Don't own Chuck
Back in Moscow things were starting spiral out of control. Igor with the help of Stefan found the website that Natasha had mention but instead of clearing things up it seemed to only confuse them even more. In the meantime, Anatoly was still alone with Natasha in the interrogation room. Both of them were staring at each other from opposite sides of the table.
"You know I was like you. I took orders without question and followed the party rules. I was a loyal member of this club then one day I woke up and found it was no longer loyal to me. These people who lead our country now are each more corrupt and dishonest than the other," said Natasha as she studied Anatoly's reaction.
"Are we having this conversation about loyalty? I hear you trying to justify what you've done but it won't work. You could've quite if you didn't like the way things are now but you chose not to…"
"No, I chose to fight to try to regain what we'd lost. It that so bad? We were a world power and our reach could be felt all over the world. Now what are we? Have you looked at yourself lately in the mirror and said you were proud of what you've become?"
"It's not as bad as you make it out to be and I am happy with whom I am. Sure, we have our corrupt politicians but every country does too. You speak of loyalty and how we all let you down. Have you ever thought that by doing what you did you've done the very same thing you accuse our country of doing to you? Let's talk about trust, trust is a fickle thing hard to earn and easy to lose."
"Trust," she said then laughed. "I trust no one but myself and there are days I don't trust the person I see in the mirror."
"I think you're lying to me or to yourself or even both. I think there was one person you trusted and I'd even go as far as saying you cared for him... deeply. I think he's the one who put you in that seat across from me."
"I don't know what you're talking about and all this talking is boring me to death. What's taking the Director so long? He does know how to turn on a computer?"
"Now that right there that's called deflection. So, do you want to tell me who this Pablito was to you? He must've been something to cause you to betray your country. You know honey traps are as old as this business if not older."
"No, I don't particularly want to talk to you about him. And the way I look at it I didn't betray my country…"
"That's right, your country betrayed you or your socialist ideals which were what? World domination? Or social repression or re-organization? I remember the way things were too and I've heard the stories about people being arrested in the middle of the night or just ghosted and never being heard of again."
"People who were enemies of the state and who polluted others with their capitalist ideas and nonsense... Well they deserved what happened to them."
"I think their families would argue differently. And who are you to judge what someone else deserves? You get rid of someone simply because they don't think the same way as you do? People have brains to use not just grey matter to occupy the space between their ears."
"People can think whatever they want to think but they can only put into practice that which is approved by the government and by government, you know what I mean."
"Unfortunately, I do but I still don't understand your connection with this Pablito? He must've been one of those Che types or maybe Carlos the Jackal who were floating around back then?"
"I told you I didn't want to talk about Pablito but Pablito is nothing like them," said Natasha. Anatoly could tell he'd struck a nerve as she got angry with him. "But I don't want to talk about him," she said as she tried to calm down.
"I see," said Anatoly as he studied her from the other side of the table. "But if you want to set the record straight it would seem to me the best way to do that is to speak up now."
"Maybe there's nothing I want to set straight. Maybe things are as they seem. Pablito was my asset and he fought with our comrades in Central America trying to liberate them from their capitalist masters to the north. You see some of us remember what the fight was about even if others have forgotten," she said as she looked him in the eyes but Anatoly was ready for her.
"To call the people to arms… to have them rise up and over through their corrupt governments… to establish their own central party… to replace the farmer with the pigs who became worse than the farmers. You should read a little Orwell."
"Orwell started out with good intentions but somewhere along his way he took a wrong turn. He should've given us more time and he might've changed his mind."
"I doubt that he was pretty disillusioned and how many purges would've taken until society became the way you people want it to be?"
"As many purges as it took until all of the weeds were pulled from the garden but I can see from the way you're talking we missed at least one because if we hadn't you wouldn't be sitting across from me now."
"Well, I don't think I have anything to worry about from you. Where you're going you'll have plenty of time to think and wonder who history will say is right."
"I'll take you up on that if it's a bet. The way the wind blows around here who knows there may be a time when we'll be sitting in this room but on opposite sides of this table."
Anatoly was about to say something when there was a knock on the door and a guard came in. He walked over and whispered into Anatoly's ear then positioned himself beside the open door.
"Well, it seems our conversation here is over for now," said Anatoly as he got up. "The Director wants to see me in his office right away. Ivan watch her until someone comes to relieve you." With that Anatoly left closing the door behind him.
"So, Ivan, is your name," said Natasha. "Do you think I can get a drink now? I've cooperated and I've talked so doesn't the manual say I should get a reward?"
"I was told I can't leave you alone," said Ivan as he tried to avoid her look. "If you can wait a little longer as soon as someone comes I'll get it for you."
"But don't you have some in the room on the other side of that mirror. It's not like you can't see me through the one-way glass. It only takes a minute to walk over and another to walk back. What can I do in two minute? I'm handcuffed here to this table and besides where am I going to go?"
"Okay, but no funny business or I'll get mad," said Ivan. His gut told him not to go but she was right he wouldn't see her just for a minute when he was in the hallway and what could she do in a minute... famous last words.
