Chapter 1 <- Chapter 11
I let off a breath closing one text book I’d finished and moving to the next. “You know there’s a difference between learning and memorizing right?” Amita pointed out with a scoff glancing at me over top her laptop screen.
“I am aware. One is knowing the other is understanding but for me they can understandably get intermingled” I explained as I began to go through the next book.
Amita nodded “you’re really stressing about this test you have to do for school huh?”
“Well it is kinda a big deal. The whole prospect of my graduating early is riding on it. That and me getting accepted into college” I explained.
“Oh really what are you looking to study?” Amita inquired.
“Mathematics like my uncle probably, maybe something a bit more hands on to” I explained.
“You know combinatorics is a great field” she offered.
I scoffed “if you don’t say so yourself”
We both giggled “seriously though you should look at applying for CalSci. You could stay local. They have a history of accepting young brilliant minds and programs especially made for those who have spotty school records.”
“You know Larry was saying something similar before” I voiced “maybe I will think about it.”
“Plus I’ve been considering staying at CalSci longer to get my second PhD in physics so you’d have another friendly face on campus other than Charlie and Larry”
“Seriously?” I thought about hanging around CalSci with the brainiac trio. “That sounds really cool”
“I think it’d be cool too and we could take you on a tour of the campus sometime even, you know, show you around” Amita offered.
I smiled “yeah that’d be great”
Just then my friend's phone went off and she answered it “hello? … yeah sure I’ll be right there.” she hung up and started packing her things. “Charlie needs my help for a case with Don.” she informed.
“I can come-”
“He said specifically not to bring you even if you asked. Sorry” Amita told me sympathetically.
“Ugh eighteen can not come soon enough” I groaned.
“There, there” Amita murmured teasingly, patting me on the shoulder as she headed out of the house.
______________________________
“You know when you offered to take me on a campus tour I thought I’d see more than the computer lab” I voiced as the trio finished retesting their flight route math for a third time in the CalSci computer lab.
“I’m sorry but this is very important for the case Don’s working on” Charlie breathed out then thought for a minute “by the way I would appreciate you not telling him I allowed you to help with this math”
“Don’t worry Uncle C, unlike some people I can keep a secret” I muttered. The man shot me a look but let the subject go as we all mulled over what we might have missed.
“I don’t get it,” Uncle Charlie declared finally from his seat on the table behind where Amita was working. “The aircraft should have originated from an airfield that the FBI checked out”
“Maybe they didn’t use an airfield” I suggested from where I sat next to the computer. “Like a highway or something”
“Well then there would have been witnesses” Amita pointed out to the contrary.
“You know, here’s where I get reductive on your ass,” Larry spoke up standing “cause you keep saying aircraft but so far no one’s been able to identify whatever it was that people saw.”
“What are you saying, Larry?” Amita questioned.
“I’m saying instead of building a flight path, let’s try focusing on the object itself,” Larry suggested.
“You know what?” Charlie spoke up, hopping off his table “he’s right.”
“Wait, you're agree that it could be a UFO?” I inquired of my uncle.
“No, but focusing on the craft might yield better results.” The man explained coming over “We could get a visual of the object by building in all the radar sources at the same time, yes, civilian and military.”
“So overlap the radar sources?” Amita clarified as she began to type into the computer.
“That’s right” Charlie confirmed “by layering the images we could build a three dimensional cross section of it”
Amita typed on the computer for a moment and we all leaned in to see “there” she finally declared “now it’s working off of all seven radar sources.”
“And it’s building an image of the object,” Larry added.
We watched as slowly an image began to appear. What we saw looked surprisingly Sci-fi. “Charlie? Is that what I think it is?” Amita inquired.
“Larry I’m sorry I doubted you” I muttered.
“Now, le-let’s be very, very careful” Charlie stammered “we shouldn’t jump to any conclusions or make any assumptions. There could be any number of reasons why that looks like-”
“A vehicle from another part of the universe” Larry finished Charlie’s statement.
___________
3rd POV.
“Hey Charlie” Don greeted his brother knocking on the door to the office space the professor was using in the library.
“Hey” the young brother replied, writing on a piece of paper.
“What’s up?”
“Just grading tests for my Nonlinear Dynamics class.” Charlie informed.
“Glad to see you’re taking my advice and having some fun” Don commented.
“Well, you don’t look like you’ve been having too much fun” the younger brother pointed out, eyeing his brother as Don sat down.
Don sighed “aw man this Gosnell case. Not to mention Abby has to take that test today in school to see if she can get out early.”
“I’m sure she’ll pass” Charlie reassured “and you know Amita’s already talked her into applying for CalSci”
“Yeah I’m just stressed on her behalf I guess” the older brother explained “and anyway with this case I just had to tell a guy that his dad died” Don let off another breath slouching in his seat.
Charlie put down his pencil and turned to give his brother more of his attention “I spent all that time trying to figure out where the plane went. Turns out the pilot didn’t even know, because the rudder was busted.”
“See, that’s the thing” Don explained “I got to find out where he was headed, ‘cause I think that’s why he was killed. You got any ideas? Anything at all?”
Charlie sighed packing up his papers and standing “maybe. Could I, uh could I get some data off the flight recorder?”
“Yeah, I mean, I can see if, uh, Erica can drop some by.” Don offered. “Maybe Amita can help you out” A small smile came to Charlie’s face at the suggestion and Don couldn’t help the knowing grin that came to his face. “Dad said she’s sticking around.”
“Did he?” Charlie asked, turning to his brother.
“Well, you happy about that?” Don inquired.
“Um, are you asking me as her thesis advisor or..?” Charlie ended with a slight chuckle.
Don scoffed at the blush forming on his younger brother’s features “you tell me”
“Yeah, I’m happy,” Charlie admitted.
They were quiet for a moment then another thought occured to Don “hey, what’s the deal I thought you were playing golf today.”
“Oh no.” Charlie quickly replied “you know, I’m really no use on the golf course.”
Don sat up as his brother took the seat across from him again “Charlie you know why he likes playing with you, don’t you?”
