By the Dawn's Early Light
By
1st Endeavor
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you for your reviews.
Chapter 25:
"Are you okay Larry?" David asked, slightly alarmed at his friend's behavior.
Becoming more agitated by the minute, Larry began to pace back and forth in front of the plasma screen, both hands on top of his head as he rattled off events and probabilities in a barely audible voice, several octaves higher than normal.
Finally, having run out of patience, Colby cornered the man and demanded that he stop speaking in cosmology metaphors.
Larry glanced nervously from agent to agent before blurting out. "I'm afraid that I must agree with Einstein on this one, there are no accidents."
"Ah….you lost me on that one Larry." David said scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah Larry." Colby said. "What exactly does that mean?"
Larry waved his hand in the air and walked to the screen. "Did you know that Einstein said that coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous?"
"Come again?" Nikki said, exchanging a puzzled glance with Liz.
"I know who the killer is." Fleinhardt exclaimed excitedly and pointed at Ludwig's picture. "This man is not a potential victim…he is our killer!" A notable silence followed his announcement and he turned quickly; eyes searching the stunned faces of the agents.
"Larry we haven't been able to identify a suspect because we don't have any evidence that points to one so how can you suddenly jump to the conclusion that this man is our killer?" David argued, nodding at the picture.
"Because with the discovery of this picture certain recent events that I am aware of, but you are not, have fallen in perfect alignment and have shown me that he is responsible for these heinous acts. Its like, "the astrophysicist glanced upward, as if he could see the sky, "watching a planet, its very movements reveal truths."
David rubbed a hand over his head and leaned tiredly against one of the tables. "So you're basically saying that if we tracked," he paused and squinted at the name under the photograph, "Professor Schiller's activities it would lead us to evidence that connects him to the murders."
"Yes…yes." Larry nodded eagerly, stretching his arms toward the screen. "That's what I've been saying…..Einstein was right!"
Nikki rolled her eyes. "I knew we would come back to Einstein again."
Colby smirked and put his hands on his hips. "Let me get this straight Larry, you think a mild mannered professor is doing these brutal murders?"
"Show me where it is written that a professor can't commit a murder?" Larry retorted defensively. "I know that I am right."
"Alright, alright," David sighed, glancing at his watch. "Larry you can explain your theory in a few minutes but it's almost morning and we need to find Thomas Hill and warn him before its too late."
"Thomas is a volcanologist and lives in Castle Rock, WA." Larry said absently, lost in thought. Noting the surprised looks on the agent's faces he quickly added. "He and Charles are good friends."
"Do you have his phone number?"
"No." Larry answered with a slight shake of his head.
Silence fell over the room as Liz tapped at the keyboard. A few minutes later she dialed a phone number but after a few rings ended up leaving a voicemail.
"Now what?" she asked, looking up to meet David's eye.
David shook his head. "I don't like it." He stood up and walked toward the plasma screen; staring at the victims photographs. "Alicia Brogan was murdered on Monday, Sean Leavens on Wednesday and if the killer is now murdering in two-day increments then he will murder Hill at five a.m. this morning."
"That gives us less than two hours to stop him." Colby said grimly.
"Castle Rock is only a three hour drive from Seattle." Nikki announced after doing a quick search online. "Our killer has had plenty of time to get there."
"Yeah." David agreed worriedly. "Nikki, I need to talk with the Castle Rock Sheriffs dept. I'd appreciate it if you would get their phone number."
"Sooner would be better than later." Colby drawled grimly, staring at the photographs.
"You got that right Idaho." Nikki retorted as her fingers flew across the keys.
0000000000000000
"Charlie? Bud…buddy." Don's voice broke; ended with a sob.
Charlie was once again sitting in the chair; body slumped and head bowed forward. In fact, from Don's perspective, the only reason that his brother was upright at all was because Schiller had tied his hands behind the chair again.
Keeping silent had undoubtedly been the hardest thing that Don had ever done in his life…and he hated himself for doing it. He swallowed hard; tasting blood. Don had gritted his teeth so hard that he had bitten his cheek several times during the ordeal.
