Don't own Chuck
Morgan waved the man into his office then he stood in the doorway for a second looking around. Skip and Fernando were playing Halo 5 on the Xbox. He thought about yelling at them but in the scope of things it didn't seem important. He had to remain cool at all costs and stay on top of things. He was the only one there and this was on him, the last man standing. He started out by inviting the man to sit down and to have a seat but he refused. Instead, the man went to door and locked it then pulled the blinds down.
"Please have a seat," said Morgan as he sat down behind his desk. "Why'd you lock the door and pull the blinds? I can understand if you're upset over your loss so if you want a moment I can go and come back. You can make yourself at home. Maybe you'd like something to drink?" Morgan started to get up but the man pulled a Glock 17.
"Sit right back down. You can call me Mr. Brown and like I said I'm here for John Casey. You wouldn't happen to know an Agent by the name of Alex McHugh. I need to have a conversation with him too."
"With him?" said Morgan realizing Mr. Brown didn't know who Alex was. "Agent who? You realize this is the Buy More. What's this, a hold up? We keep very little cash on hand just enough to operate the registers…"
"Shut up, I know this isn't a real Buy More but a CIA covert base of operations. Now where's John Casey? Don't make me ask twice."
"Dude, have you been standing out in the sun too long? A CIA what? Have you looked outside? Do any of them look like their spies? The guy who brought you to me is my step-father. If you want to shoot him or those other two knuckleheads out there go for it. But I'm telling you if you want to find a CIA covert base try the yellow pages look for Bellevue."
"I ought to shot you dead right here," said the man as he rushed at Morgan pointing his weapon at his face. Morgan cringed and pressed the panic button under his desk. The silent alarm activated and the camera on his laptop came on.
"I'm sorry about that but can we talk before you execute me. I mean I'd like to know what John did to you before I die I think that's only fair. I can understand how John could get on your nerves believe me he's done that to me on a number of occasions. No to mention he's always threatening to kill me so you can see me sitting here looking at your rather large gun in my face is kind of old hat for me."
"Maybe I ought to knock some sense in you first," said Mr. Brown as he slapped Morgan across the face knocking him across the room.
"What do you call that, foreplay?" said Morgan as he played it off laughing at Mr. Brown. "My grandmother hit harder than that. What's next? You're going to scratch me and pull my hair? How about tickle me to death? I'm ticklish. You still haven't told me what John did to you?"
"If you have to know he killed a friend of mine. He did with this other Agent Alex McHugh. The two of them gunned him down as he was trying to escape."
"And does your friend have a name or am I supposed to guess it? Come on John Casey is a bully and he likes to intimidate which he does an excellent job of but he wouldn't hurt a fly."
"My friend's name was Kasper. We were born in the same village and grew up together and now you're going to die."
"Wait a minute," said Morgan as Mr. Brown raised his weapon. "Just one second if you don't mind. How do you know our John Casey is the man you're looking for? I'm sure there are dozens of John Caseyes in the phone book. Let me proved it," said Morgan as he pulled out the L.A. county phone directory and there were no John Caseyes listed. "See what I mean."
"See what you mean? There are no Caseyes listed," said Mr. Brown. "So this one has to be him. You're dead."
"Hold up there kemosabe," said Morgan as he pushed the gun away. "Our John Casey isn't listed either which means he's got an unlisted number so it stands to reason that the other John Caseyes have unlisted numbers too. Don't you see? You know for someone who says they're a spy you're kind of slow on the uptake," said Morgan as Mr. Brown growled. "No disrespect or anything I'm just making an observation."
"And your point is?" said Mr. Brown getting impatient and annoyed with Morgan. "You better not be toying with me or you'll regret it."
"My point is simple, it's only natural that if there was, and I'm not saying there is, but if there was a John Casey 'the spy' he would have his phone number unlisted. Is your phone listed?"
"Well no, it isn't," said Mr. Brown as he began to think. "I really don't want to shot an innocent man but you've seen my face so I'm sorry I'm going to have to kill you then go find the right John Casey." Mr. Brown raised his weapon again.
