(Chapter 5 - Sunday early evening...)

Neal struggled against his bonds, his arms bound over his head as he hung suspended from a rafter. Beside him dangled Peter, the wound which looked to be in his upper right chest continued to bleed slowly but steadily. Neal pulled at the cord holding him in place, wincing as his shoulder pulled and the same cord tore into his wrists, a slippery feel as his skin tore and began to bleed. He paused his movements, going limp. His arms were feeling somewhat tingly, the numbness from the tight cord making his arms hurt. He glanced worriedly over at Peter.

"Mmmph!" Neal made noise trying to draw a response from Peter but his friend remained still, hanging loosely from his own bindings. The agent was pale, a fine sheen of sweat over his face. Neal continued to make noise, hoping for some sign the agent was ok. It was several minutes before he heard a muffled groan escape his friend's throat. He felt his body relax, glad Peter was still alive. He moved his head around, body dangling and swinging some as he tried to see where they were. It was a room similar to the other one, four dark gray walls in a room maybe 20 x 20 approximately, a heavy metal door off to his left. Neal tried to see if it could be picked but the room was dimly lit by a single bare bulb overhead, the door bathed in shadows. He sighed, hanging loosely till he heard footsteps nearing and the door open.

A figure moved into the light as the door opened. It was Keller.

"I hope you're comfortable, Caffrey. Patience is important for the next part of my scheme." Keller was speaking to him, motioning to two men who cut Neal loose and dragged him out of the room as he watched them cut Peter down and carry him after. Neal tried to crane his head to see behind him but could only see that Peter was dragged into another direction while he was pulled down the hallway into another dreary room like the last one.

Neal was pushed into a chair and held down securely as another person walked up from behind Keller bearing a large syringe. The con's eyes widened, a muffled cry from his lips. Keller was smiling.

"You didn't think I was going to make this easy did you?" Keller made a motion and the man with the needle jabbed it into Neal's bared neck without much gentleness. Something like warmth emanated from the spot almost immediately and Neal felt like he had just eased into a warm spa, his body going limp almost immediately. Keller continued to grin.

"Now, you should still have some sense of motion but we had to make it even. I think you'll like this little exercise in trust. The winner... well they'll walk out of here with Peter's wife in tow safe and sound." Keller's voice was echoing now, sounding as if it were far off but Neal wasn't falling asleep, he just felt spacey if nothing else.

"Untie him and remove the gag." Keller's voice reverberated from afar he thought, Neal barely able to move his head under the influence of whatever drug this was they'd given him. He slid out of the chair almost boneless it seemed, his cheek touching the cool cement of the floor. He heard a tinkling of laughter, voices sounding odd to his ears while he fought the drug's effects.

"Help him to the other room and have him join his keeper. This should be interesting."

(Sunday Afternoon...)

June had heard noises from the kitchen when she had left to get some blankets from the laundry room. She was in the small room when she heard someone walk by without seeing her. She heard voices, unfamiliar gruff voices and stayed in the shadows of the already dimly lit room. She hadn't bothered turning on the light when there was plenty from outside. They passed her without looking in and she kept quiet. She was about to peek out and look around when she heard gunshots and ducked back inside. She flashed back to a moment she was with her late husband Byron. He had kept her safe from his more dangerous cons and managed not to do many of them but one time it came back to haunt them.

It had been a warm summer's day when Byron and June were walking down the street enjoying the weather. She had heard the car coming and felt Byron tense up as he turned and saw the vehicle approaching quickly. June was confused as to what was going on till Byron grabbed her arm tightly and pulled her behind a nearby parked car and ducked down. June was about to protest when she heard gun shots and screamed, her head buried in Byron's shoulder as he pulled his arms tightly around her.

The car zoomed passed and disappear before anyone could get a plate or see the driver. Byron had stood and looked up at the direction the vehicle had left, his hands curled up into fists as June stood beside him.

"Byron... what just happened?" Her voice was shaking with terror but he put an arm around her and soothed her with soft words as they heard the sirens approach. They saw several people waving he officers down Byron making his way down the side walk away from the cops as June turned to see the people talking animatedly to the officers.

"Byron, shouldn't we give a statement?" She was pulling against his arm but he shook his head and held her hand more tightly.

"No... let's just leave. It's better that way." His voice and tone had held no place for her to protest so she had let it go but never forgotten that moment.

June sighed to herself quietly, her body shaking as she heard the sounds of fighting and then quiet. She felt helpless as she continued to hide and wished for a cell phone. Once she was certain the men had gone she stepped out of the laundry room and made her way into the foyer where she had left Agent Burke and her boarder Neal Caffrey. There were signs of struggle in the room and blood. She nearly fainted but instead moved to the nearest phone and called 9-1-1. She also contacted an Agent Jones she had met before as well as Mozzie. When she was done calling everyone she thought she had to, her eyes spied one last item. She carefully walked over and picked it up in her hands. It was Neal's tracking anklet.