Charlie stirred, coughed and gasped for breath. He raised his head, brow furrowed; blinking his eyes rapidly to clear his vision. Suddenly he shivered uncontrollably then moaned as a wave of pain washed over him."Why…doesn't he…just sh...shoot..… me…now…and get…it ov...ver ...w...with." he muttered bitterly to himself.
"God no! Charlie how can you say that?" Don asked anxiously, horrified to hear his brother speak that way."Please say you don't mean that."
Confused, Charlie glanced sideways and stared at his brother; how could he have forgotten that he was there? The grief-stricken look on Don's face cut through his pain and confusion like a knife bringing him back to full awareness. "No…I….you're right…I didn't mean that." Charlie said with a slight shake of his head; swallowing thickly he added. "Its ….just…it…h...hurts…so much."
"I Know it hurts Charlie, but you can't give up." Don whispered as a single tear rolled down his cheek. Watching Chalie suffer like this was too much for him to bear; he needed to help him but all he could do was let his brother know that he was there for him. "I'm so sorry buddy."
"Not…your fault." The young man replied breathlessly, panting to control the pain. Charlie took a shuddering breath and sat up as straight as he dared. "You …don't…look so good. Did he …hit you this…time?"
"I don't look so good? You should see how you look." Don thought incredulously, noting the way his brother was trembling. "I'm okay Charlie." He answered, glowering darkly at the blackboard where the madman was working on the graphs."I don't think that Schiller even realized I was here, he just ignored me, just like you said he would."
"How…is...your eye?" Charlie asked, trying to make his voice sound stronger for his brother's sake.
"It throbs a bit, but I can see…a little out of it." It wasn't a complete lie, Don could see a few blurry images out of his injured eye; he just left out the fact that he couldn't identify what the image was.
"That's good." Charlie murmured, drawing in a deep breath. He let it out slowly, thoughtfully as his eyes drifted to the floor and settled on the photograph of his classmates….specifically the dead ones in the front row. Morning was fast approaching and he had finally accepted the fact that there was a very real probability that it might be his last.
"Hey…ah… Don if I don't make it." He cleared his throat; this was harder than he expected it to be but he but he forged ahead. "I mean…you know…how much…you mean …to me, right? " Charlie didn't wait for an answer. "Could you tell Amita…and Dad that I…?"
"Don't talk like that Charlie." Don cried out, unwilling to let him say good bye. "Don't you give up…you hear me?" His voice softened and dropped to a whisper. "We'll get out of this together. Okay?"
"Sure." Charlie said thickly, dropping his gaze. "Of course… we'll get… out of this." But his voice lacked conviction as his eyes drifted toward the clock.
"What is the Field's medal Charlie?" Don asked in an effort to change the subject; the truth was his own thoughts had been mirroring his brothers all too closely. But changing the subject wasn't the only reason he was asking about the award; Schiller had made a big deal out of it and Charlie's latest caning had been a direct result of his not winning that medal.
"The what? " His brother asked; eyebrows disappearing beneath his curls in surprise. "Why are you… asking about…. that at a time like this?"
"Please. I'd like to know." Don asked softly. He had spent the better part of his life ignoring his brother's accolades and he regretted it now more than ever but this one he should have known about because they had been closer at the time and yet he hadn't heard a word about it; simply put, Don needed to know why.
Charlie glanced sideways, tracking Ludwig's movements before answering. "The Fields' Medal…. is the highest honor a…. mathematician can earn. It's the… equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize…. only without the …political associations."
"You were nominated a couple of years ago? Right?"
"Yeah."
"If it's so important how come you never told me about it?" Don asked, a hurtful expression crossing his face.
Charlie regarded him sadly. "I tried to tell… you but you were….."
"Working on a case, right?" Don replied bitterly, interrupting him. "I'm sorry; I should have paid more attention to you."
"Hey it's okay." Charlie said seeing how upset his brother was. "I don't expect… you to get excited…. about everything I do." He offered him a slight smile. "Two different worlds, remember?"
Don shook his head sadly. "That's not true Charlie, not anymore. I…." He stopped speaking when Schiller suddenly moved into his line of sight.
000000000000000
"Hank? Hank!"
Henry Fisher, Sheriff of Castle Rock, WA, rolled over on his back and grumbled crossly. "What is it Em?"
