Chapter Text
"Neal!" Mozzie shouted as he entered Neal's apartment. Neal had bought it shortly after he'd been released from prison, and he had to fence quite a few of his treasures in order to fund it. A spacious penthouse overlooking Central Park, it gave Neal exactly what he wanted - an escape from the memory of four years of prison.
Mozzie went through the kitchen, stopping to look through the fridge, then passed through the living room and grabbed an apple off the fruit bowl. "Neal!"
He finally found Neal outside, in the patio. He was sitting on a lounge chair, sketching. He was wearing khaki shorts and a blue top, a straw hat shading his eyes.
Mozzie approached his artist friend and took a thoughtful bite from his apple. Despite having the most beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline in front of him, Neal was working on a sketch of Kate.
Mozzie's chewing was distracting. Neal tried to ignore it, but after a full minute of Mozzie chewing in his ear, he finally gave up. "You disapprove."
"I didn't say anything."
Neal shot him a sardonic look. "You didn't have to." Mozzie had told him often enough that he should move on.
Neal had last seen Kate the day he'd been arrested. Throughout his years in prison, he'd held out hope that once he got out, she'd make contact again. At first he'd sent her letters, but he stopped when they started returning, marked 'unknown recipient'. He'd continued writing, though, and he still treasured his pile of unsent letters. He could not accept that this was how it was going end.
Mozzie just shrugged. "You want to waste your life pining for a girl, that's your choice."
Neal sighed and put down his pencil. He didn't want to get into that discussion again. Besides, he could guess what Mozzie wanted. His friend was carrying a large rolled up piece of paper, which could only mean one thing: a new job. "I'm not interested in the Czech job."
"Ah!" Mozzie pointed the paper roll at Neal. "But I'm not here about the Czech job. I've got something you're going to love." And with that he turned on his heels and walked back inside.
For a short moment Neal considered getting back to his sketching. But he was curious. So he tossed his sketch book aside, removed his hat, and got up to follow Moz.
Mozzie refused to discuss serious issues on the roof. He was sure Big Brother was following their every move outside, and though Neal thought Mozzie was giving the government too much credit, even he had to admit that he didn't want his plans showing up on the next Google Earth update.
Their room of choice for planning their heists was Neal's studio. Neal kept it locked when it wasn't in use.
Once inside, Mozzie threw out the remains of his apple, missing the garbage bin by a mile, then gestured Neal over to the nearby table.
"This one is going to be a challenge." He unrolled the paper - floor plans - in front of Neal.
Neal glanced at it. It looked like an apartment building or a hotel. "What's the score?"
"I'm not sure."
Neal looked up from the schematics in silent question.
Mozzie had cast his line, now he was reeling it in. "But I do know the mark's a collector of ancient coins."
"Okay. What kind of safe are we talking about?"
Mozzie shrugged.
"A challenge," Neal repeated.
"That's right."
A slow smile started playing on Neal's face. "Okay. So what do we have?"
Mozzie produced a picture. It was a surveillance photo of a young man, dressed in an upscale suit. He had a short, black beard. "This is Abdul Aziz bin Sultan, Saudi prince, currently living in New York."
Neal took the picture and looked it over carefully. "He collects ancient coins?"
"He's very passionate about them. He's rumored to have 20 million dollars' worth in his private collection." Mozzie produced several more pictures. "These are the ones he bought at public auction, in the past two months."
Neal glanced through them. The three coins in question came from different parts of the globe. "So it's all here in New York."
"Supposedly. Now," Mozzie hurried to add before Neal could interrupt him further, "as it happens, he's renovating his apartment. You'd be surprised how talkative those renovation people can be. If you look at the plan here, you'll see that he made some very interesting changes." Mozzie tapped the plan in question. The prince had created an internal room within his apartment. "He reinforced the walls and floor here."
There was only one reason for such renovations. "He installed a safe." A seriously big safe.
"And put in security alarms." Mozzie pointed out the windows.
