WCBB - Frozen - Elledeegee - Chapter 2
(Chapter 2)
Neal glanced after the BMW when Peter drove away. He stood on the sidewalk in front of the multi-suite where his office was. Something about their meeting made him think a little harder about what he wanted to do but he still was stubborn enough to think he could stay away from Mozzie and the agent and be his own person if he tried. Still… he had made a promise. He was afraid of the consequences Peter might face in his job, the agent saying nothing but it was obvious something was worrying his friend as they parted ways. He hadn’t thought so far ahead, now he could see where he had made his first mistake in running away. It wasn’t helping anyone leaving without a word but hurting them and he sighed, Neal feeling guiltier than he ever had for any crime he may have allegedly committed. He went back inside the office building and headed to the corner where Cutter Security was hidden. The business was in the far side of the building but Neal as Jeremy Ashton had helped to bring it to front of the center. They had more customers now than when he’d started, something Andy thanked him for but he had only helped with the marketing aspect, using his skills as he had with the FBI to do good. He refused more than his fair share, taking little in the accolades his boss tried to place on him. It wasn’t just because he was afraid of being found out and brought in as a fugitive, although that was always on his mind, but also the fact this wasn’t his business to exploit. Andy was a skilled security expert having learned from his time in law enforcement and some time working with reformed criminals who gave him a few secrets of the trade.
“Jeremy… No sale?”
Andy was looking at him from the doorway, a curious glance at him as he walked in alone.
“He’s still deciding. How is Oliver doing?”
Neal walking into the offices and heading over to the coffee machine. The scent of Italian Roast permeated the small suite reminding him of better times in Manhattan. His boss joined him, pouring them both a cup.
“Oliver is working out so far. Not sure he’s cut out as an office assistant but we’ll figure out his niche. Come talk with me in the lounge. I have some ideas for a new marketing strategy.”
Neal nodded, taking the offered cup of coffee and thinking as they walked of his time at the FBI with Peter and the rest of the White Collar agents. Jones had told him he was living the dream with an anklet. Maybe he’d been hasty to leave…
It was a few hours later he was sitting in his office, swinging back and forth in his chair as he stared out the window and sighed. Upstate New York wasn’t anything like the big city and as much as he loved his new identity he missed his old life. He missed Mozzie being paranoid and coming over without calling… he almost missed Peter’s big brother approach to watching him. The agent seemed to have understood the why of everything but had still been at odds on the execution. That had been part of the reason why Neal had left. Hagen had complicated their lives and caused a rift. Neal had fixed it the only way he knew how: running away.
“Mr. Ashton…”
Neal looked up after a moment realizing Oliver was in the doorway looking in sheepishly at him. The young man was in his early 20s but he could read the ex-con like a book. The kid had been in jail for mild larceny and his boss knew it, but Oliver was far from office material and he hoped to help him become a security expert like himself at some point. The kid needed a break and was a hard worker, helping with some advice on newer means of breaking and entering to improve their products when needed. It was what pushed the company along.
“Call me Jeremy… what’s up, Oliver?”
Neal tried to put the kid at ease, a smile on the younger man’s lips as he relaxed and nodded back.
“Jeremy… There’s a Jack Eckert here to see you. He doesn’t have an appointment and Mr. Cutter is out of the office… He seemed kind of anxious.”
Oliver’s voice trailed off as he wasn’t sure what to do as Neal stood and walked over the door, putting a comforting hand on the other man’s shoulder as he peeked down the hallway and saw a well dressed man pacing the lobby area. They appeared to be talking on their cell quietly as he shrugged.
“Send him in. I think I know what he’s here for. Oh… come to my office in about an hour. I need to discuss something with you.”
Oliver blinked back at him but nodded, Neal realizing that he sounded like Peter just now but shook the feeling off as he waited in his office for his unexpected visitor. Eckert was a persistent man and he knew exactly why Jack was here. His answer would still be no even though in the past he might have taken up the deal in a heartbeat. He was a different person now and he had not only his own rep as Jeremy Ashton but Andrew Cutter’s reputation to hold up. If anything, Neal was a good person deep down even if he didn’t like to admit it. Ellen had imbued that with her cop background and solid set of morals. She wasn’t the reason he went bad only the catalyst that sent him away with the knowledge of what had really happened to his dad and family.
“Mr. Ashton…”
Eckert was polite but in a swarmy manner that made one think he was constantly trying to sell you on something. His hair was cut short in almost a military manner but he had never served, the graying auburn locks colored slightly to hide Jack’s age. He was a fit man with broad shoulders, thick in the arms and legs like someone who worked out with weights, his suit tight on him despite the looseness of it. Neal imagined Jack flexing by accident and the buttons flying every which way like the HULK, a hidden smirk on his lips reflecting the ridiculousness of the idea as he held out his hand to shake.
“Mr. Eckert… I have a few minutes. What did you want to discuss today?”
