Don't own Chuck
After Hortencia let slip that she'd been in contact with one of her husband's kidnappers. Although they didn't realize at the time she wasn't speaking about Gonzalez. A barrage of questions flew at her like what did he want? Did you hear any background noises? Were you able to speak to Alejandro directly and a whole slew of others until she announced she was tired and wanted to lie down as a means to stop the interrogation.
"I'm sorry," said Sarah. "I know we must sound rude with all these questions but... well we have to be thorough. I think you can understand that. Who knows the answer to that one question we don't ask could be the clue that would have made a difference but never got asked but you're right you need your rest."
"That's right she needs her rest so can everyone clear out," said the Consul as he pretended not to understand what Sarah said. Instead he went to the door and held it open for everyone to leave.
"Hold on a minute there is one question you didn't ask that's important. The man I talked to used one of those devices to change the sound of his voice. I didn't think much of it at the time but now maybe..."
"But if it were Gonzalez why would he mask his voice unless he was afraid of being recognized which means the man you talked to wasn't Gonzalez. Geez there could be another traitor among us."
"Or Gonzalez wanted to throw us off our game and make us think there's another traitor so we wouldn't trust each other," said the Consul. "Think about it he could be trying to put a wedge between us. But this is even more of a reason to move Hortencia to the Consulate compound. If there is another traitor then it would have to be someone she knows or has met here in the hospital. I don't think you know anyone at the Consulate?"
"Just you and your secretary and speaking of your secretary where is Mrs. Ortega? Why didn't she come with you? I was expecting her." The room went silent. "What? Don't tell me something happened to her?"
"Ma'am, I'm afraid she had an accident when she was leaving here. She tripped and fell in front of moving vehicle outside of the hospital and the driving didn't have time to stop."
"I really need some time to think. It's almost time for me to take care of Little Ale," said Hortencia as she looked at her watch.
"Oh I need to run down to the nursery too. Sweetie, can you come with me," said Sarah as she got up. "I'll be back up after I'm done if you want me to. We can chat some more if you feel like it."
"Yes of course I think you know what I'm going through. The rest of you can leave now if you want to see me you can contact my Captain to arrange a time but right now I need to be left alone."
"It would be helpful if we could take the material the kidnapper sent you that includes the burner phone," said the General. "If our people could examine it we might be able to find something."
"Might I suggest you can take the papers and the envelope but I think Madam Premier needs to keep the phone close by her in case this man whoever he might be calls again. If he calls and Hortencia can't answer or someone different answers then the beloved Premier will be the one who'll suffer."
"You're right Mr. Veracruz," said Hortencia. "Take the papers but leave the phone. Now if you'll all excuse me I have motherly responsibilities I have to tend to. Oh and Mr. Veracruz stop calling me Madam Premier. We've already had this conversation, there is only one beloved Premier and he is my husband. I am the first lady and our roles will never change as long as I have anything to say about it."
"Yes, madam... As you wish Ma'am but that doesn't mean you're not beloved too," said the Consul. Everyone looked at him with the same thought.
"Oh Dude," said Morgan, "I bet your eyes are even brown. So Chuck when this is all said and done how about I make you a deal on a slightly used seventy-two inch TV for your bedroom? I know one you can get for a steal."
"Nope I don't think so Morgan," said Chuck as he left with Sarah. Morgan continued to follow them out and down to the elevator. He wasn't letting this go so easily also because Alex was going to kill him if she found out.
"I know think about this think how nice a present it would be for Ellie and Devon that way you don't have to ship it to L.A. Wouldn't it look good in their house?"
"They already have a big screen and before you say it. No, it's not going in Clara's bedroom. Ellie would kill us both and what's this about me paying to have it shipped back to Burbank? I believe it's on your Buy More card. How many reward points did you get?"
"Enough for a Play Station and a X-Box when we get home," said Morgan as he rubbed his hands together. "Welcome to Halo night."
"Hey, wait a minute Morgan I thought you said we were going to get something nice for the house with those points. That was the whole reason we pooled our points together."
"Yes that was true but that was before I got all those points from buying that TV for Hortencia. Now the majority of our points are mine so..."
"So nothing," said Casey. "I hate to tell you Troll but if the government pays for the TV then the points belong to Uncle Sam. The comptroller will be talking to you about that when you file your claim that is if you want to be reimbursed?"
"Wait a minute," said Alex. "Morgan, how much did you spend on that thing? You realize I will see the credit card bill when it comes through."
"Chuck, Dude, help me out," begged Morgan as the doors to the elevator opened. "Come on be a pal and help a friend out."
"Morgan, consider this a learning experience. You realize there is no certainty you're going to get reimbursed even if Beckman accepts the claim. Remember what she said that you could've borrowed a TV from the hospital free. I suggest you think of a good reason why you didn't ask for one when the auditor asks you that question and the wrong answer is so I could get enough reward points for a X-Box and a Play Station."
"Come on we need to go," said Sarah as she pulled him on the elevator then pushed the 'close door' button before anyone else could get on.
