of blood on one cuff.
"Mozz... did you open up the box with the cuff-links?"
The little guy had stopped peering into his mouth, cocking his head to the side as if listening to something.
"Box? There was a... box. I was curious..."
The con was moving away from Neal now, walking over to the terrace doors and peering out.
"Did you know the light we see outside is 1000s of years old, Neal? It's like we're seeing the stars the way they were when Copernicus was alive or Jesus. The way they are now, nobody will see that light till after we're long dead. Strange how the past works like... that."
He suddenly slumped, Neal moving to catch his friend as he collapsed to the wooden floor. Mozzie was muttering quietly but soon passed out. He didn't understand what was going on but it had something to do with those cuff-links. He gently carried his friend to the sofa and lay him down, throwing a blanket over him before he scooped up the box with the cuff-links and put it safely out of sight. Maybe he could get someone at work to test them out for him. He started to think about Alex and her matching pin... He pulled out his cell and dialed up her number.
The line rang a few times before the voice mail answered.
"It's me! Leave a message."
He started to speak when he saw he had a new text from Alex. He hung up the line and opened up his messages.
Did you like the cuff-links?
Neal didn't understand the question but he wrote back curious.
Not quite my cup of tea but thanks.
He sent the message hoping she was ok when a new message appeared.
The pin made her see. Don't you want to see?
He stiffened at the reply, writing quickly back.
If you hurt her, I'll find you.
He waited as he sent the reply. A beep indicated he had a new text.
I'm counting on it.
()()()
Neal had finally dozed off on the floor next to the sofa, his eyes watching his friend as he drank more wine and grew tipsy then passed out. He was worried about Alex but he had no idea what hotel she was staying at or under what name. He would have to wait till he was certain Mozzie was ok and he could join him in finding their friend. It was sometime later he heard a groan and someone moving beside him.
"Tell the garcon I've had enough. Check please..."
He couldn't help but smile at the sound of Mozzie's voice except for the hangover he was having from drinking too much wine. He gave his own little groan as he opened up his eyes and looked at his friend.
"Mozz?"
He felt the little guy move nearby as he shifted to get more comfortable. It was still dark out as he looked for the clock and tried to focus on the time. Finally he pulled out his cell phone and looked at the hour. It was just after 1 am.
"Neal... did you put something in that wine? I feel like I drank a keg of the stuff and I only had one glass."
Mozzie sounded a bit whinier than usual, his manner its normal level of paranoid but calmer than it had been. He shook his head.
"You opened up my mail."
He watched Mozz look at him with confusion as if he were speaking in tongues.
"Explain to me why sneaking a peek at what was in that package causes me to have a hangover?"
Neal sat up and pulled himself up to the sofa as Mozzie made room for him.
"First off... you opened something that wasn't yours. Second, I think it was laced with something that caused you to hallucinate."
He watched Mozzie stare at him then stare a bit more.
"Are you saying someone sent you some poisoned cuff-links, I cut my hand on them (sharp edged little buggers!) and that made me have a hang over? What happened? I don't recall much except that I was swinging a cane at someone."
Neal smiled some as he rubbed at his temples. The wine that really gone to his head.
"Someone's out to get me and Alex. Has to do with that dream I told you about. They have Alex."
He saw Mozzie's eyes widened as the little guy woke up a bit more.
"Alex is in town? Why didn't you tell me?"
Neal shrugged.
"I only just found out myself. I had the dream, she called me... it was sudden. She was given a pin with the same design as those ivy cuff-links. I guess it was supposed to be a hidden message like poisoned ivy or something. I never touched them but she cut her finger on the pin. She wasn't acting oddly though when I was with her but when I saw you..."
He was worried now uncertain what to think but Mozzie placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll find her, Neal. I... have a friend who can analyze those cuff-links if you want him to. I figure you're not certain you can get the Feds to do it without any questions."
Mozzie was always the smart one.
"Thanks. I need to sleep. I have work in the morning and I was supposed to be looking over a case. Peter's going to strangle me."
The little guy nodded as he got comfy on the sofa. They really didn't have a choice unless he wanted to wake up June. Neal changed into his pajamas, looking over the case file before his eyes started to droop. This was Chris' MO. It was their MO from that same case so many years ago. They had done this same case file description for a simple snatch and grab. Was the Count trying to lure them out but who was copying their friend?
