I do not own the Numb3rs characters

Chapter 4

Charlie calculated how far to the door. How many steps he might be from his brother. There were probably at least five operating rooms on the other side of that door. Judging by the size of the hallway and how wide each of those operating rooms may be, he could be sixty yards away and then he broke that down into footsteps. Fewer footsteps if he ran.

Charlie had not expected to hear anyone near him and jumped when he heard, "Charlie?"

He looked up at Bob. He didn't want to talk to anyone right now. He needed to be alone.

"I told Ted I'm not talking to anyone until Don is okay. I'm sorry that I called you. I've changed my mind."

"Charlie, how about we walk down and get you a cup of tea."

"I'm staying right here Bob."

"I promise you that I had no idea that your brother was attacked or no forewarning of any kind that he was in any danger. I knew to send Ted because I called the hospital after I hung up with you. I wanted to see if there was anything that I could do for you or your brother over the phone. I called Ted when they told me knife wound, and assailant unknown. There was no time to give him any details. I just told him to get to you in the ER."

Bob stooped down. "Charlie, I swear I wouldn't lie about something like that. We're friends and we have been for a long time. You know that I would be straight with you. You know I would never allow anything to happen to you or your family if there was a way that I could prevent it. The fact that your brother was attacked outside of your apartment is very disturbing and that was why I called Ted. He has a studio where he paints just around the corner from here."

Charlie looked at Bob. He knew he hadn't lied. Charlie sighed and closed his eyes. "Is there any reason to think, that what you found out earlier could have something to do with someone wanting to avenge Kristen's death?"

Bob sat down next to Charlie on the floor. Charlie opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows. Bob was not the floor sitter type.

"What I spoke about earlier did not concern Kristen at all. But I have recently learned of some additional information about her family."

"Kristen sent a letter to her parents. She said she was scared and she told them about the disks. She said she was afraid that Jeff or someone else involved may have her killed. She named names. Her father wrote and let me know what she told them. Now Kristen's family is missing. We were unable to reach them by phone last week and on Saturday the phone was disconnected. I sent an agent to Pittsburgh and this morning he called and said that the family had left in a big hurry."

The Director leaned back on the wall. "The reason I wanted the agent to talk to the family is because at this point she is presumed dead and because of that letter her family was under the impression that you were a threat to their daughter. I wanted to make sure that they had the facts. They never received the correct information for us."

Bob added, "One thing to consider is that the FBI submitted a report, stating that the evidence did not support that she had died at the scene. All we know is that there was blood. The only reason we suspect that she's dead is because Jeff said so. That's not exactly what I call a reliable source."

"You think she's alive?"

"That I don't know Charlie. I believe that her family disappeared because Kristen was afraid for them."

Charlie was quiet for minute and then he said "There is one thing that I do know for sure and that is that Kristen is the reason that Don was attacked. I haven't told the FBI this but Don told me that his attacker said 'this is for Kristen', he told me to be careful because the man thought Don was me."

The Director said, "I never would have suspected that you or your brother was in any danger. Seeking revenge was not something I would have thought they would do especially since no one was even able to reach the family."

"Bob obviously they found out that she was injured or dead. It had to her family or maybe a boyfriend. Who else would risk it? If she was injured and able to get away, she probably would have contacted her family first."

"Charlie, I'm sorry that this happened. Besides naming you and Jeff as being involved Kristen also said in the letter that she wanted out but that it had gone too far for that."

"Bob I don't know how you can believe anything Kristen said. She's the one that got involved with Jeff's scheme. So unless you're protecting her, I don't see any reason to not tell the FBI. As a matter of fact Bob, what makes you think that the person who tried to kill my brother will stop with the first name on that list? How do you know that everyone listed as part of the conspiracy is not the next victims of some wanna be vigilante?"

"I hadn't even thought of that Charlie. If that's the case than the best thing that we can do is contact the media and have the fake conspiracy announced. After we get all the details on the crime scene, I will call the covert team together to discuss the possibility."

