(Chapter 5)

Peter was getting dressed, Dr. Ellis scolding him outside the bathroom door for not staying although he had been deemed healthy enough to leave. He still felt a bit off and dizzy but knowing Elizabeth was in danger he had to do something other than lie in bed. Jones had showed up shortly after he called, a gym bag of his clothes in his hands. He finished pulling on his clothes, stepping outside and facing her directly.

"Doctor, normally I would comply with your request but this is a matter of life or death. Give me your card and I will call you if I have any problems."

He was being polite but honest, the pretty doctor finally nodding her head frustrated as she handed him a card from her white lab coat pocket. Apparently she had been playing the nurse card before, something Sara liked to use to trick patients into compliance and feeling more relaxed. Peter found that oddly intriguing.

"Call me if you have any issues. Your tests might have come back clean but you're still liable to blackouts and dizzy spells if you overdo it. Make sure he doesn't overdo it."

She was talking to Jones now, the younger agent nodding politely and making a sign like a Boy Scout. Peter rolled his eyes, picking up the bag and headed towards the door. As they stepped outside, Sara put her hand on his arm in a manner that seemed oddly personal. Their eyes met.

"Your friend… The young man with blue eyes, he told me what happened. I hope you find her. I know what it's like to lose a loved one."

Her expression was one of genuine concern, then she let go, smiling at him a bit more professionally. The moment was over but they had connected if only for that instant and it felt right only the context seemed wrong. He just didn't know why.

"Thank you Dr. Ellis. I appreciate everything you've done."

She nodded stiffly, hiding her emotions as they parted ways and he walked off with Jones. The agent moved close, leaning in to speak quietly.

"That's one doctor I wouldn't mind being sick with…"

The agent glanced back at her briefly while Peter rolled his eyes again and sighed. For the moment they could joke but they were about to embark on a dangerous mission. He wanted to talk to Mr. London about Elizabeth's kidnapping, the thefts and possibly Nick Halden. Jones sensed his trepidation.

"Sorry, I know how much you want to find her. Are you sure you can trust this Nick? I may have found some more information on him…"

They were practically out the doors to the hospital parking lot, Jones pulling out a neatly folded flyer from his pocket and handing it to the accountant. Peter opened it up and blinked, looking over the face which was familiar to him with a name that wasn't.

"This isn't… He looks completely different."

Peter was incredulous, looking at a much younger, less polished image of Nick Halden only his name was listed as Neal Caffrey. Something about the wanted poster seemed right but some of the details felt wrong. He looked at his friend uncertain what to think. Jones shrugged.

"I really shouldn't be sharing any of this with you but… This was faxed to our offices today. I had been looking over the NYPD casefiles looking at the employees and suspects. Surprised me since London was thorough with his criminal background checks."

Jones had done a good job searching for info on what had happened and on Nick / Neal. He kept looking at the piece of paper and trying to figure out what turns people into cons. What was Nick's story? He tuned back in when he realized Jones was looking at him.

"Although the thieves had masks, we caught some camera footage from across the street of a man named Ryan Wilkes staking out the place. This fits his M.O. but we're uncertain why he targeted the London Gallery. It's small fry compared to the Met or MoMA."

He digested the information the agent gave him, trying to sort it all out for a why and how. Was Elizabeth in the right place at the wrong time? Had it been planned? The facts made little sense and despite everything he believed Nick hadn't planned for anyone else to be involved.

"So this Wilkes person… he steals thousands in original artwork that's about to be auctioned and kidnaps an employee why? Fame? No… he was being very specific to be this quiet about it. It was probably a rush job."

Peter paced a moment, dropping the gym back to the ground as he tried to put the facts together. Was it a crime of opportunity? No, because the man had known what he was stealing and Nick had been the inside or front man. Still… this didn't feel like something planned by either men but another party. There must be someone behind this they weren't seeing.

"Jones… you said this isn't Wilkes' usual type of crime but it fits his M.O. so… could someone else be pulling the strings? Nick seemed to have a conscience about what happened as if it hadn't been his idea. My gut tells me to believe him."

He pulled out the paper with Nick's number, glancing it as he made a decision. The kid sincerely wanted to help, Peter looking up at Jones.