“I have no idea” Charlie voiced “because I-I’ve got to be the worst golfer in the history of the game”
Don shook his head surprised that his genius of a little brother could be so clueless sometimes “No. it’s the one time he gets to teach you something. You understand?” he explained “I mean I’m learning for myself that it’s not easy raising a genius. That’s his one time” Don wasn’t sure Charlie got what he was saying but just then his phone went off “oh excuse me” he stood up to take the call. “Eppes”
“Don” David’s voice answered “the forensic report from Gosnell’s workshop just came in. We found David Croft’s fingerprints all over the shop.”
“But I thought you said he hadn’t seen him in years” Don questioned confused.
“And so he said” David replied
“All right, look, uh, take a team, pick him up” Don instructed, rubbing his forehead and the bridge of his nose with his hand “I’ll meet you at the office, okay?”
“You got it,” David agreed before hanging up.
Don pocketed his phone again “alright kid I got to go. See you later” he called to Charlie who nodded his farewell before Don was out the door.
_________
“I pass the dang test and as a reward I get to come out here and watch you all golf in this heat” Abby complained “that’s so not fair”
“Ah come on kid a little exercise never hurt anybody” Don objected “maybe you could try it out for yourself”
“No thank you” the teenager replied edgily heading toward the bench with her backpack full of reading material.
“Where’s Chuck?” Don asked, realizing his younger brother was not in sight.
“I don’t know last I looked, he was right behind us.” Alan replied looking around. “Oh there he is” he voiced when they spotted the younger man coming up to the bench at another angle.
“Hey dad,” Charlie called, dragging his clubs up the incline. “Your clubs weigh a ton”
“Are you kidding, I've used those clubs for ten years” Alan replied looking in his own golf bag as Abby made herself comfortable on the bench. “There’s nothing wrong with them”
“Dad, they’re older than he is,” Don pointed out, going over to look in Charlie’s bag. “I don’t even think they make wood clubs anymore.”
“Yeah I know” Alan said “but each one of ‘em’s got a great sweet spot.”
“Put ‘em in a museum,” Don commented.
“Eh, when Charlie gets better, I’ll buy him a set of his own” Alan offered.
“Well isn’t that encouraging” Abby muttered already part way through the novel on her lap.
“Come on, Charlie, maybe this is the day you’ll par a hole.” Alan suggested.
“I’d just like to get the ball in the hole. That’s all” Charlie stated as Don came over to sit next to his daughter on the bench.
“So you passed the test” Don spoke to his kid as Alan talked to his. “What’s next?”
“I wait and hope CalSci accepts me,” Abby declared looking up from her book. “But who knows if that’s going to happen.”
“Well aren’t you pessimistic” Don muttered.
“Well Donald I had to get it from somewhere” Abby replied with a smirk.
“Yeah your mother” Don stated with a slight grin.
“Funny she said the same thing about you” Abby advised and the pair shared a laugh as Charlie came over to join them.
“Alright Alan show us how it’s done” Don called to his father and the three watched as the eldest among them swung the golf club.
Chapter 13 ->
Chapter 1 <- Chapter 10
My foot tapped repeatedly as I sat in a chair outside the principal's office. I had no idea why I had been called out of my english class to be here. Not that I was complaining about being taken out of a monotonous lecture on adjectives and adverbs.
“Hey Abby” I looked up as the door opened and Mrs. Clive was there looking down at me. “Come on in”
I grabbed my backpack and walked into the office, Clive closing the door behind me. Principal Brick was sitting behind his desk. I always thought his name fit his features with how square his head was.
“Take a seat Abby” he offered, I nodded and sat down. Clive took the seat next to me. “I’ve heard a lot about you Ms. Calvin from Mrs. Clive here as well as your other teachers. Many of whom are concerned about certain behavioral issues you’ve shown since joining us here.”
“If this is about that fight in the cafeteria I thought we had that sorted out I mean I didn’t cause it” I quickly defended myself sitting up in my seat.
“We know Abby, that's not what we’re talking about” Clive reassured me.
“Then what is it?” I asked, growing suspicious.
Brick sat forward resting his hands on his desk. “To be completely honest with you Abby, originally we were led to believe by your social worker, a Mr. Grant, that your behavioral problems would be expected considering your history with the foster system and problematic past parent situation.” I shifted in my seat “however, Mrs. Clive has brought a different perspective onto the situation”
My head snapped to look at the teacher. She had a light smile on her face “I got into contact with a friend of mine Michelle Wiat she’s a principal at an elementary school it turned out you attended. She told me about the advanced courses she put you in College Algebra, Calculus. As well as your IQ testing she provided all the documentation as well”
There was a moment where my brain was flustered hearing Ms. Wiat’s name again after so long. Then I finally collected my thoughts “so what does this mean? Are you finally putting me in advanced courses?”
“Not exactly” Brick objected “we believe at this time that this school can no longer provide what you need to learn”
“In other words we know you’re not thriving here” Clive cut in “so I’ve arranged here with Mr. Brick for you to possibly test out of high school”
I was stunned at the news but felt excitement bubbling within me “serious like no more school?”
“Part of it will require you to continue your education somewhere else such as college, university, or career center but you will no longer be attending high school” Brick explained.
“This is awesome,” I cheered excitedly.
“Don’t get too excited you’ll have to take a test to prove you’re capable and that’s only if your father approves all of this” Clive clarified.
I felt my excitement hit a wall “my father?”
“Yes we’ll be sending you home today with a note detailing everything and asking for a parent teacher conference to discuss any other issues that may come of this” Brick informed “since you are still a minor you can’t just make these decisions on your own”
“Right” I murmured as Brick handed me a letter.
“Don’t worry Abby this will all work out and then we’ll get to see what heights you’ll truly be able to reach” Clive reassured me with a hand on my shoulder. As I looked at the paper I didn’t feel as sure.
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
3rd POV.
Abby sat out in the hallway at school. She was reading Twelve Years a Slave. The nine year old had been kicked out of her 4th grade class for calling another kid an asshole after he broke her pencils.
“Abigail” she looked up at the familiar disappointed voice of the principal.
“Hello” the girl greeted. “Call me Abby”
The principal, Mrs. Wiat, sighed and sat down next to the girl. “Whatcha reading?”
