Don't own Chuck

Casey grabbed a cab outside of the airport in Orléans then had it drop him off in front of the Carlton hotel where Roan was staying. He paid the cab fare after he got out then looked up at the hotel shaking his head as he grunted before entering. Only in France he muttered as he walked up to the front desk and read the sign then walked over to the hotel bar. If he couldn't get a room at least he could get a drink he thought.

"I'll take two finger of whatever single malt you've got neat and preferable in a clean glass if you've got one but looking around here I kind of doubt it," said John as he sat down on a stool.

"I think I can manage that," said the bartender as he took a bottle off the shelf. "How's Glenfiddich twelve-year-old." He said as he poured out two fingers in a glass then sat it in front of him. "What brings you here if I might ask?"

"What would anyone else be looking for here? I'm looking for a room but your check-in clerk seems to be out for five to life," said Casey as he looked down at his watch. "That would be fifteen minutes ago. What is it around here the maid's month off?"

"So you're waiting for me," said the bartender as he took off his apron. "We're shorthanded at the moment… you know economic crisis so we've had to tighten our belt. I believe you call it multi-tasking. Come with me and I'll get you checked in." Casey downed his scotch then followed Pierre back to the reception desk.

"You're in luck I've got one more suite left then we're fully booked. I might be able to call back the real bartender. Here you go," said Pierre as he handed Casey his keycard.

"So do you get many foreign guests here?" asked Casey as he took the keycard. "I noticed it seems like the circus has come to town."

"Oh they come here every time they arrive until they get their working papers in order and their equipment arrives in Marseille. But we do get our fair share of foreign guests interested in the park, Le parc floral de la Source, and as a matter of fact your neighbor across the hall is a fellow American. He's here to attend a rose symposium in the park."

"That's interesting," said Casey but he was thinking what a lame cover story. "I might have to look him up in the morning. Do you serve breakfast?"

"There is a continental style breakfast buffet served in the bar area from six to eleven with croissants, coffee, and juice. But these people from the circus when they get there they clean everything out. Oh I never got why you're here?"

"That's right you never did," said Casey without answering Pierre. He turned and started heading for the elevator.

"Oh one last question, I need it for the hotel register," said Pierre. "Monsieur Casey what is your occupation?"

"You can put down mechanic," he said as the elevator doors opened and he got on. The doors closed with Pierre standing there perplexed.

"Strange I would've never guessed mechanic," said Pierre. Suddenly there was some loud round screams coming from the bar as men from the circus were complaining about what was on television.

"We thought you'd have the game on not some old movies. Get in here and change the channel or we'll do it for you."

"Don't get your panties in a bunch I'll be right there. You know you're not my only guests and if you've got a roof over your heads it's because I have other guests when your bunch isn't around. They help me keep the doors open and the bills paid," said Pierre as he went around to the other side of the bar to get the remote. "What movie is this anyway?" asked Pierre before he changed channels

"It's called the Mechanic with Charles Bronson. It's about a professional hitman but we want to see the game so hurry up and change."

"Just hold your horses and give me a chance to switch the channel. I hope you paid for those drinks and not helped yourself while I was checking in my last guest." That was when it clicked in his head.

"Hey, hurry up what are you doing just standing there like an idiot. You've got the remote in your hand switch the channel."

"Right switch the channel," said Pierre. He switched over to the sports station but he couldn't get out of his head what he said before Casey didn't look like the type of guy who'd be mending cars he remembered saying to himself. But could Casey have meant another type of mechanic?

"Okay you've switched the channel now get out of the way," yelled the men trying to watch the match around him but Pierre was still standing in their way.

"I need a drink," he said as he went behind the bar and poured himself out two fingers of the Glenfiddich that he hadn't put back yet. He downed that then poured himself two more just to take the edge off.

[In the elevator heading up]

Casey's phone started to ring. He took it out and looked at the caller ID. It was Langley which meant it was the General asking him if he was on station yet. He shook his head as he put in an earbud the sync'd up. The elevator came to a stop as he answered it.

