Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.

Chapter 5: Secret Meetings and Making Houdini Proud

Don Eppes heaved a sigh as he sat at his desk, flipping through yet another file on possible suspects or red flags in the lives of the Rudyard family. So far nothing popped up, sure there was the occasional missed payment and speeding ticket. Don looked around at his team, Colby sat absently twirling a pencil. Megan sipped luke-warm coffee, and David flipped through a file.

" We're getting nowhere." Thought Don with a sigh. He turned his gaze

Then the elevator doors opened and Charlie burst through them, looking both haunted and urgent. He ran up to the FBI agents, waving the ransom letter tucked savely into a clear plastic bag.

" This Bastard... is sick..." Panted Charlie.

"You were able to decode it?" Asked Megan Anxiously. Charlie nodded vigorously.

He fished into his pocket and pulled out the paper he'd scribbled what the note " Said", he handed it over to Don.

Don read the letter and felt both rage and disgust fill him as he read its content.

Dear Rudyard family, as you know, I have possession of your two very beautiful twin girls Mandy and Sara. Would you like to know the reason why I took these two precious ones?

Well, I'm not going to tell you why. However, I will tell you what I want, four million dollars in unmarked bills, in a bag. The location is the West Valley Mall parking lot at midnight. One of you, be there if you want your girls.

Be late, I'll have my guys play with you two girls for a little while before I put a bullet into each of their pretty little heads.

P.S. If the CIA couldn't take me out, what can the FBI do?

Don was stunned by this last sentance. Just who were they dealing with. Don stiffly passed the paper on to the rest of his team while he stared at Charlie, who had an expression of worry etched into his face. Charlie turned his gaze to meet Don's.

"We'll get this guy." Said Don, determination filling him. Charlie nodded silently to all of them before he turned towards the elevators.

" No, you won't Don, I'm gonna get this guy." Thought Charlie grimly as he stepped into the elevator. It would be another three hours before his team would get here. Charlie drove home, all the while going though different scenarios. He pulled into his driveway and went straight to the garage.

He'd misled his brother once again. In truth, the money drop off wasn't supposed to take place until next midnight, not this midnight. Charlie had just cooked up a bogus date and time, everything else was legit. Jennings, his ransom demand, and his threat against the girls.

Charlie felt a fresh wave of both anger and annoyance. The second he saw Jennings again tonight, he'd punish the insane bastard to the fullest extent, maybe even leave him begging for the mercy of death.

For know, all Charlie could do was wait, and meditate.

The three hours passed with Charlie searching the deepest carverns of his mind to find the right answer for this problem. Each scenario was perfection in itself but, Charlie knew that often, things don't go according to plan, three bullets to the chest caught by kevlar proved that. Charlie was on his latest scenario when his cell phone rang. Charlie flipped in open and brought it to his ear.

" Ghost." Came the familiar voice of Mojave.

" Where are you?" Asked Ghost.

" We're on the roof of your garage." Came the simple answer that brought a smile to Ghost's face.

" Well, get off the roof before you break through it and get in here." Said Ghost calmy.

" Will do." Came the answer, followed by the scrapping sound of feet and the soft thud of said feet hitting the ground.

The small door of the garage opened and two men quickly scurried in. Ghost met the smiling faces of Nighthawk and Mojave with a smile of his own. That however, faded quickly as Ghost remembered the situation.

" Did Intel get anything on Jennings location?" Asked Ghost.

" Oh yeah, the Ass isholed up in an abandoned warehouse just outside of Angeles National Forrest." Growled Nighthawk.

Charlie heaved a sigh, the Angeles Forrest, that would be a long drive. They had until midnight sharp. It was now 6:30 PM. They'd have to leave know if they wanted to get to the ware house.

"Toby?" Asked Ghost.This brought a smile to both Mojave and Nighthawk.

"The beloved Chauffer is parked out front with all our stuff." Grinned Nighthawk.

" Shall we?" Asked Ghost with a innocent smile.

" We shall." Grinned the two other men as they all filed out of the garage and down the driveway to the waiting black SUV, which they piled into.

" Hey cabbie."Greeted Ghost to Tobias Finch.

" Hey Ghost." Said Toby as hestarted the car and headed out of the quiet Pasadena suburb, they destination, Angeles Forrest.

Charlie pulled out his cell phone and dialed his father's number.

" Hello?" Came the familiar voice of his father.

" Hey dad it's me Charlie, listen, I'm going to be really late getting home. Working on something with a few buddies from out of town. It's not CalSci related. " Said Ghost, hoping the old man wouldn't ask questions.

" Okay Charlie, just don't burn yourself out." Said Alan.

" I won't. See ya later dad." Said Charlie before he flipped off his phone and signed softly. He prayed with all his soul that that wasn't the last time he talked to his father.

Now, the" Big Three" unit was headed for yet another battle witha crazy man.

No problem.