DANGEROUS TIES

As soon as the car stopped Charlie raced to the building.

" CHARLIE!" Don yelled jumping out and running after his brother, " CHARLIE, STOP!"

Charlie paid no attention, however, as he raced into the factory. He had to warn Larry. He raced into the building. Don ran after him, suprised that he couldn't keep up. Whatever was going on had definitely pushed Charlie's adrenaline levels high. Don ran into the building and stopped dead. The place was empty and silent. Charlie stood frozen right in the center.

" Charlie," Don called out.

The younger man looked back. His breath was coming in short gasps as he looked at Don. Don could see the confusion and fear in his eyes.

" It's gone," Charlie said, " The research...Larry. He was here. He said he would be here. Don...what if something..."

Don walked over to Charlie. Placing a comforting hand on his shoulders he firmly led him out. The younger man gave no effort to stop him. He eyes just searched, confused and fearful. Don could hear him mumbling.

" It's okay, Buddy," Don said as he led him to the car, " I'm sure Larry is fine. For all we know he's at home, or someplace safe."

Charlie looked back at Don. His eyes held an almost angry fire.

" Don!" he yelled, " Do you not understand! The project is gone! Christina is dead and Larry's missing! He...he could be..." Charlie sank into the back seat.

Don looked at his brother. He tried to analyze Charlie's reaction. he had never seen his brother flip out like this before. It worried him.

" Charlie, I'm taking you home," he said.

Charlie looked up at Don.

" NO," he protested, " You can't! We need..."

" We will find him, Charlie," Don said dangerously, " But we can't have you help in the state your in."

Charlie looked defianatly back in Don's eyes. His body trembled, but Don couldn't tell if it was from anger, exhaustion, worry, or fear. Finally Charlie lowered his head and surrendered. Satisfied Don got in the car and headed to his Dad's house.

On the way he stopped at the burea office. Getting out he took David aside and said, " Listen, I want you to get some agents and see if you can find Dr. Fleinhardt."

" No problem," David replied. Looking back at the SUV he added, " Do you think he's in as much danger as Charlie claims?"

Don sighed, " I don't know. None of this makes any sense. First of all I've never heard of a student getting shot in broad daylight, without anyone seeing something. Then Charlie's reaction, and the whole project thing. I just don't know, David."

" I'll see if I can find any information on this project of theirs," David said, " Maybe it would explain Charlie's reaction."

" Good idea," Don replied, " See what you can find. I better get Charlie home."

David nodded and walked towards the building. Don went back to the car and got in. Turning on the engine he backed out and headed home. As he drove he thought of hundreds of ways to start a conversation, but none of them seemed to work. He looked back at Charlie sitting, staing of into space, calculating unseen variables. Finally Don pulled into the driveway. Charlie opened the door and slid out. He didn't say anything as Don also slid out of the drivers seat and followed him inside.

" Dad," Don called out, a little suprised that Alan wasn't glued to the front door, " Dad, where are you?"

" Kitchen," came the reply.

Don and Charlie headed for the kitchen and were hit by a suprise. Sitting at the table hitting Alan's pawn with his rook was Larry.

" Larry?" Charlie gasped, trying to keep the suprise and relief out of his voice.

" Charles," Larry said warmly looking up at his friend, " Where have you been? I came over to talk to you about those equations you gave me and..."

Charlie walked over to Larry and placed a hand on his shoulder. The older man drew back suprised and said, " Charles, are you alright?"

" Yeah," Charlie said tears of relief glimmering in his eyes.

" Charles? What happened?" Larry said, standing up completely confused.

" I thought...I thought," Charlie started, unable to put it into words.

" We thought you were in danger, Dr. Fleinhardt," Don said taking charge.

Larry looked at Don in complete disbelief. He managed to mumble, " You can call me Larry, Agent Eppes."

Don nodded, " Alright...Larry. I'm sorry to inform you, but a student was killed at the CalSci building. A student whom Charlie claims worked with both of you on a special project."

Larry visibly pailed. Staring at Charlie he gasped, " Christina."

Charlie nodded. Larry sank in the chair in disbelief.

" You think the project had something to do with it, Agent Eppes?" Larry said waving his hand in Don's direction.

" What project?" Alan finally said watching everything in silence.

" That's what I've been wondering," Don replied.

Larry looked at Alan and back to Don. Folding his hands he seemed to be contemplating how best to answer. Finally he said, " I'm sorry. But Charles and I were sworn to secrecy."

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