Note from the Phoenix: Just as a reference point the events of this story happen just before 'Taking Account'...which is why Sara wasn't unhappy to see Neal in the last chapter.

White Collar: The Eye of Sita

Chapter Five

Peter woke up and instantly regretted the quantity of beer that he'd consumed the night before. Looking at the alarm clock on the night stand he swore when he saw that it was already eight o'clock. Getting up Peter got dressed in a hurry. Going over to the safe in the closet he opened it and retrieved his sidearm from it.

Stepping out into the main room Peter spotted Neal out on the patio with some coffee and a newspaper. Peter wished he'd left him back in New York even though he would have quickly discovered the missing painting. He didn't like the idea that he'd brought him down here like a lamb to slaughter.

Trying to figure out why it had been so important that Neal come along Peter suddenly realized that Walters wanted Neal in DC to make any arrests and charges easier without having to cross state lines. In New York Peter would be the Agent in charge if any new warrants for arrest were served. Here in DC Peter was little more than a legal guardian.

"Crafty bastard." Peter muttered.

Although he was already late Peter stepped out onto the patio with Neal. Looking up from his paper Neal forced a polite smile. Peter had worked with Neal long enough to know when his smile was genuine or not. This morning it was definitely an act. Peter was about to return the act when he had a thought that forced him to smile.

"Peter?" Neal asked warily.

"You conned me last night with the toothbrush, didn't you?" Peter asked with a touch of respect in his voice.

"I did." Neal admitted freely.

"I take it you figured out what was in the case."

"I can't believe you stole from my apartment."

"It was that or let Art Crimes ransack your place."

"Don't try to rationalize with me." Neal snarled. "I would have given you the painting if you'd just asked for it."

"I know." Peter sighed in defeat. "I had ord..."

"Orders. Yeah, I've heard that line before." Neal said icily. "I guess I just figured after all these years together that if you were ever given orders to screw me that you'd at least warn me first."

"You're right. I've handled this badly." Peter said and then swore under his breath in frustration.

"Peter?"

"This is exactly what Walters wanted. He's setting us on each other like dogs in a ring, and he's enjoying the show."

"Agent Walters? I should have known he was involved."

"You know him?" Peter asked surprised.

"Peter, I know everyone who works at Art Crimes." Neal smiled as he quickly lost his brush with temper. "Maybe not personally, but certainly by reputation."

"Know thy enemy, eh?"

"Something like that."

"Neal, I know your past is basically a non stop crime spree."

Neal made a noncommittal shrug that neither confirmed nor denied Peter's accusation.

"I also know you're better than that now." Peter continued. "I don't know what cards Walters is holding, but I do know what he's after."

"Your job." Neal said simply.

"How do you kno..."

"I'm not ignorant, Peter. I'm also not blind, or naive, or stup..."

"Alright, alright, I get it." Peter interrupted. "I shouldn't have lied to you, I should have known you wouldn't fall for it. I'm sorry. I admit to my failings...are you happy now?"

"I'm a little happier." Neal mocked.

"Neal, this is serious. I need you to understand that we are both in big trouble here, Walters is not someone to be underestimated."

"How can I help?"

"For right now just enjoy the city, take in some art, and for God's sake stay out of trouble. Give me some time to figure out exactly what Walters is doing."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Peter repeated in surprise.

"You beat Agent Walters once, you can do it again. He isn't half the Agent you are. But you have to promise to ask for my help when you need it."

"I will." Peter agreed. "I have to admit that I'm a little surprised how well you're taking all of this."

"You did what you had to, I understand that."

"I have to get going. Remember, stay out of trouble."

"Don't worry about me. Worry about keeping your job. If you get fired I get sent back to prison."

"Good point."

Peter turned to leave, feeling better that he and Neal had talked. He'd had orders not to tell Neal about the painting, but he couldn't be blamed for Neal figuring it out on his own. Peter just hoped that Neal kept to his word and stayed out of trouble today. Slipping on his jacket Peter grabbed his keys and went to head out the door.

"Peter?" Neal called out from the patio.

"Yes?"