"Colonel Casey, I'm calling to find out if you made it there yet. I've been… We've been trying to reach Roan but he's not answering. I'd like you to make a walk by and make sure he's okay. He asked me to look into a Zorro family…. More specifically a Rita Zorro and her father, Don Diego."

"Geez and do they leave a 'Z'," said Casey as he walked down the hallway to his room. "I'm going to my room which if I'm right is across the hall from Roan's. Oh no," he said.

"Explain Colonel," said the General in his ear. "What does oh no mean? Can you turn this into a video call so we can see?"

"General, Roan's door is open. I'm going in," said Casey as he pulled out his Sig and attached a suppressor. Inside he found two men tearing the place apart searching for something. "Boys, I don't suppose you are with housekeeping and you found this place like this?"

One man reached under his jacket Casey wasn't taking any chances he put a round in the man's head. The other man dove on top of John and they both tumbled backwards dislodging John's weapon from his hand. It flew in the opposite direction. They rolled around on the floor as each one tried to get the other in some sort of lock but in the end they broke free from each other. They got up facing each other panting circling trying to give themselves time to catch their breath.

"Don't be an idiot like your friend give it up. Tell me what you're doing here and what you're looking for," said Casey. But the man spied Casey's weapon on the floor and was circling trying to get close enough to go for it. "Listen to me, you don't want to do this."

"Merde," said the man as he dove for Casey's weapon. Casey drew from behind his back a kabar and threw it catching the man in the back. It made a loud thud then the man dropped lifeless with his arm outstretched. John went over recovered his weapon holstered it then checked both men to confirm they had no vital signs.

"General," said Casey after he put the earbud back in. "It looks like someone grabbed Roan. I think it's about time I was brought up to speed on what's going on."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chuck drove the girls from Nice to Monaco in their rental. The distance at least on paper wasn't that far but the winding costal road made it a challenge as well as taking time. However, a little past midday they were pulling into the parking area near the Musée Océanographique de Monaco. They got out and walked into the museum. The dim lighting and special effects created a breath taking atmosphere in the museum and especially in the aquarium.

"Look at the skeletons," said Chuck as they walked past them. "Just think Sam you could end up in the stomach like Pinocchio."

"Pinocchio was a boy and that's where they end up because let's face it they're not very smart. I don't think the fox or the cat would've stood a chance against Molly or me."

"That's right," said Molly. "If you know all the cons you'll never be a sucker and evidently Pinocchio didn't know them. That's what got him in trouble."

"You know I think I read a different version of Pinocchio because that wasn't what I got from it," said Chuck. Molly looked at Sam and shook her head.

"I know," said Sam. "But he means well. Let's move along to the touching pools I want to touch a shark."

"Me too," said Molly as they walked away. But Chuck stood there still trying to figure out what they were talking about.

"Hold up a minute," said Chuck as he hurried behind them. "Hey wait up. What did you two mean when you said 'he means well?'"

"It's nothing," said Sam as they got in line to see the baby shark. "Where do you want to go after this Molly? I was thinking about going to see the turtle exhibit."

"I'm still waiting to know what you meant by 'he means well'? Are you implying I'm a sucker because I don't know all the cons. I think I do pretty good for myself."

"Okay Chuck if you want to believe that you're absolutely right," said Molly. "Does he get like this often? I never noticed him being so needy."

"Needy me," said Chuck as he watched the girls. The pool assistant took their hands and let them both touch the shark on the back.

"Wow this is so cool," said Molly as she smiled from ear to ear. "Maybe Jack could put an aquarium in the casino and we could put in a shark. What do you think?"

"I don't think I'm that needy," said Chuck. "Sure I might not look for confrontation and so I have a tendency to avoid conflict…"

"I was talking to Sam," said Molly. They both shook their heads. "Let's go to the turtle exhibit then we can grab something at the restaurant. If that's okay with you Chuck?"

