Chapter 3: Life in the Clouds
Ellington Mansion. Saturday, May 19, 2007.
El gazed longingly at the photos. She'd come to the mansion for a meeting about the girls club. She hadn't expected to find a siren calling her name.
For a moment, she let herself dream about what it would be like to live in uptown Manhattan. "I'm familiar with Huntsman Mews," she told June and Janet. "A client lives there. It's not technically a mews but it has that kind of feel. The townhouses aren't as large as the typical brownstone, and the equestrian touches are lovely."
"This townhouse is in sound condition," Janet said. "But it's dated. The couple who live there didn't want to be bothered with remodeling it. They love the neighborhood and are interested in finding a family who appreciates it just as much. They'd prefer to avoid using a real estate agent and listing it on the market. Peony offered to check around for a buyer."
"Do you know what the asking price is?" El realized she shouldn't go there. But a fixer-upper could be much more affordable. Plus, she and Peter could work on it slowly, putting their personal stamp on it. Stop that! Even a bargain would be more than they could afford.
When Janet mentioned the price, her heart sank to the floor with the thud of reality. Their neighborhood in Brooklyn was one of the hottest areas in the borough, but even so, the maximum they could get was only about half the asking price. They'd never qualify for the mortgage.
Her eyes drifted around the living room as she watched her fantasy dreamhouse float away. June and Janet knew of her interest in moving to their area, and also the difficulties it would entail. The move had become a joke for her and Peter. They'd discussed it seriously only once. After checking the range of prices for townhouses in the neighborhoods they were interested in, they realized it simply wasn't feasible.
"I have a friend who's interested in purchasing the house as an investment," June said, taking a sip of coffee. "She doesn't want to live there and has no desire to tackle the necessary remodeling. She'd like to partner with someone willing to make it a joint venture. They would be co-owners with my friend providing the mortgage. The partner would build up equity by handling the renovation. My friend's only interested in a small fee for the mortgage. She expects that the partner would eventually become the sole owner."
As El listened, her heart started to soar once more. Could she and Peter possibly live in the clouds too? But undoubtedly it still wasn't realistic. The terms sounded too good. There had to be a catch. Still, no harm in daydreaming a little bit longer. "For whoever your friend partners with, there would be additional savings," she pointed out. "New York City has a generous program of tax credit for the restoration of homes in a historic district. Huntsman Mews was built in the 1890s. It would surely qualify."
June smiled. "You sound like you've already researched the idea."
El nodded. "I'd thought of buying a fixer-upper for our next house." She paused to smile. "Mainly because of all the projects I've had Peter tackle. Someday we'll want to move so we can have more space. You probably know I've daydreamed about living in Manhattan."
June nodded sympathetically. "I remember your comments when we sketched ideas for Neal and his friends in Arkham."
"I loved the idea of the Gilmans and Sara all living within walking distance of Neal and June," El said. "For my situation, the work aspect is a big factor. So many of our activities are in Manhattan, I'm starting to begrudge my time-consuming commutes."
"We wish you could live closer too," Janet said. "If you're interested in Huntsman Mews, I could let Peony know."
"Do you know anything about the person interested in buying it?" El asked.
"Quite a lot, actually. It's me!" Janet said, her eyes twinkling. "And I can guarantee that your offer will be accepted if you decide to pursue it."
El stared at her, flabbergasted. "Are you my fairy godmother?"
Janet laughed. "I haven't made that costume yet, but it's tempting. And as long as I'm at it, I better make two of them because June has been working on your behalf too. We've both been keeping our ears to the ground. Occasionally, a steal of a property such as the one in Huntsman's Mews becomes available, but it's usually snapped up before it ever goes public."
"Janet and I don't want to put any pressure on you," June added. "But when we heard about the property, we thought we should at least mention it. If you and Peter decide you want to move, I expect you'll have a difficult time finding a better deal."
"Selling my co-op in Chelsea was the catalyst for me," Janet said. "I made much more on it than I expected. I like investing in real estate. Now that the cottage in New Jersey is complete, I've been looking for other opportunities."
