Chapter 11 Chuck vs Trust

Authors Notes:

A comment about the last chapter, Chuck leaving Sarah in the pub without him, was very much a Thin Man gimmick, with Nick often ditching Nora, only to find Nora more than holding her own alone in some pretty strange settings, done for comedy. The scene in the pub was a shout out to that type of story. The comedy part of the Nora Charles character, was part of the reason I selected the Thin Man setting for Chuck and Sarah, Sarah Walker was made to sell the comedy that is required to pull off such an outrageous scene.

I'll tell you a little more about Ellie in this chapter. I use Cliff to frame the scene, which adds a little more 'golden' fun to the story.

The glove box scene in the last chapter, sets up the pickpocket story in this chapter and might seem overdone, it has two 'Easter Eggs' , first for Walter Bishop Fringe fans and second for fans of the 'Colonel' episode of Chuck. Also, something from that scene is part of the whodunit confrontation, look for it in chapter 12.

In the same scene, Sarah mistakes a flashlight Chuck's holding at his waist level for something else while she is groping around in the dark. A couple of the lines beginning with 'Oopsie' should be read with caution, as Chuck and Sarah are having way too much fun for 1930, even though Sarah is playing Chuck at the time!

This chapter feels like the Colonel ep in more ways than one, as Morgan and the contents of Chuck's wallet get discussed in the pickpocket scene as well, and I pictured the Barstow hotel scene when I wrote a section of this chapter. See if you do too?

Many romantic comedies are written to make you want to pull your hair out with frustration when the lead couple is foiled repeatedly in their attempts to hook up, then the story tries to make it up to you by delivering at the end. I think many of you might agree that I'm on my way to making you want to pull your hair out, you'll have to judge for yourselves how I do on the delivery part at the end.

So Chuck and Sarah are going to be alone in Chuck's special place? Will it be special? Let's find out, in Chuck vs Trust.

XXXXXXXXXX The Pickpocket, 2:30 am, 8/13/1930, Stairway in Chuck's Apartment

"I thought your room was on the forth floor of the apartment, why do you call it the penthouse?" Sarah asked as they began climbing the stairs toward Chuck's special place.

Chuck smiled as he thought to himself how observant Sarah was as she put her arm around his waist in an uncharacteristically romantic way causing Chuck to squirm in a comic manner, "Because we're not going to my room. We're going to the top floor of the building. Hence the nickname the penthouse." Chuck said with excitement, both because of how Sarah grabbed him, as well as how much he knew Sarah was going to enjoy his surprise. "I can't wait to show you this."

"OK. I guess." Sarah said with slight hesitation, as she pulled away from Chuck and let him lead, while she fell slightly behind. Maybe she realized that, all kidding aside, that indeed Chuck Charles may be up to 'monkey business'. Or maybe she was up to something?

Chuck arrived at the top floor and walked into a hallway, then stopped at the only door in the hallway, which was locked, allowing Sarah to catch up with him. "The owner was going to live here, but never finished construction. So the entire tenth floor is vacant and in shambles, so watch your step once we get inside." Chuck said as he displayed his lock picking skills. "There we are. You're not the only devious one in the building Miss Walker." Chuck said referring to how Sarah picked the lock on her jail cell.

"Impressive Mr Charles." Sarah said, laughing maybe a little more at Chuck's comment than she should have.

"I'll go in first and get the lights." Chuck pulled out a flashlight to find his way to the light switch, in the dark, Sarah bumped into him.

"Oopsie." Sarah called out as she made a fair amount of contact with Chuck in the dark, giving Chuck a grab around his waist. "My bad. What was that I felt Mr Charles?"

"My flashlight Miss Walker?"

"Oh. I see. Nice to see you came prepared for anything that comes up Mr Charles."

"All part of the standard detective kit Miss Walker." Chuck replied as he groped around for the light switch.

"Are the six bullets in your pocket part of the same kit?" Sarah asked.