“Twelve Years a Slave” Abby replied, showing the teacher the book cover.
“Advanced book for someone your age” The principal voiced genuinely surprised.
“It’s a good read but I feel bad for Solomon. He just wants to escape his captivity.” Abby voiced “he didn’t ask for any of his problems he just got dragged into it”
“Do you relate to him?” The woman pressed sensing something.
Abby shrugged and didn’t make eye contact. “Maybe a little”
“Abby, you know calling people mean things is wrong” The principal explained.
“But he broke my pencils,” the girl defended.
“I understand but lashing out isn’t the answer” Mrs. Wiat kept her voice even as she spoke. “Abby, you've been fighting with other kids and not doing your homework. Is there something going on at home? Something you want to tell me?”
The girl shook her head quickly “no nothing”
“Okay” the principal nodded. “Then why don’t you do your homework?”
“Because isn’t the point of homework to practice the stuff you learn in class?” The fourth grader asked.
“That’s right,” the principal nodded. “Which is why you need to do it to learn.”
“But I already know the stuff,” Abby objected. “I mean I get perfect scores on the tests so why do I have to do the homework?”
The principal found herself speechless at the fourth graders logic. “Because it factors into your grade”
“Well what's more important in school for me to learn or for me to get good grades?” The girl challenged.
“Abby” the principal sighed. Then a thought came to her “I want to send a note home with you for your mother” the principal explained “I want to talk to her and get you in a more advanced program at least for your reading level maybe math also”
“Does this program have homework?” Abby questioned.
The principal chuckled lightly “Unfortunately Abby all of life has homework.”
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Abby POV.
“What you think he’ll say no?” Charlie asked as he moved some papers around on the table.
“I don’t know what he’s going to say,” I exclaimed, my chin resting on the table the note from my teachers in my hands. “That’s the part that bothers me.”
“Well then I suppose the only way to resolve that would be to ask him” Charlie argued. I let out a breath in a huff. “Listen Abby, you've been arguing to learn more advanced curriculum since you got here and I’d wager even before then. This is a great chance for you. I’m sure Don will see that and let you test out okay?”
“Yeah” I murmured. “Don’t tell him about this though I want to be the first one to talk to him”
“My lips are sealed” the mathematician vowed as he typed on his laptop.
A moment later Alan came in from the kitchen and I folded the note and stuffed it in my pocket. “Hey,” he greeted “Charlie whatcha working on there?”
“Sabermetrics” Uncle C replied with a sigh “baseball math found on a dead man’s computer Don’s having me look at it for a case”
“Oh” Alan murmured a little put off from the dead man fact. He walked up behind Charlie peering over his shoulder “What do these formulas tell you?”
“The ones I’ve recovered indicate that the Dodgers are not on the right track to win the pennant next year” Charlie informed.
“Like you needed math to figure that one out, huh?” Gramps muttered.
Charlie chuckled “no”
“I heard that, uh, Don was leaning towards the wife.” Alan voiced.
“That’s right,” Charlie confirmed.
“Seems to be the first place they look nowadays” Alan mused.
“I don’t understand” Charlie agreed “I mean, if you hate the person you’re married to that much, get divorced.”
“Even the thought of divorce holds its own special horrors, let me tell you” Alan sighed.
“Well, you and mom never thought about- I mean, I was never witness to any kind of-” Charlie stammered as his father leaned on a chair.
“That’s exactly the way we wanted it.” Alan explained. Charlie shifted in his chair, eyes still fixed on Alan urging him to continue “well, it was a long time ago, we, um. We had a little rough patch there for a moment, but we got through it.”
Charlie closed his laptop slowly and I looked between the two men wondering where this conversation was going “how rough a patch are we talking about?” Uncle C questioned.
“It was when you were 13 years old,” Alan offered willingly “and you went off to Princeton.”
“Mom came with me,” Charlie added.
“The separation was pretty hard on both of us” Alan admitted “and aside from the money matters, there was this irrational jealousy. Anyway, even the possibility of divorce was never discussed, because we loved each other too much.”
“I don’t remember any of it,” Charlie murmured. “I don’t even remember a raised voice between the two of you.”
“That’s because your mother and I both agreed that we wouldn’t stress you or Don any more than we had to.” Alan explained sitting down. “Charlie that’s how parents argue in front of their children; they disguise the big things as little things.”
Charlie was quiet for a moment looking at his work. I stood up and made to leave the room a churning feeling in my gut. “Abby you alright?” Alan called after me.
“Yeah, yeah fine I just, homework” I lied horribly but Gramps didn’t seem to be questioning it and I didn’t really give him time to before I was bolting up the stairs.
I collapsed on the bed in Don’s old room. Charlie going to college early had put a huge strain on his parents' lives. What kind of strain would I be putting on Don if I graduated early? In all my nagging why hadn’t I considered how this would affect Don. After everything my mom went through and sacrificed for me growing up was I really going to make my other parent sacrifice for me too? Let alone one I’d only known for less than a year?
I groaned and grabbed the pillow covering my face. When did my life get so complicated?
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
3rd POV.
Abby sat bored in yet another class at school. She glanced at the clock and sighed. Wondering how difficult it would be to slip out a side door during a passing block. The public library wasn’t too far from the school and it would be open at this time.
Then her mom's words came back to her. She glanced around the class all of whom were still working on the algebra assignment she had already finished. How was she going to become friends with any of them? Most of them were upper middle class with well to do parents. Nice clothes, new backpacks, and cell phones. Abby wore thrift store clothes, had an old backpack that had seen better days, and never had a cell phone in her life.
The bell rang jogging her from her thoughts. Gathering her things Abby headed out into the hallway. Going to the freshman lockers to ditch her stuff from algebra and grab her English stuff.
They were reading “Of Mice and Men” which she had already read years prior. She remembered every word and had told her teacher as much but the woman had still insisted that Abby bring her copy to class everyday. Despite the obvious redundancy.
“Hey gutter kid” Abby heard the call and turned just in time to get hit in the face by someone’s backpack. “Oops looks like Miss smarty pants isn’t much of a quick thinker.”
