WC BIG BANG: False Pretenses - Chapter 13
(Chapter 13)
Neal sat in the holding area on the 21st floor, cuffed to the table and chair and waiting for something to happen. Shouldn’t they have found Peter by now and captured Martin? It seemed like time passed too slowly as he stared up at the clock through the tinted windows and saw Diana standing outside then move with another figure around the corner. He didn’t see anyone else watching him considering he was technically admitting murder. Seeing as he could easily get out of these cuffs, he was actually allowing them in theory to keep him incarcerated while pretending to be a worse criminal than he really was. 10 more minutes crawled by and he was starting to feel a chafing on his right wrist. Damn with the rules, he needed to be out of these cuffs and back to where he belonged with his friends and colleagues! He scratched at the red mark marring his lightly tanned skin and smiled in relief. If he saw someone coming he could easily put the cuffs back on. He had barely freed himself, massaging his wrists when a quiet click caught his attention.
“Once a con... always a con. Father and son alike.”
He turned and stood, having forgotten the door behind him by the mirrored glass. Malik was there, gun in hand and smiling at him coldly as he closed the door, locked it and started to put the blinds down as he locked the main door.
“Agent Malik...”
Neal didn’t get anything else out, the gun cocked and a silencer screwed onto it. Nobody would hear the shot and he guessed they were truly alone if nobody was coming to his aid. Why would they? He was a murderer wasn’t he? Suddenly things were a bit too close. The agent clucked his tongue with a snide glance, Neal looking through the glass for help and seeing none. Come on agents… I’m with you. Someone? Anyone? He was hoping for a miracle.
“Your father caused us to lose a most valuable asset. We can’t find him to get revenge but maybe... just maybe we can get some leverage back by getting rid of you. We’ve already taken care of your handler.”
Malik reached into his pocket with the other hand pushing something against his own shoulder. It looked like a small gun, the blast quiet. He winced but didn’t react to the pain much before he tossed the same item, small and white towards Neal. It bounced off his leg and onto the carpeted floor so he could see what it was now as Neal blinked and stared up at the agent curiously. When he didn’t pick it up, Malik shot near him, the sound quiet except for the cracking of the floor beneath the carpeting. He was in a low crouch now, almost on his knees, Malick staring coldly down at him.
“Pick it up Mr. Caffrey. Is your cowardice that strong?”
Neal stiffened at those words but didn’t react, staring at the agent coldly as he scooted away from the weapon: a small plastic off white glock. He saw the agent was getting annoyed with him, red staining Malik’s suit jacket where he’d shot himself. It was obvious he meant to pin that on the con man, saying he went for a hidden weapon.
“Martin already shot me in the arm. Kill me dead or get the heck out, Malik. Do you think they wouldn’t doubt the setup when of this MO? Peter would...”
Those words made the agent raise a brow, staring him down curiously. He had him now at least attention-wise.
“Agent Burke is dead. Everyone else is on patrol looking for his body and your guards were told they could go on break, which they were happy to do. It’s just us. Maybe... just maybe you were desperate enough to escape this time. No friends left with your handler dead by your hands...”
Neal blinked up at him, Malik tightening his grip on the trigger, ready to shoot him dead. The man didn’t know… but the truth would set them all free.
“Burke’s alive. Trust me. They know you did it and Martin was the trigger man. It’s just a matter of time, Malik.”
Neal threw it out there, a flush of uncertainty crossing the agent’s face for only a moment as he tightened his grip on the weapon, hand unwavering. He had to stall for time but had no idea who was outside the room or if anyone would save him. In most agents’ eyes he was a traitor and his act probably hadn’t cemented any further trust in him. Malik being here like this, right now wasn’t part of the plan. He was not supposed to be targeted here, his mind racing to come up with some means to stay alive until help came, if it came.
()()()
Diana was watching Neal look bored yet cocky in the interrogation room. There were three agents there watching with one in the booth so she felt safe taking a call when her cell buzzed.
“Barrigan... Boss? It’s good to hear your voice. You got Martin? Excellent!”
She was excited, listening to his voice for the first time in days and happy to know Peter was back. It had been a terrible thing to do but everyone had agreed until they were back in control, Peter had to remain dead to everyone even Elizabeth until they were able to implicate the people involved. Now they could tell her the good news.
“Caffrey is fine, why? I have three people watching him. Let me...”
The agent was about to go check on the consultant when someone gently grasped her arm and she turned to see Elizabeth Burke there.
“Diana...”
Peter’s wife looked upset, eyes looking around curiously, bright and anxious. This was awkward and Diana was supposed to watch Neal, the consultant a potential victim but now that Martin was caught, things should be safe. Elizabeth stared at her expectantly, Diana knowing what it was her boss’ wife needed to know. Now was better than ever to do what had to be done.
“Someone’s here to talk to you...”
She handed the phone over to El who blinked back uncertain what to say. The agent watched her cough then blink again, blue eyes wide and curious before finally a relieved look and smile brightened her face. Elizabeth sat down in a nearby seat, relaxed.
“Hun... Mozzie told me. No... I’m not mad just... Why is Neal in custody? I don’t...”
Diana didn’t listen to the rest, her ears picking up another sound like a quiet firecracker. She made a gesture for El to stay put as she went to check on Caffrey. Something felt wrong. She was just outside the interrogation room but it was quiet, no agents around. The blinds had been closed and the door was locked when she tried it. Diana went around to the observation area, forcing the door. Once inside the agent was shocked at both what she heard and saw.
“Agent Burke is dead. Everyone else is on patrol looking for his body and your guards were told they could go on break, which they were happy to do. It’s just us. Maybe... just maybe you were desperate enough to escape this time. You have no friends left with your handler dead by your hands...”
