100 Theme Challenge - 16. Questioning

100 Theme Challenge
16. Questioning

“Don?”

With a start Don lifted his head from his arms and blinked a few times to clear his vision. Looking towards the door of his lab he saw Leo walking in his direction. A glance over his shoulder showed him that Casey was still sleeping.

“What time is it?” Don asked wearily, rubbing his eyes.

“After four a.m.,” Leo answered, coming to a stop next to Don’s table. Looking past his brother, Leo asked, “Any problems with Casey?”

“No, he’s been asleep the entire time,” Don said.

Leo’s eyes met Don’s, his brow furrowing slightly. “Have you been in here with him all night?”

Nodding, Don said, “What there was left of it. April kept me company for a little while.” Don flushed a little at this admission, both embarrassed and proud of the fact.

Leo smiled his understanding and then gestured towards the array of tiny parts strewn across the table in front of Don. “What is all this?”

Don straightened in his chair. “These are the components of the jewelry that Raph grabbed for me,” he said with animation. “It’s completely fascinating. This isn’t jewelry at all; it’s a very sophisticated miniature spy camera. The device gives someone the ability to see, hear and record anything within range of the wearer.

“Do you see the different sized chains? According to the information I found on the internet, men prefer a thicker chain for their neck wear as opposed to the delicate chains preferred by women. Raph grabbed a couple of each kind and that tells me the necklaces were meant for both genders.”

“How is that significant?” Leo asked.

“Look at the clasp,” Don said as he lifted one of the chains. “Remember the device we pulled off of Mr. O’Neil’s neck? I compared the pieces and confirmed that the clasp snaps directly into the mind control device. I think the Kraang are grabbing people and putting both the mind control component and the spy camera on them. I noticed that all of the men we rescued from the warehouse were wearing necklaces just like these.”

“Recruiting spies,” Leo mused, his agile mind jumping ahead. “That’s why they set up that false business. The more people they can turn into drones, the better their chances of finding April and us.”

“It isn’t just that,” Don said. “Think of all the things they can learn by having their spies infiltrate every aspect of life on Earth. The Kraang and their look alike bodies don’t fit in right now but imagine what could happen once they learn how.”

“We have to find a way to stop them,” Leo said. “Any ideas?”

“A few. I need time to work on them. The first thing I have to do is find a way to block the camera signal from each of these remote devices. It needs to be something we can wear or carry in our belts so that our hands are free in case we have to fight,” Don said. “The range will be limited because of size constraints, but I’m sure I can make them strong enough to work within a half mile radius.”

“Fashion one for April, Mr. O’Neil, and Casey as well,” Leo said. “We don’t need for any of them to be followed to our home, or for the O’Neil’s to be kidnapped again.”

A soft snore interrupted their conversation and both brothers looked over at Casey. The boy had rolled onto his side but was still asleep.

After a couple of minutes, Don said in a low voice, “It’s okay, we didn’t wake him. He’s a heavy sleeper.”

Leo was frowning, his eyes still on Casey. “Don, when you were with Raph and Casey, did either of them do or say anything that was unusual?”

“Unusual how?” Don asked.

“In their interactions with each other,” Leo said, looking at Don once more.

Not sure where Leo was going with his line of questioning, Don slowly answered, “No, they behaved exactly the way they do when they’re together here. Raph seemed peeved at having to leave us but I think that was just because Casey insisted on watching my back.”

“Raph didn’t want to separate?” Leo asked, his eyes narrowing.

“I think he was afraid he’d miss out on some action,” Don said with a short laugh. “Those two are very much alike; hit things first and don’t bother with any questions.”

Leo didn’t appear to find that humorous. “They could get themselves into a lot of trouble that way,” he said with slow deliberation. “It might be best to monitor them.”

“Monitor how?” Don asked, a sense of unease settling in his stomach. “Raph will resent it if you interfere in his friendship with Casey.”

“Then we’ll just have to be subtle in how we go about it,” Leo said with a sly smile.

“W . . . we?” Don stuttered, the weight in his gut suddenly ten times heavier.

“Raph’s your brother too,” Leo said smoothly. “For his own safety I think you should spend as much time as possible with Casey. He already seems as interested in hanging out with you as he does with Raph. The more frequently those two are grounded here by choice, the less likely they’ll get each other killed.”

“But . . . but I . . . .” Don began.

Leo clapped him on the shoulder and said brightly, “I know you’re a team player, Don. I can always count on you.”

Before Don had a chance to protest, Leo was gone. Staring at his work table with unseeing eyes, Don replayed the conversation with his oldest brother in his mind.

The more he thought about it, the more Don came to believe he’d just been manipulated.