"We got 'em!"
Alan jumped to his feet and ran into the living room upon hearing David's exclamation. He saw the other agents also up, grabbing their things and getting ready to leave. He hurried over to David and grabbed his arms. "What did you say?"
David grinned. "Dr. Fleindhart's advice to keep an eye on the transmissions worked. They suddenly disappeared a couple days ago, but a trail attached to a new, more undetectable transmission appeared shortly afterward. It was a message from Charlie."
Alan felt his heart skip in his chest. "A message? From Charlie? What kind of message?"
"Roughly, it said that he and Don were being held in a house in a town several hours due east from L.A.," David answered. "Directions were provided. We're on our way now."
"I'm coming with you," Alan stated.
David hesitated. "I don't think that's a good idea, sir."
Alan fixed him with a stern glare. "I don't give a damn what you think, young man. Those are my sons being held hostage by madmen, and I'm going with you to get them. You can argue all you want, but I'm coming with you."
David glanced helplessly at Terry, who met his gaze with wide eyes. Finally, she nodded slightly.
"All right, sir," David relented. "You can ride with me."
"Good," Alan replied. "And in the meantime, maybe you can explain to me just how my son knows how to encrypt messages on government satellites."
The door to the workroom opened again, and Reed and Sarro appeared. Don felt Charlie tense up beside him, and he squeezed his brother's arm to reassure him.
"Get up," Reed ordered, his directive augmented by the gestures with Sarro's gun.
Charlie and Don climbed to their feet, wary of what was to happen next. Reed didn't elaborate; he merely instructed the brothers to follow him. Don gestured for Charlie to go first, then fell into step behind him. Sarro took the rear, his gun aimed directly at Don's back.
Reed led them through the basement, but instead of returning to their cell, he led them to a set of stairs on the other side of the basement. A cold feeling rose in Don's stomach, which he tried to push back down. He knew what was going to happen next. He just had to figure out a way to stop it.
The small entourage climbed the winding staircases, exiting into a brightly lit hall with sunlight streaming through large windows. Charlie squinted at the sudden brightness, but continued after Reed as he led them through the halls and deeper into the house. They passed through a very old and obviously unused kitchen, out a door, and into the backyard.
What little grass remained on the property was brown and withered with age. Dirt mounds were what was left of what had once been a wide yard. In the distance, a storage shed that looked almost brand new stood on the back of the property. There didn't look to be another soul for miles; no one nearby that could help the brothers.
Charlie began to fidget nervously beside Don. His wide, brown eyes filled with fear at some terrible thought that suddenly occurred to him. Don wished he could ease the look in Charlie's eyes, but he knew the horrible truth was written plainly on his own face.
"Don . . ." Charlie breathed, gulping.
Don sought out Charlie's hand and squeezed tightly. "I know, buddy. I know."
Charlie closed his eyes tightly, then opened them up and looked at Reed. "Look, I was the one y-you wanted in the first place. I w-was the one to develop those numbers, a-and I was the one who-who sent that message. M-My brother didn't do anything. Let him go."
Don gave a start and looked at Charlie, stunned. Charlie didn't meet his gaze. He merely continued to hold Reed's eyes while he waited for an answer.
Reed met Charlie's eyes coldly. "On your knees."
Charlie felt his breath quicken. "Listen, he didn't-."
Reed struck Charlie sharply across the face, causing the younger man to stumble. Don caught him and glared at Reed.
"You didn't have to do that!" he snapped.
"On your knees," Reed said again, pulling out a gun of his own.
Together, the brothers lowered to their knees facing Reed. Charlie's eyes were clenched shut as he fought to slow his rapid breaths. Don looked at him, waiting patiently for him to regain some control.
"Hey," he whispered as Reed moved around to join Sarro behind them.
Charlie opened his eyes and turned his head toward Don.
Don gave his brother a small smile. After a moment, Charlie returned it with a weak one of his own.
Shoes scuffed in the dirt behind them.
"I love you, Charlie," Don said softly.
The slight pressure of a gun made itself known against the back of Charlie's head.
"I-I love you, too, Don," Charlie replied, tears swimming in his eyes.
Cold steel pressed against the back of Don's neck.
Don kept his eyes locked with Charlie, wanting to at least convey how much his brother meant to him in their last moments of life together. He could at least give Charlie that much.
A hammer cocked somewhere behind them.
A tear slipped down Charlie's cheek, but he kept his eyes on Don.
The sounds of the shots were deafening.