Peter Burke was back at work Monday morning. There was an urgent message on his phone. The rest of the agents were glued to the TV sets. The Repeat for National Funeral for the Admiral was riveting everyone's eyes. Peter noticed the flag was still half staffed when walking into the building. His fellow agents were ignoring him as he got his coffee and sat down at his desk. The blinking light was bothering him. Something was wrong in the air and he knew it. Peter putting off the inevitable for no longer pressed play. This was recorded on Sunday.
"Peter this is Neal something has come up and I am leaving for France your tracker has been disabled. I do not know when I will return but I want you to know you are one of my best friends other than Chuck and I owe you big time. I wanted you to know so if you ever catch me is because my superiors allowed you to do it. This goodbye Peter I will always cherish my time with you."
Peter was stunned about the revelation on the taped message. Neal was gone again and this time with the blessing of the US Gov't? What sort of game are these people playing? How am I going to spin this?
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Neal was walking onto the Tarmac at Teeterboro airport the Jet which just taxied to a stop had the CI logo on the tail fin. As it stopped the door opened His old friend Charles Carmichael was standing at the Doorway.
"Bryce Buddy Glad to see you are not dead! I knew it was you at the wedding!"
"Chuck Old man put it there."
Bryce wrapped is arms around his old friend.
"I love the Hat Bryce."
Sarah smirked at him from the pilot chair.
"Ok Bryce settle in we have been cleared for takeoff."
Chuck moves to the front of the plane and sat in the Co pilot seat. Soon the small jet was airborne heading to Paris then by train to Zurich.
Once airborne Chuck came back to visit while Sarah who loved to fly stayed in the pilot chair.
"Ok so what is so important that Beckman broke protocol and why are we going corporate?"
Chuck's smile was so wide you could see his individual whiter than white teeth.
"Bryce I can not say how much it is good to see you buddy I missed our Klingon games and WOW all night sessions."
Bryce smirked and gave Chuck a proper Klingon greeting and a Slap on both sides of his chest. Chuck responded with a proper Klingon return.
Sarah in the front watched on the monitor their actions. Nerds she said sweetly. She shook her head and changed vectors. They were over the Atlantic Ocean.
After the proper greeting was over Chuck got down to the real reason he needed his help.
"Bryce there has been an alert which the CIA's finance dept had placed on a suspected account. It was activated a week ago. The account held 140 Million dollars. This account was flagged to be part of the terrorist called the Dragon's financial empire. Someone called the branch in Switzerland to inquire the proper procedure in obtaining the money in the account. I need you to impersonate that person and retrieve the money for the US Gov't. I will be your backup and so will Sarah. I have the plan all laid out here."
"So why the corp instead of in house?"
"Bryce the CIA is compromised I do not know if you know this but the DNI was killed. They say it is old age but I am not buying it. There had to be a faction which we missed in the clean up. I am not sure how far it goes but they have contracted us to bypass normal procedures."
"So I am still the notorious Neal Caffery?"
"I am afraid so. It is he who we need So Sorry Bryce but you are going under again!"
Chuck brings a special hex card up to Bryce. Bryce flashes and now Neal persona is back.
Neal was knocked out after the intersect was activated. It was several hours later when Neal/Bryce awoke he was on a train passing through the French countryside.
Neal coming too saw Sarah looking at him.
"Well hello and where am I? Why does my head hurt?"
"Where you are is somewhere north of the Alps in the French countryside. The reason your head hurt is from the tranquilizer we gave you. It should go away in a few hours and you will be good as new. Oh don't look for your ankle monitor it is gone."
"You seem to have me at a disadvantage. I am Neal…"
"Yes I know the Notorious Neal Caffery. Well Neal I have a job for you. I need you to impersonate the owner of box 9992 at the Zurich National Bank. I want to retrieve the content of the box and close the account by close of business day Monday which is in about 6 hours."
"Why would I want to do this?"
"It is for your country Neal the US Gov't will be very grateful they might even commute your sentence and remove your ankle bracelet permanently. All you need to do is do what you do best Con the Bank."
"My Partner and I will supply backup and everything you need. Just say the word and it is done."
"You and an invisible partner? You still have not told me your name."
"It is Walker, Sarah Walker."