"Can I borrow your phone?"

He held out his hand, Jones nodding back as he handed him his cell and glanced over at the paper curiously. It was early morning, they had time to figure something out for Elizabeth's sake.

"Halden gave you his number… why? I thought he was in on this scam. Are you sure you can trust him?"

They moved over to a nearby bench and Peter sat, calling the number and waited. The line picked up but there was initially silence. He coughed, speaking into the cell.

"It's Peter. I wanted to know what you can do to find Elizabeth."

()()()

They met in Central Park, Jones hiding closeby with a wire on Peter. It was necessary to make sure the kid didn't run off or pull a double cross. According to the fax he'd seen from his friend, someone had only recently sent out that alert. Jones found it odd that the wanted poster hadn't shown up on their radar before and that it came from an anonymous sender. If they got more information that would help them find Elizabeth and figure out what the person behind everything really wanted.

"Are you alone?"

Peter jumped, hearing the familiar voice not too far away. He glanced around before he saw someone step out from behind a large pillar. It was Nick, the young man looking even more unhappy than he had before. The accountant nodded back, his eyes not betraying the fact Jones wasn't but a few yards away.

"Good… I think someone's following me but I lost them. We should be safe. Follow me."

Nick was being casual, walking ahead as Peter got up and followed. He wasn't sure what to think, hoping this wasn't some kind of trap and he'd have to face Wilkes again. He was still pretty spooked by yesterday's incident. Jones should be close by, the wire on him good for at least 50 feet if he was lucky or so the agent had told him. They ended up in the tunnel near Bethesda Fountain, Nick pulling him aside behind a pillar and speaking low.

"I… never meant for any of this to happen. Believe me, Peter. I was just going to give them what they wanted and nobody was supposed to be hurt."

The kid was giving him a spiel but it was a genuine cry for help. He was in over his head but there was more to it than that. Peter felt Nick had been strong armed into whatever mess this had become and he wanted out. He hoped Jones was getting all of this.

"Let's say I do believe you, Nick. Who's behind this? I need to know who took Elizabeth. She's an innocent bystander. Is she safe? Do you think they'd hurt her?"

Peter continued to play dumb, getting as much on what was going on as he could. Nick might be just a pawn in the larger scheme of things but he was still a criminal. There wasn't much he could do if Jones and NYPD ended up taking the kid to jail. It wasn't for him to decide how this ended up. Nick sighed, an antsy look on his face but he answered.

"I don't know. He wants me to help him with a larger scam but I haven't been given any details. He knows London and wanted to hurt him while gaining access to the art that would fund whatever this project is. Wilkes, the man who took Elizabeth, is just hired muscle sent to watch and make sure I did what was told."

Nick looked haunted for a moment, thinking of something that obviously bothered him and it made Peter nervous. This was fun playing spy but it was serious business when someone's life was at stake and he was beginning to realize just how much might be at play.

"He killed someone… that's why you're afraid of him. Who was she?"

Peter saw those blue eyes, watery with unshed tears and then a nod as Nick gave a heavy sigh.

"Kate… we were coworkers. I was… it's complicated but lets just say that fire a few months ago wasn't an accident. I dragged my feet on a job and it cost her… it cost Kate her life. I believed him Peter or none of this would have ever happened."

His words were enigmatic, Peter trying to figure out what was going on and hoping Jones could figure it all out. He still had to find out how to get to Elizabeth safely. Nick was his way in.

"I'm sorry… what does this have to do with Elizabeth and the gallery theft? I still don't understand."

Peter was doing his best to keep track of the conversation, the facts and what little info he was getting. All he could figure out was that Nick had apparently worked with a girl named Kate who had been murdered possibly in a fire a few months ago. Wilkes was sent to guard him and make sure he was doing the thefts against London by some mysterious puppet master controlling the whole scenario. It sounded liked a bad plot from a movie and it made him doubt this meeting.

"They're using her to keep me in line. It's security to be certain I get the rest of the pieces but… Well I have a plan. I have something I can trade for her safety. Something valuable."