"Phones ringing." His wife mumbled nudging him in the ribs with her elbow.
"Ow Emmy…not so rough!" Hank complained as he rolled over to answer the phone on the nightstand.
"Listen to you," Emily tisked, "some big tough lawman you are. Letting an old woman beat you up."
"You're stronger than you look old woman."He grinned and cast a fond look at her before he picked up the receiver. "Sheriff Fisher."
"Sorry I had to wake you up Hank but I've got a fellow from the FBI in Los Angeles holding on the line for you…..he said it's some kind of emergency."
"It usually is Adie," he sighed heavily as he sat up and tossed the covers to the side, "it usually is. Put him on please."
"Sheriff Fisher I'm Special Agent David Sinclair with the FBI."
"What can I do for the FBI?" He asked, looking around when he felt the weight shift on the mattress. Emily slipped on her housecoat and opened the bedroom door before meeting his eye. He smiled appreciatively as she mouthed the word coffee and disappeared from view then turned his full attention over to the agent.
"Sheriff we have reason to believe that a young man by the name of Thomas Hill is a target of a serial killer and is imminent danger."
The sheriff put the call on speaker and carried on the conversation while he dressed. "Why do you think someone is after Tom?"
"Sheriff, do you know him?"
"Sure do, he's a good friend of mine. Nice young fellow, he's well liked in the community too. I can't imagine why someone would want to hurt him."
"I'm sorry, I don't have time to give you all of the details but you need to find him before five a.m."
Hank glanced at the clock and swore under his breath. "You haven't given me much time."
"We just made the connection. We've tried to get him on the phone but he isn't answering. Do you know where he lives?"
"Yeah, he lives in a cabin about fifteen miles from here. I'll call you back when I get there."
"Wait," David's voice called out urgently. "Make sure you have back- up. We're pretty sure that our killer works alone but he is armed…..and sheriff he kills his victims exactly at five a.m."
"Understood." He responded gruffly, slamming down the receiver. Hank raced down the stairs, taking two at a time. He shrugged into his jacket and attached his holster to his belt just as his wife entered the room.
"Hank?" Emily asked anxiously; forty years of marriage to a police officer had taught her a few things and what she saw reflected in her husband's eyes was one that she had learned to fear. Something bad was going to happen or it already had and Henry was going to confront it "head on" just like he always did. "What's happened?"
"Can't talk now Em. I'll explain later."
She rushed to the door just as he reached for the knob and placed a restraining hand on his arm. "You be careful out there, you here?"
Henry gazed into her worried eyes and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Don't worry Em, I'll be fine. I'll call you later but now I gotta go."
Emily gave him a quiet nod and then stepped aside.
Without another word Henry flung open the door and hurried to his car; clicking on his radio as he slid into the driver's seat.
"Kenny, this is Hank. What is your location? Over."
"I' m patrolling main street Sheriff. What are you doing up so early? Over."
"Meet me at Castle Rock Cottages. Turn off your siren when you get within a mile of the place…got that? Over."
"Roger that. What's up? Over."
"I'll explain when we get there. Meet me at the entrance and use extreme caution. Understood? Over."
"Roger that. I'm on my way. Over and out."
A moment later Hank was pulling out onto the highway, lights flashing and siren blaring.
0000000000000000
Ludwig returned to the desk and began sorting through the stacks of papers that he had left there.
Charlie couldn't suppress a shiver as he watched the man sitting at his desk. The way Ludwig's personas switched back and forth so smoothly was truly frightening. At the moment the Professor persona was in control and he seemed really calm. Charlie eyed him thoughtfully; maybe he could use that to their advantage.
"Professor Schiller?" Charlie asked tentatively, clearing his throat.
"Yes Mr. Eppes." Ludwig answered coldly, gazing at him over the rims of his glasses.
"Could….I….ah….please have…a drink …of water?" He asked politely; it wasn't all pretenses, his throat was really dry.
Schiller stared at him for a long moment and then bent down to fish a water bottle from his duffle bag; rising from the chair he strode over to the young man's side. He opened the bottle tilting it so that Charlie could have a drink and then replaced the lid.
"Please sir, I ….know you're busy…. but if you…. untied my ….hands I could hold …the bottle myself." Charlie panted breathlessly as Ludwig turned to leave.