Neal tried not to think too hard despite his worry for Alex as his eyes finally grew too heavy to keep open and he passed out across his bed into a restless sleep.
()()()
Peter worried about his partner the rest of the day after he dropped him off and into the night. He had nightmares involving the case they were looking into with Neal playing the cat burglar. He found himself having to shoot his friend, waking up in a cold sweat as the report sounded so real in his sleep. Why was he having nightmares about this case much less worrying about the con because he hadn't slept.
The agent rolled quietly out of bed, looking at the clock to see it was just after 2 am. He was too awake to go back to sleep as he tiptoed over, grabbed up his robe and slipped out into the hallway and downstairs. He snuck into the kitchen, grabbed a beer and went back to turn on the TV. It flickered in muted hues over his features as he found an old movie which conveniently was about a cat burglar. He sighed but watched the old black and white flick, sipping at the beer as he slowly starting to nod off till he felt someone nudge him. It was Elizabeth.
"Honey, it's nearly 3 am. Why are you up at this hour?"
She scooted in next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as he shrugged.
"Had a bad dream and couldn't get back to sleep. Thought watching a movie might help. Did I wake you up?"
She shook her head, El leaning against him tiredly.
"Got up for a glass of water, saw the light and wondered what was going on. So, are you ready to go back to sleep yet? You have work in a few hours."
He nodded, turning off the set and joining her as they walked upstairs. She wrapped her arms around him as they lay in bed, one hand gently brushing at his hair till he relaxed.
"Want to talk about the dream?"
He shook his head, Peter still afraid of what he'd seen in it. He'd never shoot Neal in reality but in the dream he'd had to or at least his dream self had thought he had to. It had been heartbreaking but he couldn't talk about it yet.
"Tomorrow. Let's get some sleep."
He felt her nod as her hand continued to stroke at his hair and they both fell into a soft relaxed slumber.
()()()
Neal woke up to the ringing of his cell phone, rolling over to grab it off the nightstand as he peered at the clock to see it was just after 6 am.
"I'm picking you up at 8 am sharp."
He nodded sleepily, grunting a reply back till he heard a cough and nodded again.
"k, Peter. See you then."
He hung up the phone as he rolled over, cell pushed under his pillow as he fell back asleep for a few minutes more. He had slept poorly if any but he had slept. Neal didn't want to get up but knew he'd have to.
"Was that the Suit? Should I go before he comes?"
Neal opened up his tired eyes and turned towards his friend, nodding some.
"Yeah... but take the box with you. I put it in the nightstand. Tell me what you find. Thanks Mozz."
He didn't get up as his friend took the cuff-links and departed, door closing quietly behind him. Neal lay there a few minutes more, staring up at the skylight above, till he finally made an effort to get up and pulled the case file to read as he started getting ready for work. It was going to be a long day.
()()()
Neal was on his best behavior which was probably why Peter kept an eye on him all day. The con did what he could to be kind and not do his usual annoying actions which seemed to bother the Fed more than the kind gesture he was trying for. He had even brought Peter his favorite coffee in a thermos but that was only a momentary distraction as the agent kept his eye firmly on him all day long till lunch.
He snuck up to the roof and called Mozzie to find out about the cuff-links. The little guy still sounded a bit off but better than he had.
"Neal, you aren't going to like what I have to tell you."
The con paced the rooftop as he waited for the results.
"Just tell me, Mozz. Better than not knowing considering what almost happened to you. We need to find Alex. I haven't found a hit on any of her aliases yet at any hotels. You?"
Mozzie sounded disappointed if not worried.
"She's a ghost for the meanwhile and the people who have her are too. Back to the cuff-links... they put a combination of powerful hallucinogenics and drugs used for anesthetic purposes if not voodoo rituals. Whoever dipped them in that cocktail meant for you to have a very bad trip, Neal. Are you sure I didn't hit anyone with a cane? I remember a cane from last night..."
Neal couldn't be distracted, clucking his tongue at his friend.
"Mozzie, concentrate. We have to figure out who's doing this and why they are copying a dead man's MO. I don't want this case but it might be the only way to find Alex and whoever sent us those 'gifts' Mozz. Keep searching."
They hung up as he turned and came face to face with Peter Burke. Neal hadn't heard the agent opening the door and come up to find him. He swallowed hard but put on his best smile which didn't seem to help his case with Peter.
