Don't own Chuck
The sun was high overhead shining down on them. Chuck got up and went for the teapot then refilled everyone's glass. He was intentional being silent stalling so he could find the words to tell Banai that he wasn't sure if his government would agree to his terms. This was personal for Banai he could tell but then it dawned on Chuck if it was that personal could it also be official?
"Look Banai I'll be honest with you. My agency will probably never allow you come into our country for the sole purpose to whack a guy and I don't think your government will allow you to come either because that will require diplomatic relations."
"We've worked around that before. I did you a favor back in Khoy or do you remember now? You wanted ten minutes and I gave them to you when I didn't have to."
"Yes I remember... I remember quite well actually. Okay I'll ask on your behalf but don't get your hopes built up. Listen when we take the Commandant I'm going to have to break him. He's a part of an organization we're just finding out about. I need his intel or will I find it in here," asked Chuck as he pointed at the folder.
"The Ratline between Baghdad and Damascus is in there and facts your government probably doesn't want known like they found Saddam's chemical factories but choose not to reveal it to the world."
"This is news," said Alex. "And why wouldn't they? We took a lot of crap over the fact that we didn't find any WODs. If what you say is true it seems like that would be against our own interests."
"Because they didn't want to scare the world, they found the factories but didn't find the product. The easiest way to handle this was to take the hit and say they didn't find anything than to admit they found them but they found them too late."
"Then what they took out of the statues could be just the tip of the iceberg," said Chuck. "Ali is going to need some serious rendition."
"Read the dossier then get back to me," said Banai as he passed Chuck a burner phone. "You can reach me with this day or night. Once you don't need Ali he's mine and I'll make him six inches taller if I don't shoot him in the face first. Now let's finish our tea. Oh here I brought your daughter a gift, a Persian doll," he said as he reached down the passed him a paper gift bag.
"Thank you Banai you really shouldn't have," said Chuck as he took the bag then pulled out a faceless doll he showed Alex. "I'm sure she'll like it. If you come with me to our vehicles I have a sombrero that you can take back to your son. How big is your boy now?" Chuck asked as they finished their tea.
"You wouldn't recognize him," said Banai as the two began exchanged pictures of their families. "Soon he'll be taller than me."
"Banai why are you here? Don't get me wrong I appreciate the Intel but you should be home with you wife and family no sitting here with us drinking tea. Why is the Commandant a personal interest of yours? What did he do?"
"Oh Chuck, he was the first monster I met. When I was drafted into the army during the war with Iraq I went in together with a friend of mine. We did everything together and he was my friend. He died as a result of Ali's chemical weapon he unleashed on the battlefield. The man had a wife and family. On paper now she's my second wife and his son I'm raising. My Major the man who got me in the VAJA asked me to hunt the SOB down and if I got the chance to end him. My Major then is my director now and my orders are still the same."
"I see," said Chuck. "I'll see what I can do about getting you that permission but like I said I can't promise anything."
"All I ask is that you run it up the flagpole then we see who salutes. You can show your General the pictures in that report. There's enough there to make your stomach turn. I'll be waiting here for your answer one way or the other. But don't expect me to sit on my hands forever."
Chuck downed his tea then he waved for Alex to get up. When they started to leave Banai grabbed Chuck's jacket.
"I would appreciate it if other than nice words you really tried to get me approval. I know I'm not exactly on the top of your list for mister congeniality but whatever push you can give this I would appreciate."
"I'll do what I can do I promise you I will. And if we have to pull something like Khoy... well we'll see. Now come with us and let me give you that sombrero."
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The Brigadier was sitting in the back of his Mercedes SUV heading out of the pier back towards his office. It had taken him some time to build himself a safe place in American society. No one ever suspected he was Iraqi or that he was even Muslim for that matter. But this disguise was necessary for their plans; however, soon he'd have enough money that he could return home and live like a king. He picked up his phone and dialed a number then put it on speaker as he leaned back in the seat.
