TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Chapter 25
Around lunch time Don and Terry showed up at Calsci to brief Charlie on the surveillance plans. Since he had an hour before his next class, Charlie decided that they should head off campus so they could talk privately.
They were heading across the parking lot but stopped when they heard Dr. Lyndell say, "Professor Eppes, I didn't think you'd be here after what happened yesterday."
Charlie tried to turn the conversation another direction by making quick introductions. "Professor Lyndell, this is my brother Don and Terry Lake. Don, Terry, this is Grace Lyndell."
Don reached out to place an arm around Charlie's shoulders, gripping one slightly. To anyone it would look like a display of brotherly affection. But Charlie knew it was a not so subtle hint to not go anywhere. He stared down at the sidewalk.
"What did happen yesterday?" Don calmly asked.
"Actually it's Dr. Lyndell. Didn't he tell you? He passed out in class yesterday. Fortunately it turned out to be nothing more than a few missed meals."
"Busted," Charlie muttered, still in Don's grip.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Lyndell," Don said. He turned to Charlie. "Why the Hell didn't you tell us?"
"It was none of your business. I had something to eat and I felt okay. End of story," Charlie replied.
"That's it. I'm pulling you off this case. Right now!"
"Why?"
"Because you're going nowhere and you're running yourself into the ground," Don told him.
"I-I can handle it," Charlie protested.
"Can You? Does Dad know what happened yesterday?" Don persisted.
"No," Charlie answered, sounding like a little boy who's trying to talk his way out of the punishment he knows is coming.
Okay. I won't say anythingfor now. "Let's go have lunch," Don decided.
Charlie looked at Terry to appeal for help. She shook her head and sad, "I'm with Don on this."
"So, exactly, who is this Dr. Lyndell?" Don asked.
"She teaches biochemistry. "And among her degrees is a medical one. So when I passed out, one of my students went to get her," Charlie replied.
When they reached the car, Don let go of Charlie so he could get in. "How long before you have to be back?"
"About forty-five minutes. So what do you suggest?"
"We could go to the pizza place nearby. What do you want, Terry?" Don asked.
"Doesn't matter to me," she said.
"Me either," Charlie added.
Ten minutes later, they were sitting in a booth at the pizza parlor, looking at menus. Charlie looked up to ask, "So what are the surveillance plans for tonight?"
"Well, have everyone staked out at all possible targets. Since the killer never strikes from twice from the same place. We will also be patrolling near the shortcut of yours," Don answered.
The waitress arrived with their sodas and a basket breadsticks with marinara sauce. "Compliments of the house. What will you have?"
"One large cheese lover's pizza," Don told her.
"It'll be ready in twenty minutes," the waitress told him.
Charlie checked his watch and said, "Maybe we should get it to go. I need to get back to the campus by 1:00"
"We can do that," Don said. He looked straight at Charlie. "I want to know if you had supper and breakfast." He was often concerned about his brother's habits of skipping meals and sleep when totally wrapped up in a problem or project. So the news of Charlie's collapse had come as no surprise. He only hoped Charlie would take it as a wake-up call to ease up on himself.
"Yes. And if you don't believe me, you can ask Dad," Charlie said defensively.
"Okay. I'll take your word for it," Don replied. "But if I hear about you passing out again, Dad is definitely going to know about it."
"Okay. Now could we please drop the subject?" Charlie pleaded.
Don nodded and they set about to enjoy lunch.
A/N This is for the evil person who wanted Don to know. I do write until I hit a wall and end up with some less than perfect chapters until momentum picks up again or the story gets abandoned for lack of ideas.
Just a few chapters left.
