Questions
"What about the students? Anyone holding a grudge against you? For a bad grade, a turned down paper? Did you refuse anyone a recommendation letter or tuition?"
Charlie rolled his eyes and immediately regretted it. Damn it, that had hurt. Out of the corners of his eyes he saw Don moving closer, a frown on his face. "I'm fine," Charlie sighed, giving his brother a glance to back him off, then he turned back to Megan, patiently waiting for his response. "And no, none of my students would do something like this."
"I'm sure you don't want to believe this of one of your own student, but it's still a possibility, Charlie," David chimed in, serious. "There sure are some who aren't as happy about you as others?"
Charlie caught himself just in time before he rolled his eyes again. "Listen, guys, seriously: I'm sure none of my students had been part of this. Okay, some get mad, but that mostly shows by some bad jokes played to me or enhanced disturbances of my class. Beating me half to death is not up their lane."
Don scowled, but remained silent. Charlie knew he wasn't allowed to interfere, his condition to remain in the room while his team questioned Charlie about the attack. To be honest, Charlie almost wished that he'd interfere and got sent out. As much as he loved his big brother and appreciated his concern - it was getting on Charlie's nerve. Since Charlie had woken up for good sometime late this morning, Don had been at his bedside, actually having been the first thing he had seen upon waking up, shortly followed by the relieved face of his father. Not that he minded. Actually, Charlie had been glad to see Don, immediately knowing that he was safe. He might be in the hospital, but he was safe. He always was safe when in Don's presence. And once bits of the last night had come back, he was even more relieved and thankful to know that his big brother was there. No one would get to hurt him on Don's watch, he knew that with absolute sincerity.
But during the rest of the day he had been moved from ICU to a private room, had slept a lot more, heavily kept on pain medication and so he had time to settle down a bit. Enough to get tired of Don's body constantly humming with anger and worry. His big brother hadn't said much the whole day, let alone had made a joke or two to lighten things up. That wasn't like Don. Don usually dealt with shit like this by relieving the stress with joking around, watching a game, drinking a beer, something like that. But he had refused to watch a game, beer wasn't offered in the hospital canteen and he had been brooding and scowling at his own thoughts constantly. Charlie thought even his father had been slightly unnerved by Don's behavior because he and Don had had an astonishing small battle with their father to convince him to go home, get some rest, prepare the house for Charlie's return in a few days and to only come back in the morning with some of Charlie's things. Really hardly any convincing at all. Very strange. So Charlie concluded that this anomaly concluded to Don's dark mood.
'Lucky dad,' Charlie thought with resignation.
"Okay, if not one of your students, what about one of your colleagues? Stepped on anyone toes lately? Did you get someone fired?" Megan wanted to know next.
With a frown, Charlie regarded Megan with exasperation. "Really, Megan, this is CalSci. We're all scientists with high doctorates. Like Larry. Like me. I don't say we don't have our issues or perhaps even envy, but we deal with grudges on a much higher and intelligent level than to refer to bodily harm," he pointed out, leaving out the fact that most professors wouldn't physically be able to beat Charlie up as he had been.
"You mean like stink bombs," Colby chuckled from where he leant against the wall.
Charlie mustered up a glare for him. "That wasn't a stink bomb. It was a complicated chemical process used to distract me from concentrating on the poker tournament."
"A stink bomb," Colby grinned.
"Granger."
Don's low hiss made Colby lose the grin instantly. He even held up his hands. "Just saying," he muttered. Don's glare stayed a moment longer on his agent before he turned his attention back to Charlie.
"What I'm trying to say is that no, I can't imagine one of my colleagues having anything to do with what happened last night," Charlie said quietly. His mind came up with a name though anyway, but he shook his head. No. If it just had been one person coming after him, maybe, but not like it had happened. It didn't correlate to what he knew of the other professor.
"Charlie?" Megan asked, having seen the slight hesitation.
"It's nothing," Charlie was quick to assure her. He had no proof in his hands, not yet and until then he couldn't go and denounce this man's reputation - no matter how much he itched to just do that.
"Charlie," Don growled, now glaring at him.
"Really, it's nothing," Charlie tried to assure his brother but it was too late.
Pushing away from the window, Don stalked over to his bed. "Talk, Charlie. We need to know everything, no matter how improbable you deem it is. Who do you have in mind?"
"And you know that all you say here is confidential," Megan too nodded, using a much gentler tone.
