Angela Caffrey

One of the differences between Caffrey Conversation and White Collar is that Penna created an extended family of Caffrey relatives for Neal. His older cousin Henry has been featured in many stories In my latest story, Dark Rabbit, it's time to show some love for the youngest Caffrey cousin—Angela.

Warning for minor spoilers to Caffrey Conversation

Angela is the daughter of Noelle's deceased older brother David. She made her debut appearance on the Caffrey Conversation stage in Caffrey Envoy when she was a screaming nine-month-old baby during a flashback to Neal's toddler years. Even at that tender age, Angela wasn't about to be bossed around by anybody. Her treasured companion in the story was a beloved plush bunny that was somewhat the worse for wear.

We then fast-forwarded about twenty-two years to Caffrey Disclosure when Angela was a major player in several of the scenes. Of the three cousins, Angela has the greatest musical ability and that was showcased in the story. While Penna was writing Caffrey Disclosure, I was working on a story for Neal's first semester at Columbia. it was fitting that we tossed around plot bunnies for a cousin who'd been nicknamed Funny Bunny by her grandmother. The results of that round of bunnyball included having Angela transfer to Columbia in January 2005 to pursue a PhD in ethnomusicology. During Neal's first year as a grad student, he played in a Celtic fusion band. The previous summer, Angela had reconnected with some of their distant relatives who worked as musicians at Renaissance festivals. She too became interested in Celtic music. She taught herself the hammered dulcimer and joined Neal's group in January. It was during band rehearsals that Neal introduced her to her future boyfriend Michael Hastings, who is in the art history PhD program. Neal also helped Angela land a part-time job. She works at the Aloha Emporium in a dual capacity, helping them with their books and managing a line of organic honey-based cosmetics.

Angela has been featured in Caffrey Disclosure, Caffrey Aloha, The Dreamer, and several of Penna's vignettes. Penna's latest vignette, "Grandmother's House," describes how Neal reconnected with her and Henry just after he began working at the FBI.

When I began writing the Crossed Lines series, Angela was not shy to express an interest in being included. She made a strong case. Angela often wears goth makeup and clothes when performing as a member of Henry's music group, Urban Legend. She loves ghost stories and horror movies. She declared in no uncertain terms that she was the perfect cousin to participate in a supernatural story.

The result is Dark Rabbit. The story has a plain cover so her mother and grandmother will never hear about it. It's also a belated birthday gift to Angela's creator. Happy Birthday, Penna!

Dark Rabbit on Archive of Our Own
Dark Rabbit on FanFiction