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

Getting to the Federal Building Peter showed himself to Walters' office. Knocking on the door Peter waited for permission to enter. Walters was sitting at his desk working on his computer. He continued what he was doing for a few minutes, making Peter wait. It was a childish ploy that Peter countered by not letting it annoy him.

"Burke, glad you could make it."

"I want to see these forgeries." Peter said bluntly.

"Of course. They are still running the computer analysis on the art fingerprinting, but you are the Caffrey expert perhaps you'll recognize the work of your 'partner'. Is he getting suspicious of your little trip?"

Peter ignored Walters baiting him into an argument and ignored the question. Walters lead Peter to the conference room where he had the paintings laid out on the large table. There were seven paintings in all. Peter didn't have to look at them very closely before turning to Walters.

"You're kidding me, right?" Peter asked.

"Not at all."

"Half these paintings aren't even of stolen works."

"So?"

"So the whole point of a forgery is to be able to sell it as the real thing, if the real one is famous and hanging in a museum somewhere no one is going to believe you. These haven't been aged either, even an amateur collector would know these aren't real."

"We all have to start somewhere."

"You think these are practice pieces?" Peter asked confused. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there is nothing particularly illegal about copying another artist's work if you don't try to turn around and sell it."

"If we can prove that we have seven works by Caffrey's hand then we can use the art fingerprinting to analyze some more 'professional' works in evidence."

"Why are you so convinced that these are his work?"

"An anonymous source."

"Anonymous? Right, because Neal doesn't have any enemies that would love to see him locked up on art forgery charges."

"We believe the intel is good."

"And I believe your case against Neal is paper thin."

"Most cases start that way." Walters shrugged. "Haven't you ever just had a gut feeling about someone's guilt?"

"There is something else going on here that has nothing to do with these paintings. These paintings were just an excuse to get him across State lines. What's the real angle?"

"I'm not authorized to discuss that with you."

"You're such a pain in my ass, Walters."

"You really want to help?" Walters asked suddenly. "What can you tell me about this woman."

Walters went over to a file that had been sitting at the end of the table. Peter took the file and opened it. He was surprised to find a picture of Sara next to a standard F.B.I file on her. Briefly reading the file there wasn't anything there that Peter didn't already know.

"Do you know her?"

"You know that I do. Sara Ellis, insurance investigator for Sterling-Bosch. What about her?"

"How long has this being going on..."

Walters turned the first page of the file over to reveal a series of surveillance photos of Neal and Sara engaged in a deep kiss at the Smithsonian. Peter did a good job hiding his irritation with Neal for getting caught on camera being overly friendly with Sara in a public place. Peter was a little disturbed that Neal hadn't mentioned that he'd run into Sara here in DC, but the fact that he came home nearly two hours after this picture was taken told him why. Neal was not the kind to kiss and tell, a fact that Peter greatly appreciated.

"Well?" Walters demanded.

"What?"

"How long have Caffrey and Ellis being sleeping together?"

"I have no idea." Peter replied honestly. "It's none of my business who Neal decides to be romantic with."

"You're joking, right? A con artist and an insurance investigator get together and you don't see a recipe for disaster?"

"You think they're running scams together? Neal doesn't have time to be running scams on the side. Have you seen our case clearance rate lately?"

"So you've never suspected them of anything?"

"No."

"Okay, thank you for your help." Walters said as he took the file back.

Peter stared at Walters icily. Walters smiled patronizingly back at him. Walters left the room, taking the file with him. Alone with the paintings Peter took another look at them. He hated to admit it, but he could see Neal's hand being behind them, particularly if they were ten years or more old. The raw talent was evident in the painting, they were just missing the years of learned skill that made any true forger great.

Coming to one of the larger paintings, a Monet depicting water lilies, Peter inspected it once more. Looking carefully Peter noticed a rusty stain on the corner of the painting. He lightly brushed at it, a small amount flaked off easily. Taking his handkerchief out of his pocket Peter touched it to his tongue to get it damp and then gently rubbed it against one of the flake that had come off. Rehydrated the stain that came off on the white cloth was a bright ruby red.

"Blood..."