"Peter..."
Neal was like a deer in headlights and totally unprepared for this.
"Mozzie helping you with the case details, Neal? I didn't realize this was such an interesting file. Mind filling me in?"
Neal licked his lips, a mistake he shouldn't have made because Peter's brow arched as an angry look appeared on his face. The agent suspected something but what, he wasn't sure.
"You never hesitate, Neal. Spit it out! There must be a reason this theft interests you. Don't lie to me..."
He had looked at the agent and finally answered but he was sure it wasn't going to be helpful to the case.
"I might have known a man who used a similar style. Very accomplished cat burglar if I might say so."
Peter rolled his eyes but motioned for him to continue.
"This is his style most definitely but he's not our suspect. Has to be a copy cat..."
He'd been certain it was someone copying his friend, knowing beyond a doubt his friend couldn't do this job. He heard a cough, his attention back on the agent.
"Why are you so certain it's not this 'man' you may have known? Neal, there's something you're not telling me."
Neal swallowed hard remembering that night and knowing it was one of the few jobs that still haunted his nightmares.
"Peter... it can't be him. He's dead. Trust me, I was there."
()()()
Peter was worried if not curious about Neal acting so unNeal all day long. Lunch came along and he was nodding off at his desk when he turned to see his partner sneaking out to the elevator. The agent quickly followed finding out the con went up to the roof. He took the stairs up before grabbing the elevator and following his friend. Something was definitely up as he watched the CI move out onto the roof and call someone. He could just make out that it was about the case and something else he wasn't clear on. He moved a bit closer as the younger man finished his call and turned.
"Peter..."
The agent grilled him, curious and upset as to why this case, which was a mystery in itself, was interesting to the con. Maybe he should give it a second glance if there was a connection to Caffrey.
Neal finally gave in, telling him what he needed to know. The MO matched someone he knew. Someone who was apparently dead but had 'worked' with him in the past. This was a start although Peter felt there was more to it than what he was hearing.
"Tell me from the beginning about this 'job' you did that related to this case. I need all the details."
He pulled out his badge, laying it on the small bench on the roof as a truce to indicate anything said was said between them only. Neal swallowed hard both men sitting back down on the bench as the con replied.
"This was about ten years ago when I first met Alex we ended up in Europe. We had done a few odd jobs together and she introduced me to another colleague of hers named Christopher. He had a job that required three people and Alex had recommended me."
The younger man sighed, running a hand through his hair tiredly as he continued the story.
"Chris said there was a manor nearby, practically a castle or fortress owned by a Count du Rudolfe. He was known to collect quite a few treasures honestly and not so honestly. One of the pieces he owned was a very large set of raw diamonds, blood diamonds I guess they would call them today. Chris thought we could take them and sell them off and be rich as Croesus but he was wrong..."
Peter heard the regret in the young man's tone, a sag coming to his friend's shoulders as he reached over and patted him gently. That seemed to help Neal foster up a bit more confidence as he continued with the story.
"The job went easily although Chris was supposed to be look out, he disappeared and I had what we'd come for and headed up to the roof to wait for them. She had been keeping the Count company as a distraction. She was the first person I saw after I'd already waited half an hour. I'd texted them both but only Alex had replied. We were worrying about Chris so I told her to go ahead and head back down. She started to repel down the side of the manor when Chris came running across the roof yelling for us to get going."
Neal's face paled at the memory, something awful there but Peter also saw the need for his friend to get the story out to someone so he remained quiet with very little more than a nod of the head to continue.
"I dove over the side and headed down, waiting for Chris to follow. There was gun fire around us and then Chris came over the side too fast and hit the wall, hurting himself. I went back up to help, a bullet hitting my shoulder. Chris tore off his sleeve to wrap it before sending me back down. The guards had left for the moment, I didn't understand why till I had repelled down another story and looked up to see Chris..."
His voice choked, Peter reaching over to squeeze the young man's arm but those eyes, blue as they were looked haunted.
"They... they cut his throat, Peter! I watched him dying there and I couldn't do anything! I had to help Alex. They were about to cut her rope so I tied her line off to mine. She managed to dive off to the river below but they were cutting my line so I had to do what I could and leave Chris behind. He was watching me as I made the leap towards the water. I... left him, Peter. I left him there to die!"
