Unintended Consequences

DISCLAIMER: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin and USA Network.

"Use speed dial number 1 when you find the painting. You have until noon tomorrow."

Neal watched as the man left and slid the burner phone in his pocket. He pulled out his own cell phone and dialed Jones.

Chapter 18

"What's up Neal?"

Jones was a little preoccupied searching to really give Neal his full attention. He was sure the consultant was simply calling to annoy him about something unimportant.

"Jones, I need to know where you are. I need your help."

Jones wondered what kind of con Neal was pulling this time and if it was going to be a practical joke that Neal was planning to pull on Peter. Jones didn't mind helping, but didn't Neal realize they were still in the middle of trying to solve this case and now was not the time for practical jokes?

"I'm at one of the storage facilities that Frank rented under an alias with a couple other agents. Grace signed some papers allowing us access. We got here not too long ago. We had checked out a couple other places first; so far we haven't found anything yet."

"Tell me where you are. I need to help."

Neal sounded a bit impatient, if not serious; definitely not the teasing tone that Jones had been initially expecting.

"Okay. It's a place called Sunny's Storage Rentals on 8th. There's a guy behind the counter named Hank. Show him your badge and tell him you're with us. Ask him for directions how to get to the unit, but whatever you do, do not accept a ride from him. You're far better off walking. Understand?"

"Sure, whatever. I don't mind walking."

"You won't regret it. Now tell me what's so urgent. Is Peter coming too? I haven't been able to get a hold of him because he misplaced his cell phone."

"Peter's been kidnapped, Jones. They somehow tracked us and they said they knew where Grace was in case we didn't cooperate. I have until noon tomorrow to find this painting by Vermeer and give it to them or something bad is going to happen. They didn't specify exactly what."

"Neal, you know we can't just hand over the painting to thieves even if we find it and even if Peter's life is at stake. There are rules and procedures that we follow as FBI Agents and handing over a valuable work of art in return for an agent is not one of them. It won't happen and Peter knows that too."

"Jones, this is Peter we are talking about, not just any agent! We have to get him back or they will kill him. The bodyguard was armed and he didn't look afraid to use it. What will Grace think if we let Peter die when it could have been prevented?"

"I hate to break this to you, Neal, but Grace may not have that much time either."

"What? What happened? "

Jones noticed that Neal's tone had turned from impatient to almost panicked; not the smooth, suave, confident tone he normally had. Jones realized that Neal had no idea what had been transpiring with Grace.

"We were transporting her and someone must have been tracking us as well. She was hit by a sniper. She should be in surgery right now, but I don't know if she's going to make it. It looked pretty bad. Diana was completely covered in Grace's blood when I left them at the hospital."

"No."

It came out of Neal's throat as a mere whisper. Jones barely heard it, but understood the shock that it brought.

"We will find the people that did this, Neal. We have to stop this before it gets worse, but we have to do this the right way, Neal. We can't just give them the painting."

"I hate policy and procedure. People's lives are at stake here and all you care about is the rule book."

Neal hung up the phone abruptly, not caring if Jones thought he was being rude. Neal was starting to feel sick all over again, both physically and mentally. Everything he had done up to this point was now completely useless, and to make matters worse now Peter was in danger as well. Grace was going to die and it was going to be his fault. Diana didn't deserve to have Grace's blood on her hands, he did. It was his fault. Blood always symbolized someone's sacrifice. Why did it have to be Grace? Neal thought back to something that Peter had said before he was taken; could it really have been just a few minutes ago? They had been calmly sipping coffee and eating their scones; not knowing their world was about to be thrown into chaos again. "I am offering you mercy because I know what you did. I heard your explanation and I am choosing to forgive you." Neal wondered if Peter would still be able to forgive him if Grace died or if Neal couldn't rescue him. "I know what you did and I love you anyway." How could Peter believe that? Neal knew he had really screwed this up by not letting Peter in at the beginning and now Peter and Grace were both in danger. Neal knew he didn't deserve mercy from Peter for any of his 'alleged' crimes and he didn't deserve Grace as a friend.