"Okay, I'm definitely interested. He's in Manhattan?"
"Yep."
When Mozzie wasn't more forthcoming, Neal asked, "Where?"
Mozzie's eyes shifted downward, then back up at Neal.
Neal frowned. It took a moment for him to realize what Mozzie was trying to tell him. "He's in this building?!"
"Two floors down, actually. Neal, you really should get to know your neighbors more. Now, I admit it poses some problems-"
"You think?!" 'Problems' was an understatement. "I'll be the prime suspect, even if I wasn't planning this hit. Which I am."
"Oh, you'll need an air-tight alibi, of course. But I wouldn't say that's our biggest problem."
Neal considered the plans on the table in front of him. "What's our biggest problem?"
Over the past week Mozzie had set up a surveillance point in the next building over. From there he had a pretty good view right into his mark's apartment. The guy never closed his drapes, practically inviting the neighbors to take a look. Why anybody in New York would assume that their neighbors weren't keeping watch on them with a high-powered telescope was really beyond Mozzie's understanding.
Mozzie had spent a few days glued to his binoculars and made note of all the comings and goings around the mark.
"There are guards in the apartment 24/7."
Neal considered the problem. A moment later he snapped his fingers, a smile on his face. "Let's throw a party!"
Mozzie raised an eyebrow. "Continue."
"I'll invite all the neighbors, of course," Neal mused.
"We'll still have to deal with the guards, though. I'm telling you, there's always somebody there."
Neal grinned. "Don't worry about it. I'll give you five-ten minutes of work time easy. Only problem is we'll need somebody else for the grab."
"As it happens," Mozzie said oh-so-nonchalantly, "Alex is back in town."
Somehow, Neal had the feeling Mozzie had planned it all in advance. He sighed. "Okay. Let's see that floor plan again."
*****
Peter was in his office, reviewing reports, when his wife called. He answered the phone with a quick "Hey."
Elizabeth was excited. "Hey, Honey. You're not going to believe who just stopped by my office."
"Hm?"
Elizabeth paused just enough for the dramatic effect. "Neal Caffrey."
Elizabeth now had Peter's undivided attention. "Neal?! What did he want?" All sorts of scenarios went through Peter's head, but none matched what El was about to say.
"He wants me to cater a party for him."
"A party? Neal Caffrey." Peter found the idea ludicrous. "He told you who he was?"
"Of course. He said he knows you're my husband, but that he 'bears no ill will towards you'," Elizabeth quoted. "He was actually very charming about it."
"I'm sure."
"He said he was at the Italian consulate event I organized a few months ago. You remember?"
"How could I forget?" Peter distinctly remembered that event. El had landed a big fish doing an event for the consulate and she had managed to convince Peter to stop by on his way from work, just to see the place. He had meant to step in for just a few minutes, but then he'd spotted Neal. It had ruined his entire evening.
El was still talking. "-very impressed."
"Uh-uh." He couldn't prove it, but he was sure Neal had been casing the consulate. And now Neal had turned to El to cater a party. The man was up to something, that was obvious. Though now that Peter was over his first shock, he could think of several ways he could use this to his advantage.
"We're going to meet tomorrow, at his place."
"His place?" Peter had never managed to get a warrant for Neal's place and had never gotten past the front door. And now Neal was inviting his wife in.
"Yeah, to check out the venue. He said he had a penthouse with a large patio. I'll take Yvonne with me." Elizabeth stopped her rush of words, the realization dawning that, charming as Neal Caffrey was, she had just set to meet with an ex-con, one that her husband had put away. "Or do you think it's too dangerous? Maybe I should tell him I can't do it."
"No, no. It's okay. Neal's not dangerous," Peter hurried to calm El down. "But, actually, El, would you mind doing me a favor?"
"Hm?"
"Don't feel that you have to-"
"What is it?"
Peter finally spat it out. "Would you mind wearing a wire while you're there?"
