Chapter 8
It had been a long torturous night for Neal Caffrey. The mental anguish over Peter's condition plagued him through the endless dark hours. He had asked White for permission to see the man but was refused. The elder con artist insisted that Burke was in no immediate danger of dying. His wound had been checked by a former EMT technician and declared survivable.
White was obstinate and wanted his captive to suffer physical and mental anguish about his future. He believed Burke might crack sometime in the next 48 hours. When Neal persisted with his request White threatened to withdraw his offer to include him in his nefarious future plans. The younger man pressed the issue with the assurance that he was the one who knew Burke's weaknesses. Neal would be able to extract a name and expedite their escape plans. White promised to consider the idea.
Neal had backed off and spent some early morning hours casing the layout of the building. He seemed to be under observation but was allowed free movement inside the structure. Neal was trying to formulate a plan to free Peter. He noticed several small reinforced storage rooms toward the back of the warehouse. If his timing was precise, and his surveillance slack, the young consultant planned to slip away and retrieve Peter. He would barricade the duo in one of the rooms and await reinforcements. Acquiring a cell phone from one of the lackeys and signaling for help was the easy part.
Most of White's men had retired to some vacant rooms set up for sleeping. It was quite an operation. The two story building was a legitimate book warehouse and distribution center, but it also contained sleeping areas and even a kitchen facility. Additionally, it seemed Edward White was using it as his primary residence.
Neal had endured a long session with White waxing grandiosely over his plans to achieve retribution. He already had established plans to flee the country and live on some well hidden asset overseas. White had a buyer identified to take over his New York enterprise. He was just waiting for the name of the former associate who had betrayed him to the authorities. The forger actually believed he was being magnanimous in his offer for Neal's cooperation. He promised him protection, the ability to escape the feds and even the use of high placed sources to locate Kate. Neal had no idea how much was bluff or fact. The egocentric forger and counterfeiter was in a class by himself.
By late morning the warehouse was busy with activity. It was still a legitimate operation with deadlines to meet and materials to pack and ship. He had been offered fresh clothing, he declined, and toiletries and breakfast which he accepted. The food and especially the liquids caught in his throat as he visualized a thirsty and hungry Peter Burke. How he would enjoy seeing his mentor, healthy once again, cleanly dressed in one of his woefully out of-date suits, guzzling down June's Italian roast!
Sometime later, Neal finally received the permission he had been so anxiously awaiting. Ego-stricken White deemed it was finally acceptable for Neal to pay Peter a visit in the room he was held hostage. The young man knew he had to proceed with caution. He was asked to convince Peter to give White the informant's name. There was a good probability, however, that White would somehow be able to listen to their conversation. Neal did not trust the acoustics of the room. In fact, the whole warehouse seemed to amplify and carry sound.
Peter Burke glanced up as the door to his prison opened and let some additional light into the room. Aside from being taken outside the room for a bathroom break no one had removed the manacles again from his wrists or checked on him in many hours.
He sat slumped against a far wall and watched Neal Caffrey enter the room and advance toward him. The outside door remained open and one of White's thugs hovered in the hallway. Neal lowered himself to the floor next to the injured agent. "Peter, you are in a fine mess right now," Neal said softly.
Neal gently removed Peter's tie from the blood encrusted shirt and peered at his shoulder wound. He then took one of June's finely stitched handkerchiefs from a pocket, folded it double and placed it on his injury. The wound looked red and infected but the bleeding had stopped. He hoped the injury was not too serious.
Neal looked intently at his mentor friend and noticed Peter's grey pallor and questioning eyes. "You must be in a lot of pain," he spoke with compassion.
Peter erupted weakly, "No kidding Dr. Kildaire! Did you sell me out? To White? Neal, I don't know anything about this fake document White keeps blabbing about!" He leaned toward the younger man. "Can't you see he planned this whole scenario. He wants to drive a wedge between us. He's using you. You're too smart to fall for this…."
Neal knew he had to lie. He was aware of White's stooge standing in the doorway. He had to ensure that Edward White believed him trustworthy.
"Peter, I saw the document White had. I compared it from memory to the classified material in the agency office. After six months of being your consultant you plan to expedite my return to prison. Adios amigo. Use me up and throw me away. I should have known federal agents don't offer special pardons to guys like me."
Neal's voice rose in volume to reach whoever was listening in, "White has offered me a deal too good to turn down. Evasion from the bureau, escape to another country and information on Kate."
Peter barely kept his frustration and despair under control. "It's not true," Peter groaned. He shook his head with dismay and defeat. He couldn't concentrate enough to argue specifics or convince Neal how wrong he was. He could barely speak his mouth was so dry. In his weakened condition he missed the subtle clues Neal was trying to send him.
"Okay… Neal," Peter murmured. "At least pick the cuffs from my back while we talk. I need you to release my arms for awhile."
"Not able to do that Peter," replied the ex-con. He steeled himself against Peter's surprise and hurt.
Unable to keep fear from his voice, Peter tried once more. "All right…, umm just cuff me in front while we talk. White won't care. Neal," Peter hesitated, "I need to take the pressure off my shoulder." The drained agent bit the inside of his mouth to avoid a pleading tone, but his body betrayed him with a shudder. He looked directly into his former friend's eyes.
Neal's thoughts raced. It wasn't the time to free Peter. He had to keep up the facade. Neal squeezed his associate's healthy arm but shook his head.
"Not able to do that either, partner," he carefully replied. "I can't afford to anger White. Just cooperate with him Peter. Give him the name of the informant. If he doesn't obtain it from you he'll find it another way. Make it easy on yourself. He promised me he wouldn't harm you any further. We plan to flee the country. White doesn't want a murder charge of a federal agent. He wants to hedge his bets. The man is playing with your mind in payback for the years in prison. Just give him the name. Remember what you always tell me, 'don't be stupid'."
Don't be stupid! Peter stiffened in dismay and tried to control his raging temper. He was filled with disgust at the whole situation; at Neal's cavalier attitude toward his predicament and injury. If he hadn't felt so ill he may have laughed in disbelief. Who was this Neal Caffrey? Was he missing something here? Was Caffrey playing a con? This was a nightmare he was caught up in! Did he fall through Alice's Looking Glass last night? Nothing made sense. If only the agony in his shoulder would just ease for a moment, if he wasn't so thirsty, if he could just release his arms from the cuffs, maybe he could concentrate enough to sort it out.
Peter was not able to hold it together. He turned his head down and away from Neal. He blinked quickly several times. With a huskiness in his voice he told his former associate, "Go away now Neal." Federal agents do not cry.
Neal saw the moisture in Peter's eyes. He quickly stood and walked toward the door. Before the door was shut on his friend he heard Peter say softly, "Do the right thing."