Chapter 18

Ashley Snell sat in the interrogation room. Diana and Captain Lescaut had been asking her questions for a couple of hours. Peter and Neal were on the other side of the two-way mirror. The young woman confessed easily to the thefts. She explained that her late boyfriend Matthew Keller planned these before he died in New York two years earlier, at the same time as Neal Caffrey supposedly perished.

Ashley was inconsolable for months. She used what her lover taught her to survive, and when the grief was too much to bear, she flew to Europe. Visiting Paris, she saw the work of an unknown painter that she really enjoyed. Mostly views of New York. She was shocked when she discovered the artist was Neal Caffrey. The former accomplice of the man she loved was alive. That's when she decided to seek revenge.

"How did you plan on avenging yourself?" Diana asked.

"I knew that Matthew planned those heists with Caffrey. I made sure that he would show up in every city I was about to strike. I also ensured that his journeys there would not go unnoticed, that it would raise the police's suspicions. I wanted him to suffer, to lose the life he stole from Matthew. That he stole from us. Ending up in jail for crimes he dreamed of but did not commit, I found that nearly poetic. I would have the money, and he'd have a cell."

"There is one thing I don't understand." Julie said. "You succeeded in stealing the last piece on your list and in getting away. Your plan was about to work. Why did you attack Caffrey at his place?"

The young woman looked up at the Captain.

"Because he spoiled me once more. He stole Corbot's piece before I did. I had to pull off all those heists, as a tribute to Matthew."

Julie was lost.

"But, we found the painting when we arrested you?"

"It's a fake, just a copy."

Behind the two-way mirror, Peter turned towards his partner.

"You did not?"

"Relax, Peter. The painting is safe. I never thought about keeping it." Neal smiled.

The Captain entered the room at that exact moment.

"Where is the piece?"

"Neatly laid on your desk." The thief replied with his most charming smile.

"My office is always locked!"

"Don't worry, I made sure it was locked when I left, I swear."

Julie sighed and left, closing the door behind her.

"All's well that ends well." Peter said.

The silence that followed his statement surprised him. Neal looked deeply worried.

"Neal? What's wrong?"

"When we were still in the living room, Ashley accused you of killing Keller to avenge my death. Is there… Is there some kind of truth in what she said?"

"You think that your decision to disappear turned me into a murderer? Of course not, Neal. I shot because the hostage's life was in danger, and because he would have killed me if I hadn't been faster. At that time, I did know what I was about to find. I thought he was bluffing to buy some time. I was certain you had nine lives, like cats."

He paused for a second.

"I was not totally wrong, for that matter." He finished.

Relief showed on Neal's face.

"We should head home to celebrate. Elisabeth and Neal should be back by now, and I'm sure Diana would not say no to a drink."

WC*WC*WC

Neal uncorked a Champagne bottle minutes after they walked through the door. A well-deserved reward after all those emotions. He was about to toast when someone cleared his throat.

"Partying without me?"

Diana and Elisabeth replied in unison. "Mozzie?!"

Elisabeth was the only one to keep talking.

"I should have known. Neal could not steal anything from the Louvre on his own. He needed his guardian angel since Peter was with me."

Neal frowned.

"I could do it on my own, but it feels good to work as a team."

"I'll raise my glass to team work." Peter said.

"To team work." They all repeated.

The mansion was totally silent for a little while. Elisabeth was the first to ask the question they all had in mind.

"And now? You plan to stay in Paris?"

"I can't come home. Especially now that the Pink Panthers know that I'm alive. And you're all in danger."

"Not exactly. In fact, I think you're all safe."

Everyone turned to look at Mozzie.

"I did not stay inactive since the Suit let slip without knowing it that you might be alive. I respected your choice to stay away and alone, but I made sure you could change your mind and come back."

"How?"

"Well, I knew that the Panthers usually threaten the people closer to their enemies. I simply decided to play their own game."

"What did you do?" Neal was worried.

"Nothing more than to find their relatives and to take some pictures. Pictures that were mailed to different prisons around the US."

"Mutual assured destruction, the basic principle of the Cold War. As long as they'll think we can hurt the people they care about, they'll leave you be. Smart move, Moz."

"But, you're non-violent, they probably know that." Elisabeth exclaimed.

"They know that." Peter replied. "But they also know that Neal went as far as giving up his life for our safety. They won't risk it."

"So, you're coming home with us?" Elisabeth asked.

Neal smiled to his friends.

"I haven't decided yet, but I think that I need to make a detour to London first anyway."

THE END

Author's note:

I wanted to update yesterday, but FF wouldn't let me. Sorry for the delay.

Thank you for staying with me until the end, I hope you liked it. Don't hesitate to review and tell me what you thought, especially if you'd like to have a sequel some day.

I have a little preserie Oneshot in French. Let me know if you think it's worth translating ;)

Again, a huge thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited or followed the story.