S4 Episode Nineteen: "Numbers and Faces"

The warm glow of the café’s lights reflected off the wooden tables, the scent of fresh coffee and pastries lingering in the air. The “Closed for Private Event” sign hung on the door, a shield against the outside world. Inside, the Chase family and their closest friends had gathered, the tension of the past days melting into quiet laughter and relieved smiles.

Charlie sat near the counter, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She should have been relaxed. But her mind was still working through everything that had happened.

Her eyes flicked toward her brothers, who stood near the corner of the café, talking with Lance and Melody. She found her gaze lingering on Adam.

Alias.

She took another sip, then set the cup down and stood—time to get some answers.

Charlie found Adam in the hallway near the back exit, away from the others. He didn’t hear her approach—not at first. He was lost in thought, his arms crossed, shoulders just slightly too stiff. The same way she had seen Alias when he was deep in planning during the encounter with House 21.

Gotcha.

“So,” Charlie started casually, leaning against the wall. 

“How long were you planning on keeping it a secret from me?”

Adam stiffened. Just barely. But it was enough. He turned his head, raising an eyebrow. 

“What are you talking about?” he asked, a bit too nonchalantly.

Charlie smirked. 

“Oh, come on, Adam. I’m not an idiot,” she said with a tilt of her head. 

“Alias?”

His expression didn’t change. 

“That’s ridiculous.”

Charlie snorted. 

“Right, because it’s totally normal for a mysterious masked vigilante to show up working with my cop older brother when my life is on the line, gamble against House 21 like he’s been doing it for years, and—oh yeah—look like he wanted to punch Jack in the face just as much as you did.”

Adam didn’t respond right away. He was too good at keeping his mask on, but she caught it—the flicker of something in his eyes.

Doubt.

“…You can’t prove anything,” he finally muttered.

Charlie grinned. 

“I don’t have to. I know. Besides, I spent long enough during the better part of last night staring at the lower half of Alias’ face to recognize that stupid goatee.”

Adam sighed, rubbing a hand down his face, lingering on his chin. 

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” he asked.

“Nope!” she beamed. 

He exhaled, shaking his head. 

“Fine. Let’s say—hypothetically—that you’re right…” he began.

“Hypothetically,” she echoed while making huge air quotes.

“…Then you’d understand why I can’t let this get out.”

Charlie’s teasing faded just slightly. She crossed her arms. 

“I do,” she stated firmly.

Adam met her gaze, searching for any sign of doubt. 

“That includes Mom and Dad.”

“Oh, trust me. I’m not telling them. Mom would ground you for life,” she said as her smile broadened..

Adam let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. 

“Yeah, no kidding.”

She nudged his arm. 

“Look, your secret is safe with me. But just so you know?” 

She arched an eyebrow. 

“You owe me for this.”

“Owe you what, exactly?” he said as he narrowed his eyes. 

“Was rescuing you from the clutches of a gambling den not enough for you?”

Charlie grinned. 

“That was a team effort, but I’ll let you know when I think of something.”

Adam rolled his eyes, but there was relief in his expression.

Charlie’s smirk softened. 

“Seriously, though. Be careful, Adam.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Adam gave her a small nod.

“Always.”

She punched him in the shoulder. 

“And tell Lance to fix your helmets so people can't see your face!” she said. 

“If I can recognize your mug then other people might.” 

Adam thought to protest on her clearly correct assumption that he was working with one of his best friends, but decided against it. 

“I'll put it in the ol’ suggestion box,” he said with a laugh. 

The two walked back toward the main cafe floor, Charlie giving her brother a quick side hug before she went to their parents. Adam walked over to where Lance, Melody, and Noel stood just in time to catch their exchange. 

“I was just thinking about something…” Noel began. 

“Are you two available on Friday? There's this new Mexican place down the street that is doing a special that evening.” 

“I should be free,” Lance said with a shrug. 

“I'll just have to see what else is going on that night.” 

“I have Fridays usually pretty clear for anything,” Melody said. 

“I've been wanting to check them out too!” 

Noel gave a mischievous grin. 

“Good, well I'm actually not free Friday,” she said. 

“You two go without me and enjoy your date!” 

With that she fled the scene, giggling to herself as she went, leaving Lance and Melody dumbfounded. 

“Did she just…” 

“... set us up?” 

“No one is safe from that one…” Adam said with a chuckle, shaking his head as Lance and Melody processed what just happened.

“Pretty sure that was entrapment,” Lance muttered.

Melody covered her face with her hands. 

“We walked right into it,” she sighed.

Adam patted Lance’s shoulder. 

“Have fun on your ‘not-a-date date’,” he laughed.

Before Lance could say more, Charlie appeared, grabbing Adam’s arm.

“Come on,” she said under her breath, tilting her head toward their parents and Cody. 

“They want to talk about the money.”

Adam frowned slightly but followed her across the café. The Chase family sat at a corner booth, a mix of relief and disbelief lingering between them. The winnings from House 21’s game sat on the table in neat stacks—far more money than any of them had ever expected to have at once. Minus the amount borrowed from Midas, which Katana had returned, the pot was still substantial.

Gabriel Chase drummed his fingers against the table, his expression serious. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever held this much money in my life,” he admitted.

Lindsey let out a quiet breath, shaking her head. “I can’t believe we actually have to decide what to do with it.”

Charlie rested her elbows on the table. 

“I vote we move somewhere far away and never gamble again.”

Cody snorted. 

“Yeah, good luck convincing Mom and Dad to close the shop.”

Gabriel shook his head. 

“We’re not going anywhere.” 

His eyes flicked to the money again. 

“But this could do a lot for us. Pay off the mortgage, get ahead on things.”

Cody hesitated. 

“We could put some away for Charlie.”

Lindsey nodded. 

“For all of you. Education, emergencies, future life events… this is an opportunity.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow. 

“You mean besides the fact that it’s technically gambling money?”

Gabriel sighed. 

“It’s our money now. And considering what we went through, I’d say we earned it.”

The table fell into thoughtful silence.

Adam, leaning back slightly, finally spoke. 

“We could use some of it to help the neighborhood.”

The idea seemed to surprise the others, but not in a bad way.

“Charities, outreach, something useful,” he continued. 

“House 21’s money has done enough damage. Might as well put some of it back into the community.”

Lindsey exchanged glances with her husband, considering it.

“Look at you, big brother, all noble and stuff,” Charlie said with a smirk.

Adam rolled his eyes. 

“Just a thought,” he sighed.

Cody ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the stacks again. 

“We should still set some aside, though. Not every day you come into this kind of money,” he suggested.

Gabriel nodded. 

“Agreed. Let’s take some time, think it over. No rush to spend it.”

Charlie leaned back. 

“I still say no more gambling,” she noted.

Adam cracked a half smile. 

“Fine by me. I think we’ve had our fill.”