A DISH BEST SERVED COLD

Terry leaned into the room to find Charlie exhaustedly sleeping on a chair, paper covering his chest. Obviously he had fallen asleep while trying to work out one of his equations. Under normal conditions Terry would have smiled and walked away, but she knew he needed to hear this.

"Charlie," she called out, hoping to wake him up.

Charlie moved a little but still didn't wake up.

"Charlie," Terry called a little louder.

Suddenly she remembered. Don had told her once that you could never wake up Charlie by calling at him. That he remembered having to yank the covers and shake him awake when they were kids. Quickly Terry moved into the room and touched Charlie's shoulder. Giving him a slight shake, she pulled back as he jerked straight.

"I'm up...I'm up," he said groggly. His already messy hair stuck out at strange angles. Then as though reality seeped back in he exclaimed, "Terry! How long have I been asleep?" he stood up, "I was just at a possible breakthrough...have you found anything out from the tape?"

"Yeah, Charlie," Terry replied neutrally, "We've made some developments."

Charlie barely glanced at her as he walked to the board and began to write.

"We found out who we think has Don."

Charlie stopped. He turned around so quickly Terry thought for a moment he had whiplash. In a quick motion he was inches from her, his eyes hopeful and scared at the same time.

"Who? Who do you think has Don?" he exclaimed.

Terry pulled back slightly.

"We believe it may a Simon Winters," she replied seriously, "Does that name ring any bells with you?"

Charlie shook his head.

"So Don never mentioned the incident?" Terry questioned.

"No, what incident are you talking about?" Charlie demanded.

"It happened at the academy," Terry explained, "Don, and the other missing agents prevented Winters from...harming a woman in our class. The incident not only had Winters kicked out but he was forced to see a psychiatrist for his problems."

Charlie stared at Terry in disbelief.

"So you think...you think this guy may have kidnapped Don and the others for revenge?" he said.

"Yes," Terry replied, "Right now David's at his house looking for any evidence that could lead us to Don."

Charlie sat down.

"He never told me," he muttered, "I mean I know there are a lot of things Don hasn't told me but..."

"Charlie, listen to me," Terry said, walking over and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Don never expected something like this to happen. None of us did. But I promise, we're going to get him back."

Charlie looked up at Terry. He allowed a grateful smile to cross his lips.

"Thanks, Terry," he said. Then in morbid curiosity he asked, "Who was the woman?"

Terry looked at him uncomfortably, but was spared answering when her cell phone rang.

"Lake," she answered, "Really!...okay, get a team down there. Yeah, I'm on my way."

Hanging up she grinned at Charlie.

"David may have a lead," she said, " So let's get your dad and we'll go catch up with David."

Immediately Charlie jumped up with new hope. Terry followed him as he ran to get Alan. Silently she prayed that they would find Don alive, and she'd get the pleasure of catching whoever did this to him.

Back                         Home                              Numb3rs Main Page                          Next

Your Name or Alias:      Your E-mail (optional):

Please type your review below. Only positive reviews and constructive criticism will be posted!