A DISH BEST SERVED COLD

David walked into the bureau office, fresh from a rare,good nights sleep. Looking around he was suprised to see that Don hadn't beaten him here. In fact hardly anyone was here. Suprised David checked his watch to make sure he wasn't to early for his shift. His watch read six-thirty, and shift started at six-fourty-five. Rubbing the back of his neck, David yawned, and sat down at his desk. At least he could get some paperwork done before going over the missing person files. He didn't have to wait very long.

"Morning, David," Wilkins said as he walked in, "Where's Don?"

"No idea. It's not like him to be late for work," David said, voicing his concern at Don's continued abscence.

"Technically he isn't late yet," Wilkins replied as he threw his jacket over his chair.

"Still this is Don we're talking about," David replied.

"True,"Wilkins added, "But we're used to Don sleeping here, or not sleeping at all. The man's moreof a workaholic than I am."

David nodded as his phone rang. Picking it up he answered, "Sinclair."

"David, hi," Terry's voice answered over the phone, "Do you know where Don is?"

"Hi, Terry, no. He hasn't come in yet," David replied, "Why do you ask?"

"He hasn't!" Terry exclaimed, "I can't reach him on his cell phone."

The warning bells went off in David's brain.

Looking over at Wilkins, he covered the reciever and said, "Call Don at his home. Now."

Seeing the instant emergency Wilkins did so immediatly. It took only a minute before his face fell grim.

"He's not picking up," Wilkins replied.

David turned to look at his desk. Don wasn't at home, he wasn't here, his cell phone was off, where else could he be. He could be at his Dad's, Charlie's place. David thought to himself.

"Terry," David replied, "We tried calling Don, he isn't at home. I'm going to try Charlie's place..."

"Don't bother I already did," Terry replied.

David's face fell. Something was definitly wrong. Don would never, never leave himself unable to be contacted. Something had happened as soon as he left work, something bad. David suddenly realized that Terry was still talking.

"What?" he replied.

"I said I'm taking the first flight out of here," Terry answered.

"Terry, I don't think that's such a good..."

"Do not tell me what's a good idea or not, David!" Terry shot, "I'm coming to help find Don."

David could tell from the tone of her voice it was pointless to argue. He conceded saying, "Alright. I'll send a bulletin to the area hospitals. If Don was in an accident they'll know about it."

"Good. I'll see you soon, David," Terry replied and hung up.

"Yeah," David agreed as he hung up his phone.

Looking up at the expectant Wilkins he said, "Get a bulletin with Don's decription out to the hospitals."

"Yes, sir," Wilkins replied, and headed off.

David leaned back in his seat. The warning signals still hadn't subsided but they weren't as harsh. Picking up his phone, David decided to make a few calls.

Don opened his eyes warily. The room was dark and he was definitly not in his bed. Must have fallen asleep on the couch he thought to himself. He made a motion to get up and felt a throbbing pain echo through his head as fell back in the seat. Instantly the memories of last night rushed back to him. Pulling away from the chair, Don saw that he had been handcuffed to a metal pole and that the handcuffs were tied to the chair. His feet were free but his legs felt cramped and sore.

Donlooked at his surroundings but the room was too dark to make anything out. Hebecame aware of movement nextto him. Turning his head hepeared into the darkness.

"HEY!" he calledout, hoping to get the attention ofa person. His voice alone echoed back to him.

"SHOW YOURSELF!" he called again. Again only his voice echoed back to him.

Don turnedback to the darkness in front of him. He felt so eyes began to close involuntarily. Immediatly he heard a scratching noise. Jerking awake, he looked around the room again. Nothing followed and his tiredness began to take , just as he closed his eyes he heard the scratching noise.

"WHO ARE YOU!" he called out to the darkness, but nothing answered except his lone echo.

Finallyhis exhaustion took hold. This time heignored the scratching noises.

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