Thank you to all the wonderful reviews I received for my first two chapters. The support combined with the story already planned out in my head helped me get out another quick chapter. This one is longer too, enjoy!
On his way to switch into the FBI jacket, Neal stopped by the painite exhibit and examined the beautiful gem. The one he had welded looked like an exact replica to the amber crystal. The gem sparkled with golden flecks intertwined with a florid backdrop; the tear-drop hexagonal cut complimented the vivid colors well. But there was no time to dawdle since a glance to Neal's left showed that the decoy was on his way over to cause some trouble. Neal slipped away into the bathroom he had previously stashed the uniform in and transformed himself into a full blown federal agent. He even had a badge with his picture, courtesy of himself of course. No way would Peter have entrusted Neal with such a dangerous toy, so the mischievous consultant forged one himself.
A blaring alarm was his cue as he figured the decoy had tried to lift the display glass from the painite. He ran from the restroom and joined behind the hoard of agents running in response to the breach. As they entered the room, the perpetrator made sure that he caught the FBI's attention and bolted out of the other exit as to give Neal the opportunity for the switch. Meanwhile Peter was staked out at the drop off site in the alley next to the mansion; that was where Neal had arranged to hand the stolen gem to River.
The disguised fed approached the glass case which had now drawn the attention of the Stanton's personal security and staff. "Excuse me, let me through, I need to examine the stone," Neal said with authority accompanied with the flash of his forged credentials. He had the forged gem tucked in his pinky, ring and middle fingers while he picked up the authentic gem with his thumb and index finger. After holding it up to his eye pretending to examine it, he went to gently place the stone back on the display stand but discretely switched the real gems position with the fake. The real gem found its way to the fold of his captive fingers while the forgery was placed in plain sight. The guards looked to Caffrey anxiously as they awaited his verdict: "That's the real gem for sure and nothing seems to be amiss," he assured them with a devilishly handsome smile. A look of relief fell across the staffs' faces.
The sly conman sauntered out of the room surely enjoying the rush given from the deception. He pretended as if he were going to check back in with FBI personnel; however, he was really going to meet River the Bishop to hand off the incriminating evidence. Deep down, the young man secretly craved the approval of the special agent. He knew that as soon as the FBI busted the Bishop, Peter's appreciation would wash over him giving him worth and a feeling of pride. A feeling of belonging, this was Neal's home and he was irreplaceable.
A satisfied smile clung to the young man's face as he made his way to the exchange site located in the alley, but before he could exit through the side of the building, an arm pulled him back. He whirled around to see River with a firm grip and a cocky smile, "Not so fast Seth, I decided to change the location to reconvene. You know, just for extra precautions." To Neal it seemed as if those golden eyes twinkled with deception and an uneasy feeling consumed the fake twenty-three year old. The older man, around late thirties, let Neal's arm drop and motioned with his fingers for the kid to follow as he led him out the back entrance. Through the doors of the escape Neal saw a getaway van already in place. This was not good; not what they had planned. At this rate, Peter and the feds were staked out by the side entrance, there was probably even a decoy van pretending to wait for the elusive criminals, so they wouldn't even notice the change in plans. The C.I could only hope that his partner caught on to the minute detail that they should have been out by now. "You've obtained the painite right, Seth? Then board the van and we shall appraise our plunder and celebrate our job well done," he spoke smoothly with the aid of a crooked smile. Even his manner of speaking was quirkily eloquent.
Neal's placid face on the outside held no resemblance to the turmoil he was feeling on the inside. His brain was running a mile per minute to figure out why the plan had switched and what he could do to get the op back on track. But with a reassuring fake grin, he climbed into the van and River followed after shutting the door. Not a second after they had got in, the driver took off. The criminals were lucky too since by then the sharp witted Agent Burke had caught on to the plot twist.
"Seth, the gem please?" River demanded calmly as he held out his hand. Neal, still wearing a nonchalant façade, placed the stone in the man's hand.
"Just as you planned, a perfect heist," the undercover boy said with a grin and an approving nod. He was hoping to appease to the thief's vanity just as a teacher's pet would. No matter that the meeting place had changed, he still wore the GPS watch, and soon the feds would close in.
