Don't own Chuck
Alejandro was sitting up in bed when Hortencia came in to be with him. He looked like the little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. There was a small gray cloud floating over his head and she knew he'd bribed one of the guards to bring him a cigar. He even held his hand down trying to hide it but she could see smoke rising from next to his bed.
"Unless you want to set your bed on fire I suggest you find another way to hide that cigar you've got in your hand. You do realize they have oxygen in here. One ember from that thing in your hand and this whole room goes up in flames with you in it."
"It's just one and I haven't had any since my turmoil began. Did you see what Gonzalez did to me? He'd better hope I never get my hands on him because he and my fist will have a series of discussions none of which he'll like."
"That's nice but don't you have any questions for me?" She asked coyly and when she saw his puzzled face she got upset. "You can't think of anything, really? You need to think harder. I know there has to be something you want to ask."
"I was the one who was kidnapped and shot. I have the bandage and the scar to prove it. I don't know if I'm going ne be able to wear my speedo to the beach when we get back," said Alejandro still not realizing what Hortencia wanted him to ask her.
"Alejandro Fulgencio Goya do you want to try again or do I need to shoot you," said Hortencia. He knew he was in trouble then only his mother and Hortencia were allowed to speak his full name and they only did that when they were upset with him.
"Okay I was just making fun of you. I know what you want me to ask you I'd have to be blind not to see it. I can tell you've done something different with your hair and it looks nice."
"I am going to shoot you," said Hortencia as she pulled out her phone and held up a photo she'd taken of their son. "This is our son, the child we made together. Maybe you should be asking me about him? Like how is he or how am I something that shows you care about us."
"Of course I should be I was playing a little joke on you is all. Of course I want to know how he is. Is he speaking yet? Has he made out with any of the other babies in the nursery? You know my mother told me I had my first girlfriend at five. She told me I looked like a Greek god."
"Oh my God, you know you're terrible. I'll go get him in a little while it's almost time to feed him. But on a more serious note were you trying to hint that the man behind what's going on is Luis the Butcher?"
"I heard Gonzalez mention to another man on the phone about a Comandante Luis so yes I think the Butcher is at least partly behind this. I need my Major... we need to put out a press communique saying I'm okay and the Land Reform Bill was vetoed... I don't think we can wait for the Bill to die of natural causes."
"I agree that's why I'm going on TV today to talk to our people directly and to tell them the bill is dead and to explain what's been going on. Oh and you should know the Major was wounded when we were rescued and is recovering. In the meantime Captain Francisco is filling in."
"Our undercover operative working here in the hospital?" said Alejandro. Hortencia nodded. I bet Beckman loved that one. I wish I could've been here to see when she found out I bet she had a cow."
"Let's just leave it at she wasn't happy," said Hortencia. Then she called for a nurse to tell her she'd be breast feeding Little Ale in his father's room. When the nurse came back the Major hobbled in with her.
"Thank you," said Hortencia as she took Little Ale. "You're supposed to be in bed. The Captain is going to feel like he's not needed if you keep on not listening to the doctors."
"I'm sorry ma'am, beloved Premier but I just got word back that our people. The DI sent a recovery team for that box we talked about but they were attacked. We think the box was destroyed or better they activated the booby trap the Colonel left inside. A burnt out Rover Discovery was found on the scene that turned out to have been reported stolen a few weeks ago."
"How's that possible? How many people knew about it? There can't be that many besides all of us here," said Hortencia. "But then there's the people in the DI and the Ministry of Interior if the Consul called his people."
"I don't know if he did but there was a phone call placed from here to Costa Gravas. I have our people monitoring calls coming in from abroad to Costa Gravas."
"You know that's illegal under our new constitution without a court order," said the Premier. "But I salute the out of the box thinking."
"There have been a few calls between Chicago and Costa Gravas but there was one that was sent via secure voice transmission shortly after Colonel Casey's revelation."
"Casey came out of the closet?" said Alejandro with a look of shock on his face. "There are no more certainties in life but it would explain a few things. Coming out of the wall and closet have to be very similar."
"No not that kind of revelation," said Hortencia as the Major tried desperately not to laugh because if she did her wound hurt. Hortencia went on to explain what the revelation was.
"It seems that I did hear correctly. I don't know if I like you going to the consulate to make this broadcast. Why can't the press conference be move over here to my room and I do it from bed?"
"Because for the same reason the Major here is supposed to be in her room in bed, you and she are supposed to be resting. I've got this."
"I'm sure you do but just remember when you're speaking into the camera to undo your top two buttons and you can say anything you want. None of the men listening will hear a word of what you're saying."
"I'm about to go back to my previous idea of shooting you if you keep this up."
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At the consulate things were underway for the First Lady's speech to the nation. There were several big networks present and a number of journalists that covered that region of the world. There were also invited guests and friends of Costa Gravas in attendance of an early morning brunch hosted by the Consul in anticipation of the First Lady's arrival. The crowd mingled around the buffet table after the Consul announced Hortencia was going to be late.
