Don't own Chuck
Casey drove down to the impound lot with Morgan and Alex. The drive was relative short even though Morgan would've liked it to last longer. They pulling up out front then they stepped out of Casey's Crown Vic. The sun beat down on them as they walked in. Morgan couldn't help but feel like they were walking on the set of some Quentin Tarantino film. There was a deadly silence and an uneasy calm as they walk in between ruins of various makes and years of automobiles with the predominant color being rust.
"That's about far enough," said an old man carrying a twelve gauge. "You people come to mess with the repo man because if you did I've got a load of rock salt here that will get that idea out of your head. When Betsy talks people listen."
"Colonel Casey, NSA, I'm here about an old beat up van the police brought in," said John as he held up his badge then he gave the old man the plate number, but as they were talking the repo man noticed Morgan.
"Hey I know you. You were with that other guy the chop-socky guy," said the old man. Morgan pointed at himself and shook his head.
"Who me? No, you must have me confused with someone else that looks like me. We've never met before. I don't know any chop-socky guys. No chop-socky here for sure."
"I don't know about you son. I might be old but my eyesight is still pretty good. That van is over there but it will cost you two hundred if you want to drive it off the lot and as for you I've got my eye on you. One wrong move and Betsy will start talking. "
"Well, I may not need to drive it off if you don't mind me taking a look inside," said John trying to get Morgan away from the old man. "If I do that then we can go from there."
"That will cost you fifty bucks," said the old man still staring at Morgan. "You know I'm responsible if the owner comes looking for it and finds his stuff missing."
"Considering the owner's dead I doubt if he'll come looking," said Casey as he shelled out the fifty dollars to the open hand of the old man. "I guess it would be useless to ask for a receipt."
"Your powers of perception are amazing," said the old man as he pocketed the money Casey gave him. "You ought to go on TV with that mind reading act of yours. You could replace Carnac the Magnificent."
"Yeah, yeah, come on let's look through this thing," said John as he took Morgan and Alex over with the old man watching over their shoulder. "I think we can take this from here," said John as he started to get annoyed with the old man. Casey just wanted him go away and let them work.
"Well if you find any Chinese restaurant menus I want them. Two yahoos broke in here and took one a few years back cheating me out of some good Chinese. You know how difficult it is to find good Chinese these days? I can tell you it ain't easy. I don't know about you but I like the dumplings. I haven't had good dumplings since I repo'd a delivery truck in Chinatown owned by a man call Mei Fat Zu. I told him wouldn't be fat after he had to make his deliveries on foot."
John gave up trying to get rid of him and just let the old man rattle on as he picked the lock then opened the van. They started looking through all the junk in the van. There were loose papers, receipts, food wrappers strung all over the floor.
"Look at all the food wrappers make a note of all the places our perps ate at then take all the receipts. I want you to grab everything dated after we found the owner's body…"
"Okay John, then what do you want us to do once we've got all of them together? We could run them by Chuck at the hospital and see if he flashes."
"Or we could do like what people did before there was an intersect which is to pound a little pavement and use a little shoe leather. Your buddy is supposed to be resting and us pestering him with work we could do on our own isn't helping him. It's just lazy so let's get this picked up then let's head out of here. I'm going to make a good agent out of you Morgan even if it kills you."
"That's what I'm worried about," said Morgan. Alex elbowed him and shook her head. "I mean I'm worried I won't live up to your expectations."
"Oh you don't have to worry about that Troll. I know you'll screw it up one way or another that's already figured into the equation as an inevitably.
"Gee thanks John for that vote of confidence. You know how to build one's self-esteem," said Morgan as he looked over at Alex but she was busy trying to dig out a piece of paper stuck in between the backseat.
"Look what I found," said Alex as she held up her find. "It's a parking ticket issued down at the pier." Casey took the piece of paper and studied it. "So Dad what do you want to do? We could run down to the pier and look around?"
"Let's head 'em and move 'em out. Now Grimes see that was good investigative skills. To gather the intel is just half the battle then you need analyze and prioritize it. If you don't do that then it's useless."
"I still think we ought to run this by Chuck first before we take a false step or do something that can't be undone," said Morgan as Casey gave him a look that could kill.
"That's what your mamma said the day after you were born. Now get a move on it before you become a candidate for a post-natal abortion and no more about going to Chuck or the intersect. We got this without the intersect so be happy with that. Now let's take it to the next level."
"Hey what are taking out of my van? Those aren't menus are they," asked the old man as he waved his shotgun around. "I never said you could take anything. I just told you that you could look around. I'm going to have to get the police down here."
"Mind if I smoke while we wait," said Casey as he took out a lighter then gave the old man a whiff of X-13 gas. The man went light headed then fell to the ground.
"Geez John, what's wrong with you? He's an old man that stuff could be bad for his ticker," said Morgan as he went over to check him.
"And while we're at it I'll take my money back," said Casey as he reached into the man's pocket and took his money back. "That will teach you not to give me a receipt," said John as the old man started snoring like a chainsaw.