The young man was close to tears, Peter wrapping an arm around him as he tried to comfort his partner and friend. He was happy that Neal was being honest but this was such a tragic story. It explained his ties with Alex but it also explained why he was so adamant as was Peter to not leaving anyone behind. They were of the same molding apparently.
"It wasn't your fault, Neal. You can't take the blame for what happened. He knew the risks. You all did."
Peter was justifying the crime in a sense and yet... much as it had been a crime they hadn't deserved what they'd gotten. He couldn't imagine what nightmares the young man was having about this from what he'd been told. It was just too sad a story not to feel sympathy.
"Peter... The Count... I think he's looking for me. This crime fits the same one we did that time. It's a warning that he's coming for me. He knows who I am."
The agent nodded with a grim expression but one that meant he wouldn't let the man he'd come to call partner and friend be taken without a fight.
"He'll have to go through me. We'll find out how this showed up on my desk. There's a story there, a link. I'll do that if you keep me in the loop as to what you know. Ok?"
Neal was sniffling a bit but nodded, slowly going from depressed and frightened child to his usual suave self. Peter rolled his eyes but knew it was Neal's way of coping and not showing the world who he really was. The agent picked up his badge and put it back on his belt.
"Now, why don't you take the rest of the day off. Tell me what Mozzie finds and I'll call you if I find out who sent this to us. Ok?"
He saw Neal shake his head but Peter gave him a firm but comforting glance.
"You're in no condition to be here right now. I don't want to have to bench you, Neal. Go home."
Neal finally conceded, both men heading down to their department. Peter walked with him to his desk, they spoke a few minutes before Neal took off. Diana followed Peter as he went back towards his office.
"Something wrong with Caffrey, Boss?"
Peter shook his head.
"It's nothing. I could use your input on this case. Someone dropped it off on our desk mysteriously but no one knows who. Have Jones help you. We need to know where this came from."
()()()
Neal had confessed but not told Peter everything. He didn't know about the poisoned gifts or Alex' disappearance. Maybe later but it was enough he had told him about Chris and the job they'd done so many years ago. He had gotten that off of his chest for the meanwhile as he hailed a cab and headed back to June's. He texted Mozzie and let him know what was up.
You told the Suit? What was his reaction?
He sighed and wrote back.
He's going to help. Peter will find out who brought them the file.
He waited only a moment to get a reply.
Does he know about Alex?
Neal hesitated before typing out his answer.
I didn't tell him... yet.
There was no answer as he found himself paying the cabbie and getting out at June's. He was just walking up to the door when his phone beeped. Neal looked down at the text message blinking there.
I understand. I'm upstairs. *waves*
Neal blinked looking up to see a hand waving down at him from the terrace as he shielded his eyes from the sun with one hand and waved with the other. He entered June's home and headed upstairs.
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned. (Maya Angelou)"
He saw Mozzie standing there, pouring wine into a small glass as he closed the door and hung up his jacket. He was exhausted despite the early hour. It was only lunch time and barely 12:30 at that when he saw the look on his friend's face.
"The Suit sent you home early? Gives us time to do a look for Alex. I've already asked around at several hotels but no blips on the aliases I know or the ones you gave me. Any ideas?"
Neal shrugged tiredly, taking a glass of wine as Mozzie handed it over and walking over to his bed. He took a long pull, finishing off the drink as he put the glass aside, slipped off his shoes and rolled over with his back towards his friend.
"I'm tired. Alex is in trouble and all I can think about is how exhausted I feel."
He heard soft footsteps and felt a lowering of the bed as Mozzie sat beside him.
"It's called depression, Neal. Take a nap if you have to but we need to solve this mystery."
Neal gave a quiet grunt, relaxing on his side as he slumped against the bed and slowly fell into a light slumber. He started to dream almost immediately.
Find me Neal. Help me...
He struggled in the darkness to find the source of the voice but it seemed to echo from all sides of him making it hard to see where. Alex was calling him.
I'm over here, Neal. Hurry! Please...
He finally fought through the gloom and found himself back at the place where it all started. He was standing in the hallway dressed as he was then. He was looking at a door and quietly picking the lock as he heard voices down the hallway.
"Rebecca, you are no less than exquisite in that dress."
