The Queen's Jewels

Chapter 7: A Court Intrigue

Federal Building. November 19, 2004. Friday afternoon.

When Peter told Hughes that his house and phone had been bugged, Hughes's craggy face became noticeably grimmer.

"And Fowler claims he's acting under the Assistant Director's orders?" Hughes said, drilling down one of the most troubling aspects.

"That's right, but you and I both know this couldn't have been sanctioned by him."

"When this first started, I found it difficult to believe there was any hidden agenda. Now the evidence is fast becoming irrefutable."

Peter wasn't about to argue with him. "I had Travis examine the bugs but I doubt anything incriminating will be found."

"The OPR Assistant Director has an impeccable record with over twenty-five years of service. It's highly unlikely he authorized the surveillance. Was Caffrey able to record the conversation with Fowler?"

"No, unfortunately. A surveillance camera recorded him entering the mansion, but we don't have any other substantiating evidence."

Hughes exhaled. "I agree with Caffrey—if I go to the Assistant Director now, Fowler will deny it, and the investigation will be more difficult. Having someone else assigned to the case at this point may not be helpful. What's your recommendation?"

"I'd like to have Agent Wiese's assistance," Peter said. "Since she's currently in D.C. and Fowler works out of that office, she may be able to dig up something about him. My take on his offer is that it's a sign of desperation. Whoever is behind this realizes the evidence is too unsubstantial for Neal to be held for long, and they're trying to make him panic. That means they may make another mistake. Let's play it out a couple more days and see what happens." 

There was no need to tell Hughes he'd already contacted Tricia. When Peter had brought her up to speed on the frame attempt, she suggested looking into Fowler's record even before he asked her.

Hughes nodded his assent. "Go ahead and contact Wiese, but keep it unofficial for now. How's Caffrey holding up?"

"He has his classes and art to work on. He's willing to let us handle it." Peter hoped that was true, but he suspected Neal and Mozzie had something in mind. After Neal's outburst about the harm he was causing Peter, the odds were slim that he'd reveal whatever scheme he was working on.

After he left Hughes, Peter went to the lab for an update. Travis had finished examining the bugs. "As we suspected, they'd been wiped," he said. "But there was still something useful to be gleaned. They're not the make we use in New York. I checked around. It's an advanced model and only the D.C. office is employing it."

Peter checked to make sure no one from OPR was in earshot before saying, "Jones and Diana are meeting me for drinks at Foley's Tavern after work. An off-site location seems best for our discussion. Care to join us?"

* * * * *

Foley's was a little over a block away from the Federal Building. A casual hole in the wall, it was the favorite bar of the White Collar team. Booths lined the walls for a measure of privacy.

By the time Peter arrived, the others already had their drinks and were sitting in a booth in the back. Peter took his beer over and slid in next to Travis. He went over his conversation with Hughes and advised them to have their phones checked for bugs. "Hughes is making discreet inquiries to see if there's a record of authorized activity at my home, and Tricia is researching Fowler in D.C. For the moment, the bug on my landline remains active. It may yet prove useful."

Diana took a sip of her martini. "Since Caffrey didn't take him up on the offer, Fowler might be desperate enough to try something even more reckless. Should we start monitoring his movements?"