Charlie sighed, knowing better than to even try to stall some more. Besides, it wasn't worth the strength it would cost him, especially as that strength was quickly leaving him. "All right, all right, I'm telling it. But please, you really need to keep this under the wrap," he did insist though, looking at Megan and Don. "I suspect a professor at CalSci of sexual harassment of his students. I - noticed a few things. And I may have hinted to that professor that I'm keeping an eye on him. But I've also talked to Agent Romero about it and he's already looking into the guy. So far we have no proofs, so there's little we can do at the moment. That's why I've talked to him, so he'll perhaps think twice before harassing another student. I'm also trying to get one of the victims to denounce him, but - it's difficult to get through to the kid. But I'm sure it's not that guy behind all this. If it just has been one attacking me, maybe, and that's a big maybe, but like this? No."
There was a momentarily silence and Charlie looked up to see four pairs of eyes staring at him. "What?"
Megan shook her head, smiling. "Nothing. Name?"
Charlie hesitated again but feeling Don's glare, he gave the name.
David noted it. "We're looking with Romero what he has on the guy."
Charlie and Don both nodded.
"So what about your consulting jobs? Could this attack result from one of them?" Megan persisted her search for possible culprits.
Averting his eyes, Charlie wished he weren't so drugged up. His mind was still a bit fuzzy and the drugs didn't help to clear his head. But the pain he had suffered when his medication had worn off had quickly convinced him to stay on them, at least for a while longer. On the other hand, the buzz from the last dose was wearing off, fast, and he grew more tired by the second. Well, he just had to concentrate on not talking about specific jobs. "I don't think so," he finally simply said.
Megan sighed. "Charlie, you really need to cooperate with us on this or we'll never find theses guys."
Charlie looked back at her. "I have told you all I know. Truth is, I don't have the slightest idea who attacked me last night, nor can I imagine who or what is behind this." He fell silent, trying to remember the terrible long minutes of cowering on the floor while kicks and blows rained down on him. "They came from behind and the first few blows made my head spin. I curled up, protected my head as good as I could so I didn't even get a glimpse of their faces. Hell, I don't even know if they wore masks or not! Not to mention that what happened exactly is not that clear, my memories somewhat jumbled. All I know is that suddenly, there were some people beating me up, then losing consciousness, then some bits and pieces of calling Don and him getting there. I just can't tell you more. I don't know more!" Charlie pushed out, air suddenly eluding him.
"Easy, Buddy," Don soothed, laying a hand onto his shoulder and squeezing it gently. Charlie relaxed and air started to fill his lungs again. Tired, he closed his eyes, his head sinking back onto the cushion. He was exhausted and frankly said, he didn't want to answer more questions and he knew this was the fastest way to get some peace again.
"That's it. No more questions," Don sure ordered instantly, a growl just swinging beneath his words. Charlie turned his head to peek at his brother. Yep, he was glaring again. Or still glaring. Charlie wasn't sure anymore.
Getting the warning clear and loud, Megan nodded and stood up while David closed his notebook. "Thanks, Charlie. I'm glad you're going to be okay soon again," Megan said.
Turning his head, Charlie fully opened his eyes again, though it was a small fight. "'s okay. Sorry that I couldn't be of more use," he said, grimacing.
Megan's smile was bright. "Hey, don't worry. You gave us enough. Just get well again fast."
Charlie nodded and his eyes slowly closed again under the heaviness of the lids. Then though he forced them open again. "Hey, my data on Paxton? Did you get it? I think I've cracked it. Wanted to drop it by the FBI first thing in the morning."
It was Colby who answered, patting Charlie's leg. "Yeah, we've got it. Went to bust Paxton myself this morning. Guy sung like a canary once we confronted him with your findings. You did it again, WhizKid."
"Good," Charlie mumbled and finally lost the battle to stay awake, drifting off to a drug induced heavy sleep.
Don rearranged Charlie's blanket a bit, then turned back to his team, signaling them to follow him outside. The door closing softly behind them, he stayed there, daring anyone to get past him to his brother. Which reminded him... "Until further notice, I want someone on this door twenty-four/seven," he told Megan grimly.
"I already asked for a guard," Megan nodded, having anticipated this. "He should be here within the next two hours. He'll report in to you."
Don nodded. "What about Paxton? Did he have something to do with this attack on Charlie?"
Colby shook his head. "Doesn't look like. When we confronted him with it, he looked as he had no idea what we were talking about. Or whom for that matter. I could be wrong and we're still looking into it, but I don't think he was responsible for this," he answered, nodding at Charlie's door.
Don's hand fisted. Part of him was relieved that the attack probably wasn't related to the latest job he had asked Charlie's help for. The bigger part of him was frustrated that they still had no clue as to whom was responsible for beating up and almost killing Charlie. "Anything from Evidence?"