"How did you know about them?" Chuck asked as he found the light switch.

"I'm a professional pickpocket. Remember. You can't keep secrets from me Chuck Charles. So I suggest you don't even try." Sarah said in a very stern tone.

"I'll remember that. So that's why you grabbed my arm so affectionately on the way up, then dropped behind me?" Chuck was surprised, as he had no idea that Sarah Walker didn't completely trust him.

"Guilty as charged Mr Charles." Sarah was not apologizing, at least not yet.

"Then bumped into me in the dark to put everything back. Here I thought you were starting to warm up to my dancing eyebrows Miss Walker." Chuck was not going to let a little larceny ruin his time, and he continued to flirt.

Always the tease, Sarah replied, "A girl can have more than one reason to bump into a man, maybe I wanted to check out your flashlight? Or maybe I wanted to know what this was?"

Chuck nodded, "Ah. I see. That's why you went in my pockets? Truth is, I was embarrassed to tell you what I took from the glove box. I brought that for Orion. He's quite crazy, and is hard to like until you get to know him. I didn't want you to dislike him before you got a chance to meet him. So I didn't tell you about his obsessive behavior, this being one of the many things."

Sarah was disappointed in herself, "I'm sorry Chuck. I should've trusted you. I wish I didn't go through your stuff. I guess I'm a little nervous, being alone with you up here for real. I thought, I shouldn't say what I thought was in that package. The sort of thing a man would bring along on a date with a slapper I guess. We've known each other for less than two days Chuck. I'm not that sort of girl."

Chuck began to freak out and babble, "NO. Oh no. Is this about my wallet? Whatever you found in there was Morgan's. I keep a spare for him." Chuck said in a most defensive manner.

"Huh?" Sarah was confused, "What on earth are you talking about Mr Charles? I went through your wallet too. I saw nothing for you to worry about. What would Morgan keep in your wallet that would upset you?" Sarah replied, as Morgan had borrowed the item Chuck was worried about. Had Morgan not done that, Chuck's night may have ended, rather than just begun with Miss Walker.

Chuck exhaled a sigh of relief then quickly changed the subject back to Sarah's original question about the bullets, "To answer your first question, reloads, in case I empty my gun in a gun battle."

"Ever have to use the spare bullets?" Sarah asked.

"More than once Sugar. More than once." Chuck replied, as he moved toward Sarah.

XXXXXXXXXX The Special Place

Now. The reason I brought you here." Chuck grabbed Sarah by the hand, and put his arm around her waist, put his hands over her eyes, and led her through the stuff laying all over.

"Oh no. What did I tell you. No funny stuff. Where are you taking me?" Sarah hesitantly asked, as she blindly walked in the direction Chuck led her. Sarah hated not being in control of the situation.

"Sarah, don't be nervous, just a few more steps. You're going to love this. Trust me. There we are. Now look, through the windows." Chuck released his hold on Sarah and pointed.

The view Chuck pointed Sarah toward immediately caught her attention leaving Sarah awestruck, "Chuck, the window looks straight down Broadway Street? It's stunning. You were right, I love it." Sarah stood in the large picture window and gawked.

"This one's pretty good too, but at night not as spectacular. During the day, this view is even better." Chuck called from another corner of the big room.

Sarah joined Chuck at the next window. "I'll bet that's Central park huh? Oh Chuck, I love Central Park."

"That it is Sugar." Chuck replied. Chuck walked through a door to another room, while Sarah looked around.

Sarah kept talking in amazement, "Chuck, this room is more like a ball room, than a living room. It reminds me of the room we have at Burton Mansion."

"I thought the same thing Sarah." Chuck called out from the other room.

"Where did you go Chuck?" Sarah asked as she could hear Chuck's voice was not in the room with her any longer.

"Now don't freak out Sarah, I'm in the bedroom. This room has the best view of all. Come here and take a look."

