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Missing and Presumed Dead

Chapter eleven

Inside

When Neal felt the man touch his leg his heart started pounding. What was the man planning he wondered? It couldn't be anything good. Did he have a gun…or maybe a knife? He knew if the man had a gun there was a possibility of a lot of people getting hurt, but if it was a knife, maybe he could warn the people around him and they could get to him before he did anything. But could he take that chance? He didn't want to die but he knew if he shouted a warning more than he could die. How could he possibly alert Peter to the fact that the bomber was right in front of him? Finally he said.

"I know you've been here the whole time… and I just want to thank you again…for hanging in there with me. … I feel like you're right here with me Charlie. …right next to me." He hoped Peter would catch the wrong name and figure something wasn't right. He also hoped the man didn't notice the name change, but if he did he might assume the drugs were making Neal not think clearly. He didn't know how else to alert Peter without the man getting suspicious and without getting anyone else hurt.

Outside

Charlie? He's just confused Peter figured as he kept scanning the crowd. Where the hell are you? He thought to himself when he didn't see Mitchell. Maybe he had already left; maybe he assumed Neal would die before they could free him. Then he saw some commotion over by one of the fire trucks and walked over.

"What's wrong?" He asked one of the men as he flashed his badge.

"Hank can't find his jacket or helmet." The man explained.

"I know it was here when I got here." Hank continued looking through the other hanging jackets. "I was off duty when I got the call to report. They brought my stuff from the fire house but we were told to wait till the building was a little more secure before going in. I saw my jacket hanging here but figured I'd wait till we actually entered the building….Now it's gone."

Peter could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Was this the way Mitchell was getting to Neal? He took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. Was Mitchell disguised as a fireman and already in the building? Then he remembered what Neal had said. "You're right here with me Charlie, right next to me."

"Neal." Peter put the phone up to his ear and whispered. "He's there isn't he?"

"Yeah." Neal breathed a sigh of relief. Peter knew. He might not get to him in time to save him, but at least he knew.

Inside

Neal knew the man was planning something, but what? He once more felt the man touch his leg.

"Can we just wait a little bit? …Just a little bit…" Neal quickly said trying to stall.

"You okay buddy?" Rodger asked.

"Yeah….I just need a little time to breathe." Neal said as he put his head back pretending he was trying to catch his breath.

"Okay." Rodger looked over at Mitchell. "Hold off for awhile."

"But we only need a little more time and he'll be free." Mitchell wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. He couldn't take the chance that something would go wrong.

"Just a few minutes." Rodger said as he checked Neal's vitals. Neal's heart seemed to be racing but that could be his reaction to the drugs he was given and the stress of the situation. "Just give him time to rest a little."

Mitchell was disappointed. He wanted to slice Neal's artery, then while the paramedics were trying to save him and everyone's attention was on Neal, he could slip quietly out of the building. He wanted it over with.

Outside

Peter quickly informed the other agents and the police that the man who brought down the building was inside. They surrounded the building giving the man little chance of escape.

One of the officers in charge walked over to Peter.

"What do you want to do?"

"I'm going in."

"I'll get some backup to go in with you."

"No." Peter stopped the man. "If he sees a bunch of people coming toward him he might panic. A lot of people could get hurt."

Peter removed his jacket and grabbed one of the firemen's jackets. Hopefully he'd blend in with the others already in the building.

"Take this." One of the firemen handed Peter a helmet. "The building is unstable and pieces are coming down all the time. Keep your eyes open."

Peter nodded and headed toward the building. He could only hope that Mitchell hadn't already finished the job.

TBC