Neal froze It was Graham's CIA wild card enforcer. Every one knew who this most feared of CIA agent was.
"Good you have heard of me. Then we can commence with the pleasantries and get to what you need."
"I will need a set of fake ID's, a Coat and a Cane. I can handle what happens after that myself."
"I like a man who is confident. You will have your fake ID's, Coat and Cane before you leave this train."
Sarah got up and left the train compartment Neal was looking around. He spotted what he needed to disguise himself to leave this train behind.
Neal in his disguise opened the Door a Burly Man was standing in front of him.
"So where are you going?"
His voice was like a low growl. His face was devoid of any features except maybe disgust or slight amusement.
Neal thought better on leaving so he backed up and closed the door.
"Well that way will not do it."
Neal looked at the window to the outside it did not open. It was sealed shut. Giving up he sat down to wait.
Chuck in the other compartment watch on video how frustrated Neal/Bryce was getting. Casey just closed the door to the compartment.
"Hey Chuck" as he gave the number 43 grunt.
Chuck looked up.
"It looks like our friend in there has decided to stay awhile? I wonder what changed his mind?"
Casey smiled and cracked his knuckles.
"Oh Ok big guy no need for words eh?"
Casey smile and sat back this train trip was not half bad considering it was a Frenchy Frenchman train!
After a few minutes Chuck noticed Neal / Bryce was going to attempt the door again but this time he has a steel poll he wrenched from the shower.
Chuck tapped on Casey's shoulder.
Casey got up looked at the monitor and stood out side the door again.
Bryce thinking he would have the element of surprise opened the door again and swung the metal pole. Casey side stepped the pole and clamped it tight against the door frame his huge bulk still blocking the entire doorway. Even his legs tight together fill the doorway. There was no crack to exploit. Casey being quick grabbed the pole and yanked it out of Neal's hand and gave him a push allowing the door to swing shut.
Neal was perplexed how did he know he had the pole and how did he anticipate the swing? Neal sat down then he figured it out. He was being monitored. Well he was going to remove that advantage.
Neal now moved into search mode and located the 3 easy cameras Chuck had installed. Neal does not have a chance Chuck thought as he planted over 20 cameras in that room Most were hidden in the ceiling tile. Neal would never notice them because they were fibre linked. Neal was kept busy as the train pulled into the station.
"It looks like it is time to get our guest ready for his job."
Chuck said to Sarah. Sarah smirked and brought the items Neal had requested.
"Here are your items as per your direction. I will accompany you to the bank we only have 40 mins left so we need to hurry lucky for us this branch is across the street from the train station."
Chuck and Casey were not the only ones whose eyes were on that bank. Alex was sitting at the café waiting for Anson to appear. He was tracked from London to Paris and now here in Zurich he came on that same train that just pulled into the station. Gibbs was up high with his rifle scope up and ready. Michael was looking through the train to see if Anson was around.
"Heads up I see Anson he is with a Beautiful Blond they are walking across the street toward the bank."
Alex spoke into his commlink.
"I see them Wait something is wrong that is not Anson repeat not Anson."
Too bad Michael's comms were not working. He rushed out on the street and drew his gun. Alex dropped his coffee and ran in front of Michael
"Wait! that is not Anson."
Neal sensing trouble ran into the bank and told them to call the police there was a kidnapping in progress.
Neal used the confusion caused by the stand off between the American Agents to get into the vault and swapped out the blank deposit box with the real one and placed it in a different location. One he happened to own at this bank. Neal slipped out into the crowd as the Police arrived. Sarah saw Neal and slid up to him.
"Where are you thinking you are going?"
Neal smile faltered when seeing Sarah beside him.
"Uh Nowhere?"
"Yes you are going to get into the car."
Ok Both Sarah and Neal entered the car and it drove out into the countryside to a villa on the lake.
Neal exited the car and Sarah kept a good eye on him.
Neal was placed in the basement and locked in the door with a heavy bar across it. There was no ventilation vents either. They have made this space Neal Caffery proof. Neal paced around knowing he was being watched.
Chuck ensconced in another room was watching Neal.
Sarah entered the room and kissed her husband.
"So did Neal do the switch?"
"Yes how did you know he would use his own safety box to place the real box in it?"