Mozzie showed up before the FBI did and was comforting June when Jones and Diana arrived. Both agents looked a bit surprised to see Mozzie answering the door instead of June, the little guy acting as a kind of sentry.

"Ah... Lady Suit and other Suit... bout time you got here." Diana scowled back as Mozzie frowned at them, Jones just blinking but not taking it personally as he saw the faces the two made at one another. He poked Diana and they followed once Mozzie decided to let them in. June looked all too happy to see them, both agents noticing the signs of struggle and blood stains as they tried to avoid stepping on evidence. Mozzie had apparently already mapped out areas with numbers using index cards to their surprise.

"Agent Jones! I'm so glad you're here. I'm still waiting on the police. I... I don't know exactly what happened but I'll tell you what I do know. Please... sit down." She walked them over to the dining room and offered them a chair as she sat down herself, hands shaking. Jones seemed surprised by the woman's nervousness never having seen her be anything but the bravest of fronts. Something bad must have happened and by the stain of blood they had noticed up front in the foyer, it was going to be worse.

Jones was the most familiar with June and started talking first.

"June, I got your message and brought a colleague of ours, Agent Barrigan. She also works with Peter and Neal." Jones watched June nod smiling at Diana despite the circumstances of their first meeting.

"It's nice to meet you Agent Barrigan. I wish I could have met you under better circumstances. Peter and Neal came to the house beat up and tired looking. I didn't know what was going on but Neal had told me Peter was home sick and then I saw him here helping Neal into the house, the young man's ankle sprained apparently and his suit torn and scuffed. Peter looked like he was exhausted. I didn't have a chance to get an explanation because I was busy trying to help with Neal's ankle and get some blankets for Peter. He was going to stay over." She paused in her story, her hands shaking more but they stopped when Mozzie gently placed an arm around her. She smiled at him and nodded, her resolve returning.

"I was in the laundry room back by the kitchen grabbing some sheets and blankets for Peter when it happened. I heard people in my home but it wasn't anyone I knew. I hid and while I was hiding I heard gunshots and then silence and they walked by a few minutes later. I don't know how long I waited till I peeked out and finally came to see what had happened. That's when I saw the blood stains and signs of a struggle. I don't know what's going on but those people took Neal and Peter!" She was breathless by now, June's voice barely a whisper as she put her face in her hands and seemed to be crying. Mozzie was comforting her, Jones and Diana looking at each other as they finished writing up the explanation of what had happened. It was then they heard a knock at the door and realized the cops were here. Diana went to answer the door while Jones stayed.

"June, did Peter or Neal give you any clue what was going on? You said that Neal's suit was torn and scuffed and he was limping?" Jones was still taking notes as she looked up at him, sniffled a bit and nodded. Mozzie was scowling at the interrogation but said nothing knowing it was a necessary evil. Jones tried to be gentle to ease every one's mind.

"I have no idea what was going on but... I did find this." She held up Neal's anklet. Jones took it from her and looked at the device. It had been removed officially so somehow Peter had removed it or had been forced to. They turned when Diana walked back.

"The police are here. I brought them up to date." Diana had brought in two cops who had answered June's 9-1-1 call, her phone to her ear as she called up their own people.

"Yes sir, I need to get forensics in here stat. We have a crime scene at 57 Riverside drive. Peter and Neal are missing. Yes, June Neal's landlady was here when it happened. Ok... thanks sir." She hung up and walked back over to Jones, June and Mozzie while still keeping an eye on the cops who were looking over the scene.

"Technically we were here first but it doesn't hurt I guess to have a second set of eyes." Diana didn't sound happy having the cops here but saw June nod as she stood and walked over to the officers and spoke with them. Jones had Mozzie stay back for safety's sake. He knew the guy could be overly anxious and last thing he wanted was a confrontation with cops and the little guy. The officers took down June's statement, then talked to Jones and Diana before leaving. More Feds were showing up as the cops finally left, Diana opening the door for them and showing the forensics team to the scene. Jones stood off to the side a moment with June and Mozzie talking to them quietly.

"Well find them, June. Don't worry. Hey Mozz, can I speak to you a moment?" Jones made a motion for the little guy to follow him and he pulled him over to the stairs and spoke quietly.

"Any idea who could have done this? I get the impression Neal would have talked to you if something was going on." Jones was trying to be friendly but he could see the shutters going down on the little guy's expression.

"You think Neal had something to do with this? I told him not to trust anyone who could place blame on him!" Mozzie sounded paranoid as usual but Jones held up his hands to show he wasn't placing blame and shook his head.

