Let us do something, while we have the chance, partner.

Still don't own Chuck.

"That is all her."
-Chuck episode 3.17

Chapter 7—the Murderer

While they were surprised at Chuck's shack by the railroad in Los Angeles, they were delighted with the showers. The Castle showers offered them a chance to get refreshed. They all felt better. Sarah gave Lisa one of her outfits to wear. A clean blouse and what Sarah called an old pair of pants made Lisa happy. Hiram borrowed one of Chuck's old shirts. Chuck had said they should be able to get to his house for dinner. Chuck went back to the armory and brought back three Winchesters and a satchel. Chuck motioned to the back, "Casey, could you help me hook up the buckboard? We need to get home before Ellie starts dinner." Sarah nodded and Casey went out with Chuck.

Chuck and Casey got Hiram and Lisa in the buckboard. Casey, Chuck and Sarah rode their horses. Chuck timed it right. They got to the house just as Ellie came. Chuck got off his horse and went over to Ellie. "Hey Ellie, I have some friends with me. Could I have them stay overnight with us?" Chuck asked.

"What?" Ellie looked over at them, "Sarah? Sure. Well, we have to…" Ellie began.

Chuck cut her off, "It's fine. We will have a young girl as a guest too. I was thinking they could stay in my room. Then, the gentlemen can stay up stairs." He saw her smile and agree, "Okay well, come over and I'll introduce you to them."

The introductions were made. Chuck went on to explain, "Hiram and Lisa had some problems with their transportation. They were headed to San Francisco but got taken for a ride by some swindlers. They wound up way out of their way. The Marshal, Casey, stumbled on them and brought them over to Sarah for help. I don't think we said when she was here before, that she is in the transportation business. We sent out a few messages to get them a ride, and they will be catching a ship over at San Monica tomorrow."

Sarah's face went a little tight when Chuck said she was a transportation business. He knew she didn't like her father's business. 'If he is going to be my boy friend, he is going… what am I thinking?'

Lisa saw Sarah's reaction and started to wonder. Then Ellie started saying something.

"Oh, I am so sorry. You need to know that California is not all bad people. Please, please come into our house. We would be happy to help and you can certainly stay." Ellie ushered everyone into the house.

Chuck and Casey put Devon's carriage and his buckboard in the back stables. Chuck and Casey also got the weapons out of the buckboard and into the house without Ellie seeing them.

Devon was in the living room discussing recent events with Hiram. Chuck and Casey came into the room. Casey took a seat and Chuck went back to the kitchen to see how things were progressing.

Ellie saw Chuck coming into the kitchen. She said playfully, "Chuck, can we keep them?"

"Ellie, you know why I don't bring anyone over. You never let them go," Chuck replied. That earned him a swat with a dish rag. "Is everything fine? Do we need anything?"

"Chuck, we have everything. And I'll release them, only if you promise to bring them back." she was laughing.

Chuck looked at the floor.

Lisa broke in, "Ma'am, we're headed for Denver. I don't know when we would come back."

Ellie was turned to put something in the stove, "Please call me Ellie. Well, if you do head back this way, please let me know. I would love to have you back again."

Lisa sniffled a little. Chuck went over and wrapped his arms around her. Sarah watched him as he bent down and whispered in her ear. She was laughing and happy again. Chuck nodded at Sarah.

Sarah got Chuck to the side, "What did you tell her?"

"That if she ever needed a transportation expert to get her back to Los Angeles, she could ask you. For some reason she thought that was funny," Chuck shrugged.

"Next, time you tell Ellie what we are doing, let's talk about it first," Sarah whispered.

"So sorry, that's my fault. I did not even think about it at Castle. I…" Chuck got cut off. Ellie started to say something.

She shooed him out of the kitchen, saying that they had everything under control. Lisa caught Sarah mouthing, 'It's okay,' to Chuck. She smiled.

Dinner was great. Hiram pronounced at the end, "Well my dear, as I said many times already, dinner was better than the finest hotels in New York. If we did not have everything waiting for us at Denver, you would have a couple new residents."

