Chapter 7 [New York]

Half a country away, Activity pulsed throughout the Big Apple. Cars and vans moved along its thoroughfares. Subways conveyed passengers along its rails and tunnels. Customers savored finest Viennese coffees and cappuccinos in cafes across the Five Boroughs. Sleep claimed the early morning workers.

For some, no rest for the weary….

[FBI Headquarters, White Collar Division—10 PM]

[A/N: White Collar belongs to USA Network and its copyright holders.]

Peter Burke scrutinized his desktop's screen. Heists across the country raised the Bureau's red flags over the previous two weeks. Since they crossed state lines (and therefore jurisdictions), the Bureau took charge. Goods stolen of value and wealthy businesses' charitable donations taken? That fell within their jurisdiction.

But toys? Seriously?

His eyes rolled. There must be dozens of other cases. I can't believe Hughes sidetracked us for this. He took a draught from the ever-present mug at his side. "Even the coffee's stale. That figures." He eased himself to his feet. Tension eased from his back and shoulders. Frown pretzeled his face. Once again, Memoria reminded him of Neal's suggested espresso machine. I hate the hiss but it would be great. He walked onto the balcony. A couple of agents had left for assignments. Clerks had filed papers and books away before next business day's affairs began in earnest.

Instincts, however, nagged at him. Something felt off….

He grabbed his mug. Caution edged him down the stairs. Chill dimpled his skin. "What the Hell?" Another look didn't find anything out of the ordinary. "That case must be getting to me." He stomped over to the coffee maker.

Half-dried out sludge awaited him there….

"Can't even get decent coffee around here." He pulled the pot from its base. "Jones and Diana did deserve a night off. Neal should be here." His thoughts focused on his CI's ongoing date with Sara and Elizabeth at the Met that night. They want to see some boring tapestry from France? That's their angle not mine. Give me a ball game or a good poker game any time!

Phone's ringing stirred him from Introspection's fog.

Hopefully, it's El. Anything but this case. Hope blunted Tedium's load. "Petersen? Hey! I know you drink coffee!" Then, he answered his phone. "Hello?"

"And hello to you too. Case getting you down?" Elizabeth winced. Irritation and Boredom soured his tone.

"Yeah. Sorry, Honey. It's not you." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Petersen can't change out the coffee pot. I know he's around here somewhere." He dumped the pot in the sink, washed it out and refilled it. Then, he dumped it into the coffee maker's reservoir, fixed the grounds and started Perking's process. "How's that exhibit?"

"It was really interesting actually. I know it looks dark and morbid. A professor from Upstate filled us in on the background. By the way, Dr. Tuishiama wanted to pass along her regards to Steve Petersen. Let him know he's got a free pass into the Cloisters whenever he wants." Elizabeth sank into Couch's softness.

"Oh really?" That insight raised Burke's eyebrow. Petersen was a renowned bachelor/workaholic. He rarely (if ever) talked to women. In fact, Diana liked being around him for that reason. He walked over toward Petersen's desk. "He's right here. You can tell him. Petersen!"

"Peter, don't disturb him. It's all right." She bit her lip. She knew his motives well. Distraction would let him forget about Boredom at Hand…at least for the moment.

"It's okay, El. He's been working really hard on this. Besides, maybe this might be something else for him? Look at what happened with Neal and Sara? And then, there's us too. Remember?" Burke stopped cold. "What the?"

Stench assaulted his nostrils. Chill evoked shivers.

"Peter? Peter, what is it?" Again, his unease put her on alert as well. "You aren't alone in there. Are you?"

"Seems that I am. Petersen's gone." He inspected Petersen's area. He found the desktop powered down. No sportscoat adorned the chair. Note sat on the keyboard. "There's a note at least." He read:

"Peter,

Emergency just came up related to the case. I'll call as soon as I know more. Transportation's leaving so I have to run.

Thanks,

Agent Steven Petersen"

Burke shook his head. Petersen always checks in to a fault! What's going on with the case? "I think all of that tapestry's stuff getting to me. Now, the office is freezing and it stinks around Petersen's desk."

"Relax. The tapestry's 250 years old. The scene happened like in 1600 or something like that. It's not very nice. Actually, Neal was talking with Dr. Tuishiama about it. He's seen it before in Bordeaux. There's an old book tied to it. There are only ten copies left in the whole world. Apparently, another agent…Garth Singleton? He knows about it too."

"Singleton's in the Bureau's Metropolis office. Next time he's in the City maybe we can ask him?" He tapped his fingers. "I imagine those books are insured?"

"Sara says seven of them are covered by Sterling Bosch. One's up in Quebec. One's in Tucson. The last one's in Kansas. Peter, you know that Steve's not one just to take off without letting you know. At least, he left a note." Concern unsettled her. As with the other agents, she interacted with Steve minimally. Potential possibilities on the dating front for Petersen had bantered about in her mind.

