Don drove his Suburban along the highway toward Santa Monica. The traffic was moving, but not fast enough for him. His emotions were running the gambit from worry to anger. Don cursed and laid on the horn as someone cut him off. Tying to get his head back in the game wasn't going to be easy. Don sighed as he remembered last night at Charlie's house.
"Charlie you have to sleep," Don argued as he followed his brother downstairs.
"I won't, not if it mean I have to see mom -" Don watched as his brother's whole body shuddered. "I just can't."
"Don, let him go," Terry said, grabbing his arm before he could follow his brother.
"Are you crazy," Don yelled, turning on his partner.
"It won't hurt him," Terry reasoned, steering him back towards the stairs. "But you need to sleep if you're going to deal with tomorrow."
"I just can't leave him like that."
Terry looked over he shoulder at Charlie. The mathematician was pacing in front of the dinning room table as he flipped through a notebook. The lost look on Charlie's face nearly broke her heart. Don tried to move past her but she blocked his path.
"Do you trust me?"
"What the hell kind of question is that?" Don said, angrily. Terry crossed her arms and stared at him. "Yes, of course I do."
"Then trust me to take care of Charlie while you go to bed."
Next morning Don came down to find his brother asleep on the couch. He was surprised since he didn't think Terry would have been able to handle his younger brother.
"How did you sleep?" Terry asked as she came out of the kitchen.
"All right, considering," Don said, turning and pointing to his brother. "How did you manage it?"
"Whiskey will work wonders," Terry said, smiling as she walked back to the kitchen.
"What?" Don sputtered, following her into the kitchen.
"I'm kidding," she said, pouring him some coffee. "We talked."
Don took the coffee and leaned against the counter. "Why couldn't he talk to me?"
"Because you're his brother," Terry smiled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Don said, annoyed as he slammed his mug down.
"Think about it," Terry said, crossing her arms and glaring at her partner. "Charlie looks up to you. He wants you to see him as a man, not his baby brother."
"That's not so easy," Don admitted. "So can you tell me what he said?"
"Talked about the house. You know, Charlie has a few theories on how to fix the boiler."
"I better warn my dad. Charlie isn't good with tools."
Terry saw the change in stance of her partner when he mentioned his father. Most people wouldn't notice, but she was trained to see these things.
"What Charlie really wanted to talk about was your mom."
"You're kidding," Don huffed. "He usually avoids the topic like the plague."
"With you, maybe," Terry agreed. "There's too much baggage between you on the subject."
"What baggage?"
"The fact that you couldn't understand why your brother worked that math problem."
"I understand why he did it," Don said, defensively. "It still doesn't make sense to me but I'm trying."
"There's also the fact that he misses her. He regrets not spending more time with her towards the end."
"Yeah, well -"
"See," Terry said, shaking her head.
Don grabbed his mug and took another sip of coffee. He really didn't need this right now. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was 11:00 a.m. Placing the empty mug in the sink, he headed to the living room for his keys. As he passed his brother, he could see Charlie was dreaming. The younger man tossed his head back and forth and started kicking with his feet.
"Charlie!"
At the sound of his name, Charlie sat up screaming. Don quickly moved to his younger brother's side as Charlie tried to catch his breath. In full panic mode it was impossible for Charlie to take a deep breath. As he took short snatches of air Don knew he was starting to hyperventilate.
"Here!" Terry thrust a paper bag into his hands.
Don cupped the bag over Charlie's mouth and nose. "Come on Charlie, breathe."
Terry ran back into the kitchen and got a large plastic bowl. She placed it next to Don as Charlie started to gulp air into his lungs. Pushing the bag off his face Charlie sprawled across Don's legs and Terry was ready with the bowl as he threw up. Don was hard pressed not to follow his brother's example as he pulled Charlie's hair back. The retching subsided and Charlie lay across Don's lap, breathing fast. Terry took the bowl to the kitchen as Don rubbed his brother's back. Don looked up as Terry walked back holding a damp towel. She knelt down in from of Charlie and wiped his face. Don didn't hear what she whispered in his ear but he felt Charlie nod.
"Sit him back up," Terry instructed. Together they got Charlie up and sitting on the couch.
"Was it a dream about mom again?"
Charlie gave a feeble laugh and shook his head. "Worse." He looked up at his older bother. "This time it was pop."
"And?"
Charlie shook his head and wouldn't answer.
"Come on, buddy, you can't keep these bottled up inside."
"Sergie kills him. You happy?" Charlie regretted the words as soon as he said them.
Don watched as Charlie hunched his shoulders and wouldn't look up. "I'll get him back, Charlie, I swear."
"I know in here," Charlie said, pointing to his heart. "But the equations in my head" he said, tapping his temple hard, "Tell me other wise."
Don didn't know how to respond to that as he stood up. "Charlie, I need you to stay here with Terry. I have to go to the office and get everything ready."
"I need to be there!" Charlie demanded, jerking his head up.
Don looked down at his brother and sighed. Charlie was completely frazzled. He was pale and the bruise from his previous encounter with Sergie stuck out in sharp contrast. The unruly curls obscured Charlie's eyes and Don pushed them aside.
"I need you to stay here," Don insisted, looking his brother in the eyes. "I need to know you're safe. This way I can concentrate on getting dad back."
The last thing Don remembered was Charlie's haunted eyes as he left the house. Don's phone rang and he grabbed it off his belt.
"Agent Eppes."
"Don, we're in place," David said.