Caffrey was crouched near the floor leaning back against the wall while Malik stood on the other side of the table, moving to get closer. He had a gun with a silencer in one hand and was obviously bleeding from one arm. Neal was looking up at him with a determined look but it was clear he was in a bad place.
“Burke’s alive. Trust me. They know you did it and Martin was the trigger man. It’s just a matter of time, Malik.”
She heard the con talking about Peter being alive and made a quiet hiss of breath. This wasn’t the plan. Diana could see Malik smirking down at Neal, gun in hand. The man moved nearer to Caffrey and was now directly over the consultant, pushing something over with his foot.
“No more lies... Pick it up, Caffrey! Nobody’s here to save you this time.”
The chief agent’s voice was cold and barely audible but she could hear it well enough to know her colleague was in danger, pulling out her piece as she made her way to the door that went into the holding area. Malik continued to stare downwards coldly, Neal looking up as calmly as he could considering the circumstances. She was about to step through the door when another sound made her pause and Malik turn.
“Agent Barrigan? Hello?”
The voice was none other than Elizabeth Burke, a sound of the outer knob turning but the door thankfully was locked. She was about to head out again when Malik backed up and reached to unlock the front door. The agent couldn’t see Caffrey from this angle, the interrogation table blocking her view. The agent kept quiet and surprisingly Neal said nothing as Diana realized there wasn’t time to warn Peter’s wife of the danger. The knob turned again, the door opening with a quiet creak when she heard Neal call out.
“DON’T COME IN!”
The door stopped opening, only slightly ajar but Malik took his chance, reaching through the gap. Diana made her own move, pulling open the door that led from the observation room, gun at the ready when she heard a gasp from Mrs. Burke and a shot.
“FBI!”
She called it out knowing it would distract if nothing else. Diana’s first glance was of Malik by the door, one hand still holding Elizabeth’s arm tightly. The strange thing was seeing him trembling, his gun on the floor now as he gave out a hoarse groan, letting go of his hostage before he collapsed to ground. His face was tight and flushed, pain evident and that’s when she saw he was bleeding from the left leg. Elizabeth moved away, practically falling back against the door and sliding to her knees on the carpeting, a terrified look on her face. Diana looked at El and then at Neal, his face pale and tight, hands holding something small and white. When the agent was certain everyone was ok, Diana pulled out her cell. She was talking to Blake, telling him to send backup when she realized they were alone. Thankfully, it was all on tape if not video what happened here. Malik hadn’t known that, the interim senior agent in charge now writhing in pain on the floor. The man glared at Caffrey a moment before his eyes finally turned to look up at her. He had on his most sympathetic expression.
“Caffrey shot me, Agent! Shoot him!”
He was fighting for relevance but Diana shook her head, cell by her ear as she heard footsteps nearing. Other agents were coming. She heard Hughes on the other end of the line speaking, asking her what had happened.
“Sir... It’s done. It’s over.”
She hung up after a few words, pushing the cell into her pocket and moving over to El first then Neal. The consultant’s face was hard, eyes an icy blue she had never seen before. He glanced up at her with an equally icy glare before dropping something nearby with an audible sigh. He held up his hands in defeat but didn't move otherwise. She finally realized what had been in his hands, rolling her eyes despite feeling pity for him, her manner less than kind but that’s what was needed.
“Get up Caffrey!”
She used her gruffest tone, pulling him up by the collar when he didn’t respond. He was limp, less cocky than before with his arms hanging loosely at his sides as she pushed him towards the door. Agents were coming in, one reaching to grab him when she held up a hand.
“Caffrey, take Mrs. Burke outside. You... take HIM into custody.”
She pointed at Malik on the floor, the agents confused as she let Caffrey go but her look making them comply as Agent Realti walked back up and glanced in curiously. He saw the bloodied Chief agent being led away cuffed and then Caffrey and El sitting off to the side on a bench.
“I take it things went much faster than planned?”
He saw Malik pale when the OPR agent didn’t give him sympathy as expected but a stern frown. The jig was up and he knew it, resignation sinking in as he allowed himself to be dragged away. Meanwhile Neal sat with El, both shell shocked if not obviously traumatized by the experience. Diana nodded to the senior agent grimly, handing over something in a white handkerchief.
“He tried to frame Caffrey with this.”
Realti’s eyes widened, seeing the small handmade plastic glock which looked at first appearance like a toy gun. The Senior Agent took the item, pocketing it wrapped in the cloth as he pointed at the elevator.
“I’ll take this to forensics. Take care of them.”
He lowered his voice, looking over at Caffrey and Elizabeth with a concerned expression before leaving her to the task of finishing up. Realti knew the last person Neal would want to deal with was himself and since Agent Barrigan was closer to him it would help if she dealt with the aftermath. Realti walked away as Diana turned to see Elizabeth stand shakily. Neal remained sitting, slumped back against the wall with a blank look on his face, a haunted expression making him look older than he was. For a moment Diana wondered what he was thinking or feeling when El turned back to face the ex-con and spoke softly.
“Thank you, Neal.”
There was genuine feeling in her tone, the consultant looking up at her finally with watery blue eyes. He didn’t say anything but his expression was worth a 1000 words as Diana moved in and gently placed a hand on El’s shoulder.
“Peter should be here soon. You can wait in his office, Mrs. Burke.”
Diana was polite, watching El nod back relieved as she smiled before looking over at Neal again.
“Diana... Neal isn’t...”
Elizabeth hesitated, Diana shaking her head in reply. Neal turned to look up at the agent with an almost shameful glance before he turned his eyes away. Diana didn’t quite understand what was going on with the ex-con but it was clear El knew what to do as she reached for his hand and he stood, following almost obediently. Silence enveloped them as they left the area and headed for the White Collar offices. This wasn’t going to be an easy case to get over. That much was certain.
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