Nocturne in Black and Gold

Chapter 32: In the Groove

Neal's loft. July 26, 2005. Tuesday morning.

Neal reluctantly thrust aside speculation over the identity of the woman in the photo with Klaus. It was time to return to the world of the known. Mozzie was eager to brew a batch of authentic invisible ink. Henry needed to go to his office, and after a quick change into a suit, Neal was ready to report for work as well.

During the drive downtown, Peter filled him in on his new assignment. "You'll assist Jones with the Twillingford mortgage fraud investigation. Over thirty properties were targeted by industry insiders."

As Peter droned on about the case, Neal wasn't about to give him any flak. Mortgage fraud was not high on his list of plum assignments. Plum ... He'd have to remember to mention that one to Sara. He hadn't decided whether to proceed with the dating aspect of their relationship, but as for Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet, their pieces were already in play on the game board.

Peter chuckled. "You're smiling at mortgage fraud?"

"I hope you don't think I'm that clueless. I realize I can't hog all the plum cases." Two more double entendres. Should he and Sara keep score? The one who got the most in any one given—

"That's the attitude I like to see. Teamwork, right?"

"It's the only way, and I mean it."

"Good. You'll need to adjust to Hughes's new role. He's signed off on playing the heavy since I'm being Mr. Soft Touch. He'll make it known that he's reviewing your work assignments. He's received complaints from team members that I exhibit favoritism. Hughes stressed the importance of warning you that he intends to play his role to the hilt."

"He's well cast. I'm just glad this time it's a sham." Last summer Hughes had warned him against taking advantage of the closeness of his friendship with Peter and El. Now he was supposed to do exactly that.

"I'm aware of the irony, too," Peter said. "Embrace your slacker status. We're waltzing in at a late hour today. You should continue to do so. You didn't make up for your sleep deficit last night. Besides, you'll need the extra time at home."

Neal turned to face him. "Does that mean what I think it does?"

Peter smiled. "Checking to see if we're on the same wavelength? I think you'll be pleased with the results. You're cleared to begin work on the Braque." His expression turned serious. "I used to stew about the Vermeer being put into play sooner than we were ready. Now we have two paintings that can be used against you. If the Mansfelds relay incriminating evidence about the Braque before we've initiated the sale of the forgery, it will make the sting significantly more difficult. I hope they'll target the Vermeer first, but we can't rely on it."

Two art forgeries in two weeks? Two plum assignments back to back? Neal had hesitated to broach the subject. He relaxed into the cushions of the Taurus, not bothering to tease Peter about his driving. The long nightmare was over. Peter knew about the Braque. They had confirmation Klaus was alive, plus a lead on another Ydrus operative. Although Peter hadn't officially declared the con to have started, as a practical matter it had begun with the discovery of Ruiz being the informant. Diana would have lunch with him today. Neal wished he could be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

* * * * *

Diana added a flirtatious hint to her smile as she gazed across the table at her mark. She'd wanted to go to this restaurant since it opened. And that it was being paid for by the scumbag Ruiz was sweetness personified.

The con was a no-brainer to execute. At Quantico, she'd specialized in crime syndicates, primarily the mafia and the yakuza. When she was transferred to White Collar she became the go-to person for information about them. Those crimes were the bailiwick of Organized Crime for which Joseph Ruiz just happened to be the acting Special Agent in Charge. She sought him out last week to follow up on the Samurai bond case where Neal and Ruiz had originally clashed. A restaurant with ties to the yakuza had been discovered during the case. It was only natural that she'd want to know the results of the investigation.