Betrayal Chapter 7

Jackson stood once again at his panorama window and looked down at the street, waiting for his brother. He was angry at Darrel because he had destroyed the plan but now he had to deal with it. It was unchangeable. Everything was driving him crazy! Darrel's big heart and his loyalty to the FBI would make the whole plan fail. Why hadn't Jackson himself gone there? Why had he let his weak little brother do it? He knew the answer. Darrel was able to work with people, was able to gain their trust and he was easily part of a group. Jackson on the opposite hated social contacts. Other people didn't matter to him as long as they weren't of any use. And if he lost control then everyone would realize that. No... Jackson wasn't good for field work. He had to stay in the shadows, pulling the strings to control Darrel. He was not allowed to reveal himself to the enemy... never. But now, because Darrel had destroyed it all, he had to do it. He had to reveal himself, had to make contact with someone who wasn't of any use to him. That was bad. The thought of this damn physic professor entering his house and talking to him made Jackson mad. But he had advised Darrel to bring him here. He had to find out if the professor could endanger him and the plan. If he hadn't realized the shot and had simply been scared by a sound then Jackson might keep his promise and the physicist wouldn't get hurt. But if not... Then Darrel would have to live with the loss of a friend. He would surely be sad and probably he would cry. He seemed to like this Larry really much.

Jackson's serious look changed to a confused one. Why was he thinking about Darrel's feelings? His little brother's thoughts didn't matter to him, right? Jackson shook his head and got rid of these unusual empathic thoughts.

A few minutes later he saw Darrel's car parking at the side of the street. Darrel and the professor got out of the car and last one didn't look very confused. Wasn't he wondering why Darrel hadn't brought him to a hospital? What kind of lie had Jackson's brother told him? Jackson would know it soon because the door bell rang. He slowly strolled over to the door and opened it. Darrel stood there, his look a bit worried. Jackson put on a smile.

"Darrel? What are you doing here? Who's your friend?", he greeted his brother with a short glance at Larry who stood behind Darrel.

"Hello, Jackson. My friend Larry - I've told you about him - had an accident and I thought that you as a doctor might be able to help him. This way we don't have to drive to the hospital.", Darrel explained and Larry held up his hands in a dismissive gesture.

"It's really not so bad. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Jackson's look fell at the bruises and scratches. The professor must had clinged to the stone with all of his strength. Well... That was to be expected. Who would want to fall to one's death? Darrel had said that his brother was a doctor. A good lie. So Jackson would play his part.

"Oh... But it doesn't look good either. Come on in.", he let the two enter his apartment. He gestured them to sit down at the couch before he went into the bathroom. Luckily, he had a first aid kit there with some uguentum and dressing material. What kind of 'doctor' wasn't ready for accidents? Jackson smiled silently. Somehow he liked to play that role. He walked back into the living room and took care of his patient. He took a look at Larry's hands as if he knew what to do.

"Can you move hands and fingers?", he asked and Larry nodded. It seemed like he had survived the incident nearly unharmed.

"How did this happen?", Jackson continued asking while he bandaged the left hand. Larry hesitated before he answered. The atmosphere was filled with tension. This answer decided if he would live or die, he just didn't know that.

"Well... we were at the old quarry and I stood at the edge of an abyss when I heard a loud sound. I got scared, stumbled and... nearly fell to my death.", Larry explained and gave Darrel a smile before he continued: "But your brother saved me. He is a great friend and you can be happy to have such a warm-hearted person in your family."

Jackson looked at his brother too before tuning back to Larry.

"Yes, I guess I can be." He paused for a moment and thought. Then he added: "You... said something about a loud sound? What was it?"

Darrel swallowed hard, hoping for the right answer from Larry. He was not allowed to say something wrong now.

"I don't know. Near the quarry there is a hunting ground as far as I know. Maybe it was a gunshot from there."

A stone fell from Darrel's heart. As always Larry had been too lost in his thoughts to realize that the shot had been near. Jackson seemed to be relived too. Darrel's cover was still safe. At least for now. If Eppes' brother would find something out, it would be bad. But with the rescue of Larry Darrel had an advantage now. When Charlie heard about it he would be thankful and his trust in Darrel would be stronger. It could work. Jackson had finished the treatment of both hands and smiled softly.

"Maybe it was a gunshot. But we can be grateful that you haven't been injured harder. The bandage can stay around your hands for the next two days but then you should visit your doctor again."

Jackson stood up and brought the first aid kid away. Hopefully this change of plans would work. When he came back Darrel and Larry had stood up too.

"You want to leave already?", Jackson asked, acting like that would disappoint him. Actually he was quite happy about being alone again.

"Yeah, work is calling. See you soon.", Darrel answered and was halfway out of the door. Who knew if his brother would change his mind again. Larry offered Jackson a hand and the taller man took it and shook it.

"Thank you for your help. I guess helping runs in the family.", the physicist joked and Jackson chuckled.

"It does. But you don't have to thank me. I like helping others."

A lie. But Larry didn't know that.

"Well then... I would like to see you again sometime. Goodbye.", were Jackson's last words and Darrel and Larry left the apartment. Finally. Jackson closed the door and went back to the window, looked how Darrel's car drove away, back into the daily danger of getting caught.