The kid was getting himself in deeper but he was doing it for the right reasons this time. Whatever Nick had he hoped it wasn't from the gallery but that wasn't the point. Theft was wrong no matter why it was done and Peter couldn't approve of anything that involved more illegal activities. It wasn't in his nature to lie much more steal. He shook his head.

"We do this legally or I won't be involved."

Peter put his foot down, a frown on Nick's face. It was time to bring Jones in. Maybe a Fed would scare him into telling more than he was.

"Peter… these people don't work on the up and up. I have something to trade. Trust me, it will work out…"

Nick was arguing with him but he held up a hand. He'd already said the code word for Jones to come meet them. He started walking towards the fountain.

"You can't convince me two wrongs make a right, Nick. I do numbers for a living, clients telling me about how they hide assets from the government thinking I'll just play along for a cut of the profit. It's ill gotten gains. You can't hide the truth forever. It always comes out in the end."

()()()

Neal wasn't going to convince Peter otherwise, not wanting to reveal Adler. The man was dangerous and who would believe a dead tycoon returning from the dead for revenge. It sounded fantastical at best even to himself. If he could implement his plan using the phony bonds, Elizabeth's freedom would be bought and Vincent might be caught. He planned on adding one little addition to the bonds unseen by any but the most expert eye. He doubted Adler would look that close and once those bonds were cashed in, the man would be caught. That would be his downfall and maybe the end of his reign of terror.

"Peter…"

Someone had walked up to them as they approached the fountain, a swarthy man around his own age. There was something about him that made Nick look back to the tunnel and want to run but Peter gently squeezed his shoulder, keeping him near.

"Clinton… what are you doing here?"

Burke's voice was too casual and that's when Neal knew he was caught but he had a way out as something bright and shiny sparkled off to the left. He smiled, biding his time.

"Just enjoying the park… and you are?"

The man was looking at him now, Nick smiling as casually as he could. This had been planned and for all he knew Clinton was a cop or something worse. Mozzie had warned him but he had gone in knowing the chances of meeting Peter face to face. All he could do was play the game.

"Nick. I work with Peter at the London Gallery. Are you an accountant too?"

Neal was pushing the envelope, hoping to bring out the truth before he ran. He could save El on his own then disappear. It was never his plan to get arrested or stick around. The shiny sparkle off to his left pulsed again and he knew he had to hurry. Mozzie was telling him something was wrong but Peter held onto his shoulder firmly enough to keep him from moving away. He just had to wait for the right moment.

"No, I like numbers but that was never my strong point. Law is my game."

A cop! Peter must have been wired but Neal wouldn't get caught this easily. He'd stayed out of the limelight up til now and he would disappear again if need have it. Once El was free, he could disappear. That was just the way things were going to be.

"NYPD? You don't look like a lawyer."

This was an interesting chess game as Mozzie might say, pushing his proverbial piece forward as he watched the other man smile and answer.

"Not quite… FBI."

The man pulled something out of his pocket, Neal afraid it might be handcuffs or a gun but waiting long enough to see it was just a paper.

"This is you, isn't it?"

It was a crumpled paper, a not so great photo of a familiar face on it under the words "Wanted." Neal swallowed hard, eyes not noticing the sparkling light anymore. They knew he wasn't Nick. Now he was worried.

"Handsome guy… Terrible picture."

He was biding time still, trying to find out what was going on. Neal was probably being riskier than he could be but he could still run. His jacket was loose so slipping out of it wouldn't be a problem. Peter wouldn't expect that. Jones made a face and he felt the grip on his shoulder loosen just a bit.

"Clinton just wants to help free Elizabeth. Tell him who's behind this. He can help…"

He turned to see that Peter was sincere and he believed him but this agent was another thing entirely.

"I told you what my plan was, Peter. You didn't want to go for that. Telling you his name wouldn't help free her any faster. Trust me. I have what he wants."

Neal was being honest but now Clinton was frowning deeply, reaching back into his jacket. He heard a soft jangle indicating the agent was grabbing his cuffs. Now was the time to leave.

"In that case, Neal Caffrey… You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against…"

The agent had barely said those lines when Neal made a run for it, slipping easily out of his jacket and towards the flashing light. It was obviously someone with a mirror flashing a signal but only he could read it. The message was: G-E-T O-U-T O-F T-H-E-R-E-!

