Disclaimer: I do not own Numb3rs.
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PART VIII
Don entered the meeting room which still served as office. His team was already at work.
"Don, we may have something on our killer." David said with excitement. "Remember that Charlie mentioned in his analysis that our guy would feel the need to boastof his exploits?"
"Hmm, hmm. And?" Don took his jacket off, placed it on the back of his chair and started to roll his sleeves.
"Walker rang this morning. One of his informers reported that yesterday a guy was bragging he had bombed the FBI. Nobody took him seriously at the time."
"What? Do we have a description or a name?"
"Both. LAPD made a photofit from the description given by the bar tender and displayed it around." Colby handed the picture to Don. "His name's Adam Kardali. His address is at the back."
David carried on. "Walker also showed it to the parents of the boy killed and they recognised him. He worked as their gardener for about six months and one day, he stopped coming without explanation. They said he was nice but very shy and a bit weird."
Don looked at David. "A bit?" That was an understatement.
David raised his hands. "Their words, Don."
"Okay then. Let's go." Don picked up his jacket. Seeing that none of his agents was moving, he stopped and looked at them puzzled. "What?"
"No field work for three days, Don. " Liz reminded him.
"Oh! come on! You can't be serious!"
"We promised Alan and Charlie that you wouldn't go anywhere at least today." She explained.
Don sighed resignedly and put his jacket back on his chair. "Alright, go ahead but keep in permanent contact... And take Miller, Parson and Richie with you... And be careful, that guy's dangerous... And-"
Liz interrupted him, trying not to laugh but Colby and David couldn't hide their smiles. "Don, it's okay. We know what we're doing."
He looked at his team, still a little hesitant then nodded several times. "Yeah, sure. Go. I'm late with my reports anyway." He muttered to himself.
Half an hour later, the agents were forcing the door of the apartment and started to search it thoroughly. Colby found a piece of Kraft paper. He rubbed his fingers on it; it was greasy. He sniffed it. "C4 but there's no telling how much he's got."
"He's planning another explosion?" David's stomach knotted at the memory of the previous day.
"Looks like it. We'd better call Don." Colby replied as he flipped open his cell-phone.
--
As soon as his men told him what they had found out, Don picked up his phone and called Wright to explain the situation. "Sir, we need to talk to your brother. He's the only one who can tell us what Kardali's up to."
"He's under the CIA's supervision. It's going to be very difficult."
"I understand that. But people are going to die and I hope that even the CIA can realise the urgency here."
"Alright, let me call them."
Five minutes later, Wright came to see Don to inform him that they had the green light. "But they want to attend the interrogation."
"I have no problem with that."
Charlie overheard the conversation as he walked into the meeting room and said. "Don, let me come with you."
"Charlie-"
"No wait. Hear me out. Depending on where the explosion will be, I assume it'll be a building, I might be able to calculate the quickest and safest way to access the bomb. Every second will count and you'll need all the help you can get. Let me come." Seeing his brother was still hesitating, he added. "There's no risk, Don. He's been apprehended. He can't harm anyone anymore."
"I don't know if the CIA will let you in anyway." He looked at Wright for confirmation.
The AD shrugged briefly. "We can try. Let's go."
The three men arrived at the CIA's HQ and they were taken to the maximum security wing where Harper was detained. Charlie was allowed inside the building but was asked to wait outside the interrogation room. He stood behind the security glass and listened carefully to the conversation. Harper was handcuffed and sitting on a chair in front of a table, facing the door.
"Hello Brother!" Harper called out, mockingly. "You came with Agent Eppes as reinforcements… Feeling less chilly, Eppes?"
Charlie clenched his jaws and his fists in rage. He noticed that his brother, on the other hand, seemed calm and in control.
Don leant forward to put his hands on the table and faced the man squarely. "You said your friend was preparing something. Do you want to tell us about it?"
Harper stared at Don, bewildered. "You're kidding, right?"
Don sat down. "No. We will eventually get him, but if you cooperate, it'll be taken it into consideration."
