Notes: It's a shorter chapter this week. While I wrote more than this, the next scene ended up a little long so I'm saving it for next week. Also, happy birthday to me!

Ruiz was already sitting in the meeting room when Bryce entered.

"Agent... Larkin, was it?" he sneered.

"I'd think of all the departments here and all the agents, you would understand an undercover assignment."

Ruiz was silent after that comment but his expression smoothed out. Bryce was right, after all. Organised Crime agents were often the ones undercover in dangerous situations, trying to get information from paranoid groups.

"So why have you requested this meeting? It can't have been just to say that."

Bryce smiled. Ruiz was predictable and that was good for him. He sat down and passed Ruiz a file.

"What do you know about this guy?"

Ruiz opened the file. He looked over the pictures of Bryce's father and hummed. "This is not someone I'm familiar with."

"That's fine. The only question I want answered is if he's someone who can't be trusted?" Bryce questioned. "Or someone whose true self aligns more on our side?"

Ruiz held up a finger and continued reading. Bryce was content to let him read. He pulled out some files on other cases and worked on some translations and authentications while waiting.

Finally, Ruiz closed the file. "What are you involved in, Larkin?"

Bryce sighed. "So many things that I shouldn't be. It was almost simpler to be Neal Caffrey."

"I can believe that. I did some research on Bryce Larkin. You know you're supposed to be dead?"

"More than twice over, yes. I've made a lot of enemies over my time and I know a lot of things that people would kill for."

Ruiz hummed. He knew that feeling as well. Information was always worth killing for in his line of work. Of course, he was on the side that came in after, trying to figure out what the information was that got some poor guy killed.

"Based on what I see here, this is not someone you want to associate with," he said. "It would take more investigation, but his return and Ellen's passing were close together. Almost like he knew that Ellen's death would cause the evidence box to surface."

Bryce sighed. Everyone was saying it but it still hurt to hear. "I guess we will probably end up arresting him."

"Is he actually your father?"

"Unfortunately." Bryce sighed. "At least I'm not the first agent I know to have to arrest one of their parents." Sarah had told him about her father and how she and Chuck had arranged for his arrest. It was nice to see her giving up personal information and how she has grown as a person after meeting Chuck.

"While it may be true, that doesn't make it easy." Ruiz stood up. "I'll keep my ears to the ground regarding this guy. If I hear anything, I'll tell you."

Bryce nodded, giving Ruiz a small smile. "Thanks."

Chuck's team had found indications of a box beneath the floor of one of the offices. It was currently empty so they had a window of opportunity to figure out how to get to it.

"I still think we should buy the floor."

"Chuck, no. Carmichael Industries barely exists anymore. We can't afford a New York office."

"It could be justified with a New York agent?" Chuck batted his eyes at Bryce.

Bryce crossed his arms. "No way. I happen to like working with the FBI."

Chuck turned to Moz and, to the shock of everyone but Chuck, Bryce tossed a pen in his face.

Thanks to the Intersect, Chuck caught it.

"And I won't let you recruit Moz."

With a shrug, Chuck placed the pen on the table. "Fine."

There was a knock at the door and Peter went to answer it. Chuck quickly closed his 3D projected models of the building and everyone else followed his lead.

They were all glad they did, when James walked into the room. He was frowning and his face looked red.

"Hi James," Bryce said slowly. "What brings you here?"

"I haven't heard from you, Neal. Not since this shmuck and his hired lady came to town." James jabbed a finger in Chuck's direction, ignoring the flinch.

Sarah and Chuck shared a glance while Bryce glared.

"Maybe because I'm hanging out with friends?"

"What about Pratt? He had Ellen killed and now I'm being followed! I don't think this is time to be visiting people!"

"Do you really want to have this conversation here?" Bryce asked, motioning at the other people in the room. "And Sarah is also a friend of mine. One you just insulted."

James huffed. "I apologise for you feeling like your friend was insulted. Maybe I'm surprised by the lovely blond being with-" James motioned to Chuck. "-what is it you do again?"

"I work in the Burbank Buy More."

"I have no idea what that is. Anyway Neal, I am stressed. Pratt is after me, I'm being followed and either you find the evidence or I'm going to have to skip town."

"We're working on it," Bryce said. "Ellen had to hide it well so Pratt wouldn't be able to find it."

"You're not Pratt though. She left you clues to find it."

"And we're working on it," Mozzie growled. "But do you really want an update in front of Neal's handler and FBI coworkers?"

James looked around the room, seeming to realise exactly who was in the room. He pulled out a phone and tossed it at Bryce. "Call me. Text me. Whatever. I want an update tomorrow or I might have to start planning my exit strategy."

"We really should arrest him," Jones commented once he was gone.

"He's Bryce's father," Peter reminded him.

"Too bad he doesn't realise it," Bryce said. He had his own phone in his hand and was tapping away. "Just like some agents don't realise modern technology exists." He held the phone up to his ear. "Hey, you following James Bennett? Yes, I know your number, you put it on the department contact list." A pause. "So what's he up to?" Bryce hummed as the person on the other end spoke. "Well, you kicked him into a paranoid frenzy so congrats. But also, he tossed a burner phone at me. You want it? Send an agent up to White Collar and I'll pass it to them tomorrow." Then, to everyone's shock, Bryce hung up with a, "see ya, Agent Ruiz."

"Ruiz?" Diana was the first to comment. "Organised Crime, Ruiz?"

"He's an alright guy. Really should stress less."

"That man has so many skeletons in his closet," Mozzie commented, acting nonchalant.