"Hold up, let's not do anything rash. You know come to think of it John does take a lot of time off. You know he could be your man. But the only way you're going to find out is if we wait and see."
"What do you propose? I can't wait all day I've got things to do like finding this Alex McHugh," said Mr. Brown as he started wave his pistol around. Morgan was really getting under his skin.
"First things first, John should be back any moment. I can call him in here and we can all have a nice talk together then we can go from there. This Alex McHugh, how would you find him?"
"I could look in the phone book like you suggested before. That would be a good place to start," said Mr. Brown as he picked up the phone directory.
"No that would be a waste of time," said Morgan. He knew Alex's phone was listed. "Remember what we said about John Casey, the same would apply here. The Alex McHugh you're looking for, 'the spy', he wouldn't have his number listed. No you need another way to find him."
"And how would I do that?"
"I don't know you're the spy I'm just the manager of the Burbank Buy More. I don't have any spy skills. You see this," said Morgan as he showed Mr. Brown a stack of order forms. "This is what I do all day. Keeping track of product, making sure it's on the shelf and making sure the shelves stay stocked. Plus I need to make sure my workers perform. Just take a look outside you think that's easy with the group I've got here. I could probably get more done if they gave me a bus load of illegals who don't speak a word of English. Come to think of it I've never seen Fernando's Green Card. That would explain a lot. Hey, Mr. Brown you wouldn't happen to have an extra gun I could use one."
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Casey and Alex drove Emma and Jack to catch their flight. Molly sat next to Sam in the back holding her hand. Sam was very quiet looking out the window with Mr. Rabbit tucked under her arm. Casey walked ahead of them after they got their tickets escorting them through security with Alex picking up the rear. When they got to the x-ray machine Casey showed the operator his badge but the lady told him he could walk through but the luggage still needed to be scanned so he laid their carry-on on the belt then Emma went through with Sam.
"Ma'am I'm sorry but the rabbit needs to be run through the scanner too," said the TSA officer in a curt manner. "That's the rule no exceptions."
"No mine," screamed Sam as Emma tried to get Sam to put it on the belt explaining that it would go through then come out the other end. But Sam gave the same answer, "No mine." She grabbed hold of the rabbit even harder refusing to give it up.
"Listen," said Alex as the line started backing up. "Can't you use the wand on the rabbit and let her keep it."
"Can't it's broken and before you ask the full body scanner's down too so if you want to catch your flight you need to make your kid behave. You're holding up the line. Some parents," mumbled the lady but loud enough for Alex to hear her. Alex turned ten shades of red with smoke coming out of her ears.
"Fine, I'll take care of this," said Alex as she pulled out her Beretta Cougar waving it in the air then laid it on the belt along with her badge. "Dad, give me a couple of yours and badge please." Casey handed Alex his Sig Nine from his shoulder holster and his Beretta from behind his back.
"Do you want my ankle piece? I've got some brass knuckles not that I need them and a switchblade too," said John making sure everyone in line plus the rent-a-cops saw them too.
"No, this should be enough," said Alex and she was right. She saw men running around them and heard people whispering in the crowd. "I think things will come to a head very soon.
"Is there a problem here," said the head of airport security. He got called by one of the TSA officers when they saw the firearms display. This was Alex's plan to smoke out someone in charge.
"You tell me, Colonel Casey NSA and this is Alex McHugh Homeland. We came here to inspect your operation and found two thirds of your equipment is down and let's not talk about the manners of your personnel. The minimum they need are so office hours starting with those present."
"Boss that's not the way…"
"And there you go case closed. I'm about thirty seconds from calling my General and having your airport shut down. If you think I'm joking, you can listen in," said Casey as he held up his phone.
"Wait Agent McHugh you're homeland," said the man as he picked up Alex's badge then looked at Casey's. "What's the problem? TSA works for homeland. If a homeland agent vouches for a passenger it's good enough for me. We don't need to get any feathers ruffled over something in-house."
"But Boss they can't…"
"Joan, how would you like us to search your relatives when they come through even if you're with them. It's a courtesy within the agency don't be…" The man caught himself before he finished saying what he thought. "Just go through Agents with your party and I apologize just please put away the hardware."