He would have loved to use the opportunity to drop a bug in the place. The number of cases he could close... But no warrant, no bug. Having somebody inside with recording equipment was second best.
El didn't need to think too much about it. "Sure."
Peter was still rolling with selling his idea. "This might be our chance to get an inside look. It's okay if you prefer not to, I don't want to push you into a-"
"An FBI sting operation?"
Peter smiled. "Yes."
"I'd love to help you out, Hon."
He had the greatest wife. "Great. I'll get the ball rolling, and we'll talk more tonight."
The minute he hung up on El, Peter looked up Neal's file and dialed the number listed.
The phone was answered on the second ring. "Yes?"
"Neal Caffrey?"
"That's right."
"This is Agent Peter Burke." Peter introduced himself.
"Peter! What a surprise!"
"I'm sure. You visited my wife today."
Neal's laugh tinkled down the line. "You make it sound like a crime."
"Neal-"
"I'm planning a party, she's a caterer. It's not against the law, is it?"
"Don't tell me that of all the caterers in New York, you just happened to pick my wife out of a phone book."
"Of course not, Peter. I wanted to organize a soiree, so I called the best caterer in town."
"Right." Peter scoffed. He couldn't believe this was the real reason behind it.
"Are you putting down Burke Premier Events?"
"Cut it out, Neal." Peter wasn't about to let Neal change the subject. "I don't know what you're planning, but whatever it is, I'm going to be watching you every step of the way."
"Why do you think I'm planning anything?" Neal sounded insulted.
Peter rolled his eyes. "Every step of the way." He hung up.
Neal considered the phone, a small smile playing on his lips. Then turned to Mozzie. They were sitting in the park, just a block down from Elizabeth Burke's office, enjoying the sunshine.
"Well?" Mozzie asked.
It was like taking candy from a baby. "We've got our alibi."
*****
Standing by the door to Neal Caffrey's apartment, El adjusted her suit jacket. The FBI had put a miniature camera in her lapel pin so she could capture every image around her, every word uttered. Peter had given El instructions to try and draw Neal out.
The FBI van was parked discreetly down the street, Peter and Diana in attendance.
El knew Neal Caffrey was a 'person of interest' for the FBI. She'd been through it all with Peter, from that first fake bond he'd discovered to giving testimony at the trial. And then opening up the case again after Neal was released. Knowing was one thing. Internalizing it was another. The man who had stepped into her office, the same man who now opened the door for her, looked nothing like a criminal.
"Hi!" Neal flashed a smile at the two women. "Thank you for coming."
"Mr. Caffrey-"
"Please, Elizabeth," Neal smoothly interrupted, "call me Neal. Only my lawyers ever call me Mr. Caffrey."
"Neal. Right." El smiled at him. She turned to introduce the woman by her side. "This is Yvonne, my assistant."
"Hi, Yvonne." Neal shook hands.
"So, let's start. You said you want to hold the party here?"
"That's right." Neal moved aside to let them both enter, then led them through the place. El found she liked the color scheme. Light and airy. Sunlight filtered in through huge windows, all overlooking Central Park. El caught a glimpse of an expansive living room as she hurried after Neal.
Art tastefully decorated the walls. El wasn't an expert in sculpture, but she noticed a few pieces that must have cost a few thousand each. Assuming they weren't forgeries.
She stopped by one of a couple of bear cubs playing. "This is beautiful," she noted.
Neal turned around. "Huntington." He raised his hands in mock innocence. "I assure you it was obtained legally. If you'd like to see the bill of sale..."
A flush of red crept up her cheeks. "No, no, of course not. I wouldn't have assumed otherwise."
Neal smiled politely, but he didn't believe her. She was Agent Peter Burke's wife after all. He was sure anything he had on display would be cataloged in an FBI file by the end of the day. He was practically counting on it.
Neal led the two women towards his patio. "I thought we could have it here."
"Wow!" El stepped out into the patio. "This is... wow."
