The Charles vs Murder on the LA Express (1930)

The TV show Chuck, my story Chuck vs The Long Island Debutante (LID), The Thin Man movie series, Firefly, Murder on the Orient Express, and real life characters from the time period are all used to inspire this story. I loosely refer to historical events and to people from history that may or may not quite fit the time line or facts. I hope I don't insult serious historians, as this is a fictional piece. I don't own Chuck, or any of those other entities.

A hint for readers, there is a fair amount of deception going on in the dialogue, especially in one scene, so pay close attention to who says what and when and judge the veracity of what they say accordingly.

Enjoy Chapter 1, The Charles vs Who ARE You

XXXXXXXXXX 1 Lovemaking

Early in the August morning , somewhere between New York City and Chicago, the LA Express, nicknamed the LAX, chugged down the tracks. The year was 1930. The LAX ran weekly between Broadway and Hollywood. Although the train had coach seating like a normal train, in the luxury suite the LAX was home to the rich and famous.

This morning, in the honeymoon suite, room fourteen, Mr and Mrs Charles Charles were in the middle of an all night marathon of passionate lovemaking.

As they continued their record breaking night, the slightest amount of rustling could be heard from the other side of the room. From underneath the chest of doors, the family pet Asta raised one of his paws from over his eyes, which he politely averted using all night long. The paw quickly moved back in place as the Charles had not stopped for rest yet.

Finally, after a few more minutes, Chuck rolled off his new bride Sarah. Both husband and wife stared straight up at the ceiling while working hard to catch their breathe.

Asta finally could look. When he saw the Charles 'monkey business' (Sarah's term for sexual intercourse) was over, he jumped on the bed.

"Yelp."

"Asta. That's a good puppy. So polite. I saw you covering your eyes all night long." Sarah's face glowed like the sun, with a bright smile that lit up the room.

"Yelp."

After another minute or two, Chuck noticed Sarah's mood had turned more serious. Sarah was slow to express herself, Chuck quick to observe, and even quicker to say whatever was on his mind. It made the Charles a perfect match. Most of the time at least. Today, Sarah would begin to talk, and it was as if a floodgate had opened. Was Chuck going to be ready for the 'real Sarah Charles?'.

"Anything wrong Sugar? Was I too rough?'

"Oh no Mr. Charles. You were perfect. This night was perfect."

XXXXXXXXXX 2 Sharing Secrets

"Then why the long face?"

Sarah rolled to her side and faced her husband. "Something bothered me that you said earlier."

"I can't remember saying anything. We've been kind of busy the last eight hours."

"You said Grandpa George told you it was always my dream to spend my honeymoon aboard the LAX."

"Yep. He called me the day after we had our peace making phone conversation. He sent us these tickets as a peace offering of sorts."

"That was sweet of him Chuck. Except I never told him my dream was to honeymoon here. I love the choice, but … It never was my dream."

"Maybe he was just being nice." Chuck replied unconvincingly, even he didn't believe his own words.

"I doubt it. My Grandpa and father were involved with some pretty dark and secret stuff."

"All rich and powerful businessmen are." Chuck continued his half hearted defense.

"No. This is different."

"Different? How?" Chuck gave up defending, and was trying to keep up with Sarah's thinking now.

"Chuck. I have a secret. Several of them actually. But this first secret I've kept to myself for the last eight years."

"Well, I have a few too." Chuck said as he tried to lighten Sarah's mood.

Sarah ignored Chuck, as she wanted to tell him all about her mother since she met Chuck, with his brilliant detective mind and all, "Chuck. My mother didn't die of influenza. She was murdered. And I had a two week old baby sister. Molly. She was killed too. In a fire."

"What? Where?"

"In the pool house behind the mansion. I went down to the pool house after the fire started. It woke me up. I pulled my mom out, but I couldn't get back in to pull Molly out. Mom was already dead. Shot three times in the heart. Executed. Daddy told me later, that the killer poured gasoline on Molly to start the fire. There was nothing left of her."

"Bastard." Chuck replied.

"I know, what sort of monster would do that?" Sarah said in such a tone, that Chuck barely recognized his wife.