Somewhat hesitantly, Sarah entered the room, planned as the master bedroom, and saw Chuck laying back, "No monkey business, Mr Charles. You promised me!"

Chuck was laying on an old mattress and a bunch of pillows set directly in front of the window overlooking the city. Chuck's eyes focused on the window, then he turned to Sarah. "Sarah, come here. Whatever monkey business we do or don't do, will be at the pace you set. Really. Come here. This is the actual special place. Come on." Chuck encouraged Sarah to join him.

"OK. But you promised." Sarah warily approached the bed, like a school girl might. "I guess I can trust you." Sarah said as she sat on the mattress. She slowly laid her head on the pillow Chuck patted for her, and for the first time looked out the window. She took in the view Chuck wanted her to see. "Oh Chuck. You were so right. Look Chuck. See that building with the red, white and blue lights. That's Burton Industries, we have a New York branch office. Daddy never would move headquarters here, he loved the Hamptons. But he should have, the city is where all the action is from a business perspective."

Chuck nodded, "Nice touch with the lights. They caught my eye more than once. I always wondered the story behind them. Your idea?"

Sarah shook her head, then she proudly replied, "No. Daddy's. He was big on not giving up during the depression. Trying to keep hope alive."

"Your dad sounds most special Sarah."

"Chuck. He was. He would have liked you Chuck. And he would have liked this view too. I feel as if I've died and gone to heaven up here. I have a question Chuck. I see why it's special for me, I so love New York city. But why for you?"

Chuck had a far off look, "I don't know. I guess it is that hope thing Sarah. That your dad talked about. I like to come up here and fantasize, about the day when the whole world is a better place. A world where people get along better regardless of class, or gender, or race, or religion. I dream of a time when this Depression is over, and we can walk down the streets and see happiness in people's faces. This place has a feel of having those dreams come true, even though it's in shambles."

"Thank you Chuck."

"Why?" Chuck asked, in a happy way.

"For being true to your word. This is every bit as special as you said it was. Are you mad at me?" Sarah was still somewhat freaking out.

"Why?" Chuck was not going to make a mistake and say too much, rather, he was going to let Sarah take the lead.

"Because I haven't even let you kiss me yet?" Sarah asked, in a very shy way.

"I'm pretty sure, if I tried to kiss you, that you would let me. But either way, I'm not mad at you. Not even the slightest bit." Chuck smiled at Sarah, in a way that could be best characterized as understanding.

Sarah slid herself right next to Chuck on the bed. Chuck turned his face toward her and gave her the warm smile she fell in love with, from the moment she first saw him in the park through her window. Sarah draped one of her legs over Chuck and moved her face in close. "Chuck. Thank you for letting me decide when. Kiss me."

Sarah's words stirred a passion in Chuck like he never felt before, "Come here you." Chuck said in a manner so passionate, that it scared him, as he pulled Sarah in close he rolled over on top of her.

Sarah giggled, as she puckered her lips to meet Chuck's. Their lips almost touched when ...

"Ahem." A voice called out from behind. "AHEM." The voice repeated, only louder.

Chuck broke off his embrace, stopping short of the first kiss, and he looked up.

Sarah took a deep breath, in a most frustrated manner as she turned and looked in the direction of the voice.

"I thought you two might be here. Chuck, wake up. Orion sent me to find you. He's ready for you Chuck. You don't have much time before you have to leave for the city."

"Ellie. Now's not the best time." Chuck's voice cracked and he could hardly get the words out as he was in a most aroused state.

Ellie moved to the foot of the bed, and began to half pull both Chuck and Sarah up as she said, "Come on. Wake up you two sleepyheads. I imagine you have to save the world or something of the sorts this morning. So on your horses. Up and at em."

"Yes Ellie." Chuck answered, like he might answer his own mother.