Megan shook her head. "No. Blood was confirmed to be Charlie's, but we expected that. Charlie didn't fight back, so we have no DNA or other evidence to work with either. They dusted the corridor, getting several dozens prints, some of them probably weeks old." She sighed, knowing Don wouldn't like what she had to say. Hell, she didn't like it herself. Still, she felt like it needed to be said. "I'm sorry, Don. I wish we could give you something but - without Charlie able to point us even into a direction, I don't think we will get these guys. Not if someone doesn't rat them out or at least one of them gets a bad conscience and confesses."
Don eyes found hers and held them for a long minute. "That is unacceptable," he finally just said, turned, and headed back into his brother's room.
David too sighed. "Well, that went well."
Megan shrugged. "I think Don's still too much in shock over what happened. In time he'll see reason." At least she hoped so. "In the meantime, we better make sure we haven't missed something or we can kiss our badges good-bye. Colby, you go talk with Romero, see what he has on that perp. I agree with Charlie, it's unlikely that that professor is behind this, it doesn't fit such a profile, but one never knows. If you see it fit, you can also have a word with Romero." She gave Colby a stern look. "But keep it light. We don't want that guy suing Charlie for ruining his reputation. Just ask him if he has noticed anything unusual or if he might have an idea who would want to hurt Charlie like that. Actually, we still need to question his co-workers and students, see if they noticed something, perhaps seen someone lurking around. Or if they know anyone with a grudge against Charlie. In that sense, we'll have to interview Amita and Larry as well. And I guess Alan too. I'll take care of those three, then we can move on to the rest of the stuff tomorrow." She thought for a moment. "David, get in touch with LAPD. See if this could be gang-related, Don thought it might be possible and I agree. Also see if there were other incidents like this in the past six months, concentrate first on CalSci and other universities. Perhaps this isn't a single case."
Both David and Colby nodded and left to go fulfill their tasks. Megan looked after them, casted a last long look to the closed hospital door and then set out to leave herself.
Truth was Don wasn't the only one disturbed by this brutal attack on Charlie, especially as it just didn't make any sense. They all wanted these guys found and punished for hurting Charlie like this and it was frustrating to not have much hope to achieve just that. Charlie was part of the team, part of the family - and most of all, he was their friend. Megan wasn't sure how she could live with the fact that Charlie's attackers may just walk away unscathed - she could only imagine what such a thing would mean for Don and most of all Charlie.
Sitting in the darkness of Charlie's hospital room, Don stared at the quiet figure of his little brother, his thoughts at a very dark place, a place he only visited after some of the worst of his cases. And apparently also when his little brother got hurt. Part of him whished he could sleep. After all, it's been well over thirty-six hours that Don had slept, not managing even a short nap during the long night and day of waiting to get news, of waiting for Charlie to wake up or then to see how he was doing. Agent Zeiler was standing in front of the door, having reported in about two hours ago, so he was good to rest a bit. But it just wasn't enough for him. All he knew was that whoever had done this to Charlie was still out there and might come back to finish the job. Also, a great part of him was also wary to go to sleep, sure that only terrible nightmares were awaiting him there, all the many ifs that plagued Don coming to reality in his dreams.
He closed his eyes and listened to Charlie's still somewhat labored breathing. Thankfully, his punctured lung hadn't collapsed, but the puncture coupled with the broken ribs wasn't making breathing especially easy for his brother.
God, they had been so lucky.
Yeah, Charlie was still hurt badly, but he was out of the woods. The CAT-scans had shown that there was no swelling of the brain and his other's injuries, while undoubtedly being painful, would all heal in time.
How easy it could have been different. Charlie could well be dead now or having a serious, life-altering injury. Don was pretty sure that Charlie wouldn't have been able to deal with possible brain damage.
And he in turn wasn't sure if he could have gone on without Charlie.
This whole incident and the time since then - Don had never lived through anything like that. He had thought it had been bad when his mother had been here, treated for cancer and later to die here. But it had been different. As bad as it had been - you knew what was going on and later, it was also clear that his mother would die. Hell, death had been a relief for her, Don knew that, as hard as that was to accept for the ones who loved her. But it made it easier to see her die and later, to deal with her loss. That it was a relief for her, that her long suffering was finally coming to an end. But also that in the end, she had still been a parent, supposed to die one day. Perhaps not as early as she had to go, but Don and Charlie had been grown ups at least, having had the most important years with her. Of course Don still missed her, he probably always would - but he had come to peace with her death, already some years ago and he thought, though it had taken Charlie longer, he too had finally learned to accept her death.
He opened his eyes again, letting his eyes adjust until they could make out Charlie on the bed again in the dim light coming in through the window.
This attack on Charlie - it had come totally out of the blue, catching Don completely by surprise. He had thought he was prepared for this possibility. Charlie was at a certain risk with doing all these consultants jobs, especially the ones for him. So yeah, he had known that there was a considerable danger to him. But he had been wrong. Nothing had ever prepared him to get that call from Charlie or to find him beaten half to death and barely conscious.
