Don't own Chuck
"Chuck I have something I need for you to listen to but you have to listen to it in here," said Mike. The 'in here' he was referring to was the detention cell they had converted into a command and support center for Chuck's operation in Venice. They had just finished coordinating Casey's incursion and were wrapping up. Because of the secrecy of the op Chuck had the cell in full lock down so no one from the outside could see or hear what was going on inside the cell.
"Okay Mike let me hear it," said Chuck. Obviously it was something sensitive or Mike wouldn't have insisted on him listening where he was.
"First I pulled this before anyone else could hear it not even Margo has listen to it and once you hear it you'll understand why," prefaced Mike as he switched on the player raising the volume then passing Chuck a headset.
"Wait that's Molly and Rasib," said Chuck as he held the earpieces tight to hear better. "But who are they talking to? Christ did they just ask for what I think they just did?" Chuck looked at Mike and he nodded back.
"I had to listen to it a couple of times before I could believe my own ears. I've kept this on the down low. I accidently found it sorting through routine recordings, messages that were received while you guys were gone to see if we missed something."
"But how? Oh crap I know I gave Razib a receiver and transmitter to use in case of emergency. He must've accidently turned the mic on the watch so their conversation got transmitted by mistake."
"Well, it's a good thing I found it before it went up the chain. But what are we going to do? I should let Margo know. She's my boss."
"No you don't have to. We were here working on Venice you told me and I ordered you to put a lid on it. Do we know who they were talking to?"
"This is a picture I pulled from CCTV when they were talking in the bar. As you can see from this Emma came in later on and took the kids away."
"Are we even sure this guy is who he claims to be," asked Chuck. But Razib had identified him as the man who saved him which meant this guy had a gun and knew how to use it so there was little doubt.
"He registered under Oscar DeLoren which isn't his real names but there's nothing surprising there," said Mike as he passed Chuck one of the better prints that he had been able to get. Chuck looked at the picture and flash. He saw a body fall from scaffolding, a man running out of St. Paul's then he almost doubled over in pain. It felt like when he ripped the stitches out of his arm.
"Chuck, are you all right?" asked Mike. "What's going on? Let me get help."
"No, no, I'll be all right is just…" He never finished there was a new wave of pain. It was almost as if he was experiencing everything he felt when he first saw the man. Mike ran to the door taking the cell off lock down. Sarah was waiting outside to see if Chuck wanted to eat. He had told her not to wait but she did anyway.
"Sarah come inside it's Chuck," said Mike as he grabbed her pulling her inside. Mike looked terrified and worried.
"What?" she said as she ran in to find Chuck beginning to right himself. "What's the matter? Did you pull a muscle or something in your shoulder? See I told you to needed to wear that sling like the doctor prescribed. Sweetie just sit back in the chair and relax," said Sarah. She saw that it was something else but she didn't know what.
"I'm fine now. Really I am. Mike you said 'registered' does that mean he's no longer here," asked Chuck as he flipped the picture over.
"He checked out this morning and didn't leave an address and before you ask to see his room there's a couple in there now from New Jersey."
"Have our people keep a look out for him at the airport and down at the Marina. I don't want him harmed I just want to talk to him."
"Chuck do you know him," asked Mike as he glanced over at Sarah. "Maybe we should talk about this later?"
"Somebody better start talking or I'm going to get upset," said Sarah as she grabbed the photos on the table and turned them over. She flashed.
"Well we don't know him but we've seen him around. You ask me if he's a hit man I'd have to say I don't know just when he shows up people die and not from natural causes. Like I said put the word out on the down low that I want to talk to him and if Margo asks why tell her it has to do with Venice."
After Mike left Chuck put the cell back on lock down then gave Sarah the headset so she could listen to the recording too. When she was done Chuck hit erase.
"What do we do about this," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah who had the same puzzled look. "Something like this could mar them for life."
"I don't know this isn't exactly something they teach you in spy school. I think if we can find this guy and talk with him then maybe we can handle it low key."
"That was exactly what I was thinking. I don't want to bring Margo into this unless we have to. I know Razib is her kid and everything but how do you tell someone their kid contracted a hire killer."
"Sweetie, how do we not tell her? If this were Sam wouldn't you want to know? But I agree we need to be delicate. But I've got another question why did your flash cause you so much pain. I've never seen you like that before."
"I've never felt like this… well yes before I started wearing my governor. I think it was because I flashed back to when I first say the guy and in that moment I was in pain so I saw and relived the event."
"I understand it was like when I was regaining my memory. When the memory came back it came with everything I was feeling at the same time. I would cry or laugh for no reason to you guys around me but you were always there," said Sarah as she took his hand then leaned over and kissed him. "You know we're in lockdown in here so no one can come in or see us."
"Why what did you have in mind," said Chuck as he saw that coy look on her face.
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When Oscar checked out of the casino he didn't know what he was doing other than it was time to go. The twisting rode gave him some time to think before he reached the International airport in Tivat. He found out that this mysterious man he had taken the hit from lived in Venice so he had to figure out how to get there and through customs with the tools of his trade. Certainly one option was to drive but how long would that take? At least twelve hours or more if he didn't stop. He was trying to figure out if his batteries had enough charge to make the drive when his phone rang. Looking at the screen he read anonymous.
