First Impression
Megan Reeves hadn't expected the reaction she got when informing her two junior agents that Charlie Eppes' older brother, Don Eppes, was going to be put into protective custody. Megan was not a sports fan or a celebrity hound so she didn't quite understand the shock Colby and David had displayed upon learning that their very own math consultant Charlie Eppes was the younger brother of the infamous MLB homerun slugger.
"He's one of the most famous players around right now. He was the lead for homeruns last season and most of the sports commentators think he's going to lead the Dodger's to his second World Series victory." Colby said excitedly.
"And he's turning into a legend off-field as well. Apparently throws some of the wildest parties in LA." David chimed in. "It's just crazy to think that he's Charlie's brother, you know?"
Megan glanced between the to junior agents, wondering when they changed from FBI agents to fan boys. Clearly, she would need to be the one to make contact with Charlie's brother. She didn't think David and Colby tripping over themselves asking for autographs would be the best way to convince the man that he was in danger and to come down to the FBI office. She noticed Charlie walking into the conference room looking distracted. She would be too if the same kind of threats had been made against someone in her family.
"Charlie? We've already contacted your dad. Colby and David are going to go get him and bring him here for now, so that just leaves me to get your brother. I want you to stay here while we are gone. I'm bringing in Edgerton to help with the investigation. You can give him your version of what happened when he arrives. Does that sound alright?" David and Colby tossed her mutinous looks. Charlie nodded slowly.
"I just talked to Don. He's confused and a little pissed, but he's expecting you. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you? It's kind of a hassle getting into Don's building even when you know him." Charlie said with a wry grin.
"Flashing an FBI badge usually works for that Charlie. And remember, you are the primary target of these threats. We need to make sure that you stay safe as well."
"What about Amita and Larry?"
"We have no reason to believe that they will be targeted. The threat was made against your family for helping with the mafia case. There is an agent at CalSci though. You're one of us Charlie. We won't let anything happen to you" Megan vowed. Colby and David nodded as well.
Hiring Charlie as a consultant for Violent Crimes was a radical move made by SAC Megan Reeves after being introduced to him via her boyfriend Larry Fleinhardt. His help had proved invaluable to her team and she would not let anything happen to him or his family. In order to do that, now she needed to retrieve his apparently famous older brother.
***
When Megan arrived at Don's building, she was thoroughly questioned in the lobby before being permitted to enter the private elevator accessing the penthouse suite. She almost wished she had brought Charlie after flashing her badge only resulted in the doorman insisting that she remain in the lobby until Mr. Eppes' attorney had been contacted. Thankfully, she was able to convince the man that Don was expecting her and a phone call upstairs to the man himself got her into the elevator. There was only one door off the hallway on the top floor, the penthouse apartment taking up the entire floor. As she went to knock, the door swung open and revealed a very shirtless Don Eppes. Megan gaped. Don grinned roguishly and gestured for her to enter.
"You must be Agent Reeves. Come on in. Sorry, I'm running a little late. I had a few meetings this morning that Charlie insisted I needed to cancel so I've been on the phone with my agent rescheduling." Don said while grabbing a shirt off of a squashy looking couch.
She took a good look at him and decided that she never would have guessed that this was Charlie's brother. When she heard baseball player, she immediately pictured a more athletic version of Charlie; maybe a little taller and with more muscles, in a baseball hat and maybe workout clothes, but with the same general features, curly hair, and unassuming appearance. Instead, the only feature she really saw in common was his coloring. Don had short spiky hair and was lean with toned arms and a well-defined chest. It was quickly being covered with a black button-up, but not before she noticed a tattoo running up the right side of his ribcage. Don cleared his throat and she looked back up at his face to see him grinning at her again. She noticed two diamond studs gleaming from his left ear. He pointedly looked her up and down, and then leveled an almost challenging gaze, daring her to continue staring. She refrained and had the grace to blush.
"Sorry. You weren't exactly what I was expecting. I figured you and Charlie would look alike." Don smirked at that.
"No, boy-wonder and I are about as different as night and day. Charlie is why you are here though, right? So how about you clue me in on what's going on." He said, his face loosing its humor. Megan mentally filed away the bitter tone Don used with the "boy-wonder" comment.
"Charlie called me panicked earlier, begging me to come to the FBI office of all places and wouldn't give me any explanation as to why. I'm not going anywhere without an explanation." Don continued with a stubborn look. Megan had seen that expression before.
"Mr. Eppes, we believe that you and your family are in danger. With your consent, we would like to place you into protective custody until the threat made against you has been neutralized."
"It's Don. And that doesn't really clarify anything, Agent Reeves." He stated shrewdly, crossing his arms. "Do I need to call my lawyer?"
"If you'd be willing to come down to the FBI office, I can explain everything on the way. You aren't in any trouble. Your brother and father will be there as well." Don gave her a measuring stare.
"Charlie and my Dad are ok, right?" he asked, looking little resigned, but mostly worried.
"They are with my agents. If we leave now, you'll be able to see for yourself in about twenty minutes when we get there." Don nodded his assent and gestured for Megan to lead the way out. He stopped by the door to pick up a pair of designer sunglasses. When they exited the elevator at the ground floor he slipped them on and plastered an insincere smile across his face as he sauntered out of the lobby.
No, Megan thought, this certainly hadn't been what she was expecting from Charlie Eppes' brother.