Ivan left the interrogation cell went to the other room where he grabbed a bottle of water and a cup. All the time he was there he kept one eye on Natasha through the glass. He grabbed everything and was out in a flash then back in with Natasha.
"Here you go," he said as he opened the top bottle, poured her a glass then started to sit it on the table. But as he did Natasha jumped up grabbing the handcuffs she'd removed and used them as knuckle dusters she landed a straight right to Ivan's jaw. There was a loud crack as broke it then he went down hard.
"Sorry," she said as she took a drink from the bottle then grabbed Ivan's sidearm and keys. She removed his coat and put it on turning up the collar before leaving the room then headed straight out of the building.
A few minutes later Igor along with Anatoly and Stefan entered the room. They didn't seem that surprised when they walked in. Anatoly knelt over Ivan to check to make sure he was all right.
"I think he's got a broken jaw," said Anatoly as Ivan started to come to looking up at everyone looking down at him. He immediately tried to get up and speak.
"Shush, don't try to speak. And don't worry there's no rush she isn't going very far," said Igor as Anatoly held him down.
"You heard the Director, there's no need to get worried. You're all right," said Anatoly as Stefan laughed behind him. He turned and gave Stefan a look.
"I'm sorry but you're telling him everything is all right when it obviously isn't. The man's got a broken jaw and a possible concussion."
"It's a mystery to me how you two work together," said Igor as he picked up a pin off the table. "She must've had this hidden subcutaneously probably under her wrist. When Ivan left the room, she recovered it and used it to open the cuffs before he returned. That's how the water got here."
"So, we've let the rat run and now what? You expect her to lead us back to her nest?"
"Something like that," said Igor as he picked up the water bottle. "I put nanobots in her water now we just have to track her."
"Is that why it's so hot in here? You wanted to make sure she'd drink from the bottle?"
"Devious of me, isn't it? Now I want you two to follow her to wherever she leads. I have to go make a phone call."
"But Director aren't you forgetting something... or someone," said Anatoly as he and Stefan helped Ivan up.
"Oh yes you," said Igor as he looked the man over. "I hope this has taught you something. The next time a prisoner asks for a glass of water you'll tell them to make it." Stefan and Anatoly looked at each other. "You two don't say a word. I'm the Director I don't have to make sense. Just remember this, no good deed ever goes unpunished."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Two of Luiz's men pulled Casey out of the back of the Range Rover then searched him for weapons. They took his Sig then they took his Colt back up piece and after that they got his back up to his backup piece and so on and so forth until they had quite the arsenal which didn't take into account all the bladed weapons they found on him as well as a garroting wire.
"What kind of guy is this? Geez, I hope we've got them all. Come on you grab his feet and I'll take his shoulders."
"Are you crazy? Let's think about this first, if he comes to he can kick my teeth in then strangle you. I bet he knows at least a hundred different ways to break your neck."
"You really think a hundred," said the one man as they stood over the top of Casey looking down at him. "If I wasn't more afraid of Donna Rosenda I'd just pop a cap in him right now and call it self-preservation."
"I know exactly what you're saying Marco. But as you pointed out Donna Rosenda has something special planned for him and she's the last person I'd want to pissed her off. Remember what happened to the last guy? He got fed through a meat grinder then used a chum for shark fishing."
"How could I forget? Okay then let's do this, you grab one side then I'll grab the other then we drag him around to the basement."
"That makes more sense," said the one man as he grabbed John by the shoulder. They dragged him to a make-shift cell in the basement that had been built for this kind of occasion. When they got to the door they tossed John inside. He made a low thud when he hit the concrete floor then they locked it up tight.
"There we're done with him. You stay here and watch the door while I go stow away that trove of weapons we got off him. Once I'm done I'll come back and give you a break. By then Luiz will be back around to tell us what we need to do with the guy after he gets done talking with his mother."
"Where do you think that other guy ended up? I was expecting to see him in there when we tossed that big guy inside."
"I haven't got the foggiest but if I were you I'd keep my curiosity in check around here. If you don't it won't be just the cat that it kills."
[Meanwhile upstairs in the living room]
Luiz stood there shaking his head wondering what was going on. He found his mother sitting there on the sofa entertaining Roan as if he were some old friend who'd dropped in to share a cup of coffee and to catch up on all the latest gossip.
"What do you think you're doing Mom? This man should be downstairs in the cell with the guy we just brought home."
"I know you didn't mean to use that tone of voice with me. Remember, I'm not one of the hired help and this is my house you're living under."
"Mother, it's not safe for you to be here with him and not have a guard present. Have you forgotten he's the man who killed my father and your husband..."
"I hate to correct you my dear young lad," said Roan as he interrupted him. "But I didn't kill anyone. Your father and I were having a conversation when he was shot. Actually, I was his prisoner much the same as I am now yours."
"You certainly do like to be captured then," said Luiz as he walked over to him. "If you touch my mother then you and I are going to have a problem."
"Only with her permission," said Roan as he took a sip from his glass. "Besides, I gave her my word I wouldn't try anything and if there's one thing I value most that is my word. A man is only as good as it."