"No, not what I meant. I just meant... well anything odd happen lately? I know Neal wouldn't do anything to Peter." Jones tried to tone down his questioning noting that Mozzie was looking calmer, more thoughtful and finally nodded.

"Well... Neal did tell me he was worried about The Suit being sick. He thought it was odd that the Suit would text into work instead of calling. Neal seemed more upset he wasn't contacted." Mozzie was looking at the agent curiously, something else on his mind apparently.

"Is that it? I know we all found it odd that Peter texted in but Hughes said he did that because he has laryngitis. Plus I think El is out of town or she would have called. I really don't know why else he would have had to text in." Jones seemed as dumbfounded by it as Mozz, the look on the little guy's face growing more anxious.

"Well uhm... Neal also mentioned he thought he was being followed but lost the vehicle. It was a rental. We found the name it was rented to: J. Simkins." Mozzie looked at the agent expectantly, blinking when he saw the look on Jones' face turn pale.

"Did you say J. Simkins? Diana... come over here a moment!" Jones looked nervous suddenly, Diana walking over to them with an odd glance as she saw the expressions on their faces. Mozzie looked confused but interested while Jones looked sick.

"Mozzie, tell Diana who's name was on the rental car..." Jones spoke softly, Mozzie blinking nervously between the two agents.

"Uhm, J. Simkins?" Mozz's voice was far from confident suddenly as he saw Diana's face turn pale and her eyes flash with surprise. She looked between both of them before she spoke.

"That's Peter's alias! Why would he be renting a car when he has the Taurus? Jones, what's going on?" Diana was looking at Jones for answers when he started to tell her what Mozz had said and how June had found Neal's anklet. She blinked as she tried to take it all in.

"Peter was home sick but he was really out following Neal? Why would he be tracking Neal secretly without telling anyone? Why would he remove Neal's anklet? There has to be more to this than what we know. Has Elizabeth been contacted?" Diana sounded concerned, eyes still bright with curiosity at the situation thrown before them. Jones shook his head and Mozzie nodded.

"Neal told me he had tried her phone but she didn't answer. He thought maybe she was out of town on a business trip. He uhm... stopped by their place and heard the neighbors remark that the house had been more quiet than usual." Mozzie sounded as confused as the rest of them, no more clues to what was going on other than the fact that both men were missing.

"So all we know is that Peter may have faked an illness to follow Caffrey. Why he was following him is any one's guess but in the process Neal sprained his ankle, Peter helped him back here and then someone came and kidnapped both of them. Neal's anklet was removed, someone was shot in the process of their being taken while June only heard what happened. How are we supposed to solve this with so little clues?" Diana sounded frustrated, Jones nodding in agreement as they tried to think what to do. June had come back towards them at this point, her face still pale from what she had heard during the break in and kidnapping.

"Looks like you may have discovered something?" She was perceptive as ever, Diana and Jones nodding somewhat.

"June... you said that Peter was helping Neal back in with a sprained anklet. Do you know where they were coming from?" Diana asked the older woman as gently as she could, her voice softening. June looked thoughtful.

"I really don't know. Neal said he was going to catch a cab and go visit with Peter. I think maybe 30 minutes passed and he returned with Peter. I found it odd but like I said, I was so concerned with his ankle that I didn't get a chance to ask any questions." June looked like she wanted to cry again, Mozzie walking over to her as he placed an arm protectively around her. Diana nodded as did Jones.

"We'll be right back." Diana nodded to them as Jones followed her towards the entrance. He looked curious at her glance.

"We're are we going? You have an idea?" He watched her nod to him in reply as they walked outside and went down the street to the right. There was an alley way about half-way down the street. Diana saw a car parked at the far end.

"Hey... that matches the car that Mozz told us about." Jones remarked as Diana smiled. They started up the alley when something jingled and crunched beneath their feet. Diana crouched down in the darkness to see glass on the ground and what looked like bullet casings. Jones noted the same things as he took out his phone and made a call.

"This is Jones. We need a forensics group just outside of the scene. We have more evidence. I'll be there in a few to show you where. Thanks." Jones nodded to Diana as he moved back towards June's and she went to check out the car.

()()()

Neal was free but his arms were firmly held as he was carried, feet dragging beneath him through a dreary corridor of gray. They finally stopped before a large metal door. Keller opened it up and they entered a huge space like in a warehouse.

"It's convenient that your anklet is off. We were able to bring you out where nobody will find any evidence of your where abouts should it become necessary." Keller was speaking again, his voice sounding like it was in a cavern. Whatever drug they'd given Neal, it was making his senses act strangely. Things would glow off and on as he stared around the room. He shook his head to clear it but that made things worse. Neal could barely feel his body, it was so relaxed he wasn't sure he could stand if he tried but they leaned him on the wall and he managed to stand there a moment before sliding down to the floor, slumping against the same wall in a half sitting position.

