H3XAGON KILL3R

Don walked briskly out of the kitchen, trying to get his thoughts together. He knew his dad had only been trying to help, but it just wasn't working. It was his fault that Charlie had been hurt, plain and simple. He had failed to do his job. He had failed as an older brother.

Don sank wearily on the couch. Sighing he buried his face in his hands again. He had always been taught not to become emotionally involved in cases. It impaired judgement and performance. However, no one prepared you if a case involved a loved one. No one taught you how to remain stoic when you were at the breaking point.

" Don," a voice called out, interrupting his thoughts.

Uncovering his face Don watched Charlie dump a pile of papers onto the coffee table.

" Charlie, what's this?" he started forgetting everything that happened for a second. Returning to the annoyed older brother persona.

" This is the answer," Charlie replied smiling.

He took a seat next to Don and added, " At least part of it."

" Charlie, what are you talking about?" Don asked looking at his brother, " What is all this?"

" This. This is the writings I was doing while in the catatonic state," Charlie replied calmly, " And these are the writings that are I think are going to solve the case."

Don looked over at Charlie in disbelief.

" Charlie, I..."

" Listen, Don, you said it yourself that you want to catch the guy. For all we know the attack on me was a seperate issue. Another matter that is not part of the equation."

" But..."

" Look, man, I'm just trying to help. I don't know why that's bothering you!"

" Because, it puts you in danger!" Don yelled standing up, " Because I don't want my little brother hurt."

Charlie looked up at Don in disbelief. Stretching against the couch, he tried to think of something, anything that would convince Don. Minutes passed.

Finally he said, " You put your life on the line every day. If it's a case you ask me on, I always calculate statistics of success and failure. Half the time it shouldn't end up like it does."

Looking up toDon hecontinued, " You have the strangest way ofmaking the impossible possible. Maybe it's my turn."

Don turned from his brother's penatrating stare. Was Charlie telling him the truth? Did he have a streak for beating the odds? He had never thought of it before. He was just doing what he had to do.

Turning back to Charlie Don answered, " I'm not going to put you into anymore danger."

" What danger? The most I'll do is go to your office and complete the equation."

" But what if...whoever shot at you comes back. What if you remember what happened? What if..."

" What if you can't protect me?" Charlie asked reading his brother's mind, " I have complete faith in you, Don. As for the other factors. It's all in the probability. I seriously doubt whoever shot at me would do it again, if I was on the company of federal agents. And the return of memories? The probability is higher for their return, but so what! They're just memories."

Charlie looked at Don earnestly. He knew his brother didn't want him to go. Don didn't want him to help out on this case. But Charlie knew he had to. The equation he had written proved it. The pattern was subtle and brilliant. Unless you were a mathematician it would be difficult to find or stop. As far as he was concerned, Don would need him. Charlie was ready.

" I don't know about this," Don said pacing.

" But..."

"But," Don interrupted, " I seriously doubt I'd be able to stop you."

" So you'll let me help."

Don nodded, " But only by explaining the equation. Nothing else."

" Nothing else," Charlie agreed trying to hide his smile.

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