Peter Burke quotes from White Collar

Jones

Caffrey took a real chance writing a message in that ball.

Peter

Oh, Neal may be the expert in spotting forged paintings and bearer bonds—

Diana

And gems...

Jones

...Antiquities, counterfeit money...

Diana

...Pretty much any kind of document.

Peter

—Anyway, baseball's my thing.

Peter

You once told me you never lied to me and you never will. So I need to know something. The first time Kramer and I went after you for the Degas, how did you switch the paintings?

Neal

I snuck up to the penthouse, pulled the swap, then base-jumped off the building and landed on Wall Street.

Peter

[laughing it off] Fine. Don't tell me.

Peter

Twice. And you should know, the last time I caught him, he was sitting alone in an empty apartment. He had nothing. No one.

And now?

Peter

He has a life. A real life here. One that keeps him grounded and decent. As you've heard, there are many people who care about Neal, people who see him as more than just a criminal. He's frustrating, I'll admit. He drives me crazy on his best days. I don't always have to know where Neal is or what he's up to. But I do know that he has a good heart and a set of principles that weren't there six years ago when he was just another case file that got dropped on my desk.

Do you think Mr. Caffrey has been reformed?

Peter

As long as he's on that anklet, we'll never know. We can sit here until kingdom come and debate over "who is Neal Caffrey". But as long as we keep him tethered, as long as we treat him like a criminal..he'll always think that he is one.

Agent Burke, should Neal Caffrey's sentence be commuted?

Peter

Yes, I'm saying Neal should be free.

Neal

You know, I used to take pride in being able to steal your wallet. But if a kid can do it...How are you, Peter.

Peter

Alright. [Hugs Neal] Damn good to see you.

Neal

You too.

Peter

The DOJ has someone looking for you

Neal

If they didn't I'd be insulted.

Neal Caffrey has twenty seven known aliases, he has a weakness for beautiful women and he runs.

Peter

I guess he does.

Neal

To the island's most wanted.

Peter

May they return to where they belong.

Peter

This is not my assignment, I can't disobey orders.

Neal

We can wait another five years to catch this guy, or we can take him down tomorrow.

Peter

I saw a suspicious van and wondered if there was any illegal activity taking place inside.

Neal

Just a convict and an FBI agent watching TV.

Peter

Neal, you're not a killer.

Neal

But I am a criminal.

Where are you going?

Peter

To cross a line.

Peter

How did you leave things with Sara?

Neal

Why??

Peter

Look behind you.

Sara

I am looking for agent Burke.

Neal

Sara.

Sara

Neal. How did your island trip go?

Neal

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Sara

Until the hangover.

Peter

[talking to Neal] ...south-east corner, by the monument.

Sara

Neal?

Peter

Yup. He didn tell anyone when he was leaving for the island.

Sara

I wasn't completely unaware.

Peter

You knew he was gonna run?

Sara

Something I have learnt. Things get stolen and people go away. Most of the time you don't get them back.