Blood is thicker than water, but guilt overrides everything

[loadedparadox]

Who: Neal Caffrey/defineguilty
Verse: Apple doesn't fall far
What: A call for help
Warnings: None


Arthur wasn't sure why he had dropped everything to come see Neal. Maybe because the man hadn't asked for help in over ten years. Maybe because Arthur knew it was the right thing to do. Maybe... In the end he knew the answer.

It was what their father would have wanted.

Getting his bags from the claim area, he headed for the lounge, knowing he would need a drink before he met with his brother. Ordering a double scotch, he sent out another text.

I'm here. How far does that leash let you go?

Comments

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"He has faith in me," Neal admits, quiet but not like he's ashamed, more like it's simple fact, "It's not all that unwelcome, having someone want you to strive for the better."

Taking a sip of his wine, "I'm not sure. I'd have to get in, and they rigged those things to high heaven back in the day. This job, Arthur, is dangerous. The person looking for it has already someone to get to it. Probably plenty more that I don't know about."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur watched his brother, taking a drink - not a sip - of the wine. He stared at Neal for a long time, thinking about his life. Dom had proven he didn't have faith in him because of the Fischer case. "I wouldn't know what that's like," he said flatly, taking another drink.

"So this person wants it, so you want it first because there has to be a reason. I'm not worried about dangerous. Beyond the dream, I'm not without resources."

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"I want to know what was so important it cost the life he took, Arthur."

Neal curls his hand around the stem of the wine glass, pulling a few files out from a taped box under the table. "His name is Vincent Addler. He's been running in and out of the art business for awhile."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Setting down his glass, Arthur got his notebook and came back to the table. He made note of the name, giving a pointed look at the files.

"So a friend or enemy in your past," he asked, blunt and to the point.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"He was something of a mentor, at a time, not anymore. Far from it."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Understandable or you wouldn't need me to do this. Who did he kill?"

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

Neal picks up his wine glass again, "Her name was Kate. She worked for him too, once upon a time."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Quiet, thinking about what Neal was saying. "And who is this once upon a time meant once and why are you looking for him now if this was once upon a time," he asked, not willing to play games.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"I want to know why he had to kill her, Arthur. I'm only going to get that information if I get to the U-Boat before him."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Nodding, making notes. "What information do you have on the boat and how far ahead of us is he? Is there anyone he would have confided what he knows in? Easier to take down a confidant than the man with the secrets."

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"Everything I know is in the file, I'm going out tonight to try and find someone. She'll have more information that we need, then I should know where we stand."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur was quiet, sitting back and considering this. His fingers drummed on the file, watching Neal as he considered things. "You assume this will go to dream share then? Is that why you called me in or..."

Arthur swallowed. "Or are you looking at this in my other realm of expertise." One that Neal would know about when others didn't.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"No," Neal is very quick to shake his head, a definitive answer, "I don't agree with violence. I just - I needed someone I actually knew who would be able to help me, who could think outside the box."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur nearly smiled at that. " We don't always have to agree with what has to be done," he pointed out. It was the truth of his life. "Okay. I'll start looking into this guy, and the boat. I have some contacts back in Germany and ... I can get started on this."

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"You know I appreciate it, Arthur. I just needed someone who knew what they were doing, wouldn't be tied down by certain things. I'll meet with my associate tonight and see what else we can dig up."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"What happens if this guy finds out you're looking into this," he asked, already looking to cover bases.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

"Then he'll come after me, but he won't. Mozzie can be incognito when he has to be."