"Do you have the information I asked for?" said Oscar without the usual greetings. He was still thinking about the long hump and not looking forward to it.
"Yes but I should tell you that this man is under the protection of the CIA and the Russians so you need to think twice before taking this hit. With that being said I've sent you a file with names and locations, along with places he's known to hang out at. I hope this contract pays well because there could be a big crap storm afterwards. Do you have the boots for it?"
"I've got a brand new pair of Wellies," said Oscar. One thing about him when he decided to do something he saw it through and the other thing was he had a soft spot for kids. Putting the two things together meant he was in trouble. "Okay I'm looking at the file now. You wouldn't happen to be able to arrange a charter for me from here to Venice." Oscar heard the pause on the other side of the phone. He knew he was pushing his benefactor but this relationship couldn't be just one way.
"Okay go to the airport and wait near the charter desk. But you'll have to foot the cost I'll hold it against your gains off this contract. But if this becomes lucrative then the organization will pick up the tab but for now this is your own personal adventure. I'd like to tell you to enjoy it but that just wouldn't sound right."
"Roger that," said Oscar as he pulled off the road to glance over the files Mr. Smith sent. "Okay I think I've got everything I need."
"Just remember what I warned you. Oh and one last thing if this goes sideways," paused Mr. Smith…. "You're on your own."
"I thought you were going to tell me you'd be sending someone after me to keep me quiet."
"I figure that was be a given."
The line dropped on that and Oscar took his time looking though all the documentations Mr. Smith had sent him. There were a couple of places that looked like good possibilities but he really needed to go there in person to scout out both. He arrived at the rental desk turned in his keys them went straight to the charter. Oscar didn't like all the new security in the airport it had been beefed up since the shootout.
"I'm looking for a charter a Mr. Smith booked for me the name's Gilberto, Gilberto Del Piento," said Oscar as he passed the attendant a second false passport with a forged Montengrin customs' entrance stamp.
"Yes, my colleague will take you and your bags to your plane," said the clerk as she handed him back his passport then the man next to her walked Oscar out to his plane. He got on board and was sitting back in his seat relaxing listening to the engines begin to whine and then felt the plane start to roll. However, as soon as it started to move it stopped. There was a knock on the hatch and the co-pilot came back opening it up. Before he could ask what was going on two people boarded, a man and woman. He knew the woman from her picture but the man he'd seen around but didn't know his name.
"Oscar we need to talk, my name is Charles Carmichael and this is my wife Sarah," said Chuck as he extended him his hand.
"Nice to meet you but you've got the wrong man. I think you've got me confused with someone else. My name it Gilberto, Gilberto Del Piento. What's this all about anyway? I'm sorry but I'm in kind of a hurry so..."
"Don't worry we aren't stopping you," said Chuck as the plane started to move again. "In fact we're going to fly with you to Venice. Can I offer you a drink?"
"Thanks please. Maybe you can explain to me what this is all about? Am I being kidnapped or something? I'm just a simple businessman and I really don't have any money to pay a ransomed"
"No not at all, we are just three people flying to the same place on the same plane having a friendly conversation," said Chuck as Sarah set up three glasses from the bar on the plane then Chuck poured.
"I think I owe you a thank you," said Sarah as she sat down across from him next to Chuck. She took a sip from her glass and then looked back at Chuck as he sipped from his.
"Yes I think I do too first for London and then for what you did in the casino for our family. I'm sorry but now I'm going to have to ask you for a favor."
"If I knew what you were talking about I'd add a thank you for the square too. But that would only be if I knew what you were talking about and since I don't no thanks are necessary."
"Listen you're going to call the casino and tell the kids you were talking to. I'm sure you remember the ones you were talking to and before you deny it you should know your conversation was accidentally recorded…"
"Which would be inadmissible in court of law if this should ever be taken there."
"You really think we'd mess around with a long drawn out legal battle or a short trip to Gitmo or closer a dark site in Poland? But we're getting off the topic. No we would like you to call the kids and tell them you can't find anyone to take the contract and they should just forget about it."
"If I were the man you think I am I'd tell you that I already sent a text message to the children you were talking about telling them the same thing. If I were that person though I'd complete the contract and not claim the reward."
"If I were talking to the person I think I'm talking to I'd tell him to wait until tomorrow afternoon a lot can change by then and certain road blocks would be lifted."
Guys this talking around the topic is giving me a headache," said Sarah. "Listen this is the bottom line. We don't condone or agree with the way you make your living but this time we're willing to look the other way and I underline this time."
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Early the next morning Mišović rode in on his private boat from his family's island in the lagoon. His captain was waiting for him as usual helping him on board. He made his way down to the cabin where the morning's newspapers were laid out along with a carafe of coffee. On top of the newspapers was a manila folder marked 'urgent'. Inside he read a report from one of their men in Kotor that said Carmichael and his wife were sighted at the airport boarding a jet for Venice. He almost spit up his coffee when he read it. Grabbing his phone out of his pocket he called Marco.
