The Mirror

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Valentine

"Even if I don't make the cut, Hobhouse needs you on it. You could go on assignments to London and Paris and send me postcards."

"I'm not sure I'd want it. I'd miss El, my dog, my games. I like not having to travel."

"El could join you on some of the trips. I bet she'd love it. I could dog sit."

"Before you sign me up for French lessons, let's get back to the here and now. Tell me about your call with Henry."

"It went well. Henry's first day back at the office is today. He feels there's a strong chance he'll be able to persuade Win-Win to partner with us. Henry said some of the investors who were bilked in the Ponzi scheme have expressed an interest in funding an investigation."

"Do you know when he'll get back to us?"

"Most likely later this week. I'll keep you informed. Henry also said he hadn't uncovered anything on Adler."

"Did you tell him about the candy wrapper?" Peter asked.

"No. I knew you'd want to wait till the partnership was agreed to. You'll also be happy to hear that I stressed the need to be a team player, and Henry agreed."

"Good," said Peter with satisfaction. "We'll make a fresh start."

"Thanks. I was hoping you'd feel that way." Neal hesitated for a moment. "You gave me a second chance and now you're doing the same for Henry. We both appreciate it." His unexpected words gave Peter a satisfied glow.

"With all the talk about international activities, I wondered about my status for international travel," Neal continued. "I assume I don't have any travel restrictions?"

"As long as you use your own passport, you're fine," Peter assured him. "You confessed to a few crimes you committed overseas, but the countries involved have reciprocal relations with us." He paused to collect his thoughts. "But you need to understand that your history is on file with Interpol as well as the FBI. If you're at the Louvre and the Mona Lisa is stolen, you'll be suspected. As for any crimes you may have overlooked mentioning, my advice is don't make them an issue now."

"I understand."

"Any particular reason you're asking?" Peter asked.

"Fiona may be transferred to Paris for a short-term assignment. I haven't been there in a while. I thought I might visit her this summer."

"How long would she be gone?"

"Probably three to six months."

"That will be a test of your relationship."

"Yeah. Other than an excuse to visit Paris, I'm not looking forward to it." Neal rose to leave. At the door, he stopped and turned around. "You remember the photo you found last fall of Chantal, Klaus, and me? You held onto it, thinking I might like to have it. I didn't take you up on the offer then, but I'd like to now."

The photo had been taken when Neal lived with the Mansfelds in Geneva, and before Chantal had divorced Klaus. Was Neal's request a sign that he'd come to terms with Klaus's death? Chantal had moved on. A former safecracker, she now ran a bistro in Paris. "No problem. I'll bring it to the office. Are you planning to visit her if you go to Paris?"

A knock on the door interrupted Neal's answer. It was Jones with a news update.

"My contact in Canada just alerted me. The plastic surgeon from Montreal who owns the house Azathoth used for the kidnapping? He's moved to Salzburg."

"That's where Maier Bioscience is headquartered, isn't it?" Neal asked. The company had made several payments to the surgeon including a large fee a few weeks before the kidnapping, but confidentiality agreements prevented an investigation. Then last month a USB drive containing photos of Neal and Peter was found in an apartment leased by Maier. But, despite their best efforts, no progress had been made since then in discovering a connection between the company and Azathoth.