"Those two are up to something. I can feel it," said Casey as the doors closed on his face. The General came up behind him with the Consul close behind. Casey turned his attention back to them.
"So what do you make of these disturbances back in your country? Do you think it will become something or do you think it will blow over? I guess what I'm asking is do we need to be concerned with them."
"My people are very passionate people. I think you would call them caliente. However, this is what's hot today but tomorrow who knows. Something new will come along that will attract their attention. They'll go off on it and this will soon be forgotten."
"So you're saying we shouldn't worry about this?" said Beckman. She could tell by Casey's look he didn't agree. "Well thank you for your advice. Maybe you could counsel me and tell what you think we ought to do," said the General as she waved for him to ride the elevator down with her. "Colonel, ride down with us too. Agents stay here and see if you can provide assistance. Come with me Mr. Veracruz I'd like to pick your brain if you don't mind."
[Meanwhile in the other elevator]
"You said you had an idea back in Hortencia's room," said Sarah when Chuck kissed her. "Chuck, no not now I wanted to get you alone so we could talk not... well extra. Extra we can do at home. I'm sorry I'm really not in the mood right now and we really don't have the time."
"Okay, I'm sorry I understand maybe it's a little soon. You wanted to know about my idea well I was thinking that like Hortencia is the mother of Ale she is also the mother of her nation. Maybe if she addresses her citizens in a live broadcast and explains to them what's happening maybe she can turn things around."
"I don't know if Beckman or our kidnappers would like that but you're right she could appeal to the women of Costa Gravas. It would be something and it could stop the rioting. I'll talk to Hortencia about it when I go back up. I had an idea too but you need to take Casey and unfortunately for me there's no time for a nap."
Sarah told him her idea as they finished the ride together. The doors opened as she finished explaining and they had just stepped off when Casey came out of the stairwell.
"I bet you two thought you got rid of me upstairs," said John as he tried to play off being winded from running up the stairs.
"You're a little red in the face there Big Guy. If you still need to get a workout in you can run back down using the stairs while I take the elevator down and meet you in the lobby. But if you've finished we can go down together. We need to go for a little drive."
"Or you can stay here with me while I breast feed Bunny then we can go back up and talk with Hortencia about lady things."
"And you can put a rusty fork in my eye. Just one thing Chuck... Iis there a possibility of gunplay and danger? Maybe I'll even get a chance to shoot someone."
"Well it's no walk in the park and there is always that possibility but if you want to stay here I understand. You could get in touch with your lady feelings. I can always take Morgan with me if you don't want to go."
"Let's go," said Casey as he grabbed Chuck by the collar then shoved him on the elevator. "Just wave goodbye and let's go."
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The Consul left the hospital with the General. He walked her to her waiting black Escalade then he stood there and watched her drive off. Afterwards he waved for his limo to come and pick him up. He got in then had the driver put up the partition as they started heading back to the consulate. He pulled out a phone and dialed a number.
"Crap busted" said Gonzalez as he lost another hand of blackjack losing to himself. He dealt out another hand then tossed in toothpick as poker chips. He looked at his hand two sevens.
"Let's split," said Gonzalez as he divided his hand. Tossing in toothpicks he placed his bet on the second hand. Just then his phone rang. He looked at caller ID then he answered it putting the call on speaker. "How are things going? I showed our guest what was going on back home. He played it off but it took some of the wind out of his sails."
"Good, I called Hortencia too but that might have been a mistake. I had to use a voice changer now they think there might be a mole in their midst."
"You mean like you," said Gonzalez as he drew a six. He thought then he took the hit. "Crap!" He said he drew a face card.
"I was only doing what I was told there's no reason to get upset. You know you could've called her. It didn't have to be me."
"What? No, that's not what I was talking about," he said as he drew a ten. This time he stood. "I'm playng... Never mind. What did you call for anyway? I know you didn't call me to see how I was doing." He said as he peeked to see what the house had, two tens. He lost again.
"You're right I'm calling to have you phone Hortencia next. That will rattle her cage a little. You might put the Premier on the phone with her. She needs a little push and that just might do it. Just don't stay on the line too long she let it slip that she had the phone so your friends will be monitoring all the calls coming in and out."
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve I'll bounce the signal off a few satellites that will send them searching around the world and by the time they get back here I'll be off the line."
"You need to be careful that Carmichael couple seemed to know what they're doing. I'd arrange for an accident for them but my secretary just had one and I need to wait a bit before there's another one."
"The husband I guess is okay. However, the wife is the real spy in the family. She was the one who got Hortencia and the rest out of my trap."
"Well he found you in that abandoned building so I wouldn't underestimate him either and he's been taking charge here."
"Luck that was all it was just plan luck that he found us. I'm working on something important right now so as soon as I'm done I'll call her," said Gonzalez as he dealt out a new hand.
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Casey pulled out of the parking garage as Chuck finished sending two text messages then he gave John a quick rundown about what he had planned. He shook his head thinking it was crazy but there was a distinct possibility he was going to be able to scratch his itch. They made their way down to the Little Village driving back to the headquarters of the double eights and the double aces. It was shortly after lunch and they were both hungry.