Teaching Don the hard lesson that the worst that could happen to him was losing his little brother, no matter what a pain in the ass he sometimes could be. No matter how stubborn and egg headed Charlie was most of the time. No matter all their differences, their disputes, their often different opinions - Charlie was his little brother and Don loved him, unconditionally. And to lose him...
It was unthinkable. It was unacceptable.
When had Charlie become so important to him? Did it matter?
No. Not really. But he would have to find a way to deal with those new revelations. Even if this time it hadn't been related to the current job, it could as well have been. To be exact, this attack could still result from Charlie's work for Don. In the future, Don promised himself, he'd be more careful with Charlie. He knew it was futile to refuse him consulting for him, he had already tried that once to no avail, but he certainly could make sure that his brother's involvement was kept under a tighter lid. And he and Charlie would have to have a serious talk about his general security, once he was better. The house could use a better alarm system and CalSci should really upgrade their security. Perhaps, they could also wire Charlie's office. And if Charlie wanted, Don would help him get some lessons of self-defense. Hell, if Charlie wanted, Don would even help him get a license to carry concealed. Everything to keep him safe.
Though he doubted Charlie would want all that. He wasn't much into guns or violence - and to not fight back saved more lives than to fight back, Don knew that. Still. With his job, and not to forget Don's, Charlie risked to encounter more than your usual mugger. A little protection couldn't hurt.
Of course, the main problem with Charlie's safety was his way too trusting and gentle heart. There wasn't much that could be done about that though. And Don didn't really want Charlie to lose that anyway. It was part of what made Charlie so special. Still - a little bit more guard from Charlie couldn't hurt.
Yeah, they definitely needed to talk about all this.
And other things, Don thought with a frown, remembering that guy Charlie suspected of molesting his students. Why had he never mentioned that to Don? Why had he gone to Romero with this and not to him? Charlie should have come to him, especially before doing anything so stupid as confront a molester like he had.
A moan came from Charlie's bed and Don was up in a flash, hurrying over. Dr Sanchez had assured them that Charlie wasn't at risk anymore when they had him transferred from ICU to the private room. Had he been wrong? Was Charlie having a set-back? Had they overseen something?
But when he came to Charlie's bed and had flipped back on the light he could see that the moan probably wasn't caused by physical pain. His brother had a nightmare.
"No... please not..." Charlie pleaded, throwing his head around as the dream made him more and more agitated.
Don hadn't to think long whether to wake him or not. If he trashed around like this he would only hurt himself more. Besides, he couldn't let Charlie be caught in that nightmare anyway. So he gripped his shoulders and held him still as gentle as he could, all the time talking soothingly to him. "Shhh, Charlie, wake up. It's a nightmare. I'm here. No one's going to hurt you. You're safe."
It took him a few minutes, but eventually, Charlie's body relaxed and his breathing regulated itself to a more normal level. And finally, he opened his eyes, his dark eyes still wide though. "Donnie?" he asked, shaken. That must have been one bitch of a nightmare. Considering latest events that was hardly a surprise of course. Actually, Don should have expected this. Charlie had always been liable to have nightmares.
Nodding, Don allowed himself to relax as well a bit and squeezed Charlie's shoulder. "Yeah. You had a nightmare, Buddy."
His breathing still a bit harsh, Charlie just nodded and looked away.
Don regarded him for a long moment. "Wanna talk about it?"
Still not talking, Charlie just shook his head.
Don sighed. "It might help, Charlie."
Finally, a glance back to him. "Like you talk about your nightmares."
Clenching his jaw, Don silently counted to three. "That's not the same."
Again, Charlie returned to be silent.
Again counting mentally to three, Don tried it anyway. "Was it about the attack?"
Charlie didn't answer, but he visibly tensed. "Please, Charlie. You lived through a terrible ordeal. Anyone would have nightmares about it. There's nothing to be ashamed of about that," Don said quietly.
Slowly, Charlie looked back at him, his eyes still haunted. Don tried a reassuring smile. "I know I'll have some nightmares about this night, Buddy." He hesitated for a moment. "So why don't we help each other by talking about it?" he offered, reluctantly. Seeing that his brother still was hesitant, he took a deep breath and gave him something. "I tell you, Charlie, getting that call from you, not knowing how badly you've been hurt... And then turning the corner and finding you on the floor like this, barely conscious..." He swallowed and let some of the fear and panic he had felt then enter his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Charlie whispered, reaching for Don's hand to give it a short but firm squeeze.
