18b

Lurkers: Make your presence known

Chapter 18b – Dinner and destiny

Chateau Almandine

Mike Stuart noticed the number of men standing around the car park when Henri opened the door and walked him to the Chateau entrance.

"Are these guards always here?" Security was openly apparent and alert. Was he expecting trouble?

"No, Congressman Stuart, only when the President or his wife are visiting." Let the smug bastard chew on that for a while.

Hannah met him at the door and smiled her patented 'I hate you but I have to tolerate you' smile that she'd perfected since the camps. No one knew it was false, not even Chuck.

"Thank you for inviting me into your home, Mrs. Windsor, especially under these circumstances. I'm sure Charles has told you of our meeting and purpose?"

"Yeah, and I heard everything that was said from the surveillance vehicle. You walked a fine line with my husband, Mr. Stuart, a very fine line. He likes you for some reason so that means I'll like you too, if only because he does. A word or advice?"

"I'd appreciate it." His wife was beautiful and mysterious and very dangerous. His senses were on high alert. Fine line, indeed.

"Stay in America. Don't come to France. Chuck loved your fiancé and she tore his heart out everyday they were together after he failed spy school. Don't look surprised. He told me everything…tells me everything. We have no secrets between us."

Stuart unconsciously smirked. 'I'll bet you don't know he's NSA, Hannah. He'd never reveal that to the daughter of the Director General.'

"He even told me about his real mission after Thailand, and earlier today he told me about your part in his rescue from Cold Storage. Thank you for that. That alone guarantees your safety regardless of what you decide about the ambassadorship. I honor my husband's commitments, Mr. Stuart, but some feel differently. Now, let me introduce you to Nick and Carla. Chuck's still changing."

1 hour later

Hannah had shown off her 'kids' and she and Stuart were on a first name basis. Chuck sent his apologies but was on a conference call with an important client but would be there shortly. He and Su-Fi had a ritual they went through every day and he'd been delayed because the ritual had grown from coaxing out the occasional word to halting sentences.

If Chuck had a favorite, it was Su-Fi, although he never gave her more of his time than the others needed. Sometimes he felt he needed her more than she needed him. She still rarely smiled although she would sit with him in the garden when he was brooding or thinking out a problem for hours without saying a word or needing anything. Her eyesight was gradually improving although Chuck wanted Ellie, Hannah and Su-Fi to fly to New York and consult an NSA-recommended specialist.

Pol had decided that his camp name would set him apart and so he adopted the closest name to his own, Paul. Thi struggled with the decision, finally adopting Yve because it was short and easy for her to pronounce.

They spoke together in French since that was the language of the Chateau and since they were the 'residents' now it seemed only right. Jacques had moved himself into the carriage house and was quite content, requiring only a cook to keep him happy and the occasional visit from the housemaids. He always set aside time for his grandchildren and his language lessons were a great help. He spoke the language of the camps.

Hugo had a small suite above the kitchen of the chateau. Ellie was across the hall but for all intents and purposes the two had moved in together. Chuck thought it was hilarious when Hugo had asked if he could 'woo Dr. Woodcomb' and he still chuckled when he thought about the big man being cowed by his sister whenever he stepped out of line.

Henri moved back to the village since it was easier for him to slip out and go to Rosa's from there than from the chateau. Dubois said little or nothing about it but often would catch Henri's eye at a meeting and just shake his head and mutter 'shame, shame'. Of course, Henri just laughed. To each his own.

"So, how is Charles enjoying being CEO of Circus Information Systems? It must keep him quite busy?"

"Oh, he gave that up and is just chairman of the board of directors. Since he was elected Director General he hasn't had much time for it. He delegates and reads a daily summary and has an office there but he's pretty much a 'hands-off' chairman."

'Holy shit! Beckman never mentioned he was the new Director General. Definitely going to shoot for governor. Not coming to France – ever. He's dead as far as the world is concerned and I'll do nothing to resurrect Chuck Bartowski.'

"Now, don't let Nicholas get your goat. He's still sensitive about some things that happened the last time he was in DC. And don't bring up the internet around his wife. She'll bitch and whine for hours about her photographs…"

Hannah excused herself and went into the kitchen. Henri was eating 'his' pizza and drinking the ubiquitous glass of wine.

"Henri, don't drink too much. You have to drive Mr. Stuart back to hotel."

"It is no problem, Hannah. If I drink too much, I'll let him drive." Hannah just rolled her eyes. Her father put up with his antics. Chuck put up with his antics but she was not so inclined.

"That's the last glass or Hannah's kitchen is off-limits for the rest of the month, Henri. Now, no more wine, understand? Help me carry these in. It's the least you can do since you almost made me a widow last night." She fixed him with a cold glare.

Merde! They're bothholding grudges!

His just sighed and responded, "Oui, Madame Windsor," and carried the platters into the family room. He would be on his best behavior even though it had been an accident. He was just glad that the boss wore a vest, something he never did before.

