Numb3rs
Dice
Chapter 4 Odds
I look at the five names in front of me, then to Don's team. There features tense and emotional. With all four of them being through the ringer in the last thirty-two plus hours and counting as my gaze now hangs for a long moment on the last one of those five names.
Written on the illuminated board the one that sticks out a mile the culprit we all thought more than capable. Even though he was meant to be safely behind bars and the underlying fact what grinds harder still. That he could not have worked alone either. With the bigger gun in this causing the heartfelt emotion this vulnerable FBI team is unable to hide.
That we are looking for another man yet someone who works further up the tree: in the hierarchy the powers that be. Who Don has worked most of his life for - much like that fifth name on that board the one who we know for certain pulled the trigger and who at this minute sits not far from here now…
An individual who personally knows my big brother and me when it comes down to it with it being Ian Edgerton someone Don Eppes once trusted completely. With his admission of culpability being no consolation at this moment with who is pulling the strings.
Who gave Edgerton his freedom for a few consecutive hours remaining ambiguous Ian not sharing that part of it either with him no longer co-operating. His silence ironically being something only Don Eppes could break and the only one other further certainty that it is someone within these very walls.
We are looking for - as my brown eyes swing to Megan and what she herself is thinking what this team, which is one man short is also thinking along with her though not one of them has voiced it….
That the attempt on my brother's life - has come from practically the top of this tree - from the assistant director of the FBI its self and Don's team has already been split. The powers that be re-assigning them while there, head colleague still remains gravely ill in hospital.
As my thoughts re-converge unwilling to believe in the calculative fact the one which has been staring us in the face for the last hour that it can be so. With instinct alone putting the gun in the FBI's hand, Edgerton fulfilling it further with his silence and part already played in it.
With my eyes closing in pain knowing a few miles from here my big brother is still fighting for his life and he's on the losing side of the battle. As my eyes snap open at that Colby being the first one to break the mute silence:
"The blood is on the FBI's hands plus Eppes does his job a little too well and he has been having mixed feeling about staying with the FBI recently.
We all know that apart from Megan who has been away for a while but having Edgerton take him out it just does not make any sense does it?"
This causing some tense looks David elbowing in quickly:
"Granger our boss has a name plus it is Charlie's big brother and it makes perfect sense.
For these walls have ears as you well know Colby and Don from the hierarchy's point of view.
Has been a high powered liability from the start one they sure as hell do not want getting promoted any further or leaving do you not think?"
With David's fused words causing us all to look downwards, with Megan again refocusing the issue her tone soft:
"Your both right and it's why it was more importantly an inside job. Don is a risk factor they would rather do without and they have separated you all too different states for a reason."
Her tone not letting up:
"To kick you back into touch and make sure they get away with it the only way they know how. However Edgerton's inconclusive statement is your, only proof along with Charlie's mathematical deductions and Ian knows what we have won't stand beyond these walls.
The only question is what, are you going to do with it to help Don Eppes. For there is, three options you are still left with and you boss would quickly agree to all of them folks."
Megan releasing the tension in the air with Liz being well aware of the score and what's at stake as she speaks:
"It's our boss's life and if he dies. The hierarchy win but they do not bank on us re-signing or going above the assistant director's head and there is always the media.
They would need to shoot all of us to stop this being leaked to the press but you think it is time we played by their rules?"
With our colleague from the past shaking her head her tone defiant:
"Your investigation is into the attempt on a lead FBI agent's life one which for now seems to have worked.
The proof lies with Edgerton and whatever happens next the victim in this cannot speak but you still need to do the talking for him.
Take it beyond who we are accusing now and we might be able to turn the tables by killing two birds with one stone but its high risk whatever way you turn.
For none of you signed on for this either."
Sinclair shrugging catching the vibe of Megan's words:
"Neither did Don Megan and it's partly why you left in the first place Reeves but we're picking a fight which is far bigger than us.
For Ian's silence to how far up this really goes, is all we have and re-assigning this team only plays into whom we ourselves think is responsible along with the bigger reason to why."
As my own gaze now swings round them breaking my own silence. Aware they are more than willing to put themselves on the line for their boss:
"Edgerton loitered up plus he does not care. He's going back to jail but my brother might not make it and unless we talk directly to the assistant director.
We're never going to get a full reason to why. Only that this team was racking up statistics which were a little too good and Don's paying the price with his life."
My voice petering out not wanting to go any further on that line everyone now looking away from me Reeves not letting my negativity rain though:
"Ok it's time to split we've got enough to put a high powered FBI agent behind bars along with Edgerton and Don on the most part.