Don shook his head. "Don't be. It's not your fault." He offered Charlie a lopsided smile. "Just don't you ever do that to me again."
He was rewarded by a weak smile. "Oh believe me, I don't plan to." Charlie's eyes slid away again. "I thought I was back in that corridor. That it hadn't stopped. That it wasn't over. That they were still - beating me. I... I tried to fight back. I tried to call for help." He gulped. "It just got worse," he finished in a low voice.
Moving his hand to the back of Charlie's neck, Don forced him to look back at him. "Listen to me, Charlie: you did good. They attacked you from behind, without warning. They were four on one. You had no chance. You never had a chance. Instead, you did everything you could to protect yourself and stay alive and that was just the right thing to do," he told him intently, once he was sure he had Charlie's attention. "They would have killed you if you had fought them, Charlie, I'm sure of that. They nearly did anyway. And once it was over, you did good as well: you stayed awake and you called me. There's nothing more you could have done, Charlie."
Charlie was quiet for a long time. "You really think so?"
"Yeah, I do," Don assured him with absolute sincerity.
For a long while the brothers just remained like that, close, slightly touching, drawing comfort from each other - relaxing and deep fears slowly dissipating.
"I really don't know why this happened, Don," Charlie finally broke the silence, talking softly. "I haven't received any threats. I'm not working on too sensitive cases at the moment that could prompt such a volatile interference, other than your case on Paxton that is and even there I don't think it likely. I don't have any enemies that I know of - competitors, yeah, but no one who would really wish that much harm on me." His eyes bored into Don's. "I have no idea why I was attacked like this. I mean, in the end I'm just a mathematician, a professor. Most people don't realize the possible threat I can pose with my knowledge to someone, especially when I do some consulting - or they underestimate it. Plus, someone who chooses to attack me like this is unlikely to do this because something I have or may have done with my math. It just doesn't make sense."
Don patted Charlie's knee. "Those things seldom do. But we'll find out why, Charlie. And they will pay for what they have done," he promised once again, with more confidence that he actually felt. Megan's words hadn't fallen on deaf ears. Just on unwilling ones.
As the agent he was he knew that with what they had, it was unlikely to get any satisfying answers. But they had to find these guys.
If only for his own peace of mind. Because as long as they were still out there, he didn't think he could ever relax again, let alone Charlie.
"I hear you're getting released today?"
Charlie looked up and smiled, careful of the bruises on his jaw and upper right cheek though. "Yeah, finally. I'd have left days ago if not for Dad threatening to keep me locked out of my own house."
"Yeah, I heard about that," Megan chuckled, remembering David recalling the conversation he had overheard between the Eppes men three days ago during a visit. "Where's Don?"
"If you mean the body-snatcher that walks around disguised as what used to be my brother, he's getting the car," Charlie answered with a dark glare outside.
Megan came further into the room, closing the door. "So I take it his mood hasn't improved?" she asked with a sigh.
They had been unable to find any leads in Charlie's attack. Paxton and the molesting professor had checked out with an alibi for that night, no one had seen anything, no one could imagine who on Earth could have wanted to hurt Charlie like that. Basically, they were at a dead end with no prospect of getting anywhere anytime soon if at all. Don didn't take that well. He wanted justice for his brother, revenge, and them unable to find Charlie's assailants left him with no outlet for his rage, resulting in leaving him in a bad mood and more short tempered with each passing day. Since the attack five days ago, he hadn't been much to the office - much to everyone's relief - spending most of his time close to Charlie, in full protective mode. She could see how that might even got on the nerves of his little brother, despite the way Charlie worships Don.
"I have never seen him like that," Charlie said with a shake of his head. "I mean, sure, I've seen him in a bad mood. And after bad cases. Even already after he got a scare that hit too close to home for him. But this... This is not comparable."
"That's just it, Charlie," Megan told him softly. "It's not comparable. You were hurt for one, with nothing Don could have done to prevent it, see it coming or even suspect it for second and third, it looks like he now can't even get justice for what has been done to you, the guys beating his little brother half to death going free, never being caught, let alone punished."
"If one were to be angry about all that it should rather be me and not Don," Charlie argued - but deep down he knew that Megan was right. All these factors must have been pure torture for his big brother. Still...
"Of course. But you know your brother: by attacking you, they've attacked Don as well. Just give him time. I'm sure he'll calm down once the worst of the shock and scare has passed," Megan reassured him. "Or if we find your assailants after all. That of course would be the best thing." She eyed him carefully. "You've always been good at defying the odds, Charlie. Don't you have an idea how we could find these guys after all?"
Charlie averted his eyes.
Something that didn't go past Megan. "Charlie?" Not receiving an answer, Megan moved over to stand in front of him, her eyes searching him. "Do you know who attacked you?" she asked, suddenly suspicious.