Abby recovered quickly and looked to see who had thrown the bag. She wasn’t surprised to see a gaggle of laughing popular kids not far off. She looked down at the back pack and reared punting it down the hall.
She smirked broadly as one of the kids ducked and another got a face full as she had.
“Why you little” One of the kids came at her, pinning her to the locker. She kicked out on reflex and before she knew it a fight had broken out in the hallway.
When a teacher finally showed up and pulled them apart. Abby was shocked that he first turned to the kid who had started it.
“What happened?” the teacher asked them.
“She attacked me-“
“I did not you liar!” Abby objected loudly.
“You be quiet” The teacher ordered her.
“But I didn’t-“
“Come on I’m taking you to the office now” the teacher ordered. He grabbed Abby’s arm and led her down the hallway.
Not long after she was sitting outside the principal's office. She could hear everything going on inside.
“She has a history of ditching” the teacher, Mr. Simons, was saying. “And now she’s picking fights.”
“Abby skips because she isn’t learning anything in her classes if you put her in the advanced class-“
“That girl shouldn’t even be in regular classes,” Simons objected. “And don’t act like she’s some genius from the look of her I’d say she skips to go out drinking and do drugs-“
“Don’t you dare talk about my daughter like that!” Janice yelled.
“Settle down both of you and Simons sit the hell down” the principal suddenly snapped. Then continued in a quieter but not any less tense tone “What exactly did Chris say happened?”
“That she attacked him in the hallway” Simons stated “unprovoked”
“Alright and what did Abby-“
“Why do you need any more convincing? It’s obvious what happened! What are you going to trust the word of some delinquent that can’t be bothered to show up to class or the straight A quarterback.”
“My daughter is no liar!” Janice exclaimed. “She doesn’t go to class because she already knows everything that’s being taught cuz you refuse to put her in the advanced classes”
“Do you really think a girl with elementary school education like Swiss cheese is actually going to make it in an advanced class?” Simons scoffed arrogantly.
“She can remember everything that she’s ever read perfectly just ask her” Janice shot back.
“Will you two stop!” The principal exclaimed and sighed. “I’m putting both students involved on temporary suspension”
“What!” Simons exclaimed. The office descended into loud bouts of indiscernible yelling. Abby closed her eyes and tuned them and the world out the best she could.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
“You alright?” Charlie asked hesitantly as him and Don left the Lorman group headquarters.
“Yeah” Don murmured “It’s just all this stuff about predicting human potential I can’t help thinking about how it’d impact Abby you know?” he explained as the pair loaded into his SUV. “I mean she doesn’t really talk about it but I got enough from her social worker to know that her and Janice lived in some not great neighborhoods growing up.”
“And this predictive model would have slighted against her despite her potential” Charlie inferred.
“Exactly I mean she’s incredibly smart” Don explained “and I’ve been trying to go to bat with her regarding these advanced courses and stuff. Like, you were already in college at her age and she’s that same kind of smart. I just want her to have all the opportunities she deserves.”
Charlie chuckled slightly “you know this side of you Abby brings out it- its kinda weird”
“Yeah? Good weird or bad weird?” Don inquired.
“Definitely good weird” Charlie assured.
Don sighed “I guess I finally just understand what Mom and Dad meant when they said they wanted the world for us, you know. And that’s what I want for Abby” Don explained and Charlie smiled working very hard to keep his mouth shut about Abby’s letter from her teachers.
_____________
Don glanced up at Abby as she ate her fries, her eyes scanning over the book she had laying on the table. They were eating dinner in their apartment now that he was back from the long case he’d just worked. The man took a deep breath deciding he had given her enough time “so I talked to Ms. Clive today and set up the time for the parent/teacher conference”
Abby’s head snapped up so fast he was a little concerned “how did you? Did she tell you? Uh…” she fumbled over her words.
Don scoffed setting down his burger “Abby, first off my job is to figure things out second off if you want a secret kept your uncle is the last person you should tell” Abby groaned putting her head in her hands and muttering a curse word or two towards Charlie. Don chuckled lightly “the only thing I don’t get is why you didn’t tell me. I mean, this is what you’ve been after forever I thought you would have jumped at it”
“I was and I am… excited” Abby replied carefully biting her lip nervously which made Don shift in his seat. “It’s just… I know me going to college early is a big deal and it’s going to change things for me a- and for you and I didn’t want to make your life harder than I already had”
Don was surprised by the confession and even more concerned as his daughter refused to make eye contact with him. He thought about what to say and only one thing came to mind “Abby I want the world for you” he told her.
The girl looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting her father’s “what?”
“Listen I don’t care if this is going to change some things. Because I’m here for you” Don explained “Listen, I appreciate the concern but it’s the parents job to worry about the kid not the other way around or at least not until I’m old and gray” a small smile spread on Abby’s face.
“Thanks Don” Abby told him.
“Yeah, of course” Don nodded and he could tell Abby felt a lot better. Not just from this situation but it was like another wall had fallen down, chain had been released. And for him it was like another puzzle had been solved, another crisis averted. For both another step toward being family.
Chapter 12 ->
Chapter 1 <- Chapter 9
I slammed the door as I came trudging in from the backyard. My grandfather looked up at me from where he was leaning on the counter.
“In a mood are we?” he asked.
“I’ve just been banished from the garage by Charlie and Larry,” I explained grumpily. “Apparently their working on something I can’t see but my book is in there somewhere”
“Somewhere?” Alan questioned “don’t you remember where you put it?”
“I remember where I put it but it has evidently been moved in the course of their work” I informed.
Alan sighed and straightened up “well come on I’m sure I can negotiate for its rescue”
I smiled slightly “thank you”
He led the way out into the backyard and over to the garage. “Charlie you in there?” Alan called as we approached the door then he looked around the door frame “hey your niece needs her book that you two moved around in here” he explained.
“Alright” Charlie sighed “she can look but I don’t want her messing with any of this” he gestured vaguely at the chalkboards and papers he had spread about.
“Wouldn’t dream of it” I muttered looking around for my book.
“What are you two geniuses into now?” Alan asked, looking at the work. “And what are my old city planning maps doing out like this? What’s happening?”
