(Chapter 4 - Late Sunday)
Keller was smiling as he sat down at a local bar and waved at the bartender to get him another drink. Everything was working out as planned and his revenge on Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke would be complete once the story hit the newspapers. An honest cop shooting his partner, an ex-con who helped him solve crimes... He could already see the headline and smiled even more. He sipped at his scotch and soda, the darkness of the bar keeping his identity secret enough nobody would recognize him as an escapee. Nobody would suspect him anyhow. He was dressed well enough, his style not too different than his ex-compatriot Caffrey.
He laughed to himself wondering how Caffrey took it when his own friend, the Fed he trusted to protect him and keep him safe from the law was the one who pulled the trigger. Burke had the nerve to get things done when he needed to and that's why Keller chose to do what he did. If revenge was sweet then having the Fed do the dirty work was the icing on the cake. He laughed a little bit more, finishing off his drink and leaving a few bills and then some on the counter as he rose and started out of the place.
Keller had a little bit of a buzz going from the alcohol but he knew he was being tailed. He quickly ducked into a small alley waiting for the person to pass. When they did he grabbed them and heard a muffled scream looking to see a pretty girl, tall, swarthy with long dark hair staring back at him curiously. He let go and looked at her with a cold stare.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to follow strange men from bars?" His voice was sarcastic but edged in menace. She gulped and looked at him with wide eyes.
"I'm sorry..." She stuttered ever so little and moved away as if she thought she'd made a mistake.
"I thought... I'm an idiot. My friend dared me to follow you and ask you for a drink. We thought... I'm sorry..." She turned to leave looking obviously shy and uncomfortable but his hand grasped her arm tightly and she gave a little wince. He was smiling at her with interest when she relaxed some and smiled back.
"A drink... are you sure that's all your wanted Miss..." He was trying to figure out what her game was but she seemed sincere enough, her fear real. Maybe she did just like him. It had happened before. She was smiling now but he saw a glitter of terror in her eyes as she tried to figure out if she had made the right choice.
"Lana..."
(Late Saturday night...)
Elizabeth looked at her husband and the person who entered the room and then back again. Her face was still pale as she walked to the figure by the door and put a hand on their arm.
"Neal? Neal!" She was hugging him, the young man's face flushing some but a smile evident as he hugged her back gently. Peter was watching as he walked over and joined them, his hand reaching up to pat his partner on the arm. The agent waited till his wife let go of the young man before he spoke.
"I guess her captors fell for the ruse. How long before we play our next hand? He's going to expect something big like headline of my treachery." Peter's voice was tired if nothing else, bags obvious under his eyes as he gave a little yawn and El turned to hug him again.
"Peter, come sit down. You look exhausted." El was leading him to a conference room chair, her own face tired and wan looking but she was worried about him more than herself. He smiled at her sleepily and held her close as the door opened again and more people piled it. The door closed and the small group gathered around the table. Hughes moved to the front of the room as Jones and Diana entered and everyone turned to give him their full attention, even Neal.
"According to what Neal heard on the phone before our little ruse started, we're dealing with an escaped con and someone looking for revenge." He pointed at Peter who perked up after a moment and nodded as he spoke.
"Matthew Keller... He's looking to get back at Peter and Neal for putting him away. He's still in debt to the Russian mafia since we stopped his Jefferson bottle scam." Hughes continued, handing out folders to everyone.
"It was necessary to make it look like Neal was dead and Peter was the culprit. According to Neal's friend, they fell for the bait and now we have to figure out how to catch them before they leave the area. Any ideas what kind of places Keller might hang out in, Caffrey?" Hughes looked at the younger man, Neal nodding back.
"I think I can come up with a list of places." Neal's tone was less happy than usual not from the assignment but the subject of it. He and Keller went way back and they had never agreed on much of anything, especially when it came to Kate. Keller was the opposite of Neal. They might had the same goals at one time but getting there was a whole other matter. Keller was a murderer if given half a chance. He had killed someone when they'd recently met up again on a case involving Keller and some stolen items. It had been a ruse to renew an old challenge so that Keller would win and pay back some old debts. He didn't count on Neal being one step ahead. Now the man wanted to destroy Peter and get rid of Neal. He watched Peter and El as they kept close throughout the meeting, Neal knowing he had to help get back at the man who hurt his friends.
"Get that to me Caffrey. Diana... I think we have a job for you going under cover again." She was looking curiously at Hughes who's eyes were looking at both Peter and Neal. He motioned for them to join him outside a moment, Peter reluctantly letting go of his wife as they walked outside and closed the door. Hughes drew them out of earshot and looked between the three.
