First I want to thank Regan, a guest who reviewed the fic a while ago. I really wanted to thank her personally because she wrote a review that makes me smile whenever I look at it. I meant to thank her in the last chapter, but I spaced considering I published it at 1230 am. I took a screen shot of her review and whenever I hit a writer's block, I look at it and try to keep going. So, thank you Regan, and all others who review, they keep me going and inspire me to keep writing. I also want to give a shot out to Marjan53, and everyone else who has encouraged me to keep writing and ignore my parents. If it wasn't for you guys, my parent would have won several months ago and I would have given up writing. Thank you to everyone. It needed to be said. I love you all and I hope that you continue to review and let me know how you like the story.
"Okay kid, we've been here for an hour. Keller hasn't shown up." Peter spoke into the comms unit. He could hear Neal sigh.
"Give it five minutes. I'm going to search the place, see if he left any clues." Neal replied. Peter waited on edge for a few minutes before he heard Neal's voice again.
"Nothing tonight. But he will know we were here. I'm coming back." Neal appeared a few seconds after that and made his way to the car. He got in silently and stared straight ahead.
"I'm sure your friend is fine." Peter said awkwardly, trying to comfort Neal. How do you comfort a kid when the one who raise him has been kidnapped by his archrival?
"I know he is, for now." Neal said. "Mozzie is pretty high up in my, err, the criminal, world. If Keller hurts him and others find out, there won't be any place Keller can hide."
"So then why did he take him?" Peter asked, starting the car and beginning the ride home.
"Because he wasn't kidding when he said he was always thinking of new ways to hide a body. Mozzie is rather good at staying off the radar. I've lost count of how many times he faked his death. I've heard several rumors on the streets that Mozzie ran a heist-" Neal broke off laughing.
"What?" Peter asked, a little relieved. Hey, the kid had the first smile he had seen all day.
"It's just the thought of Mozzie running, and then the thought of him doing any leg work on a heist. Its just doesn't suit him. He's a more, behind the scenes guy." Neal explained. "Anyways, its nearly impossible to track him down. He's fallen off the face of the earth several times. The last time he dropped off the grid was when he found me."
"So how is he on the grid now?" Peter questioned. This conversation was starting to help him fill in the blanks of Neal's life.
"Well, when he found me, it was at kind of a low point. He took me in, helped me get better, and dropped off the grid for two years to help me out. Once I got better and showed him my special skills, he taught me everything he knew. Once I became good enough to start working for real, he entered the world again. What I'm trying to say is that if a body that looks like him turns up, no one will be surprised. If no one ever hears from him again, they will think that he finally made a big score and took off for an island." Neal finished. He seemed to be done talking for now.
Peter sighed and focused on driving. He only glanced sideways when the kid pulled out the phone that his $700 a month helped pays for. It was one of those fancy new touch screen phones. But what made him slightly panic was when Neal gasped and said "SHIT!" really loudly.
"What? What's wrong?" Peter asked alarmed.
"I forgot I have to work on this huge project with a girl from English class tomorrow. This is awful timing!" Neal exclaimed.
Peter sighed in relief. At least this wasn't life threatening.
"This girl I got partnered with is one of the top students at school. And she thinks I'm a totally play boy who never takes anything seriously!" Neal continued.
"So?" Peter asked, chuckling to himself.
"So, I actually like this girl. She's cute, funny, and smart, takes school seriously, and doesn't throw herself at me like the other girls. My chance with her is over if I cancel. My life is ruined." Neal said, his head in his hands.
Okay, maybe it was social life threatening to Neal. Peter thought to himself.
"If you want, you guys can come to the office to work. That way if we turn up any leads, you can be right there. Plus, you guys can use the conference room." Peter suggested.
"No way! I can't have her knowing I'm a criminal. It would totally ruin my chances with her." Neal protested.
Peter thought for a moment. "I got it! Just say that your guardian, that's me, is an FBI agent who would like you guys to work at my office."
Neal thought for a moment. "That could work. Just make sure everyone else knows that they can't say who I really am."
"Sure, but if you really like this girl, your going to need to tell her eventually." Peter warned.