Schiller twisted around and arched an eyebrow as he considered Charlie's request and for the first time seemed to really consider the young man's condition.
"Very well, I see no harm in that." Spinning on his heels Ludwig moved behind Charlie's chair and untied his hands. He jerked them forward, ignoring the sudden gasp of pain his rough handling elicited from the young man and retied his hands together.
"Is this satisfactory Mr. Eppes?" Schiller sneered, placing the bottle of water in Charlie's trembling hands.
"Yes… sir… thank you… sir." Charlie replied meekly, keeping his eyes downcast as Ludwig returned to the desk and sat down. Charlie took a long drink; swallowing slowly before tightening the lid back on the bottle. It took him awhile because his hands shook from the tremors of pain that flared up with his movements but that wasn't going to stop him.
"Professor Schiller sir?"
Annoyed, Ludwig met his eye. "What is it now Mr. Eppes? "
"Please sir, may I… give my brother…some water?" He asked his expressive brown eyes sorrowful and pleading for a little mercy.
Schiller's eyes darted back and forth between them suspiciously and then settled on the shaking bottle in the young man's hands. Finally, dismissing him as a threat, he waved a hand giving him permission. "It's doubtful how much you will actually get in his mouth but go ahead and try."
Don had kept silent during the whole exchange. He knew Charlie had devised some sort of plan otherwise he never would have taken on such a meek attitude with the man. He felt tears form in his eyes as he watched his brother struggle to a standing position; the pain had to be horrendous.
Charlie forced himself to stand on legs so wobbly that they almost buckled beneath him but he managed to brace a leg against Don's chair to keep from falling. He squeezed his eyes shut until the worst of the tremors were over and then took a slow shuddering breath. With his back toward Schiller he held the bottle to his brother's lips, keeping it tilted until Don gave him a sign that he was finished.
"Thanks," Don whispered, looking around him to make sure that Schiller was still at the desk. "Now what?"
Charlie tucked the bottle under his chin and reached into his jeans pocket; it wasn't easy, he had to work both hands into his pocket to retrieve the key but finally he was able to pull it out. He grinned slightly and showed it to his brother then closed his fist tightly as he pulled the water bottle loose with the other. Suddenly, it clattered to the floor and rolled behind Don's chair.
Charlie twisted around fearfully and met Schiller's stony gaze. "I….I'm sorry sir. I'll…pick…it up."
"Hurry it up then and get back in your chair." Ludwig growled impatiently.
"Yes…sir." Charlie anxiously replied as he stepped behind Don's chair and slowly lowered himself to the floor. As he knelt down he squeezed his brother's right hand tightly before carefully placing the key in Don's open palm. Charlie had hoped to unlock one of the cuffs but a sideways glance showed him that Schiller was watching him closely. Instead, he grabbed the bottle and started to rise but swayed slightly and had to grab his brother's hand for support. Don's left hand held his firmly, gripping it tightly until he was able to rise to his feet.
Charlie leaned against Don's chair, panting heavily until he got his feet under him and then made his way slowly to his own chair. He didn't look at Don but kept his eyes straight ahead and although Ludwig was watching him closely the man didn't seem to notice the upward curve of his lips as he took another sip of water; Don's touch had given him strength and the fact that his brother now had the key gave him hope.
Don gripped the key tightly, barely daring to breathe for fear of dropping it; his brother had suffered greatly to get it to him and he wasn't going to let him down. It would be easy to unlock the cuffs, he had done it many times in the past, but he had to wait until the timing was right and Schiller wouldn't get suspicious of his movements.
Charlie's touch had infused him with a renewed energy and he firmed his resolve to get his brother out of harm's way. Don stiffened his jaw; there was no way this lunatic was going to take his brother from him.
The agent didn't look at his brother but stared straight ahead at Schiller, careful to keep his features from revealing his true feelings. The power had shifted but Ludwig didn't know that and it was important that the man didn't find it out; he just had to be patient and bide his time.
Don glanced at the clock and felt his heart flutter. "We still have time." He thought, swallowing hard. "After all, a lot can happen in fifty-nine minutes and thirty seconds."
TBC