Chuck finally joined the group and after eating, the conversation turned to politics and the world situation. Chuck sighed. So much for family movie night.

Chuck started to replace his gloves after eating the messy pizza but Hannah stopped him. "Chuck, they've all seen them and they're not all that bad. The nails are growing and…just leave them off, honey. I don't want you wearing them around the house."

"So, Charles, have you considered my thoughts on the independent force we discussed last month? I tell you it would be a real moneymaker as well as a welcome addition to the world scene. An answer to those 'issues' where politics restricts what needs to be done to alleviate suffering and human loss."

"Not really. I've put something down on paper, mostly equipment and manpower projections but the staffing leaves a lot of unanswered questions and I'm hardly qualified to set up such an organization. Better to let the UN handle those things. I just don't see the Circus expanding in that direction. It might be considered 'provocative' by some governments."

"You should get a staff of ex-military to offer you options, Charles. No one expects a spy to be a general." The conversation died on that comment. Chuck glared at his guest, but then reminded himself that Nicholas was more than just a 'guest'. Hannah snuck her hand into his and squeezed it, silently sending him the message 'have patience'.

"I'm hardly a spy, Nicholas, despite what the tabloids and wagging tongues would have you believe. I mean, really, just because our firm collects data and sells the analysis to interested parties does not make me the spy master they seem to believe I am."

"Well, industrial and economic espionage are 'spy' activities, aren't they? Governments do it all the time." Stuart couldn't keep his big mouth shut.

"What is being suggested is far beyond the scope of 'espionage'. We're talking about a private army that governments could 'hire' to handle issues and areas they can't normally be associated with. That's more than our charter allows. Besides, Nicholas, you have the Legion Étagère for such tasks where French interests are involved, don't you?"

"Try getting the Legion moving when the politicians don't want to be 'involved'. No, governments need a force that is 'off the books' in many instances. The UN is hamstrung because of their pitiful performances on past Peace Keeping missions. No. It must be a private force answering to no government. The Circus is the perfect firm to organize and wield such a force."

"Mercenaries. You're talking about mercenaries, aren't you?" Stuart had the usual American distaste for mercenaries. Chuck wondered if it was because of the Hessians in the British Army during the Revolution.

"Yes, Michael, exactly. A mercenary force, open for hire and use in areas requiring a stabilizing presence."

"I have to disagree with you, Mr. President, and agree with our host. The UN is the proper vehicle for such undertakings, not a bunch of hired guns willing to work for the highest bidder. Africa proves that point. And who would 'police' such a force? To whom would they be answerable? No one. Just the highest bidder."

The party broke up on that sour note despite the attempts of the two wives to steer the conversation to safer grounds. Carla had been concerned for Su-Fi's eyes and offered to see about getting her in to see 'a competent specialist in Paris'. Hannah wisely remained noncommittal since she and Chuck had had a loud conversation on just the same subject not a week before.

As Mike was leaving, he turned to Chuck with a smile. "If you should decide to develop such a force, Chuck, let me know. There are quite a few unemployed military officers running around who could prove quite valuable. Also, remember that warfare is asymmetrical and 3-dimensional. Land, sea and air. Think about it. I can be very helpful with leads without strings. I owe you for setting me straight on a lot of things I wasn't thinking clearly about. And if you or any of your family come to America, let us know. Seriously."

Chuck thanked him and grimaced. Another convert to 'peace through subtle subversion'.

Later that night

"So, Chuck, what do you think of Mike? Do you think he's going to take the ambassadorship? Will her being here bring us problems?"

"I like him. He's not taking the ambassador appointment so she won't be here to cause any problems. I love you not her. I can't say it more effectively and I wish you'd just put it out of your mind. I've never asked you about your past lovers, have I? I've told you all about my…two." He laughed but she didn't.

"OK, why the sudden drop in room temperature, Hannah Nguyen? It's true. I've told you all about them and Lou was just a couple of times, not really who you'd call a 'lover'. So what's the problem?"

"Nothing. I just hope she stays the hell on the other side of the Atlantic. I've never met her but I hate her for what she did to you. I suppose I should be grateful that she was such a bitch to you otherwise you'd have stayed on the plane and gone back to your precious Sarah Walker."

"Hannah, will you listen to yourself? She's not my 'precious' anything. You are. Now, either change the subject or I guess I'll work on that project I brought home. I'm not really tired."

"Fine, Chuck. I'm tired. Go work on your damned project." She turned on her side, her back to him.

"I thought we settled this last night or was I wrong? Didn't last night and the surveillance tapes convince you? What will it take for you to just drop it? My God, you're worse than Ellie when it comes to Walker. And by the way, that's not her real name. No one knows her real name. Wanna talk about trust issues, Hannah Nguyen? Don't you think a person in love would at least tell you her real name? Well, she didn't. She didn't even tell her damned partner."

"Why are you so upset about this if she's not still on your mind, Chuck? Why does talking about her make you so damned angry?"

