Shaggy C.I. - Part 8
Neal waved to Peter as the agent drove off. He turned to enter June’s home, the housekeeper letting him in as he approached the door. He smiled at her with his usual charm despite his headache as he headed upstairs. His door was open which wasn’t normal but maybe Mozzie had showed up again. He pushed the door the last few inches and peeked around to find June coming out of the back closet across the room. She smiled in surprise.
“Neal, you’re home early. Peter with you?”
She had some linens in her hands as she moved closer to hug him and give him a quick motherly peck on the cheek. He smiled, shaking his head.
“No, he’s having lunch with Elizabeth and I have the rest of the day off.”
June smiled and gently brushed a hair from his face.
“You feel warm but not feverish. Still having those headaches?”
Even June knew but that was June. Mozzie hadn’t really paid any attention and he hadn’t worried about letting him know. Fewer people bugged him, the faster he could just deal with it. He had some aspirin and that would be enough.
“I’m fine. Think I may take a little nap.”
She nodded back at him as she headed for the door.
“I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed. Let me know if you need anything.”
He smiled back as she left and he closed and locked the door. He went to the back hallway and hung up his suit before coming back out in just his boxers and tee to curl up in bed. He curled up under the blankets and relaxed. Maybe Peter was right. It had been too long since the accident for these headaches to continue. He still had the number of the doctor he’d seen initially so he might give a call but for now he was going to deal. His mind started to fade to darkness as sleep overtook him and he passed out.
Neal started dreaming, eyes opening slowly to a muted yet familiar landscape. He heard loud breathing and realized it was himself panting, mouth open happily as he heard a key in the door. He stood and padded curiously towards it, a sense of expectancy and happiness washing over him. He sighed as his sleeping mind realized where he was and who was coming in.
Hey boy...
Neal sensed himself roll over in bed at home with a frown on his face. He was seeing what Satchmo saw again although he knew it had to be a dream. It had been months since those original dreams so why did they come back now? He continued with the dream too tired to do more than follow along.
Let’s take you for a walk before El comes back.
He sensed the yellow lab smiling as Peter grabbed up his lead and reached down to attach it to the slight weight he felt around his neck. It reminded him too much of his anklet only more constricting to his human mind. Satchmo didn’t seem to mind as if the collar were a part of him as they left the house and started down the street. His paws bounced along on the sidewalk a hint of pain in the right leg but not enough to be too bad. Neal worried wondering if the dog was ok but Satchmo sent him a feeling of contentment that made the young man smile in his sleep as the dream continued. He found himself looking up at Peter, watching the bland beige trench coat he wore flapping around his legs as he walked. It made him think of a cape almost as Satchmo smiled at the thought, the idea of a bird coming to the dog’s head as Neal grinned.
They continued their walk until he felt a flash of something ever so subtle in the dog’s head. There was a low growl forming in Satchmo’s throat and Neal sensed the dog pausing and pulling back on the leash as Peter stopped to figure out what was wrong. The con felt a fear wash over the lab and saw this was the same block they’d been to when the car hit them months ago. Satchmo had walked it many times since then, getting over his fear slowly but today something had brought it back. Neal saw flashes of things he didn’t understand, the ideas too simple for him to grasp as he rolled anxiously around in his bed. His eyes fluttered beneath closed lids but he kept sensing something was wrong only Satchmo couldn’t explain it.
Hey boy... come on. Satchmo...
Peter crouched down till they were nose to nose, Neal seeing the dark brown of his hair and honest brown of his eyes, while Satchmo only saw muted grays. The dog wasn’t growling anymore but he was still scared, something definitely bothering him. Peter stood up after a moment debating a thought before finally nodding with a sigh.
Fine. Let’s go home.
He watched the agent reach over to pet him as he turned to head back the way they came. Satchmo didn’t move though, the growl coming back. Peter looked confused.
Satchmo... come!