"Why the hell am I reading just now that the Carmichael's flew out of Montenegro and are coming here…. What do you mean you didn't know I've got a folder right here…. You don't know anything about it? You haven't been on my boat? Wait a second," said Mišović. He pushed a button on the intercom. "Captain the manila folder in my cabin where did it come from?"
"Sir I don't know I found it there when I was laying out your newspapers. I just figured one of your collaborators left it so I make sure it was where you'd find it straightaway. It was marked urgent."
"Marco, call Stan I want you both there standing by when I get in and have our people in Kotor verify if this information is true. You know this could be some sort of elaborate prank… Who would be behind this? That old man Juri could be behind this, first with that stink bomb yesterday then now this… Yes I'll explain when I get in."
Mišović hung up and sat back in his seat looking at the report smiling. This was a play taken straight from the Stasi handbook Zersetzung or gaslighting. He should've expected something like this.
"So you think you can outwit me," said Dejan as he poured himself more coffee. "You're going to have to do better than this." He was at the bank landing by the time he finished his coffee. Jumping off he went straight up ignoring everyone around him heading straight for his office.
"Morning Sir," said Marco and Stan in unison both looked at the other thinking the other was sucking up to the boss.
"Forget it follow me," said Mišović as he led Marco and Stan inside. "What's this?" In the middle of his desk was a gift wrapped box. No one would dare try and kill him so he felt safe in opening it. "What the…"
"Someone sent you a stuff dog? Is it your birthday or something?"
"Not just any stuffed dog, this is Bunny but it's supposed to be down below in the vault. How did it get up here unless… Oh crap! Come on let's go down to the vault right now," said Dejan as he ran out of the office knocking over a couple people in the hall sending papers flying. "Yesterday when the workers were here did they have escorts while they were working?"
"Yes," said Marco, "I escort two personally as they worked in our offices and I had security escort the other two in the vault."
"Security? Stan why didn't you escort them? You know how I feel about the vault. No one goes down there unless one of us is with them. No one!"
"The fumes made me ill but security was with them I'm sure," said Stan. He knew he screwed up and now he was trying to dig himself out of a hole he dug.
Marco could see their boss was getting angry with Stan and was about to go off when they got to the vault. Mišović went to the biometric lock punching in the access number afterwards he looked into the screen a blue light scanned his eye. "Voice confirmation requested." said a machine.
"You called me a dog before you had cause; but, since, I am a dog beware my fangs," said Mišović. Then the vault door opened and they walked in. There were volumes and volumes of microfiche as well as artifacts. In the corner was a shovel with a tag on it. Marco just couldn't help it; his curiosity got the better of him so he went over and read it, "Jimmy Hoffa."
"Now I know someone is screwing with me," said Dejan. Marco quickly caught up. "Just look at this two of them. What the hell is going on? I don't like being screwed with. I want the printout from security of everyone who has been down here or in our offices."
"What will that prove," said Stan thinking out loud when he should've kept quiet. "That Marco and I go in and out of your office all the time."
"Let's go back up I want our security net back up right now." They left the vault locking it on their way out. Taking the elevator they departed, but just after they had gone the camera outside the vault shot a laser beam at the biometric lock destroying it. The Merchant of Venice was in the final act just Mišović didn't know it.
"Stan, come with me right now," said Mišović they went into his office. He slid the panel open on the desk. "This needs to go back up." They both insert their keys and turned in unison. The red light turned to green the automatic security system was back on line but as they were looking at the light it turned back to red.
"Crap again!" yelled Dejan. This time it wouldn't even turn to green it just stayed red. What's going on it won't reset," said Mišović. "Okay there's a backup. No problem. Marco I want that list of names I asked for from security now we've got a traitor somewhere that's the only possibility."
"Here we go I got it but you said there was a backup?" said Marco wondering what the heck was Chuck up to. "Sir the list is short because we closed down yesterday."
"Okay let me deal with one thing at a time," said Mišović as he was obviously starting to get flustered but he caught Marco's stare at Stan. "Wait let me see that list." Stan was standing next to the door as Mišović huddled with Marco as he looked it over.
"Jesus, so Stan you went home yesterday because you were sick that's what you said right? Well can you explain why I've got you in the logs as being in here and down in the vault. Christ this has you in and out the whole night. Are you working for Carmichael or Juri or both?"
"Boss there has to be a mistake? I don't know what to say, please you got to believe me," implored Stan. Marco almost felt sorry for him but Stan wouldn't have been sorry for him if the shoe were on the other foot.
"Yes there was a mistake and you made it, double crossing me and I know exactly what to say. No I don't believe you," said Mišović as he pulled Marco's gun from his shoulder holster emptying the clip in him. "Now get the cleaners in here. After I get this thing back up we'll have to pick out a new carpet."
Marco watched Mišović as he pushed another button and a camera came out from the desk then it shined a blue light into Dejan's eye. Afterwards a wheel appeared spinning on the screen with a note below 'processing data'.
"This is the backup a biometric retinal scan," but as he was explaining a red light came on the screen access denied. "No, no this can't be happening." As Marco was about to ask what this meant there was a knock at the door.