Harper kept staring at Don. "You are kidding." He repeated as to convince himself. "Do you think I'm dumb enough to believe that I'll get a remission if I help you? I know I'm in for the electric chair. So why on earth would I talk to you?"
"Because you might want to do something right for once in your life." Wright looked at his brother with imploring eyes. "You've lost, Jack. It's over. Why don't you want to admit it?"
The Ghost leant forward against the table. "You're wrong, Philip. It's not finished. And the fact you're both here proves it. So here is the deal; either you let me go and I stop my man, or get ready to pick up body pieces all over the city."
"Now, you're the one who's dreaming." Don retorted. "There's no way you're gonna walk out of here free."
Harper raised his hands apart and leant back in his chair. "Then I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you, gentlemen."
Charlie knocked on the window and with a hand movement, told his brother to come and see him.
Don left the room, a little annoyed to be interrupted.
"Let me talk to him." Charlie asked in a low voice.
"Charlie-"
"Don, please let me try."
Don glanced at the CIA agent in charge who nodded. He stared at his brother for a couple of seconds, frowned then replied reluctantly. "Okay, but if I tell you to leave, you do so without arguing. Alright?"
"Done deal."
When both men walked into the interrogation room, Harper smiled ironically. "Oh! Big brother sends Baby bro."
"Actually no. Don didn't want me to talk to you."
"Fine by me. I've got nothing to tell you anyway."
"That's alright. You just need to listen." Charlie sat down on the opposite chair, his hands flat on the table. Don was standing next to him, tense and ready to intervene if necessary. "You are going to let people die just because you hold a grudge against AD Wright."
Harper didn't reply but his eyes kept darting warily from one brother to the other.
"You know, about three months ago, I did something that the Bureau didn't... appreciate. They saw it as a betrayal. The worse part is that I did it because I was angry and I went against my brother's advice. He told me what would happen but I didn't listen. But you know what? Contrary to you, I never blamed him for anything."
"You should. He works for those who rejected you."
"So what? I am the only one responsible for the consequences... Just like you. No one forced you to work for the enemy. If someone had the right to be angry, it'd be your brother.
"Half-brother." Harper rectified.
"Right, half-brother. That doesn't change the fact that like me, you are answerable for your actions. Don't put the blame on someone else or the Bureau or the CIA. You alone made your choices. And instead of regarding yourself as a victim or a martyr, think of what your actions did to your brother... I know Don has been in the doghouse since my arrest." Charlie quickly glanced at Don, who was staring at him with a mixed expression on his face, both sad and surprised. The younger man took a deep breath and carried on. "I placed him in a difficult situation but he never complained or said anything." He snorted. "In fact, he worried about me... But I know I hurt him and disappointed him." Don opened his mouth to say something and Charlie added quickly. "But we are brothers, you see? That's the whole difference. Even if we don't always agree with what the other does, we stand by each other's side. I know I can rely on Don just like he can depend on me. I hope he knows that, anyway." He said the last sentence in a low voice. He didn't dare look at his brother. What he was saying was too important; he needed to let his brother know how he felt. Don didn't say a word. Instead he put his hand on Charlie's shoulder and squeezed it gently, and the professor had his answer. He smiled inwardly, relieved and reassured. He looked at Harper sharply. "And despite what you think, your brother, half-brother cares for you."
"What do you know?" the Ghost replied aggressively.
"I know that he provided wrong information to the CIA to give you enough time to leave the country."
Harper peered at him sceptically.
Charlie nodded with force. "He did. He put his job and reputation at risk to help you. And what do you do in response to that? You try and destroy him, mentally and physically; you murder innocent people; you try to kill my brother. You have no excuse for that! Do something decent for a change. Tell them where the bomb is. You might, might avoid the electric chair. I don't think your brother wants to see you die."
Harper clenched his jaws several times. He remained silent, clearly mulling over the situation then he looked up at Don, nodding toward Charlie.
"Man, does he always talk that much?" His tone was light, as if he was joking but the expression in his face was deadly and Charlie hardly managed to hold back a shudder.