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In the hospital Chuck was lying in bed watching things unfold in London. He had access to the security cams inside Jamil's apartment building as well as views from the street cams outside so he could follow things in real time. Now he knew how Jimmy Stewart felt in 'Rear Window'. He saw two men drive up on a scooter one man jumped off outside of Jamil's apartment building then ring his buzzer.
[Back inside the Apartment Across from Jamil's]
"We've got movement," yelled one of Cole's men. "Our man across the street just called in saying we've got someone out front." The doorbell rang in Jamil's apartment but he took it with Cole standing next to him.
"Who is it?" asked Jamil as calmly as he could but his voice betrayed just how nervous he really was. He so wished this was all over.
"I'm from the embassy to pick up the package you brought from the States," said the man. Jamil looked at Cole and Sarah. She motion for him to let the man in.
"What if he really is from the embassy? You people grab a diplomatic courier off the street and it will cause a diplomatic incident."
"That's why we need to make sure what this guy's intentions are," said Sarah. "Come on I'll stay with you and walk you through this," she said as they went back into his apartment through an adjoining door they'd installed to facilitate movement back and forth.
When the man with motorcycle helmet in hand arrived on Jamil's floor to his amazement he found Jamil's door open. The man knocked on it before entering.
"Excuse me," yelled the man as he stuck his head inside. "Excuse me; I'm here for a pick up for the embassy. Do you mind if I come in?"
"Yes, just follow my voice," said Jamil. "I'm sorry but I'm here with company." The man walked in to find Sarah sitting with him in the living room. "I'm sorry I need to take care of this man then I'll be right back with you. What you want is right here," said Jamil as he handed the man the box. The man stood looking at both of them like he was deciding what to do then he handed Jamil a receipt and left."
"What just happened," said Jamil after he closed the door. "I thought this guy was supposed to try to kill me after I handed over the package? Wasn't that what Marg said?"
"I don't know," said Sarah as they went back over to the other apartment. She could tell this had put a monkey wrench in Cole's plans too. Cole studied the man as he walked back down the steps hoping he'd turn around but he didn't.
"Get ready out front," radioed Cole. "Stay up with them but don't get caught." Then he turned to the men in the apartment. "We've got to break down and follow our guys. Luckily we put a tracker in the box and so far the signal is coming in loud and clear. This guy might lead us back to their den. Sarah and Carina stay here with Jamil. I'm leaving a guy out front in case of emergency everyone else on me."
"What about that van with the five perps in it? Are they still outside?" asked Sarah worried that this might be what the IRA wanted to pull the agents away from Jamil then move in.
"We're good there if that's what you're worried about. It turns out that delivery truck out front was filled with men from MI5. They got a tip about possible terrorist activity. We're going to feed our perps some line and see what we land."
[Back in Westside memorial]
Chuck watched Cole and his men take off in two different chase cars in pursuit of the scooter. Chuck checked its route on the map and it seemed like it was heading for the Iraqi embassy. Cole was in a bind the package was in a diplomatic pouch. If the driver was from the embassy he'd have to justify seizing and opening it without causing an international incident. Chuck's attention was drawn away from Cole when he noticed movement inside Jamil's apartment.
"Crap," said Chuck as a couple of nurses looked over at him. "Nothing go back to work," he said as he did a quick check front and back of the apartment building. He had six people three in the front and three in the back coming up the fire escape. He tried to call Sarah but they had some sort of cell phone jammer activated.
"Chuck think," he said as he watched the team in the front drop the cleaning lady them walk over her body. "Yes it's got to work."
[In the Apartment next to Jamil's]
After Cole left with his men Sarah volunteered to make tea for Jamil and Carina. She went into the kitchen where she put a pot of water on then got out three cups from the cupboard. As she was looking for the tea the electricity went off in the whole apartment building. The light over the stove went off then it came on then it went out again.
"Jamil, does this happen often," yelled Sarah as she suddenly found herself in the dark. "This is about the screwiest power outage," she said as the lights came on in one room at a time. If she didn't know better it was as if the building was possessed.
"This is the first time I can remember this happening. I've got a torch in my place I can got get it and be right back," said Jamil. He got up and started for his place when all the lights went off. The light over the stove flashed in rapid succession then it slowed down with long and short bursts.
"Crap!" said Sarah as she figured out what was going on. "No Jamil stay put. Carina call Cole this is a trap." Sarah ran to the door and peeking outside she heard people coming up the steps. Suddenly the lights went out on the steps and she heard cursing as someone tripped and fell backwards down a landing.
"I can't get through I don't have any bars. How about you?" asked Carina. But Sarah didn't answer she just ran around the apartment with her Smith and Wesson checking their situation which wasn't good. "Will you stand still long enough to tell me what's going on?"
"The lights are Chuck's doing. He's signaling us that we're in danger," said Sarah. She caught Carina's perplexed look. She took a piece a paper and wrote, 'Chuck is this you' then she held it up to the monitor camera. The lights went off then came back on.
"I don't care what anyone says this is almost stalking," said Carina as Sarah looked over the monitors. "But I guess I should be thankful."