What Janet called the cottage was intended to be a family retreat. That family included Angela and Michael as well as Neal and Sara. Although Janet and Mozzie weren't married, they were true partners and soulmates in the best sense of the word. Mozzie had crafted a legitimate identity for himself as Sara's uncle Walter Ellis. Initially, he'd used it as his writing alias but now he had a social security number and an extensive paper trail. El knew he and Janet were partners with Neal, Sara, and June on the Ellington mansion. Janet had confided that Walter Ellis was even paying income taxes.
"The financial incentives for me are attractive," Janet continued. "But I doubt I'll purchase the townhouse unless you and Peter want to be my partners. For my own peace of mind, I need to trust the others completely, and I don't think I'd have the comfort level with anyone else."
"How much time do we have to decide?" El asked.
"The owners told Peony that they'd wait till July before listing it. They moved out last week."
El studied the photos once more. Could this really happen? Her dreamhouse was materializing before her eyes. But the timing ... "Then we might be able to move before the baby is born?"
"If you wish," Janet said. "I've spoken at length with the couple. Since I'm offering to pay cash, I could negotiate a lower price. We can close in a week if necessary. If you and Peter decide you want to proceed, I'll go ahead and handle the purchase. We'll redo the title when you're ready to become partners." She smiled mischievously. "I have an excellent lawyer who'd be willing to assist."
El smiled. Mozzie, of course. This was the slow season for event planning, and she didn't think it would take long to sell their house. Their neighborhood was currently enjoying a seller's market. But Baby Burke was due in mid-August and there were so many details to consider.
"My head's in a whirl," El admitted. "And I don't want to say much more without talking with Peter, but my heart's full of gratitude for your efforts on our behalf. Peter and I've sometimes commented on Neal leading a charmed life, but now I'm feeling that way too, and it's thanks to you!"
#
"I'd always considered relocating to Manhattan to be just a pleasant pipe dream," Peter said, his gut still uneasy.
Neal showed up at his office early on Monday morning as if he realized Peter needed to talk things through. What was he saying? Of course, Neal knew. When El arrived home with the bombshell announcement, Peter initially ascribed it to pregnancy delusion. Not that he'd ever heard of such a condition, but Janet's offer coming out of the blue just didn't sound believable.
"You also dismissed the notion of leaving the FBI and that worked out okay," Neal pointed out. "Why wouldn't this?"
"But Janet? I mean she's a close friend, but why would she consider it? I'm not privy to her bank account and will take her word she can afford it, but she's offering to put up the lion's share of the purchase price. And that's quite a hefty lion to consider. Mozzie has to be behind it."
Neal rolled his eyes. "You're determined to turn this into an issue, aren't you?"
"Well, yeah. I couldn't mention it to El, of course. She was so excited, she was dancing around the house. How could I be the Grinch to wreck her dreams? She said this was our lucky year. Baby Burke, my new job, her TV show, and now a new home. You see what I'm talking about. This is a disaster."
Neal eyed him sympathetically. Did he notice the circles under his eyes? Peter hadn't slept well the past two nights, tormented by the impending financial upheaval. "Any decision like this requires months of careful research and number crunching. It doesn't arrive in your lap with a bright bow around it like the stork dropped it off. When I tried to explain that in the gentlest possible terms to El, she retorted that the stork was reserved for Baby Burke. The house had been delivered by their fairy godmothers. More pregnancy delusion. How can I argue with a pair of fairy godmothers?"
Neal bit his lip, trying not to laugh in his face. "Obviously you can't. I hadn't thought of Janet as being a fairy godmother, but that would explain her affinity for dragonflies and butterflies. Perhaps she magically transforms into one at night. I've often considered Mozzie to have much in common with Puck. Janet is his Titania."
Peter groaned. "And we'll be transported into Manhattan's version of Midsummer Night's Dream? I should have known you'd be as impractical as El. This is real life, not a fantasy."
Neal frowned. "Let's not get carried away. Sara and I aren't a fantasy. June, Mozzie, and Janet aren't a fantasy. What's really bothering you?"