“To me it looks like they’re working in probabilities based off the variables and labels. I'd say some kind of public location” I informed looking behind one of the chalkboards.
“Abby what did I say?” Charlie snapped uncharacteristically.
“Jeez I was just looking not messing” I stated in defense.
Uncle C sighed looking exceptionally stressed “no one’s really supposed to know.”
“Charles, perhaps it would be best to inform your father and the enigma of the impending Armageddon.” Larry objected.
“Armageddon?” Alan questioned as Charlie muttered words of anger to his friend “No, don’t tell me you two spotted another one of those asteroids hurtling towards the Earth, huh?”
Alan was joking but my stomach began to churn as I took a closer look at the math. All the locations were big public areas. Soft targets.
“Several thousand, actually, but that Armageddon we have decades to resolve” Larry objected to my grandfather’s statement.
“Charlie what is he talking about?” Alan questioned with a chuckle.
Charlie was about to brush his father off when he was cut off by the high pitched exclamation of his best friend “a truck carrying nuclear waste was hijacked. Yesterday.”
“What?” Alan questioned.
That was when all the pieces clicked in my mind “wait so the locations you’re narrowing down their possible targets aren’t they?” I asked in shock. “My God”
“Now wait a minute” Gramps spoke up “why didn’t I hear anything about this on the news?”
“Because they’re not telling anyone” Charlie muttered with a pointed glare at Larry.
“What do you mean they’re not telling anyone?” Alan asked with slightly irritation edging his words. “How the hell are people supposed to protect themselves? And what does she mean about targets?”
“In the first place, uh, we- we’re not even sure that there, that there is a bomb, so-”
“A bomb?!” Alan cut his son off.
“Well, we don’t know where it’s going to go off.” Charlie advised.
“Well, maybe not. But I would suggest that, uh, people quickly taking a ride out of town in an easterly direction might be of help right now.” Alan stated.
“Well, possibly not, with these current wind conditions.” Larry mused.
“Look, an evacuation without information will lead to mass public panic.” Charlie pointed out.
“Well, speaking for the huddled masses, I’d rather not have some government official making that decision for me right now, thank you very much” Alan declared, picking up one of his maps off the table which revealed my book underneath. “And what are you doing with my maps?”
“You really are something, you know that?” Charlie snapped at Larry. The two began to bicker as I stepped forward to grab my book. Then Larry finally got a word in edgewise with a sharp point.
“He is a planner and she a budding mathematician”
Charlie turned to his dad who was looking at the maps and realization seemed to dawn on him. “You know what, Dad?” he called “you can help us.”
“How can I help you?” Alan questioned. “Charlie, I’m not a physicist and I’m certainly not an expert on nuclear contamination.”
“But you were a city planner” Uncle C pointed out walking over to the man “you know about urban density, and these are your maps.”
“And another person to run equations would be quite helpful,” Larry added, looking to me. I picked up my book with a sigh.
“I wanted to help. Now I wish I didn’t need to” I muttered Larry just nodded in understanding.
We continued to look over the maps and crunch numbers Charlie and Larry guiding me through some of the more complex calculations. Then Charlie's phone rang. “Hey Don” we all turned to him surprised. “Well don’t we have-” a glance at his watch “-six hours… they pushed it-” he turned to those of us in the room “Ah, he needs to know now.” I looked to the boards raising my hands to my head in complete panic. There was no way to be sure, multiple possibilities.
“Well, we still have algorithms to test and variables to explore here” Larry objected.
“Okay, um… okay, we’ve pinpointed seven likely targets” Charlie spoke into the phone “there’s one in Westwood, there’s two in Century City.” Charlie paused as I presume Don spoke to him on the phone “Downtown. Okay. He needs downtown so,” we all eyed the map pointing out the two possible targets. “Okay, there’s, there’s, there’s two. One in Driscoll Plaza and another in Angeles Square.” Charlie looked at us after seconds of tension “he needs one just one, one of them” Charlie murmured.
“Statistically, they’re both of nearly equal probability,” Larry explained.
“Math can’t tell us which one” I breathed out.
“Right. Mathematically, we have no justification for choosing one over the other” Charlie explained just as Alan reached over and grabbed the phone away from his son.
“Donnie, go with Angeles Square.” The man declared into the phone “I know what Charlie says, but I know these maps, and I would choose Angeles Square. It’s the height of the buildings. It creates what we used to call an urban canyon. The air currents through the buildings spread the radiation much further. If I wanted to inflict as much damage as I could, that’s where I would go. Angeles Square. I’m telling you.” Alan pulled the phone from his ear.
“Great now we just sit and hope” I muttered leaning on the table. Releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
_______
“Well we didn’t do so bad today, did we?” Alan asked, coming over to the table a bit more chipper than any of us.
“No, today, was good.” Larry voiced. “But what about tomorrow?”
“Yeah and Don was still very close to a bomb that could have had nuclear material so” I shrugged picking at the frayed end of the ripped knee of my pants as they were pulled up to my chest.
“Yeah, uh, you know I think I understand why you like helping Don so much.” Alan said “it’s not a bad feeling” he paused. Me, Gramps, Larry exchanged looks as the curly haired young mathematician in the room stayed uncharacteristically quiet. “What’s the matter, Charlie? You’ve got that look that you get when you can’t stop worrying about something”
“He’s right. You seem a little perturbed” Larry agreed.
“You’re still not mad about my pulling that phone out of your hand, are you?” Alan questioned.
“I was going to say Driscoll Plaza,” Charlie admitted. “Before you grabbed the phone out of my hand I was- I was about to say Driscoll Plaza, and I would’ve been wrong.”
“Oh” Alan murmured around the bite of food in his mouth “well, come on, Charlie. I was the one that didn’t give you the right variables. You know, the heights of the buildings.” Alan reassured. “Listen, if you’ve got one failing, it’s only that you don’t think like a criminal. Of course, what does that say about me?” he chuckled slightly
“That you’re a great influence” I replied sarcastically.
“I would’ve been wrong,” Charlie murmured again.
__________
3rd POV.