"It's quite the view, isn't it?" He turned around proudly. "I was thinking we could have fireworks, out in the park."
"Uh... sure. We'll just need to set up the proper permits." Elizabeth turned towards Yvonne, gesturing for her to write this down. "It shouldn't be a problem."
"Good."
"What about a theme? If this is a birthday party..." she trailed off with a questioning glance in Neal's direction.
Neal looked away from the view. "I'm celebrating my one year anniversary as a free man."
In the van, Diana shot Peter a glance. They had an office pool as to how Caffrey was going to explain his sudden wish to throw a party. She had put $5 on 'beginning of summer' party but nobody had gotten it right. It just hadn't occurred to anybody that Caffrey would look back and be counting the days since he'd been released from prison.
It had caught El by surprise as well. She smiled uncomfortably. "Right. I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for," Neal said easily. "I've made mistakes in my past, I know that. I've paid the price, and now I'm moving on."
"That's, um... that's a very good attitude." Though based on what Peter told her, the only place Neal was moving was towards bigger and smarter crimes.
Neal smiled at her. "Come, I'll show you the kitchen."
Diana shook her head at Neal's words. "You buy that?"
Peter smiled grimly. "Not a word."
*****
A few days later, Alex, Mozzie and Neal gathered at Neal's place. The table in his studio was covered with a blown-up map of Neal's street and the surrounding area.
Neal took lead on explaining the job to Alex. "Mozzie will be here, keeping watch." He pointed out the building next door, then moved to his own building. "You'll enter from the back. The guards will be distracted by the fireworks, so they shouldn't be a problem."
Alex looked up from the map. "And if they're not?"
Mozzie and Neal exchanged a quick look. "You beat a hasty retreat."
Alex smiled. "Just like Copenhagen, huh?"
"Just like Copenhagen," Neal agreed.
Alex's smile disappeared. "Need I remind you that you let me get caught in Copenhagen?"
"Alex-"
Mozzie hurried to intercede. "Let bygones be bygones, right? Let's focus on the here and now."
He looked at Neal, who shook his head, then Alex. She finally nodded. "Just get on with it."
Right. Mozzie unrolled the floor-plan of the building, while Neal pulled out the previous map, hanging it on a nearby board.
The next half-hour was spent in technical discussions, possible safe models and the required tools.
"You won't have time to break the safe. You'll need to blow it up. If you time it right, nobody will hear a thing."
"You have a schedule for your fireworks?"
Neal nodded. "I'm meeting with the tech guys tomorrow. I'll give you a breakdown by the minute."
Mozzie continued, "You leave, rappel down and then we'll meet later and divide the loot."
Alex looked up from the building plans. "Fine. I'll do it."
Mozzie looked as relieved as he felt. "Good."
But Alex wasn't finished. "I get two thirds, you split the rest."
Mozzie opened his mouth, but before he could tell Alex he'd take the deal, Neal spoke up. "We're going to split it evenly."
Alex laughed. "You think I'm going to do all the work, risk everything, and leave with a third?"
Neal smiled his most engaging smile. "Come on, Alex."
She wasn't impressed. "Don't 'come on' me, Neal. Two thirds or I'm out."
"We're a team," Neal tried again. "Where's the old team spirit, uh?"
"Really? A team?"
"That's right."
Alex's brown eyes fixed on Neal's. "How do I know you're not setting me up?"
That took Neal aback. "Why would I set you up?"
"Oh, come on! Don't pretend you're not cozy with the Feds."
"What?!"
"Should I remind you of the consulate debacle? When your FBI buddy just 'happened' to show up?"
Alex had learned the music box was in New York, in the Italian consulate. It had been Neal's idea to try and get it. Second time's the charm, right? But they hadn't figured on the caterer being the wife of an FBI agent, and on that same agent showing up. Alex had blamed him for screwing up that job and for once again failing to get the music box. As if he had wanted Peter to spot him. Neal had thought she had gotten over it, but apparently he'd been wrong. "He's not my buddy, and that wasn't my fault."