"Wow." Sarah took a deep breathe and tried to regain her composure while she fanned herself. Sarah's pulse was racing from thoughts of what might have been. Still, as she was coming to her senses, she couldn't help enjoying watching how Chuck and Ellie worked together, and fully understood what Chuck meant about Ellie in the car ride to New York. Ellie was special to Chuck, and Chuck was a better man for having Ellie Bartowski in his life.

A moment later, Ellie, Chuck and Sarah reached top of the stairwell, and began their decent toward the first floor, and Orion's lab.

Chuck turned to Sarah about half way down the stairs, "Sarah, I'm sorry. Could you stay with Ellie again, I probably should see Orion alone."

"Sure." Sarah replied.

Ellie said, "Chuck. I'm still cleaning up the bar. We just closed up a few minutes ago. Sarah can stay in my room while I finish working."

Sarah objected, "Nonsense Ellie. I'll help you clean up."

Ellie vigorously shook her head, "Sarah. No. Not a woman like you. You shouldn't be doing work like that. Cleaning a filthy bar is work for us commoners."

Sarah raised her jaw defiantly, "And why not. My hands and arms can push a broom and a mop as well as the next persons. Matter of fact, I've been told I'm rather nifty with my hands."

Chuck nodded, "She is that Ellie."

Ellie smiled, "Chuck. I don't know where you found this girl. It's like she's from a different time and place. OK then, I'd be much obliged if you pitched in, there's lots to do."

By now, the trio finished their walk down the stairs and reached the pub, "Great, let's get started." Sarah said to Ellie. "Don't be long Chuckie." Sarah called out to Chuck, in a most teasing manner as Chuck walked off toward Orion's lab.

XXXXXXXXXX Orion Part 2

"Orion, Ellie said you figured it out."

"I did Charles. Simple really."

Orion began as he pointed to the line of hats, "First the hats. You wanted to know whose golf hat size was the same as the wig size. That was a clever theory on your part Chuck. I found only three matches size wise, the wig, Mr Larkin's head size, and this third hat, they all match. So if the killer had the wig on, either Mr Larkin or this second person did it."

Chuck nodded, "You mentioned that you had some other test you could run?"

Orion went to the blackboard, as if he was giving a college lecture, "Charles. While I hunted war criminals in the 19020's, I developed an experimental identification approach, called DNA testing. He began to ramble about all the technology when Chuck cut him off.

"Orion. Very impressive. What results did the test give you?"

Orion nodded, "Sure. I understand Charles. I did the test of the hats and the wigs, but I'm pretty sure I saw the same results."

"So the DNA testing told you that both Mr Larkin and person X wore the wig?"

"Exactly Charles."

"Hmmm." Was all Chuck replied with.

Orion was not finished, "Then, there is the matter of the hair I found in the wig? I'd say this one belonged to Mr Larkin, and this one, I'd match up to this hat."

"Person X's hat?" Chuck asked.

"Precisely Charles."

"Good work Orion." Chuck smiled at his friend. "How about the the blown fuse."

Orion walked over to the wall, where he had a demonstration arranged for Chuck, "As for the electricity experiment, I'll demonstrate. The killer took an old electrical cord."

"Like from a broke lamp?" Chuck asked.

"Exactly. The killer stripped the wires, then placed a newspaper around each of the wires, then set the wires together so the newspaper was touching. Finally, the killer would set three books up on the floor, place the exposed wire in the middle, and set the rest of the newspaper over the books. Once the music started playing, the killer plugs the wire in, pours a glass of water into the newspaper, and waits for smoke. Once smoke starts, the killer has ten seconds until the lights in the building short circuit. From what you described to me, the timing is perfect, and most repeatable. Ten seconds."

Chuck nodded, "Hmmm. I see. Orion, you're a genius. Thanks so much. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Orion stopped looking confident, now he looked more like a ten year old child, "Charles. If you don't mind? I'd like a couple of sticks of licorice. Ellie never buys me enough."