"I'll make sure I mention how cooperative you were in my report but I can't promise the same about your personnel."
"I understand and I'll handle that," said the man as he looked at the woman. John heard as they left that the man had the woman relieved so he could talk with her in his office. What he'd give to be a fly on the wall to hear that conversation but he had other problems at hand.
Later Casey and Alex watched the plane for Montenegro leave. Sam had been acting strange since they arrived at the airport and even more as they boarded. It looked as if she were looking for someone. Someone she expected to see but wasn't there. Alex thought she heard Sam say 'Momma go no yuck' as she boarded.
Alex was trying to think what that meant and if she should mention it to Sarah. It would only unset her and she couldn't do anything about it. Maybe it was best said after everyone got home. They got back to Casey's Crown Vic and had just gotten back on the I-5 heading towards Castle when the intruder alert went off.
"Jesus Morgan," said Casey as he looked over at the alarm and switched off the audio signal. "I hope the Troll didn't accidently set that off. I bet he feel asleep at his desk again and tipped backwards catching the button when he grabbed the desk to keep from falling backwards." Casey caught Alex's look. "What? He's done it before. Use the tablet in the glove box and see if you can log into the cameras in the Buy More."
"Okay I'm in," said Alex. I don't see anything on the floor. Wait Big Mike, Skip and Fernando are up to something."
"They're always up to something. Maybe there's a mutiny and they're going to have Captain Morgan walk the plank," said Casey as he looked over at Alex. She gave him a look. "What? Did I say something?"
"No you didn't," said Alex as she switched the view to Morgan's office. "Oh my God, Dad you've, we've got to hurry. We need to get to the Buy More as fast as we can, Morgan's in trouble."
"What is it? What's going on?" said Casey as he glanced down and saw the man from the sketch in Morgan's office with a gun pointed at him. "Christ, see if you can get audio then put it in the cradle on the dash. After that call downtown and confirm a Tac team has been dispatched. Don't worry I'll make sure we get there before them." Casey turned on blue lights and floored his Crown Vic pushing its 4.6 liter V8 engine to the max.
"Dad, why is that man at the Buy More?" asked Alex as the audio started coming in. They watched events unfold as they raced to get there. But what happened next no one could've ever predicted.
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Yousef and Izad took off from Musaka International airport in a Cessna 180 with two of Izad's men. They were making their way up north to rendezvous. The plane was equipped with floats so they could land on the lake to regroup with their men. They had pulled back until the mission arrived and got set up. However, soon it would be time to strike and they needed to be ready to pounce.
"Is everything ready and are the men geared up" asked Yousef. But Izad didn't answer he was too busy looking out the window at the nature below them. "Did you hear me?"
"What? I'm sorry I was distracted. Yes, everything is ready and the men are in place. There's nothing to worry about so just lean back and relax. Enjoy the sights; you know this is a wonderful country."
"It's okay I guess. What word do we have about the C-17? The team should've landed a while ago. Is everything on track?"
"Yes, it did," said Izad realizing Yousef was going to bother him the whole time they were in the air. "The C-17 landed unloaded the team and cargo then took off. From the latest news I got the team is ferrying their equipment over. Have you heard anything from the professor?"
"No, he's gone dark. I tried his number but it's either off or he's not answering. He and I are going to have to have a good talk when we meet."
"Well I hate to inform you that there was an accident on the flight over and one of the team was killed. I don't know who yet but your man could be down."
"Crap. Your man said it was an accident, right?" said Yousef as he was wondering if the professor had been found out. Izad nodded.
"Why you think someone murdered him? What someone found out he was working for us then whacked him? Why? If that's the case there's a third party involved. The Agency would've arrested him and cancelled the mission."
"You're right but we're putting the cart before the horse. We need to know who was killed first then we'll know what we have here. Your men need to be extra vigil if there is this mysterious third party," said Yousef as he took out his phone and called a number then hung up.
"The professor still isn't answering?" asked Izad. Yousef seemed even more agitated than normal.
