(Chapter 4)

Neal had meant to go see Elizabeth Mitchell but she insisted on visiting him and dropping the ice cream off herself. She said there was something she had meant to ask him about. He agreed, going back to the studio where Theo was still looking crosswise at Peter. If Ms. Mitchell was really Peter's wife, Neal hoped to ease all the questions he had with her presence. He meant to tell her about the situation over the phone but finally decided to keep quiet, hoping she would be the answer they sought. In the meantime he tried to keep Theo from interrogating Peter about his "intentions" just stopping a full fledged query about what kind of wine he liked. Apparently Peter was a beer guy, Theo turning as Neal walked back into the room with an accusatory look.

"The man likes beer… BEER! That should be answer enough…"

Theo was going into one of his tirades, more his nerves showing than anything, about how wine was the fruit of the gods etc etc… Neal had heard this story more than enough times and although it was amusing, right now was not the time for it.

"Enough, Theo. I actually have a Heisler or two left over from an event a few weeks back. I keep them for the housekeeper but you're welcomed to it, Peter."

The least he could do was be polite now that they were starting to get some answers. He watched Theo huff, crossing his arms again over his chest before pacing the room a bit. Finally his friend started to walk out, glancing back at Peter with a burning glare.

"I'll get him a beer… I need some wine."

Theo was already heading towards the kitchen as Neal tried to apologize, Peter looking more amused than upset.

"He doesn't trust me. I don't blame him but… why are you suddenly being so nice to me? I could be lying for all you know…"

He smirked slightly, the joke obvious as he sat back on the chair and Neal shrugged, walking around the room a moment deep in thought. Finally he looked up and smirked back.

"I may as well admit it… I'm curious how you know me. I can't find any sign of you in my past or present. Do you work for a newspaper or magazine? Are you a donor to one the charities I contribute to? What can you remember?"

Neal got down to the nitty gritty of it and Peter blinked back at him with his own shrug.

"I know my first name, that I have a wife (maybe) and a dog (possibly) and… I know you. Your friend seems familiar to me but your fiancee was definitely someone I remember although I can't say how or where from. It's just a jumble of random thoughts and things I know must be true but nothing concrete enough to say how I know. Do you understand what I mean?"

Peter seemed terrified of not knowing and Neal understood that feeling all too well. He had never known his father and when his mother died after he started college, he'd been left alone in the world. It had been a miracle he'd made it to the position he was now. A fluke of nature. He should have been a criminal.

"Yeah… I think I do."

He paused, hearing the doorbell as he moved to answer it. Peter must of followed him because when he opened the door Ms. Mitchell was looking past him a moment before making eye contact again. She was smiling but there was some trepidation as she glanced behind him again at his guest and then back.

"Mr. Caffrey, I hope I didn't come at an inopportune moment."

Her tone was friendly but held a certain amount of hesitation as her blue eyes met with brown from behind large round glasses. He hoped there would be more reaction but she acted as if she'd never seen Peter before. There was no perceptible recognition at all.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Mitchell… This is Peter… Peter… Ms. Mitchell."

The two shook hands, Neal hoping to see some reaction but the only response of recognition was from Peter and just like Neal, he seemed confused by the fact she wasn't responding to him, saying nothing more than a friendly greeting.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Mitchell."

His tone was friendly but sad, the smile on his face an effort although she seemed not to notice. Ms. Mitchell shook his hand and smiled back, something in her own expression showing interest or curiosity towards him.

"Thank you, Peter. Do you have a last name?"

She was teasing now but the look on his face made her turn to Neal for answers. He gave her a shrug, pointing towards the interior.

"Please come in. Peter, why don't you go back to the studio. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Neal led Ms. Mitchell to his study glancing back to see Peter hovering near the door of the studio watching as they disappeared inside. She had what looked like a large insulated lunch bag and he assumed it had the 3 gallons of ice cream he ordered from her. He liked pistachio but this was a special request since what he had to talk to her about was going to be awkward. Once she had sat down across from him and refused politely any drink or food, they got down to business.

"You said you wanted to ask me something, Ms…"

She held up a hand, smiling in that familiar manner he loved so much about her. They were friendly to a point but mostly on a professional level. They had never really sat down and talked. This would be a first for them both.

"Please call me Elizabeth. I… well, it's a bit presumptuous of me to ask what I'm about to but I thought… considering our professional background."

She paused a moment, wringing her hands on her lap before she replied again.

"I understand that the event you are going to next week needs caterers and I wondered… if it's not too much trouble of course… I wondered if you would recommend me."

She was nervous but confident despite worrying she was putting him out, doing her best not to be nervous. Neal had known Ms. Mitchell… Elizabeth for some time now and over the course of their acquaintance she had been one of the best event organizers he'd ever encountered. She was always professional but she had a fun side too making what could be a stuffy event, less so. The fact she would ask him for something like this made him smile as he leaned across and took her hand in his and nodded.