"My friends and guests," said Veracruz as he got everyone's attention. "I must apologize for the First Lady but she's running a little behind schedule and will be here shortly. The Premier was injured earlier and is in the hospital recovering. Please don't ask me for any further details she will explain everything when she gets here. Please continue to help yourselves, eat up and Madam First Lady will be with you shortly." Veracruz tried to leave the room but was cornered before he could make his escape.
"Is this the reason the Premier hasn't done anything about the protests and riots that are going on in Costa Grava?"
"He has been tied down with other responsibilities. His wife did just give birth to their first son and now this so yes I think this is one of the reasons."
"But if he's been laid up and his wife has been giving birth who's been in charge these past few days? It certainly seems like no one."
"Those are your words not mine," said the Consul as he broke free excusing himself then disappearing out of the room. He looked at his watch and wondered where everyone was at. He made his way to his office to find Alpha and his men in combat gear ready to storm the pressroom.
"Where have you guys been? You're just lucky Hortencia's late but you guys were supposed to have been geared up and ready a half an hour ago."
"Well we're here now and we took care of your loose end for you. Your buddy had an accident on the freeway this morning."
"I bet that's why our target is late," said one of the men. "Traffic might still be held up." Everyone laughed except the Consul. He didn't get the joke.
"Whatever follow me I'll show you another secret passageway," said the Consul as he took the back out then they took another turn following a dusty cobweb covered corridor to a door. He opened it and they were in some sort of storeroom or linen closet.
"Don't let the door close it only opens outward. This storeroom is in the middle of the hallway at the end is the pressroom. You can wait here when you hear Hortencia start to speak you can break in and take her out then escape back the same way. Just let the door close and no one will know where you went to..."
"Then we make it out the tunnel to the van then head for the piers where we catch a ferry and drive across the lake into Canada. Sounds like a good plan so now where's the target? We need her here so we can get this over with and get paid."
[Over at the Hospital]
Sarah dropped Bunny off at Child Care and Sam went with Ellie while she was getting Bunny situated Chuck and Casey went to talk with Alejandro. This time Devon took them in so he could monitor Alejandro's condition and make sure he didn't over work himself. Hortencia was their along with her Captain and the Major. Neither Chuck nor Casey liked it when they heard what happened to the lock box.
"Hortencia, do you think this is such a good idea going through with this press conference now given what's happen," said Chuck. "If the mole found out about the box and kept us from getting it don't you think he'll do whatever it takes to keep you from speaking. I would feel better if you postposed this or at least moved it to someplace safe."
"And where would that be? Right now we're no closer in rooting him or her out and there is no place that you can guarantee me will be absolutely safe. Our people are hurting and it is my job to comfort them. Besides you said Gonzalez is dead so what do I have to fear but fear itself?"
"I don't think this is what FDR meant. Just because Gonzalez's dead doesn't mean the organization behind him has gone away. If anything now is the time to be extra cautious because that's exactly what they want us to think."
"I don't know," said Hortencia. "It sounds a little too contorted and frankly a little paranoid if you ask me. This is something that has to be done and done today not tomorrow. Our people need to have faith that their homes and lives are safe. I can give them that hope in a better tomorrow."
"Hortencia, mi amor, maybe you should listen to them. If nothing else for Little Ale reconsider. Doctor Devon can give me something and I'll go do this press meeting. If these cowards want let them come after me. I'll teach them a thing or two."
"Alejandro, calm down or you'll tear something loose. This is why I didn't want this questioning done so soon... Absolutely not," said Devon as he checked the Premier's wound. "You get up and start moving around then some of those internal stitches break loose and you'll start bleeding internally. That's a quick way to get sepsis. You're going to be down for a few days minimum and I don't want to hear anything about a press conference because it isn't happening."
"Then it's set I'm going to do this press conference. I have to for our people and our son," said Hortencia. Just then Sarah walked in she could tell she walked into the middle of something by the silence but Chuck shook his head.
"Fine, but if you're set on holding this press conference then your Captain and I are coming along with you. John, you can stay here to wait for the General and watch the Premier."
"Okay but I want you to take this," said John as he reached inside Chuck's jacket and took his dart pistol then replaced it with his Sig. "Don't argue, I won't be with you to watch your back so you two be careful out there. Chuck, I swear you open your mouth and I'll hurt you."
"We'll do our best," said Chuck. "Well we need to get a move on it even if we leave right now we're going to be late."
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They weren't the only one who was late. General Beckman was still at the Chicago substation with her Major and Dennis the IT guy. She wanted to wait to see what kind of magic Dennis could do with Gonzalez's cellphone. This was the big break they had been waiting for she knew it. She could feel it in her bones
"So agent what can you tell me?" asked the General. "I'm supposed to be someplace right now and I'm already late so let me see what you've got."
"I'm sorry ma'am but... well are you familiar with the term FUBAR. Well that's the condition of this cellphone. Holy water is what you need for it because nothing short of a miracle will bring it back to life."
"Do I have to remind you who you're talking to or the fact that you work for me? Or would you like to join your former colleagues in interrogation?"