Ellie was extremely happy at the comments, "Oh thank you."

Chuck nodded at Hiram.

When dinner was over the gentlemen went out to the porch and had an after dinner cigar. Devon's selection brightened Casey's day. Casey took a puff, "You know I'll throw in with Hiram. If your wife keeps putting on meals like that, and you offer a cigar like this, I'll stay too."

Back in the kitchen Ellie asked Sarah, "So, are you staying in Los Angeles?"

Sarah replied with the facts she knew, "I don't know yet. My boss has not said what I am to do next."

"Well, like I said to Lisa, anytime you would like to come over please do, even without my brother asking." Ellie had her hands on her hips.

"Thank you. I'll try," Sarah answered.

Later that night Chuck, Sarah, and Casey talked briefly about the guard duty. Sarah agreed to stay up on the first shift. It would be easier to wake Chuck than to have him come into the room with Sarah and Lisa. The night went without any problems.

The next morning at breakfast Awesome came back to the table, "Looks like a fine day for a ride. Honey, do you want to take the day off?"

Ellie replied, "No. You know we have to go in this morning. The Sisters are bringing the children for a checkup tomorrow and we need to get everything ready today."

"Right, okay Babe. I'll get the horses." Devon got up from the table. Both Chuck and Casey got up.

Casey said, "Hum, we'll help."

After Chuck promised that he would bring back Sarah, Ellie and Devon said their goodbyes and headed to work. Chuck got everyone in the buckboard and headed to Castle. When they pulled up, the Army patrol was waiting for them. The Lieutenant presented his orders and assisted Lisa in moving from the buckboard to the carriage.

Hiram left saying to Chuck, "Thank you Ace. I'll let my friend know how well you treated us, especially your sister."

Chuck said, "May your passage be a safe one." He looked at Lisa and said, "God Bless."

Lisa waved as the carriage went down the road.

Chuck looked at Sarah and Casey. "So, what do you need to do? What can I help with?" Chuck asked.

Casey answered, "I need to check in with Judge T. I don't know if they still want me to go get Torrez, Martin and Waller." Casey paused. "Can you send a telegraph message for me? It would be easier." Casey asked.

"Sure," Chuck looked at Sarah. "And you?"

"Well, I really would like a clean set of clothes. How about you help Casey? I'll stop back at the hotel. Just be a second." Sarah paused, "How about you send this for me? By the time I get back we should have a reply." She wrote a quick note to her boss asking for instructions.

After saddling Sarah's horse, Chuck and Casey went into the office. Sarah headed back to the hotel. Casey took the Winchesters back to the armory, while Chuck sent off the message from Sarah. When Casey came back to the desk, he wrote his message and Chuck sent it.

Chuck went to the stables to clean them out and feed and water the horses. Casey had gone back to the armory and was working on his weapons. Both had finished their jobs. Chuck went to shower and change. Casey waited in the office. Finally when Chuck got out of the shower, the telegraph came to life.

Chuck was able to write, "T. Delgado," then he flashed.

Circle within Circle bisected by straight line extending above the circle, dot in top left corner of circle

Newspaper articles, Marksman Aims for the Heart

An eagle and a falcon

Newspaper articles, Man Accused of Stealing from the Pacific Western

Newspaper articles, Delgado Convicted of Killing Mrs. Walker

Arrest warrant for an escaped prisoner

The crescent, cross and eagle

Casey took Chuck's arm. "You'll need to finish this," he pointed to the scroll.

Chuck got the paper. He finished, "confirmed in LA. Use extreme caution. LG." Chuck put the pen down, "Casey, we have to go get her. This guy killed her mother. There are multiple warrants for his arrest. He is after Sarah and is tied to the group that has been after me."

Casey said, "I'll get those rifles."

Chuck sent a couple messages and went to the armory before running to the stables. They had the horses saddled and were on their way in minutes. The hotel was two miles from Chuck's Castle. They rode as fast as they could.

