(Chapter 6)

Elizabeth was surprised when her phone buzzed in her purse. She was on her way to talk with Reese about Peter's disappearance hoping to talk to Jones or Diana if possible. They had both been released the day before Neal had waken. She had barely paid the cabbie, her hand reaching for her phone when she felt an arm touch hers, thick calloused fingers wrapping securely around it. The cab was already leaving when she turned and saw a tall, blondish brown haired man she didn't recognize standing there. His green eyes flashed unspoken threats at her, his free hand holding a single finger to his lips and then flashing a quick glance into his jacket of a gun. She felt the color drain from her face, Elizabeth no blushing flower but uncertain how to escape with so little foot traffic nearby and his hand wrapped around her arm more tightly.

"Your husband... wants to see you."

She perked up at those words, wondering if this was the man who had taken the agents and Neal before. He didn't seem the type so maybe he was just a hired hand like the man who had taken her for Keller? Her mind started to race, searching for something to get free but still curious to where Peter was. She still hadn't had a chance to look at her phone to see who had called her but it seemed her luck hadn't run out yet.

"Mrs. Sanford... I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

Agent Blake, one of the newer agents working in White Collar walked up and smiled like a little boy at the two, seemingly unaware of the situation. Elizabeth wanted to warn him but he just gently touched the man's hand, the goon letting go a moment as if uncertain what to do as Blake started to chat normally.

"You wanted to go over those records about your husband's accounts. My office is just across the street. Thank you for bringing her here. I should have stated we were across from the Federal Building but forgot in all the hustle and bustle of it all. Shall we?"

The goon seemed to be thinking hard, his eyes glancing between the two while watching the growing number of pedestrians showing up during the lunch hour before he nodded quietly and walked away. Elizabeth tried not to be afraid but her heart was still beating fast as she watched him leave and turn the corner. She jumped a bit when someone touched her shoulder and she turned to see Agent Blake there. She smiled nervously but with a quiet thank you as he glanced after the menacing figure, his cell to his ear once he had dialed a number.

"Agent Burke's wife is here. Someone tried to take her. (pause) Yes, I got a picture of him. I'll text it to you, Sir. Thanks. Are you alright, Mrs. Burke?"

He had hung up the call, quickly texting what looked to be a pretty good mugshot of the man who had tried to kidnap her. In a way she wanted to follow her would-be kidnapper to find out where Peter was but was happier that the agent had come to her rescue.

"I'm fine. Thank you Agent Blake. How did you know I was here? Did Hughes send you?"

The young agent blushed slightly, his face very boyish in a way like many of the agents she'd met in the department. She wondered how he dealt with the stress of the job with such an innocent disposition.

"I was coming out for my lunch break. I thought you could use a hand and I heard enough to know he was obviously uncertain who you were. Come on, I'll escort you upstairs."

He smiled at her as El nodded back before they entered the Federal Building.

()()()

Elmer had to let Mrs. Burke go after seeing a hint of gun under the young man's jacket and knowing this man was anything but what he appeared to be. He might be innocent looking but obviously he was an agent looking out for Burke's wife. With no words he nodded slightly before walking away, hoping that was enough to keep them from following for now. Jaren wasn't going to be happy but they had the agent and the balding guy to convince the Caffrey guy to play ball. Hopefully he wouldn't be in too much trouble.

"Sir..."

He turned to find two well dressed men and a few cops coming around the corner in the distance. He was surrounded. So much for being in trouble with Jaren. He was going to jail now.

"May I help you, gentlemen?"

Elmer could play it cool, hoping he wouldn't have to shoot his way out to freedom but he couldn't do prison again. He'd already broken out once and managed to stay free. Caffrey had done the same thing but ended up a snitch. He wouldn't tattle unless it paid well.

"We can do this quietly..."

They were being kind, the pedestrians and passers by the reason for their non-violence. He saw more cops across the street and two more men dressed like these, possibly agents from the building he'd left coming from the direction he had just come from. That rookie-looking agent had been smarter than he thought if they were already here to catch him. He had few options other than to die seeing they were all armed. Elmer liked his skin too much to waste it on Jaren's plans as he nodded, letting the men take his gun and lead him to a nearby patrol car. He'd bide his time and get out again. It wouldn't take much.

