Caffrey Conversation

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Peter was immensely grateful when Dr. Santos volunteered to watch over Neal while Peter took a break. He purchased a cup of coffee from a shop in the lobby, and then walked out to the Gateway Arch. Sitting on one of the benches in the park, he looked at a bridge crossing the Mississippi River, and wished it was the Brooklyn Bridge. He'd been away from home too long.

At least the weather was decent, although the clouds gathering on the horizon looked like they would bring rain later. And he got a decent signal on his cell phone. He'd called in his report on the Villiers' arrest last night, but should check in, and he needed to run something past his boss without Neal overhearing.

Trust Hughes to get right to the point. "Good job last night, Peter. I've gone through your report. But why aren't you back in New York, or at least on a plane?"

"Remember our James Bonds, a.k.a. Neal Caffrey? Villiers brought him in for the museum job, but when I showed up Caffrey walked to avoid blowing my cover. He didn't just walk away from the take; he also provided information I needed to make the arrest."

"Why?"

Peter had been wondering the same thing since yesterday afternoon. "He doesn't like Villiers' methods. He protected my cover because he thought I'd be in danger, even though helping me meant sacrificing his cut. I honestly think he enjoyed taking down the bad guys. His definition of bad guys is probably different than yours and mine, but there's enough common ground that he could be a valuable asset for us."

"You think you can bring him over to our side."

"I think part of him is already there, or wants to be there. He was acting on instinct yesterday, with no prompting from me, and his first instinct was helpful rather than criminal. I want to stay in St. Louis a little longer, to talk to him about it away from his less savory friends in New York."

"Are you saying his information and actions had a material impact on last night's operation?"

"There is a very good chance Villiers would have escaped if Caffrey hadn't been on our side."

"Is he asking for immunity?"

"Can we offer it?" Peter countered.

After a brief pause to consider, Hughes said, "I'll run it up the ladder and see what we can do. In return, we'll need to ask for information to help us recover items Caffrey's suspected of stealing. And immunity would only be for past crimes. Any sign that he continues to engage in criminal activities, and we'll throw his ass in jail. Got it?"

"Yes, sir."

"And remember, it doesn't matter what he agrees to in St. Louis, if he can't stick with it when he's back among those less savory friends you mentioned. Don't make a deal unless you're sure you can trust him."

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After Peter returned to the hotel room, Dr. Santos left, satisfied that his patient was in good hands. "If he can keep lunch down, he can try the prescription meds again," he told Peter.

By noon, Neal was still coughing and sniffling, but was more awake. He was also restless and bored, and at one point Peter looked up from his email to see the kid breaking into the room's safe.

"There's nothing in there," Peter said. "You're wasting your time."

"Do you go to a shooting range to practice?"

"Of course."

"It's the same thing. And as it's an empty safe in my room, there's nothing illegal about it. Oh, look." He pulled one of Peter's ties out of the safe.