Neal feels the reluctance of the dog, a fear still in him he doesn’t understand till he catches sight of something. He sees a sudden flash of metal and the memory of a sound that is all too scary not just to the lab but to Neal. He’s seeing a gun. Satchmo’s head swings around as if controlled by the con. Everything lacks color but scents and sounds are even more extreme as he picks up an aroma he both recognizes and yet... it’s not the same person but they smell familiar. He hears footsteps coming closer, Peter turns in reaction, the growl growing in Satchmo’s throat till it’s audible again.
Agent Burke... I guess it was fate that brings us together now.
A tall man with dark brown almost black hair smiles at the agent coldly, another man behind him with a gun pointed at Peter. Neal has a sinking feeling as he sees who it is standing there. He had learned the face after everything had happened and burned it into his memory.
D’Arco... Come to turn yourself in?
Peter was afraid according to Satchmo’s nose but his natural confidence stuck out as he gazed at the man before him and did his best not to show it. The man with the gun laughed, D’Arco shutting him up.
I think we should talk about unfinished business, Agent Burke. My car is right here... I insist.
Neal heard the tone of the mobster’s voice and realized Peter was in danger. This dream was turning into a nightmare, the growl in the lab’s throat transferring over to the con as he struggled in his sleep. He saw the look on Peter’s face as he finally nodded with a reluctance that was all too obvious. His hand let go of the lead as Satchmo barked but Peter hissed at him when the goon with the gun started to cock it.
Quiet Satch! Go home!
He sensed a confusion in the canine as he tried to follow but Peter hissed at him to leave. The dog whimpered, the growl still obvious as uncertainty took over and Neal could only watch his friend disappearing into what appeared to be a large black luxury vehicle. Satchmo whined louder as the car began to take off, eyes watching warily as the dog tried to follow but Neal stopped him, noting the license.
It’s ok boy. Come back home.
()()()
Neal woke up with a start. It was all he could do not to panic from the nightmare. It had been a dream hadn’t it? He thought back to what he’d dreamed about El and realized he didn’t want to ignore this. His head was still hurting some as he pulled himself out of bed and quickly got dressed. He grabbed a glass of water from the kitchenette and took a few aspirin with it before heading out.
It was barely thirty minutes later Neal showed up at the Burke home. The taxi dropped him off across the street as he looked both ways before running towards their house. He saw the Taurus parked out front so maybe his dream had been just that. Neal felt relieved at the thought until he heard the whine and whimper not too far away. He saw a yellow flash of fur just to the side of the stairs curled up and looking up at him.
“Satchmo... hey boy. What are you doing out here?”
Something was wrong, the dog hesitating before finally coming out from the small niche and letting the con pet him. He thought back to his dream as he took the leash and led the dog up to the front door. He rang the bell and waited. Nobody answered. He had tried to call Peter earlier but gotten his voice mail. He hadn’t thought to call Elizabeth until now.
“Burke Premier Events...”
He hesitated since she actually sounded well. Whatever happened to Peter, Elizabeth wasn’t involved. More relief and yet still an underlying worry about his friend.
“Hey El. I was wondering if you wanted me to bring anything for dinner tonight. June gave me a nice bottle of red from her friend’s vineyard.”
He left it open to interpretation in case she knew something he didn’t. He could hear El moving around in the background, other voices there as she answered them then moved back towards the phone.
“Sorry, this place got crazy. I’ve been trying to call Peter but he’s not answering. I thought maybe he was with you but maybe work called. We were supposed to have lunch.”
Now Neal was worried but he hid it as best he could as he picked the lock to the Burke home and entered with Satchmo. He put the lead away and glanced around quickly for any sign of struggle or other evidence. Everything looked exactly as he remembered it.
“Not Mr. Feng Shui again?”
He heard her laugh slightly.
“No... last minute wedding. They are trying to make all the decisions by the end of the week. So... yes, bring the wine. It sounds lovely and please let my husband know if you see him that I’m sorry we couldn’t have lunch. I’ll see you both at seven.”
Neal nodded to her as they said their good-byes and he hung up the cell. Peter was gone and Satchmo had been outside which meant that the dog might have been with the agent when he vanished. His dream was starting to come true but that could just be coincidence. He took the lead up again and placed it on the dog’s collar. He headed for the door as he picked up the spare key behind the coat rack and left.