"Right. Nothing ever is."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Alex rolled her eyes. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Neal crossed his arms against his chest. "I'm listening."
"Did I mention the Italian consulate?"
"Okay, guys?" Mozzie held up a hand.
Neither paid attention.
"Too many times. If that's your only-"
"Madrid," Alex threw out.
"What about Madrid?" At Alex's look, Neal spluttered, "Really? How was I supposed to know that truck was-"
"That wasn't your fault, either, was it?" Alex threw up her hands in disgust.
Mozzie put his index fingers to his lips and whistled loudly. The room quieted down instantly.
Mozzie let the silence stand for a few beats. "How about fifty-fifty? Half goes to Alex, we'll split the rest."
Neal glared at Alex. "Moz-"
Moz shushed him. "Well?"
Alex considered the offer. "Fine. Fifty-fifty."
"There we go!" Mozzie crowed. "Now can we shake on it?"
Neal grit his teeth, but at Mozzie's silent urging, offered his hand.
Alex put her hand out to shake. "After the first million."
Neal pulled his hand back, a warning note in his voice. "Alex..."
"Take it or leave it."
Moz hurried to shake Alex's hand. "We're taking it. Of course we're taking it. Right, Neal?"
"Wrong. I'm not going-"
"Excuse me." Mozzie shot Alex an apologetic look as he dragged Neal away. "Twenty million, Neal. Twenty million. Even if we only get half, that's still five million each."
"That's assuming we believe the rumors. And that we're going to get the entire stash."
"Trust me, Neal. Okay? This is going to be big."
"We're trusting Alex an awful lot here. She could take the coins and run."
"Alex won't run. Trust me, okay?"
Neal bit his lip, but at Mozzie pleading eyes he finally broke down. "Fine."
Going back to Alex, Mozzie smiled politely.
"We're taking it."
Alex glanced at Neal, and as the silence lengthened, Mozzie did as well.
Neal smiled as if nothing happened. "We'll take it."
"Love doing business with you, Neal. Moz." Alex took her leave.
Moz waved goodbye. He waited till the door shut close behind her before he turned to Neal. "What was that?"
Neal had returned to the floor plans, penciling in notes on the side. "What was what?"
"You and Alex."
Neal didn't look up. "Ask her."
Mozzie cleared his throat. As if he was going to risk it. "You realize we'll have to clear this place out. The Feds will tear it apart."
That did cause Neal to raise his head. He looked round his studio. It was filled with evidence which could send him to jail for a long, long time. Though, to be honest, it was risky keeping it all here to begin with.
"It will be worth it for the payout," Mozzie interrupted his friend's reverie.
"Yeah," Neal answered, without much enthusiasm. But he was already looking forward to this next heist.
*****
The night of the big party, Peter and Diana were sitting in a parked car right across from Caffrey's building. Their surveillance van, staffed with two more agents, was parked around the corner so as not to draw attention.
It was late evening. A few people were out jogging, some were hurrying home from work. Down the street a couple had sat down, completely oblivious of everybody around them.
Diana had a camera in her hands and every few minutes she snapped a few more shots. It wasn't every day that a thief like Caffrey threw a party. Peter wanted everybody going in and out of the building identified and cataloged.
Peter unwrapped his sandwich and took a hearty bite. It was going to be a long night.
"He's sure got a lot of guests," Diana pointed out during a lull in arrivals.
"A hundred and fifty." El had kindly provided him with the official guest list. Not that Peter believed half the names on it were real.
Diana sighed. "I'd love to have a patio that can sit a hundred and fifty."
Peter smiled under his sandwich. "Think of the upkeep."
Diana considered that. If she had a patio like that, she could probably afford the upkeep as well. "Maybe he's just jerking our chain."
Peter shook his head. "Oh, he's planning something."