Coming to a stop before the entrance to the hotel Chuck flew off his horse and vaulted to the porch of the hotel. He saw Sarah's horse tied to the front hitching rail. The Sheriff and his men rounded the corner as he went into the hotel. Chuck ran to the front desk.

"Is Sarah Walker here? And what room is she in?" he asked the clerk.

The clerk was an older gentleman with bifocal lens riding on the tip of his nose. He smiled, "The blond?" Chuck nodded. "She went to her room about an hour ago." He looked down at the ledger and ran his finger down the list. "That will be room 214."

Chuck went running up the stairs and then down the hall to Sarah's room. His eyes were wide. He slowed just as he saw the room number. The door was ajar. He saw splinters on the floor. There was a trace of mud on floor by the door and signs of it from the other side of the hall. He could smell the wisp of a lit match and smoke. Then he heard her moan.

Chuck pulled his gun and kicked the door open the rest of the way. Getting into the room, he moved to put his back against the door frame. He stopped when he saw Sarah. He gasped at the sight of her tied to a chair. There was a large red area on her chin and it was swelling. She was gagged. Tears were running down her cheeks. She was wearing a tight silk top slip that was stretched with her hands tied behind the chair. She had matching silk pantaloons that were pushed above her knees. From there down, her legs were tied to the chair.

Her hair was disheveled and Tommy had his free hand gripped around some of it. The other hand had the Colt. Tommy smiled, "Too late." The sound exploded in the room.

Casey was running down the hall and heard the muffled scream. He was getting to the door when he heard a course, "For you." That was followed by two shots and the noise of someone falling. Casey entered the room and saw Sarah. Tommy was on the floor next to her, staring at the ceiling. Casey looked at the floor next to the door. Chuck was standing, slumped over a little by the door. Casey went back to the hall and held up his hand to the Sheriff Powell and Deputies.

Casey growled, "Give us a minute."

Casey closed the door and grabbed the comforter off the bed and threw it over Sarah. Her eyes were wide and she was still trying to scream something. He bent down in front and cut her legs loose. Then he stepped around back and cut the ropes off her arms.

Chuck slid down and was sitting against the wall.

Sarah reached up and got the gag out of her mouth. She ran across the room to Chuck, "Casey, he's been shot!"

Chuck opened his eyes, "Sorry, Angel." He reached for Sarah. "Okay, that really hurt." He moved his hands back to his chest. His fingers came away from the bullet hole with blood on them. "Well, so much for passing the field test." Wiping the fingers on his pants, he smiled at Sarah.

Sarah was now frantic, "What did you do?" She was pulling at the shirt and the buttons were popping off.

"Easy, I kind of like this shirt," Chuck smiled.

Sarah got the shirt off, "What is this?" She started on the ties for the protective vest. With the vest off, she got one of the knives from the dresser next to them. She cut into the undershirt around the wound. She prodded a little and looked up at Chuck, "I can see the bullet."

Chuck closed his eyes, "Can you cut it out?" He saw her start to question it. "If Tommy found you, then Hiram is still in jeopardy. We have to go help him. And I have run out of excuses for Ellie."

Sarah nodded, "Yeah, transportation business." She saw him smile. "Lay down." She got up and put on her robe. Getting the wash basin, she gave it to Casey. "Go; get this filled with hot water from the kitchen kettle. I need some alcohol too. And get that piece of filth out of here," She said pointing at Tommy.

Casey went out to the hall, "The man on the floor is Tommy Delgado, wanted for murder and several other crimes. Please remove him. Also, I need this filled with boiling water. Check in the kitchen. And bring back some alcohol or a bottle of whiskey."

Casey stepped back in the room. Sarah had opened one of her valises and was getting some knives out. She set a lamp beside Chuck and put the knife blades through the flame of the lamp.

While two Deputies took Tommy out of the room, another brought the water and alcohol.

Casey reached down and cut a piece of the protective vest off. He held it out to Chuck, "You know the drill soldier." Chuck smiled and put it in his mouth.