"Oh yeah! He's my secret weapon." Don replied with the same tone,his eyes as cold as ice. "Once he's started there's no stopping him. He can talk someone to death. Now, tell me where the bomb is?"
Harper couldn't help laughing briefly. "You guys are dangerous." He shook his head, amused. "Talking a suspect to death; I've never tried that torture."
"And you won't. It only works with him." A hand on the back of Harper's chair, the other against the table, Don leant forward and asked again. "Where is the bomb?"
The prisoner stared back at Don. "Even if I tell you, you don't know my man. If he sees you coming, he'll activate it."
Don remained impassive. "Don't worry about that. Talk."
After what seemed like an eternity, the prisoner finally answered. "CalSci." He smiled at both brothers. "We chose the place in your honor. I hope you appreciate the gesture."
Charlie's heart almost stopped and he thought he was going to be sick. The men on the other side of the security glass were already calling the bomb squad and reinforcements to evacuate the campus.
Don tried to remain as calm as possible. "Where? Which department?"
Harper smiled again. He clearly enjoyed this moment of power. He knew he was finished but he was determined to give a hard time to the feds and his brother for as long as he could. He remained silent for a minute, challenging Don with a look. As frustrating as this was, the agent knew that if he waited, he would eventually get his answer. The Ghost was testing his patience and he too was determined not to let the prisoner win. Both men stared at each other, defying the other to let go first. Charlie watched, almost fascinated. It was like witnessing a clash between two titans. The silent confrontation was more intense and frightening than if they had actually fought physically.
The professor also knew that patience wasn't Don's greatest quality so he was quite impressed when his brother managed to hold on until Harper finally decided to talk. "The Biology department." He smirked. "But as I said, this won't help you much. You don't know what my man looks like and the place is big. Take me with you, I'll help you."
"Nice try but that's not gonna happen. You're going to rot in jail for a very long time." Don turned around to leave the room, stopped and faced the man again. "Oh! Did I forget to mention? We do know who your man is."
Harper looked at him, incredulous. "You're bluffing."
"Am I? Adam Kardali, 26 years old. Right now, every policeman in town has his picture." Don added, pinning him with his eyes. "Game's over, Harper." Two CIA agents entered the room.
Harper got up and stopped in front of Don. "You're very good Eppes. You and your brother have a perfect little act."
Don stepped aside as the agents took the prisoner away.
Wright watched as his brother disappeared at the end of the corridor then turned to Charlie. "For the record, Professor, I never lied to anyone to help my brother escape."
"I know that Sir, but that's all I could think of at the time." Charlie replied with a shrug.
Wright looked at the brothers with a half-smile. "Jack's right. You are quite a pair and you are very lucky to have each other."
Charlie smiled, glancing at Don. "We know."
--
Don called David and Colby then ran to his car, followed by his brother.
"Charlie, go home." He said as he opened the door. "I don't want you any near CalSci. Understood?"
"Don, I know the place better than anyone."
"We know where the bomb is, remember?"
"Amita and Larry are there. They're in danger because of me."
"No Charlie. They're in danger because a psycho decided it. Go home."
Charlie sat in the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt. Don muttered some unsavoury words that Charlie didn't quite get. Don glared at him quickly and started the car. "I don't have the time for this." He mumbled to himself.
Charlie called Larry and Amita on the way and both scientists confirmed they had left the campus. Seeing his brother sighing with relief, Don asked. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah"
"Good, now you know how I feel having you here with me. You should be with Dad, miles away."
"Yeah but you also know how we feel when we know you are in danger."
"Charlie, I'm not going to have this conversation again. This is my job. It's definitely not yours!"
"No, but it's my university. And I feel responsible for what's happening."
Don glanced sideways to this brother then focused on the road. A few minutes later, Don pulled over in front of the building next to the Biology Department. He couldn't go any further. The area was secured and they had to carry on by foot.
"It's alright" said Charlie. "Biology's just round the corner."
Another SUV stopped next to them and David and Colby got out. The four men ran inside the building.
The whole campus looked quiet. The drills organised on regular basis to evacuate the site in case of major earthquake proved to be useful. Students and teachers had left the university in record time.