"Why did you tell me she died of influenza the day I met you?"

"That's the official report. Daddy told me never to tell anyone what I saw, especially not Grandpa George."

"So your mother and sister were murdered and your father covered it up. Do you think he did it?" Sarah was right, Chuck's keen detective mind was quickly engaged on the case.

"No. No. I think whoever did it scared my father. And he didn't scare easily. And somehow, I think Grandpa George or his friends are involved. Daddy never told me the whole story. I think Daddy told Grandpa George, he didn't want anyone to know I knew was all."

"Why tell me this now?" Chuck continued trying to learn.

"Grandpa inviting us on this train. I'm afraid he's up to something. There's more Chuck."

"I'm sure there is." Chuck said coyly, although Sarah's whole conversation was leaving him a bit at a loss for words.

"Stop clowning around Chuck. Did you ever stop to wonder about me?"

"All the time Sugar."

"Not that. Chuck, I'm not some air headed defenseless debutante. I can shoot a gun better than you. Not just a shot gun either, I'm an expert with a handgun. And a hunting rifle. I've shot an assassin's rifle at the range. From a mile. Better than daddy. And he was an expert assassin during the war."

"So you're not a magician?"

"All that magic act stuff is a cover, I was taught how to pick locks and throw knives for real. And I really do know martial arts, that thing about Daddy wanted a boy was a lie. I know how to fight. For real."

"Any other skills you were taught to hurt people with?"

"Well, one of daddy's friends, Inara, she taught me how to use my good looks and charm to get out of tight spots, without having to really do anything bad."

"I imagine that was quite handy at the country club parties."

"You'd better believe it. Then there's Countess M. She taught me how to brew all the potions, poisons and knockout drugs using the flowers I grew. I know at least a hundred different ways to formulate aconite. It's sort of her and my thing."

"Wow. Mrs Charles. You're lethal. Who ARE you?"

"Chuck. I don't know. It's almost like Daddy trained me for something. I don't know what. But I think my training has something to do with Grandpa George and his associates. Like I'm supposed to be some sort of spy? Or maybe even an assassin? They've never told me."

"Wow. You ARE the perfect detective's wife. I thought my job was to protect you from my life. Now you're saying you can be good at protecting me. That's great."

"You're not mad?" Sarah asked shyly. She was afraid these admissions would make Chuck hate her.

"Mad. Are you kidding me? Rich and lethal. You're perfect."

"I am?" Sarah blushed, she loved when Chuck complimented her.

"You are. You know. Morgan did the same for me, except for the being rich, gorgeous or good at protecting me part."

Sarah laughed. "Morgan. He's the best, isn't he?"

"Well no. I mean yes. Well, you know what I mean. Second best, you're the best. Anything else?"

XXXXXXXXXX 3 Fidelity Vows

"One more thing. I'm almost sure I saw General Cobb boarding with his mistress Mrs Verbanski. I thought it was a coincidence and that the General was embarrassed, and that's why he avoided me. Until you told me that Grandpa sent the tickets. That's more than a coincidence. They're up to something."

"Up to what?" Chuck again was trying to keep up.

"I don't know Chuck. I don't know."

"A mistress with General Cobb. You blue bloods really know how to live."

"Chuck, don't say that."

"Say what?" Chuck was missing Sarah's point, but he was going to figure it out soon enough.

"Most men in my social station have many, many mistresses. Most woman have many secret lovers too."

"Good for them. How about Aunt Katherine?"

Sarah ignored the Aunt Katherine question and snapped back, "You approve?" Sarah hit Chuck in the chest. "Mr Charles. You disappoint me."

"I said good for them. That's not what I want for us. Seriously, Aunt Katherine?" Chuck ignored the hit to his chest, but he couldn't shake the thought of Aunt Katherine making love to another man.

"You'd better say that. And yes, Aunt Katherine has bedded dozens of men over the years. She's legendary."

"You don't say? I didn't know the old bat had it in her. I guess that means you have good genetics Mrs Charles."

"My family and friends behavior toward the opposite sex is NOT something I'm proud of Chuck."

"Certainly not." Chuck said in mock indignation.

"Now you're just teasing me. I'm serious."