Sarah stroked the hair back from his forehead. She told Chuck, "I am going to start." She started cleaning the area and picking out the cloth and pieces of the vest away from the wound. Then after rinsing twice and being satisfied that she got all of it. She went for the bullet. After getting that, she went back in to clean the area. Satisfied, she told Chuck, "Almost done. I am going to stitch it next."

Even after Ellie and all the stitches he had gotten before, he still did not like needles and squeezed down hard on the vest material.

When Sarah finished, she pulled some bandages from her valise and completed the job. As she was finishing the job and Casey was off with the Sheriff, she asked, "Why did you do that? I thought for sure you had been killed. I… I… can't"

Chuck took her hand, "I can't either." She looked in his eyes. He continued, "I flashed. He was an expert marksman that always shot at the heart. I knew if you were alive," he paused and shutter. He remembered that brief thought before he came in the room. "Tommy would not hesitate and shoot me first. With the vest, I thought I should be able to shoot back. It worked. Well, kind of."

Sarah caressed his chin with her hand, she was about to bend over. Casey came in, "Well, why don't you get dressed? We need to get going if we are to catch up with Hiram."

Chuck's eyes met Sarah's. He nodded, "Next time." He looked over at Casey, "We'll get ready. How about you ask one of the Deputies to do us a favor? Send him over to the store across the street and get a bucket of ice."

When Casey got out the door, Sarah was laughing, "You didn't?"

Chuck remembered the previous statement at Castle, "Well, it seemed appropriate. But I want the ice for the bruise that is starting on your chin. It really does help cut it down."

Sarah was still smiling, "How about you lay back in bed while I change?"

Sarah helped Chuck over to the bed. She went to the vanity and started to get ready. Using the remainder of the clean water, she used another towel to wash her face. After putting on her make-up, she brushed her hair. Getting behind the small screen in the room she changed her underwear and put on her clothes.

Casey came to the door with the ice. He saw Chuck over on the bed, "Okay, sleepy head, I have the ice. Now let's get going."

Chuck got out of bed. He took the ice over to the vanity and wrapped some in a towel. "I am sorry; this will mess up some of your makeup. Let me get in back of you and we'll tie this on." Chuck put the ice pack on her chin and tied the towel at the top.

Sarah looked in the mirror and said through clinched teeth, "Okay down the back stairs. If you thought you would have a hard time explaining a bullet hole to Ellie, I cannot imagine trying to explain this to anyone."

Sarah led the way. Chuck brought the bucket of ice. Casey followed. Chuck suggested that they stop by the Castle so they could 'load-up.' With the coolness in the early morning still present, the ice lasted on the trip to Castle. After they got the weapons out and loaded, Chuck repacked Sarah's ice wrap. He put the remainder of the ice in a double container with a lid. He strapped that on to his quarter horse. Sarah switched her horse with the one that Hiram had ridden, another quarter horse. Casey stayed with his Bay. They rode out at a quick pace. Sarah changed her wrapping twice on the road, but finally gave up before they found the Schwartz's troop.

They found Hiram and Lisa about three miles away from Santa Monica. Chuck did not like the set up. Before they caught up with them they could see that the Lieutenant had apparently left the small column. Chuck did not feel comfortable with positioning of the Sergeant or the remaining men.

Hiram saw them ride up, "Howdy folks, let me introduce you to Sergeant Gould and Corporal Fisk." Neither the Sergeant nor the Corporal cared or realized what had just happened. Before Gould and Fisk were parts of the code, to compete the identity verification. Chuck knew that Hiram being in the Gold business would find it entertaining. Gould and Fisk were identified as the speculators who tried to corner the gold market sparking Black Friday in 1869. Casey and Sarah saw Chuck shaking his head.

Chuck drew his rifle out of the scabbard, "We ran into a problem back in Los Angeles this morning." When the Sergeant reached for his, there was a crescent and cross on the Sergeant's scabbard. Definitely not Army issue, its symbols were like those at Palos Verdes. The patrol was ahead of the carriage holding Hiram and Lisa. That positioning made it easier.

