Sorry for the lengthy delay between updates. I was concentrating on finishing my other story, 'Chuck versus the Decision.' It was getting a little confusing switching back and forth between the two. But the decks are cleared now and it's full steam ahead on this story.

Unfortunately, Poa, my editor, is 'off the grid' so I apologize in advance for any typos, poor grammar, idiotic plot points, etc.

So, finally, we continue with…

CHUCK VERSUS THE BUY MORE BOMBER

Chapter 4

Mossad

Ari Schwartz stood with his feet shoulder width apart and his hands clasped behind his back: classic parade rest. He was of medium height but stocky build, and his salt-and-pepper hair was close-cropped. His face was leathery and lined from years of riding atop an Israeli main battle tank while squinting at the desert sun. There was a hint of a frown on his face as he looked at the small, bearded man before him. "My name is Daniel Cohen," he said in a slight Israeli accent. "I was hired by Moses Finklestein, Founder and CEO of Buy More, as a security consultant for Buy More. I believe he telephoned to say that I would be stopping by."

Morgan was leaning against the Nerd Herd counter, with Anna by his side, regarding the man with curious eyes. "Security consultant, huh?" Morgan said. "How do I know you are who you say you are? You could be the Large Mart stooge who's blowing up Buy Mores."

"Large Mart?" Ari asked. "Do you have information that it is someone from Large Mart that is planting these explosive devices?"

"Instincts," Morgan said. "I've seen all the Bond films a half dozen times each. Well, except for the Roger Moore ones. I've watched those a few times and I never really bought him as Bond although Moonraker was kind of cool and how can you beat a name like Holly Goodhead and a henchman like Jaws? Even though the whole shuttle taking off from the back of a 747 was kind of lame."

"Excuse me," Ari interrupted. "Who is in charge of the store?"

"Um, that would be Chuck," Morgan said proudly. "And it's clearly time that his natural leadership talents were recognized by placing him in a position…"

"Where may I find this Chuck?" Ari interrupted again.

"Can I help you?" came the rumbling voice of John Casey as he strode toward the visitor.

"Are you Chuck?" Ari asked.

"Chuck stepped out for a moment," Casey said. "I'm John Casey. Perhaps I can be of some assistance. Were you looking for an appliance? Electronics? A DVD perhaps?"

"My name is Daniel Cohen. I am a security consultant hired by Moses Finklestein, Founder and CEO of Buy More, to investigate the recent bombings of the Northridge and Pasadena stores. I am making a tour of the various Buy Mores and speaking to the managers to see if anyone has any information and to get copies of the security footage from the last several days so that I can have it analyzed."

"I am afraid that the manager is out of town," Casey said.

"Then may I speak with the assistant manager?" Ari asked.

"Also unavailable," Casey replied.

"Well, if this Chuck is out, who is in charge?" Ari asked.

"Me," Casey said.

"Now wait a minute," Morgan said. "I don't want to pull rank here, but I believe that I have seniority and…"

Casey glared at him and Morgan quickly turned to Anna. "Let's go check out the Home Theater Room," Morgan said. Ari watched him go with a raised eyebrow.

"Now," Casey said. "Do you have some kind of identification?"

Ari reached into his jacket and Casey tensed. He slowly removed a wallet and pulled out a business card and a California driver's license. "I am afraid this is the best I can do," he said. "Didn't Mr. Finklestein call to say that I was coming?"

"Wait here," Casey said. He walked over to Big Mike's office and pressed the code on the telephone that rung the Castle. Sarah answered the phone.

"Walker. I've got a California driver's license in the name of David Cohen, license number 5559784 and a business card for Competition Security Consultants."

"Just a minute," Sarah said. There was a pause. "Okay. Driver's license checks out, but that doesn't mean much. Let's see, Joint Intelligence Database says that Competition Security Consultants is a front organization for Mossad."

"Does Schwartz have clearance to operate in the U.S.?" Casey asked.

"Not according to Beckman. But she doesn't want to pull the plug on this until she can consult with Mossad and see why one of their agents is poking around L.A. Go ahead and cooperate for now, but he is not to have access to me or the Intersect."

"Roger that." Casey hung up the phone and stepped out of Big Mike's office. There was no sign of Schwartz.

Casey picked up his price scanner with the gun hidden inside and started to walk slowly around the store, looking for Schwartz. As he neared the back, he heard voices he quickly recognized as Jeff and Lester.

"So, security consultant, huh?" Lester was saying. "Does that pay well?"

"You ever get to shoot anyone?" Jeff asked. "Cause I could definitely shoot someone."

"No one would every trust you with a gun, you cretin," Lester replied.

Casey rounded the corner to see Jeff, Lester and Schwartz standing in front of the security panel. Schwartz was once again at parade rest but Casey could see the muscles in his back flexing, no doubt as he contemplated the best way to kill Jeff and Lester. Casey briefly considered letting him, decided there would be too much paperwork involved, and cleared his throat.