Peter took a breath. "Life doesn't work this way. I've grown accustomed to you living in the clouds, but us?"
"There's plenty of room on our cloud for another family," Neal countered. "If you weren't concerned about the financial aspects, does the idea have any appeal? Be honest. You enjoy living in Brooklyn and your neighborhood has many outstanding features."
"Agreed, but we're outgrowing our townhouse. We don't have room for an office for El, a baby's room, and a guestroom."
"You'd have a garage with the new place," Neal reminded him. "That's a rarity in Manhattan."
"And in Brooklyn," Peter agreed. "That alone makes it attractive. El told me she believes the house is in good condition but the decorating scheme is dated. We wouldn't have to rush to make repairs but it's a place we could work on gradually, and yes, that idea appeals to me ... a lot."
"You could customize it to your taste," Neal said.
Peter nodded. "It's virtually next door to Riverside Park. Did you know it has several baseball fields?"
"I've heard rumors about that," Neal said, chuckling. "You could coach your kid's team. Give my kids grief for wandering off instead of paying attention. We could go to PTA meetings together—there's a scary thought."
Peter snorted. "With our luck, your kids will be angels and mine will be imps."
"Or they'll all be imps. I'm already bracing myself for what teacher-parent consultations will be like. But it's not just school. You could visit the dinosaurs in the Museum of Natural History as often as you like. Your favorite deli is just around the corner."
Peter turned his head to gaze at Neal's painting of the green lollipop on the wall. Was the townhouse another lollipop? Neal made it seem so reasonable ... and appealing. How could he turn it down? They'd live within walking distance of each other. But the financing? Just what was Janet's wacky scheme? Was it remotely feasible? He hadn't even seen the place yet. Then there was the timing. El's due date was in three months. Wouldn't this put far too much stress on her?
"If the financing is what bothers you, don't let that stop you," Neal added. "I never would have found the Raphael painting if you hadn't taken a chance on me. Sara and I owe you so much in more ways than we could ever count. If you need a bridge loan or any other form of financial assistance, all you need to do is ask."
Neal's offer knocked him for a loop. "Thank you, but I couldn't possibly—"
"Don't you dare dismiss it out of hand," Neal interjected. "Aren't you the one always telling me to not go it alone, to reach out to others for help? That advice goes for you too."
Jones knocked on the doorframe. "Got an update on the Bernhard Ender case. You want me to come back?"
"No, come in," Peter said, eager for a change of subject. He was supposed to be focused on work. The trial of the Austrian cultural minister who'd extorted France over the Mona Lisa was now going on. The art crimes task force had arranged through Interpol for Win-Win to have access to Ender's bank records.
"I'm glad you're here too," Jones told Neal. "This concerns you as well." He took a seat under the Steppenwolf poster. "You remember we found some discrepancies that we couldn't explain in Ender's bank accounts?"
Neal nodded. "Did you figure out the cause?"
"Yeah, and it was thanks to Molina, the Spanish mobster who was arrested in February. Anna suggested we look for the same discrepancies, and bingo, they were there. We suspect their accounts are being hacked."
"That's the kind of coincidence that stinks to high heaven," Peter said. "This could be tied to Phoenix and the pinprick forgeries."
Jones nodded. "That's our belief as well. Whoever's doing it is an expert. We're confident Molina and Ender weren't aware their funds were being siphoned off. The statements they received from the banks didn't indicate an issue. Anna and I found the discrepancies in a comparison of the bank's internal data."
Neal frowned. "I'd suggest something mafia-related, but Ender doesn't have any known association with organized crime."
"I'd like to bring in Aidan to consult on the issue," Jones said.
"Go ahead," Peter agreed. Not only was Aidan an expert on hacker malware but he was also familiar with Rolf's malware. Rolf could have written the program and an assistant was now implementing it.
"I'd also like to review Buzek's files," Peter added and turned to Neal. "Will that be a problem with D.C. Art Crimes?" The mobster Daniel Buzek had been charged with an array of crimes in November of last year. Before Peter left the Bureau, his section had been in charge of the evidence. It felt a little odd that he couldn't pull up the files himself. With Reese Hughes now retired, Peter didn't have any contacts to smooth the request. Luckily, Neal had good relations with Laura Jemison in Art Crimes. Win-Win's partnership arrangement with them was a model for what Peter wanted to develop with the Bureau's White Collar unit now that it was consolidated in D.C.