()()()

Neal was nudged awake, his head swimming from the chloroform they'd pressed in a rag against his face. It took him a moment to recall what was up as his eyes quickly searched the room he was in and found Peter sleeping in the corner, his wrists cuffed overhead to the post of the cot while Mozzie was no where to seen, the little guy's absence making him nervous. He heard a dark chuckle as Jaren came into view and grasped his chin in one hand and glanced down at him. Neal was bound to a chair, arms pushed through the slats and bound securely. He was ungagged for the moment but had the feeling it wasn't because Jaren was feeling generous.

"Mr. Caffrey... I hope you had a nice rest. Your agent friend seems to be healing well from whatever you gave him but his continued health and well-being depend on your cooperation."

The man was just smiling at him, that cat that ate the canary look beaming from Jaren's unusually bright grin as he motioned for someone who suddenly grabbed him from behind and held his head where his neck was bared. Another figure moved forward and he felt a jab of something like a needle, warmth following as Neal started to feel more relaxed than he should. His eyes moved to Peter's sleeping form, his friend looking pale and sallow. The man needed a hospital. That little bit of antibiotics wasn't going to do it, his eyes moving to their captor and blinking as he tried to focus.

"Now... tell me something, Mr. Caffrey."

The voice was cool, echoing as if he were in a cavern as he shook his head to clear it but felt the drug taking over.

"Tell you... something? I... don't under... stand."

His tongue felt thick in his mouth, throat dry but his mind was racing, all the thoughts he usually held back starting to push like a waterfall against a dam. He couldn't let them out but something wanted him to speak, the drug he figured as Neal licked at his lips. He had to keep from talking, part of his mind still conscious enough of what was happening to him.

"Yes, Neal... I can call you that can't I?"

Jaren's face was close to his, the scent of tobacco present and making him gag a bit. Neal fought back the bile and then finally he let go, throwing up on the man's shoes before Jaren could move. He didn't look happy as Neal felt a genuine smile curl his lips and a drunken laugh left his throat. He felt better and worse all at once, a rotten taste in his mouth as he spit to get the last bit out. Someone slugged him hard, his head ringing with the blow as he slumped forward and he heard a familiar voice talking.

"Get him to tell you where it is! Threaten him with the agent and the little guy if push comes to shove. I want that painting!"

The voice was angry and he felt a sense of duty to tell them something as his eyes gazed across at the blurry form of Peter laying on the cot.

Peter... it was Neal's fault this happened. He had to make things right. They'd planned to give Jaren the Degas. He remembered something about that but his mind was blurring reality with something else, Neal flinching at the memory of his friend angry at him that he'd had the treasure. He thought he heard Peter telling him to reveal the treasure.

"I'm sorry... Peter. Don't hate me."

His mind escaped back into the memory of that night, when Elizabeth had been taken and Peter had confronted him. Neal trembled, still not fully recovered from his recent poisoning. The drug was making him feel more emotional and vulnerable than usual. Someone was standing nearby and he looked up to see Peter.

"I don't hate you, Neal. Tell me where the painting is. You have it don't you? I won't send you to prison if you give it to me."

The voice seemed to be Peter's, the face definitely the agent's but something felt off as he blinked a few times and turned finding himself back at the Burke home in the back on the patio. It was just them and the agent begging for his wife to be back safely. Elizabeth...

"Evidence... it's in evidence. Kramer took it. They archived it, Peter. I'm sorry."

His head started to slump forward, his strength waning or the drug making him sleepy as his chin lay on his chest and he started to pass out. Someone gently mussed his hair, their breath close to his ear before darkness took him away.

"Thank you, Neal."

He went to sleep feeling he had done something good.

()()()

Peter had let the darkness take him but suddenly his breath caught, something cold and wet entering his nose and mouth as he struggled to get out of the grip of the invisible monster that pulled him along. His eyes popped open, blurry darkness showing him he was underwater as his exhausted mind finally realized he was below the surface of the river and about to drown. Peter fought for his life, kicking and struggling until his head popped out at some point as he gasped for breath and coughed up buckets of water until he was dry heaving. His eyes spied something sticking out of the water, his hands reaching for the slicked rough surface of a huge rock as he grasped it and held on for dear life. The river pulled and yanked on him but he managed to dig in like a tick on a dog and held on for dear life despite the tightness of his muscles. Now it seemed the botulism was working in his favor as he felt himself stick like a statue hardening to the surface as he fell into an exhausted half-sleep, his body going into a kind of temporary stupor.

Peter?

There was a voice, calling from far away, his arms frozen by the water and the poison in his system. He didn't react thinking he must be dreaming as his mind kept him safely cocooned in the darkness.

"PETER?"