Mercy…Grace…strange how they seemed to fit together so perfectly. Mercy…Grace… Clemency…Pardon…all synonyms…and all completely relevant to an ex-con trying to do what was right. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Neal was getting goose bumps just thinking about it, but he was now certain that no matter what he had done in the past, he could still make things right and he was willing to do anything to ensure Peter and Grace would be safe. He just wasn't going to tell Jones that.

##

Diana was sitting in the waiting room still waiting to hear any updates on Grace. She had been able to wash most of the blood off her hands, but there was always some that just didn't want to wash away. She pulled out her phone, relieved to see that it had been spared in the blood bath and seemed to be fully functional. She dialed Peter's home number to update him on what happened and to see if he wanted Jones to do anything further with the search. She hadn't heard back yet from Jones, so she assumed the search of the storage lockers had not yet been successful. Elle picked up on the third ring.

"Diana. I'm so glad you called. Have you heard from Peter?"

Elle sounded hopeful; anxiously waiting for news on Neal and Peter, and hoped that they had checked in with Diana.

"No, actually, I was calling to talk to him. Jones said Peter had misplaced his cell phone so I should try your home number. He's not there?"

"No. I'm actually quite worried. He and Neal had an argument and Neal left without his jacket. I told Peter to go out and find him before he froze, but he and Neal have never made it back. I don't know where they could have gone."

Diana suddenly realized maybe Grace wasn't the only target; maybe Frank's associates were coming after Peter and Neal as well. Diana suddenly remembered the flowers that had been delivered to the Burke's with the sinister message; would Elizabeth be in danger as well?

"Elizabeth, is there anyone there at the house with you?"

"No, Mozzie left a little while ago, he was also concerned that Peter and Neal never came back, so he left to do…well, I guess whatever he does."

"I need you to take a cab to the Mount Sinai Medical Center. It's at One Gustave L. Levy Place. I'm here with Grace. I don't want you to stay in the house by yourself; it's too dangerous. Leave Peter a note explaining that you're with me, but don't mention the location in case someone else sees the note. I want you here as soon as possible. I'll explain more when you get here."

"Ok. Does this still have something to do with the painting?"

"Elle, I really just need you to get in a cab as soon as possible. We can discuss it when you get here, Ok?"

"Ok. I'm on my way."

Elle sighed as she hung up the phone wishing her life wasn't quite so interesting; but what could she expect. She was after all married to an FBI Agent who had an ex-con for a partner. It should be expected that trouble would follow them wherever they went.

##

Neal grasped Peter's keys tightly as he hurried out of the coffee shop and unlocked the Taurus. He drove carefully over to June's mansion not wanting to break any speed limits or traffic laws. There was no way he wanted to get pulled over in Peter's Taurus; too many things were at stake.

Neal ran up to his apartment still feeling the stiffness of his ribs, but the coffee and adrenaline pulsating through his veins helped diminish the pain. He decided to quickly change into something more comfortable and much warmer for his foray into the storage rental complex. Neal also grabbed a padded messenger bag that he used for carrying tools of his trade. It also had a false bottom compartment that had proved very useful several times in the past.

Neal was not about to let something as simple as chain of evidence get in the way of saving Peter's life. As much as he really was fascinated by the Gardner museum robbery, the thieves had really angered him when they had gone after Peter and Grace, and Neal was not about to stop until they had been taken down; regardless of whether anyone else would help him or not. He thought about using his forgery, but he knew the Feds would authenticate it and know it wasn't real. He needed to find something solid enough that would convict Frank's associates and send them to prison for a very long time. This, after all, was the deal he made with Peter; helping Peter catch the toughest and most elusive criminals. He knew Peter was trusting him, and he wasn't about to let Jones get in his way.