Alex was obviously distracting the Count, his voice obvious as he finally heard the lock click open and he snuck into the room. There was a safe in the back of the office as Neal moved towards it and started to work. It took less than 10 minutes for him to figure out the combination and open it up. He saw papers, money but they had only come for the one item. He saw the dark red velvet bag on the lower shelf towards the back. He opened it up and smiled at the contents, closing it up again before he sealed the safe and left the office. Nobody would be the wiser. He made it to the roof and texted both Chris and Alex. He had done his part although Chris should have been near him in the hallway but he'd vanished to God knew where.
Neal... help me! Neal!
He was suddenly back in the darkness but within the manor. He was rushing down the hallways looking for her, Alex's voice calling to him.
Don't let him hurt me, Neal. Don't leave me...
At the end he heard another voice finish her sentence. It was a voice he hadn't heard since that night.
Chris?
He called out in the dream, looking for his friends as he found a large ornate door. He moved to open it but it was solid and the lock wouldn't give. He tried to pick it but found himself unable to get the door to budge even when he rammed it. Alex kept calling to him and Chris. They both trapped behind the door.
I'm coming! Alex! Chris!
He was crying out now, yelling as he grunted with effort and pushed at the door.
You can't save them.
Neal turned to see a mystery man standing there. The man wore a mask but the voice... he'd heard it briefly if anything that night. It was Count Rudolfe.
Let them go! You can't do this to them. They're innocent!
He saw the man laugh, his body trembling with bemusement at Neal's words.
Innocent? Surely you jest! You were robbing me.
Suddenly the bag of diamonds tumbled to the floor from Neal's pocket, the red bag like blood against the carpeting. The parallel bothered the young man as he gazed back up at the Count.
What... no silver tongue retort? I'm surprised that the great Neal Caffrey would be so at a loss for words. No matter... I will have you and your friends all in my hands soon. Until you have payed for your crimes, I will haunt your dreams forever. Know that and heed it well!
Neal woke up with a start, turning to find Mozzie half dozing on the sofa over the case file, cell phone in hand. He stood up quietly, moving over to the con and draping a blanket over him.
"Just five more minutes..."
He stifled a laugh as he made his friend more comfortable and moved outside to the terrace with his own cell phone and made a quick call.
"Waldorf Astoria, reception. How may I help you?"
He put on his best face realizing it was a matter of life or death.
"Yes, I was looking for Rebecca Chartres. She told me to meet her there today but I've forgotten her number."
Neal waited as the receptionist shuffled in the background till he heard what he needed to.
"Miss Chartres is in room 425. Would you like to be connected?"
He had found her, his dream reminding him of her alias she had stopped using after their friend's death. He shook his head.
"Please leave a note that I will be running late for our meeting. I'll be there shortly."
()()()
Neal wasn't sure what to do. He paced outside on the terrace trying to figure out how to handle this when he heard a knock at the door. He turned to see Mozzie rousing as he went to answer it.
"Who is it?"
There was a moment of silence before someone answered.
"Peter..."
Neal cringed slightly but opened up the door, smiling at his friend.
"Hey Peter."
The agent peeked around before Neal realized he was still blocking the door and moved to let him in. The agent noticed the figure sleeping on the sofa.
"Oh, You have company... I have news for you."
Peter is being quiet even though he knows that Mozzie knows what's up. It's probably more of a "not wanting to deal with Mozzie at the moment" mood that makes the Fed keep his voice low as they walk out onto the terrace to talk.
"A special courier dropped this off today. That's how we got the case file but from whom, we're still checking. Jones and Diana are following up with the delivery company but so far the name they have for the sender isn't adding up to anyone we know. Does the name Christophe Dupri ring a bell for you?"
Neal realizes Peter remembered he called his dead friend Christopher. He hadn't known the man very long but they had become fast friends. Alex had known him longer but he no longer had her to ask about any other aliases the young man would have had. He had only known him by Christopher.
"I guess you were thinking they were using my dead friend's name but I didn't know his last name. We were only associates for the one job. Alex might know..."
He cursed himself as he said her name but it had been more habit than anything. Peter perked up at the mention of the fence.
"Can you contact her. Ask her about who might be trying to find you by using the MO of a dead thief? You can contact her, right?"
Neal knew that Peter asking him if he was still on speaking terms with the fence but he shook his head. Maybe he should tell the agent what happened? He opened his mouth to speak when another interrupted them.
"Gah!"
