Chapter 14: Filing

Friday, a Charlie day, as Alex had taken to calling the days where he had lessons with Professor Eppes.

The teacher and student, were in Charlie's office, after having finished a joint lecture with Larry, highlighting the basics of force, and the calculations involved.

Charlie was explaining to Alex about Risk factors when Colby came into the office with summons for the two if them from Don in the FBI headquarters.

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"How's the scabbing match going Buddy?" Don asked.

"The test was a positive. They matched, allowing for a couple of days healing time before the finding of her body," Charlie replied in his lecture mode. "The subject in the photos is definitely the late Amy Collins."

"We should go in and arrest her now!" David suggested in a subtle manner, and the gang murmured their agreement.

But it was broken by Megan.

"All the proof that we have is that the photos were found in her procession, and they were photos of the photos, and even though we have some snapshots of Peach and Munchie standing next to them, pointing thins out, we can't prove how they obtained their photos. They could have got those elsewhere. Think about it," she snapped.

"Those where my reasons too," Don confirmed.

"But we could get your spy to testify," David insisted.

"Yeah, and blow the spy's cover," Don shot back. "Besides, I think it best to wait until further evidence is acquired, now that we are drawing the web around them."

"Classic psychological plan Don," Megan added. "I'm proud."

"Gee, thanks Meg," Don smiled at her, then turned to the rest of the gang. "Dismissed!"

They went out of the conference room disgruntled, leaving the Eppes brothers and Alex behind.

"I got the new images," Don said, once they were completely alone, and everyone was out of earshot.

"What images?" Charlie asked, confused. It never ceased to amaze him, the way that Don had managed to switch personalities within the blink of an eye.

By the way of answering Charlie, Don turned on his laptop, and brought up the pictures for Charlie to see. Making sure the screen was facing the solid wall, and not the windowed walls.

"Wow! This certainly proves their guilt," Charlie said after a while, digesting the new data.

"Not completely," Don said sadly.

"But there are still the computer files I got from Peach's laptop though," Alex added. "They should hold more evidence. We just need to go through it."

"Charlie could go though that quickly," Don replied confidently.

"Sure can do," Charlie piped up.

"I'm going down there again on Monday," Alex whispered, even though nobody was around to here them, sharing his plans with the two brothers. "I'll try and keep in touch, but it might not be possible."

"Why not?" Charlie asked.

"Risk factors Professor," Alex answered, then added as an afterthought. "I still need to work on that section though."

"Your subject, your student," Don teased. "You should've been able to guess Buddy."

"I'm not a shrink Don," Charlie rebutted. "Besides, even if I was, Alex's moves don't fit any equation. They should, but they don't."

"That's his job," Don countered.

"It's true!" Alex added, just to annoy Charlie.

"Of course," Charlie answered after a moment of thinking silence, unprovoked.

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Don entered his brother's house the next day asking, "How's the hacked files doing Buddy?"

"Making progress, slowly mind you, but progress nevertheless," Charlie answered. "We're still eliminating files that are least likely to do with the case. At least Peach dates her work."

"Is it possible for me to transfer these files onto a different computer?" Alex asked. "I might need mine before long."

"Yeah, sure," Don answered. "Put them into mine."

"It is a little difficult to go through the files if there needs to be two people working on it at the same time, one to filter and interpret, and the other to operate it, just in case the laptop blows up," Alex said in the way of explanation.

"It's also hard because some of the things I need to do the operating myself, not saying that I can't rely on you Alex, because I can, but it's easier on me. Besides, it also wastes his time," Charlie added.

"Hang on a minute. I'll go and get my laptop from my car so you can transfer the files across Alex."

"Thanks Don" Alex and Charlie replied in unison.

There was a long companionable silence, while Alex transferred the files across, taking acre to avoid the spider solitaire game, after all, he had no will to know more than his fair share of the crimes going on in the world, did he?

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After ten minutes or so, Don's laptop beeped and TRANSFER COMPLETE flashed across the screen in big red letters.

Alex leant back. "Well I guess it's finished," he said as Charlie immediately took over the safe, non-explosive laptop, and began working on it, disappearing into his garage for the rest of the day.

Don watched his brother's retreating back, subconsciously shaking his head.

"'Scuse me Don, but I have to get back to some of my own equations," Alex said after a while.

"Yeah, sure," Don shrugged.

Alex walked away, up the stairs and into his room.

"Another Charlie in the making," Don muttered to himself, as he was left to his own devices.

A/N:Thank-you for all of your reviews so far, though I may seem unresponsive, but each review is very much appreciated. I am trying to answer the questions with the development of the plot. Thanks for the staying with me and my story for all this time.