Chuck just chuckled.
"Sarah, Super computer for a Brain!
Chuck points at his head.
"Besides I know Bryce and Neal even though he does not know it he is still Bryce."
"Chuck did you know of the other team?"
"No they were a big surprise. I hope the authorities are kind to them. I think them breaking up our sting was worth them sitting in a cold cell for a day or so. You will get them out right Honey?"
Sarah now leaned over her husband and started stroking his chest with the flat of her hands her head was low next to his ear.
"Yes Sarah I will get them out somehow."
Chuck thought Neal's work is over. He got up put of his chair and walked down the stairs to the Neal proof Cell. Opening the door he was prepared for the attack which never came.
Neal sitting on the bed was playing cards.
"So you must be the mysterious partner?"
"Yes That is who I am. Neal I want you to look at this card's design."
Neal flashed and soon he awoke.
"Oh my head!"
"There is a tablet for your headache and some water in the bottle."
"Thanks Chuck so did I do what you needed?"
"Yeah Bryce you did it perfectly so well I not going to put you under and I am allowing you out of the Neal proof cell."
"Thanks Chuck I am starving."
"The food is in the galley. Eat as much as you want."
Bryce followed Chuck to the galley and stuffed himself on all the good food located there.
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Alice was surprised to learn her new husband was in the Zurich city Jail. Alice was frantic this is terrible. Alice called Kate on the ship docked in the city of Monaco.
"Kate this is Alice this is terrible. The police here in Switzerland had arrested Alex. I do not know what to do."
"Alice calm down I am sure Rick can think of something."
"Kate hand me the phone."
"Alice Rick so tell me what happened?"
"I left to go to the spa which Alex had given me as a present. I left him at the hotel café and when I returned I was told by the hotel clerk he had been arrested."
"Ok I will look into this meanwhile do you need money? Or anything to eat?"
"No the room has room service and I have plenty of money Alex insisted that I carry it too."
"Ok then stay by the phone I will call you back.
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Gibbs seeing the cluster in the street spies Anson running away.
I got you! Gibbs sights him in and a woman walks across his field. Anson has disappeared.
Gibbs was perturbed there is nothing he could do. Ziva gave me a number to call.
Gibbs called the number Ziva left for him.
"Us Federal Dept of Drug Enforcement How may I route your call."
"Director Carina Miller please."
"One moment. The director will be with your shortly please wait."
Gibbs hated Muzak and that was what was playing. Soon the music ended and sweet sounding voice came on the line.
"Director Carina Miller how may I help you?"
"This is special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I need your help."
Gibbs now explains how they were a team from the states which got involved with another team and now most of my team members are in jail. I would appreciate any help you could provide.
"Sure please state the names of your team members."
"Michael Weston and Alex Rodgers."
"I know them both so they are normally so professional what cause this mix up?"
"Well I saw from my perch a blonde head woman with a nice figure escorting a man with a fedora and a coat about 1.65 meter tall The woman a little taller."
Blondie! She thought! Bryce too? Oh wow this is a screw up.
"Ok Special Agent Gibbs I will look into this for you."
"Thanks Director. I do appreciate it."
Carina got off the phone and another call was incoming. Carina thought to herself it must be my lucky day.
"Director Miller."
"Hi Director Miller I do not think you remember me but I was on the Taskforce which got you this promotion. Plus you were at my wedding a few days ago."
"Rick Castle is that you?"
"Yeah you got me."
"So how is the world cruise?"
"We are here in Monaco right now and Kate says hello but the problem is my Brother.."
"He has gotten himself in jail. Yes I have heard about that from Gibbs."
"Special Agent Gibbs is in Zurich?"
"Yeah he told me Alex was part of his team which ran afoul of another team. And wound up in Jail."
"No you are mistaken he was there in Zurich on his honeymoon and Alice his new wife is frantic."
"Ok I have time give me the wife's hotel room I will visit her directly."
Carina wrote down the hotel and room number.
"Oh Thank you Carina. Kate and I are flying in as soon as the corporate jet lands. I should be later tonight I owe you one."
"No problem Rick glad to be of help. Small world is it not?"
"Yeah it is especially for trouble. Bye Carina and thanks again."
"My Pleasure. Rick see you soon."