Both men jumped turning to see Mozzie looking a bit panicked and on his feet shaking.
"Neal, you need to really warn me when the Suit is going to be coming over. I wake up and there's a Fed and my friend talking. Not the best thing to be conscious of."
Peter rolls his eyes and looks like he's ready to leave but Neal wants to talk to him. He feels like he should tell Peter everything but Mozzie's interruption messes up the mood.
"El wants you to come over for dinner. We can discuss the case."
He notices that the agent keeps his voice low but still Mozzie interrupts.
"Dinner? What's on the menu."
Both men wince a bit moving aside as Peter looks more than uncomfortable. He likes Mozzie but at the moment he just wants to talk to Neal.
"I'll lose him... don't worry."
Neal's smirking some as is Peter now.
"8 PM. She's making that casserole thing you like."
()()()
Peter normally could deal with the fact Mozzie was a part of Neal's life but at the moment, he wanted to deal with only his partner. He wanted the con safe against whatever forces were trying to get at him through this case file. The more he had read through, the more he realized it was just a set up. Neal had seen it right off the bat but now, everything screamed trap to the agent.
He left the palacious home of his partner's benefactress and was about to cross the street when he heard someone call out his name. Neal was huffing and puffing as he caught him and ran up.
"Alex... I need to talk to you about something. She's not going to be able to collaborate much."
The agent raised a brow but motioned for him to keep speaking. Neal caught his breath and continued.
"Before Mozzie's interruption... did you notice his hand was bandaged?"
Peter thought back and then realized he had noticed a small bandage on the man's hand. He nodded curious what this had to do with their discussion, the case and Alex.
"Someone sent me a package yesterday. Alex stopped by. She had also received a package."
The agent waited for the significance of this as Neal finally continued.
"They were both marked 'Happy Anniversary' on the inside in some manner. Alex received a beautiful jewel encrusted pin of silver that looked like ivy and I was given a set of cuff-links in the same design. Mozzie opened up my package when I was gone. He cut his hand on the edge of one of the links and well... let's just say he had a very bad trip."
Peter blinked as if he didn't get it till it hit him. Neal meant that the cuff-links had been dipped in something. His eyes widened as he grabbed the young man's arm.
"You didn't touch them but he did. I guess that's why he stayed over? You were watching him."
Neal nodded but he held up a hand, drawing closer.
"Mozzie had a friend analyze the compound. Very nasty cocktail of hallucinogens and stuff you hear about in voodoo rituals. He was acting very weird when he was under the influence then he passed out. Alcohol enhances the effects and Mozzie had been drinking."
Peter nodded in understanding. If Alex had the pin and had cut herself on it...
"Alex cut herself on the pin then? You're worried about her and haven't heard back from her I'm guessing."
Neal nodded as he combed a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Someone's looking for us and they texted me with her phone. I think... I think they have her. I... I know where she's staying."
Peter squeezed the young man's arm a bit harder, his eyes narrowing.
"Come on. Go get your jacket and come with me now. I'm not taking any chances they take you too. We'll get Jones and Diana and do this right. Bring Mozzie if you have to but we're going now ok?"
Neal nodded as he started back towards the door and ran up. Peter waited for him when his phone buzzed.
"Burke..."
The line was staticy, no voice on the other end as he winced at a squelching sound that hurt his ears. He pulled the phone from his ears as the sound grew in intensity before the call cut off.
"That was weird."
Peter waited, seeing Neal rushing down without Mozzie in tow. He looked at the young man curiously.
"Said he wanted to check some things out on the side. Ready?"
The agent nodded, as he made his way across the street, Neal following. They had barely made it half way when Neal cried out.
"PETER!"
Neal rushed forward, pushing him to the opposite side of the road and between two cars as a red sports car rushed passed without stopping. There was a moment as the driver turned and looked at them before the car fled around the corner out of sight. Peter saw Neal look up and at the car with a shocked expression that was more than just from what had happened.
"Neal... Neal look at me. What's wrong?"
The young man was looking at where the car had vanished with a haunted expression on his face.
"The driver... I know him, Peter."
The agent felt his face flush wondering what trouble the con was in. He was thankful to be alive but who was it that had tried to kill him?
"Who was it, Neal?"
Neal turned and finally looked at him, blue eyes wide with terror.
"Christopher... it was Christopher."