"There's the place," said Chuck. They pulled up next to a Taco truck then got out. They got two El Grande Burritos then pulled up a seat on a table that they had set up outside. Soon El Toro drove up with five of his gang members.
"Well we're here," said El Toro as he walked up with his men. "Oh hell no," he said when he saw who was coming around the other side of the truck.
"What's he doing here," said the man coming around the truck. "I won't have anything to do with his kind."
"Well you didn't mind... What shall we call it, doing business, with his sister? Now you two need to come over and sit down we need to talk. Tell your men they can get whatever they want off the truck my treat."
"What makes you think I won't bust a cap in him after what he did to my sister? Because that's what I'm about to do." Everyone pulled iron.
"If you do that your sister will never talk to you again and you Lawrence your woman will cut you off. Yes I know your still seeing each other. If you two need more deterrent look up and smile for the camera," said Chuck as he pointed at a traffic CCTV camera on the other side of the street pointing straight at them. "Now pull up a seat both of you so we can talk. Boys eat up but I'll warn you ahead of time someone might want to make a run to grab some tums for the tummy." The men laughed as both gangs placed orders.
"Okay you got us together here I assume you want more than for us to bury the hatchet. Although if I had the chance I'd like to put it in his thick skull."
"First of all your sister is a free woman now. Chico had an unfortunate accident Gonzalez, the man he was working with, decided to end their partnership with some C-4."
"Am I supposed to be sad," said El Toro as he looked at Lawrence realizing there was nothing to keep his sister from marrying him other than he was the leader of a rival gang.
"No I don't expect you to be but he was a member of your gang and this guy did kill one of your members even if he was on his way out."
"You mean he saved me the effort. There was a boat ride out into lake Michigan," said El Toro. But it was Lawrence who caught the meaning and understood.
"No, don't you see you can't let this slide. If you do soon anyone will think they can come in and take out one of your boys because they know they can get away with it. It doesn't matter if he was as you say on his way out. You didn't pull his colors so he was still a card carrier."
"What are you telling me I should go to war for this scumbag? He got my nephew killed and another one of my guys. By the way I should say thanks for sending my guy back. He told me he thought he was going to get whacked when you pulled his bacon out of the fire."
"You're welcome. I could tell from when we met before that you were a reasonable man, someone I could deal with. Look this Gonzalez guy is hiding somewhere in the Little Village. We don't have the manpower to go kicking in every door but with your help..."
"I see. Between the two of us we've got men just about everywhere in the Little Village. How do you want us to play this? I guess what I'm asking is do we have to play nicely." Chuck looked at Casey then back at the Latino man.
"The man is a traitor to us, to you and to his country. If he got a little dinged up... Well no one is going to care especially where he's going to go."
Chuck shook both men's hands then settled the bill with the taco truck after that they were back in Casey's Escalade heading for the hospital.
"You realize what you just did, don't you Chuck. You put in the field an army of irregulars and everything they do can come back on you."
"Do you have a better idea how to cover the whole neighborhood? Besides by getting these two gangs to work together maybe we can show them that they aren't really that different from each other. Who knows what will grow from the seeds we sowed here today?"
"I know what will grow on that vine. Grimes made me watch the attack of the killer tomato."
"Yeah I'm sure he made you," said Chuck. He called Sarah to let her know his mission was a success and that they were on their way back.
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Veracruz had just gotten back to the consulate in time to meet with the representatives of different companies with investments tied up in Costa Gravas. He assured them as far as he knew everything was being done to restore order but the Premier was distracted by the fact his wife had just given birth. He offered them a cigar then showed them to the door.
"Well you can tell your ex-commie Premier that he has legally binding contracts to live up to so if he doesn't fulfill his obligations there will be lawsuits. Not to mention he can forget about any more foreign aid coming from this administration."
"I'm sure he understands the consequences of forfeiture. I will certainly pass on your concerns but right now he's all tied up."
"Well you can also tell him from us that his wife was the one who had the baby not him so he gets no free pass from us that translates to he'd better get off his butt and get to work. This situation going on down there is bad for everyone's business."
"I will most certainly pass that word on," said Veracruz smiling on the inside. Now if you'll excuse me I have another matter to attend to. You know your way out."
This plan was going better than he imagined. Soon he'd be able to cut the Premier off from whatever power base he had. He went into his office walking pass the temporary secretary that got bumped up to work for him. Walking past her he ignored her there would be time to socialize but right now he wanted a drink. He poured himself a rum and was starting to sip on it when his phone rang. Caller ID read Hortencia
"Yes Ma'am I just left you. Do you want me to run back?... You want to do what? Are you sure that's such a good idea? ... Certainly you can use the press room in the consulate but again are you sure this is such a good idea? ... I will have to find out if we can broadcast live there from here and get back with you. ... No, I'm not dragging my feet I just think the kidnappers might not like it. Your American friend is the one who came up with this idea didn't she? ... I was just thinking she ought to be thanked for all the assistance she's giving you. I'm sorry I need to run to make this happen," said the Consul as he hung up.
"Crap, what am I going to do now? She wants to talk to the whole population."
