TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Chapter 3

"Donny, I didn't hear you come in. Are you staying for…" Alan's voice trailed off as he caught sight of Charlie. "What happened?"

"I just stopped by to talk to Charlie. It was something that couldn't be said on the phone," Don replied, heading for the sink for a glass of water.

"Obviously not," Alan commented, following Don. He lowered his voice. "What did you say to him?"

"What he needed to know. That Calsci is possibly where the Campus Killer will strike next," Don said briefly.

"So that's what you've been working on together. How possible?"

"It's going to be either that or another campus" He set the glass of water in front of Charlie. "Come on. You can't fall apart now."

Charlie was already starting to pull himself together. "I'm okay…That news was just a little…unexpected." He reached for the glass of water.

"Look, I'm gonna make sure we have agents and police covering the campus. You just keep working on your calculations and maybe this will help you determine where the hot zone is," Don said. He patted Charlie's shoulder before heading for the door.

"Not before I fix you a quick sandwich," Alan insisted.

"All right," Don gave up. He watched as his father fixed two thick sandwiches. "One is enough."

"Let me guess, you're working late and that means Terry is also. The extra one is for her. There's still plenty left for Charlie and myself."

"Thanks. She'll appreciate it." He lowered his voice. "I really didn't want to tell Charlie. But its better that he finds out now."

"If you say so," Alan said. "As soon as you leave, I'll see if I can pry your brother away from his work long enough to eat."

"Lots of luck on doing that," Don said. He picked up his sandwiches and headed for the door.

Terry was in the office, going through the files of the latest series of attacks. She was trying to see if there was some overlooked piece of evidence that would lead to the killer.

"Don't bother. We've already been over everything with a fine tooth comb. Several times," Don told her, setting the sandwiches on his desk.

"Hey, those smell good. I don't suppose you'd share." She eyed the sandwiches, her stomach reminding her that she hadn't eaten yet.

"Dad made sure you got one. He figured that if I was working late, then you probably would be too," Don explained, handing one over to her.

"Tell him thanks for me," Terry said. She unwrapped the sandwich and bit into it hungrily.

Don laughed and went to got a couple of Cokes from the machine in the break room. "Don't let anybody steal that."

"How did Charlie take the news?" Terry asked as soon as Don returned.

He handed her a Coke. "It stunned him for a moment but he says he's okay."

"I'd be stunned too. That's his world." She gestured around the office. "And this is yours. Now both of those worlds are starting to collide in a very big way."

"As long he doesn't get obsessed with that 'P versus P' problem, he'll probably be able to come up with something," Don said. He unwrapped his sandwich and began to eat. "At least I hope so."