Chuck had coordinated with Auggie then they went to the safe house which was set up from one of CI's acquisitions from Old Volkoff. The members of the team were assembled. Mary was going to be the one to rescue Annie. It was going to be an aerosol attack using CI's helos and some of Gertrude's Russian Men as backup.

Chuck was glad he never liquidated all of old Volkoff's properties. Morgan called in from Ca. He said that the nukes were definitely in Turkistan. Neal learning this was off to the poker game with Mozzie in tow. Chuck promised him he would get there before the game began. Stephen had contacted both his son's and with Diane's help blasted an update to both of their intersects. One of the new skill sets was every kind of gambling game. Plus Stephen added Cooking to the Intersect list of skills. Their father had a very strange sense of humor.

The rescue of Annie went off like all Chuck's plans without a hitch. The interrogator was dumfounded to find her cell empty. The Helios took Annie to the abandoned Air base where CI's plane was fueled and ready to leave. That part of the mission was over but the biggest part was just beginning. Chuck said farewell to the rest of the family then used another one of CI's resources to get into Turkistan undetected.

The poker game was by invitation only and a minimum of 1 Billion was needed to attend. Both CI which was worth now about 15 Billion and Murder Ink added to that total. So the money was raised for both Neal and Chuck. Morgan was the one entrusted with the payment. So he had to fly from LA to Bangkok to China then to Turkistan. The flight took over 17 hours.

Morgan hugged his friend and said.

"The bag man has arrived. I am so sorry I can't stay but I wish you both luck" Morgan said transferring the cash into both intersect hands. Morgan gave each person a hug even Cousin Mozzie! Morgan then left to take a more direct route to LA.

Mozzie had already scoped out the location of the poker game and being his true self had managed to place himself secretly above the table with a periscope so he could see all the players hands.

He had rigged an ingenious way of communicating with both Neal and Chuck. It was flashes of light reflecting off the mirror which would trigger mini flashes. There would be no way to be detected. Finally Mozzie was ensconced in his overhead lair. The bad guys were frisking everyone for any kind of weapon.

"Neal Caffery" Neal said to the door man and off loaded the suitcases. The Man with a nasty scar down his face looked at Neal then wordlessly marked him off the list. He motioned for the guards to let him pass. Neal entering noticed many of the other players. A couple of Arab no good sheiks which Neal flashed on, a Texas Billionaire no idea why he was there. Then an Asia software billionaire and finally a Woman from Africa. Neal wondered who she was there was no information in the Intersect. Neal surmised she was the person to beat.

"Charles Carmichael" Chuck was heard to say. Having watched Neal from afar he followed their procedure.

Soon they were all at the table then their host appeared General Romanov. Volkoff's pet general. Chuck was worried he might remember him since he was the one responsible for his scar. Romanov did not even blink at Chuck it was over 10 years ago. Chuck thought.

Romanov spoke perfect but flawed English with a Russian accent.

"Gentlemen and Ladies we are playing for 4 suitcase nukes." He snapped his fingers and his henchmen brought in the items and opened the cases. Chuck and Neal both flashed on that they were duds without the firing control cards. They kept that information to themselves.

"Let's start the table at 100 Million?" Romanov said motioning his dealer forward and the game had begun. About 3 hours later both Chuck and Neal were winning consistently. However, the woman from Africa was holding her own. The first to fall was the Texas billionaire. Next was one of the no good Arab sheiks. Romanov pulled a halt while these two ex players were escorted out. Two shots were heard then the game began again. The remaining Arab sheik was quickly being depleted. He was next and the same gunshot was heard.

Next to go was Asian Billionaire and again a shot was heard. Romanov just laughed and said it is now down to the 3 best players. Chuck looked at Neal. Neal could tell Chuck was going to lose intentionally. Neal looked worried but Chuck was confident in Neal's card abilities. Romanov's eyes danced when Chuck rose and was escort out and another shot was heard.

Neal knew Chuck did not sacrifice himself. Mozzie confirmed Chuck was still alive.

The final push came down to a river of Ace of Clubs Jack of Diamonds, 2 of Clubs, 7 of Clubs, and queen of Hearts.

Neal carefully calculated what were the odds and he dropped two cards only to be replaced with a 3 of Clubs and 5 of clubs. Neal smiled he hand a large straight Ace to 7 of clubs. Mozzie gave him the sign. His opponent has only a full house. Neal bet it all.

The woman looked at Neal and called his buff. Neal laid down the winning hand.

The woman dropped her cards in her laps and folded.

"I have never seen a finer game of poker" Romanov said. Mr. Caffery the suitcases are yours! The woman just smiled at Neal and left the room. Neal suspecting a double cross now asked about the firing cards.

Romanov smiled. "So you know they are duds? Eh? They are a billion for each!"

Neal did some calculations and said "Deal!"

"It is good to be doing business with you Mr. Caffery!" Romanov said "Let's drink to our business arrangement No?"

"Yes Let's" Neal said as the suitcases were picked up by Mozzie and taken to the safe house where Chuck was waiting.

"So General Romanov you are a very wealthy Man 15 billion not a bad haul." Neal said.

"Da not bad." Romanov agreed.

"So what do you want with all that money?" Neal asked.

"I need to pay for Orphanages and Hospitals!" Romanov said.

"Really how humanitarian of you!" Neal said.

"Da that is me Humanitarian! I get award! I saw what Volkoff did and it was no good! I learn better to do good than bad Da?" Romanov said. "I figure why not sell old nukes they were worthless anyway. This way get food and medicine!"

"So you conned them Huh?" Neal laughed.

"Da! They were too rich anyway! What would they do with money More Wars? Bah!" Romanov said.

"What was with the shots?" Neal asked.

"Theater! It was a blank but it made better players even better! Da?" Romanov said.

Neal had to hand it to the wily Russian it worked well.

"You conned them all! Congrats" Neal clinked his vodka glass.

"Neal High praise from King of all Con men!" Romanov saluted then left. Neal a bit tipsy was given the cards on exiting the room. It had been an exciting 24 hours.

Chuck and Mozzie were waiting for Neal then the nukes which were loaded on the CI jet. They were heading to Ft. Meade.

Chuck was relaxing another great plan was finished. CI was 24 Billion richer!