Chuck reached into his pocket, the pocket Sarah Walker had picked earlier, "You mean like these?"

Orion clapped his hands gently together in applause, "Charles, you're the best. FIVE sticks of licorice. You made my day Charles."

Chuck nodded, with a sad sort of smile, "You made mine too. I need to get going. I'll see you soon. Take care of yourself. If you need anything, be sure to ask Ellie. Goodbye Orion."

Orion watched Chuck leave, and called out, "Aces Charles. Aces."

XXXXXXXXXX The Golden Touch

When Chuck returned to the bar, he found the bar area was spotless clean. Near all the customers had stumbled out, except for one of his friends, Cliff, the young handsome writer who was playing cards with Sarah and the 'gang' earlier.

Chuck saw Ellie, Sarah and Cliff having a quiet, seemingly most spirited conversation alone in a corner. Chuck was surprised, not that they were talking, as Cliff was one of the most thoughtful and intelligent men he knew, it made sense Sarah and he would get along. What surprised Chuck was the intensity of the conversation, such that all three largely ignored him as he approached.

Sarah continued talking to Cliff even as Chuck leaned in to join them, "So Cliff, let me get this straight. You're writing a story about a woman who has two boyfriends, a handsome, young man she just met a few months ago who she loves. And a second much older man she's known for years, and feels beholden too since he took care of her, even though she doesn't love him at all."

"That is the idea Sarah." Cliff nodded.

Sarah thought for a moment, then asked Ellie, "And this is all based on your life Ellie, with Devon and Langston Graham?"

"It is Sarah. I'm hoping Cliff can write me a happy ending, so I can figure out a way out of my mess?"Ellie nodded.

Sarah was processing the story she just heard, "Does Devon play the violin?"

"He does Sarah. Just like an angel." Ellie smiled at the thought of Devon.

Cliff was curious about Sarah's opinion on his work, so he asked, "Sarah. I'm going to call my story 'Awesome Boy'. After Devon Woodcomb. He is pretty awesome, isn't he?"

Sarah shook her head, "I don't think so Cliff. That doesn't work for me. Nope. I'd use the same three people, but change the setting and the title. I'd have Devon be a boxer, Ellie be Langston's secretary so she is more intertwined in the day to day life of Langston and Devon, and Langston be Devon's manager. Boxing is so much more exciting than police work. And Awesome Boy sounds silly, I think of a different title if I were you."

"Boxer Boy." Chuck quipped, as he wanted to act like he was part of the conversation.

"No that's not it Chuck. Let me think." Sarah looked up toward the bar and saw a gold cup, that Big Mike won as a boxer when he was a younger man, "I've got it, how about 'Golden Boy'?"

"Golden Boy. Has a nice sound to it. And I like the boxing idea." Cliff replied to Sarah. Cliff finally noticed Chuck. "Chuckie. Your girl's smart as a whip. What do you think? Awesome Boy or Golden Boy?"

"Cliff. If I were you. I'd listen to Miss Walker. If you don't, she might hit you. And trust me, you don't want that to happen." Chuck smiled at Sarah, while rubbing his shoulder.

"Oh Chuck. Stop that." Sarah scolded Chuck, while she gave Chuck a small taste of what he talked about, straight to the arm she slugged earlier in the night, only this time in a gentle, affectionate manner.

"See. What did I tell you." Chuck faked like the punch hurt.

Cliff nodded, "I see Chuckie. Well then Sarah Walker, I'm going to change my story to a boxing setting, and the title to Golden Boy, because, I don't want to earn the wrath of Sarah Walker."

Chuck laughed, "Good idea Cliff. Sugar, we need to go."

"Oh Chuck. So soon?" Sarah pouted.

Chuck looked sad too, as their adventure at Big Mikes turned out much better than he ever could have hoped for, "I'm afraid so. Back to the Hamptons, Chuck said as optimistically as he could.

Sarah frowned as she said in a very sad manner, "And back to reality."