“Come on Satchmo. Show me what happened to Peter.”
()()()
Peter sat inbetween two large scary looking mobsters while D’Arco stared at him from the front seat of the vehicle.
“You really have caused me any number of problems, Agent Burke. I had hoped my men would convince you and your office to back off but I guess I’ll have to deal with this myself.”
Peter was suddenly in a head lock by one goon, his arms pinned to his side as his neck was bared. He struggled in vain as the other man pulled out a syringe and pushed it into his neck. The agent fought but was held fast, the drug taking effect upon contact.
“Good. Now you’re calm enough to listen. Take his coat and jacket off.”
He struggled some but the drug made him feel drunk and useless, the two men removing his jacket and coat. He heard the jingle of metal and felt something cool snapped around one wrist, arms pulled back as metal snapped around the other. They had cuffed him but one had a large roll of duct tape they used to cover his lips then wrap tightly around his arms above and below the elbows before concentrating on his legs. The car came to a stop but he was only just aware of it under the drug’s influence as he felt the two goons start to carry him out.
“It’s a shame things had to end like this but you refused to look the other way.”
Peter slumped in their hold, hearing the sound of a key scraping metal then his body dropped into a large space. Three faces looked down at him, D’Arco the main one he noticed.
“By the time they find you, you’ll be dead. I think the timer’s set for 2 hours from now. Just enough time for you to contemplate your widowed wife and grieving snitch of a partner.”
The man turned to go, the other two slamming the door shut over him. He heard a banging sound that barely stirred him, the drug making him feel relaxed, tired and wanting to close his eyes. He fought it as best he could but the darkness in the trunk made him begin to draw further into the blackness as unconsciousness finally overcame him.
()()()
Neal let the dog take him down the street till he felt Satchmo slow and finally whimper softly, the sound merging with a frightened growl. This was the spot they’d taken Peter. The con reached down to pet and calm the dog as he spoke softly. He let go of the lead and moved around the spot as the lab watched him with wary curiosity. It was a small thing but it proved Peter had been here. He picked the item up and sighed with worry, the dog whining again in response.
“It’s ok Satchmo. We’ll find him. He always finds me. I think I can do the same.”
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket as he took the lead back up and walked back towards the Burke residence. He dialed a familiar number and waited.
“Jones... FBI.”
Neal thought back to his dream, swallowing hard.
“Hey Jones. I need you to run a plate.”
He heard the squeak of the office chair, a slight motion of the agent shifting on the other end and then a sigh.
“If this is for a personal project Caffrey you know I have to get approval from Peter.”
Jones was being no nonsense which wasn’t going to help Peter if what he remembered from the dream was true. Neal wasn’t going to admit how he found it but he knew how to get what he wanted.
“This is for Peter, Jones.”
There was still a hesitation on the other end before he once again heard the squeak of the chair and typing.
“What is it, Neal?”
He felt relief as he read the plate from his memory back to the agent and heard a bit of a whistle indicating the number had come back with an interesting result.
“You said Peter wanted this? The record says the vehicle belongs to Marconi D’Arco the mob boss. Let me talk to him...”
Neal panicked a moment but realized he needed to come clean if he was going to help his friend.
“Jones, how soon can you meet me at Peter’s.”
He heard footsteps and then a door shut as the agent finally answered.
“Ok Caffrey, what’s going on? You’re acting more guilty than usual.”
Neal sighed and finally broke down knowing he might not have much time.
“Peter’s in trouble. D’Arco took him when he was walking Satchmo. El is still at work so she doesn’t know anything’s wrong yet and I want to keep it that way for now. We need to find that vehicle.”
He heard Clinton’s breath intake on the other end and finally a reply.
“I’ll be there with some agents in the next 20 minutes. Let me see if we can track the car on the traffic cams. In the meantime, Neal, stay put.”
