White Collar: An unofficial novel - part 9

Making a ruby

"Perhaps assisting the suit isn't so bad," Mozzie said from on top of the new high-temperature oven, where a wannabe ruby was cooking. "Impressive tools. I haven't had this much fun since I tripped Noam Chomsky."

He was like a kid on Christmas, Neal thought.

"You need to get out more, Flashdance."

"Hey, you want to make a star ruby? We can put masonic etchings in the silk veins."

Interesting idea but it would call too much attention to itself.

"We're not rewriting history. Let's keep it simple." He put his protective glasses on and approached to check on their gem.

"Note my immediate boredom," Moz muttered from above.

"Help me explain why an oxyhydrogen blowtorch is gonna show up on my expense report," Peter said, walking into the abandoned garage where they arranged for all the equipment.

"It's my own improvement of Auguste Verneuil's flame fusion apparatus," Moz said, proud as sunshine.

Peter stared up at him.

"You're making that up."

That would not please his friend at all and Neal gestured for him to let it go, but no.

"We're making synthetic rubies, plébeian," Moz returned, quite patronizing.

"It's plebéian," Peter corrected Moz who seemed quite stunned by the reply. Peter looked into the oven and the lump inside. "How long till it's cooked?"

"About six hours. We're halfway there."

"Will this fool our Brit?" Peter asked, taking off his suit jacket, which meant that he was about to stay.

"Verneuils have curved growth lines," Neal started to explain. "Natural crystals run parallel. But it requires high magnification— " He met Peter's eyes and realized Peter knew his Latin better than his gems. "Close enough for government work."

"That's what I want to hear."

Moz climbed down from the top.

"Suit, your supplies are much appreciated."

Peter blinked and then gave Neal a stiff smile.

"Ohh, you told him he could keep the equipment, didn't you?"

Neal stared back. What had Peter expected? That a con-man who flew under the radar for most of his life would do a synthetic ruby for the FBI because he asked him to?

"He doesn't work for free," Neal cut back, setting the line.

"Unbelievable."

No, Neal though, that it didn't cross your mind that he wanted something in return is unbelievable.

They added more and more material to the lump. Then it was just a matter of time and heat. Neal was not sure if Peter stayed because he did not trust one or both of them with a future ruby, or if he was too fascinated by the process. Probably a little of both. Neal volunteered to go out and buy them take-away lunches and coffee to spare Peter.

When Moz finally brought their jewel out of the heat they still had hours of work left. If it had not been for the tight deadline of Chris' fate they would have taken a break. But to be honest, most of the day had already been waiting, so Neal started to work to find its beauty. At last, he polished a rectangular gem that fit in his palm.

Mozzie held it up to the light.

"Nice clarity."

"Yeah," Neal sighed and took it from him. "It's perfect."