(Chapter 3)

Peter wasn't sure how far he trusted "Nick Halden" something about the younger man's reaction to his questions about those statues telling. His gut was a good indicator that someone was either hiding assets, lying about deductions (if not all of the above) or anything really that wasn't the truth. He'd gotten 94% of his assumptions right just on his gut alone and normally if confronted, the client would confess willingly when they knew he had discovered their ruse and was willing to help in those cases they were just afraid or in over their heads. Those few that were cheating or otherwise corrupt, he contacted the IRS or any other authorities necessary to bring the person to justice. Peter believed in the truth and being upfront as much as possible. His firm dealt with quite a few large firms and corporations as well as personal accounts from normal middle class incomes to billionaire playboys with Swiss interests. He had been dealing mainly with "personal" or "middle class" accounts that weren't in the higher echelon. He liked the challenge of helping ordinary folks invest in their future. Peter had grown up blue collar, his father a mason who saved and scrimped so he could go to college so he understood the working man more than some of his co-workers. He hadn't squandered that education and taken up accounting as his life's work. It was after he'd chosen this path he'd met Jones, a young naval lieutenant who had gone the way of the FBI. The agent told him he'd have made an excellent agent but Peter just shook his head. Danger was the last thing he wanted to be involved with and numbers were something he liked. After he'd helped the FBI, they'd remained friends, keeping in touch off and on when cases intersected with money trails and they needed a reliable accountant to go through the paces. Peter was that man, his nickname "The Archeologist" around the office because he loved digging into everything until he found answers. It also helped that Jones liked sports about as much as he did.

He glanced up from his paperwork, turning to see Elizabeth walking by in the hallway outside. He was in a small adjacent office beside London's but had access to the owner's via the staff. He stood and stretched, his mind on the matter at hand and this employee named Nick. He seemed newer than the others and that in itself could make him suspicious but it wasn't the only factor.

"Ms. Masters…"

He was polite, forgetting to call her by her first name since it seemed impolite to him. She turned and smiled at him with a tiny smirk, holding up a hand.

"I won't respond unless you use my first name…"

Blue eyes batted gently at him and he felt his knees turning to jelly but he had to think business so he coughed and smiled as best he could without seemingly too nervous. She had that effect on him.

"Elizabeth… what can you tell me about Nick?"

He tried to be cool about it, hands on hips in his most casual pose but it came out sounding like he was running an interrogation. Her demeanor changed slightly, almost icily as if trying to figure out his meaning.

"Nick? Why do you ask?"

She seemed both curious and concerned but it was more a friendly interest than anything. Maybe she liked Nick? Peter felt a twinge at the thought.

"No reason. I was just trying to get to know more about the staff. He was telling me you had some statues getting cleaned up by Joe. I just needed to confirm their location since they're in the catalog."

He watched her react to his query, a thoughtful look on her face as she seemed to silently figure out which way to respond. Peter thought she was a very astute individual with beautiful blue eyes, long shiny dark hair and soft lips but he had to think business, not pleasure.

"What statues do you mean? We have several…"

She trailed off, following him into the office when he made a motion for her to look at his papers. Jeremy had left him several documents with info on all the assets he wished to sell off for their new renovations. Elizabeth took a quick scan of the paperwork, a confused look on her face.

"These were already supposed to be on the floor. I don't understand why Joe would be working on them. They weren't damaged during shipment."

She sounded confused, almost as curious as him about the oddness of the situation but suddenly she smiled and nodded.

"I remember now. Nick told me he was going to get Joe to gloss these up. There was a note from the artist saying he wanted us to make sure they had the best possible light. They're in the back until new photos can be taken for our catalog."

El grinned, a sense of relief from her and one from Peter as he realized she was telling him the truth. It made sense that the artist would ask for a photoshoot of his piece to be perfect if it was to sell at the highest bidder. They were getting part of the profits and the rest contributed to the gallery for future shows and opportunities.

