Chapter Twelve: Unfathomable Acceptance

"……one, six, five, five, two, five, six, three, seven, five, six, seven, eight."

Charlie had been reciting numbers when the car stopped.

The first ten thousand digits of Pi had just been calculated and enumerated, running through his mind, unimpeded by the boundaries of paper. Re-calculating the infinite digits of Pi always had a calming affect on Charlie. He was still counting, only moderately aware of his surroundings, when the trunk was opened. And he didn't stop counting until the pain of being unceremoniously yanked out of the trunk shocked him back to reality.

Charlie hit the ground with an involuntary yelp. His hands were untied, but he remained unmoving on the floor where he had been dumped. He tried to focus his eyes and get an idea of his surroundings. The car had pulled into a small building. From the tools and equipment he could see, it looked like a car repair shop. There were a few windows in the garage doors and the only light in the building came from the setting sun.

Charlie could see the purple, red and orange horizon just outside the window. He couldn't help but wonder if that would be his last sunset.

There were two voices speaking in low tones just behind him. He recognized one as the big guy from his office. The other voice was unfamiliar. But he was obviously the boss.

"He looks younger in this light. Are you sure this is the man I am after?"

"The sign on the door said Doctor Eppes."

"And just because he was in the office, doesn't mean that's who he is. He looks like a student. Ricardo? I thought you were smarter than this."

"There wasn't a lot of time to confirm identities, Mr. Sandoval. He wasn't very cooperative."

"Yes, that is a shame. I didn't want him in this condition. Not right away. But there is little we can do about that now. You should go clean yourself up Rick. You look dreadful. I'll keep an eye on our new friend."

"Don't be fooled. He's fast as hell."

The man chuckled.

"I'm not worried."

Charlie could hear heavy footsteps fading across the room.

He saw a pair of designer shoes walk into his line of sight and he knew he was being scrutinized by the man behind his abduction. They didn't know if they had the right guy.

Suddenly, from behind, another pair of hands grabbed a hold of his pants and started going through his pockets. The shock of someone groping him so unexpectedly caused Charlie to react without thinking. He kicked his right leg out with as much force as he could muster and connected with a kneecap.

"Damn it!"

A loud angry curse echoed through the garage, prompting Charlie to keep moving and he quickly scrambled across the floor towards the door.

The explosive sound of a gunshot filled the room as a part of the door Charlie was heading for splintered, immediately followed by two more shots that dug themselves into the wall next to his head. Charlie stopped moving. He hunkered low to the ground and started to put his hands up.

"You little punk!"

Something swung toward his head and slammed into his raised right arm.

Charlie felt the bone break as the force of the blow toppled him to the floor.

He braced himself for another strike, but the boss voice interceded.

"Hank, put the crowbar down. There's really no need for that."

"He busted my knee, man!"

"If you hit him again Hank, I will shoot you."

Seconds passed as if Hank really had to think about it. The heavy footsteps of Rick walking back into the room seemed to make up his mind. He answered by hurling the crowbar across the room.

"Damn!"

"You should have been more careful."

Rick spoke.

"What's the matter Hank, get clipped?"

"He kicked me."

"Well, he didn't exactly give me love tap with that paperweight and Jerry is going to need stitches in his arm."

The boss voice was back…..what did Rick call him….Mr. Sandoval?

"Rick, get his wallet."

Charlie felt hands searching him again. This time he didn't move.

His wallet was pulled roughly from his pocket and he could feel its contents being tossed at his back. Then the wallet itself was dropped as well.

"I told you this was our guy."

"When you asked me to help you collect a college professor, I was expecting an old man or something. I just wasn't prepared for a kid."

"He's not a kid. Look at the birth date on his I.D."

"The point is gentlemen, this is Professor Charles Eppes. Take him into the office. We have a phone call to make."

Charlie was pulled across the floor and hurled into the corner of the small office next to an old desk. He curled himself up into a ball as best he could, while holding his right arm tightly to his chest.

What did this guy want from him?

The boss plucked a cell phone out of his pocket and dialed.

"Are you ready to negotiate now, Agent Eppes?"

Hearing his brother's name sent a shockwave thru Charlie.

