#Chapter 80: Uncertain Goodbyes

"I'm sorry to get you in here so early," Charles said to the small group gathered in his office. "But I want to be sure things are set up to go if for some reason I'm gone longer than anticipated." There is a small silence as this sank in. "Surely you'll be back," Amy said, her eyes wide. "You're too high profile for anyone to mess with. It would cause an outcry." Charles shook his head. "I'd like to think that's the case, but I have no idea what's going on, so I don't know what I'm walking into." Sally was pacing slowly back and forth behind the couches we were sitting on, her arms crossed, and she was tapping her chin with her finger. "I think Amy has a good point," she said. "However, how many days would you like me to wait before I begin making your disappearance public?" "A week should be a good indication that something is wrong," Charles said. "We are supposed to be back right away, but then again, any kind of negotiation or talks tend to take time." He put