Chapter 5

Lt. Walker and Agent Carson seemed to be tolerating each other better after their little scuffle, and after Don chastised them both for it. Charlie was explaining his theory on how to identify a possible motive. He had written the equation up on the board, though no one besides him understood it.

"So, how long should it take?" Don asked.

"Amita's running it right now. We should have results in a few hours."

"OK, sounds good."

"Not bad Professor," Carson told Charlie, who just smiled.

As everyone moved around to do their own work, Carson's cell phone rang. While she was talking to the caller, Charlie came over to Don.

"Hey, what's up?" Don asked, while looking over some papers.

"Dad's still acting weird," Charlie replied, giving his brother a worried look.

"Oh come on Charlie, we went over this last night," Don sighed. "He seems fine. If anything, he's just a little distracted."

"I dunno, it feels like he's avoiding something."

"Why do you say that?" Charlie gave him an innocent look.

"Because every time I asked him what was wrong he told me it was none of my business."

"OK, fine. I'll talk to him," Don finally agreed.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Carson hung up her phone and walked over to where Don and Charlie were.

"Alright, I gotta go brief the U.S. Attorney. Have you seen that -" Don handed her a file. "Ah, great. Thanks," she said, then turned to leave.

Don stopped by the craftsman on his lunch break. When he got there, Alan was looking over some papers at the dining room table. After he saw Don, he quickly gathered all the papers together into one pile.

"Oh, hey Donnie. What are you doing here?" Alan asked, voice sounding a little nervous.

"Just thought I'd swing by," Don replied casually, noticing his father's odd behavior.

"I was just gonna grab a glass of water, want one?" Alan was trying to distract Don.

"Sure, why not." Alan nodded.

After Alan had gone into the kitchen, Don went over to look at the papers Alan had left. He flipped through a couple before he realized what they were. What the hell? Don thought.

"What do you think you're doing?" Alan yelled. Furious Don was going through his stuff.

"Me? What about you?" Don snapped back. "Why the hell do you have a background check on Agent Carson?"

"It's none of your business!" Alan quickly grabbed the stack of papers and started walking into the other room.

"The hell it isn't! I'm working with her on this case. You met her what, once?" Don retorted, following Alan.

"Look, I just wanted to know a few things about her," Alan said reluctantly, but much calmer. Don looked very confused.

"Like what?"

"Like if she is who I think she is," Alan replied exasperatedly.

"Is she?"

"Yes."

They were silent for a minute.

"So who did you think she was?" Don asked, curious.

"You mean who is she?" Don rolled his eyes, but nodded. Alan sighed. "Charlie!" Alan called his younger son, who started making his way into the living room.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked. He and Don shared an apprehensive glance at one another.

"This is something you both need to hear," Alan told them, taking a deep breath. "You might want to sit down." They did. Alan took another deep breath. "Your mother and I knew we couldn't keep this from you guys forever. Well...," Alan dove in, explaining everything to his sons, who listened in shock.

Don and Charlie couldn't believe what they were hearing. Most of all, they couldn't believe they never knew. They just sat there, listening to Alan tell them everything. Only occasionally did they glance at each other, or Alan. They were stunned.

"Are you serious?" Charlie asked his father, after he'd finished the story. Alan nodded.

"Yes, Charlie, I am serious," Alan told his youngest son. "Here's the proof," he said, pointing to his stack of papers.

Charlie quickly flipped through the stack of papers, still stunned by what his father had told him. Alan just stood there, silent, as he watched his sons' reactions.

"Oh man," Don finally muttered after processing it all.