Jeff, Lester and Schwartz all turned to look at him. Jeff and Lester with a look of equal parts annoyance and fear; Schwartz with a look of relief. "We were, ah, showing him where the security footage was," Lester said. Casey grunted and Lester slapped Jeff on the arm. "We, ah, better go check on the chinchillas," Lester said and then hurried away.

Casey handed back the driver's license and card. "You check out," he said.

Schwartz accepted the driver's license but waived away the card. "Keep it," he said. "If you spot any unusual activity around the store, you can give me a call."

Casey slipped the card in his pocket while Schwartz slipped a blank disk into the security system and then typed in the commands to copy the security footage to the disk. "You're ex-military," Schwartz said without turning around.

Casey looked at him, appraisingly. "Yeah."

"What are you doing working at a Buy More?" Schwartz asked.

"Making a living," Casey answered.

Schwartz turned to look at him. There was an enigmatic smile on his face. "How long are we going to do this dance, Agent Casey?"

"Excuse me?" Casey asked.

"Major John Casey, United States Marine Corps. Seconded to the National Security Agency. Current assignment – apparently working at a Buy More in Burbank. Kind of a waste of material, it seems to me, but who am I to second guess General Diane Beckman?"

Casey pulled the top of the price gun he was holding and the unmistakable click of a slide pulling back filled the small closet where they were.

"Now, Agent Casey, is that any way to treat a representative of an allied intelligence organization?"

"It is when the agent is working off grid and doesn't have authorization to operate in the alleged allied country. Let's have it."

"Have what, Agent Casey?"

"Whatever piece you're packing."

"Now, Agent Casey, you wouldn't want me to yell out and have your fellow employees come running to see what was happening, would you? I would hate to blow your cover like that."

"Yeah, I see your point," Casey said with a shrug. "Get your disk."

Schwartz turned to get the disk with the security feed out of the machine. Casey swung the price scanner and wacked the back of Schwartz's head. Schwartz crumpled to the floor. "Oops."

Chuck's eyes went wide as he saw Casey struggling down the stairs from the Buy More breakroom with a body slung over his shoulders. "Oh my God, Casey," Chuck gasped. "Is he…"

"No, moron, he's not dead," Casey snarled. "He just decided to take a little nap." He stepped into one of the holding cells and dropped the unconscious Mossad agent unceremoniously onto the cot. Casey immediately started to frisk him and came up with two guns, a knife, and a wallet.

"So decided to add 'mugger' to your resume, have you?" Chuck asked.

Casey grunted and stepped out of the room. He keyed in a code in the keypad at the door and the door slid shut. "Where's Walker?" he asked.

"There were some customers at the Orange Orange. She had to go take care of them," Chuck replied. "What did you do?"

Casey ignored Chuck and secured the weapons, then started to go through the wallet. He found two hundred and fifty three dollars in US currency; a California driver's license in the name of David Cohen; two credit cards, also in the name of David Cohen; a health insurance card; several of the Competition Security Consultant business cards; and a health club membership card.

Casey examined the empty wallet for a moment, then pulled out a knife and started slicing into the leather.

"Casey!" Chuck exclaimed. "What are you doing? That's his wallet!"

Casey ignored Chuck and continued slicing the wallet open. He reached inside and pulled out a small electronic device and held it up.

Chuck's eyes glazed over and his expression grew slack. Casey looked up at him and grunted. Bartowski always looks like such a goober when he was flashing. "That's a…" Chuck started to say.

"I know," Casey interrupted. "IB-99 tracker. Standard Mossad issue." He dropped the device on the floor and brought his heel down sharply. There was a small 'crack' as the device shattered. Casey reached down and picked up the several pieces of the device and dropped them on the table.

The door from the Orange Orange opened and Sarah came down the stairs. "Casey, what are you doing here? Where's Ari?"

Casey gave a jerk of his head to indicate the holding cell. Sarah rushed down the stairs and over to the holding cell. She keyed in the code to unlock the door and rushed to Schwartz's side. She took his pulse, then examined his head. She looked down at the small bit of blood on her fingers. "Casey, what part of 'cooperate' didn't you understand?"

"I didn't have a choice," Casey said. "He made me and threatened to blow my cover. At least I didn't kill him."

"Well, thank heaven for small favors," Sarah said angrily. She went to the small room that acted as their infirmary and got out the first aid kit. Then she went back to Schwartz and began to tend to his head wound. Schwartz moaned and Sarah pulled out a small syringe and filled it from a vial in the med kit. Chuck, who had been watching Sarah closely, turned away. He hated needles. Sarah expertly administered the shot to Schwartz and then locked the cell door and put away the med kit.

She returned to the table where Casey was examining the remains of Schwartz's wallet. "We need to call this in," she said, hands on hips.