River's face twisted into a contently evil smirk as he tucked the stone into his suit pocket. "Now hand over your watch and your cell phone," He demanded while once again holding out his hand. At the same time the Bishop did this, his accomplice pulled out a gun. Neal's suck-up smile faded at this turn of events and it was hard to mask the fluttering fear he felt welling up inside of him.
"River, what is this," the young man inquired with suspicion although he knew well what it was. He was being turned on. "My watch isn't that valuable you know," he said trying to play off the tense atmosphere. Fearing the gun pointed in his direction, Neal unclasped his watch, pulled out his cell phone and placed them both into River's awaiting hand.
River examined the watch in his hand and then dropped it on the floor in front of him following with a swift stomp of his foot. The FBI's GPS device cracked. Neal couldn't hold back a look of shock and his mouth dropped a tiny bit. "I was never really interested in the price of the watch; rather, I was interested in what the watch would cost me if it were, perhaps, sending a signal? Maybe a tracking device reporting to the FBI?" the criminal mused with contempt.
Neal held back a little gulp and instead began crafting a defense, "Now why would I, a conman and forger, want anything to do with the FBI?" The boy fretted that the worst case scenario would unfold: his cover may be burned.
River pursed his lips with malicious intent as he held up a reconnaissance photograph of "Seth" walking alongside agent Burke. The picture had been taken only a couple hours before the theft had run its course; his talk with Peter had given him away. "So Seth, if that even is your real name, why were you conversing so freely with this FBI agent?" he challenged leading Neal into a trap. "Were you planning to double cross me, or perhaps you were on their side all along? You're too young to be a legitimate special agent, but you may have worked a deal. I admit, your forgery was quite impressive; it's a shame that your alliance seems to be confused."
Neal wanted desperately for the van to be stopped right then and there, for Peter to fling open the back doors of the van and liberate the teen from the pressure of the gun aimed at his head. But nothing happened. Nothing but the beat of Caffrey's heart bursting through his chest. In a desperate attempt, he tried to play along, "You've made a huge misunderstanding; I was simply walking with him so that it would reinforce my cover later when I posed as a fed. If someone had seen us together, they might have recognized me when it came time to pull the job!" Neal defended himself but was still grasping at straws.
"Oh please, give it up kid. I saw you standing with him at the bar. Despite your charade that you weren't talking to each other, I saw him reach over and take your drink; he was stopping you from receiving your beverage. Most likely it wasn't allowed since you were on the job," he snuffed angrily. "If only you had not flipped, criminals can enjoy a nice glass of wine whenever they please," he sneered deviously.
Neal's face fell. Of course it was the wine, if only Peter had listened to him as he had pleaded. If Peter had just allowed him to enjoy the drink and blend in, then maybe his cover wouldn't have been blown. But at the same time, it felt so good that someone had stopped him. Just like a father would care for his son and not want him to get in trouble, Peter had reprimanded Neal. Strangely enough, it wasn't annoying, but rather Neal could feel Peter's concern. Although for now, Neal was going to put up the act that it was bothersome and that it was Peter's fault for blowing his cover. After all, that's what stubborn eighteen year olds do.
When the crook saw that Neal didn't have a retort, he took up an air of victory, "So tell me Seth, what's stopping me from shooting you and disposing your body over the river?" His lips curled up with that reoccurring malicious intent and his short dirty blond hair seemed to stand on end. Neal was sure he wasn't bluffing.
Neal closed his eyes trying to regain his calm. Left on 5th avenue, driving for approximately three miles, right, then one mile, right again, and four more miles: recalling the turns their driver had taken he pulled up a mental map of the city. During the study of the Bishop's heist patterns, Neal had calculated his most likely actions after getting away with the stolen goods. Surely River was headed towards a dock or small airport; he wouldn't waste time ditching his getaway van and would want to flee the city as quickly as he could.
The young dare devil took a deep breath. He desperately hoped Peter would find them soon. God knew only Peter could stop the rash boy from rolling out of the van with a bullet in his body. But Neal knew for sure he wouldn't go down without a fight.
Oh no Neal! What's gonna happen?! Don't fear guys, the next chapter will be Peter's perspective... hopefully he can make it in time!