He heard Peter and Clinton chasing after him but he was faster, slipping through some brush into the trees. A hand grabbed him and pulled him behind a large bush, his pursuers pausing nearby as they glanced around confused then moved on. Neal sighed inwardly, looking to see Mozzie beside him.

"Did you not see me flashing my mirror? About time you got out of there! I thought you were going to let them take you in with all the chatting you were doing."

Mozzie hissed at him annoyedly as Neal smiled and shrugged.

"Peter was introducing me to his friend. Never met a Fed before, besides, I got this from him."

He showed Mozz the wanted poster, the little guy giving it a quick once over then sighing.

"This isn't good. Adler must have had this posted. Neal, you have to leave now! Forget about being a hero. It's obvious the Suits aren't going to play by the rules and neither is Adler."

They stood up, scooting back towards the back of their hiding place and exiting near a large lake. There were tourists everywhere and they would blend in perfectly, Neal taking up the lead as they walked quickly out of the park.

"You don't get it, Mozz. The bonds are flawless but for that one thing I added. Nobody will see it but an expert and Adler will only see dollar signs. He's sure to let her go. He'll see I'm invaluable as a forger until the hammer falls and then we can slip away."

He had it all planned out, Mozzie still uncertain but seeing it his way with a slow nod of the head. They needed to get out of the city but it wouldn't be safe until Adler and Wilkes were out of the way. This was the way to nail them.

"So you don't wish things had turned out a different way?"

Mozzie's voice was odd, Neal glancing at him briefly before thinking about their next move. There were things he wished hadn't happened like Kate's murder and Elizabeth's kidnapping but nobody could wish things away. It just wasn't plausible.

"I never meant for any of this to happen, Mozz."

He thought he saw a hint of purple reflected in his friend's eyes, memories of another time or instance coming to him briefly before it faded away. Mozzie was poking at him.

"Chinese proverb: Be careful what you wish for…"

Mozzie's voice was odd, Neal uncertain why it unnerved him until his friend gave a humorless chuckle and he nodded back in reply. The purplish glow had vanished and things seemed normal again. It was just Mozzie.

"Fleeing might be good about now."

()()()

The kid had gotten away although kid was just a nickname. Neal was anything but a child. He was a grown man but his manner was, for a con, both childish and immature. Peter wondered how he'd survived the game if he was still so naive about the world.

"At least we're confirmed on Wilkes' part of this deal. He kidnapped Elizabeth Masters and took her to whomever is the head of this scam. Neal… Nick… he's still a mystery. Someone wants him out of the picture if they sent out that fax of him. He wasn't on our radar before this. Half of these crimes had not been reported yet."

Jones was stating the facts, obviously debating what to tell his own bosses. Right now it was an NYPD case, a simple case of theft and kidnapping but the FBI could help if it became something much more. Clinton was doing all of this because of their friendship and Peter appreciated it more than he could state. Elizabeth was special despite their short acquaintance. He had to be sure she was safe and something in him wanted to go to her rescue and Nick's. It wasn't something he could explain away other than a hunch or instinct.

"I wish he had told you what it was he was going to hawk for Ms. Masters. It would be easier to trace what happens if we had a clue. He's a smart kid but he's going to learn the hard way that crime doesn't pay even if it is for something good."

The agent was still talking, Peter finding himself ready to answer as he finished thinking through everything. He had to help Nick/Neal although now he wasn't sure how but he would also have to make sure the wanna be con paid for what he'd already done. It was only right he do time for his crimes no matter his good intentions. It was the way things worked.

"I told him two wrongs don't make a right but I think he sees otherwise. I'm going to go home and wash up. Are you going back to work?"

Peter was exhausted. It was already 1 PM, the day after everything happened and it felt like a lifetime had passed. He was feeling a headache coming on as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. Jones nodded.

"Probably. I have a few things to check out after I finish up some paperwork. I can come by after 5 PM. I might have more for you then."