"No, he isn't," said Yousef as he tried another number, but still nothing. He hung up his phone and put it away. He was also trying to call Carlos for a confirmation that Mr. Brown was taken care of but he wasn't getting any answer. Then he tried the safe house in Mexico and he wasn't getting any answer there either. "What the heck is going on," be mumbled to himself. He started to pull out his phone again.
"If you keep that up all you're going to do is run down your battery. Let him call you. If he sees all those missed calls the professor is going to panic and think something is wrong. You need to learn to relax more or you're going to end up with an ulcer or a heart attack."
"Maybe you're right," said Yousef as he put his phone away. "How long before we get there?"
"We should be coming up on the lake soon. Here," said Izad as he handed Yousef a thermos. "I brought us some jasmine tea. Pour yourself a cup I find it always helps me to relax."
Yousef was rethinking his opinion of Izad. If Mr. Brown had done what Izad was doing for him then he wouldn't have had to call Carlos but that still didn't explain why he wasn't able to reach any one in the safe house. This was strange but he couldn't think about it now. He had to get his head in the mission at hand and see it through. He was in too deep now to turn around not that his people would let him.
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Big Mike came out of the break room and checked the clock on the wall as he slipped his paperback in this his back pocket. Calculating in his head when he could take another break, he was halfway through the chapter and he just had to know what was going to happen next.
"How does she do it," Big Mike said to himself as he walked out on the floor that's when he saw them. Skip and Fernando were deep into Halo.
"I got you on the run now," said Fernando as his men were launching an offensive routing Skip's forces.
"Wait for it… wait for it and boom baby, head shot and your guy's down for good," said Skip as a sniper blew the head off of one of Fernando's men.
"What the… I'll give you two boom baby," said Big Mike as he switched the power strip off and yank the controllers away from them. "What have I told you about playing games on company time? When you're standing in the unemployment line see if Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is standing there next to you."
"Oh but Big Mike we got everything done and we… well we're on break. Yeah that's it, we're on break and we can do whatever we want on break like you with those lady novels."
"You know for your own good I'm going to ignore what you just said but need I remind you of Buy More policy. Breaks are to taken in the break room hence the name. But if you want to continue this conversation I might be tempted to break something else. Now get back to work. Look at this place it's a mess. Pick that paper up." Fernando reached down and picked it up then looked at it, his mouth dropped open.
"Bi… Big Mike," said Fernando then stopped he couldn't speak. At first Big Mike thought he was having a stroke or heart attack.
"Speak man what is it? What's your name? Do you know where you are?" said Big Mike trying to remember what you're supposed to ask someone who's having a stroke. "Who's the president of the United States?"
"What's the star date," asked Fernando. That's when both Big Mike and Skip slapped him on the back of the head.
"Ouch! That hurt but look at this," said Fernando. Showing them the flier with the man who just went into Morgan's office, across the top was written 'wanted' then under 'use extreme caution'.
"Okay you two this is a nice try but I'm not taking the bait. Which one of you lamebrains came up with this? Come on I'll admit at first you had me going." They both shook their heads no, they hadn't. "Okay you've had your laugh now let's move on."
"No we didn't do this honest. I swear on Fernando's mother," said Skip. Fernando shoved Skip then he shoved him back which started a pushing war.
"Will you two cut that out? Okay I'll get to the bottom of this," said Big Mike as he walked straight over to Morgan's office but as he was about to go in he looked through the corner of the window. Even with the blind drawn he could see a little inside but it was enough to see the man had a gun.
"Sweet Jesus," said Big Mike as he quickly walked away, going back over to Skip and Fernando. "It's true the man's some sort of criminal. He's got a gun on Morgan."
"What do we do," asked Fernando. "Call the police?"
"Go home," said Skip. "Then call the police and the news then we can watch it happen live on my flat screen. Someone needs to bring the beer and chips." Big Mike gave him a look. "What? I'm providing the TV and place."
"Technically it's your mother's," said Big Mike. "No that boy is family, and my name is Mike,
Big Mike.
"What's going on," asked Fernando. He'd only seen Big Mike like this once before and it was during a game launch that went horrible wrong.
"We're going to die."
"Boys, get me my disco stick and stand behind me."