"I know. I just don't want anything about this case to go sideways." The second line's beep alerted him. "I've got another call coming in. I'll get right back to you. Sorry." Reluctance held him from simply disconnecting the call….

.…Courtesy to the Other Half kept things going. Happy Wife, Happy Life (or something like that)….

"I know. You just take care. That might be him now. Call me when you can. Thanks." She disconnected the call.

Burke glanced at the phone. Now who? He answered the call. "Hello?"

"Peter, it's Steve Petersen. Sorry about the fast departure and breach of protocol. We had a break in the toy case. I had to get out here ASAP." He walked back into the Marine Recruiting Office's back room. "The Elves struck again."

Burke curled his lip. "Great. DC's going to love this. We'll coordinate with that office in the morning. Give me your location. I'll be right there."

"Sorry but not unless you have a plane ticket." Petersen surveyed his surroundings. "I'm in Smallville right now. I had…help getting here."

"Really?" Incredulity pushed a snort from Peter. "Kansas? Petersen, don't…just don't…mess with me right now. I'm not in the mood." He put his hand up. His eyes narrowed.

"I'm not. You want the good news or the bad news first?" Petersen considered the webbed-up intruders.

"There's…" Burke gnashed his teeth. Outrage and Frustration akin to a Caffrey moment boiled up in his gut. "I think I better sit down. Just give it to me straight, Petersen."

"I'm trying to, Peter. First, you smell the ozone stench and feel the chill. Right? That's from the transportation. Dave's alter ego just showed up in the office and pulled me out here. Good thing he did too." Steve leaned against the wall by the door.

Dubois. Memoria brought up the Norman Osborn/Lionel Luthor case again. "He's not there. Is he? Please, Petersen, tell me he didn't interfere with a crime scene." Consternation and Royal Red Tape tangled his sensibilities at that moment.

"He brought me here. Then, he took off. He respects Garth…sorry Agent Singleton…and you. That's a good thing, Peter." Petersen stuck his head back out the door. "The good news is that no toys seem to be taken. The thieves are out cold and secured. Apparently, Spider-Man stopped them from the webbing all over these guys. He was gone before I got here. Their truck's got some sacks in it. I can't really look at it because I'm guarding the crime scene."

"Guarding?" Burke raised an eyebrow. "Petersen, that's Metropolis' jurisdiction! You need to let them know. Call the local sheriff. She can hold them until backup gets there."

Petersen exhaled a very heavy breath. "The elves shot Sheriff Adams and Deputy Murphy. They were taken for medical treatment. Unfortunately, they're…it for Smallville's police force. I was about to check in with Singleton and the Metropolis office. My note said I'd check in. I'm checking in with you first, Peter."

Rationale calmed Peter. His mood relaxed. He rubbed his forehead. Spider-Man? That's right. He's been seen around Metropolis recently. Think about that later. Right now, preserve the crime scene. While Petersen's at it, he has to be the stand in for Sheriff too? I need him here! "Thanks for that at least, Petersen. You're stretching protocol but at least you're still within the lines. Your next call's to the Metropolis Bureau Office. They're tell you how to proceed."

"My next call is to Agent Singleton. I'll definitely take pictures." Petersen glanced at the alley again.

"That works. Thanks for the heads up. Oh. By the way, there's some prof at the Cloisters who wanted to say hello. El ran into her tonight. Tuishiama?" Burke scratched his head.

"Nyoki Tuishiama?" Petersen whistled. "We haven't talked in twenty years! Wow. That really takes me back. She's into Asian art and literature from what I hear. Dave Dubois' wife and she are really close."

Another link to Dubois. Great. And I thought Neal's schemes were bad? Come on. He's not going behind my back. He got the opportunity to get a break in the case. DC will appreciate that. His previous conversation butted in for a heartbeat before slipping back into his mind again. Twenty years since their last conversation? Sorry, El. Burke nodded. "Well, when you get back, you can deal with that. Right now, call Singleton and get on that back up. I'll put in a call to DC and let them know what's going on." He shook his head. "I can't believe I'm doing this. Okay. You're visiting friends. Anyone who'll vouch for you?"

"I'll talk to Lex Luthor. Thanks, Peter. Kind of had to get out here. There was nobody else apparently. We did get that break in the case." Petersen rubbed his forehead. Garth's going to flip over this.

"Yeah. I get that. See if Luthor will do that. If not, save your receipts for reimbursement. Check in with me in the morning. Thanks, Petersen." Burke disconnected the call. "Dubois brought Petersen out to Smallville? He just pops in and out." Memoria recalled the disappearing act right after Osborn's arrest. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. DC's more important right now." He poured coffee into his mug. Then, he headed for the stairs, office and the awaiting call.

Good and bad news needed to be passed on….