"No Ma'am. Well not everything is lost. Although I couldn't do anything to bring the phone back to life I was able to remove the SIM card intact. If you give me a few minutes to clean it up I should be able to have something for you."
"Good that might just save your career," said the General. "Major get the Colonel on the horn for me. I want a progress report from the hospital. Hortencia should be on her way to the consulate by now so I've already missed her. But go ahead then put the call through to my office."
"Roger that," said the Major. He so hoped this mission from hell would be over soon. Sleeping on a cot in detention was getting old quickly even if the pizza was phenomenal. But man does not live on pizza alone.
"The SIM looks good General. I should be able to clean the card then clone it. I'll run the clone through the reader so if anything happens we'll still have the original to work with."
"See agent now you're impressing me, good work," said the General. "Major any luck with the Colonel yet? If you can't reach him you can put me through with one of the Agent Carmichaels."
"I've got the Colonel on the line now General and I'm patching him through to your office as we speak," said the Major as he went into the General's office pushed the button on the squawk box on her desk. "The General will be right with you Colonel just hold one moment."
"I'm here," said the General as she walked into her office looking over her shoulder at Dennis working. "I just wanted a progress report. It looks like I'm going to be here a little while longer and I missed Hortencia's departure already anyway."
"Everything is proceeding as planned. Chuck tried to talk Hortencia out of making this press conference today. I have to say he had valid concerns about her safety but she refused to listen to reason."
"So what were they? And what did he do when she said no? I can't see him doing nothing," said the General as she kept looking out at Dennis wondering what he was doing.
The Colonel explained Chuck's reasoning then he told the General what happened in Costa Gravas with the box and what the Major told them about phone calls they intercepted going back and forth between Chicago and their capital.
"...so you can see he had some good arguments for postponing this press conference but Hortencia wouldn't listen. She said she had to end the violence in the streets and restore order. I just hope she's not taking our team into a trap."
"I do too but she's also right. I just hope she knows what she's doing. So what did Chuck do when he figured out she wasn't going to change her mind."
"He insisted that he and their Captain go along with her and Sarah to act as an addition to Hortencia's escorts. I stayed behind here with Grimes and McHugh to protect the Premier in case this Butcher guy decided to make an end run."
"That's a good idea but you guys are spread thin. I wish we had more men but until I find out more about how Gonzalez was turned I don't know who I can trust."
"I did it," yelled Dennis. "I did it. I've got all the data off the SIM. I've got numbers that were both called and received. General," said Dennis as he ran into her office. "I'd like to run a test. Can you tell the Colonel to make sure the Premier's wife has her burner phone on? I'd like to start cross identifying numbers."
"Colonel, did you hear that? Make sure Hortencia's burner phone is on. The Agent here wants to run some sort of test. Major when we leave that man's coming with us I can find him a place in Langley. Talent like his is washed here. Colonel is the phone on?
"One moment Ma'am," said Casey then they heard him talking. "Major, we need your burner phone. Where is it?" There was a muffled reply they couldn't make out. "Hortencia has it with her Ma'am. I'll call Chuck and have him get it from her. They should be at the consulate by now or just getting there."
"All the more reason I should call him. I'll call and have him get it from her," said the General. "Until this press conference is over and everyone is back in the nest I want the Premier locked down. No one is to see him or get near him with the only exception being Dr. Woodcomb.
"Roger that Ma'am. We'll post on his door and make it happen."
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Chuck and Sarah rode with Hortencia in the back of an Escalade with the Captain riding shotgun. Chuck really wished she'd listened and postponed this press conference but she was adamant to go through with it. What she said made sense but her stubbornness was putting everyone at risk. He closed his eyes then flashed on the consulate floor plan which didn't make him feel any better. There were tunnels everywhere dating back to prohibition when it was a hub for the distribution of bootlegged alcohol smuggled in from Canada throughout the Chicago underworld.
"Okay this is the way this is going to go down. I'm going to lead the party in no one is to move without me giving the all clear. Sarah you stay next to the asset. Hortencia, that's you if you don't know it."
"I think I could figure that out," said Hortencia. She was wondering why she agreed to let Chuck ride along with them now and who put him in charge. "Is all this necessary? I'm just going to go in give my speech then answer some questions. It'll be done before it starts and the consulate is guarded by our own forces. Captain, what do you say? You have the final say once we're inside."
"He has the final say once we crossover the threshold but on our side I'm in charge. If you don't like that fine once we get to the consulate Captain tag you're it. Sarah and I will stay with the vehicles and you can go in with your own people."
"I think that's a good compromise," said Hortencia. "It might be difficult for me to explain your presence to the press so okay. Captain Dominquez, call ahead and tell them we're almost there. We're already late and I expect they're getting a little nervous. Have the consul give my apologies to everyone and have him tell them we'll be there momentarily."
"Yes Ma'am," said Francisco. He made the call for her but he disagreed with leaving half the team in the vehicle. This just wasn't a prudent move and besides the consulate security might be their people but he didn't pick them nor did he know anything about them which made him all the more nervous.
"But orders are orders," he mumbled under his breath as he put away his phone. He had a bad feeling about this that he couldn't shake. He didn't know why but he did.