Chapter Six
By the time Charlie had sorted and packed up his papers off Harold's desk, it was seven o'clock in the morning. Charlie clutched a binder to his chest and looked up and down the wall of numbers. "Are these social security numbers?"
"Yes," John answered.
"So that's how you knew I was in trouble, wasn't it?" pondered Charlie. "You got my number."
John nodded. Charlie studied the pictures of people and the numbers closer. His face lit up as though a light bulb turned on in his mind. "I heard rumors a while back, consulting with the NSA, about a new way to stop terrorist attacks. They really built it, didn't they? A machine," he mused.
John's absence of an answer was just as effective as one. "Mr. Finch," Charlie whispered.
"Yes?" Harold asked when he came in the room.
Charlie whipped around. "He knows," John explained.
Harold glared at John. "Mr. Reese, I—"
"He figured it out," John stopped him.
Harold looked at Charlie with a serious face. "You understand you can't—"
"—tell anyone, I know," Charlie finished.
)(
The professor had shook hands with John and Harold before departing for his hotel room. He stayed in New York for the next couple days to answer questions from the police. At the airport, Charlie waited for his flight to board, when his cellphone rang. "Hi, Don," he answered.
"Damn it, Charlie, why do you have to be such a pain in the ass?" Don complained. "You couldn't bother to answer your phone for two days? I was worried! Were you trying to give me a heart attack?"
The mathematician chuckled. "I'm sorry, Don. I was really busy with the police. How's Dad?"
"He's just as worried as me, if not more."
A voice from the overhead speakers in the airport said, "Flight 213 is now boarding from New York to Los Angeles."
"Don, I have to go, my flight's boarding," Charlie stated.
"Alright, but don't forget to call me when you land!" Don ordered, and ended the call.
Charlie grinned and put his cellphone in his pocket. He collected his luggage, strolled over to the clerk, and she verified his ticket. Before boarding, Charlie glanced up at the security camera in the corner of the room and smiled, knowing his new friends are watching over us all.
EvergreenGirl: Thanks for reading all the way to the end! :D Please review, I really want your feedback! Did you like it? What did you like or not like about it?