Prefers to play against the pro-forma and we're going to do the same right David?"
Sinclair finding a smile at this comment, as he nods his head:
"We're officially free agents I think and Liz your used to negotiating difficult meetings how's about visiting the head man of the FBI first then the assistant director for seconds?"
The old tempo what they have been lacking since my arrival at last coming back into play as Liz takes it a step further her gaze falling to where mines is. The empty desk, which is Don's as she speaks clearly. Her tone set:
"Colby do you mind keeping the rest of the FBI busy while we tackle the main problem. Nicki the media is your foray for now and we've all got a back up of Ian's statement right?"
This causing a tempered reaction Colby beating everyone else to it:
"Right but is any of this really going to help our boss?"
Liz playing directly back of the statement:
"Considering Megan was the one to break Edgerton into a statement it's her turn to get Charlie here talking and this is Don's fight not ours would you not agree little brother Eppes."
The positive tone hitting a new note Reeves following her up:
"The only time Don phoned me was when you were away in England working Charlie and of the two of you. You're the only one still married but right now.
Your more like your brother than you'll ever know so is it agreed we're going to talk about all the other stuff I've missed out on Charlie?"
This causing me to flinch hard the other taking this as the go ahead to leave this open plan office area behind them with them all carrying a heavy enough burden on their shoulders as it is and that none of this guarantees their bosses life. That he may well die before this case in his name is brought to a full decisive conclusion.
As Megan the one individual left and sitting directly across from me makes a pretty neat assumption:
"Was it you coming back which caused the argument three days ago?"
Our eyes meeting as I shrug winging my answer while at it:
"We were coming back anyway and it's not like we've not been home for over a month but he was blaming himself as usual."
My words stopping our eyes once more touching as I rise finely going to the place I've tried to ignore for the last few hours, even though I've been unable to. Don's desk as I note the sunlight hitting it, the few personal items sitting there.
As I without thinking take the seat which is usually his. My eyes closing for a second before opening drawing it all in seeing the small notes he has scribbled at the side the writing fluent and precise. Megan again taking things into her own hands:
"I'm right in saying he was the one who broke it off this time with Robin and he'd come to some sort of redemption over the FBI Charlie?"
This causing a slight nod on my part:
"It was over between them but he was not happy Megan their marriage ended up being pretty brief and unhappy plus the FBI is Don's life to answer your question."
Our gaze meeting as I continue to intimately search this desk area as I carefully open the top desk drawer feeling shaken by the everyday objects and personal effect's in it Reeves now watching my every move:
"I don't think even Don would be happy to his little brother go through his desk and what are you looking for anyway?"
With my gaze meandering as I stand up my hand reaching to the back of the drawer touching something there as I draw it out. Not to surprised to find it there, somehow and it is a small unique object a dice and no ordinary one at that.
As I turn it to the light noting the remnants of blood from years ago still splattered on it as I gently roll it onto the worktop beside Don's computer. Sitting back down as I do so feeling a little confused to why it is here and not at his home that he keeps this little piece of history between us.
My eye staying struck by it at the same time as Megan volleys a valid point:
"Thanks to you we've nailed Edgerton and about to break the FBI while at it. Your big brother's meantime is running out of time and I know without asking.
Your holding back from me whatever it is you did not want to talk to your father about Charlie?'
Our gaze locking temporarily and the underlying fact she's noted how pale my features have become as I let the dice roll, the sound echoing round the now relatively empty office. As it comes to a stop, the same number flashing up from years before as I tap my finger nervously as I now turn the tables with speed:
"There is only one woman who really understood my brother and his heart and it's only ever been you Megan."
With Megan no longer maintaining eye contact as she replies on form:
"Charlie I'm not the point of discussion here and I also cannot bring your brother back for you and our relationship. Is friendship only and always has been you understand that Charlie."
As I shake my head cornering her hard:
"No you did not come when he was stabbed Megan but you knew this time he might not make it and deep down you both know. You share something like what I share with my wife Reeves."
Megan faltering this time as she flinches despite herself and that my eye has not moved of the dice as she cuts me down in the way Don usually does:
"Maybe Charlie but why has that little artefact in front of you got so much bearing on your current mood?"
Our gaze merging as she pushes me to open up as I go to speak looking at the dice as the phone at Don's desk rings startling us both at that moment as Megan comes across lifting it before I can.
With it being my father on the other end and I'm not getting the chance to speak to him as she hangs up her eye finding mines as she reaches for the dice. Noting the number on it too as she gives me a hard glare her sensitive side gone for now:
"Time's almost up and it's only you who can bring him back Charlie so what's it going to be?"
TO BE CONTINUED
