Intimidation
Missing scene to Angels and Devils

"You should have seen him, Charlie. The way he came at her... his eyes... Scared the crap out of me," Colby said, sounding just a little shocked and a little admiring.

"All of this because of the Burr puzzle? This prompted some sort of epiphany, an insight into that deluded girl's thought process?" Larry asked, frowning.

"Apparently. I mean, he knew exactly what to say. I have to admit, I didn't get why he was watching those damned psych interviews over and over again."

"To know your enemy, you must become your enemy," Don said, leaning against the doorframe.

The three men turned to him, expressions ranging from disbelief to confusion.

"Sun Tzu, The Art of War," he said, a cocky smile lighting his face. "I served her what Mason did. Those puzzles; they represent everything to him. Everything he said, everything he did was by conscious choice, like a game of chess; putting his pieces in play. He sent her to us. He knew we'd be watching. He knew we'd take her." He shrugged, waving a hand. "One of them, at least. So, that's what I wanted her to believe, and the only way she would was to serve it to her through Mason's doctrine. So I became him."

Colby nodded slowly. "Makes sense but, honestly, Don... You were scary in there. I mean..." Colby dropped his chin to his chest and stared at his hands. "If you'd come at me like that couple years ago? I'd have cracked."

Don walked in, a wide smile still on his face. "Nah. You were on the side of angels. And maybe I knew it too, didn't go so hard at you. Besides, after two years, do you really think you'd have blown it, destroyed your own sacrifice into nothing? I sure as hell don't," Don said more seriously.

"Well, I for one would like to never find out," Larry offered.

Don chuckled at that. "Charlie, we're done with Amita's statement. Maybe you should take her home.

The other two men grinned as Charlie ran from the break room and Don pushed a weary hand through his hair.

"Thanks, guys. You did good. Now go home. Get some rest. We're off for the next three days."

"You heading home too, boss?" Colby asked.

"Yeah. My dad needs a ride home and I need a beer."

Colby smiled crookedly. "Amen to that."

Fin.