"Oh we're now asking me and don't say it's because I'm needy because I'm not but okay. Look, they've got a turtle hospital too," said Chuck as he picked up a brochure and started reading. "It says they treat injured turtles that are found then when they're healed they release them back into the wild."

"Turtles are cool," said Sam. "They carry their home with them wherever they go. I guess they never have to check into a hotel for the night and if it rains they can go inside. But when they're little do their parents tell them to go outside and play?" Both girls laughed.

"I have an idea on our way out why don't we stop off at the souvenir shop and get three stuffed turtles as keepsakes one for each of you and one for Bunny. That is if you two aren't too big for stuffed animals."

"No stuffed animals are still appreciated," said Sam as she looked over at Molly who nodded her head. "You know it's kind of warm here and I'm a little hot. How are you doing Molly? Aren't you hot too?"

"Yes as a matter of fact I'm burning up too. This midday sun is beating down on our heads. I can hardly stand it. We really need something to cool off with."

"Really beating down… you can hardly stand it… through your sunhats, sunglasses and fifty SPF sunblock you mothers but on you guys the sun is killing you. Well we could move back into the museum where it's air conditioned and that would take care of that there are still some aquariums we haven't seen yet."

"That is true but there is another solution… a simpler one that doesn't require us going back in the museum," said Molly as she and Sam smiled at him like the cat who ate the canary but it wasn't canary they were hinting for.

"Why is it I don't like it when you two gang up together? Let me see if I can guess what this solution might be," said Chuck as he smiled back at them. "Does it have to do with something cold?"

"There you I knew you could do it go you're getting warm… well you're warm and what we want is cold," said Molly.

"I know you want an ice cube. Sure I can get you both your own personal ice cube you can put in your pocket and take back with you."

"Oh no," said Sam. "What do you want me to say? Glace, gelato, helado, mah-ROHZH-nah-yeh, bīngqílín, pah-ghoh-TOH and if you still don't know what I'm talking about ice cream."

"Now who's needy?" said Chuck but the girls gave him a sad look. "Okay, okay but I don't want to hear any more about being needy. You need to work on your Chinese and Greek but the Russian was good."

"That's from Masha and Bear."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A group of men pulled up outside the dilapidated hotel where Alfredo was holed up in. They got out of their car looked around then hoisted a body from the trunk. One of the men threw the man from the trunk over his shoulder then they entered the hotel. He carried him up the six flights of stairs passing other people on the way up. They looked the other way or pretended they didn't see him. Once on the sixth floor some of the men with him went down and opened the door so he went straight in. The man plopped Roan unceremoniously in a chair in the middle of the room.

"What's this? Is he dead," asked Alfredo as he walked over to check on Roan. "I told you I wanted him taken alive."

"He's still alive he's just tranq'd," said the goon. "There for a moment I didn't know if that was going to work. We had to use two tiger darts to put him down. I thought there for a moment I was going to have to us an elephant dart. I left Larry and Joe to search his suite." Suddenly, they heard a phone start ringing.

"Is that his phone," asked Alfredo as the man pulled out a cellphone they had taken off Roan as it continued to ring.

"Yes, that's his phone," said the goon as he took out the phone and handed it to Alfredo. "It's been ringing off and on since we grabbed him. Someone is looking for him."

"Caller ID blocked," said Alfredo as he read the text on the screen. "Bring me the smelling salts we need to bring him around." The one man broke the capsule then passed it under Roan's nose. He groggily woke up.

"I'll take three olives with that," said Roan as he looked around. "Where am I? How did I get here? If you're going to roofie me at least buy me a drink first."

"Let's cut to the chase I want the data device you brought the Zorros and you're going to give it to me or this is going to become unpleasant for you very quickly."

