Disclaimer: Don't own Numb3rs or the characters from Numb3rs. Jasmine is a figment of my imagination.

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Chapter Five – Flowers.

Colby stood staring at his apartment door. "What the hell is this?" he asked nobody in particular. Nailed to his door was a funeral wreath of flowers. He looked around for a sign that it was someone's idea of a practical joke, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He slipped his key into the lock. He checked to make sure nobody had been in his home, when he was satisfied it was safe, he placed his gun on the hall table, only then did he see the note laying on the floor inside the doorway. He opened the note, it said:

You're a dead man.

Colby blanched at the sight of the bold black lettering, he knew that this was a threat, not a joke. Nobody he knew would find this remotely funny.

He took out his phone and pressed speed dial number 1.

"Eppes."

"It's Colby."

Immediately on the alert at the sound of his agent's voice "What's up?"

"I, er, it may be nothing but, I er…" Colby stammered, he didn't want his boss to think he was some kind of drama queen.

"Spit it out." Demanded Don.

"I met Jasmine for a drink and I just got back to my apartment and there is a funeral wreath tacked to my door and a note saying you're a dead man. I'm sure it's nothing but…."

"If you thought it was nothing then you wouldn't be calling me on your night off. I'll be there in 30." With that Don hung up and Colby breathed a sigh of relief.

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Colby watched Don pull into the parking lot and walked out into the hallway to meet him.

"Hey, Don, sorry to call you…."

Don cut him off before he could finish. "Colby, it's fine, I don't like the sound of this. Show me." He led his boss back down the hallway of his first floor apartment and showed him the wreath tacked to the door, then silently passed him the note. Don pulled on a pair of gloves before taking it from his youngest team member. A look of concern crossed his face. "Have you noticed anything suspicious, anyone hanging around or following you?"

Colby shook his head, just then he noticed another car pull into the lot below and watched as David and Megan got out. He turned to look at Don. "Yup I called David and Megan. In light of the drugs related case we've been working I figured it couldn't hurt to take a closer look at this."

Colby wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried that his boss was taking this seriously.

When David and Megan entered the apartment they both glanced at him with concern as Don handed them the note.

"Do you really think this could be related to our investigation of the drug ring?" David asked him.

"I dunno but I am not willing to take any chances. Can you run this to the office and get one of the techs to check for fingerprints. Megan speak to the building supervisor, see if he's noticed anyone hanging around. Colby and I will speak with some of his neighbours." His team nodded and left to carry out the tasks they had been given.

An hour later Megan, Colby and Don sat in his sitting room.

"Supervisor hasn't noticed anyone strange but has promised to keep his eye out."

"Yeah same response from my neighbours. Sorry guys, this all just feels like such a waste of time." Colby looked embarrassed.

"Look at me." Said Megan "You have nothing to be sorry for, you did the right thing. OK?"

He nodded though still didn't look convinced, before Don could comment his phone rang. "Hi David… Nothing? OK, call it a night and head home, we'll see you tomorrow." He glanced at the remaining team members. "The techs found no fingerprints, perp musta worn gloves. They're doing some more tests and will have more in the morning. In the meantime, Colby perhaps you should stay somewhere else."

Colby shook his head. "No, I'm good."
"OK, but call if you need to, you hear."

"Yeah, I will." Colby locked his door behind them, sighed and headed to bed.

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"Hey man."

David glanced up from his computer screen. "Hey, you look like shit."

"Thanks, I feel so much better now. Didn't get much sleep." Replied Colby

"Not surprising." Said Megan coming into their cubicle followed closely by Don.

"Spoke to the techs, not only were there no prints, but the paper was standard printing paper which can be purchased at any stationery store. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about it." Said Don.

"Figured as much." Responded Colby. "Anything on the wreath?"

Megan shook her head. "Nope, the design is a common one used by lots of undertakers and florists in the LA area."

"Well that brings us nicely to a dead end."

"For the time being at least, but I want you all to be extra vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary immediately." Stated Don.

The others nodded their agreement.

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That night Colby met Jasmine for a drink, and told her all about the wreath.

"That's creepy, does that sort of thing happen a lot in your line of work?"

"Nope, first time in 3 years."

"What did Don say?"

"He's told us we all need to be extra vigilant, but there isn't a great deal anyone can do."

"Well just be careful, I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He smiled. "How are things with you?"

"I've heard nothing more from Jason since my lawyer filed the TRO and I've been looking at some premises to start up my own boutique. It's something I always wanted to do, but Jason preferred it if I stayed home."

"It's good that you're looking for something to do that you enjoy."

"Oh man, is that the time, sorry Colby I have to go, I'm meeting some friends for dinner."

"No worries. See you around."

"Take care." With that Jasmine left the bar.