Chapter 16

"Don," Charlie said softly, "I'm amazed that you were able to learn all of this so quickly."

"Hey, I do this kind of thing for a living, you know."

"But I'm even more shocked at what you've accomplished, Amita. How long did it take you to hack into my computer?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. An hour?"

Charlie tented his fingers and pressed them to his lips. "Do you know how long it took me to develop that encryption?"

"Well, I did help you with it," Amita said, laughing. "And I do have your main password, which got me past a whole layer of encryption."

"True. But I guess I'm either going to come up with my new encryption by myself or ask Don to get clearance for you so you can read that stuff without being arrested."

"Well," Alan said, "now you have something to occupy your mind while you recuperate."

Charlie smiled and shook his head. "So, Don, do you have any idea who gave us anthrax?"

"According to Colby's sources, it was Ali Abu-Hassan's son."

"Mohammed? He didn't seem like someone who would do something like that."

Don shrugged. "I'm guessing Mohammed wasn't thrilled that Daddy was working with the Americans. Colby's sources are trying to find out everything they can, including how Abu-Hassan was able to get better so quickly."

Foreman and Chase entered the room, pushing the cart with the colonoscopy equipment. "Charlie," Chase said, "I'm afraid we need to do another colonoscopy." He checked Charlie's chart. "Looks like you're on the right level of pain meds. I'll just give you a mild sedative, just like we did last time." He glanced at the group in the room as he injected the sedative into the IV port. "You folks might want to leave us for a half hour or so."

Agent Reid grinned at O'Connell. "Just the right time for the changing of the guard, pal."

Alan said, "I'd like to stay, if it's all right."

Chase shrugged. "It's up to Charlie."

"It's fine with me," he glanced at Amita and blushed. "Amita stayed last time, so I'm guessing it's not an experience she'd care to repeat."

Amita stood, "I think I'll get some breakfast. Anyone else care to visit the cafeteria?"

Larry and Don rose quickly, giving Charlie shamefaced glances. "Sorry, Buddy," Don said. "I think I'd rather spend time with Amita than watch these guys shove that thing up your butt."

"Gee, thanks, Don," Charlie said, laughing. "So, Dad, it looks like it's you and me."

"Oh, no, Charlie," Alan said, nodding at the machine. "It's all you. I'm just here to keep you company."

Charlie felt himself relaxing as the sedative entered his system. He let his eyes close and had almost drifted off to sleep when he heard Dr. Foreman say, "Charlie? I need you to roll onto your left side. Good. Now bring your knees up. That's great. Okay, now just relax."

Charlie muttered, "Easy for you to say."

He heard Foreman chuckle. "Okay, we're starting now. Try to relax. And let me know if anything hurts, okay?"

Charlie nodded and winced as the test began.

In the cafeteria, Don, Amita and Larry were carrying their trays to a table. Don had selected bacon and scrambled eggs, Amita had a fruit salad, and Larry had selected an egg bagel with cream cheese. They each had the largest coffee available. They ate in silence for a few moments, then Larry said, "Don, do you think Charles would mind if I went to some of the seminars today instead of staying with him?"

"I don't see why he would mind, Larry. And I think it would be good for you to get out for a while. Amita, if you want to go, too..."

"No, Don. I don't think I could concentrate right now."

"Maybe you should go back to the inn and get some sleep," Don suggested as he stirred his coffee.

"I slept."

"I mean real sleep, where you're lying down on a bed in a quiet room. Not sitting in a chair in a hospital room where there's always noise and people moving around."

Amita laughed, "You first, Don."

"That's not gonna happen."

Amita shrugged. "Maybe when Charlie's out of danger."

"Now, you two," Larry scolded. "You're not going to do Charles any good if you run yourselves into the ground. You both need some rest. I suggest we take turns. Charles doesn't need all of us there, especially with Alan here."

Don nodded. "You know Dad won't leave Charlie's side unless we drag him out kicking and screaming."

"Perhaps if we set up a shift system," Larry said, "Alan could be convinced to rest.."

They finished their meals, and cleared their table. Don glanced at his watch. "Let's get back. The doctors should be finished by now."

Charlie appeared to be sleeping, but he looked pale and his face showed signs of strain. Don sat next to Alan. "Dad, how'd it go? Charlie doesn't look so good."

"I know. It actually went well. The doctors said the lesions are healing, and there's no sign of new lesions. But Charlie didn't sleep through it this time, and it was pretty uncomfortable, even with the pain meds and sedative." He gently pushed Charlie's curls back away from his face. "Why would anybody do this to him? He's a sweet, gentle man who never hurt anybody in his whole life."

Don shook his head. "It's nothing to do with him as a person, Dad. The guy who gave them the anthrax hated Americans, and he hated his own father for working with the Americans to get rid of Saddam."

"Do you think religion had anything to do with it?" Alan asked.

"No. How would the guy know Charlie's Jewish? It's not like he's obvious about it. And the other guys he poisoned – Hasigawa? Morgan, maybe. Davis? Nah, it's just hatred of anyone who's working against Saddam."

Alan sighed. "I'll never understand that kind of thinking, Donnie."

"Me either, Dad." Don leaned back in his chair and sighed. "You know, Dad, Larry suggested we take turns sitting with Charlie. Larry wants to go to some of the seminar sessions, and all of us could use some sleep."

"I'm okay," Alan said firmly.

"Dad, we're not going to do any good for Charlie if we're falling asleep. Why don't you and Amita go back to the inn for a couple of hours, I'll sit with Charlie, and Larry can go to his meeting? Then when you and Amita come back, I'll get some sleep."

Alan sighed and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay?" Don was shocked. "No argument? Just 'okay'?" He put his palm against Alan's forehead. "No fever."

Alan gave Don a wry grin as he pushed his hand away. "Once in a while you say something that makes sense." He stood and stretched. "Dr. Ramanujan, will you show me the way?"

"Of course," Amita said, standing. She walked to Charlie's side and kissed him on the forehead.

Charlie's eyes opened, and he looked confused for a moment, then smiled. "Hey, Amita."

Alan laughed, "Sleeping Beauty is awakened by a kiss. How are you feeling, Son?"

"Okay. Not great, but better."

"That's good. Listen, Amita's going to show me the way to the inn, and we're going to try to get some rest. Larry's going to the seminar, and Donnie will stay with you until we get back. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure, Dad. That's fine. It has got to be boring sitting around watching me sleep."

Don laughed, "You got that right, Chuck. It's not exactly in the top ten sights to see in the Garden State."

"You obviously haven't spent much time in New Jersey," Charlie grinned. "Dad, Amita, Larry, go. I'll see you later. Maybe I'll be better company by then."