Chuck pointed his rifle at the Sergeant, "Drop your gun and tell your men to do the same. Do it now." The man did not move.

The Corporal cleared leather and swung his gun to point at Chuck. Sarah took the shot and the volleys began. Sarah's shot took the Corporal out of his saddle. The Sergeant began to raise his rifle and Chuck shot him in the chest. Two on the other side the Corporal went down at Casey's doing. Chuck was extremely pleased with his horse, it did not move at the sound of the shooting. The remaining four men's horses did not have that stamina. They were backing up or turning. It caused each of those men to shot wild. While they were shooting, they fell to the fire from Chuck, Sarah and Casey.

Chuck and Casey went to check on the impostors. Sarah stayed back with the carriage. She looked to them, "Are you okay?" They nodded. "What happened to the Lieutenant?"

Hiram said, "They got rid of him several miles ago. They came back saying he was bit by a rattlesnake. But then there were four shots."

Sarah bent down from her horse to see Lisa, "How about you? Are you okay?" She got a quiet 'yes.' She patted Lisa's hand.

Chuck and Casey had finished their rounds. They came back to the carriage. Sarah could tell that Chuck was upset. Casey said, "We don't have too much of a choice. I recommend, leaving them and sending someone to get them when we get to Santa Monica. If we strapped them to the horses, they'll just die on the way in."

Lisa settled it, "I say, leave them. They killed that nice Lieutenant."

Chuck agreed at that point. Hiram went back on the horse and Sarah took the reins of the carriage. They rode into Santa Monica. They could see the ship in the distance.

Chuck was worried about this. Too many people had found out what was happening. These people with the crescent and cross seem to be one step ahead. Chuck said to Hiram, "I am not sure about this at all. I suggest we send a note back and confirm our next action. I do not want to send you on a ship, that we have not verified in some way."

Hiram agreed, "We are in no hurry at this point. Where do you want us to wait?"

Chuck looked around and saw the hotel down the street. It was pointless to think they would get out of town early enough to head back to Los Angeles. They would have to stay in Santa Monica. Chuck pointed to the hotel down the street. "Let's wait over there. Casey and I will go see the Sheriff and I'll visit the telegraph office. I think we will have to stay the night."

Sarah nodded in agreement. She spoke up, "I need to take Lisa shopping. We need to get her outfitted."

Chuck agreed, "Good idea, I'll stop by the telegraph office and then come back. When you get back I'll go over with Hiram."

Casey added, "We have to know where everyone is all the time. No exceptions people. One of us is always with Hiram and Lisa."

The errands complete, they were waiting at the Hotel dining room when a boy brought the telegraph to Chuck, "Sir, this is the reply." Chuck gave him a tip.

Chuck read the reply, "Return to LA. C and W assigned to CC. Instructions for H and L transportation forth coming. Pass my regrets to H and L. G sends."

Hiram looked at Chuck, "I guess your boss is mad." He saw Sarah getting ready to ask, "It will only say 'G sends,' if he sat down and wrote it himself. And in my recollection, that really only happens if he is mad. Otherwise his secretary, a Diane Beckman, an old schoolmarm type, writes it and he just initials."

Sarah put her drink down and looked at Chuck, "What do you want to do?"

"Well, until I can think of something else, we will head out in the morning," Chuck smiled. "Okay, Ellie is going to be real happy. Until this is solved, we go to my house in the evening and then in the morning we'll go over to Castle. If you have to go somewhere during the day, we'll get the Deputies to support us." Chuck shrugged, "We might as well get a good night's sleep."

A/N Okay Partners, small bit on protection.

Found that Korea was making protective vests back in the 1860s. While the West did not get a copy of it until after 1871, I would imagine that Chuck would have worked up something similar prior to that. See Ballistic vest in Wikipedia.

Oh, the Santa Monica pier did not get built for a couple years. Google.

Hope you enjoy.

Partners, and there are many, thanks for the reviews. Please keep them little doggies coming.