Casey frowned. He obviously wasn't looking forward to explaining this to General Beckman. But Casey always believed that the best defense was a preemptive nuclear strike. "What's the matter, Walker?" Casey asked. "Afraid I hurt your old boyfriend?"

"Back off, Casey," Sarah said. "Ari has a wife and two teenage sons."

Casey started to reply, but Sarah pushed past him and activated the communications system.

Chuck sometimes wondered whether Beckman simply sat in her office waiting for their calls. Beckman's face immediately appeared on the screen.

"Agent Walker?"

"General, I'm a afraid we have a bit of a situation," Sarah said.

"What did Chuck do this time?" Beckman asked. Casey snorted and Chuck gave him a dirty look.

"Why do you immediately assume I did something?" Chuck asked.

"Past experience," Beckman deadpanned. "What did you do?"

"Ma'am," Sarah cut in. "This actually doesn't involve Chuck." She took a deep breath. "I'm afraid Agent Casey…"

"Neutralized an enemy agent who recognized me and threatened to compromise my cover at the Buy More," Casey cut in. Sarah shot him a dirty look.

"Enemy agent?" Beckman said, alarmed. "Fulcrum?"

"Possibly," Casey said.

"General," Sarah cut in. "Casey cold-cocked Ari Schwartz, the Mossad agent I told you about a little while ago."

"He what?" Beckman exploded. She fixed her gaze on Casey and Chuck was glad this was one of those rare situations where he was not the one on the receiving end of the General's wrath. "Major, is this true? Where is Schwartz now?"

"We have him locked in the one of the holding cells here in Castle," Casey said.

"He was starting to come around, so I gave him a sedative," Sarah said. "I don't believe that he saw where he was."

Beckman appeared to be trying to control her anger. "So let me get this straight, Major," Beckman said. "You attacked a Mossad agent in the Buy More, rendered him unconscious, and now you have him held prisoner in Castle."

Casey looked down at his feet, then back up at the General. "Well, I don't know that I would put it quite that way."

Beckman rolled her eyes. Chuck was actually enjoying this little bit of verbal ping pong. As much as Casey liked to torment him, there was a little bit of schadenfreude in witnessing Casey's dressing down.

"I just got off the phone with Meir Dagan, the Director of Mossad. He confirmed that Ari Schwartz is one of theirs, but he is on leave to assist with a security problem in the United States at the request of one Moses Finkelstein, the CEO and Founder of Buy More."

"Ma'am," Sarah said. "Mossad agents don't take a leave of absence to do free-lance security work."

"I am well aware of that, Agent Walker. There is obviously some other agenda going on here. I want you to find out what it is."

"So you think he might be Fulcrum?" Sarah asked.

"We have no intelligence that Fulcrum has infiltrated Mossad, but I am not discounting any possibility at this point."

"So you are rescinding your earlier instructions that I am not to have any contact with Agent Schwartz?"

"That is correct, Agent Walker. At this point, we have to do what we can to salvage the operation." She gave Casey a pointed look, and then turned back to Sarah. "Perhaps because of your previous relationship with Agent Schwartz he may give you additional information."

Casey almost grunted at the mention of a 'previous relationship,' but decided he was in enough trouble as it was, so he maintained his stoic expression. Instead, he asked, "What about Bartowski? Shouldn't we avoid exposing his connection with this operation?"

Beckman nodded. "Good point, Major. Do not allow any contact between Bartowski and Agent Schwartz."

Chuck took a step forward, toward the screen. "But General," Chuck said. "Either this Agent Schwartz or so someone else is targeting the Buy Mores. I want to assist in this mission. Please, General, I want to help."

"And we are counting on your assistance with this mission, Mr. Bartowski. But I do not want your identity exposed to Agent Schwartz, is that clear?"

Chuck sighed.

"What was that, Mr. Bartowski?"

"Yes, General," Chuck said.

Sarah glanced over at him. 'Not a chance in hell,' she thought. Chuck would find some way to 'accidentally' bump into Ari and see what he could find out. This mission hit too close to home for Chuck not to wade into it up to his eyeballs. She would have to keep a close eye on him.

"If there isn't anything else, I am late for another meeting," Beckman said.

"No, General," Chuck, Sarah and Casey said together, and Beckman cut the connection.

Sarah turned to Chuck. "Why don't you head back up the Buy More," she said. "They're going to be wondering where you are."

Chuck opened his mouth and sucked in a breath as if he was about to protest, but closed it again and, with slumped shoulders, headed back to the passage to the Buy More breakroom.

"You go, too, Casey," Sarah said. "I don't want you here when Ari wakes up. He'll be easier to deal with if the man who cold-cocked him isn't here."

"You sure you can handle him?" Casey asked.

Sarah frowned and narrowed her eyes. Casey recognized that look and said quickly, "I'll go keep an eye on Bartowski." Then he hurried to follow Chuck.

Now alone in Castle, except for their guest/prisoner, Sarah pulled up a chair where she could keep an eye on Ari's cell while she went through some paperwork.