"I see. I didn't think of that. I've never worked for a Gallery before."

Peter was actually happy to hear that Nick wasn't stealing like he thought. It made his life easier and he didn't want to get off on a wrong foot with anyone. Maybe his gut was wrong… sometimes.

"I'll put this one aside then. I can access it later. Thanks, Elizabeth."

He used her name deliberately and she smiled back, blue eyes glittering in the light before she left.

"No problem, Peter. I have to get back to the front desk but… if you have any other questions…"

El left it open and he nodded back quickly, a slight grin to her lips as if she were thinking about him before she was gone and he was alone with his work once again. He sat down at his desk, gave a deep sigh and thought that this was going to be a very long assignment.

()()()

Elizabeth Masters was still smiling some when she left Peter Burke. She had the feeling he liked her as much as she liked him but something was holding him back. He said her name gently and that made her happy, her mind going to his chestnut brown hair, soft honest brown eyes and those broad shoulders. She sighed slightly before reality came back and she realized there was business to take care of. El thought about what Peter had told her in regards to those statues. Nick was the new guy but Jeremy seemed to have taken an instant like to him (more than was normal) as he ingratiated himself into their little family. From day one Nick had this way of charming them all, even her but now she was worried. His credentials had been too good but everything had checked out even in the criminal background search. He was who he said he was… but why would he be hiding statues in the back? This troubled her...

"Elizabeth…"

She turned to see Nick there, putting on her own mask of smiles as she tried to figure out what was going on. It could just be a mistake but she had lied to Peter to avoid bringing shame to someone who might have made a simple error. It didn't help to make assumptions.

"Nick… I saw you finished categorizing the prints in the giftshop."

It was a minor thing but she had to come up with something disarming to say. He nodded back, a big grin on his face.

"Easy task. Now all the Manets and Monets are separate as they should be."

He was making a silly joke and she laughed but it was only partially to cover her curiosity to ask him about the statues. Maybe she could just find a way to throw it in.

"Good… I was curious. I needed to get some glamour shots of a few items we might be auctioning off. Would you like to help with that?"

This was a start. Nick looked curious and all smiles but innocent as he usually did. He was the most disarming man she'd ever met next to Peter.

"Certainly, El. Anything to help."

Neal was all smiles as usual, his charm oozing out. She felt a bit giddy around him but not like with Peter. El motioned for him to follow her to the back of the gallery, glancing around until she saw what she was looking for.

"Here we go. You can start with these. Mr. Duchon wished we have some new photos taken for the catalog. He wants to get the highest bid possible."

She noticed Neal had stiffed up a bit, two of the three statues available. He nodded with a slight pale of his cheeks that didn't seem normal. Something was wrong.

"There should be three statues. I wonder what Joe did with the third…"

Elizabeth was looking around, honestly asking her question while seemingly unaware of his expression. It wasn't normal but suddenly he hid it with that bright smile of his as if nothing were wrong.

"Probably touching it up for the auction. I'll make sure it gets done, Elizabeth. Leave it all to me."

He was eager, too much so and now she was feeling doubts but there was too little to base it upon. Nick was a sweet young man and there was no reason to suspect him of anything but stealing hearts. Suzanne definitely had a thing for him.

"Thanks. Let me know when you're done."

She watched him nod back with a stiff smile. Something was bothering him but Nick was shooing her away and she allowed him to for the moment. He was a good kid, El was certain of it from the little interaction they'd had. He opened doors for them, paid for lunch sometimes and took them out for drinks. Nick was a gentleman, much more sophisticated than some men she knew twice his age but he was hiding something today.

"Elizabeth?"

Suzanne was calling her, Elizabeth nodding at her coworker before smiling at Nick again and leaving. There was a slight doubt in her judgment but she pushed it aside as a silly thought until she had more to work with. She felt Nick watching her but when she turned around he was just staring down at the statues with a look she could only describe as anxious.