"I remember we busted a politician using Agent Barrigan as a decoy not too long ago? Would you mind doing that again, agent? Keller has a thing for the ladies, doesn't he Neal? We need every advantage we can get and he doesn't know Diana. She wasn't here when we were chasing him. What do you think, Barrigan?" Hughes was speaking quietly to them all but looking at Diana. She nodded with a smile.
"Anything to get that con off the street especially after what he did to Peter and El." Her tone was fierce, eyes flashing with the challenge. Everyone took a step back, Neal smiling some.
"Remind me not to get on your bad side... Thanks, Diana." He gave her a thankful smile as did Peter who patted her on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Diana. I guess Lana will be coming out to play again. Let's get started!" Peter was smiling despite the stifled yawn on his lips. Hughes put a fatherly arm around the agent.
"Peter, go rest. We're bringing some beds in here for now till we can get you both to a safe house. Neal... you'll be staying here too till Keller's back in prison. Diana... let us know what you need." Hughes dismissed them, all but Diana going back to the conference room. He motioned Jones over and let him know what was going on with the operation separately.
El hugged Peter tightly as he sat beside her again and explained they were staying there the night. He couldn't stop yawning, his brown eyes dull looking from lack of sleep. Still he stayed awake for her sake, not wanting to take his eyes off of his wife now that he had her back. El felt the same way, holding onto her husband not wanting to be taken from him again. She wouldn't soon forget her experience. Keller hadn't hurt her physically but emotionally, she was afraid of what could have happened. It was not surprising to her that her husband had done the right thing. Killing Neal to get her back would have not made things right. It would have changed the whole dynamic of their relationship. She had joked with Peter about Neal escaping from prison for Kate but killing... that was a whole other thing. Self-defense was one thing but murder was no justification for saving someone if you had another way. Peter had found that other way as had Neal and rest of his colleagues. It had scared her to see her husband looking so pitiful and guilty, arms cuffed behind him. He was no criminal but for a moment... she almost believed he would have killed for her safety. El had seen him hit Fowler in a fit of fury that was completely justified so she knew he would go further if he had to.
"It's ok, Peter." She leaned his head against her shoulder and held him.
"Sleep. I'm not going anywhere." She was holding him to her, her head against his, her own eyes starting to feel heavy with sleep. She pulled the blanket around her over them both as her eyes shut.
()()()
Lana looked around the small flat Keller took her too. She smiled at him as he made himself a drink from a bottle sitting on the nightstand. He found another glass and poured one for her.
"Bottoms up." He smiled at her in a scary manner, his manner less than trusting. She nodded with a skittish smile and sniffed at the drink watching him a moment. He just smiled and sipped at his glass before she took a pull from hers then finished it off in one gulp. She saw him smile at her curiously.
"A lady who knows her liquor. What else are you familiar with..." His voice trailed off as he sounded more buzzed than before, leaning back on his bed as she approached and took his glass.
"Lots of things." She started to refill both glasses, his smile broadening at her tone. He pulled her close after a moment, Lana off guard but she didn't spill the drinks, handing his back.
"A toast to a memorable night to come." His voice had it's own innuendo as she nodded and chugged the scotch down again. He smiled and did the same. She grinned, pushing him back on the bed as he felt more drunk than usual. His ears seemed to buzz, head feeling heavy as she hovered over him smiling. His body was heavier than it had been, eyes slipping closed despite wanting to stay awake. He felt a kind of panic but she just kept smiling.
"A most memorable night..." He saw her draw out a pair of cuffs as he felt the world slip away.
()()()
Diana was more than happy when Keller finally passed out and she could cuff him. Neal had warned her he was dangerous so a mickey was their best bet. It had worked like a charm and now Keller was sleeping and the rest of the crew wandered in as she let them know what as up. It wasn't the most admirable way to capture the guy but he was tricky.
From Mozz' description of the men the other night, they had already brought in most of the people from Keller's operation without him knowing. Many of them were minor toughs looking for business opportunities. Some of them had no idea the woman they kidnapped was the wife of a Fed and started talking for minimized sentences. Looked like Mozz had done good, Hughes singing his praises when telling the team they had Keller in custody.
Peter and El slept in most of Sunday in the conference room as did Neal in his own little corner. They were told late Sunday as they were sitting around on the floor eating Chinese take-out that Keller had been caught. They pulled out a bottle of champagne (with Hughes' consent) from the evidence room and had a celebratory drink along with Jones and Diana once they came back. Hughes even joined in.
