Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.
Chapter 3: Innocence Held for Ransom
Don Eppes heaved a sigh as he pulled up to the house already swarming with law enforcement personel. Don never liked cases that involved children, especially if they were just pawns in some sick game for only monetary gain. Don killed the engine and got out, Megan close behind. Colby and David had gone to the school, they'd meet up back at the office with whatever they found. Don and Megan flashed their badges and ducked under the tape.
Don and Megan walked up to the distraught parents,Daniel and Elaine Rudyard.
" Mr. and Mrs. Rudyard, I'm Don Eppes and this is Megan Reeves, we're with the FBI." Said Don gently as he saw the utter devestation on Elaine Rudyard's face.
" They took our babies." Said a very shell shocked Daneil Rudyard, veru close to tears himself. Behind him, Don could see of photo of bothkids, Twin girls withcurly brunette locks. They were Mandy and Sara Rudyard, the missing children.
" Mr. andMrs. Rudyard, we're so sorry for what's happened. Can you please tell us of what happened prior to your children's kidnapping." Asked Megan softly. It was the wife who spoke.
" I'd just gotten back fromwork at the floral shop, I saw the letter." Said Elaine as she pointed to one of the CSU techs who held a plastic evidence bag with said letter.
Don motioned the guy over and was handed the letter. When he opened it, at first he felt confusion and then a flurry of hope. The letter was a seemingly sensless jumble of numbers. Thankfully, he knew a certain math whiz who was also a damn fineCode-breaker. Don handed the letter to Megan who then gave him a knowing look before they both turned to the distraught parents.
"Jude Rudyard, Mrs. Rudyard, we're going to do all in hour power to get your girls home as soon as possible. We happened to know someone who could decipher this message. Said Megan with a reassuring smile as she and Don headed back to their cars. Don had someone to see.
Back at Casa Eppes, Charlie had parked himself on one of the comfy couches in the livingroom, typing away on his laptop the T.V. murmering in the background, Alan had stepped out for lunch with some friends after he'd seen that Charlie was home. The sound of a car pulling up caught Charlie's attention, he knew it was Don and relaxed, and waited for his brother's entrance. A few seconds later, Don came barging in. Charlie looked up form his laptop to spy the look of urgency on his older brother's face.
" Hey Don, What's up?" Asked Charlie as he shut off his laptop. Don hurried over to his brother and held outwhat was assumed to be the ransom note.
" Charlie, I just got this knew case, two kids, twin girls, they've been kidnapped, the kidnappers left this for the parents." Said Don.
Charlie took the offered piece of paper and looked at it, immediately recognizingsome of it.
" Don,I'll try my best to break this for you." Said Charlie, determination burning in his eyes as he looked back at his brother. Don gave him a small smile before he turned to leave.
" What're their names?" Came Charlie voice from behind him.
" Mandy and Sara Rudyard, both twelve." Answered Don as he turned back to Charlie.
" I'm counting on you Charlie." He said, Charlie nodding his head. The FBI Agent then turned and left his brother to his work.
" Shit" Thought Charlie as he looked overthe paper he had in hands, he already knew who was behind this.
With a sigh, Charlie then reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell-phone, pressing a number on speed dial. Charlie put the phone to his ear and waited.
Ring... Ring... Ring...
" Steele." Came an answer.
" Steele, it's me, Ghost, I got a situation up here in Pasadena...