Chapter 26

Charlie finished the Jello and apple juice, and was feeling positively chipper when Don returned, carrying a cardboard holder with five cups of coffee. Don grinned at his younger brother and said, "Sorry, Buddy, no coffee for you. And I'll bet my lunch was better than yours."

Charlie put up his hand, "Stop. Don't tell me what you had. I will grant that your lunch was better. Can we just leave it at that?"

"Sure we can," Don said as he handed coffee to the room's other occupants. As he handed a cup to Agent O'Connell, he said, "I didn't know what you liked it in, so it's black."

"That's fine. Thanks, Don."

Don took his seat near Charlie's bed. "So do you want to hear about my conversation with Colby?"

"Of course we do," Alan said. "Get on with it."

"Seems the NSA isn't the only agency investigating this. The army has taken an interest as well, and they're not thrilled with the NSA's choice of translator. It seems your buddy Asif may not be what he claimed to be. I won't bore you with the details, but I did call Assistant Director Tompkins to fill him in. I have a feeling the NSA won't be pestering the Abu-Hassan family for long."

"That's great news!" Charlie said.

"Yeah, Chuck. It looks like your hunch paid off."

"I don't have hunches," Charlie glowered.

"Oh, that's right. Well, your informed guess, then. Or would you prefer 'theory?' Whatever it was, it was right on."

Dr. Cameron returned for the next blood draw. "Well, you folks are looking pretty cheerful. And, Charlie, you ate your Jello."

Smiling, he held up his bowl and did his best Oliver Twist imitation, "Please, may I have some more?"

"Yes, Charlie, you may. Assuming that the first serving is sitting okay."

"It is," Charlie said.

She took his temperature and checked his blood pressure. "Perfect!" After she finished drawing the blood, she said, "I'll tell the nurse you're still hungry. Just save room for supper, okay?"

"I will. Say, Doctor, do you know when I'll be able to get out of here?"

"Well, it's really up to Dr. Adukalil. He's monitoring your condition, but I know he's encouraged by the latest test results. Are you from around here?"

"No. I'm from Pasadena, but we're staying here, at the Peacock Inn until Sunday"

"Well, that might make a difference. I'll see if I can spring you tomorrow, as long as you stay around and come back here if you have any problems at all."

"That would be great. I'd like to attend the rest of the conference."

"What conference?"

"Larry, Amita and I are here for the applied mathematics conference. I was supposed to speak, but, well, I collapsed on stage. I was hoping I wouldn't have to miss the whole thing. There are some incredible speakers this year."

Don chuckled, "If you're into that kind of thing."

Dr. Cameron smiled at Don. "I take it you are not here for the applied mathematics conference."

"No way," Don laughed. "Dad and I came here when we heard Charlie was sick."

"Well, I think it's great that you were able to come out. I hope you get to see something of Princeton other than the hospital."

"Probably not. I should get back home, and back to work," Don said.

"What do you do?"

Charlie interrupted, "He's a G-Man."

"I'm an FBI agent," Don translated. "It's not as exciting as being a math professor, but it's what I do."

Cameron laughed. "I'd better get these tests started so we can get Charlie out of here in time for his math lectures, and get you back to work, Agent Eppes."

Don watched her leave, and Charlie watched Don. Finally he leaned toward Amita and stage-whispered, "Donnie thinks the doctor's hot."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with looking, Buddy."

"No, there's not," Charlie said softly, but not softly enough. Amita scowled at him. "Amita, I am just saying there's nothing wrong with Don looking." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'd rather just look at you."

Don snickered. "You're either getting mushy in your old age or you're afraid Amita will punch your lights out."

Amita planted a kiss on Charlie's forehead. "Either way works for me," she murmured.

Charlie blushed and struggled to change the subject, "So, it looks like I'll be out of here tomorrow."

Alan grinned, "That's great, Charlie! But don't push yourself. You don't want to end up back in here."

"I won't. I plan to sit back and listen to the few lectures that are remaining. Nothing strenuous at all, Dad. You want to stay the rest of the week?"

Alan glanced at Don. "Your brother and I need to get back to work."

"Yeah," Don said, "My team has something going on, and they're not telling me about it. Which means it's something big."

"Don," Larry said, "that doesn't make much sense."

Don bit back a comment about Larry not making sense most of the time and said, "If I knew they had something big going on, I'd leave here and rush back. They want me to be here for my baby brother, so they're not telling me. Simple."

"Well," Larry said, "when you put it that way, it does make sense. I'm sorry for doubting you, Don. Alan, you can trust Charlie to Amita and me. We will make sure he doesn't push himself too hard, and if he shows the slightest indication of a relapse, we will rush him back here."

"Now we just have to see if we can book a flight back to LA tomorrow morning," Don said.

"Hand me my computer, Don," Charlie said, "we'll have you booked in no time."

"You trying to get rid of us, Chuck?" Don asked, grinning.

"No! Not at all. I was just... well,... you sounded like you were in a hurry. If you don't want..."

"Just teasing you, Buddy. You're such an easy mark. Here you go," Don said, handing Charlie the laptop.

After a few minutes, Don and Alan had settled on a noon flight out of Newark. Without telling them, Charlie used his own account to upgrade them to first class tickets. "Okay, all you have to do is show your ID, and you're good to go. You've got your seat assignments and everything." He took a deep breath and said, "Dad, Don, I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am that you dropped everything and came out here just to be with me."

"Son, don't worry about it. You know you'd do the same for either of us."

"You're right. Would you at least let me pay you back for the tickets?"

"No," Don said. "I will not let you pay for the tickets or for the rental car or for the parking garage at LAX or for my lunch. And don't ask again."

"Okay," Charlie said putting his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I had to try. So, what are you planning to do with your remaining time in Princeton?"

"Oh," Alan said, "I thought we'd stay here for a little while, treat Larry and Amita to dinner, then go back to the inn, get some sleep and then see you in the morning. How's that sound?"

Charlie blinked and stared for a moment before he could come up with an answer. "I guess it sounds okay. No, I'm sure it sounds like a great idea. The four of you have been through a lot. You need to get out for a while. But why don't you let me pay?"