"So am I. I love exactly how you are Sugar." Now Chuck was regaining his form, his eyebrows dances as he spoke.

Sarah softened her look. She moved in closer to her husband, "Chuck. I know you have a reputation with the woman. I've only known you for a short time. Still I see how all the woman you meet are attracted to you. Now that we're married, I see why you have a reputation. The real Charles Charles is better than the myth."

"Thank you. Right back at you Sugar. The real Sarah Charles is better than the myth too."

Sarah looked happy, "OK then. Good. We agree."

Chuck looked confused, "We do? Ah. Yes. We do. Agree to what exactly?"

Sarah gave a nod of approval as she summarized what Chuck agreed to, "We agree we'll always be true to each other. No monkey business for you with other woman Mr Charles."

"Well. That's a lot to ask of me. I mean, it sounds like I have a shot with Aunt Katherine?" Chuck's eyebrows were all out dancing now, making Sarah laugh.

"Oh you. Be serious."

" OK. Yes Mrs Charles. I agree. But how about you? Do you promise to be true to me? No monkey business with other men?"

"I do, I do, I do. The only monkey business for Sarah Charles will be with you Mr Charles. Good. Perfect." Sarah put her arms around Chuck and gave him a big, wet, single sloppy kiss.

"Perfect indeed. Anything else?" Chuck was enjoying the attention Sarah was giving him.

XXXXXXXXXX 4 The Plan

Sarah let go of Chuck and confidently began talking again. "Well. Chuck, I was hoping when we get back to New York, you'll help find my mother's and sister's killer."

"That sounds like a plan. Its only fair, last week you found out who my real parents were. My dear mother being a dead Russian princess and all."

"Chuck. You can't talk about that. Nobody can know."

Chuck nodded, as he fully understood, "I know. Anyhow, I was thinking about your case already. It'll be my top priority when we get back. It isn't like we're going to catch him or her on this train, now is it?"

"No. Not likely. Still. I don't want to leave this train car even for a moment until we get to LA. Let's stay in our room this whole trip, order room service and put on hold whatever plans Grandpa might have for us. Nothing good ever happens when Grandpa and his friends are around."

"And what can we do all cooped up in this compartment Mrs Charles?"

"You do whatever comes naturally to you Mr Charles. You appear to be very good at that."

"By golly, I appear to be ready to do what comes naturally again." Chuck glanced down at his groin area and laughed.

Sarah laughed along with her husband, as she saw what Chuck meant, "Be a shame to let 'that' go to waste. Wouldn't it Mr Charles?"

"Now that's a great plan Mrs Charles, come here you!"

Sarah nodded, then giggled as she eagerly jumped on top of Chuck.

"Yelp." Asta jumped too, off the bed as he scampered back under the chest of drawers. He again used his paws to cover his eyes. And the Charles were safe, away from the world's plans, at least for a little while longer.

XXXXXXXXXX 5 The Malevolent Mr Wood

Meanwhile, in another suite on the train, Saffron Bridgette, a high end French call girl walked over to the door in order to let the room service waiter into her room. "Right this way Sir." Saffron politely led the server in.

Mr Wood, her client and benefactor, was busy on the table writing a note as Mr Manoosh Depak, the train server, wheeled his service cart into their room.

Manoosh couldn't help but notice the fine stationary with unique monogramming that Daniel Wood's note was written on, such a man had to be of outstanding origin. "Good day Mr Wood. You slept well I trust. You and the Mrs find the accommodations suitable?" Manoosh was in for the shock of his life for the next few minutes.

"She's not the Mrs. She's a slapper I hired to come along with me to keep up appearances. I'm here to meet my new whore."

Saffron appeared oblivious to Mr Wood, as if he didn't even exist.

Mr Depak stopped half way to Mr Wood, as his cart was partially blocked by a large clothing trunk. Manoosh bent down to move it.

"Get your hands off of that." Mr Wood growled at Manoosh while clenching his fist as he threw a sucker punch at the defenseless small man's jaw connecting squarely with a sickening thud. "Go around it."