()()()
Keller requested a conference with Neal a week after he was incarcerated again. Peter told him not to do it, both of them still on leave while the case was being set up for trial. Neal agreed for once, certain there was a trick up Keller's sleeve. Peter was surprised at Neal being in agreement but figured after what happened, he wasn't anxious to see his nemesis. Both men wanted nothing to do with the con and Peter was doing his best to get back to normal with Elizabeth. She was having nightmares as was Peter, and hearing about Satchmo's injuries had worried her even more. The dog had returned to them on Tuesday once the vet had had time to keep the huge lab under observation. Neal came to visit them for the big homecoming bearing a new chew toy for the lovable mutt.
"Hey Satch..." Neal was playing with the dog when Peter called him aside. El was sitting beside the younger man looking at the both of them worriedly until Peter smiled at her and she calmed a bit. She took over playing with Satchmo as the two men stepped outside onto the back stoop.
"I wanted to thank you Neal..." He held up his hand when the younger man tried to speak.
"Let me finish first. I think I owe you a big apology. I never understood what it was you felt when Ka... when Kate was in danger. I'm sorry I ever doubted you and I wish now that I had been able to do more. Can you ever forgive me?"
Neal was about to nod to his friend when he felt something odd. His head was swimming, vision starting to gray. Peter was still talking to him as if nothing were wrong.
"I don't think he means what he's saying, Caffrey. He did what you couldn't to save his wife. What do you think of your Federal friend now?"
That voice, it was coming out of Peter's mouth but it wasn't his voice. Neal blinked a few times but his vision continued to fade to black, his head suddenly throbbing as if under enormous pressure.
"Such a fool to think your friend wouldn't want his wife back. Wake up, Caffrey. I need you awake to get my revenge."
Keller... that voice was Keller's. Neal watched the dream of Peter and El and their home fade to darkness as his eyes opened to a barren gray space. Pain made him feel nauseated and he opened his mouth and threw up, his body unmoving as he did so. His arms were pulled tightly back behind him as he retched and finally rolled away from the mess to see a familiar face looking down at him.
"Kel... ler... where..." He could barely speak his throat burning from bile and his mouth dry. He felt like he had been asleep a while and yet he had been dreaming. He only realized now that's what it had been. Peter! He tried to sit up and was pushed roughly back to the floor, a gun cocked near his temple. He remembered a similar incident as Peter had jumped him in June's. Had Peter betrayed him? Was everything he remembered after that a dream?
"Bring the other one in!" Keller yelled behind him as Neal tried to figure out what was going on. He saw a figure to his right slumped an bound in a chair. He squinted realizing it was Elizabeth Burke.
"El? What did you... do to... her? Dammit Keller!" Neal struggled weakly, someone kicking him hard in the side and winding him. He groaned as the same person held him down against the cold stone floor and pushed a rag into his mouth, tape pulled across his lips to silence him. He struggled, eyes looking at El's unconscious form. Keller laughed.
"Just sleeping... for now. But you... We have to work on this trust thing between the Fed and yourself." Keller smiled coldly, footsteps entering the room and a dragging sound. Neal looked up to see Peter being pulled into the room, slumped between two goons. He noticed one man had a bandage on their arm. He thought back to when Peter had pushed him down. His head throbbed when he tried to think back but he had missed something.
(memory)
"I'm sorry, Neal. Please forgive me..." Peter's voice had sounded not just apologetic but something else. Neal had looked up at the Fed, Peter motioning with his eyes to something just behind him. Neal saw the figure just out of sight, nodding back without changing his expression. He heard the gun cocked in Peter hand, closing his eyes. He heard the gun go off, opening them again to see the elusive figure wince in pain as the bullet hit his arm, gun dropping. Peter moved to jump the man as Neal jumped up to help. He winced, his ankle still throbbing as he moved to help his friend and partner. They didn't see the other man come from the dining room, Neal turning when he sensed movement but not fast enough to avoid getting clocked behind the ear. The young man fell to the ground, eyes staring up at the figure of Peter struggling with the first goon. He saw the glint of metal pointing at his friend, struggling to speak out.
"Pe...et..." His consciousness started to fade as he heard another report and everything went black.
()()()
The two men dropped Peter without ceremony near Neal, a large red stain on the the agent's shirt. The younger man struggled to nudge his friend despite being bound.
Neal could hear his friend's ragged breathing and knew he had been hurt badly. He turned to glare at Keller.
"Now we see just how far you're willing to go. You couldn't save Kate but can you keep from biting the hand that holds your leash? His wife's life depends on what you choose to do."