Don pulled up outside his brother’s house and hopped out of his car. His pace only slowed slightly when he saw Abby sitting on the porch reading. She looked up at him.
“Did you catch ‘em?” she asked.
“Got the guys not the cesium” he replied grabbing the door knob then paused. “Wait how did you..?” she bit her lip and glanced toward inside “ah damn it Charlie”
“It wasn’t his fault. Blame Larry’s fear and my nosiness if anything” she objected.
“So if Dad was helping I’m guessing you were as well then?” Don inquired and she nodded. He growled “Abby you can’t do that and if I wasn’t in a hurry you’d be getting an earful right now alright.” he flung the door open and headed inside Abby hurrying behind him.
He stalked over to where Charlie and Larry were seated at the table “alright we have the guys but they aren’t telling us where the caesium is we think it’s still on the truck and in our perimeter but we have no idea where they stashed it.” He quickly briefed them on the situation.
“Larry and I have been doing some research on tracking radiation signatures.” Charlie replied as Abby took a seat at the table “now between the sense that scan from planes and those you could install at random points in the area, we would be able to triangulate a location for that radioactive material.”
“All right, well, that’s great” Don felt some of the anxious energy he had been feeling coming in here ease away. “How long would it take?” it started coming back as the three geniuses in the room all shifted in their seats.
“Like a.. Like a week.” Charlie replied “or maybe two.”
“A week? Charlie, the truck is leaking radiation, you understand?” Don said insistently.
“He’s right, Charles.” Larry spoke up “I mean, these casks were not designed to contain cesium for extended periods of time. This material in particular has an insidious method of attack.”
“Which is?” Don prompted sitting down next to his daughter.
“Look, even in small amounts, whether ingested or inhaled,” Larry began to explain they spread throughout the entire body, they invade and destroy the soft tissue. Longer exposure and we’re talking acute radiation poisoning; the Walking Ghost phase.”
“That sounds bad,” Abby muttered almost to herself.
“The Walking Ghost phase?” Don questioned that tension within him building again.
“Yes, like the people in Chernobyl. Somebody starts feeling nauseous, they vomit, they start feeling better, they think they are better. But no, it’s- it’s just a grace period. A week later, it’s internal bleeding and certain death.”
Charlie let off a breath leaning back in his chair and Abby brought her knees up to her chest in her seat. “You said you have the guys that stole the truck, right?” Charlie asked, getting to his feet.
“That’s right,” Don agreed.
“They don’t know where it is?” the mathematician questioned.
“Well, Charlie, they’re not talking.” Don explained.
“None of them?”
“No. they’re trying to use the truck as leverage if anything,” Don told them.
“They had a plan going in.” Charlie determined.
“We got ‘em separated. We’re trying to play them against each other, but” Don sighed dread creeping into his gut.
“What about putting them together?” Charlie suggested.
“No, Charlie.” Don objected “you keep suspects isolated in the dark. That’s how it works”
“I understand that.” Charlie clarified “that, that’s not what I’m speaking about. I’m actually talking about something completely different. I’m talking about something called The Prisoner’s Dilemma”
Abby straightened behind Don and Larry nodded “game theory”
“Game theory” Charlie parroted his friend and continued “the mathematics of decision making. How to achieve the optimal outcome from a complex situation. So for instance, um” the man thought up an analogy “say two people were to commit crime. Now, if neither of them talk they each get a year. If one of them talks, he gets no time at all, and the other guy gets five years. If both of them talk, they each get two years. So you see, unless they can trust each other not to say anything talking is the best strategy”
“Yeah, but I already told you they’re not talking” Don pointed out.
“Well, maybe that’s because none of them realize how much the others have to lose.” Charlie advised.
“Risk assessment” Abby muttered.
Charlie smirked slightly at his niece's insight “precisely.”
_________
“I mean it was pretty impressive” Don voiced as he and his family left the restaurant. “These are three hardcore dudes, and Charlie’s up there scibbling all these crazy equations”
“Crazy equa..? You hear that, Dad?” Charlie muttered as Abby started to giggle “Crazy equations. Now, I did a risk assessment analysis based on a model used to determine a bank’s exposure to mutual credit obligations. That’s what I did.”
“Yeah, it’s a compliment. I mean, the point is, is that they bought it.” Don explained.
“Don’s right. I mean the important thing is you’re getting the truck back. Isn’t that enough?” Alan pointed out.
“Yeah, I mean, you know, you can get an award for a performance like that” Don congratulated.
“A per..? It wasn’t a performance” Charlie objected. “It wasn’t a scam. That was math. That was actual math. I don’t make this stuff up.”
“Want to hear about math?” Alan chimed in reaching into his jacket pocket “here, here’s math. Dinner was $102 divided four ways is 25 bucks apiece. Pay up.”
“Wait I’m a minor dependant I don’t have money he does” Abby objected pointing at her father who pulled out his wallet.
“Actually I gotta hit an ATM. I don’t have any cash” Don replied.
“Now that’s a scam” Alan complained and the men descended into bickering as Abby laughed.
“Hey keep laughing and I will make you pay your share” Don threatened. “Especially since I’m considering grounding you”
“What?” Abby questioned her laughter quickly fading.
“I told you I didn’t want you helping on cases math or not and you didn’t listen” Don replied firmly even though the expression on Abby’s face was beginning to weaken his resolve.
“But I was helpful I didn’t get hurt there was no way for me to get hurt” Abby defended “what’s so wrong with crunching a few numbers in the garage every now and then”
Don sighed biting his lip “because your sixteen and I don’t want you getting dragged head first into my world of guns and destruction”
Abby looked to the ground and opened her mouth. Don got the feeling she was about to say something poignant but she hesitated and instead closed her mouth looking back up at her father with a determination that caught him rather off guard.
“Fine I’ll stop whining about working on big stuff for now but once I’m eighteen I’m getting my clearance and you can’t stop me” she declared.
Alan and Charlie both smiled slightly at the girl's stubborn statement. Don sighed knowing there was no way he was changing her mind. So instead he hooked her around the shoulders pulling her into his side as the family continued down the sidewalk “alright kid but right now you’re still grounded.”
Chapter 11 ->
Chapter 1 <- Chapter 4
“You didn’t think to tell him first?”
