Chapter One

Three days earlier…

CalSci….

Charlie was trying to get some grading done when Larry walked, babbling about something that Charlie needed to hear but Charlie couldn't make it out.

"Larry, are you okay, what's going on with you?" Charlie asked, curious as to what is going on with his friend and mentor.

"Apologies Charles, I just got some news, both good and bad." Larry said, looking as though he was trying to decide what he should tell his young friend. Charlie noticed the apprehension and decided to go with the bad.

"What's the bad news?" Charlie asked, worried as to what the bad news might be.

"Your old, um, rival, Marshall Penfield is coming to CalSci for the upcoming conference and it seems he may want to try challenging you again to see which one of you is the better genius." Larry said, saying it as lightly as possible.

Charlie froze for a couple seconds, not sure if he had just heard Larry right, that Marshall was going to challenge him again, even when he thought the two were on somewhat on better terms but he just couldn't believe it.

"What is he going to do this time?" Charlie asked, irritated that he would have to go through something like this again with this guy.

"From what I have gathered, he is going to use the conference as some kind of game between the two of you to prove to your fellow colleagues who is smarter than the other." Larry said with a sympathetic look to his face.

"Argh, really?" Charlie moaned with his hands on his face, "Just once I would like that guy to not try every conference that we are both at into some competition."

"Apologies Charles, but I thought that you enjoyed competitions between you and your peers?" Larry asked.

"I do but with him, it is anything but lighthearted and I don't even know how many more times I have to do this type of thing with him before I go insane." Charlie answered truthfully.

"It will be alright, Charles, and besides, the conference is only for a few days starting tomorrow, which means it won't be for too long."

"Yeah, but with him around it feels like an eternity the whole time." Charlie said, "At least he won't try to get to Amita, as I think even he wouldn't try to get with a married woman with a young child."

"I suppose you are right, though I also have some good news." Larry said, with a smile coming up his face.

"What's that Larry?" Charlie asked, hoping for some good news to distract him from Pensfield.

"Megan and I are finally able to meet with a social worker so we can finally adopt." Larry said with a smile.

"Really? That's great, Larry." Charlie said, happy with news, finally forgetting about Marshall and really happy that things were progressing for Larry and Megan after several months of waiting to hear from the agency that they were using.

"Thanks Charles, it is something that we have both wanted for a long time but never had the time for."

"Do you guys need anything to help?" Charlie asked, eager to help his friend.

"Not at the moment Charles but thank you, I am just grateful that ever since Megan's return that things have been far more than I could have ever hoped for."

"Glad to hear it." Charlie said with a smile, knowing that ever since Megan returned last year, things have been better than ever with her and Larry and everyone else. Charlie himself was happy because, like his brother and the team, they had all missed her a lot.

"So what case are you and your brother and his former team working on this time?" Larry asked, deciding to change the subject.

"Yeah, three bodies, two agents from two different federal agencies, and a local man with ties to a federal institute were found today by authorities this morning, death by poisoning, and Colby was called in after Don was alerted of the case." Charlie explained.

"There are days that I sometimes forget that your brother took a promotion and Colby had to be talked into taking a promotion after Don's successor left due to injury." Larry commented, remembering the day when Agent Heller had to leave due to family matters and Colby being at first resistant to the idea of being team leader.

"I know but I really love seeing Don as the Special Agent in Charge, as he really seems to enjoy the work and it gives him far better hours, which comes in handy since little Maggie was born."

"Speaking of which, how is your son, Mark?" Larry asked out of curiosity.

"Well, he is finally sleeping better and he may soon be learning to walk too." Charlie said with a smile, thinking about his little boy and how much joy he brings to Amita and him.

"That's good, so have you found a pattern to the three deaths." Larry asked, going back to the case.

"Nothing yet except for some strange markings that were found on their necks and arms, and I am trying to see the meanings behind them."

"Want my help Charles?" Larry asked

"Sure, I always could use the help, here are some of the reports that Don handed to me." Charlie said as he and Larry went to work.