()()()

Nick didn't know what to do. It seemed as if everyone was figuring out his plan with the statues or at least that something was wrong. Maybe he wasn't the con man he thought but he had to be to make sure things went smooth as planned. This was only the first item on Adler's list but if he was found out…

He made a quick call to Mozzie, ducking out into the side street next to the gallery. He'd already taken one of the three statues as a goodwill gesture to Adler and would deliver it tonight. He was hoping that would end some of the threats from Wilkes to the people he was working with. He didn't want to cause any harm to his new friends… no, marks. He couldn't think of them as friends or he would never get anything done. His thoughts went to Kate and how she'd been killed. It had been just over a month and he was doing his best to get over his guilt and sadness. Elizabeth reminded him of her though in some ways, her kindness along with that long dark hair and blue eyes a constant reminder of what he lost. It was his fault Kate was dead and he didn't plan on hurting anyone else.

"Mozz… I need some help. Yes… no not that kind of help. I have to deliver these statues soon and… we need stand ins. Yes… Of course. I'll email you some pics. No… Adler doesn't know you're helping. Bye."

He hung up, ducking back into the gallery and talking to Joe as he passed by. He told the restorer about the pics and now there were three statues since he had returned the one he had meant to take. He'd hidden it in his locker but with all the suspicions from El and Peter, he would have to wait a bit longer. Wilkes wasn't going to like that nor was Adler. He was long over due on showing them he could steal from this place and get them what they requested. He was less concerned with his own safety when others were in danger.

Hours later it was time to close up. Those pics he had promised came out better than everyone expected, Elizabeth showing them to all the staff. Even Peter seemed impressed but there was still that faint hint of doubt in the accountant's manner that made Neal nervous despite his smile. He had to be confident if he was to continue pulling off his Nick persona but he was more concerned with taking those statues without further problems.

"It's the end of the day. Drinks at the pub…"

El was being her usual bubbly self and everyone looked happy to go. Neal was going to duck out and hide but a gentle hand caught his arm and stopped him.

"Drinks on me, Nick. You did a good job today. Everyone did."

She was smiling broadly at him but all he wanted to do was run. They were expecting him to bring something tonight and he had returned his one acquisition as good faith to those he was stealing from.

"I actually have some errands I need to run. Maybe next time…"

Neal was trying to make excuses but then Suzanne and Joe started in on him and they were already pulling him towards the exit.

"Errands can be done later, young man. Right now, we're going to drink."

He was feeling a bit overwhelmed by their kindness when he noticed Peter was going back to the offices. The accountant didn't look like he was going to join them so he drew attention that way.

"Peter should come too. Only fair and we're celebrating the auction he's working to help us accomplish..."

He made it all about their soon to be sale of assets. El let go of him but Suzanne took her place, winking at him as he watched Peter stopped. The two were talking, El convincing the new guy to come with them. After a moment the accountant nodded, going to grab up his jacket with El in tow. She made a motion they would catch up.

"We'll meet you there."

El smiled at the others and Nick as they left. He didn't want to go to the pub but everyone was insisting and after the earlier incident it was best to blend in. He kept thinking how he had to meet with Wilkes tonight or else with the one statue if not all three. Mozzie was supposed to bring him some "replacements" but he hadn't heard anything from his friend since he called him almost 2 hours ago. At the worse he could have some drinks, sneak out and then make his rendezvous he hoped. Mozzie was his lifeline despite the mess he'd caused. The little guy was trying to do right by helping him out and he had no choice at the moment other than to trust him. Besides Mozzie was an excellent forger in almost every category. He'd found that out early. Things would work out. They had to.

()()()

Peter was surprised that Elizabeth had stayed behind to help him get his jacket. It wasn't anything complicated but that little feeling of nervousness washed over him again. Any proximity to the beautiful brunette made his stomach turn ever so slightly with just a hint of butterflies. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before and he wasn't sure what to do about it. He wasn't shy so much as uncertain. Last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself.

