Disclaimer: Not my characters
Chapter 8
Charlie had been pacing the room for he didn't know how long. As soon as he heard the lock in the door turn he jumped up from his spot on the floor. Not a good idea considering he had been come out of state drug induced of unconsciousness. When the room stopped spinning he slowly let go of the table and grabbed the water bottle that had been left on the floor. He chugged some more water which helped clear his head some more and gave him steadier legs.
He worked over the room but found nothing, just a window that was not going to open and a locked door. He pushed his luck when he tried the door handle and was met with some pounding from the other side.
That is when he took up the pacing. The sun was going down and it was dark outside when Jim returned. The same man that had been there before advanced into the room ahead of Jim, but this time he had a friend. With their guns pointed at Charlie they forced him into a chair that one of them had carried in. The new man kept his gun trained on Charlie while the old one handcuffed him to the chair.
Jim turned toward him with that cold smile, "I believe that the last question you asked me was why are you here. Well, Charlie you are here to help me with my little project."
Charlie was trying to will himself to not show any emotions. He really did not like this guy. There was something about this man that just made you very uncomfortable.
When Charlie didn't respond to Jim's statement he continued, "As I am sure you know Charlie, having been a consultant on the case, the FBI is having a time with me. Embezzlement from large companies, fraud, fake documents…all from people that don't exist because I create them. But the companies believe that these people are real and look extensively for them, others take the fall…I love being me."
Jim stopped for moment in self-glory, lost in his thoughts of how great a man he was to accomplish such things. "Of course Charlie, you'll know what has kept the FBI guessing."
Charlie glared up at the man, "The companies are different areas of the market. Breaking into one and creating a false employee to embezzle from is an accomplishment in itself…but to do it in all areas of the market is…"
"Genius."
Charlie narrowed his eyes, "In a word," he said begrudgingly. He sighed, "Not to mention that you don't use the same method in each case. The different patterns and theorioms that you use are confusing."
Jim clapped his hands together obviously pleased. "Yes, yes, one of my greatest epiphanies. Now I'm not trying to sound immodest here Charlie, just factual. I do have a bit than higher average IQ, much like you. But unlike you I'm not broad-minded in my abilities. I'm more specialized. I knew that would get me caught; consultants, accountants, profilers, etc., etc. would all be able to narrow down the problem and find me. Then it came to me. Say Charlie, have you been hearing any interesting news in the world of mathematics."
This guy is crazy, Charlie thought as he shook his head.
"OH come on!" Jim bounced on the balls of his feet. Waving his arms like he was hopping to take off he started pacing, "Think about it!"
This guy is a lunatic. Flashes of John Nash, one of the most brilliant mathematic minds who lost it to the voices in his head, went through Charlie's mind.
Jim got down in Charlie's face, "Stop shaking your head and THINK!"
Charlie took a deep breath and tried to go through any news that had come his way.
New theories, the solving a millennium problem, a winner of some great…wait. Charlie looked up at Jim with a stricken look.
"Four months ago…Willard Albright, never showed up to accept his award from the President. They said it was medical problems and the President presented it to his daughter." Jim's head bobbed up and down excitedly. "And then a professor in Maine stopped showing up for class, then a high school teacher, and…"
"And a consultant for NASA!" Jim finished off excitedly.
Charlie shook his head almost at a loss for words. He looked up at Jim horror-stricken, "It's the missing variable."