He knew exactly what was being thought behind those hazel eyes, Neal realizing he would have to let the man off gently again. This was one of those times he wished Mozzie was around to scare someone off with his talk of UFOs, Nazi clones and conspiracies. It was all an act for the most part but Mozzie had his means of staying separate when he wanted. They moved to the desk, Neal sitting behind it while Eckert pace a moment then finally sat.
“My offer still stands, Jeremy. Cutter doesn’t know what talents you really possess or he wouldn’t be making you sell this bilge day in and out. You must know what I’m offering is a great deal!”
Jack was obviously desperate for his services but Neal would have to refuse. Besides, he still had to find a way to get Oliver up to speed before he gave his boss the bad news he was leaving. That was going to be a hard to tell Andrew he was going but it was necessary. He had a responsibility to Peter and everyone he cared about in New York City. He gave a little sigh before smiling at the man across from him.
“Thank you for the offer, Jack… but my answer stands. Was there anything else I could help you with? How is that Mark II holding out at your construction business?”
He continued to smile but he saw a dark glint of hidden resentment in Jack’s eyes. Eckert wasn’t going to give up so easily but the man smiled in his own false way and nodded back.
“You’re a hard man to convince… and my valuables are still safe. You were right that it was a good buy. Anyhow… I have a meeting to get to for my board of directors. Don’t think I’ve given up on you... yet.”
They both stood, Neal smiling at the man with his best mask before they shook hands and he walked Jack outside to the lobby again. Oliver was peeking over from his desk in the back warily as they passed.
“I don’t blame you for asking but the answer remains no. Just give us a call when you have a need for more security suggestions. Good day.”
()()()
Three days went by and Neal finally had made his decision. He was going back to New York and he had to give notice to Andrew. He tried to think of a good excuse and the only one that made sense came to him out of the blue as he knocked on his boss’ door and peeked inside. Cutter was looking intently over some paperwork, brown eyes much like Peter’s glancing up at him blank for a moment as if deep in thought before finally focusing as a smile came to the man’s lips.
“Jeremy… come in. I was just looking over our inventory. We are running low on a few of the top models in safes. Have to be sure to order some more with the amount of sales we’ve had.”
The man was temporarily clueless as to why he was here, Neal sitting down at the seat in front of the desk then standing up again to pace. This wasn’t an easy decision but he had to do it. Andrew blinked up at him curiously as if he had finally noticed the turmoil his employee was hiding.
“Is something wrong? You know you can talk to me.”
Andrew was being kind, reminding the ex-con of Peter in so many ways. He wasn’t exactly about to lie but it was truth if only in a manner of speaking. Neal took in a deep breath, sitting down and looking across at a man he’d come to call friend in a short time. He’d been lucky to find Andrew Cutter, his luck at finding anywhere he could hide, much more be honest, waning as those initial days on the lam passed and he realized he needed a job if not a place to stay. Andy had come at a time he was ready to go back to his thieving ways if only to survive.
“I don’t think I told you about my… brother. We’ve been estranged for a while and now… well he needs me. I wouldn’t go otherwise but he called and said he wanted to see me again.”
Neal wasn’t exactly lying but Peter was like a brother to him in many ways. He had to make sure everyone in Manhattan was ok and whatever issues he’d caused by running off fixed. He saw Andy looking at him, a soft understanding smile on the man’s face as he nodded.
“Not a problem… let me know how much time you need to take.”
Andrew was already writing out a slip for him when Neal stopped him, shaking his head sadly. There was a hint of confusion on his friend’s face.
“I’m going to have to give my notice, Andy. I don’t want to leave but my family needs me. I hope you understand. I can stay another week but then I have to head out. I promised him.”
Neal had seen the look on Peter’s face despite the act of toughness near the end. He hadn’t come to retrieve him as an agent but as a friend. The Marshals would be looking for him but Peter… the agent was probably in trouble for his disappearance and more hurt by Neal leaving than he wanted to admit. He had to make things right and to do that he had to leave this place without entanglements. Andy nodded still smiling softly. The man was so much like Peter Burke it was spooky and mostly what made him feel guilty now that he had seen his friend.
“Whatever you need to do, Jeremy. Don’t know where I’m going to find another sales person like yourself. You’ll have to teach me some of your tricks.”
Andy smirked as Neal relaxed and the two men just sat and chatted a bit. He told him about Oliver, the kid almost as good as himself at larceny. He had been quietly teaching and leading him as Peter had worked with Neal towards a better way. If all went well in a week he’d be headed back to New York and Cutter would have a new safe demonstrator and sales person.
()()()
3 days later...
