A Reason to Live

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

A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 6:

"Peter, you said you wanted to help me, not hurt me. You, Elle and June all promised that you would help me, that I could depend on you, no matter what. As if it isn't bad enough that I've obviously failed two women in my life, now you have to go bring up another woman that I haven't thought of in years. This is not helping me!"

"Neal, I'm sorry. This is not something I did deliberately to hurt you; it just happened. I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'Your sins will find you out?' This is something you have to deal with. We are here to support you, but this, Neal…this is out of my control. I cannot impede an FBI investigation simply because something may implicate you. You had to have known something like this could happen."

"If this is the way you think you are helping me, then just back off. Ok? I don't need your help."

Neal grabbed his fedora and stalked out of Peter's office; almost running into Jones. Peter saw him get into the elevator and hit the down button, presumably to get some fresh air and clear his head.

Jones came up the stairs with a curious look on his face and stepped into Peter's office.

"What was that all about?"

"Neal has taken a strong dislike to our new case and apparently to me. I'm not exactly sure what is going on, but apparently I hit a nerve."

"Anything you need me to track down?"

"I'm not worried about him setting off his anklet, but I do need you to run a profile on this woman who reported the missing Vermeer. Her name is Amber Van Nuys. I want to know everything about her."

"Not a problem Peter."

Jones turned to leave Peter's office and noticed a gorgeous brunette enter through the glass doors and stop by Diana's desk. She asked a question and was pointed up to Peter's office.

Jones gave a low whistle and Peter raised his head to see what was going on.

"Wow. I wonder who that is; looks like she's heading this way Peter."

"I have no idea who she is."

Jones met her at the top of the stairs.

"Are you looking for Peter?"

"Yes, actually I am. Are you Peter?"

"No. Clinton Jones, ma'am. Pleased to meet you."

He briefly shook her hand and pointed out Peter's office.

The lady turned around to see that Peter had come to the door of his office to meet her.

"I'm Agent Peter Burke. How may I help you?"

"My name is Amber Van Nuys. I was told you are the lead agent on my father's case."

"Yes, that's right. Why don't we sit down."

Peter gestured toward his guest chair that Neal usually occupied.

"I was planning on visiting you myself, but I see you are one step ahead of me."

"I am most anxious to clear up matters regarding my father's estate. It has caused me no small amount of shame to find the original Vermeer among my father's possessions. You must accept my apologies Agent Burke. I wish to make matters right for all parties involved."

"That's very admirable Ms. Van Nuys. We are just trying to figure out what had transpired to allow your father to have the Vermeer in his possession undetected for many years."

"It is a shameful story I'm afraid Agent Burke and I feel partly responsible. I came here because I hoped you might understand. I knew that my father was a thief, but he was just trying to support our family. It was seven years ago already and we were living in Amsterdam. We had fallen on hard times; my father had lost his job. I was in college, but I dropped out because we couldn't afford it anymore. My mother left us and took my two little brothers to live with her family. I stayed behind because I was older and was fortunate to get a job through one of my father's friends who worked in security at the Rijksmuseum. I was a tour guide. It was on one of those tours that my life was changed and I have yet to forgive myself."

Ms. Van Nuys looked like she was about to cry. Peter was feeling extremely uncomfortable, but managed to hand her a tissue.

"May I ask what it was that was so terrible?"

She looked up with tears in her eyes and she spoke quietly almost as if she was afraid someone other than Peter would hear.

"It was a man by the name of Neal Caffrey…"