The voice sounded closer, familiar but he was certain they weren't here. If anything they were gone far away. They had left him here, a pain in his chest unassociated with his current ills. Something warm dripped down his cheek merging with the cold spray around him as the river continued to pull on his body but he wasn't letting go.

"Peter... hey..."

Someone was holding him now, shivering slightly as they did so and prying him loose from the rock that had been his lifeline for the past few hours. There was a familiar scent he knew but his mind refused to believe they were here as he was pried loose of his water slicked life preserver and they were floating in the cold water again. He was too tired to react or move, this person he could only feel and sense holding him securely as they made it to the shore, the scent of mud and grass evident.

"Peter... wake up."

That voice. He didn't want to hope it was them as he continued to lay in the darkness, his body unable to wake even if he wanted to. He was too exhausted and tired to think this was real as he tried to fall back into unconsciousness but something pricked his arm and woke him, the voice still talking to him. They sounded worried, concerned and then everything went quiet as he fell back to his own thoughts.

"Thank you Neal."

That voice was familiar too, not the one he had fallen back to sleep with earlier. It felt like more time had passed but he was still very exhausted. Something had changed, his body less stiff and unpliable as Peter slowly opened his eyes and saw just a hint of light before closing them again. He didn't move or breath, fighting to stay conscious as the sound of footsteps started to move away and more voices spoke.

When he wakes up, make sure he gets me that painting. Don't take your eyes off of him! Bring him and the painting back.

Some part of him shivered at the tone of voice remembering other things this person had said before. He knew them from somewhere he couldn't think of at the moment as he tried to remember, their footsteps disappearing behind the clang of a door and then silence. Once it had been silent for some minutes, Peter felt himself waking, his eyes opening to a blurry dull yellowish white ceiling which slowly focused to reveal cracks and wear which indicated a basement or other decrepit cinder block building structure. His mind was agent mode despite the days of illness and his swim in the river. He shivered slightly, turning his still stiff neck towards the soft sound of breathing nearby. There was a slight stench in the air, one he had become accustomed to once he'd become sick by the poison Jaren had fed him. His eyes followed where his nose thought the smell was coming from and noticed a figure with their back to him sitting in a chair. Their hands were tied behind them with zip-ties, head slumped forward but they seemed familiar to him as he opened his lips to speak.

"N... Ne... Ne... al?"

They didn't move when he spoke, only the slight indication they were alive as they breathed in and out, a soft wheezy sound just audible to his ears. He tried to sit up and found himself bound by his wrists over his head to the bar at the end of the cot he was on. His legs were free as he did his best to stretch out with one foot and kick the chair. It shook slightly but there was no reaction to his action as he tried again and heard a slight groan then silence again. Neal was alive but where were they? Had he been mistaken to think his partner had abandoned him if he was here now? He called out again, voice raspy from lack of use and illness.

"N... Nea... Neal..."

He waited, hoping for something when there was another quiet groan and then movement as his friend finally twitched a bit, turning his head to look back. Blue eyes met his but they looked way too dark for what he was used to, the pupils larger than normal. Someone had drugged his friend.

"I... I'm getting that painting for you... Peter. For... for Elizabeth..."

Neal sounded confused, his eyes squinty as he tried to focus on him then rolled back as he slumped back against the chair and passed out again. The con looked limp, breath still wheezy as Peter did his bed to kick at the chair again but received no response this time. Jaren had to be behind this but he didn't understand what Neal had meant by the painting. His memory was still a bit foggy at best as he twisted round and managed to pop one hand out of the not so tight cuffs. They obviously thought he wouldn't try to escape but now his right hand hurt from the attempt, scrapes evident as he did the same with his left hand and was free in a few minutes. His skin stung but it would grow back as he stood up unsteadily and moved towards the con.

"Neal... wake up."

The con didn't respond to his voice, out cold when he checked his eyes then closed them again. Neal unconscious and he had no idea how they were going to get out of here.

"Come on Neal. Don't make me send you back to prison!"

Peter waited, a soft groan erupting as he finished removing the zip-ties and freed his partner, Neal's blue eyes almost black now looking up at him piteously.

"Pri... son?"

Neal seemed to be trying to say more but licked at his lips as if unable to draw the strength to speak. Peter sighed, mussing the young man's hair and smiling at him.

"I guess I should stop saying that when you know it's not true. Come on... I need you to help us escape."

Peter didn't feel as strong as he should have but at the moment he had to be while Neal slipped further into the chair as if he had no bones. He wasn't sure what they'd given his friend but it must have been strong.

"You're... not... mad?"