"I'll do what I can. I'm not friends with the head event coordinator but I know someone who might be able to throw in a recommendation. I'll call him today…"

As soon as he said the last bit her blue eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, cheeks flushed in surprise and happiness. She was a smart and beautiful woman, Neal glad to help her. She had the qualifications and was more than able to handle herself at such an impressive event as the Chrysler Gala. He just had to send a message to Andre. The man owed him a favor, mostly why he had been asked to do the painting. They both started to rise but then he remembered what it was he had wanted to discuss with her as he moved to surreptitiously block her from leaving the room.

"Elizabeth… I actually wanted to discuss something with you beyond the gala. Would you be bringing any guests? I have extra tickets and would love to share if you have a friend, sibling or significant other that wants to go. Please let me know."

He hoped he was being just vague enough she would tell him what he needed without having to pry into her background. Elizabeth looked at him a moment as if deciding how to answer, a slight blush to her cheeks still evident.

"My family live out of town so really there's just my associate Vicki. She'll be helping me if we make it... so, no… I don't have anyone to give a ticket to at this time unless you allow dogs."

There was a pause, obviously she had been joking as Neal realized what it was she said and chuckled slightly, the silence broken.

"Sorry, bad joke. Thank you for thinking about me though."

Her answer was honest and he knew she wasn't lying even if Peter was her husband, she would have said something about missing someone and she acted like a woman without a boyfriend much more who hadn't been married. He nodded back hiding his confusion. Neal mulled over the situation trying to find the best solution to solve it. If she wasn't married to Peter then how had he come to draw her from the description. It seemed strange to think why...

"Mr. Caffrey..."

She sounded concerned, his eyes looking up to find she was watching him. He realized he'd been deep in thought, smiling once more to ease her worries.

"Call me Neal… My apologies. I have art on my mind among other things. You must be busy too. Thank you again for bringing me your delicious ice cream. May I ask what kind of dog you have?"

He reached out and kissed her hand, Elizabeth blushing slightly but finally winking back at him.

"My dog? Oh… Satchmo. Yes, he's a labrador. Yellow. And don't worry about the ice cream. It was my pleasure. I know you're a busy man; I can show myself out."

She smiled comfortably at him as he let her pass, both walking to the front door. She gave him a small peck on the cheek before leaving, her cheeks flushed slightly and Neal feeling a bit like a heel but he wasn't sure why.

"She left?"

Neal had barely closed the door when he turned to see Theo there, the little guy watching him curiously. Had he seen Elizabeth kiss him on the cheek? He felt a bit out of sorts but hid it as he shrugged. Obviously it had been nothing romantic but there was an odd feeling he knew her better than the professional relationship they had now. The moment faded as he turned to go back towards the studio.

"She had things to do."

He left it at that for now but Theo was curious, blocking his path back into the rest of the house, arms crossed.

"That's all fine and dandy but what did she say about Peter? Were or have they ever been married?"

Theo was asking all the questions he should have, his mouth opening to speak more when Peter came around the corner, an anxious look on his face. Theo turned to see him at the end of the foyer, looking back at Neal with a whispered: Now what? He was stuck trying to fix the situation but more so with a stranger who might not be as forthcoming as he thought. Peter seemed to read his thoughts, the anxious look turning to tragic again as he moved towards them.

"She doesn't have a husband… am I right?"

Peter's tone was straight forward as he grabbed up his coat and pulled it on. Neal shook his head surprised Theo hadn't come out and said anything. For once they both seemed at a loss what to say as Peter started to exit.

"I've wasted your time and mine. I really thought… maybe I was wrong."

He seemed despondent enough Neal was back to wondering if he could believe the man again. He blocked the door, holding up a hand.

"You thought you were married to her? Maybe, Ms. Mitchell only looks like your wife. Maybe you met before and just haven't remembered where."

He was drawing at straws now, something telling him this man really thought he had known Elizabeth as Peter shrugged.

"I don't… remember. I just know… I knew her as my wife or I thought I did. Dr. Carlson said I would start to remember things. It's still too soon."

He reached for the knob, Neal moving aside as Peter nodded at him somewhat despondent, turning to look at Theo then back again.

"I should go. Thank you for letting me stay as long as you did. I won't bother you again…"

The words held finality as Neal let the man go, watching Peter disappear around the corner before he could think of questions he still felt he should ask. Theo seemed happy enough, sighing as he looked up at him.

"Good riddance… What?"

Theo shrunk back slightly as Neal glared at him, closing the door and going to his studio. Peter had been sincere but the facts just didn't add up. Elizabeth was single, he didn't remember Peter and neither did anyone else apparently. It was like he didn't exist but how else could he have showed up in Neal's life? And how did he know about her dog?