"Good," Don snarled. "It's time to get this bastard."
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The boat was hot, stuffy and deserted. At least it felt that way to Alan. He knew his kidnapper couldn't be far away. Pulling on the ropes resulted in a pulled muscle but got him no closer to escape. His captor, Sergie, had brought him to the boat last night and dumped him in the stern cabin. Then he went on to gloat about what he had done to Alan's youngest son. Sergie hadn't told him everything; all Alan knew was that Charlie had been drugged as a distraction while he was being kidnapped. The smell of the salt water gave Alan no clue as to where he was being kept. He didn't think he had been taken far, since Sergie bragged about getting even with his sons. Alan tried the ropes once more but stopped when he heard the lock being turned. Sergie walked in and sat on the bed.
"Won't be much longer," he said looking at his watch. "Soon you'll be reunited with your sons." Alan just glared at him. "Oh how rude of me."
Sergie reached over and pulled the duct tape from off his captive's mouth. Alan clenched his teeth against the pain as the tape pulled away. He didn't want to give Sergie the satisfaction of seeing him suffer.
"Don won't give you what you want," Alan said. "Not in exchange for me."
"Oh, won't he? After what I did to Charlie, Don will do whatever I ask."
"What did you do to him!" Alan said, struggling against the ropes.
"Let's just says it won't be something Charlie will soon forget."
"Sergie!"
Alan jerked his head towards door when he heard the familiar voice. "Right on time," Sergie said smiling.
Alan's heart started to race. He couldn't let anything happen to his son. Sergie reached down and cut the ropes. This was it, Alan thought. He was about to make a run for it when heard a gun being cocked.
"Don't make me shoot you," Sergie warned. "All I want is my money. Once Don gives it to me it will all be over. Now move."
Alan climbed the stairs and got on the deck of the boat. Sergie prodded him from behind and told him to climb out on the dock. Alan could see Don standing less than fifty feet away.
"You okay?" Don asked.
"Yes, son, I'm fine," Alan called.
"I didn't stage this little reunion so you could talk," Sergie said, looking at Don. "I want you to drop your weapon."
"I'm not armed," Don said, putting the duffel he was carrying down and holding his coat out from his body.
"Don't give me that crap!" Sergie said, putting the gun to Alan's temple. "Drop your weapon!"
"All right, just take it easy," Don said, reaching behind his back and pulling out his extra gun and throwing it forward.
"See, now wasn't that simple? Now throw the bag towards me as well."
Don was light-headed with anxiety. Seeing his father so close but knowing he could do nothing was making him crazy. He hoped none of this showed as he threw the money towards Sergie. Alan could see his son was worried. Nothing in Don's face or actions gave this away but a father knew these things. Alan was startled when Sergie pushed him towards the duffel. He was instructed to remove the money and put it in another bag. Alan did as he was told not wanting to make matters worse. When he was done Sergie told him to stand.
"Now your father and I are getting back on this boat."
"Like hell you are!" Don yelled, stepping forward. "I gave you what you wanted."
"Yes, you did," Sergie said, walking back towards the boat and pulling Alan with him. "But did I ever say I would let your father go once I got it?"
Alan saw the look of pure rage in his son's eyes and knew that if Don could have shot Sergie he would have. Alan also knew that he didn't have a chance of survival if he got back on the boat. He looked straight at his son and gave him a small nod. Don just stared and Alan hoped he understood what he was about to do.
Don saw the nod his father gave him and knew it was time. Sergie would never let his dad go if he got back on that boat. Don's heart was racing, knowing that what his dad was about to do was incredibly risky. Alan tripped and pushed against Sergie. That was all the cue Don needed to release the hidden gun up his sleeve.
Alan heard the shot and dropped onto the dock. He didn't remember much after that until he heard Don calling his name as he helped him to sit up. That's when Alan noticed Don wasn't alone. David was over checking on Sergie. Standing next to Don was another man with dark hair and eyes holding a rifle.
"That was a hell of a shot, Agent Edgerton."
"Yours wasn't so bad either," he said. "But I still say mine is the killing shot."
"Whatever, as long as the bastard's dead," Don said. Alan had never heard that tone of voice from his oldest before and he hoped he never would again. "Dad, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Alan replied.
"Are you sure?" Don asked, seeing the cut above his eye.
"What, this? It's nothing." Alan saw the relief in Don's eyes but also the worry. He could see his eldest was fine, but he had to know about his youngest. "Sergie told me he drugged Charlie."
"He did," Don said, evasively. "I know you said you're all right but I want you to go to the hospital and get checked out."
"Donnie!"
Don knew that tone. He'd heard it enough growing up. His dad wanted to hear the truth and he wanted it now. "I'll tell you, on the ride to the hospital."
"Don -"
"No arguments, dad," Don said angrily. "You're going!"
Don left him to go talk with David and the other agent. Alan noticed other cars arriving and knew the area would be overrun with agents trying to secure the scene. Don came back and helped him stand. Once Alan was up Don took his arm as the walked up the ramp leading to the parking lot. When they got to the Suburban Don led him over to the passenger door and opened it. Alan went to climb in when Don stopped him.
"Dad, I -"
Alan saw the look in his son's eyes and pulled him into a fierce hug. Don returned the hug and Alan could feel the tension leave his eldest. After giving Don a rough pat on the back Alan pushed him away.
"Now let's get to the hospital so I can get back to your brother."
Don smiled as he watched his father climb into the SUV.