"This is interesting because that's what I was going to tell you," said Roan as his phone rang. "There's someone on the other end of that phone who's looking for me. If I don't answer it, you and your little band of misfits here are going to be in a world of hurt."

"You're lying. You brought the device through customs for the Zorros and now you're trying to trick me with your lies. Did you already pass it on to them? Is that it? If you did then you're useless to me…"

"Alfredo," said one of the men. Alfredo looked at him with a look that could kill. "Sorry, I forgot you said not to use names. But Larry and Joe aren't answering their phones. We left them at this guy's room to search it and now they aren't answering."

"You didn't think I'd be working by myself did you?" said Roan as his phone rang again. "Like I said people will be looking for me and the people coming you don't want to have anything to do with. If you're not scared, you should be."

"Shut up," said Alfredo as he put a gage in Roan's mouth. "Moe, I want you to take some men and go back over to the Carlton and see what's going on with Larry and Joe then report back."

"What do you want me to do," asked the guy who carried Roan up the stairs before. "Do you want me to go with Moe? I left Larry and Joe there."

"No, I want you to take some men and reinforce our perimeter. If what this guy says is true, then we need to be ready," said Alfredo. He took out his phone and dialed a number. "It's me I have to tell you we've got another problem it seems there are other players on the field. … I got one here right in front of me. We grabbed him from the hotel. … Don't call me an idiot. I thought he was their courier but turns out he was looking for it too. … okay we'll hold on to him for now."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Casey had the GPS tracker out following the signal through the streets of Orléans. The signal was strong which meant he was nearby. Casey wandered through the back alleys trying to avoid the main thoroughfares to avoid detection as he followed the signal like bloodhound. After an hour of following the bleep he ended up in front of a dilapidated building. Looking up there was a sign with the name completely gone and the part that was legible read 'Hot_l' with the 'e' missing.

John noticed the junior mountain standing outside the front of the hotel as he walked up to the entrance like he was going to walk inside.

"Sorry man there are no vacancies so you'll have to try another hotel," said the guard as he stepped in front of Casey blocking his way.

"No vacancies… really well I can see why people would be knocking down the doors trying to get in. So who are you? Are you a part of the greeting committee? Let me guess you got chosen because of your sparkling personality and winning smile."

"There still aren't any room Anglais. You need to move along or I'll help you move along," said the man as he cracked his knuckles. "You won't like it but I will."

"Oh it would be all my pleasure… If I had more time, I'd like to see you try. But I'm looking for the Le parc floral de la Source, … you wouldn't happen to be able to give me directions. I've gotten a little turned around."

"I told you to move along and I won't tell you again," said the man as he got short with Casey. But what John was doing was getting closer to the guard.

"Here I've got a map if you'd just take a look I'm sure you can point me in the right direction," said John as he quickly closed the distance between them. Holding a map up in front of the man's face he blocked his view.

"Get that mess of paper away from my face didn't you hear me," said the guard as he pulled down Casey's map. He never saw John's fist as he landed a right jab. The man staggered back only to receive a quick left jab then a right cross and it was light out.

John dragged him back inside. He took his shoes off and used the laces to tie his hands behind his back. Then pulled a sock and stuck it in his mouth. Casey pulled out his phone then called the General.

"Ma'am I located the source of Roan's tracker I'm proceeding up to the room they're holding him to free him," said John as he pulled out his Sig and attached the suppressor. "I'm on the move. I'll leave my mic open so you can follow me."

"Roger that Colonel and good luck," said the General as she looked across the desk at her Major.

"The Colonel can handle this," said the Major. They heard the sound of footsteps then voices followed by screams and then suppressed gunfire. The Major pulled up the blueprint for the hotel so they could follow Casey through the building by the sounds they heard.

"I'm on his floor now and I'm headed down to the room they're holding him," said Casey. There was the sound of a door being kicked in. "Did someone call Orkin," they heard him say then there was gunfire followed by silence.

"Colonel report in. Colonel report."

"General we have a small problem," said Casey.