"Charles!" Larry exclaimed excitedly. "What a joyous surprise!"
"Good to see you, too, Larry," the younger man smiled.
"How is Don faring?"
"He's been better. The aphasia – it's tough on all of us."
"I can imagine," Larry nodded thoughtfully. "I've taken the liberty of requesting that an old colleague of mine send me some literature that he has compiled on aphasia. I'll let you know when the package arrives."
"That means a lot to me, Larry," Charlie replied. "Don will appreciate it, too."
"If there is anything else I can do..."
"I won't hesitate to ask, I promise."
"Good," Larry said with a firm nod. "May I inquire as to why you are here today? I thought you had requested leave to help care for Don."
"I did," Charlie nodded. "But he tires so easily and I need something to help distract me when it all gets too overwhelming. I thought I'd pick up some of my research notes and keep them to work on at the hospital."
"Ah, yes. That is an excellent idea, Charles." Larry suddenly frowned. "What about the consultation for the police department? Are you taking leave from that, too?"
"Oh yeah," the young professor nodded. "My sole focus will be on Don's recovery. Lieutenant Walker wasn't too pleased when I told him that, but Don's family. Family first."
"Of course," Larry nodded in agreement.
"I mean, I know there's a lot of gang activity I can help track down, but I've already done my fair share for the LAPD. I'll gladly help out again but only after I feel Don is in a good place, recovery-wise."
"No need to rationalize your actions, Charles. Don should come first – I would expect no less of you."
"Thanks," the younger man whispered as he slid his notes into his bag and looked up at Larry. "Seriously, I appreciate everything you're doing for me." He moved to the door and paused, turning to give the physicist one last warm look. "Let me know when that package comes in, okay?"
"Of course, Charles. Tell Don he's in my thoughts."
"I will," Charlie smiled and disappeared through the office door.
--
"We got a hit on the APB," David triumphantly informed Colby.
"No way," he replied as he tossed the useless evidence report aside. "Where?"
"Outside of a gym about ten minutes from Don's apartment."
"A gym?" Colby frowned. "Why would he go to a gym? He's got total access to the FBI's facilities."
"Beats me," David shrugged. "But I say we get down there and find out."
They were in the car and on their way moments later, when Colby spoke again. "So, this asia thing-"
"Aphasia," David corrected him.
"Right. How bad do you think it really is? I mean… long term?"
"I don't know," the other agent sighed. "I'm hoping Megan will have a good idea after she speaks to the Eppes today."
"Seems a pity that someone as strong as Don might be forced to quit because of something as stupid as this." Colby shook his head at David's caustic look. "No, that didn't come out right. It's just... a disease? Brain injury, whatever... I always thought Don – or any of us, for that matter – would go out in a much more violent fashion."
"You give that a lot of thought, do you?" David inquired as he parked their SUV in front of Steve's Gym.
"Never mind," he sighed. "I was just... forget it." He opened the door and slid out.
The two agents strode into the gym, up to the front desk, and flashed their badges at the pretty, young, blond receptionist.
"FBI?" she asked eagerly. "We have a great discount for-"
"Do I look like I need a gym?" Colby flirted. Upon seeing David's disapproving look, he grew solemn. "I'm Special Agent Granger and this is Special Agent Sinclair."
"Sally Graves," she replied as she eyed Colby and grinned. "Well, Agent Granger, I know some agents like to have a private place to work out."
David scanned the thirty some-odd people milling about the facility. "You call this private?"
"Oh no," she smiled and shook her head. "But we're twenty-four hours and late at night we're a ghost town."
"I see," David responded. "Well, that might actually be just the information we're looking for."
"Really? I'm always glad to help the boys in blue... or, well..."
"We wear blue, too," Colby winked. "We just wear it better."
Sally chuckled and gave him a flirty grin before looking back to David. "Seriously, what can I help you two with?"
"Do you have a client – he's FBI, too – by the name of Don Eppes?"
"We're really not supposed to give out client names..." she said as she glanced around. "But... Say, would you like a tour of the facilities?"
The two agents took the hint and allowed the blond woman to lead them through the workout areas and into a locker room. Once there, she made sure no one else was present and then locked the door. "Agent Eppes has his very own locker here."
"You know him that well?" David asked in surprise.
"Well," Sally blushed. "He is quite the looker." She grew serious and continued leading them through the maze of lockers. "And I was working the overnight shift when he first joined. He always made me feel that much safer at night, you know?"
"He's that kind of guy," David agreed, ignoring the mocking look Colby gave him.
"Anyway, his locker is right down..." she trailed off and rushed to the end of a row. "Yes, right here." Sally produced a key from her pocket and nervously glanced at the two agents. "You're sure this is legal? Okay with him?"
"He'll be fine with it," David assured her.
"Okay." she twisted the key and opened the locker, letting out a small gasp.
"Step away, please, Sally," Colby said as he gently grabbed her elbow and moved her back.
"What?" she asked as she stared at the contents. "But... I don't think he's been here for a couple of days. Wouldn't he need those at work?"
"Yes, ma'am," David nodded as he eyed Don's wallet, badge, gun, keys and cell phone. "He certainly would."
TBC