No one dared speak until they were clear of the garage and everyone seemed to be doing their own version of calming repetitive motions. Happy fumbled with a socket set, Toby rolled a pair of dice through his fingers, Sylvester played with his Rubik's cube, Cabe drove more aggressive than usual and Walter calculated. Walter calculated equations that were almost too complicated to do by memory because anything less wouldn't calm him and he still couldn't get his hand to stop shaking.
"So what do you we do Cabe?" Toby asked when they had driven far enough away.
"If this is personal, he's going to want Walter alone but he'll still expect to see the team. Collins might believe the team split up to look for him, but he certainly won't believe that Walter came all by himself. So the plan is all of you (except Toby) will go with Walter until Collins says otherwise. Toby and I are going with Homeland to find a vantage point where we can watch. If all goes well, we'll have the sniper…disable Collins."
"That sounds risky" Happy said. "What if you can't get a clean shot?"
"That's what Toby is there for. We'll be on coms and it will be Walter's job to lure Collins out in the open. Toby you'll advise Walter on the best way to do this.
"I don't like this plan" Sylvester said frowning. "Paige could get hurt."
"Unfortunately we don't have time to set up anything else. The clock is ticking. Collin's will wait, but he won't wait forever and analysis suggests he may do something rash if he sees government surveillance."
"I'd agree with that" Toby said.
"Alright. We're about 1 mile from parking. Toby and I are going to get out here." Cabe said pulling the van to the side of the road. The team put the coms in their ears. "Walter take two and put one in each ear. He'll probably ask you to take out the coms but we still need to talk. Happy you drive." She nodded and climbed into the driver's seat.
"Let's bring Paige home safe" Cabe said sliding the van door shut.
Happy parked the van and the rest of the team silently climbed out. It was about a 2 mile hike to the abandoned relay station and the day was hot. Walter hadn't considered changing before they left, so his light blue button up shirt quickly soaked through with sweat and his expensive shoes obtained a layer of dust. About a half of a mile from the relay station Walter noticed a small camera mounted to a nearby tree. He walked up to it with Happy.
"Looks like we came to the right place" She said examining it. They found a piece of paper on the back of the camera which said
I've been watching you since you got out of the van. The team must remain behind where I can see them in the camera. If you try and trick me, I'll know.
"I'm surprised the message wasn't encoded" Sylvester wondered.
"Watch your back Walter. We'll be right here if you need us" Happy said as she placed herself in front of the camera.
Walter took a deep breath and walked the rest of the way up to the relay site. It was fairly large with 3 full levels with platforms, enclosed with chain link fence and covered in graffiti. No matter what happens he told himself Paige has to live. He walked up to where there was a hole in the fence.
"You can stop right there" Collins said from behind one of legs of the relay tower.
"Collins where are you?"
"Oh, right here" he moved out from behind the concrete support block (dragging Paige with him) and stood between the two pillars and underneath the cement platform. She was a little bruised, but otherwise unharmed. Walter locked eyes with her and felt relieved she was alive. She looked surprisingly calm for having been abducted. "Did you get all my messages?" Collins grinned at Walter.
"Yes."
"Of course you did! That's because you're smart. Unlike everyone else. No one could have figured out my code except for you. Your little stunt back at the Garage was clever Walter, but I still knew you would come."
"What stunt?"
"That whole 'we're going to the Nuclear power plant thing'. Where's the rest of the gang?"
"What do you mean?"
"Toby and Cabe?"
"We split up because we still weren't sure where you were. They went to power plant."
"Uh huh. Walter take the com out of your ear." He did so. "Toss it over here." Walter hesitated, then did as he was asked.
"And the other one."
"What other one?"
"Don't lie to me!" Collins shouted, tightening his grip on Paige's arm. She winced.
"Okay. Here." Walter took it out and got ready to toss it.
"On second thought, you keep it. We can all talk to each other this way." Collins picked up Walter's ear piece and put it in his ear.
"Hi everyone. Isn't this fun? Happy? How's the trail looking?"
"I swear I'm going to wring your neck Collins!" Happy shouted.
"Oh please." Collins rolled his eyes.
Walter was getting impatient. "I'm here. What do you want me to do Mark?"
"Do? Oh I don't know. I was just having so much fun that I didn't quite think this part of it out. I thought I'd wing it. See how we're feeling and go from there."
"Mark you're sick. You need help."
"I need help?!" Collins shouted again. "Why Walter it's you who needs help! You're the one that likes it. Let's face it. You had fun on Friday. The chase, climbing through pipes, playing my little game. You're bored all the time and I'm the only one who can help you reach your potential! With me around you get to engage all your brain." He flashed another sleazy grin.
Walter said nothing, knowing that on some level Collins was right.
"See! You can't even deny it."
"I don't enjoy you hurting my friends" Walter said seriously.
Collins face grew just as serious. "Ah. Well, nothing is perfect" He paused for a moment. "You know I have you to thank for this Walter. I had an idea of who was the most important, but I wasn't positive. I needed an experiment to make sure. Thanks for telling me."
"What do you mean I told you?"
"Come on Walter!" He said loudly. "You're a genius. Figure it out." Walter went through his thoughts until he had an answer.
"You set up…that whole thing on Friday…."
"Yes yes keep going! You're on a role."
"….to figure out which date I would put into the computer program?"
"Bingo!" Walter's heart sank. He should have known better.
"Collins, nothing is accomplished by doing this. Let Paige go and I'll do whatever you want."
"On the contrary, everything is accomplished!" Collins said wild eyed. "You've never known what it's like to lose something important. Why would I let Paige go? You won't learn your lesson if I do."
"Mark I'm sorry that I hurt you," Walter took a step towards the fence "but can't we talk about this? Why don't you meet me halfway?" Homeland is never going to get a shot off if he doesn't come out of there Walter thought.