“Well I did but unlike Charlie he doesn’t live here”
“Sometimes it feels like we live here”
“Ain’t that the truth. Maybe I should give him a call later”
“Oh no don’t do that”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to see his face when he finds out” I replied grinning broadly as I looked at my grandfather over the back of my chair in the sitting room.
“You know you have a liking to trouble that alarms me sometimes” Gramps muttered. I just shrugged. There was a knock at the door and the man straightened “alright now get up and make yourself look presentable” he instructed heading for the door I got up and stood off to the side as he opened the door.
“Hello” the woman at the door greeted.
“Hi you must be Ms. Collins yes?” Alan smiled politely and let her in. She nodded in response looking around the room as she entered. “I’m Alan and this is my granddaughter, Abby”
“Nice to meet you, and call me Meredith please” She smiled at us and extended a hand that I shook politely.
“So I was thinking we could start in the back of the house, go through inside and then head outside” Alan suggested.
“That sounds like a plan” the woman agreed “but I can tell you I already like this entrance space very open and welcoming”
“Oh thank you” Alan smiled then led her toward the back hall. The woman started to walk and he turned to me “you keep working on your homework. I don’t want to come in here and find you reading another mystery novel”
I let off an exasperated breath but surrendered at his stern look. He hurried after the real estate agent and I headed back over to my seat. Not long after Charlie came in and headed straight upstairs not even acknowledging my presence. I sighed and continued filling in the pointless pages of my english workbook when the door opened again.
“Hello” Don called into the house.
“Hi” I called in reply and he came over to my chair to look over my shoulder.
“English huh?” he asked.
“Vocab workbook” I explained “not only do I use a majority of these terms in my normal venacular a third of them I don’t plan to use and all of them I can literally just read the definition of and have it memorized I don’t need to fill this out”
“You do need to” Don objected “for a grade not for your brain”
“Yeah but isn’t school supposed to be about the opposite” I grumbled.
“Yeah well, life ain’t always like that kid” he commented, messing up my hair as he straightened and Charlie came into the room.
“Hey” the younger brother greeted the older. “Tell me you found Emily Burdick”
“No, I’m sorry buddy not yet” Don replied.
“Who’s-” my question was cut off by Alan’s voice reaching us from the kitchen.
“Hey, take a look at this. Here in the kitchen, I put in the new sink myself, and the, uh… I did the tile work.” Alan was explaining.
“Oh it’s beautiful work” Meredith complimented “I like how you’ve preserved the original Craftsman detail.”
“Oh, hey, boys” Alan greeted as they entered the foyer I closed my workbook and shifted around onto my knees in the seat to watch the show.
“Hi,” Charlie spoke first “we didn’t know you were home”
“Meredith, my two sons” Alan introduced “this is Don and Charlie”
“How are you?” my father greeted, shaking the woman’s hand.
“Hi Don” the woman replied and turned to the younger brother.
“Hello” Uncle C shook her hand as well.
“Hello Charlie” she smiled.
“Pleasure” he assured.
“Oh, Meredith would you mind going upstairs for a minute?” Alan asked politely “I’ll be right with you”
“Sure” she responded and headed off waving to me in greeting as she passed.
“What?” Alan asked as he turned to see the faces of his two sons.
“Nice, she’s cute,” Don pointed out with a grin. I had to try and keep from laughing.
“What’s going on?” Charlie asked, seeming amused “What is this?”
“Oh, come on Charlie. Don’t you remember we talked about this?” Alan sighed in annoyance and I no longer worked to hide my giggles which earned me a look from the men.
“Talked about what? No” Charlie replied in confusion.
“I’m sorry, I should have made sure you were paying attention when I was ta-”
“Don’t apologize, Dad.” Don objected, cutting his father off.
“No you have no idea what this is all about, trust me” Gramps told his eldest.
“I don’t think we want to know,” Charlie scoffed.
“Well you have to know” Alan tried to explain, shooting me annoyed looks as I continued to laugh at the scene.
“No, we don’t, Dad” Don started “Look you’re allowed a private life”
“Wait a minute. Just hold it a second” Alan finally intervened “this is not a date”
Charlie then began to draw bad conclusions it seemed as Don shot me a look “oh, my… Dad, what are you telling me? That this woman is a pr-”
“Real estate agent” Alan cut off the word about to leave his youngest son's mouth.
“Oh right” Don murmured in realization as I finally got control of myself.
“I’m confused. Are you dating a real estate agent?” Charlie asked.
“I thought you were supposed to be a genius” I muttered from my seat.
“Hey, you, homework,” Don ordered pointing to my workbook. I gave him an annoyed look in response. “No, Charlie, he’s selling the house. Right?”
“Yes” Alan nodded.
“Why? I- I live here. You live here.” Charlie objected.
“Don’t you remember?” Alan inquired “I said I wanted to find a smaller place for myself, maybe a condo.”
“I remember that, sure.” Charlie murmured.
“And you need a place of your own” Gramps continued.
“Yeah but I didn’t think you were serious” Uncle C explained growing irritated “you can’t- you can’t sell our house.”
“What are you saying?” Don turned to his brother in confusion.
“The market is at its peak right now.” Alan attempted to explain to his youngest who was not happy.
“Yeah but I live here” Charlie reiterated.
“We are living- We are living on a very large part of my retirement savings” Alan declared
“He’s right,” Don agreed. “Prices are high believe me I looked around”
“Can we- do me a favor-” Charlie continued to ramble as Meredith came down the stairs.
“I like how it looks upstairs; it’s great,” she explained. “I love the solarium”
“Oh you haven’t seen the outside” Alan told her.
“I do my best work in the solarium” Charlie commented seeming rather dazed now.
There was some clanging from the pipes overhead “oh, that’s the heating system.” Alan told Meredith “it’s a little temperamental. It needs a little finessing. I’ll show you later” with that he led her out the door with one last look directed at his sons continuing to talk to the woman.
Don looked over at me “I take it from the maniacal laughter earlier you knew about this?” he asked I shrugged “uh huh, thanks for the heads up”
“I can’t believe this” Charlie murmured and Don’s focus turned to him.