Neal woke with a terrible headache. His whole body ached in fact as he moved, the motion making him not only groan in pain but feel nauseated. He managed to pull himself off of the bare mattress he was on and throw up in the corner, clear liquid leaving his lips in small dribbles. The taste of acid mixed with a bit of bile was evident as he rolled back onto the mattress and grabbed at his stomach. His eyes had remained closed this whole time, every movement based on blind touch but now he opened up his blue eyes to a blurry dark scene he didn’t recognize. There was light up above, dim illumination and a quiet rattle of metal he recognized only vaguely as chains. His left ankle felt oddly comforting despite the sound as his eyes moved that way and he saw a manacle soldered to it, the chain he heard leading away from the anklet to the stone wall nearby and a large metal ring. Confusion set in, his mind blank of any memory to what could have brought him here as Neal slumped back against the mattress and tried to think.
Eckert?
I tried to ask nicely… You’ve forced my hand, Ashton.
What are you talking about?
The memory blanked at that point, the room he was in obviously at his small apartment. Neal had been packing to head back to New York. Jack was there and then… There was a sense of pain, pins and needles coursing through him and then darkness. He opened his eyes again and glanced around at the now not so blurry rock wall that surrounded him. He was in some kind of circular hole dug out of the earth by machinery. It was perfectly round and deep like a well, his mind working out the logistics as he tried to come back to consciousness. His head ached as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose and each temple, then the base of his neck as best he could. That’s when he realized he was just wearing part of his suit, somewhat dirty and soiled from days of use. He had his pants, socks, white shirt and tee but his jacket and shoes were missing. He shivered slightly, the ambient temperature finally getting to him as he attempted to sit up. Everything shifted and rolled a moment then he could focus better, his eyes on the chain around his ankle and the mattress he was laying upon.
How did I get… here?
He still couldn’t remember despite a feeling he should know. Neal rubbed at his face tiredly, several days stubble on there indicating he had been in this hole for a few days if not longer. The con looked around to see what he could use to help with his dilemma but saw nothing, leaning back against the cool rock wall as he sat on the mattress. Someone had put him here but he didn’t know who. He kept trying to think but it made his head hurt so he wrapped his arms around himself and tried to relax so he could remember. He glanced up and saw he was a good 50 feet down inside what appeared to be an unfinished well.
bzzzz. bzzzz. bzzzz.
Something buzzed nearby. It sounded like a cell or a pager but he didn’t see where until he moved off the mattress as far as the chain would allow, lifted up one side and saw a small cell phone beneath. Neal picked it up and noticed the screen said Unknown for the caller before he put it to his ear.
“Mr. Ashton. I see you’re awake. I hope you had a nice rest the past three days…”
The cheerful voice was instantly recognizable as that of Jack Eckert. Neal frowned, head aching as he blinked a few times to clear his vision before answering.
“Eck… ert? What did you… do to me?”
Neal wanted to curse at the man but he was still too tired and disoriented to waste energy on something so petty. He also felt a little hint of fear he was trying to hide from his voice now that he knew how long he’d been out. He was weak from hunger and whatever other abuse he didn’t remember at the hands of his former client. Eckert was apparently relentless in his quest to get him to comply going so far as to assault and kidnap him but he wouldn’t help the man if it meant breaking his word to himself and Peter. Neal heard a dramatic sigh on the other end then a hint of breath before his captor spoke again.
“No memory of the event? Probably for the best. So, will you think about my offer again, Jeremy? It’s so much nicer up here in the warmth than down below where you are in that dank hole in the ground.”
Eckert’s words made him glance upwards and he could make out the silhouette of a figure above dressed warmly and waving down at him as if they were just making idle chit chat. He shivered again before he shook his head at the cell.
“Go to hell… I’d rather freeze than help you break the law.”
He spit the words into the phone with as much venom as he could muster a cold laugh ringing in his ears through the receiver.
“Such language… That can be arranged Jeremy. I’ll call back when you’re feeling more likely to comply… say three more days without food or water should help your decision.”
The cell hung up with a beep, Neal looking at the simple device and seeing it had no signal. He had just been talking to Jack so why was there no signal? He wanted to smash the phone but maybe he could call out with it. Most phones had a back up 9-1-1 option regardless of being active or not far as he knew. The con man eased himself up to his feet and walked as far as he could from the manacle, holding up the cell and finding no bars when he was unable to get emergency services. This defied logic. How could he have been called if there wasn’t any service? He was too tired to think about the hows and whys, stomach growling ever so slightly after the man had mentioned food and water. He started to get an idea of his surroundings.
The hole deep, smooth walls of hard natural clay, possibly a well of some kind but nothing much to look at beyond hard packed dirt and rock. He watched little flecks of snow falling down towards him but melting way too soon to reach him as he hoped for something to use as water. With hydration alone, he could make it a few days to a week… maybe longer but right now he had nothing and the thought of another 3 days now conscious of that fact was making him nervous. Peter wouldn’t know what happened to him. Nobody would. Andy would assume he left early to take care of his family matters but other than that, nobody was looking for him, not even Mozzie. For once Neal was totally alone and it scared him more than he had ever imagined.
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