"I hear you talking but I'm having a hard time believing you. I think it's better if my men take you down to the holding cell."
"Wait a minute, I have one last question for my guest," said Donna Rosenda. She noticed the look on Luiz's face but chose to ignore it. "You said that you didn't kill my poor Pablito?"
"That's right, I didn't. He and I were talking then he was dead so there you have it. As you can see I had nothing to do with his death."
"Okay, so you didn't pull the trigger which means the other guy we have in the basement did. You two were working for General Fry and you signaled your partner to take the shot."
"No, it was nothing like that. I told them not to shoot because I had the situation under control. If I'd had more time with Pablito this would've ended differently."
"So, you admit that you were working with Fry and this other guy, John Casey and whether you intended it or not the end result was what it was."
"Colonel Casey? You have him in the basement? Well, it doesn't surprise me he always did have an itchy trigger finger. And unfortunately, I think this means our time together has drawn to a close," said Roan as he downed his drink then went over to Donna Rosenda. Luiz came up behind him with his hand under his jacket
"Don't do anything that you'll regret," said Luiz as he stood so close to Roan that he could feel his breath on his neck.
"Please, get real," said Roan as he took Donna Rosenda's hand then kissed it. "I bid you please dreams until our next meeting."
"Take him out of here," said Luiz as he stood there shaking his head looking at his mother's face. He didn't like what he saw on it.
"What's wrong with you," she said as she caught his stare. "I don't have to justify myself to you. I'm your mother."
"No, you don't but do I have to remind you what's at stake here and we can't afford any screw ups right now. Have you gotten everything packed and ready to go or did you task as hostess get in the way?"
"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer. Now, if you don't mind I have some packing to get done," said his mother then she left him.
"She's going to be the death of me," he mumbled to himself as he walked over to bar where he poured himself a double rum then downed it and after that he poured himself another. He pulled out his phone and called the boat putting the call on speaker so he could pour himself a third drink. The phone rang for a while before someone picked up.
"It's me," said Luiz as he took a sip. "I was just wanted to know where you guys are and how long before you can get here?"
"We're making good time and we should be there in a few hours. That woman got away but we left three Zodiacs behind to root her out. I figured that she must've been hiding nearby and with us gone she might come out."
"Good idea, we don't need those boats anymore so you don't need to hang around for them. I want you back here as soon as you can. We can't hang around here for very much longer."
"Roger that we'll open her up and cut our time in half..."
"Hold on don't do anything that might attract attention your way. Hurry up but do it in a way that doesn't seem like you're in a hurry. I'll let you go for now," said Luiz as he hung up. He looked at his glass trying to find some wisdom while all the time wondering if all this was worth it.
"I just hope this doesn't blow up in our... my face. Juanita," he said. It was the first time in what seemed another life time that he dared mention her name. "What did I do to you?" Luiz had a desire to get drunk but he knew he couldn't. There were too many things to still get done and phone calls to be make if they were going to leave Saint Thomas forever but that was his mother's plan.
"And you always do what momma says," he said to his reflection in the glass then down it. "You need to stop here. You need a clear head for what's to come."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile down in the basement Luiz's man escorted Roan down to the cell. The man posted as guard opened the door then they motioned Roan to get inside. Roan didn't much like the looks of things in the basement nor did he like what he saw inside the cell.
"Excuse me, but I believe I was supposed to get a room with the view of the sea and I don't see any chocolates on the bed... for that matter I don't even see a bed."
"Get inside and shut up," said the one guard as he shoved Roan in then closed the door behind him. From inside Roan heard the key turn in the lock.
"I'll have you know I'm going to lodge a complaint with management and you can forget about a tip," he yelled but all he got in return was silence. Roan found a corner of the room and stood there for a moment waiting for his eyes to become adjusted to the dark. It was dark inside but not completely dark. There was a little light that made its way in from under and above the door. There was enough so that in a little while he could see his way around the room and that was when he found Casey.
"Casey? Is that really you? When they told me, they had you I didn't believe them. Colonel, why aren't you answering me with one of your quips?" said Roan as he walked over to check on him.
"Colonel snap out of it," said Roan as he shook him. "I'm sorry but this is for your own good," he said then he slapped him. "Ouch, that hurt me worse than it did you," said Roan as he shook out the pain in his hand. However, it seemed to work. Casey started by moaning then shake his head.
"Geez, I feel like a hundred miles of bad road," said John as rubbed his head. "I'm going to strangle me an orderly when I get my hands on him."
"You'll get your chance when we get out of here but for now you need to take it easy. I can only imagine what kind of sedative they must've used on you."
"Roan, is that you? Is this really you," said John. Everything was still hazy and his head was spinning so he didn't trust his senses.
"Yes, it's me and I must say you've gotten us into quite the pickle this time."
"I ought to strangle you for what you did to me," said John. "No, I think I will," he said as he reached up and grabbed Roan by the throat.
"Colonel... Casey... John, you're cutting off my air supply. Do you think you could let up a little bit? It's getting hard to breath."
"That's the general intent. I think this is going to be a new personal record."