After he and Peter had parted ways, and some time after he'd made a mess of his hotel room, Neal had his talk with Mozzie. His friend was frustrated, to say the least, but also had really seen it coming. The suit had found Neal like it was his job, which it apparently no longer was. Neal only got by because of the fondness Moz seemed to have for Elizabeth. Hearing what the Burkes had gone through and how it must have been killing El was about the only way Neal kept from having a vase thrown at his chest when he said he was going back on the con.
So he'd kept his job with the Smithsonian for another few weeks, and a few after that. Life as Michael Stanton wasn't glorious but with the Hope Diamond secure, so was his job. No one went digging into his background and the forgeries stuck. It wasn't an honest living entirely, but it was as close as he could get. He'd promised Peter no heist and that's what Peter got. Beyond that, he was going to have to learn to understand, if he didn't already
( ... )
Peter sighed into the phone. It was a strange feeling he had inside. When he heard Neal's voice, he was elated to finally get a chance to talk to his old friend. Yes, friend. He thought of Neal as much more than a CI. He was a partner and a friend, someone that he trusted with his life. It was good to finally hear his voice again
( ... )
When the younger man realized that it was indeed Peter on the other end, he heaved a sigh of relief audibly. His conscious mind was still waiting for the bad part of the phone call to come through the first few sentences. Once Peter got it all out there, during which Neal said nothing after his initial hello, he was quiet for just long enough to sort out his responses from questions.
With a voice that was barely cautiously optimistic, at best, he then replied. "I almost expected that you were going to call and tell me that I needed find another new job." As in, the Feds were coming for 'Michael Stanton.'
"I want copies in writing from you before I set foot within a mile of that building Peter." A pause. "And the anklet?"
He's not holding his breath but it is kind of the big elephant of a question in the room.
"I have copies in writing right here at the house with me. You and I both sign them, we all get a copy for our records." He smiled. "No, you don't need to find another job. You have this one, if you want it." He chuckled into the phone. It felt good to be able to talk to Neal like this. "It had been so long, Neal. It's been so hard."
Peter sighed and bit his lip. He didn't want to talk about the anklet. Mostly because he knew that Neal wouldn't like the answer that he was going to get.
"You have to wear the anklet. At least during the probationary period. Hughes is going to talk to the board about doing another commutation hearing. After what happened, we'll have to requisition for a new hearing, hopefully with a new judging panel." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Neal. The..." He sighed. "The only way you would be able to take the anklet off is a nightly thing, if... If you stayed in the house with El and I."
Comments 47
So he'd kept his job with the Smithsonian for another few weeks, and a few after that. Life as Michael Stanton wasn't glorious but with the Hope Diamond secure, so was his job. No one went digging into his background and the forgeries stuck. It wasn't an honest living entirely, but it was as close as he could get. He'd promised Peter no heist and that's what Peter got. Beyond that, he was going to have to learn to understand, if he didn't already ( ... )
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With a voice that was barely cautiously optimistic, at best, he then replied. "I almost expected that you were going to call and tell me that I needed find another new job." As in, the Feds were coming for 'Michael Stanton.'
"I want copies in writing from you before I set foot within a mile of that building Peter." A pause. "And the anklet?"
He's not holding his breath but it is kind of the big elephant of a question in the room.
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Peter sighed and bit his lip. He didn't want to talk about the anklet. Mostly because he knew that Neal wouldn't like the answer that he was going to get.
"You have to wear the anklet. At least during the probationary period. Hughes is going to talk to the board about doing another commutation hearing. After what happened, we'll have to requisition for a new hearing, hopefully with a new judging panel." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Neal. The..." He sighed. "The only way you would be able to take the anklet off is a nightly thing, if... If you stayed in the house with El and I."
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