"I'm angry because no matter what I say you twist it to fit your own purposes. I'm angry because we brought this argument to our bed, Hannah, and we agreed never to argue here. It's supposed to be where we make love, not wage war on one another. I'm angry because…never mind. I'm going down to my office and work on that project."

He was pissed and she knew it was her fault. She was insecure all of a sudden since the children came on the scene. She was terrified that he'd ask her about her camp experiences once he learned what the kids had been through. She knew he didn't love the Walker woman. He loved only her but she was afraid he'd ask her 'personal' questions and she wouldn't be able to lie to him. And he wouldn't want to be with her any longer. It had been that bad.

Chuck sat in Jacques' old office. He'd kept the furniture but added some modern items such as a scanner, computer and STU-3 phone. The scramble phone was a necessary item nowadays. He used it now.

"Beckman, secure, Director General. Is there a problem?" He normally reported through Casey and Forrest, and rarely contacted her directly.

"Go to STU-3, please, General." This conversation was of critical importance and not a 'shared item' with anyone else.

"OK, Chuck. What's the problem?" She'd grown very informal with him during the past few months. What he was doing was incredibly difficult but rewarding.

"I've been approached by the president of France to establish a mercenary force to 'use when politically expedient'. He brought this up in the presence of Michael Stuart who was a dinner guest in our home along with Nicholas and Carla. Hannah was also in attendance. I left Mike with the impression that it was a 'no go' item for the Circus."

"OK, so what? Stuart can be trusted. He's going to be the next ambassador to France but I'm sure you knew that already."

"No, he's not. He's going to run for governor of Virginia. He thinks Walker will try and rekindle something that burned out long ago despite my assurances that it would never happen. General, how does he know Walker ordered the kidnapping and then personally put me in Cold Storage after reviewing the interrogation reports?"

"He's been a valuable ally and I wanted him prepared for meeting with you. He didn't tell you that Walker put you in the Hole? He's the one who told me."

"Curious. Anyway, that's all unimportant. They're staying on your side of the puddle so it's a no-brainer. What about the merc force? Any ideas?"

"How big a force and what are their probable missions?" She knew the French were conniving and deceitful but this was…something she wished she'd thought of.

"Don't have a clue, General. It was 'hey, Chuck, Mercs-R-Us is having a used merc sale. Buy some and we'll send you some business'. Stuart reminded me that he had 'connections' and that warfare was 3-dimensional and asymmetrical. I had to look that one up. He also offered to put me in contact with some unemployed military people."

"He did, did he? Well, I suppose he does have contacts. What do you think?"

"I think it's too much, too soon and insufficiently thought-out. I thought the UN Peacekeepers were supposed to do that."

Beckman snorted in derision. "Those powder-blue-boys can't grab their collective asses with both hands. No. It's an excellent idea and you should give it some thought. I'll send Colonel Casey a suggestion list for you to review."

"Good. Anything on your side to report?"

"Daniel Shaw was spotted in Lisbon last week in the company of some slime he used to keep track of. He's not dead. He's going by the name of Silas Thorne. Walker blew her assignment. She reported him dead but apparently he lived. She should have made sure before reporting his death. You know he has a few 'unofficial' sleeper cells in Paris and elsewhere throughout Europe. Some of them may have infiltrated the Ring organization."

Silence.

"Chuck, are you still there?"

"Her…assignment was to kill her boyfriend? Jesus, I forgot about how you people really work. Well, if I see him I'll tell him you said 'hello', General. He and I have no axe to grind. Good night."

He hung up and shook his head. Daniel Shaw was alive. He was almost happy that the infallible Walker blew something other than her marks. He was immediately ashamed of his thought. She was better than that, surely?

He pushed 'Daniel & Sarah' out of his mind and turned his attention fully to his project. He hadn't been totally 'forthcoming' with the General. After all, he was the Director General of the Ring and technically outranked her. He laughed for the first time that day and resumed his studying.

They would need airlift, TAC air and probably some heavy stuff. He turned inward and 'asked' the intersect for some suggestions given specific criteria and received only one recommendation.

SA 330 Puma Helicopter

Crew: 3

Armament: Guns: Coaxial 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ; Cannon: side-firing 20mm (0.787 in)

Capacity: 16 passengers

Length: 18.15 m (59 ft 6½ in)

Rotor diameter: 15.00 m (49 ft 2½ in)

Height: 5.14 m (16 ft 10½ in)

Disc area: 177.0 m² (1,905 ft²)

Empty weight: 3,536 kg (7,795 lb)

Never exceed speed: 273 km/h (147 knots, 169 mph)

Maximum speed: 257 km/h (138 knots, 159 mph)

Cruise speed: 248 km/h (134 knots, 154 mph) econ cruise

Range: 580 km (313 nm, 360 mi)

Service ceiling: 4,800 m (15,750 ft)

Rate of climb: 7.1 m/s (1,400 ft/min)

He was tired and had a massive flash-induced headache. Chuck added the information from the flash to his Organizational Table and then he laid down on the couch in his office and pulled an afghan over him and slept. He would deal with Hannah and the world tomorrow.