XXXXXXXXXX Back to Reality

Chuck and Sarah walked toward the car. "I'll take care of the sign." Sarah said as she got ready to move Chuck's no parking sign back in place, as Chuck got in, setting the box he brought for Orion to examine in the back seat.

"Thanks Sugar." Chuck said as he pulled away a few feet.

Sarah got in the car a moment later. "Chuck. I loved 'your' New York City life. I had the best time ever. That building is magical Chuck. And for the record, so are you!"

Chuck made a grim face, "Too bad the place is shutting down. The bank foreclosed on the whole place. Our last day here is next Friday."

Sarah nodded, "I heard. Big Mike told me about the foreclosure before I went to play cards last night. Chuck, I'm so sorry."

Chuck looked away, "There isn't anything anyone can do about it."

Sarah changed the subject, "Did Orion help you figure out who did it?"

Chuck nodded, "He did. I've always had a pretty good idea. Since the first interview. I never had any proof. I have enough now for me, not sure about a jury though. But, Orion helped set the stage. Now, I need the actors to play out their parts, to reveal the killer."

"You aren't going to tell me who did it? Are you?" Sarah looked at Chuck.

"Miss Walker. You are most perceptive. Not yet. I don't want to tip our hand that I know." Chuck said in a charming manner.

"OK. But if I ever know a secret you want to hear, I'm going to make you wait too." Sarah said, with a bit of a hopeful smile, that a next time might exist for Chuck and her.

Chuck replied seriously, "Fair enough. Sarah, I need you to do something for me at the reenactment."

Sarah realized the serious tone, "Sure, anything."

Chuck slowly asked, "Could you lead in the dance, the exact steps, you playing your dad. If you don't mind, I'll have Morgan dance with you. He may not always look it, but if things get rough, he can be pretty clever. He'll protect you."

Sarah nodded, "I don't mind at all. I want to catch daddy's killer. Dancing with Morgan. Sounds like fun. Although I guess where his nose would line up with my chest, might be a bit awkward?"

Chuck nodded and made a funny face picturing Morgan and Sarah dancing, then continued, "Sheriff Casey's going to play the killer, based on what Orion taught me tonight. When he walks from the pro shop toward the ballroom, at the moment the lights shut off, Casey will be standing where the killer was."

Sarah was as intense about solving the case as Chuck, like a real detective as she observed, "That makes sense Chuck, from the pro shop, daddy and I would have been outlined in the dark by the patio doors. From that angle the killer could almost see us, couldn't they?"

"Right on Detective Walker."

"That would be close to where Shaw was that night, wouldn't it Chuck? If he were still alive, he'd be the main suspect, wouldn't he?" Sarah speculated.

"That's why Shaw saw the whole thing. The killer had to walk right by. You're good at this. Miss Walker." Chuck smiled at Sarah as he pulled into the Maple Bluff parking lot.

"Why thank you Mr Charles. You're pretty good at this yourself." Sarah returned the smile, then she took a deep breath, and the smile faded, as the reality of the day set in.

Chuck stopped the car, and said, "We're here. Are you ready to find out whodunit Sarah?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Any last idea's on whodunit? Chuck had a good idea from the first day of interviews with the suspects. I'll tell you which line after chapter 12, we'll see if any of you agree about the line after seeing how it plays out. As the writer, I put something in Chapter 1 that tipped my hand, although I'd hardly call it a clue, for me, something in Chapter 1 made it impossible to have anyone else be the killer. I'll also share that with you after Chapter 12 ends.

A bit of trivia, the light trick Orion figured out, is a near direct rip off from the movie 'Another Thin Man'. The trick was thought of by Phil Church, and figured out by Nick Charles in solving Colonel McVey's murder, which took place close to ten years after this story did.

Did you like the Golden Boy shout out? Aren't you glad Sarah Walker convinced her new friend Cliff to change the name of his play?