White Collar: An unofficial novel - part 11

Agent Matthews

When Neal arrived at the office the next morning, excited about the map they had found the previous day, he saw a new face walk up to Peter's office. He stopped Jones.

"Jones, tell me something. Who is that?"

"Easy, tiger. She's off limits. I already tried."

She turned at the top of the stairs, and Neal saw something.

"Art crimes, D.C."

"W-what makes you think that?" Jones asked, baffled.

"Her attaché it's from the Smithsonian. Gift of choice from D.C. Art Crimes Chief to new recruits." The woman shook hands with Peter in his office. "What's the case?"

"Above my pay grade," Jones muttered and left. Anything that reminded Jones that he did not have access to every case in the department made him grumpy. So, Jones did not know, and as far as Neal knew, Jones had access to most things that happened at their unit.

If Jones did not know, Neal was sure he would not be involved either. Art crimes tended to end up on his desk. If they did not, well, then there was a valid reason for it.

Neal sat by his desk, but he kept glancing at the secret meeting.

If he at least could get her name, or even better, a hint of the subject they were discussing. He fiddled with one of Peter's business cards. She had not seen him, and the meeting was ending. He made up his mind and returned to the elevators.

He 'stepped off' and elevator just as she pushed the glass door open to leave. She marched to the elevators and pushed the button.

"Excuse me. Do you work here?" Neal asked, putting on his confused puppy face.

"No. I don't." Polite but totally not chatty.

"No. Oh, of course, you don't. I noticed your attaché. You're D.C. Art Crimes, right?"

Even she was impressed by this.

"Very good."

Neal noted he had Jones' attention. Not good, but he could not hear them, though.

"What brings you up here?"

"Business."

Her elevator arrived, and time was running short.

"Hey, do you know where I can find Agent Burke?"

"Oh, I can help you with that. Office at the top of the stairs."

"Thank you... Agent..."

"Agent Matthews."

"Agent Matthews, yes."

The elevator door closed, and Neal walked back into the White Collar office.

"You're right, man," he confessed to Jones. "I got nothing."

"Told you so."

He aimed for Peter's office, but he was meeting him.

"Top of the mornin', Neal," Peter smiled at him.

"Apparently not," he replied, waiting for a rebuke. That did not come. "Am I late?"

"Right on time. I spoke with the Rolands."

"You tell them about the map?"

"I wanted to wait for you."

Neal smiled. This was just as it used to be.

"You're going to see them?"

"Mm-hmm." Peter moved towards the elevator Neal joined.

"You're a little giddy," he noted.