Page 51 of Jared

R.W. turned and gave her a sheepish smile. “I, ah, hadn't wanted to bother you. I'm supposed to meet with Steve Chang.”

Charlene gave a sniff and eyed him appraisingly. She narrowed her eyes. “How about we return to my desk and I'll give him a call? What's this about?”

R.W. reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his identification. “I'm with the local FBI field office and we're investigating a matter that seems to involve one of your maintenance men.”

Charlene visibly startled at that piece of information.

Ah-hah! Gotcha!

Charlene leaned forward. “Do you mean Silas? Is he all right?”

“I'm sorry, I can't say. I really need to speak to Steve Chang.”

“It's just that i've been so terribly worried. Well, we all have been, just, well, I'm Silas' sister, and he's not been home for a couple of days and it's just not like him...” her voice broke off into a near sob.

R.W. straightened. “You're his sister?”

Charlene nodded. “Different mothers, but same father, yes.”

R.W. sighed, then leaned forward to whisper, “Can you do the thing too?”

“Do the thing?”

R.W. fluttered his hands up in the air. “Yeah, the thing. You know, the thing.”

Comprehension flooded her features. “Oh shit,” she whispered. “I better make the call.” She lifted the phone and made the call.

“Shit, okay, hang on a minute!” Steve rubbed a hand over his eyes as he tried to make sense of the banging and shouting he heard. Jared sat up, startled.

“What's going on?”

“Hold your damned horses!” Demond could be heard yelling, his voice sounding from the hall.

“I don't know, I'll be right back, okay?” Steve said.

Jared clutched the sheet tighter around himself, alarmed at what could have brought someone to their door without so much of a call first, so early in the morning. He nodded and settled back down onto the pillows, trying to calm himself.

Steve didn't bother pulling on his pants, opting instead to simply walk out and see what was going on.Already his hearing was picking up low urgent tones and he realized with a start that Dale and Jeff were both at the front door.

He hurried into the room to be confronted with three very grave faces.

Desmond spoke first. “I think I best let these guys tell you what's going on. I'll go tell Jared and then get dressed in case you need me.” He hastened from the room.

“Man, sorry, but this was too urgent to just ring about. We figured you'd be here since you weren't at yours,” Jeff said.

“We've got serious trouble,” Dale added.

Steve cocked his head to one side. “What is it?” he busily wracked his brain trying to think of what would leave these two so flustered that they'd charge straight to him, without so much as a call or text first. Had he missed a text from his father? If not, what could be so important that his father didn't contact him first?

“Remember me asking you about Silas?”

Steve nodded.

“Well, it seems after your meeting at the coffee shop with those agents, he spoke to them.”

“He what?”

“Yeah, seems he was was there listening in. Should've noticed him, so if you want a new beta, I'll understand.”