Chapter 20

Don pulled his gun as he stepped around the corner into Charlie's room his gun leveled on the figure on the floor, he quickly ran he eyes around the room finding that this was the only occupant. He checked the pulse but the guard on the floor was beyond help. He felt the heat rising up in himself as the reached for the black box that sat where Charlie should have been.

Alan almost dropped his coffee as he stepped through the door and saw the wrong son sitting on the edge of the bed. Don was holding a small recording devise in a too strong grip. Alan glanced quickly around the room. A cold chill ran down his spine.

"Where is you brother?" Alan asked frantically not liking the look in his older son's eyes as he looked up.

Don felt a little of his fear leave him as he reached a hand out to his Dad's shoulder. He had not been sure what to make of his Dad's disappearance. Now at least he knew part of his family was safe… but Charlie.

"He took him. He came in right under our noses and took him. He walked right into a hospital, past security and everything and took Charlie from an armed guard. No one even noticed. Until I call in the dead guard no one will even know there is anything going on."

Alan unconsciously looked down at the dead man on the floor but it was almost without feeling. His mind was still trying to figure out what Don meant. 'He took him.' He couldn't mean someone had taken Charlie. Charlie was protected. Charlie was supposed to be safe here, that's why he had left…. Gone for coffee. Alan looked at the cup in his hand and suddenly felt like it was burning him he let it go and Don watched it fall to the floor without a second thought.

"Who…." Alan said finally.

Don didn't answer, he hesitated for a moment and then hit the rewind button and played the tape once more for his father.

"Agent Eppes…. I'll bet you aren't really surprised to be hearing my voice… or then again maybe you don't recognize it. You never were very observant. Never mind that for now. First let me tell you and your father that if anyone else hears this tape Dr. Charles Eppes will die. He just might die anyway, that all depends on you. If you do what I say your brother might live. If you choose to play the hero your brother will die. If you choose to do nothing your brother will die. If you choose to do ANYTHING other than my exact requests your brother will die. If you do exactly what I say when I tell you to do it he will live. Quite a soritese isn't it? Step one. Call in the guard's death. Have someone investigate it just like you normally would. Step two. Tell your precious Agent Simmons that you have Charlie in protective custody. Tell her that he is in no danger. Step three…." Don hit the stop button before his father heard the last step.

Alan had been listening to the tape in silence. His blood started to boil as he listened to the voice of the man who was pulling his family apart. He glanced up at Don as he stopped the tape before it finished.

"That last one is just for me…"

"Whatever it is you have to get it Don… we've seen what he can do… where he can go. You can't mess around with this guy."

Don set the recorder on the edge of the bed. He felt the cold on the sheets reminding him that Charlie was gone. "How far should I go… how far much should I give to save Charlie…"

"What do you mean…what did that tape tell you to do." Alan wanted to tell Don to do anything but he hesitated when he tried to imagine something Donny would not be willing to do to save his brother. They must want money Alan thought quickly… robbery?

"When… if I do this…"

"What is it…does he want money? How much does he want? What will this cost us?"

Don let a strange smile curl his lip as if that was what he was worried about, if only it were money. Don might even rob a bank for Charlie. He tried to turn his smile into a reassuring look. He made his decisionas he met his father's eyes. "Nothing... it won't cost us a thing." Except maybe my soul.

I hope to post more soon. Have I ever told you how much I hate Microsoft? My "free trial" has apparently run out so they have locked me out of my story until I give them more money. I don't really have this money right now. This lastest chapter was written on word pad which is really annoying. I hope to write more soon once I gather my pennies and pay the piper. Thanks for your patience.