They were after Don. Don knows what has happened! Don would help him.

He lifted his head and watched his captors face carefully as he continued to speak.

"Now, now. Don't get hostile. We would have called sooner, but the professor had some issues he wasn't willing to drop. It took a while to work them out. But he is reasonably docile now."

Charlie knew this statement would upset his brother and suddenly Charlie wanted nothing more than to hear Don's voice. Sandoval kept talking.

"He wasn't very obliging when we invited him to come and stay. One of my associates was a little upset with his lack of cooperation. Then when he tried to leave the party early, well, I'm afraid tempers got a little out of check. I don't believe there is any permanent damage, but he's really not able to talk at the moment."

Don wanted to talk to him. Don would fix this.

Suddenly Sandoval's expression changed. He looked at Charlie with what could only be described as hatred.

"Agent Eppes!"

His sudden outburst at Don sent currents of fear through Charlie.

"Making non-consequential threats will get us nowhere! I know the law Agent. Harming my brother when he is in your custody will only turn your laws against you. I know how things work. You cannot harm your prisoners. I, on the other hand, can and I quite frequently do."

While Sandoval was still speaking, he reached out and grabbed Charlie by his injured arm, hauling him up to his knees. Charlie tried to wiggle away, but the man was twice his size. He tightened his hold and started squeezing Charlie's broken arm. Charlie tried not to cry out, but the pain was too much and a whimper escaped him. The grip got tighter and tighter and he could hear the broken bones in his forearm crunching together as it was squeezed in the vice-like grip. When he felt something else crack, Charlie sucked in a deep breath and tried to control himself. You will not! Charlie gritted his teeth, doing his best to refrain from crying out. Sandoval looked at him, both disgusted and amazed at his silence. Then he twisted Charlie's wrist as hard as he could. As the new and excruciating agony shot up his arm, Charlie heard himself scream.

Sandoval started yelling at Don.

"There! Now you know he is alive. I'm afraid I still can't allow him to speak with you, but I can let you hear him scream."

Just when Charlie was certain he would pass out from the pain that was searing up his arm, the grip was released and he hunkered back down on the floor. He took a ragged breath and a sob escaped him.

Sandoval's next words were bleak and foreboding.

"Was it worth it, Agent Eppes? That's what you wanted to hear yes? He's a little more…..uncomfortable now, thanks to you, but he is still alive. How long do you want him to stay that way?"

The man paused and looked at Charlie as if he were acknowledging his newfound terror.

"I WANT my brother back, Agent Eppes. And based on your reaction, I think it's safe to assume that you would like to see yours again as well. I want you to work something out. You have six hours."

He hung up the phone.

Charlie stayed were he was on the floor. Still on his knees, he laid his right arm across his lap and hugged himself tightly with his left, trying hard to control the shaking that seemed to permeate his entire body.

"Well, Professor. I think that went well, don't you?"

Charlie didn't move, or speak.

"Charlie? Your brother called you Charlie. He seems quite concerned with the situation you have found yourself in and I really believe that he will do everything I ask."

Sandoval turned and walked to the door. He stopped and looked back at Charlie.

"I want my brother released. He took mine, so I took his. That's fair isn't it Professor? He will do as I ask and then he can have you back."

As Sandoval left the room, Rick kicked Charlie hard in the back knocking him off his knees and onto his side.

"Or at least we'll give him what's left of you."

Charlie pulled himself into a fetal position and tried to hide in the corner. His mind started working again.

Two point six percent of all 'true' abductions are for ransom.

One half of one percent of abductions ends in murder.

Thirty two point eight percent of ransom abductions end in the accidental death of the hostage during rescue.

Twenty Five percent end in the intentional execution of the hostage.

The numbers brought him no comfort. It had been at least two hours since he was taken from his office. Now this man had given his brother a six hour deadline. Charlie didn't need to recalculate his figures. The numbers said he was going to die.

Who do you believe? Sandoval…? Or the numbers?

Yeah…that's right Eppes. Numbers don't lie.

………………………………

Authors notes: I'm glad you are all enjoying the story. Please continue to leave feedback! I like getting your opinions and perceptions on where I am going with this!

Next Chapter: Inadequate Choices