The young man was gazing up at him woefully, those blue eyes still more black than blue as he shook his head.

"No. El is safe, Neal. Remember, we bested Keller already."

Neal blinked back at him as if uncertain of something, a frown growing as his lips curved downward.

"You... asked me about the Degas... didn't you?"

Peter glanced around hoping for some means of escape when he caught Neal's eyes glancing towards an off colored part of the wall in the corner. Peter shook his head as they headed towards it and found it was a vent covered by some very poorly painted spackle.

"No. Jaren wants it... You thought... What did you tell me about the painting Neal?"

Neal slumped nearby as Peter worked on getting the vent loose, the young man's eyes rolling loosely in their sockets until he seemed to focus on his friend again and answer.

"I said the painting was in evidence."

Peter paused when he heard that, looking at Neal and smiling broadly as he nodded, pulling the vent off the wall as quietly as he could. It was just big enough for them to go through as he helped ease Neal inside and followed, pulling the vent behind them. Jaren would know they were gone soon enough but at least they could hide in the ducts for a bit.

"You did good, Neal. It is in evidence. Come on... we need to find a way out of this place."

He helped his friend crawl along side him as they made their escape. Peter's head ached, his body still weak from his illness but for now he had to be the strong one as he nudged Neal along through the ventilation system.

()()()

Elizabeth reached the 21st floor with Agent Blake where she saw Reese talking to someone in his office as she stepped inside through the glass doors to her husband's department. The White Collar offices were busier than she was used to, the agents obviously working on cases if not looking for her husband.

"I'll leave you here, if that's ok Mrs. Burke."

She turned to see he was waiting on her response when she nodded thankfully.

"Go enjoy your lunch and thank you again, Agent."

He smiled back at her before he left, talking to another agent who walked up and offered her some assistance finding a place to sit while she waited for Reese upstairs to finish his meeting. They sat her near Neal's desk by the door, her heart dropping a moment as she realized that and thought about her husband and his young partner. El pulled out her phone to make a call when it beeped back at her, reminding her that someone had tried to call. She glanced at the screen to see she had a text.

Azaleas are pretty this time of year by the Atascosa river.

She blinked, seeing the text from a few minutes ago when the man had tried to take her from her taxi. The number was familiar and she realized it was Neal who had texted her. Something was wrong if he was using her and Peter's safe word. Did it mean he had found her husband? Was Peter ok? El stood up and headed towards the small upper level where Reese Hughes' office stood. Her eyes looked over at the darkened office beside it where her husband usually resided and tried not to think negatively. Neal had found Peter. She was certain of it!

"Thank you for coming in Jones. I'll talk to Diana once she's feeling better, now go home and rest. I want you ready for the job."

The agent nodded at his boss as he turned to leave and they both paused at Elizabeth's presence. She hoped she hadn't intruded as the phone was held tightly in her hand.

"Agent Jones... Hughes."

She addressed them both politely, both agents noticing her agitation so she pointed at her phone, showing them the text.

"Neal sent me this. It's about Peter. He's alive! I think this has a location but I don't understand what it means."

Jones took the phone to glance it, his manner still a bit stiff if not tired as he glanced down at the screen and read the text.

"Atascosa? That's in Texas... Caffrey can't be out of state."

The agent sounded confused until Reese shook his head.

"Old rock mill just outside of town. One of my uncles used to work there when I was a kid. It's long since gone out of business. What in blue blazes is Caffrey doing there? He's supposed to be home resting!"

As mad as he often looked and acted, it was obvious he was worried about Caffrey as well as her husband. Jones smiled, turning to the older agent with a curious look.

"I can go check it out sir. I know I'm not on duty but it couldn't hurt."

Jones was being kind but more than that, he was obviously worried about his colleagues and friends as Elizabeth smiled thankfully at him and Reese sighed.

"No, you're off duty until the doctor says otherwise. I'll send Blake and Ashton but if want to go as a guest, that's fine by me. Elizabeth, come in and we can talk."

Jones nodded at the senior agent's reply, excusing himself as she saw Blake walking back into the bullpen with a bag of food. Elizabeth watched him move away as she entered the office and they closed the door.

"Elizabeth... when did you receive this text? Are you certain it's from Caffrey? I thought he only just woke up."

He looked worried possibly thinking of her almost kidnapping outside their offices. She shrugged.

"He knows what our safe word is. I doubt he would have sent this text without a reason. Someone how he found Peter. Can you track him with his anklet?"

Hughes was about to say something but grunted almost angrily.

