Title: Soriteses

Author: Fishgirl

Description: When one of the Eppes brothers is arrested, will the other be able to solve the puzzle on his own? What if the puzzle is really his brother?

Warnings: I do not own the television program numbers or any of it's characters.

Chapter 3:

Don broke at least twenty traffic laws on his way back to his father's house. He was racking his brain about who to call. Who had arrested Charlie? Was it local police? Federal officers? What for for god's sake, double parking his bicycle? Filing his income tax late? His tires screeched as he pulled into the driveway. There was only one car parked outside that he didn't recognize. His father met him out front.

"What happened Dad?"

"They came and took Charlie, they put him in handcuffs and took him away! Did you get him involved in something? Because if so please tell me you can get him out of it!"

"I don't know anything yet Dad. I told you he wasn't involved in any cases with me."

"And he won't be again." A young woman's voice floated into the conversation, Don looked past his father to the woman who he had barely noted before. She flashed a badge.

"Agent Simmons, I have been assigned to your brother's case Agent Eppes, sorry you weren't notified that we were in your jurisdiction but surely you can see why."

"Where did you take Charlie and what exactly are the charges against my brother."

"As I have been trying to explain to your father, Charles Eppes is under arrest on suspicion of espionage. I am not at liberty to say anything else at this time except that your brother is under the care of the FBI."

"Take me to him."

"I cannot do that."

"I am a Federal Officer as you well know and I can…"

"You, Agent Eppes, are not allowed any contact with the prisoner until we have finished questioning him. You may be a Federal agent but your family connection puts you under suspicion as well."

"I am under suspicion…" Don bit his tongue, he knew that if he kept talking he would be in handcuffs next. Instead he flipped open his cell phone and started dialing. What good was being a federal officer if you couldn't call in a few favors when you needed them?

Three hours… three hours and all he had managed to do was get Charlie a lawyer. His father could have done that with the yellow pages. Everyone he tried to call told him their hands were tied they couldn't help him out. He couldn't even figure out where Charlie was being held.

He was so tied up in his own thoughts he jumped a foot when his father set a mug of coffee in front of him.

"Any luck?"

"No, for once it looks like there is nothing I can do. This is so frustrating."

"Not that you deserve it, but I think you are getting a taste of how I feel every time you two go off on a case."

"I thought you liked the idea of us working together."

"Don't get me wrong I really do you are a good influence on Charlie, always have been."

Don snorted through his coffee. "GOOD influence? If I remember right Charlie was never arrested before he started working with me."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. Besides you said the two of you weren't working on anything right now."

"Were not, I just can't get past the feeling that I am somehow responsible for getting Charlie into this mess."

Alan put his hand on Don's back. He needed that physical connection to his son, even if Don didn't. Don had never needed him the way Charlie needed his mom. He always felt more like Don's sounding board rather than a father who gave advice in a Leave it to Beaver kind of way. Don just didn't need him like that.

Don's cell phone rang. "Agent Eppes….. Yes I can do that… what is the address… why do you need?…. What do you mean…. what did you do to him? I will be right there." That was about Charlie, apparently something went wrong when they were questioning him… damn it they should have known Charlie would…"

"Charlie would what? What have they done to him?"

"Charlie had a fit and stopped speaking, they say he is just staring into space, but I get the feeling there is something they're not telling me. I have to get there right away."

"I'm going with you." Alan said reaching for his jacket.

"I'm sorry Dad, they said I had to come alone. I promise I will call you as soon as I know anything." He put one hand on his father's arm. "I'll take care of him."

"You always do… I just wish I could take care of you both."

"You do…."

"Go, get him back."

Don nodded "I will" and took off for his car. They better not make me a liar too.