Diana noticed a few more guests approaching and took a couple more shots. "So far he's partying up there with his finger food and caviar while we're wasting our time sitting out here."
"I don't go for caviar anyway."
They both exchanged a quick smile. Neither of them was the fancy type.
Diana chuckled. "Remember the time he sent us champagne?"
"How could I forget? It was just when-"
Peter stopped when Diana hissed out, "He's coming!"
Indeed, a quick look out the driver's window confirmed that Neal Caffrey, their surveillance target, was strolling towards them. He was looking good, wearing a custom-made suit, a custom-made smile pasted from ear to ear.
"Agent Burke!" Neal called out the minute Peter made eye-contact. With a few easy steps he closed the distance between them, then stopped to lean down and take a look inside the car. "And Agent Berrigan! What a coincidence, meeting you two here."
Peter rolled his eyes. "Oh, cut it out, Neal."
"What are you two doing outside? Come up and enjoy the party."
"No can do, Neal."
"Hmm... well, it's a shame you have to miss out on all the fun. Or is that the unwritten law of the FBI? Thou shalt not enjoy thyself?"
"We'll survive." Peter glared at Neal. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same question," Neal retorted.
The two men stared each other down as the seconds ticked by. Finally Neal stepped back, the easy smile returning to his face. "Okay. I get it. Doesn't mean you have to suffer down here, though."
Neal went back up to the party, but soon Peter and Diana were interrupted once again. This time by one of the waiters carrying a care package. Just like the good old days. Peter vetoed opening the champagne - they were on duty, after all. But, after some protestations from Diana, he agreed to split the appetizers plate, which consisted of small open-faced meat sandwiches. As it turned out, they were far better than his sandwich.
Time passed by rather quietly. With the party in full swing, there wasn't much the surveillance team could do anyway. Peter considered whether he should move to the van. The feed from El's jacket camera was being sent there.
And then the fireworks started up. Colorful threads lighting up the sky.
Their car was parked just right. They had ringside seats.
Diana leaned forward in her seat to get a better view. "Well, at least we're not missing this part of the show."
Peter glanced out his window. He had to admit, it was impressive.
After fifteen seconds of non-stop extravagance, Diana said, "Just think about the money he's blowing on this. Thousands of dollars going up in smoke, just to show off."
"Caffrey doesn't show off."
Diana rolled her eyes. The man had sent down an expensive bottle of champagne, knowing they were sitting down here surveilling him.
"I mean," Peter explained, "he doesn't show off with his money." Neal loved being the center of attention and the man loved showing off his skills, Peter had no doubt about that. There was also no doubt that he enjoyed the good life, and he enjoyed sharing it, but it was never about showing off.
With Neal, every move was calculated. "He wouldn't be putting on such a show unless..." Peter trailed off. He glanced back at Neal's exclusive apartment building. People in the street were looking up, pointing and shouting as the fireworks exploded above them. Even the enamored couple had turned around to watch the show.
Neal wasn't putting on a show for no reason. He had taken El as his caterer, also for a reason. And now the FBI was here, and Neal didn't seem to care. Peter's eyes darted between the fireworks, the building, the people.
Diana noticed the sudden death of conversation. "What's wrong?"
"Caffrey's plan." Whatever it was, he was using the fireworks as cover. Peter threw the appetizer plate towards the dashboard. "Get NYPD down here, I want them to surround the building."
"What?" Diana grabbed for her phone.
Peter was already out of the car. "It's going down now," he called out before he hurried off. If he was right, Caffrey was pulling the oldest trick in the book. He had everybody looking in the wrong direction.
*****
Mozzie was standing at his post, binoculars in hand. He had a clear view down Neal's street and everything was going according to plan. Alex had made quick work of the mark's new security system and had blown the safe as planned. As Neal had projected, the guards were glued to the windows. A few more minutes, and they'd be 20 million dollars richer.
