What´s meant to be will always find a way - Chapter 2 - The librarian
Author: NYWCgirl
Fandom: White collar
Pairing: None
Characters: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke, Mozzie
Warning/genre: M/M, friendship
Spoilers: none
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: ~815
Summary: Fifty ways Peter and Neal could have met.
‘Special agent Peter Burke?’
Peter, who has been studying a book on display, turns around. In front of him stands a tall dark and handsome man in a dark suit. His heart skips a beat by the sight of this sharp dressed man. His eyes automatically scan the man’s hand for a wedding ring, but there isn´t one.
‘That would be me.’
The man extends his hand, ‘I´m Neal Caffrey, the head librarian.’
‘Nice to meet you.’
Neal gives him a brilliant smile, ‘so agent Burke, how can I help the FBI?’
‘I´m investigating a bond forger and I would like to know if the bond we have is an original. I was told you are the expert to consult on Goya.’
Neal gives him an even bigger smile, if that is even possible, ‘well, you don´t need flattery, I am more than happy to help the FBI.’
Peter takes the bond out of its protective cover. He can see surprise in Neal´s eyes for just a split second and then it is gone and Neal is once again all smiles.
‘A Spanish Victory bond, interesting. Let’s see what you’ve got here.’ Neal puts on white fabric gloves before he touches the bond. He starts with looking at it, studying it with the naked eye before taking out a jeweler´s lens, and looking at the bond in all different directions.
‘It’s a fake,’ He announces resolutely, while putting the bond down.
‘You sound certain. How can you tell?’
‘See that little line? It is too wide.’
Neal is pointing at one of the lines in the drawing.
‘What do you mean?’
‘I can show you the real deal. We have a Spanish Victory bond here in the library.’
‘Please, by all means.’
‘Follow me, we keep the bonds in a different room.’
Neal leads Peter to a chamber with cabinets lining the walls. He walks up to one of the, pulls it open and with practiced ease flips out one of the bonds and puts it on a felt placemat for Peter o inspect.
‘I don´t see a difference.’
‘Here,’ Neal hands the lens to Peter, ‘see that third line, the subtle color difference?’
Now that is pointed out to him? Peter notices the difference. This guys I good.
‘You have a good eye.’
‘I guess it is what I do. Books are my life, but I love the drawings in them.’
‘Do you keep track of persons who want to see the bond?
‘Of course, it is locked in this chamber, if one wants to see it, they must fill in an application form. We keep the records at the admin´s office. She should be able to help you with a list.’
‘Do you know what sort of people ask to see it?’
‘Yeah, history students, art students, artists, people who study Goya.’
‘Well, thank you for your help. It is entirely possible if we catch this guy, I will need your testimony in court.’
Neal smiles, extending his hand, ‘you know where to find me. Let me escort you to the admin´s office.’
* * *
‘I am telling you Mozzie, this agent Burke is the real deal, he suspected the bond was a fake. What could I do?’
‘Tell him it was legit?’
‘And what if he already knew it was a fake? Wouldn´t that have put me under suspicion?’
Mozzie thinks about it, ‘OK, that is of course always a possibility. Feds can’t be thrusted.’
Mozzie finishes his wine, ‘that puts a damper on our island purchase, Neal.’
‘It’s OK, I won´t make the same mistake, I will make a new print, don´t worry about it.’
‘I will get the material.’
Mozzie pours them the remainder of the bottle of wine.
* * *
It’s already late when Neal stops his decent down the grand staircase when he spots Agent Burke outside in front of the library. He contemplates using the back entrance, but decide against it.
He pretends to have not seen the agent, walking out of the library towards the metro.
‘Neal Caffrey?’
He turns in surprise, ‘Agent Burke. What brings you here? You found the forger?’
‘No, unfortunately not, but I… I know it is a bit late to ask, but would you like to go out for drinks? Or dinner?’
Neal smiles, ‘you’re asking me on a date?’
Peter´s face turns back serious, ‘sorry, if I misread you. I’
‘No, no, you didn´t, I feel flattered. Yes, I would like to go out for dinner.’
‘Tomorrow evening?’
‘Sure, that would work for me. Pick me up? You have a car.’
‘Sure, around seven?’
‘Perfect. Do you need my address?’
‘No, I will find it.’
Neal nods, ‘of course, federal agent.’
‘See you tomorrow.’ Peter says before turning back to his car.
Neal walks towards the metro station. This is going to be interesting.