The agent patted him on the shoulder as they walked back to the car. He'd overdone it and Dr. Ellis would be slapping him silly now if she could. Jones hadn't been much help but it had been HIS idea. Peter was glad to be going home, Jones giving him a ride. His car was still at the gallery and he would have to pick it up either tonight or tomorrow depending on how things went. London hadn't called him yet so maybe he was already aware of what had happened. Once he was back home in his Brooklyn apartment, he waved to his friend and walked up the three stairs to his door. Inside he dropped his bag by the stairs, kicked off his shoes and headed towards the couch. Peter turned on the TV to a game, dropped the remote back onto the coffee table before he passed into dreams.

()()()

Later that same day:

Elizabeth was worried when they paused to rest, Nick looking pale even in the dimly lit ducts. There were beads of sweat on his brow and he was trembling ever so slightly. She reached over and touched his shoulder, feeling his forehead when he allowed her to. He was cool to the touch but clammy indicating some kind of reaction but she didn't know from what.

"Are you ok, Nick?"

He nodded back to her, not speaking but sounding a bit wheezy. Something was obviously wrong but what, she couldn't say.

"Just… winded. I think I feel a breeze over this way."

Nick was redirecting, assuring her he was ok and although she knew otherwise, Elizabeth followed him. He was a victim like herself. They had to stick together. Soon she felt the breeze too and smiled, both eager to escape the dark tunnels of ductwork and get away from this place. They turned a corner and found a vent leading to the outside, trees and sounds of traffic obvious. They were close to freedom and a hint of light from a nearby lamp post showed them they were nearer than they thought.

"Finally."

She breathed the words out, relieved as she watched Nick kick at the metal grate with his feet. It loosened and then fell away with a soft clang into some grass below. It was only a few feet drop when she looked over his shoulder and Nick slipped out. He held up his hands to help her through when she heard him cry out, the young man collapsing to the ground and grabbing at his thigh.

"You didn't think I'd know you used the ducts? Maybe this will keep you in your place and prevent you from running. Take her…"

Elizabeth heard the familiar voice, remembering the man that had talked to her before. He had done all of this to get back at Jeremy. She scooted back into the ducts and started to crawl away but a shadowy pair of hands grabbed her from behind, pulling her back towards the exit. It was one of the men who had taken her before, she was certain of it, struggling to get free and screaming briefly before his hand covered her mouth. Nick sat on the grass near the vent opening, glaring up at the figures surrounding them and then back at El with an oddly apologetic look.

"You didn't tell Ms. Masters did you… Nick here is the reason we had to take measure into our own hands and kidnap you."

El struggled a bit less, looking at the wounded young man who had come to her rescue. She couldn't believe he would be a part of this. The only doubts she ever had were when Peter had asked her about those statues Nick seemed so eager to help with, the same ones that were taken when she was kidnapped. Now she was uncertain who to believe but her heart still felt for Nick, blood oozing from the wound on his leg as he hissed in pain, two men holding him up.

"Shame it had to end up this way. I now have something to trade for further funds and you… well, let's just say you're going to take a little swim. Put them in the van."

El continued to struggle, carried easily by the man who held her as she remained trapped, the other two men taking Nick who seemed to comply not just because of his wound but for something else she couldn't name. Something had changed, his spirit weakened. She just didn't understand why or what as they were dragged over to a van and placed in the back. They cuffed Elizabeth's wrists behind her just before they did the same to Nick, his wounded leg looking worse close up. His khaki pants were thoroughly soaked through. Nobody was taking care of the wound and that made her think they weren't going to make it very far. A shadow stood over them, the man back once more, that smug look on his face.

"Ms. Masters… Mr. Halden… it's a shame I have to get rid of you both but I can't leave any loose ends on my path to fortune and glory."

He gave them a small bow and flourish, leaving as the goons took over, both with wet cloths that seemed to reek of something sweet. Nick was looking at her with a sad expression, Elizabeth unable to read exactly what it meant as someone pressed the cloth to her face and she started to pass out. They did the same to Nick, her last view of a blurry form slumping across from her before she herself blacked out.

()()()

Author's Note: Uh oh… Adler has El and Neal where he wants them, Peter and Jones have no idea what Neal's plans were and everything is out of order and yet falling into place in a dastardly manner. More to come in the next chapter!