Mr Depak shook the cobwebs out, came to his senses, and scrambled up to his feet, "I'm sorry Sir." Mr Depak had worked as a server on the train since its inception. He'd pretty much seen and heard everything. Yet, this was something new even for him. He tried to change the subject as he arranged the food on the service cart. He noticed Saffron proudly twirling her expensive diamond earrings, "Those are beautiful earrings. A gift?"

"Tiffany's. Yes indeed. You'd be surprised what a girl has to do to ..." Saffron said with an evil twinkle in her eyes.

Mr Wood violently backhanded his mistress and sent her flying against the bed. "Shut up whore. Or I'll rip them off your ears."

Saffron whimpered from the pain of the blow, then defiantly got up and looked at the note Wood had written. She started reading, "Meet me in room seven. Now. I'm going to screw you silly and you're going to love it." Saffron slammed the note down, "Wood you bastard."

Wood walked over to Saffron and grabbed her by the wrist and twisted, "A note to my other whore. You're going to hand deliver this note to her at lunch for me. Then you can make yourself scare after lunch. Give me the room for a few hours. You probably can rustle up some business on the side." Wood coldly replied, as if he was talking to himself and not to the other two in the room.

"OK. OK. Fine." Saffron replied. As if she had a choice.

Manoosh quickly finished serving and tried to get out of the room. "Anything else Sir?"

"Yes there is. What room are the Charles in?" Mr Wood asked with a leer.

"The honeymoon suite. Room fourteen. Why do you ask?" Manoosh asked.

Wood surprisingly answered, "The Charles dame. I've been banging her since she moved to New York last week. She's my other whore. Came on to me in some gin joint called 'Big Mike's'. A tall, hot blond. She wants me so bad, she asked me to follow her on her honeymoon. I'll give her my Italian sausage just the way she likes it later today." Wood stuck his tongue out and inhaled a small sausage link from the serving tray when he finished speaking.

"Yea right. Except that three inch link is even bigger than your Italian sausage. And firmer too."

"You shut your mouth." Mr Wood again hit Saffron, this time with a fist to her eye.

Saffron hardly flinched this time, "I'll get you back Daniel. Just wait. I'll get you back."

XXXXXXXXXX 6 Chance Encounter

That was a cue for Manoosh to get of the room as quickly as he could. He exhaled once safe and in the hall and rubbed his sore jaw. "That man's not right. I have half a mind to stab him dead."

"What's that my good man? I heard what you said." asked a stately looking gentleman in his seventies. He was accompanied on his arm by two woman, one an even older, and even more stately looking woman in her eighties, the other a knock out gorgeous, dark haired exotic woman in her mid 30's.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Just frustrated." Manoosh replied as he looked downward, as he knew who the man was, and knew he was in trouble.

"A man of your station in life should take whatever is dished out to you by your superiors. Now get out of here, before I thrash you too." The elderly man said as he raised his walking stick.

Manoosh quickly walked away toward the kitchen where more carts awaited him to be delivered. He whispered to himself, "I gotta find a new job. Anything would be better than this."

"What was that all about George?" The younger woman asked.

"I have no idea Inara." George answered. George's tone reflected a combination of respect and fear, something George seldom showed toward anyone, let alone such a young woman.

Then the older woman spoke, her voice was sure and steady, and commanding. "OK then. As I said. We agree. The Triangle representatives will meet with Sarah this morning. You're going to tell her exactly what I said, and nothing more? Do you understand George. This is not a negotiation?"

"Yes M. But how about Mr Charles? I told you he is a worthless half breed?" George replied.

M reached for one of the hairpins holding her perfectly coiffured hair in place, "You worry about getting your granddaughter squared away. Leave Mr Charles to me. Are we clear? Or do I have to convince you?"

"No Countess M. No convincing. Please. I understand." George was looking for an exit path, M was not in a good mood, at least towards him.

"Now get out of here George. Before I change my mind. I'm growing tired of this half breed wining nonsense. My god George, half your family are half breeds. It isn't like one of those prissy little Bush grandsons of yours are ever going to be President of the United States or anything. Are they?"

"No M. I mean Yes M. I don't know what you want me to say ..." George babbled as he quickly exited from the two powerful woman's company.

