NOTE: This story has gotten a LOT longer than I ever planned. However I figured I can't just end this story easily, might as well do it 'right'. Even if it causes me to get carpal tunnel...

White Collar: The Eye of Sita

Chapter Thirty three

"Burke, you want my advice?"

"No."

"Go home." Walters said simply.

"What?"

"Just go back to New York and let the Marshals worry about this. Caffrey's not worth risking your career and possible jail time over."

"How would you know what Neal's worth?" Peter snarled.

"You can't help him, you need to accept that. If Caffrey is going to get out of this he'll have to do it on his own. Even if he does you think he'll just wander back to come back to 'work' for you? No way. He's off his leash, he's gone."

"You think Neal and Daniel planed this from the beginning."

"Yes I do." Walters admitted freely.

"Walters..."

"You know that the evidence that brought you and Caffrey down to DC in the first place was recently destroyed, right?"

"Destroyed?"

"By Daniel Caffrey himself. We have him on surveillance conning our evidence room receptionist into handing them over. The paintings, or what was left of them, were found in the janitor's closet soaking in a powerful solvent."

"He's very protective of Neal." Peter explained.

"Then you'll love this, because it is the best part." Walters hissed as he leaned slightly forward. "Daniel is the one who gave it to me in the first place."

"He did?" Peter asked in surprise.

"I didn't have any idea who he really was at the time. He had some sort of makeup covering up that scar of his, but it was him. Called himself Agent Allens, had a badge and everything."

"Walters..."

"Face the facts, Burke, the Caffrey brothers won. Divide and conquer. One of them conned me while the other got you. Now they have a 250 million dollar rock, and a perfect 'kidnapped by Indians' alibi in case they do get caught later."

"I don't believe that."

"Which is what made you such an easy mark."

"Walters, put your prejudice against Neal aside for a second, please. I need your help, you must have DC contacts with friends in the Embassy."

"No. We're done, Burke." Walters leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "I helped you out before because there was a kid's life at stake. No more."

"Either way finding Neal is the best way to find the Hope Diamond."

"Get out of my office."

Peter stayed seated for a minute while he decided if Walters was worth arguing with any further. Coming to the conclusion that Walters was too much like talking to a brick wall Peter got up and left. Sara had been waiting in the front office pit area and she quickly got to her feet when she saw Peter coming. The look on his face told her everything she needed to know about the short meeting with Agent Walters.

"He's not going to help us." Peter announced unnecessarily.

"Can you blame him?"

"Sara?"

"Think about it, Peter, you're like his arch nemesis."

"Nemesis? I'm not anyone's nemesis."

"By definition you are. Walters is probably secretly thrilled that you've lost Neal and the Hope Diamond along with him."

"He didn't make much of a secret about it."

"So what do we do?"

"About the only thing we can do is go to the Embassy and ask permission to search the premises."

"You think that will work?"

"Not really." Peter admitted. "Legally it is our only option. Anyone is allowed to walk up to the front desk, but it takes permission to get any further."

"And if the Ambassador is part of this?"

"Then I'm guessing he'll say 'no'." Peter shrugged.

"And to think that Neal accuses you of having no sense of humor." Sara smiled sadly.

"He does?"

"Yeah."

"He has a point."

Sara chuckled. Peter's phone suddenly beeped at him letting him know he had a text message. Sara watched as Peter furrowed his brow while reading the message. He didn't share the message right away. He typed something into the phone, but Sara could hear it make the noise that notified Peter that the reply failed to go through.

"Peter? Who is it?"

"I don't know, blocked number. It says 'Go home'."

"That's a little scary."

"It's Daniel's wife, or her partner 'Jack'. They don't want me looking into Neal or Daniel."

"You're not going to listen to them are you?"

"No more than I'm going to listen to Walters." Peter said firmly. "Let's go, we need to stop at the hotel before we visit the Embassy."

"What do you need at the hotel?"

"Mostly a shower. I've found in the past that people don't tend to take you seriously as an Agent if you look and smell like you spent the night sleeping on a park bench."

"I would not say 'no' to a change of clothes."

Since there were two showers at Peter's suite they made a quick stop at Sara's hotel so that she could grab fresh clothes before heading to his hotel. Opening the door with the magnetic key card Peter stepped into the room. Sara bumped into Peter when he quickly backed out of the room again. He pushed her gently to the side and put his hand up to silent request that she stay out in the hallway.

Sara stayed quiet as Peter drew his weapon and more cautiously stepped back into the spacious hotel room. With her curiosity outweighing her fear Sara peeked around the door frame. Peter was systematically sweeping the five separate rooms that made up the suite. He caught sight of her watching and repeated his silent request that she stay where she was. After stepping out on the patio for a moment he returned with his gun holstered once more.

"It's clear." Peter announced.

"Feeling a little jumpy are we?"

"Someone was here." Peter pointed to a yellow manila envelope sitting on the coffee table.

Peter stepped up to the coffee table and picked up the envelope. Reaching inside he pulled out a handful of papers. He looked the first one over and handed it to Sara. Taking the paper Sara looked at the small picture of a distinguished man of Indian decent in the corner. Glancing at the text she found that it was a full bio of the man in the photo. Peter handed her several similar sheets, all of the men were high powered diplomats, ambassadors, or emissaries for the Embassy.

"Some sort of intel packet?" Sara guessed.

"That's certainly what it looks like. A suspect list for a buyer for the Hope Diamond no doubt."

Peter handed over the last of the profiles, there were six of them in total, along with pages that held detailed plans of the Embassy layout, security measures, and staff number. Reaching back inside the envelope Peter pulled out two off white cards a little large than a standard index card. Peter got the same look on his face that he had when he was reading the threatening text. Sara waited, but Peter was lost in thought as he reread the cards.

"What's that?"

"Apparently the Embassy of India is throwing a little soirée tonight," Peter replied as he held up the two small cards to show of the embossed gold lettering "and we're both invited."