"Access shouldn't be an issue," Neal said. "Buzek's possession of the Van Gogh makes it an active case for them."
#
Neal left the finance whizzes buried in their spreadsheets. He knew Peter was relieved to focus on something other than the move. His reaction wasn't a surprise. Neal and Sara had only found out about Janet's offer on Saturday evening. Mozzie beamed with pride but insisted Janet and June thought of the idea. Neal was convinced Mozzie was part of the conspiracy but it was a smart move to stay behind the curtain. If he'd made the offer, Peter would probably have rejected it without a second glance, suspecting the money was tainted.
Neal caught Mozzie humming "Blackbird" later that evening. It was June's favorite song and now apparently his as well. Janet laughed about being called a fairy godmother. She said June deserved the designation as well. Was there a fairy godfather plotting with them? Sara pointed out a trail of fairy dust starting with Emil's offer to let El store her business supplies in his storeroom. It then led to her TV show, and now the townhouse.
For the upcoming con, Neal didn't need fairy dust. He'd rely on his skill to forge a couple of gold escudos. Philip V was the King of Spain during the Jacobite rising of 1745. There were several different denominations. Neal decided to pick the most valuable. That was especially appropriate given the microchip he'd embed in the coins courtesy of Travis. The electronics expert's company had recently renegotiated their contract with Win-Win. They now got a cut in successful recovery cases. The terms were so similar to Mozzie's standard contract that Neal suspected his heavy involvement. It was an excellent deal for both companies and allowed Win-Win to make even greater use of Travis and Aidan's expertise.
Neal had carved the mold on Sunday and would make the coin in the metal workshop at Columbia. Yet another instance where he was glad to retain privileges at the university's art facilities. He kept a small amount of gold on hand for such projects.
He hadn't made any coins since the gaming convention over two years ago. He'd made extras of the Nero aureus to give to the team. Jones and Diana displayed the Roman displayed them in their offices. In Diana's case, the coin rested in a small treasure box guarded by a plush octopus.
Neal and Sara planned to leave for Edinburgh in a couple of days. They'd tack on a few days of vacation to celebrate the end of the semester. Initially, Mozzie had planned to go with them. But over the weekend, he had an extensive conversation with Stefano Prestini about the script. Reportedly Prestini was wildly enthusiastic. He'd latched onto Mozzie's ideas for Uranus and Neptune and tossed in similar possibilities for Mars. Prestini was also eager for an early press release to coincide with the launch of a test rocket in September. Since Mozzie wasn't necessary for the Scotland con, he'd stay at home to work on the script.
If all went well, Neal and Sara would return to New York in early June at which time Neal promised to spend more time on Red Sands.
There wasn't an urgent hurry on the Renoir forgery. No one had attempted to extort money from the museum. If they hadn't re-inspected their paintings, the forgery would have gone undetected. If Woodman were the client, nothing would have alerted him that he was under suspicion.
When Neal entered his office, he found Sara there waiting for him.
"Do you have time for a consultation?" she asked.
"With you? Always!"
"I won't be the only one present," she warned. "This morning it struck me that we'd neglected to check with our demonic informant and his sidekick Hagen. They could have information about Woodman. They may also know of someone else who fits the profile."
"I'm onto you," Neal said with a grin. "You just want an excuse to chat with Crowley."
"Do you blame me? Especially after I missed out on seeing him last month. Now that he's working with Castiel, he can rightfully claim to be on the side of the angels." Sara adopted a mock-serious expression. "For a con involving Nessie, we'd be sadly remiss if we didn't reach out to all our sources."
"What time should I propose?"
Sara smiled smugly. "I've already reserved the pub. Crowley's meeting us there in an hour. It's a little early for Scotch, but I'm prepared to make the sacrifice."
Notes: I have a pin of El's dream house on my Pinterest board.