Vendetta
By BeckyS
April 2005-2006
The Eppes family and the characters and situations from the TV show "NUMB3RS"
are the property of the Scotts and the creation of Cheryl Heuton and Nick Falacci.
No infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
As Megan, David and Colby had had questions the night before, so Don Eppes had questions in the morning, and he let fly almost as soon as he and Megan walked through Assistant Director Merrick's door the next morning. "Why is the FBI running this case?"
Merrick followed his own agenda, though. "Agent Eppes, Agent Reeves, have a seat. Agent Eppes, we located your father, and we're bringing him back."
Don leaned forward over the desk. "You didn't tell him?"
Merrick shook his head. "Only that there'd been an accident, and he was needed. No one will tell him anything more until he gets here. They're pleading ignorance, but expediting his trip." He glanced at his watch. "He should arrive in about thirty minutes."
"Plane?"
"No, unmarked car."
That set his radar off. "Why? A car takes a lot longer—"
"But is easier to slip into the city." Merrick moved back to his desk and lifted the folder he'd fiddled with the day before. "I didn't tell you everything yesterday, Don, and I'm not going to tell you everything now. You will eventually have the whole story, and you'll understand my reasons when you do, but for now I'll just say that there's been a threat against your life."
"Me? But Charlie's the one—"
Merrick sighed and tapped the file. "Your brother was just a warm-up. Your father is next, maybe other people you care about, and then, finally, you."
Don sank into one of the side chairs in front of Merrick's desk.
"A vendetta," Megan put in.
Merrick nodded.
"Charlie died – because of me?"
"No!" Merrick's answer was instant and emphatic. He started to say something, then like yesterday, apparently changed his mind. "You are not responsible for this; the perp is. And when we find him, we'll take care of him, I promise you that." He handed the folder to Don, who opened it and automatically began flipping through the pages. "Start thinking about who it could be. Run down the options – people you've put away who are just out, that sort of thing. We have to find him. Your father, maybe your team, who knows who else he'll go after, trying to hurt you."
"So you're bringing Mr. Eppes back to a safe house," said Megan.
"That's right."
Don looked up. "I need to see him."
"The perp is probably watching you, Don," she said. "He'll follow you to make sure he's gotten to you."
"He's gotten to me, all right," Don growled.
"Agent Reeves is right," said Merrick. "But as long as you do what you might be expected to do, he'll relax."
"What I'm expected to do?"
Megan answered. "Grieve. Go home. Go get drunk. Anything but stay at work. That will make him suspicious and might precipitate another action. It would be normal for you to come to work today and get chased out, and then head for a bar or something."
Don's mind had taken another track, though. "Larry – Amita – and what about Kim?" Though he didn't worry as much about Kim, since she was Secret Service and former FBI. All she'd need would be a heads-up.
"We have agents covering Charlie's two friends," said Merrick, "and the Secret Service has been informed. Miss Hall is currently in Washington, and her people will make sure she stays there."
"So how do I get to Dad?"
Merrick almost laughed, a soft snort. "Go get drunk."
"Georgie's Pub," said Megan as she checked her watch. "It'll be open in about fifteen minutes. It's really dark with all those plants all over the booths, and it has about four exits. David can get one of our small trucks from the motor pool. It'll look like it's delivering food, and you can just slip in the back. No one will notice it pulling out, and you can move to the front once you're a mile or two away."
"Hide in plain site," Don said with approval.
"Good idea, Reeves," said Merrick, "but none of you will be driving. Agent Granger will go back to the Eppes' house and take charge of surveillance there, so you and Sinclair will stay at the pub. The longer you're there, the more likely the perp will believe Don is there, too. And maybe we can even spot him."
"All right," said Don. "I can go with that."
They all headed for the door, but Merrick held Don back a moment. The door closed softly behind Megan, and they were alone.
Merrick chose his words carefully. "When you get to the safe house, please remember that everything I've done has been to protect the innocent."
Don narrowed his eyes in question, but Merrick didn't elaborate. He simply added, "Just go. And . . . I'm sorry."