Chapter 22:

Simmons stepped on the gas as she headed back to the hospital. Terry closed her cell phone for the fourth time. Don was still not answering her calls. Terry gripped tightly to the armrests. She thought driving with Don was bad but compared to this… She leaned forward long enough to turn on the siren hoping that would save the both of them from a firey wreck.

"He sent you to come get me?" Terry said as she let out a breath from barreling around a tight corner.

"Yes, he said he needed you."

"Was this before the guard was killed at the hospital?"

"Yes, he seemed to think he knew who was involved. But just now on the phone he seemed clueless again. He wants us to come over and investigate the guards death."

"What was Don's explanation for the guard?"

"He didn't give one. All he said on the phone was that he was taking Charlie some place safe… Damn it! He can't do that. Charlie is still under arrest."

"I wouldn't be too worried, its not like Don's going to sneak his brother out of the country or something…"

"Are you sure about that…"

"I've known Don a long time. He's not going to do anything crazy…" Terry trailed off wishing she were more certain of her own words. Something strange was going on. She hoped Don would give her the whole story even if he wouldn't tell Simmons. She found herself willing the car to go faster even as Simmons pounded the horn to get two cars to move out of the intersection.

"You're never going to get away with this O'Brien."

"Nnnnnever? Oh I think I will. You see, you were the only one to ever notice poor old stuttering O'Brien. Even your brother, the great legendary FBI agent, never paid him a second look."

"You killed Jawton didn't you?"

"Of yes, I have a trail of bodies now: Jawton, the guard at the hospital, and that snooping Agent Young. I had her involved in too many things, she would have figured me out soon."

"Too many people have died.You can't just cover this up on your own."

"That's where you come in Charlie."

"It's Dr. Eppes to you, and I will never help you again."

O'Brien smiled a cruel smile. "Oh no, you see, you don't have to do anything…except die of course. Your brother is going to clean up my mess for me."