He'd just finished a sweep of the street, when he realized the Suit was out of his Suit-car and on the move, heading towards the exact spot where Alex was supposed to rappel down.
"We've got a problem," he announced into his little walkie-talkie.
Alex was clearing out the safe as fast as she could. She wished Mozzie would be a little less declarative and a lot looser with the facts. "What kind of problem?" she hissed. Mozzie had insisted they use his vintage walkie-walkies. For some unexplainable reason she had gone along with that. Now she was stuck with a noisy communication device in the middle of a delicate heist.
The machine in her hand crackled. "Suits are heading your way."
She was going to kill Neal. "Why am I not surprised?" She hurried over to the window and scanned the area. She couldn't see the agents yet. Which meant she might still have time to get down.
Mozzie thought fast. If Alex rappelled down, the Suit might still catch sight of the equipment set up by Neal's window. "Go back up to Neal's. I'll handle it."
"What-?"
"No time, Alex!"
Alex mumbled a few choice words under her breath, but hurried to comply. She had her doubts about Neal, but she trusted Mozzie implicitly for some reason.
When Peter jogged around the corner, nothing looked out of place. The FBI agent looked up at the building towering above him. The windows up on the top floor, Neal's apartment, were open. He could see a curtain fluttering out.
He took out his phone. "Diana. I need those cops. Now."
"NYPD are on their way. ETA five minutes."
Peter squinted up at the building. His gut told him he was on the right course. It was only a question of whether he'd picked up on it fast enough.
*****
Climbing over the window ledge into Neal's apartment, Alex dropped down on the floor. She didn't want the Feds outside to catch sight of her. She removed her gloves and then with expert speed took apart the rappelling equipment and dropped it all into her bag.
Only then did she risk a quick look out the window. There was one Fed down below, talking on his phone. And just as Alex looked out, a police cruiser drove up. The Fed signaled it to stop, then leaned down to talk to the driver. Great.
She took out her walkie talkie. "Mozzie?"
No response.
"Mozzie! Can you hear me?"
Excellent. So much for trusting the little guy.
Alex turned back to her bag. After a bit of rummaging, she took out a black dress.
A minute later, she slipped into the party and mingled in with the other guests standing on the patio, oohing and aahing at the colorful explosions above them.
Neal was speaking to Elizabeth about bringing out more drinks when he caught sight of Alex making her way towards him. According to the plan, she should have been on her way to the safe house about now. "Excuse me, Elizabeth."
El took a look at the new arrival and smiled politely back at Neal. "Of course."
Alex intercepted Alex, and the two stepped away from the patio. Neal smiled around as if he was having a pleasant conversation. "What happened?"
Alex didn't bother putting on an act. "Somebody invited the Feds to the party," she spat out. "That's what happened."
"Okay, calm down."
"Calm down?! Calm down?!" Her voice dropped just a notch. "I'm carrying several million in gold coins, Neal. It's not going to take the Feds long to lock this place down, and then it's going to be my ass on the line."
"Okay," Neal said, trying to placate her. "I'll take care of it."
"You need to get me out of here."
"I will." He had no idea how, but he was sure he'll come up with something. Given enough time.
Time, however, could be a very precious commodity. Neal was still trying to figure something out when Peter Burke showed up at the door, flashing his badge to get past the bouncer at the entrance. He was accompanied by several police officers.
Neal gave Alex a warning look and hurried to head the agent off.
"Peter! About time! I knew you wouldn't be able to sit in that car all night."
Peter ignored him and raised his badge. "Everybody listen up! Party's over!"
A wave of whispers and surprised questions washed over the assembled crowd. The fireworks show outside continued on.
"Wait." Neal looked positively shocked. "What?"
Peter ignored him. "Is there an Abdul Aziz bin Sultan here?"
A young man stepped forward. "I'm Abdul Aziz," he said in slightly accented English.
"We suspect there's been a break-in in your apartment. I'd like you to accompany this police officer downstairs for him to get a statement."