Two bomb squad armoured vehicles were parked just in front of the building. Don also noticed two vans belonging to K9 units. They called the sniffer dogs, good.
The head of bomb squad came towards them as they entered the building. Don showed him his badge.
"Eppes, FBI. You found the bomb?" He said without preamble.
"That's the problem, Agent. We searched every inch of the whole department but there is nothing. The dogs didn't pick up anything either. There's no bomb here."
"Do you think Harper lied?" Charlie asked, a lump forming in his throat.
Don looked straight in front of him and shook slowly his head. "No. I'm sure he told the truth."
"So what?" Colby wondered.
"Kardali must have decided to change his plans… Charlie, where would you put a bomb if you wanted to cause a maximum amount of damage?"
Charlie scratched his head, thinking. "Well, there are several departments with very volatile or dangerous components. But the most obvious and easy to access is probably the chemistry section."
"Alright. And where is it?"
"Just on the... Come with me."
--
Charlie took them to a corridor and gestured towards the doors. "These are the labs."
The head of bomb squad, whose name was Johnson, ordered. "Okay, we need to check them all. Be careful, if you see anything suspicious, don't touch it. Don't take any risks."
The first labs were cleared. They moved along the corridor until David called. "This door is locked!"
"Don't force it open. It might be booby trapped." Johnson advised.
Don made a face and sniffed "Do you smell that? It's gas?"
"There are gas taps" Charlie confirmed. "Most experiments require that we heat the minerals or metals we work on to obtain a result."
"Alright, guys. You need to get out. This place is too unstable." Johnson said to the FBI agents while his men adjusted the helmets of their anti-bomb suits.
Don pursed his lips. "What if we break a window? This is the ground floor after all. We could get inside the lab easily."
"That's what we had in mind."
Don and the bomb technician ran outside. They cupped their hands against the window and peered inside the lab. A wire was running from the knob of the door down to the floor but they couldn't see what it was connected to. Johnson swore under his breath. He spoke through his microphone integrated in his helmet. "Craven, the door is definitely trapped."
"Can you see the bomb, Boss?"
He moved to the next window to have a better view. "It's under a table near the left wall. It looks like an incendiary bomb. We'd better have the fire brigade ready."
"What are you going to do? We need to go inside." Don said impatiently.
"Before breaking the window, we first need to secure it. The tiniestspark will ignite the gas, and with all these inflammable substances in this room we could have a flashover."
"What's that?"
"Every combustible surface in the room would catch fire. It usually happens in a matter of seconds and the fire can no longer be contained. If on the top of that the bomb explodes, given the hazardous substances in the room and the other labs, we would get a nice bonfire. And we'd better not be around if it happens."
He had just finished his sentence when two men arrived and started to stick large pieces of adhesive tapeagainstthe window.
"You should get shelter, Agent. This could be dangerous."
Don walked quickly to the corner of the building where the rest of his team was waiting. The bomb technicians broke the window then removed the tape with the pieces of glass stuck on them. One of the men carefully pressed his arm through the hole, unlocked the window then slid it open.
Don leant forward to watch the men's progression. They were climbing up the window and entering the lab with extreme caution. Their heavy suits didn't make their task any easier.
The agent turned to his team. "Kardali had to wait until everybody had left the campus to install his bomb. And it must've taken him some time to prepare it." He said, scanning the surroundings. "Not to mention that he likes watching his victims."
"Which means he's still here." David finished his sentence, looking around too.
"Yep." Don lifted his left wrist where his microphone was and said. "Heads up everyone. Kardali is still on the campus. Don't let him get away."
Suddenly Johnson's voice cursing loudly echoed in their earpieces. Don raised his microphone and asked, apprehensively. "What going on?"
"That SOB broke all the taps. We can't turn the gas off! " The man explained. "He used a mercury bubble as movement sensor. If we touch the bomb, it goes off. And there is a timer. It's connected in such a way that if we tamper with it, the bomb-"
"Goes off." Don sighed, nodding. "Okay. How long do we have left?"
"Ten minutes."
TBC