Chapter 2
One day earlier…
Neal Caffrey slipped into the Horn of the Moon Cafe for a quick lunch. He was alone and feeling somewhat despondent. No recent word from Mozzie in the endless search for the whereabouts of Kate. It had been several weeks without any news. Neal was in a bad mood. He didn't like to eat lunch alone, not when he could usually con Peter into accompanying him and stiff his boss with the check. Today, Peter had turned him down flat. Burke was having lunch with his wife Elizabeth. They were meeting in Central Park for a "cute" date that did not include his permanent sidekick. In fact, Peter blunt as ever, had told Neal to "buzz off". Without a vehicle and Peter's presence, Neal's choice of restaurant locations was limited. No other agent wanted to accompany him, not even friendly Jones. For some reason the excon's pariah miasma was bothering Neal a great deal today.
As Neal ordered his organic turkey sandwich on whole grain croissant, he noticed a man in the background observing his purchase. The silver-haired, middle aged individual followed him to a private booth. When Neal Caffrey sat down the burly man joined him in the booth.
"Hello Neal, its' been a while. Remember me?" The man looked familiar. Neal's photographic mind reeled through his past. "Edward White," exclaimed Neal. "I haven't seen you in over a year. Didn't know you were out of the Supermax!"
White smiled. "I finally served my time. Processed out six months ago. I've been getting reacquainted with life on the outside. I'm sure you know what I mean," White smiled again. Neal noticed that the smile never reached the older man's eyes. White's eyes were cold and haunted. Neal had seen that predator look often enough among the inmates in prison. White's demeanor was not actually friendly but more mocking than anything.
In actuality, Neal had known Edward White before their incarceration. He had worked with him on one of his past "alleged" cons. White was a top notch forger and counterfeiter. Although he possessed a high intelligence the man was known for his inflated ego. A legend in his own mind, thought Neal. He was curious why White had sought him out.
"I have been looking for you, Neal," said White. "I have some sensitive material that I came across that you might be highly interested in. It deals with your new buddy Peter Burke. How do you tolerate working with that Fed? I would lose the ability to face myself in the mirror each morning."
Neal grinned at White's antagonism. Was it just directed at Burke or the Feds in general? "I shave at night and that solves the problem," he quipped. "Look Edward," replied Neal, "I wear a monitor and I'm out of prison. The Supermax is history. "
With a bemused expression, White continued, "What if it's not history, Neal? What if you found out your keeper was planning to dump you back in the pen when you outlived your usefulness? Or once he decided that your collaboration was no longer necessary! Take a look at these documents some well placed aides found for me."
White handed Neal some standard Bureau documents. As Neal began to read the classified material, Edward White continued with his monologue. "You see that I have been checking into Peter Burke's affairs. Burke is the lowlife who sent me to prison. Eight years ago Burke got lucky when an informant ratted me out. He used the material someone furnished him to set me up. I have yet to discover the traitor's name. Now I have some high placed acquaintances who have been researching Burke's case files. When I saw the document pertaining to you I knew you would help me arrange a little meeting with Burke." With anger edging his voice, White continued, "He sold you out Caffrey. Did you really think that any Fed would be altruistic?"
Neal barely heard the further ranting from White. He was too overwhelmed with what he had been given to read. If this document was valid, Peter Burke, the man he considered trustworthy and reliable, had created a perfect con. Use Neal Caffrey for a specified time period and return him to prison with a reduced sentence! Officially sanctioned by the Bureau, of course. Rage and betrayal flooded his mind.