Chapter 3

"…and so you can see how, by applying the algorithim I designed from the patterns detected in the data supplied, the target area and timeline are narrowed. Without more data, I can't be more precise."

Absolute silence. Something Charlie Eppes was used to, especially when he tried to get his point across to Don's team. Still, this was a relatively simple theory. He looked at Don, who simply arched an eyebrow at him. Charlie turned and placed the Dry Erase pen on the tray of the white board. "Colby," he said, turning back to the agents gathered in the conference room.

Colby started, looked around him guiltily. "Yeah, Charlie?"

"What did I just say?"

Now it was Colby's turn to look to Don for help. Don just kept that eyebrow arched. He looked at Megan. She was extremely interested in her notes.

"Uh…well…there's a target area…" He felt like a kid getting called out in class for not paying attention. Which was sort-of what was happening.

Charlie crossed his arms and waited.

"She knows. She has notes," Colby finally offered lamely.

Megan threw Colby a withering look, then tried to fake it. "Well, I think you're saying that each of the video stores hit by this gang share a common…a common, uh, thread, and that by determining how many, I mean, what…"

Charlie lifted one hand to the top of his head, a gesture he was picking up from Larry. He dropped the hand, stuffed both in his jeans pockets to keep them still. "It was only dancing," he said quietly. "People dance."

Colby snorted. "Well, yeah, but geez, Charlie…you've never been 'people' before."

Now Don stepped in. He stood and walked to the front of the room to stand with Charlie. "I'm not sure exactly what that meant," he said to Colby, "but it doesn't matter. We're working here. These guys have hit 10 video stores in the greater Los Angeles area in the last two months. Seven clerks are dead. Two are in the hospital, one is still missing." He turned to his brother. "Go over it again, Charlie." He gave his best Team Leader glare to Colby and Megan. "Pay attention this time."

So Charlie turned and picked up the Dry Erase pen, went over it all again. "I'll keep looking for other contributing factors," he said finally. "But right now, all I can give you is this 25-square-mile area, and a high probability factor for Wednesday evening."

"And there are three video stores in that area," said Megan.

"I just wish we knew what they were after," mused Don. "It can't just be money. These things are way too sophisticated — and too violent — for a simple robbery."

"It could be to establish a false pattern," offered Charlie. Don showed some interest, so he went on. "The real target could be something much bigger — a bank, a Brinks' truck at the end of a shift…if that's the case, the team will at some point divide. A cell will take out another video store to cause a diversion while another cell goes after the real target."

"Okay." Don thought. "Okay, we've got a couple of days, here. Let's find the biggest target in the area, find out where the most money is, and when. And coordinate with LAPD. We'll need to set up three stake-outs on those video stores.'

Charlie looked at his watch. "I have a guest lecture at Cal State this afternoon. Just call my cell if you come up with anything else for me."

Don walked his brother to the elevator. "Thanks, again Charlie. If I can get things tied up here, you up for dinner tonight? I know Dad's not back yet, I thought we could do Mexican."

Charlie smiled at his brother fondly. "Good effort, Don." He pushed the "Down" button on the elevator and waited. "Amita is going to the lecture with me, and then we're driving out to Marina del Ray for dinner." At Don's frown, Charlie let a small sigh escape. "It's only a few more days, she's got a flight back to Massachusetts on Friday morning." The elevator arrived and the doors opened. Charlie stepped inside, but held the doors open while he looked at Don. "I'm all right, Don. I don't expect some great, romantic miracle here. Can you just let me enjoy this?"

Don couldn't help but cave, like he always did, like he always had, with his little brother. "Sure Charlie," he said, raising a hand as the doors began to close. He turned back toward his desk and muttered under his breath. "I guess I'll have to trust you on this one."