“Look, relax” Don reassured his brother, “I got a great apartment in a good neighborhood. You’ll find one too”
“Then why are you over here all the time?” Charlie questioned.
“Because of that one for a start” he gestured to me “and because I’m making sure you let dad have a life” he declared heading into the dining room.
____________
I raked a couple more leaves toward the pan and let off a breath “you know I have homework to do. I should really be inside.”
“Ah ah nice try” Alan objected quickly. “You’re helping. Though I do find it ironic you only ever do your homework to get out of doing something else”
I shot him an annoyed look and continued to rake the leaves scattered about the yard as Alan dumped the tray into the trash bag Charlie held. “You know, Dad I’ve been checking around. You were right about the house. You were right.” Charlie spoke up.
“Yeah, the real estate lady said that this property on the current market, I can expect competing bids.” Alan explained.
“Dad, am I, uh… Do I bug you?” he asked.
“What? What kind of a question is that?” Alan looked to his son confused.
“Well, it’s just, you know my math work, and uh..” Charlie cleared his throat as Alan unloaded another tray of leaves into the trash bag “I never listen, and I’m always in my own world.”
“Well, that sort of makes you the ideal housemate, doesn’t it, Charlie?” Alan pointed out “plus you contribute more than our part-timer over here” he gestured to me.
“I’m contributing” I held up my rake as proof. Alan gave me a look as he held up another tray of leaves he had raked.
“I just wanted to make sure.” Charlie sighed
“Make sure of what?” Gramps asked.
“You’re selling the house because you want to do it for yourself.” Charlie clarified.
“No, Charlie, I want to do it for both of us,” Alan informed.
“I thought we were having a good time,” Charlie continued.
“We are” Alan agreed “It’s just this house is so big, and it takes so much work to maintain it. And besides you’re almost 30. Don’t you think it’s about time you found a place of your own?”
“I love this house,” Charlie said.
“So do I” Alan sighed “but still, the both of us we have to move on” Charlie nodded “alright now you two finish up here I’m going to go make us something to eat”
I sighed and started raking the leaves more now that Alan was gone. I glanced over at my Uncle’s saddened face “you really do love this house a lot huh?” I questioned.
“There’s a lot of good memories here” Charlie informed “history”
I shrugged “I don’t really get that. Bonding your history to a place. Growing up with my mom we were always on the move. I was thirteen when we got our own stable place that actually was ours not a transition or one of her boyfriends places. I never really had a place that was home”
“I’m sorry” Charlie murmured.
I shrugged “just because I didn’t have a place doesn’t mean I didn’t have anything. Maybe if I did i’d hate to lose it too”
“Yeah” Charlie nodded and looked back at the house with a sigh.
__________
3rd POV.
Don sighed entering the Burdick’s kitchen where Ethan was pouring himself some coffee before heading back to work with Charlie and Amita on the fake algorithm. The mathematician's hands were shaking and he missed the cup slightly splashing hot coffee on his hand. He winced, nearly dropping the cup.
“Here let me” Don intervened taking the coffee pot and mug filling it as Ethan grabbed a towel to wipe his hand off. The frightened man let off a shaky breath.
They were silent for a moment before Ethan spoke up “do you have any children Agent Eppes?”
Don was caught off guard slightly by the question. “Yeah” he nodded “a daughter she’s sixteen”
“Then you understand” Ethan voiced turning to the agent “Emily is everything to me. Is there anything you wouldn’t do for your daughter?”
“No” Don murmured without even having to think.
“I have to get Emily back no matter what and- and if she dies-” he choked on his words. “I can’t lose her”
“I know.” Don sighed “I only met my daughter about two months ago and I can tell you it- it changed everything for me. There was this one time she went missing it was only for an hour or so but for me it felt like an eternity. I couldn’t think straight I- I was terrified with a kind of fear I’d never felt before and- and she was okay. So I can’t even begin to imagine what this is like for you. But I can promise you I will do whatever it takes to try and get your daughter back to you. Okay?”
Ethan took a deep breath “okay” he grabbed the coffee mug and started to head back to the table to work but paused looking back at Don. “What's your daughter’s name?”
“Abby” Don replied. Ethan nodded and continued out to the table leaving Don there in the kitchen with his thoughts.
______________
Don came into his apartment with a sigh glad to finally be back after working so hard on the case. “I’m home brought dinner” he called, setting the pizza he’d gotten down on the counter. Abby appeared after a moment from upstairs.
“What’d you get?” she asked hopping onto a bar stool as he grabbed a beer from the fridge.
“Meat lovers”
“Yes!” she cheered, folding the box and grabbing a slice. “Grab me a Mountain Dew” she asked while he was in the fridge and he pulled the can from the shelf in the door and sat it on the counter. “Thank you”
Don popped the lid off his beer and went to get his own piece of pizza. “You get your homework done?”
“Yes” Abby grumbled “finally. I swear they give me more just because they know I hate it”
Don scoffed “yeah I thought the same thing in school and I wasn’t a genius.”
Abby hummed “So guess what Charlie told me.”
“What?”
“He’s buying the house from Gramps” Abby informed.
Don looked at her shocked “no way”
“Yes way” Abby nodded, “apparently he has a lot saved up since, you know, he’s never had to pay rent or anything before and he liked the house so…” she shrugged, taking a sip of her soda.
“Huh” Don muttered.
“I’m glad,” Abby declared.
“Yeah why’s that?” Don asked.
“Spend a lot of time there and it’s a cool house” Abby explained.
“Fair enough” the man conceded.
“Don’t you care about it?” she asked.
“Yeah but you know it’s just a place right? I moved out ages ago.”
“Doesn’t seem like it”
“Well, yeah alright” Don muttered giving Abby a look as she smirked. “Seriously though working with the FBI I moved around a lot guess it helps you realize that what they say is true”
“What they say?” Abby questioned.
“Yeah” Don shrugged “home isn’t really a place it’s a people”
Abby smiled “well I like you people” she declared.
Don chuckled “me too kid” and he raised up his bottle a bit and Abby tapped it with her soda can for their own little toast.
Chapter 6 ->