Chapter Three
CalSci…
Twenty minutes later…
Don and Colby ran into Charlie's office after they speeded over in record time with Don driving, and they were relieved that Charlie and Larry were still in his office, all in one piece, though Don still didn't want to take any chances.
"Okay, we are taking you guys back to the FBI and I am assigning a couple agents at the Craftsman and CalSci in case they try anything." Don said as he took a look at Charlie, making sure he was okay, which he was, just a little nervous.
"Colby, we also need to talk to Leonard Philbrook, have someone find out if he still works at the same place or not and bring him in for questioning." Don ordered as the group walked out of the room.
"I was just thinking the same thing, Don." Colby said as he got out his phone to make the calls his friend and former boss made.
FBI Headquarters…
The war room…
Half an hour later...
Both Charlie and Larry were nervously pacing back and forth, waiting to hear back from Don and/or Colby about Philbrook, though they weren't sure if they were going to like what they were going to hear about the guy.
Charlie was trying to think about what Philbrook was up to and what brought him to go back to gambling and making a deal but he couldn't think of anything without more data and he was more concerned about his friend when Larry spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Charles, I never would have thought that my past would come back to haunt us again after that… case… from several years ago." Larry said, feeling guilt that his friends were being dragged into this whole situation.
"Larry, this is not your fault, you had no way of knowing that Philbrook would make a deal with the people that went after you two during your younger years, and that they would still hold a grudge after all these years." Charlie said, trying to comfort his friend, though he knew no one would feel better until this whole mess was behind them.
Before Larry could reply, Don came into the room with a concerned look on his face, which worried both of the men.
"What is it, Don?" Charlie asked, worried what news that his brother would have but wasn't prepared for what he had to say.
"Leonard Philbrook has disappeared, no one at his school has seen him for several days and his girlfriend, Lisa Wilson, has been hospitalized due to her being found beaten up in her home and both of their bank accounts have been emptied, meaning Philbrook either has gotten in over his head in his return to gambling or something else has happened to him." Don reported, which shocked both Charlie and Larry, as Leonard could be up to no good but they can't be sure right now.
"How is Lisa?" Larry asked, as he was surprised that Philbrook was seeing someone, especially with what happened with his ex-wife.
"She has a concussion and three broken ribs, along with some cuts but doctors believe that she will pull through." Don said, which was a relief.
"When and where was Philbrook last seen?" Charlie asked
"He was last seen at an ATM last Friday evening before he got into an unmarked vehicle, and there has been no trace of him since, though his car is still at his house, so I have a team on their way now to see where he could have gone and we are looking at camera footage to see where he could have gone." Don informed the two professors.
"So he could be anywhere." Charlie said uneasily, with Larry feeling just the same as his younger friend.
"Could be, Buddy, but don't worry we will find him and find out what is going on." Don answered, hoping he was right.