()()()
It was only minutes later that Neal found himself in Jones’ cruiser with several other agents following as they headed for the docks. Neal had insisted he come along and reluctantly Jones agreed. The con lied that he had seen the car explaining how he knew what was up. Jones conveniently believe him. It had just been over an hour since Neal had found Satchmo and figured out his dream had been real. He wasn’t sure why but he was in communications with the Burkes' dog. In a way he found the connection comforting but in other ways it was too bizarre to think about. He was glad to know that the agents had gotten a hit on the car D’Arco had been driving. It was the same one Neal had described and had been seen with Peter on the traffic camera when he had been taken from the corner near his home. The car was headed for the waterfront last they heard, a friend of Jones at NYPD confirming having spotted a similar vehicle going into a private warehouse belonging to the mobster. It seemed everyone in law enforcement was waiting for a chance to catch the mobster so they were glad for any insight. Meanwhile Diana was sending them their search warrant as Jones checked on her progress finding intel on D’Arco. She was working on another search warrant that Hughes was getting approved so that they could arrest the mobster at his penthouse.
They pulled up to the warehouse and found the car Neal had seen in his dream parked on the other side of the fences area out in the open for any eyes to see. D’Arco wasn’t doing much to hide the evidence which made the young man antsy. He heard Jones identify the plates were the same. Jones called it in, telling Neal to stay in the vehicle and wait. The con nodded reluctantly as he watched the agents standing just outside the property waiting for the search warrant. He felt helpless but what could he do? Neal knew that if Peter were here, the agent would wait for the warrant but what if he could make the need for the warrant non-existent?
He slipped out of the vehicle unseen while the agents were busy checking the area from this side of the fence. Without the warrant they weren’t legally able to get inside. Neal saw a hole in the fence just wide enough he might be able to squeeze through. He edged over to the spot while everyone was distracted and slipped though. He snagged his jacket in the process but kept quiet despite his angst at tearing the sleeve. Peter was more important than a vintage suit jacket he thought as he made his way to the car and saw the trunk had been hammered hard where the lock was. D’arco had really wanted Peter to be trapped. He kept low and out of sight, moving to open up the back door so he could find another way in. He thought about tearing up the back seat cushion when he heard it.
beep... beep... beep... beep...
Neal turned to the dash in the front seat and saw something that made his heart sink and his throat tighten up. Without much thought he tore at the back seat cushion where he knew it was the most vulnerable revealing an opening that led to the trunk. Neal could just make out a figure laying there inside as he squeezed through and poked at his friend.
“Peter... wake up. PETER!”
He poked the figure feeling the agent’s arms yanked tight behind him as he managed to pull him through the space and into the back seat. By now he saw an agent pointing his way as he yanked Peter out of the vehicle, his eyes glancing at the dash again. There wasn’t much time as he half-carried half dragged the agent towards the fence. He saw Jones glaring at him before he yelled back at the agents congregating around the fence.
“Take cover! The car’s been armed!”
He saw Jones nod, waving the other agents back behind their vehicles as he moved over to the opening in the fence to help Neal. They were barely half way when the car exploded, tossing the con and limp agent like rag dolls hard against the fence. Neal slumped, feeling someone nudge him before his eyes opened up and he saw it was Jones. He was surprised to see the man smiling at him as another couple of agents moved over to help carry and unbind Peter while Jones helped Neal up, his ears ringing slightly from the blast.
“Good work Caffrey but next time... let me know what you’re doing.”
The agent led him back to the car and sat him inside the front seat while the other agents lay Peter in the back. Neal turned with a wince to view the unconscious agent in the back, reaching over to grasp Peter’s hand in his own. He felt a light squeeze back and then saw two brown eyes stare up at him glassily before closing again. Peter was safe now. Whatever those dreams had meant, Neal was glad for them.
“Caffrey... I’m going to have an agent take you both to the hospital.”
The consultant nodded, his hand still holding Peter’s as he sat in the front seat, eyes moving back to watch his friend. The agent looked relaxed despite what had almost happened. Neal turned briefly to take a look at the flaming debris on the opposite side of the fence. He watched a fire engine drive up and into the lot now that they had a warrant.Looked like everything was good as Neal leaned back against the seat and slumped into a semi-conscious state.
Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 /
Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9