"It's me," said the Brigadier. "I'm call to let you know Carlos is no longer a threat. I took care of him like you asked me to do."
"So what did you think of him? Obviously you thought he was threat. Do you know if he talked to anyone about our operation?"
"No I don't think he did but it was just a matter of time. He was blabbering on to me about our affairs on the phone after I told him not to so I had no choice. You were the one saying we'd come too far to screw it up now. We might check out his supervisor to see if he'd be amenable to looking the other way."
"That's exactly what I said and I'm glad to see you took me at my word. I'm not so sure your Commandant isn't reaching the end of his usefulness."
"I don't think we're there yet. It's not that he's a friend even if he is but we could use a blunt object like him still if things get sticky."
"The responsibility for keeping him around is with you. If he screws up I expect you to take swift action like you did with Carlos, do I make myself clear?"
"Roger that and if and when the time comes I will do what has to be done. I don't know what your problem is with me haven't I always done what I had to without questions?"
"I just want you to realize that sooner or later the Commandant will outlive his usefulness to us and you need to be prepared."
"I am well aware of that," said the Brigadier. "Look I've got to let you go I'm almost back at my office. Any word yet from our buyers?"
"You might like this I'm trying to organize an auction to sell off the canisters separately. I'm working out the details but the way I see it we could use works of art to represent the canisters and have our clients bid on them on line. Once we have their money we tell them where they can pick up the canister. They don't meet us and we don't meet them so they can't turn around and rat us out."
"Ingenious if they're willing to trust us with their cash. What's to keep us from running with their money? They don't know who we are so how do they come looking for us if the product turns out to be a fake?"
"I didn't say I had all the kinks worked out just this is what I'm thinking. Besides you and I know the product is real but I hear what you're saying. We aren't dealing with the most trusting group of people."
"We're dealing with the worst of the worst look I've got to run. I think the idea is good but like you said you need to iron out some of the kinks. Call me if there are any developments," said the Brigadier. He hung up then got out of the Mercedes and walked around to the driver's side tapping on the window.
"I want you two to go down to Ali's safe house tell him I sent you two. You can be my eyes and ears and report back to me if you see anything funny. It's not that I don't trust the Commandant but in times like these it's good to keep an extra eye out."
"Roger that will do," said the driver as he started the SUV up then backed out pulling away. The Brigadier stood there and watched his men drive away. Something inside him told him he needed his own men in the Commandant's inner circle to keep him abreast of what was going on.
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The Commandant was sitting at the table watching Zaid and Gabir who were playing pasur to pass the time when a black Mercedes SUV pulled up. He motioned for them to stay put then he got up to go check to see who it was. The garage was starting to get crowded with vehicles after the Mercedes pulled in.
"The Brigadier sent us he said you were shorthanded," said the driver. "You can call me Abdul and this is Ammar."
"Good it's about time we get some relief. You can follow me," said the Commandant as he led the two new members of his team through the house. They walked past the make shift gas chamber which both men noticed as they kept up behind the Commandant. "So have you worked with the Brigadier long?"
"We came with him when he left our country," said Ammar. Abdul gave him a slight nudge then shook his head.
"Yes, we've been with the Brigadier for a long time. But I think you've been with him longer," said Abdul. "Working with him here has been challenging."
"Really," said the Commandant. "This is Gabir and Zaid. You can introduce yourselves later so what word does the Brigadier send?" Abdul looked at Gabir and Zaid then at the Commandant. "Oh you can talk in front of them they're trusted associates who've proven themselves under fire so go ahead."
"Well there's not much to say. He said to tell you he'd be in touch soon and that we're to chill here until then. But not to worry he hasn't forgotten you."
"What's taking so long? I'd expected us to make a strike by now or at least be sitting down and planning something."