Charlie let out a deep sigh. "No."
Megan scrutinized him. "But you have an idea," she stated with sudden revelation.
Glancing back to the door, Charlie sighed again, not sure if he should share his wild theories at all, least alone with the FBI. But if it wasn't an hallucination... "Maybe," he finally relented.
Megan tried hard to stay calm and reasonable and not throttle Charlie. But really, here they were, working their ass off to get maybe at least a snitch that could lead them to something, or even better, someone, with Don breathing down their neck, nearly taking their head off each time they had to tell him that they had no news on Charlie's attack and all the time, Charlie had known something? She took a deep breath. "Okay... And who would that be?"
Charlie shook his head and avoided looking at her. "Look, I really don't have a name or even a face. I'm not even sure that I really have something at all and that it's not just an imagination, born out of the desire to find an explanation as to why this happened to me because I really, really don't like to not know the cause of an action. Every action has a cause, it's just hidden sometimes and with me being beaten up like this being the result of the action I just need to know the cause that led to this result."
Calming down considerable, Megan reached for Charlie's hand to squeeze it. "It's perfectly understandable that you want an explanation. We all do. Why don't you just tell me what you figured out, based on what factors, and let me see if it's a legit suspicion and worth looking it up?" she asked, instinctively trying to word this in a way that may appeal more to Charlie than a simple 'just tell me everything'. In her experience, taking the easy way was not the best way with Charlie.
Charlie thought over her words and when he finally made eye contact, she knew she had him.
"I think you should maybe look if someone on or around campus is part of the National Alliance," Charlie told her softly.
Megan blinked and needed a moment to process this. "Why do you think this?" she finally wanted to know, frowning deeply.
Uncomfortable, Charlie shifted and looked away again, not really wanting to look at anyone. "I - I have these dreams about the attack, mostly nightmares of course, but..." He shook his head. "In these dreams, the men beating me up, they curse me and call me - names. About me being Jewish," he all but whispered, not really wanting to repeat the ugly names and curses from his dreams out loud, let alone to anyone. "I don't know. Maybe this is just what is seems to be, a nightmare, getting worse and more detailed with each more dream. But I can't help but think that maybe..."
"That your subconscious remembers this from the night of the attack and now lets you know about it through your dreams?" Megan concluded gently.
Charlie just nodded. He hated not knowing why he had been attacked like this. But he wasn't sure if he liked the alternative better. Somehow, thinking to be the victim of Anti-Semitism left him feeling - dirty.
In the meantime, Megan thought this over. "Let's say this is true - why would members of the National Alliance want to take so openly aggressive actions against you?"
"You mean other than me being of the false religion?" Charlie asked with a bitter smile, back to avoiding her eyes.
"I never noticed you being very - religious. Nor Don for that matter," Megan pointed out.
"I am not. We are not," Charlie agreed. He and Don had never seen much appeal in religion, finding any consolation or strength in believing in a higher being and following rites that in Charlie's eyes had lost their original purposes centuries ago, now just being nothing more than public and social compulsions like getting your girlfriend something for Valentine's day or buying Christmas presents, eating Turkey on Thanksgiving. Their father had held a deeper belief, but since their mother's death he hadn't been in a Synagogue again to Charlie's knowledge. Of course, they had never talked about their beliefs since her death at all either. Now was hardly the time to dwell over this though. "But you know as well as me that a minor thing like this hardly means anything to people like that," he continued.
"So they just picked you randomly?" Megan asked skeptically. It was possible, she guessed. Charlie was a recognized, well respected and liked math professor and since his latest book had come out, being such a big hit, he had even became a local celebrity. And lately, it had dawned on the people around Charlie that he wasn't exactly poor either. All this could make him a target for a lot of hate crimes. Still, it just didn't quite fit.
And when Charlie remained silent, she knew there was more to it. "Charlie?"
Making a face, Charlie turned his eyes back to her, reluctant. "When I have time, I sometimes work on a program that infiltrates racist chat rooms and forums on the internet, trying to find cross-references between hate crimes and bragging on such boards, trying to link them and also, make it easier to put real names to the usernames. I had this idea when I first started to work gang related cases. I noticed that a lot of the people didn't just brag on the street about it - they even did it on some boards, under the protection of the anonymity of your user name. Or so they often think. I linked into some forums and I found some references to actual crimes and so then I enlarged my search, also going through racist and anti-Semitics boards."
"Like Stormfront?" Megan asked.
Charlie nodded. "Though that's a bit too open. You need to go deeper than that. But you can find the necessary links there."