"Ready. How far is this pub? Do they play the game on the TVs there?"

He felt stupid all of a sudden. Last she probably wanted to hear was about his interest in the latest game. Peter shut up and smiled as normally as he could to hide the faux pa but her smile shone over the awkward moment as she grinned back.

"You're not a Mets fan are you?"

She raised an eyebrow at him in expectation and then they both laughed as he shook his head.

"Yankees all the way. My dad used to take me to the games when he could. How about you?"

They started talking sports and various other things (he found out she liked Italian) taking more time than they planned. They noticed the time, finally leaving the offices and started for the exit to meet the other gallery staff at the pub. Peter reached forward to open the door when there was a startled cry from El, his head swiveling around to see why.

"Move away from the door if you know what's good for you."

The voice was cold, calculating and behind the mask he could only see dark eyes staring back at him in the now dimly lit gallery. Two other men, also in masks, had guns and one was holding Elizabeth hostage, a gloved hand over her mouth. He noted that the gloves were the ones they had in the back that Joe and the other authenticator/restorer used. He just nodded dumbly, putting his back to the door and holding up his hands.

"We'll do what you say. Just don't hurt her."

Peter sensed the man behind the mask smile, motioning to the 3rd guy to grab him and pull them all back to where they had just come from.

"Give us what we want and nobody gets hurt. Anyone else here?"

The man's voice was smooth, a hint of intelligence there but Peter could read his body language as pure bully. The man was a thug, hired muscle and they had to tread carefully.

"Just us. Everyone else left for the night."

Maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to say but the man nodded with a quiet grunt, motioning for them to be tied up as the other men obeyed his orders. Peter was bound against some nearby pipes with rope and twine while El was bound but pushed into a chair to sit a moment. He had a bad feeling about this. The first thing they did was take the three statues he had suspected Nick of stealing, shoving them into a bag before they started pilfering a few other small items as if they knew what they were looking for. When they were done, the man who had been talking motioned for the others to take El, a frightened look on her face as they left and Peter was alone with the main thief. He was terrified but he hid it as best he could as the man crouched before him, hazel brown eyes staring into his.

"Tell your coworkers what happened. We'll send a note with instructions."

The man tapped his cheek ever so slightly, Peter staring up at him with anger. He wanted to know why they'd taken Elizabeth and where. That thought had barely left his brain when the man hit him hard across the left temple with something metallic. The accountant shuddered, head whipping back with a crack against the pipe he was bound to. The blow stunned him and then slowly he started to black out, the masked man vanishing into the stygian darkness of unconsciousness.

()()()

Neal was stuck with Suzanne on his arm, her laughter cute but he wasn't interested in her much more than being at the pub. Joe was flirting with a cute waitress while the con started to notice the time. Peter and Elizabeth hadn't come after all. He smiled slightly thinking they must have gone off on a date which made things easier. He hoped they hadn't stayed at the offices to chat. Neal knew they had a thing for the other and were too shy to say anything but if everyone was away, he could go back to the gallery and do what he was supposed to for Adler. It made him sick having to work for a murderer but he'd struck a dark bargain the day he'd tried to steal from Vincent. Neal glanced at his watch and saw he had some time to get back and deal with Wilkes.

"Where are you going, handsome?"

Suzanne was a little tipsy which would help immensely as he tottered, or at least pretended to. He had to escape. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered.

"Bathroom… be right back."

He kissed her hand, making her smile and giggle before he left, bee lining towards the bathrooms and then to a side exit. Several staff were outside smoking so he bummed a cigarette off one to look authentic before he started walking towards the gallery. Nobody would notice he was gone and he could be back in a bit. The two people in the back would collaborate he bummed a smoke off them. It was a great alibi and Mozzie should be ready with his fake statues.