"My apologies... was trying to coordinate with NYPD on the man who tried to kidnap you downstairs, talk Jones out of coming in too soon from his injuries and get the search for your husband continued."

He paused and sighed, leaning forward with a quiet voice.

"I believe he was sans anklet due to his injuries. Without anyone to watch him directly, we had agents around Ms. Ellington's home to keep him under our watch until he woke up. The anklet would have been on him tomorrow..."

She felt herself pale realizing maybe Neal was in trouble or maybe Peter sent it from Neal's phone to let her know he was ok.

"Let me talk to June, Reese. She might know where he went."

()()()

Jones managed to hang with the two rookie agents although Blake had done enough surveillance with himself and Diana to almost be a pro. Ashton was still green around the edges but learning as he went as a guest only.

"Do you think that text was from Agent Burke? I thought Caffrey was home sick still from what happened."

Ashton was talking to Jones, Blake driving but obviously keeping attention to their chat. He shrugged.

"I've been convalescing myself so haven't been apprised of much lately. I just heard about Neal being found yesterday and Peter missing still today. Take a left here. This looks like the road."

Blake nodded, pulling off the main path to what appeared to be a rough caliche road leading through some greenery and a small woods towards some low hills. They definitely weren't in the city anymore. The car bumped around on the mostly potted pathway, the popping of rocks hitting the underside of the vehicle like quiet gunshot until they met with what remained of the old road and became a bit smoother. Blake pulled over inside the perimeter, hints of fence obvious despite the overgrown nature of the place.

"Atascosa Rock Mill... This is the place."

They exited the vehicle, Jones taking the lead before remembering his place and letting the other two go ahead of him. He was supposed to be an observer at best but he wanted to find Peter just as much as the rest of them. They split up down the way, finding shovels at a small clearing indicating someone had been trying to dig a hole without success. The ground was far too hard and rocky but they moved on, taking pictures of the scene with their phones before moving along. Jones went down stream after Ashton, Blake going up river as they followed a rough trail and finally found a clue.

"This is Peter's. This pack must be Neal's but there's two of them..."

Jones held a shoe he knew belonged to his boss and friend while Ashton had found a couple of light backpacks strewn nearby. There appeared to be a bit of a struggle but not much as they followed the path up through the trees to where tire tracks led away back to the main road.

"We need a crew out here. Call Hughes and have him get forensics out here."

He went back to look at the bags, poking around and seeing something glint back at him in the light under some leaves. Jones dug it up and saw it was a sim card. He dusted it off and dropped it into his pocket curious as to where Peter and Neal could be now and who else had been here.

()()()

Neal was starting to become a bit more awake but the drug was still pretty much overpowering him as he scooted along with Peter's nudging inside the ducts. His head ached and all he wanted to do was sleep but the agent urged him gently along, a tired sound to his voice.

"Peter?"

They spoke quietly, uncertain how much could be heard outside of the structure as the agent sat beside him, both men resting a moment. Peter looked less than able to make the rest of the trip but was obviously trying for the sake of their lives. Brown eyes met his in the dim darkness.

"What is it, Neal?"

The voice was quiet, exhausted and worn out. His friend had only recently been found after days of exposure and a dunk in a cold river. He was surprised Peter was still conscious.

"Mozzie... he's here somewhere. I don't know where but once you get out, I'll come back and find him."

Those brown eyes narrowed their gaze back at him as if they might be angry but then widened to a softer glance as Peter shook his head.

"Back up... we have to make a call and get back up. You're in no condition to come back alone. Understood?"

Neal heard the worry in his friend's voice and maybe it was the drugs or something else but he had to reply honestly.

"Thank you Peter for worrying, but I'm not leaving Mozz behind."

He saw the agent gaze back and them then lean back some and nod, eyes closed now. Neal waited for Peter to wake up and say more to dissuade him but the agent slumped more as he finally reached over and shook him.

"Peter?"

His friend didn't move but he was alive, the soft rise and fall of Peter's chest obvious as was the slight movement on his neck where his pulse was evident. Neal wasn't sure he was awake enough yet to take over but it was their survival counting on his ability to lead them out of here. Nobody was following them which was good so maybe... just maybe he could move on ahead to scout the way alone then come back for Peter. He took off his shirt, leaving him in a white short sleeved tee as he placed it under his friend's head.

"I'll be back soon, Peter."

oOoOoOo

Author's Note: Looks like the boys are in trouble but Jones is on the trail. I wonder what happened to Mozzie... Next chapter coming soon!