"Charlie, why didn't you tell us this before? This for sure could very well be the reason for this attack," Megan wanted to know, not able to keep the exasperation and slight accusation quite out of her voice. "We should have know about this first thing."
"Because I haven't thought of it!" Charlie defended himself. "I haven't worked on this in months, Megan. And only few people know that I even work on a program like that, it still being in test phases and not ready yet to be actually put into active running so far. Surely, no one from NA should have gotten wind of this. So excuse me if I haven't thought to link this immediately. And like I said, I - remembered that name calling, if it's legit even, only lately, through my nightmares about that night. I still know nothing. There is no proof that I'm right with my suspicion that maybe, I've been beaten half to death just because I was born Jewish. I could as well be wrong. Perhaps, it had just been some muggers. Or maybe Don is right after all and this is all gang related. I. Just. Don't. Know!" Charlie exclaimed, not having noticed that his voice had considerably raised or that he was breathing hard. "And I'm tired of always being asked if I remember something, anything, if I have thought of someone else who might have wanted to hurt me like this when all I'd like to do is just get over it and move on. Because the way I see it, while I do want to know who did this to me and why and would like to see them prosecuted for this, I'm alive, nothing has really been permanently damaged and right now, that's really enough for me."
"Megan, I think it's time for you to leave now."
Charlie and Megan both looked up. Don stood in the open doorway and was now coming in, keeping the door open though, giving Megan an unmistakable order.
One she wasn't foolish enough to ignore. She gave her boss a slight nod before turning back to Charlie, smiling encouragingly. "Okay, Charlie, I'll look into it. Maybe we'll find something. You just take care of yourself."
Back to avoiding her eyes again, Charlie nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have flipped out like this," he mumbled. He really shouldn't have. But damn it, the past few days hadn't exactly been easy and he guessed Don wasn't the only short-tempered Eppes man at the moment.
"That's all right, Charlie, don't worry. I'm sorry too. For always asking," Megan countered, patting his arm before moving out.
"We'll talk later, Reeves," Don told her in a low voice as she passed him to what she just nodded.
Yeah, she had expected that. Though she wasn't sure if it was to get more information about her talk with Charlie, the progress on the case or to chew her out for upsetting Charlie but she guessed she'd find out soon enough. Until then she better saw to it to have some answers for him. Taking out her cell phone, she flipped it open and called David.
Back in the hospital room, Charlie briefly glanced at Don, then looked hastily away again. "Can we finally leave this place?"
Letting the door fall close, Don came over to the bed and held out his jacket. "Yeah, I've got your release papers. Here, let me help you put this on."
Charlie eyes the jacket. "I don't think it's that cold outside. Besides, it's just for the way out to the car. That are how many feet?"
"Just humor me, Charlie," Don sighed, holding it open.
Knowing the stubbornness of his brother, Charlie relented, not really wanting to fight - or rather said, thinking it wiser to save the strength for the fight he suspected was coming. But when his whole body ached after having the damn jacket on, he thought that maybe, he should have indulged into the fight after all.
When he tried to stand up, Don held him down. "The nurse will bring the wheelchair any moment now. Just relax until then."
Charlie made a face but did as he was told. He knew it was hospital policy and to be honest, he didn't mind not to have to walk. With the broken fibula it was still extremely tiring, especially as he hadn't had much time to exercise with the crutches. Which reminded him... "Do you have my prescriptions?"
Don nodded. "Got them in my pocket."
At that moment, the nurse showed up, rolling in the wheelchair. "Here we go, Dr Eppes."
Relieved, Charlie carefully slid from the bed and hoped over to the wheelchair, feeling his brother hovering close behind him to catch him, should he fall. Seriously, Don was worse at hovering and fussing over him than their father. He must have gotten that from their mother, who had been the worst hoverer he had ever seen. Not that he complained. At least not for the moment.
It took them longer to get to Don's SUV than he had anticipated but twenty long minutes later, he was finally on the way home for the first time in five days.
Don drove careful, more than usual - and he was surprisingly silent. Not that he had talked much in the last few days - but Charlie had expected him to say something about his talk with Megan. Somehow, his brother's silence made him nervous. So about ten minutes into the drive, it was him who caved and broke the silence. "Are we going to talk about it?"
Don kept his eyes onto the road. "Talk about what?"
"About what you've heard me and Megan talking about." Charlie frowned. "How much did you hear anyway?"
His brother took his time to answer, but when they stood at the next red light, he at last glanced at Charlie. "I've heard enough to know now that you still have nightmares, eventually reminding you of something though. And that you're a bloody idiot."
Charlie watched the muscles in his jaw clenching and just sighed deeply. "And how come so?"