"It's me… I'm headed to the gallery now. Where was I? I had to fulfill some social obligations. Pretty… I guess, but this is business. Meet me in the back of the gallery in 20. I'll let you in."

He hung up, using the key he had to get into the gallery but it was open. This felt wrong as he slipped inside, glancing around at the lobby and display space and found everything as it should be. It was quiet as a tomb but for the quiet hiss of the AC vent. He locked up the door and went back to the offices, footsteps quiet as he called out.

"Elizabeth… Peter?"

Nobody answered which made him feel less tense but why had the door been unlocked? Elizabeth wouldn't have made that mistake. He'd watched everyone since the first day he'd started and they were good about closing up the gallery. This place was like their home and they were careful to keep it secure. Something felt hinky but he didn't see anything amiss so he went to the back to grab up the statues and get ready to put the forgeries out. Neal had barely entered the room when he heard a groan. He froze, uncertain what to think as he turned and saw a figure on the floor slumped against the pipes and dripping red down their face.

"Peter?"

The accountant looked ok except for the gash across his left temple, a streak of thick red blood coagulated down the side of his face. He noticed the rope, the same twine Joe and the other restorer used for binding art pieces for travel and storage. This wasn't looking good as he found a box cutter and started to free the man.

"E… El…"

Peter was muttering Elizabeth's name but it sounded forlorn and sad. Neal suddenly felt guilt wash over him as he started to guess what may have happened.

Shit!

He didn't want to think that's what happened but it explained so many things. He tapped the accountant's face, finding a clean cloth and wetting it to help clean off the gash. Peter continued to groan in pain, brown eyes slowly fluttering open and looking up at him with a glassy dull look.

"El… they took…"

The agent sat up suddenly, coming too almost immediately but Neal kept him sitting down, leaning him back against the wall with a firm but gentle touch. Peter was groggy, pupils way too large which meant he probably had as serious injury.

"Don't move. You might have a concussion. Do you remember what happened?"

He was going to have to call the cops but then his plans would fall through and for some reason he was both glad and afraid of that possibility. This had not been part of the plan but he could only guess Wilkes had come in early to visit him and found El and Peter instead.

Shit!

Again… this was not turning out good at all. He pulled out his phone to call an ambulance, pausing when Peter's hand grabbed his arm.

"El… He said… they would… would call. Took…"

The accountant's eyes rolled back and suddenly he went limp, Neal afraid as he gently slapped the man's face but nothing happened. He felt for a pulse and breath and thankfully he found both. Peter had just passed out. He finished his call and the paramedics said they would be there soon. He also called Mozzie and told him not to come.

"What?! I thought you said…"

Mozzie was arguing with him but he had no time for this. For now he was innocent and nobody could know he was part of this. It didn't help his guilty conscience though as he fumed over Adler and his goons strong arming his coworkers when he could have brought them the goods. The man had taken Kate from him and now another innocent was paying for his mistake.

"Change of plans. I can't say anything else. Just… I'll call you."

He hung up before his friend could convince him of anything else, pushing the phone back into his pocket. He sensed someone looking at him and found brown eyes staring through barely opened lids. Had Peter heard his conversation? They just looked at each other a few minutes before the accountant closed his eyes and was once again unconscious. Neal gave a sigh of relief. This was his fault. He had to fix things before anything else happened. He turned back to check on the statues and found them gone along with a few other items that Vincent had been interested in. It had to be Wilkes. These were some of the same art pieces he was supposed to take over time but they had taken almost all of them now. Dammit!

"I have to fix this. I will fix this. I promise."

He hadn't liked the new guy very much but they were in the same boat now. He didn't want to see El go the way of Kate and have Peter lose someone he still had time to get to know. This wasn't the way things were supposed to go.

()()()

Author's Note: Whumps galore and Wilkes kidnapping El like Keller did. So many similarities to the other timeline and yet… so many differences. Will Neal do the right thing? Does Peter still suspect him? Read the next chapter to find out!