"The Brigadier can't be seen with you. You got your picture taken at the museum and it's been sent to all the local law enforcement agencies. You take one step out that door and you'll be headed off to a CIA dark site. The best you can hope for is a one way ticket to Gitmo."
"So am I stuck here for duration? What am I supposed to do? We could move the canisters across the border to Mexico then operate from there?"
"The Brigadier will never agree to that. He'll never let them out of his grasp. I don't know if I should tell you this but we've eliminated..."
"Abdul no, we don't know if the Boss wants them to know this," said Ammar as he interrupted Abdul. But Abdul waved him off and continued.
"They need to know this. I'll take the blame if the Boss gets mad," said Abdul. Now he really had the attention of the Commandant and his two men. "We've eliminated everyone that helped us bring the canisters in to country. The art expert that certified the works and we just came from ending the Customs officer," said Abdul as he put his garrote on the table.
"He's burning bridges," said the Commandant. He was thinking about what Abdul said when he looked at the clock. "Well we'll talk more later right now we need to go and pray it's time for Asr. You're both welcome to join us for afternoon prayer.
"We'd be honored," said Ammar as he and Abdul followed them to a back room. Abdul looked over at Ammar and smiled. Ammar smiled back their plan to drive a wedge between the Brigadier and the Commandant was working.
[Earlier on their way to the Safe house]
Abdul was driving down Burbank Boulevard when his phone rang. He looked at the number but anonymous was on the screen. He passed it to Ammar who answered it putting the call on speaker.
"I have a special mission for you two," said the voice on the phone. They recognized it as the boss of their boss. "The Brigadier is going to get himself in trouble if he keeps blindly defending the Commandant. When you two get to the safe house, your mission is to separate the two of them. I don't care how you do it but the Brigadier has to realize that the Commandant is dragging him down."
"Do you have any suggestions on how we're supposed to do that? The Brigadier and the Commandant go back a long ways together."
"I don't know be creative because if the Brigadier goes down so do you two so you've got a vested interest in making sure this doesn't happen."
"Then I guess we don't have a choice," said Abdul. "We're pulling up now outside so we've got to go but I've got an idea. We'll call you back on this number and give you a progress report. Don't call us we won't know when we'll be free."
"Roger that I've told you what's at stake so go get it done. I won't be calling back again," said the man then he hung up.
"I'm going to tell them about what we've been up to Ammar you just have to protest like I'm telling some great secret. This is doable just follow my lead. Here we go."
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Morgan and Sam were sitting on the sofa in silence. Sam had a nice big Band-Aid on her forehead and Morgan's big 'L' was coming through his make-up. The both of them were sitting there silently as Sarah paced back and forth in front of them with her hands on her hips.
"I'm very disappointed in both of you. I thought I could leave you alone for a few minutes while I went to work and everything would be okay... then you two do this. What am I supposed to do with you two? Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
"Well nothing really happened," said Morgan. "I mean it really was... well we were playing around and Sam didn't mean to draw an 'L' on my forehead. John was the one who gave the marker and idea to her."
"Just because you're given a weapon doesn't mean you have to use it," said Sarah. "Okay I've got to remember you're almost five. We told you about repeating what John says that goes for this too. You should've known better."
"I guess so," said Sam as she looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry Morgan for writing 'L' on your forehead. But I didn't mean to fall and bump my head. It wasn't Morgan's fault I slipped on the floor. It was an accident."
"This is my fault for trusting you two could behave together. Next time I'm going to have to wait until there's a responsible adult present."
"Oh that's low," said Morgan. Sarah turned and gave him a look. "Okay maybe I haven't been one that long... oh come on it's like riding a bike you start off with training wheel then you take them off and fall over a couple of times before you take off. This was just a little hiccup on the road to... to being responsible."
"Yeah whatever he said Morgan's a good baby sitter," said Sam. "Sure he might be a boneheaded moronic troll as Uncle Casey says, but he's fun to be around and he's a good a baby sitter. Did I say that?"