The light turning to green, Don drove on. "If you're reckless enough to get involved with people like that, you have to expect repercussions. To think there aren't any is just plain stupid. Just like going and confront a known molester. What the hell were you thinking? Do you have a death wish or something? Because if you do, you better tell me now so I can prepare myself to have to go to your funeral sooner or later."
Okay... his big brother was obviously pissed. But at least he was finally talking and behaving more like the brother he knew and loved again.
"It's bad enough that you risk yourself like this, but that you just don't take any security measures is even worse. If you lie with dogs, Charlie, you've got to expect fleas and you damn well have to expect them to bite you. You want to go up against rapist, racists, gangsters or what do I know, terrorists, fine, do it, but don't do it on your own. You're not trained for that, Charlie. And for Heaven's sake, finally learn to take better precaution about yourself and your environment," Don continued his rant, his eyes firmly on the road, the knuckles standing out white a sure sign of his anger.
"But most of all, you damn need to start talking to me, Charlie!" Don hissed, finally turning his eyes, burning with fire, onto him at another red light. "I need to know about people like your molesting colleague or that you plan to go against organizations like the NA because otherwise, I can't protect you and when something happens like this attack, I get totally blindsided by it, not even having an idea why my brother had just been nearly killed!"
The cars behind them honked and cursing, Don drove on, his eyes back to look straight onto the road, his body humming with his rage though.
Charlie thought a long time about how to answer his brother. Finally, he decided to simply go with the truth and hard facts. "It is not your job to protect me, Don."
"Like hell it isn't!"
"It is not," Charlie insisted. "It never was. You did it anyway, and I know not just because Mom and Dad told you to look out for me. And I don't say I don't appreciate it. But I'm a grown man now, Don, and frankly said, while you've been away I have been just fine looking after myself. And I still am."
Don glanced at him, two hot glares. "Oh, I see how well you can take care of yourself."
Charlie ignored his brother's heavy sarcasm. "You want to know what my work all entails? Sorry, I can't. Most of it, at least the work that might get me in trouble, is classified - or it's already what I do for you and the FBI. Other than that, you have your own job and people to look after and you need a clear head for that. So I sure won't pester you with things you have no jurisdiction over anyway. You getting involved in those things could not just cost you your badge - it may even cost you your life because instead of concentrating on jour job and your safety, you're distracted with my problems and possible risks. I'm not going to do this, ever," Charlie told him flatly, keeping his eyes on his brother. "Or do you think I want to get a call about you being hurt or worse anymore than you want to get one about me? And just for the record, you've got the more dangerous job out of the two of us."
Don's jaw muscles clenched again as he gritted his teeth.
"And as for the current risk factors in my life: the professor checked out with an alibi, besides I highly doubt he would resolve to brutal force. From him I have to fear about attacks against my reputation and believe me, I'm prepared for that and know how to deal with such things. It wouldn't be the first time and probably won't be the last. And what concerns the NA: like I've told Megan, I haven't worked in months on the project and again, it's nothing more than a project at the moment with only a handful of people knowing about it. The likelihood that the attack is related to the project is small. But through the work I've already done I know that there is movement of the Alliance here in LA too and while they publicly are against open attacks against anyone, not all of the members are all so sophisticated and careful. If my attack was really a hate crime, and that's still a big if, then it's most likely that I just was picked out because of my success. Or perhaps I offended someone who is a member or close to a member or gave a son of a member a bad grade and that someone used my religion on paper as an excuse to get help for paying me back for it. There are dozens of possibilities, Don, and I really don't think I'm actually responsible for any of them."
At that, Don finally looked at him as he stopped the car. Charlie took a deep breath. "Please don't make me believe that I am to blame for this attack on me. I don't want to blame myself. I don't want to get lost in the what if's that may have prevented the attack. It happened. It was a cowardly, unfair attack against me. But I survived it and whatever was their intention, they didn't win. I won. I'm alive. I'm getting better. I'm going home now and soon, I'll be back at CalSci. And most of all, I'm not going to live in fear of a new attack from now on." He met Don's eyes. "I would have done that three years ago. Or two years ago. Hell, probably even six months ago. But not anymore. I'm not going to let them win. But I need you for that. Because if you let them win, I'll ultimately let them win as well."
"Charlie..." Don broke their eye contact and looked away. After a moment, he unfasted the seatbelt. "We're home. Wait in the car. I'll help you out and into the house where Dad has the couch ready for you."
Don was out of the car before Charlie could say anything more. With a deep sigh, he leant his head back against the head rest.
Well, that had gone well.
TBC!
(Author's Note: Well, well, well, a lot of questions and perhaps a few answers... You'll see soon enough. Thanks for the many reviews and sorry for the late update: I got the flue and was out for a few days. But I'm back now and the last two parts follow soon. Hope you liked it!)