The doors to the operating room opened and Charlie shot to his feet. Dr. Henry was just removing his scrubs and did not expect the young man to be waiting right outside the door.

"How's my brother?"

"He did very well Mr. Eppes. His left lung inflated on its own once we repaired the laceration and extracted the trapped air. The lung is fully functional again and there was a nick that we repaired in his diaphragm. It did not puncture and most likely some defensive movement on his part saved his life. He's very lucky that he has quick reflexes."

"How long before I can see him?"

"They'll be moving him to recovery and once he's in a room you can go see him. I heard your promise Mr. Eppes; I'll make sure that the staff knows that for this evening, there are no restrictions on your brother's visiting hours."

"Thank you Dr. Henry." He shook his hand. "Thanks for saving his life."

"You're welcome. I'll check in on him to see how he's doing but I expect a full recovery. He seems to be in good physical condition and he shouldn't have to stay more than two or three days. I want to keep an eye on that lung just to be sure but it's only a precaution and of course there is always the risk of infection but we'll be starting him on some high dosage antibiotics. He'll be a little weak but he should be fine with home recovery for a week, two at the most."

"Will they be bringing him back out this door?"

"Yes, but you won't be able to visit until after recovery. His room will be up on the fifth floor."

"I just want to see him. Thanks again."

Bob had stood nearby while Charlie talked to the doctor. He took out his phone and called Ted who was waiting downstairs for his orders.

Don was wheeled out and Charlie could see that his color had improved. He still had the mask. He certainly looked much better than when they wheeled him in.

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While they were waiting for Don to be settled into his room, Bob and Ted discussed what needed to be done to protect the Eppes brothers while Don was recovering. Charlie was only half listening. The other half was thanking God and his mother for looking out for his brother.

"I'm sending an agent to your apartment. Can you make a quick list of what you need them to bring?"

"Bob, wouldn't it be better to just put a guard on the door? We should be safe there."

"Charlie, it's too dangerous. And I know you. You won't stay there. I have a much better idea and once you hear it I know you'll agree. My way you won't be confined to a small apartment. I want to move you and your brother into my guest house. I have very good security and I will add the covert team to making sure that it stays secure. I have thirty acres Charlie. That's a lot of running space. There is also the advantage of you and your team meeting right there on the grounds. There are plenty of rooms in my house that would work just fine for the meetings. And that way while your brother is recovering you won't to be too far away from him."

"You're right. It sounds great. One condition."

"Name it."

"You tell me what you're hiding. I need to know."

"Okay Charlie, how about we make a deal? I'll tell you what I have that needs to be quiet, at least for now, after you are in the guest house. Now because I know you so well, I think there's something you're not telling about the attack."

"I was going to tell you, because I need your help with it."

Charlie removed the wadded tissue from his pocket that contained a baggie with the bloodied key. "I pried this out of Don's hand after I found him. That blood belongs to his attacker and I want him. I want the man that tried to kill my brother and I don't care what you have to do find him. I don't care whether it's legal, and I don't care about his rights. I want him and I want him to pay."

"Charlie, revenge is what started all this. If I find him, I'll see that he's turned over to the FBI and one thing I will promise, he won't get off on any technicality. He won't get away with this. You're upset now, I can understand that. You are not and will never be a vengeful person so don't even consider doing something that you know will hurt you and your brother more than it will the man responsible. I want you to understand that when I say Search and Destroy for the covert team, I don't mean that we skip right to the kill. This agency does not work that way. Search and Destroy is always a last resort for the good of the people. It's never about revenge."

"I know you're right Bob, but I have a lot of anger about someone hurting Don. And especially someone hurting him because of me."

"I understand that Charlie, I really do. But you can deal with your anger best by helping your brother recover. He's going to need you and there's no room in your relationship for any more anger."

Charlie smiled and shook his head. "Bob, you are good."

Charlie heard the nurse talking before the bed was wheeled in their direction.

"Charlie? The list?"

"Grab some paper Ted and I'll tell you what I need."