Countess M turned to Inara, "American men. So weak and cowardly. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those whiny little Bush boys does become President someday. But this Mr Charles. He interests me."

"That surprises me Countess. Why?" Inara studied her mentor as she waited for her response. Inara took over for the Countess as head of the French Espionage Service after World War I, based out of the most expensive bordello in Paris. Many felt Inara and the Countess won World War I for the Allies, even though their efforts went largely unnoticed, they both became enormously wealthy in the post war chaos.

"I don't care about bloodlines. I think he might be a good match for Sarah. Help keep her alive. And his detective skills could come in handy for what we do, help our organization. I want to meet him face to face and form my own opinion. And I encourage you to do the same. But for now, lets get some coffee. And you can catch me up with the European operations."

"As you wish M." Inara obediently replied.

The two ladies walked away toward the lounge.

XXXXXXXXXX 7 The Honeymoon's Over!

The Charles continued making love without any knowledge of the mayhem taking place on the rest of the train. Then, in a moment, all that would change, and the mayhem would barge right into their world. Little did Sarah know this would be the last time she would make love to her husband on their honeymoon train get away.

"Knock, knock, knock," a very aggressive knock on the cabin door stopped their bedroom action.

"Go away." Both Charles called out in unison.

"Knock, knock, knock." The knock persisted.

"Room Service." A muffled voice called out, muffled in such a manner it was an obvious attempt to disguise the speaker's identity.

"That voice doesn't sound like Mr Depak." Chuck observed.

"He was a great room server." Sarah added in.

"Twice." Chuck winked at Sarah as he bantered back at her.

"I gotta keep up my strength to keep up with you Mr Charles."

"You're doing just fine Mrs Charles."

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Grrr. Grrr. Grrr." Asta raced to the door and growled.

"Whoever it is, Asta doesn't like them. I agree with Asta." Chuck quipped.

"It's probably just room service. Maybe Mr Depak has an assistant. I'll get it. You don't move a muscle Mr Charles. Hold that pose. I'll be right back."

Sarah jumped up off the bed and grabbed the bed sheet to cover her nakedness, leaving Chuck in a rather awkward uncovered naked state, laying on his back in the middle of the bed, still in a state of considerable 'arousal'.

Sarah opened the door to see who was knocking. What greeted Sarah in the door left her stunned. Sarah almost dropped the sheet that covered her nakedness, as she instinctively put her hand to her wide open mouth, while trying to form words to reflect her surprise. She finally recovered enough to speak and somewhat yelled out, "...

XXXXXXXXXX The End of Chapter 1

Thanks for reading, I hope you're interested in more! I feed off comments, in the past, some of my best work has been fuelled by observations you made. So please, let me know what you thought if possible. I must admit, this story intimidates me pretty much, the further one moves from the standard story, the harder it is to do the characters and the story justice.

Since I used John Casey in the last story, I'm using Jayne Cobb (Firefly) in this one, as long as you picture Baldwin doing the acting, mission accomplished.

Saffron is also a character I borrowed from Firefly. I used many of the woman from Chuck in LID, and Saffron is a perfect fit character wise for this story. If you don't know who she is, she is a grifter and a seductress, think an even sluttier and evil Carina. Inara Serra is another Firefly character. She pretty much plays a more powerful, grown up version of herself.

Finally, Mr Wood. Daniel Shaw died in LID, so much like Casey, I brought in a new character, played by the same actor.

So far, I'd try to figure out the following if I were you:

1 – What are Grandpa George and his friends up to?

2 – Who attacked Sarah's family? And why did Jack cover it up? Did anyone else participate in the cover up or just Jack? And what was all that 'daddy trained me for something' about? What did Jack have in mind for Sarah's future? Will it get resolved in this story?

3 – What is Mr Wood's agenda? Is he really Sarah's lover, or is something else going on?

4 – What does a girl have to do to get a pair of Tiffany Earrings?

5 – What happens that Chuck and Sarah don't make love again on the train?

6 – Whats the deal with this Countess M character? Good or bad? Large role or bit player? Like her or meh?

7– Any guesses who's at the door?

You'll find out the answer to all these ?'s and more. Some sooner, some later.