A Reason to Live

Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to Jeff Eastin and USA network.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for the reviews! They are greatly appreciated!

Chapter 5

The next morning, Peter sat down at his desk across from Neal and shoved a folder toward him. Neal didn't reach for it.

"So, now that you have me cornered, what can I help you with?"

"It's about the painting called 'The Little Street.' You know, the place where you thought I was going to kill you. You've heard of it?"

Neal didn't miss Peter's sarcastic tone. He looked up at Peter and gave him a nasty glare.

"I haven't completely lost my mind, Peter, just a few hours. Of course, I've heard of it. It's painted by a famous Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer, in 1658. No one knows where the painting location was, but some consider it to be Delft. It's oil on canvas, and it is currently on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It was donated in 1921."

Peter had to admit that yet again he was impressed with Neal's breadth of knowledge regarding anything to do with art.

"Yes, well, we believe it has been switched out. We think the one currently in the Rijksmuseum is a forgery."

"And why would you think that?"

"Open the folder."

Neal reached for the folder. He perused the pictures and police reports. Peter was grateful that Neal was finally showing more interest, because he really did need his expertise.

"It probably would have gone undetected, except that a person of interest that we have been watching for quite a while and has been suspected of several forgeries was recently killed in a pedestrian/automobile accident here in New York City. The daughter while going through her father's belongings noticed a painting wrapped up in a corner and recognized it as a Vermeer."

"Are we sure the daughter isn't in on the family business?"

"She was the one that got the police involved. She had apparently known about the shady side of her father's life. Fortunately for us I guess, the police didn't want to muddy international waters, so the case belongs to the FBI at the moment, but we are to keep the Dutch authorities involved as to our progress."

"How fortunate."

Neal looked less than thrilled, and Peter was fairly sure that Neal had probably had a run in or two with the very same Dutch authorities in the past and wasn't too excited to renew any acquaintances. Then he noticed a dramatic change in Neal's demeanor as he sported a wide smile.

"You don't think we would be able to travel to the Netherlands do you? I would just love to visit the Rijksmuseum again. Did you know that it opened in 1885? The most famous painting there is just huge; it covers almost an entire wall. It's popularly known as The Night Watch, but its actual title is Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenhurch. It waspainted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1642. Now that is what art is all about."

"Neal, as impressive as that is, you are misdirecting again. I don't want you within 100 miles of the Rijksmuseum, or the Louvre, or any other famous European museum. I have enough problems keeping you out of trouble in your 2 mile radius here in New York City!"

Peter tried to sound annoyed, but Neal acted like such a kid with boundless enthusiasm when discussing art. Peter just hated stifling that enthusiasm. He felt bad when he could obviously see Neal's ego deflate, but wasn't sure if it was an act or not.

"We are going to meet with Amber Van Nuys, the daughter. Her father's name is Jacob Van Nuys. He's the pedestrian that was killed."

"We are going to meet her? I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

Neal ignored the question and asked one of his own. He didn't think Peter would take the bait, but he really really didn't want to discuss the issue.

"So, Mr. Van Nuys is dead right?"

"You make that sound like it's a good thing. What's going on?"

"Yeah, well, um, let's just say it's a good thing he's dead."

Peter just glared at Neal.

"What? I didn't kill him. You said he was killed in a traffic accident. I couldn't possibly have orchestrated that, although you might want to check into Keller on that one."

Peter did not look amused. He didn't put it past Neal to have something to do with this missing painting, and he really did not want to be thinking about Keller or about someone else that Keller might have gotten involved with to be able to kill Van Nuys with a car.

"Would this have anything to do with the forgery at the Rijksmuseum or did you just not like the guy?"

"Could possibly be both."

"Why don't you want to meet with the daughter? From those photos, she seems to be quite the looker."

Peter paused, trying to figure out what it was with this lady that had Neal on edge.

"What, no comment about the lady? I'm sure you could charm her into telling you more about her father. We need to make progress before I have the Dutch authorities breathing down my neck!"

"I can't go with you Peter. I will work on whatever mortgage fraud paperwork you can give me."

"Now I know that something is wrong. You know the lady don't you? What happened? Did she dump you, the great Neal Caffrey?"

Peter looked at the shocked expression on Neal's face.

"That is what happened isn't it? Why would she dump you and why would you want her father dead?"

"I didn't say I wanted him dead, I just said I'm not sorry he's dead."

Peter was too good an FBI agent and had been following Neal much too long not to see the connection here.

"Let me guess, the forgery at the Rijksmuseum is yours isn't it? Did Van Nuys double cross you before you could double cross him?"

Neal didn't say a word. He could see Peter figuring it out. He realized even if Peter hadn't wanted to kill him before, he might seriously consider it now.

"Yes. That's it. You worked with him and fell for his daughter. You were going to double cross him, but somehow Amber found out. Van Nuys somehow double crossed you and you ended up without the painting or the girl."

"No comment Peter. You can't pin this on me."

"Neal, if they find your initials on that forgery, I can't protect you. You will go back to prison."

"It's really sweet that you worry about me."

"You didn't deny my accusation Neal."

"I had nothing to do with the theft Peter."

"So, in Nealese, that means you were not the thief that took the painting down from the wall and vacated the premises with the original in tow. My guess is you were the thief that inserted the forgery into the frame. Hence, you were 'returning' and not stealing."

"Wow. Peter. That's very perceptive of you. Unfortunately, there's no evidence to back up that theory."

"You'd better hope there's not or our partnership is over."