"Hmmm... maybe we gave him too much. Doesn't matter. Set everything up." Keller's voice sounded eager, Neal's eyes moving around as he spotted Peter again, the agent curled up on the floor not too far away. Peter wasn't moving, his arms also freed up. Neal wondered what they were going to make them do that would determine El's fate as well as their own. Neal saw a rickety stool with a fairly large seat on top. Above the stool were two ropes tied in nooses hanging from the rafters. Neal watched as one of the nooses was lowered to the floor and wrapped securely around Peter's neck where he lay. The agent didn't move, but a low groan escaped his lips as they finished. Neal watched helplessly, two men walking over and lifting him up to his feet. His body was still overly relaxed, the two goons lifting Neal up to a sitting position to the rickety stool and then standing him on top. They lowered the noose enough to still be taut if he fell off as it was pulled around his neck.

"I saw this in a movie once and wondered if it would be a good revenge tactic. I guess we'll find out. Now..." He paused dramatically, the two goons turning Neal to face Peter's limp form on the floor.

"... All you have to do is stay on the stool. If you fall off, you live and your Fed friend hangs. No more keeper and you get to explain to his lovely wife why he's dead. What better revenge is there?" Keller seemed too excited by the prospect of Neal killing Peter to save himself or just from being too weak to perform the task at hand. Didn't help Neal was feeling literally nothing as he stood there, the two goons holding him up at the moment. Once they let go, he had no idea if he could even remain standing on his own especially with the way the stool was shuddering beneath his weight. He forced himself to concentrate as much as he could under the circumstances. Neal wanted to help his friend and he wanted to save El.

"You only need to stay standing for 1 hour and I'll let the Fed, his wife, and you go. Your time starts... now!"

Neal felt the two goons let go of him and step aside and somehow he managed to keep standing. He was wobbly not just because of the stool and yet he was upright, arms loosely hanging at his sides as he did his best to remain calm and alert. The calm part wasn't so hard under the drug's influence. He already felt that regardless of how he should be feeling but it was taking what little bit of will he had left to keep his legs from collapsing underneath him.

He heard the ticking of a metronome or some other device. Tick tock tick tock tick tock over and over till he thought he might start moving in time with it, the drug making him feel like he should follow the movement of the sound but he didn't, his body like a statue as he stood there. He fought the urge to move much less let his legs give way.

"One minute passed already and 59 more to go. I hope you're up for this, Caffrey." Keller's voice was smug.

()()()

Jones had gone back to June's home and took a few of the forensics team out to the alley way just a few yards down the block. Diana showed them the area and they started to take samples and map out what might have happened with the gun casings. Diana joined Jones back at June's again and found that Mozzie had helped the older woman fix some coffee. Jones was smiling now to Diana's surprise.

"What are you so happy about?" She looked skeptically at him when he shook his head.

"You haven't seen Peter smiling after visiting Neal's place before? This is why." He handed her a cup and took one when offered. Diana sniffed the stuff with an appreciative smile as she realized what it was. She was a diplomat's daughter after all. Not like she'd never had Italian roast before. Jones was smiling after a sip and she did too once she'd tasted the rich aromatic brew. For a moment she relaxed. There was little they could do till someone found a clue as to where Peter and Neal had been taken. Everything that could be done was being done now.

"You're right. Peter does seem happier when he picks up Neal. This stuff isn't half bad." She was grinning, moving over to the sofa in the foyer to sit down. She had barely sat when her foot kicked at something just out of view. Diana reached down to grab the object and look it over more carefully. Jones noticed her actions when he came to join her.

"Is that what I think it is? Where did you find it? Is it Caffrey's?" Jones was staring at the disposable cell phone curiously as Diana wrapped a her sleeve around it to avoid leaving prints as she check the last dialed number.

"The number you have dialed is out of service..." Diana hung up the cell and called a forensics member over and handed it to them for bagging.

"I wonder if we can trace the last number before it was turned off. Maybe there's some kind of tracking data on the call. We need to get prints to see who was holding it last. I have a bad feeling about this but at least this is a clue."

oOoOoOo

Author's note: Sorry for the delay with this chapter. I realized while I was writing the story that I was ending it WAY too fast. I kept thinking that's so not like me so I tried to figure out what could happen and voila' here we go. More excitement! Plus I got some writer's block so that didn't help. Now I think I'm back and so long as the muse is with me, it shall be written. Thanks for all the comments, alerts and faves. Keep it coming. :D