"Yeah and geez thanks... I think. What we're saying in a very self-degrading way is give us another chance. Things just got away from us but it won't happen again."
"As far as Sam goes I'm going to have to talk this over with Chuck. And you Morgan, you're going to have to talk this over with Alex. The end of the week you go back to work at the Buy More are you sure you're ready?"
"To face the angry hordes invading the store and the mindless wonders I have working with... I can hardly wait. Especially to have to listen to Big Mike go on about my mother and how she's muy caliente."
"What does muy caliente mean," asked Sam as she started to wiggle around on the couch. She had sat still for as about as long as she could but now she needed to get up.
"It means you can go in your room to play," said Sarah as she looked at Morgan who shrugged his shoulders.
"It does not," said Sam as she jumped off the couch then ran down the hall. Sarah was about to yell at her to walk but she heard the door slam then it opened up again Sam giggled as she hung the 'do not disturb' sign on the door.
"She's in her recording studio now," said Sarah. "I can only guess what she's recording." As she was talking her phone rang. Answering it was Noora. "Noora, how are you? I meant to call you and tell you we had a lovely lunch the other day." Sam had her kid radar on and came flying out of her room.
"Can I talk to Samaa, please, please," begged Sam as she oscillated back and forth. Sarah held up her finger for Sam to be quiet.
"I think you can hear Sam wants to talk with Samaa when we're done. … Tomorrow I don't know but if you want to get together I can make time. Sam wants to take Samaa to the park to meet some of her friends how about ten … Too close to noontime prayer then how about a half past twelve if that gives you enough time between prayers. … Jamil is going to be in the consulate. Okay then tomorrow. Wait let me put Sam on," said Sarah. She handed the phone to Sam.
"Wait one moment," said Sam. She took the phone then disappeared down the hall going into her room slamming the door behind her.
"You just got a look at what your future is going to look like," said Kat as she smiled at her from the kitchen. "Alex called saying they're almost home. I take it Sam has a play date for tomorrow?"
"Yeah I'm meeting Noora in the park so the girls can play together. He husband has to go to their consulate to finalize something then they're going back home to London. I don't want to tell Sam this will be their last chance to play together here."
"Well if you have trouble taking her let me know I'll be more than happy to help out. I need to get back to John's and pull out the stew that's left. Alex said they didn't have time to eat." As they were talking Sam came out of her room and handed Sarah the phone but the enthusiasm she had before was gone.
"Sam, what's the matter aren't you excited anymore about meeting Samaa?" asked Sarah. She was afraid she knew why.
"She's leaving the day after tomorrow so this will be the last time we'll be able to play together. Everyone leaves me no one stays. Nana Mary, Nana Emma, Jack, Clara, Molly, Razib they all leave me. I don't have anyone to play with," said Sam as she looked at her feet.
"Come here and sit with me," said Sarah. "When I was little like you I didn't have anyone either and I was very lonely too but I didn't have any brothers or sisters…"
"You have Molly," said Sam.
"But Molly didn't come along until I was already grown so it was like I never had any brothers or sisters. However, soon you'll be busy with your sister. You're going to have to teach her a lot of things…"
"Like not giving Morgan the green spots virus or writing 'L' on his face. I can teach her all the cons so she'll never be a sucker."
"I think there might be one or two you don't know so let's do that together. But you can see that maybe right now you're lonely; however, very soon and I mean soon you're going to be really busy."
"Wow I hadn't thought about it. I should make a list of things I need to teach Bunny," said Sam. Sarah gave her a look. "What Bunny sounds better than Morgana?"
"That I can't deny. Okay get your list together then let me hear it. We can work on this together," said Sarah. Sam reached over and pulled her down then kissed her.
"You're the best Mommy in the whole wide world. I love you."
"I love you too Sweetie. Now we need to get ready Chuck will be home soon," said Sarah as she wiped the tears out of her eyes.