Following his hunch, Peter had sent the cops to check out the apartments on the far side of the building, starting from the floor under Neal's. It didn't take them long to discover which apartment had been hit.
The men in there - apparently security guards - hadn't even been aware they'd been robbed until the police showed up. They said the apartment's owner was up on the roof, at a party. Peter had left them under police supervision until he could figure out what was going on.
Neal blinked, uncomprehendingly. "What does this have to do with my party?"
Peter was in no mood for games. "Don't try to play stupid, Neal. I know you're involved. I'm going to turn this place upside down until I find it."
"Find what? There's nothing here."
Peter just ignored him. "I need everybody to line up." He turned to the police officers with him. "I want you to take names, and search everybody in the room." He gestured towards Neal with his thumb. "Start with him."
"Okay, this is police harassment. I'm a law-abiding citizen."
Peter snorted.
Neal eyed the policeman advancing at him. "You have a warrant?"
"I don't need a warrant. I have exigent circumstance."
Neal's eyes flashed in anger, but he kept his voice low. "This is what I get for helping you out, Peter? You showing up here just to embarrass me?"
Neal's vehemence caught Peter unawares. Neal had helped him in the past, unwillingly, but still, and Peter had told him he owed him for that. But that didn't include giving Neal a free pass on committing whatever crimes he pleased.
He was saved from answering by El.
"Peter?" El approached her husband, stopping a few steps away.
Peter caught the look on El's face. "Don't move," he told Neal.
Once Peter joined her, El nodded towards one of the guests. "Check out that woman over there."
Peter turned around to look. A young woman with long brown hair. There was nothing particularly suspicious about her, but he trusted El had good reason to point her out.
He made his way over to the woman in question. She was checking her watch, looking slightly bored. She looked up as he approached, giving him a polite smile and a generally blank stare.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Agent Peter Burke." Peter showed his badge. "FBI. Can I see your bag please?" He gestured towards the large handbag she had slung over her shoulder.
Alex smiled with confusion. "My bag?"
"That's right."
"I- what for?"
"This is part of ongoing investigation, ma'am."
"But-"
Just then the building shook. People started shouting. Peter looked back towards the patio, where a fireball appeared in the night sky. Something had gone wrong with the fireworks. Somebody shouted out "FIRE!".
He turned back to the woman, but she wasn't there. Damn. Peter looked around, trying to find her in the sudden crush of people rushing out of the patio. The policemen with him were quickly overwhelmed by the crowd.
Then Peter caught sight of Neal. The conman was smiling one of his carefree smiles. When he caught sight of Peter, he gave a little 'what can you do?' shrug.
Muttering under his breath, Peter reached for his phone. "Diana! There's a suspect headed your way. Female, Caucasian, brown hair. If you see her, stop her. In fact, make sure nobody gets through."
"Peter," Diana's voice came through the line. "That's going to be a problem. The fire department's here."
"The fire depart-" Peter spluttered. "How did they get here so fast?"
"Don't ask me. But they're evacuating the entire building." Diana had already been pushed back from the main doors. She kept an eye on the doors as much as she could, but people were already streaming out. It was too easy for anybody to leave the building unnoticed.
"Damn. I'll be right there."
Sure enough, not five minutes later he was staring down (or rather, up) a rather bulky fireman, who insisted everybody evacuate immediately.
Peter tried standing his ground. There might be a little fire outside, but the people inside were under no threat.
"I'm sorry, sir. Everybody must evacuate now."
"I'm in the middle of a Federal investigation."
The fireman didn't look impressed. "You're evacuating. Now."
It was no use arguing.
Neal had already been placed in a squad car, to be taken downtown for questioning. Peter opened the back door so he could speak to him. "I swear, Neal. You are not going to skip out of this one."
Neal just shrugged with that enigmatic smile of his. "I didn't do anything, Peter."
"Right." Peter slammed the door shut. He was going to figure it all out, and this time, Caffrey was going to go down for it.