"This is the situation," said Sarah as she laid everything out. "There are three coming up the stairs and there are three coming us the fire escape…"
"You and I can go next door. When they coming it we can take as many out as we can then drop back in here," said Carina. The lights went out in the room then came back on. "Chuck you're starting to become annoying. Do you have a better plan?" The lights flashed on and off.
"Well other than the light show do you any other way to communicate with us?" said Carina. Text started appearing on the monitor outlining his plan.
"I hate you sometimes," said Carina. Sarah looked over at her.
"I'm talking about your husband not you."
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In the Iraqi embassy Hamid was a busy little beaver. Not only did he get rid of his competition but he arranged for a "Friends of the Iraq cruise" with art auction to raise money for a children's hospital or that was what Hamid had on paper and sold the consul with. However, the truth was something different. The auction was a ruse to sell off the remaining canisters and the profits were going to Hamid's favorite charity… himself.
"Hamid," said his boss the Public Affairs officer for the consulate. "The Consul wants to know how the cruise is coming along. After the disaster in the museum he wants this to work."
"Everything is on track. This is the folder with everything spelt out. I'm working up the list of invitees but that's not done yet. However, I should have it soon but if you want I can take this up and brief him myself."
"No you need to stay in your place… I mean no that won't be necessary. You've got a lot to do so I'll take the folder and brief him. If we have any questions I can call down and ask you."
"Thank you for understanding how busy I am," said Hamid. He understood exactly what his boss was doing. The man heard the compliment the Consul made him and now he was trying to cut his legs so he could get ahead using Hamid's own work. He was going to have a real wakeup call soon.
"Oh I almost forgot the consul wants to make sure that American General gets an invitation. I think her name is Beckman. You can call someone and get her full name, title and whatever else you need just make sure she gets an invitation."
"I'll make sure it happens," said Hamid. That should make this auction interesting, he thought. But if she gets in the way… well we'll be out to sea and accidents do happen.
Hamid waited until his Boss was gone then he went to the door and closed it. Then he went to his computer where he logged on to the dark net. Names of prospective buyers were flooding in. He couldn't be any happier looking over the Who's Who of the underworld.
"Yes go brief the Consul he'll be rubbing shoulders with people who'd just as soon cut his throat as shake his hand," said Hamid as his phone rang. It was one of his men so he put in an earbud then answered it.
"I thought I told you never to call me when I'm here. What's the matter and it had better be important," said Hamid. He expected his men to follow his orders to the letter. There was no questioning where he was concerned.
"I'm sorry I know but we've got people down here snooping around asking questions about the van and if anyone saw who was in it. They could find out about the ship if we're not careful. What do you want us to do?"
"Have the Captain make up an excuse with the port operations people then have him move the ship to another berth. If necessary have him take it out to anchor that should get it and our cargo out of their grasp. If that doesn't work eliminate them. People shouldn't walk around the piers accidents can happen."
"I'll handle it," said his man then he hung up.
"Crap, I should've had him take some photos of our intruders," said Hamid as he went back to looking over his list. Some of the people he knew and some he didn't like this Italian arms dealer Ettore La Barba. He had heard that he was ruthless and that he'd even but a hit out on his dog but he'd never met him in person.
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Cole was driving in the second chase car following their perps on the back of a scooter. The lead car was trying to give them the thirty yard cushion but with the traffic and the short cuts they were taking it was difficult to keep them in sight.
"How are we doing up there?" radioed Cole as the traffic seemed to suddenly get heavy and started to slow down. "We can't afford to lose them. Come on guys a little effort here."
"I've got construction up here and the left lane is merging into the right. If this keeps up I'm going to lose them. What do you want me to do?"
"Hold your position and let me think of something," said Cole as he started looking around then he saw it. There was a bike parked in front of a shop next to the road. "Stop let me out here."
Cole jumped out put in an earbud then commandeered the bike. He flew down the middle of London full throttle to catch up with their perps while his men were bottled up in traffic. He was trying to lay back but it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to stay inconspicuous. He noticed the passenger touch his ear then he tapped the driver on the back after that they began to double back leading him away from the embassy.
"Something's going on he's backtracking," radioed Cole. He was trying to figure out what was going on when he hear a familiar voice in his ear.
"Cole you're being played. The girls are in trouble there's a wet team inside Jamil's apartment building. You need to break off and double back."
"Chuck is that you? How are you in my head? How do you know what… I can break off I've got my perps insight. I can't lose them."
"They passed that package off to the construction workers when they went by. You're following your tracker they took out of the package. Cole the girls need you. Screw your mission," said Chuck. The perps rode through a traffic light Chuck turned green all the way around. Suddenly two cars ran through and caught the scooter in the middle. One minute they were up the next they were down and down hard.
"Now look in the passengers pouch it's empty," said Chuck into Cole's ear. "Leave them for your men. They can pick up the perps at the hospital. You need to get back."
"What the bloody heck? How'd you do that? And how are you seeing this unless…" Cole started to say looking up at the traffic camera.
"If you want I can take your photo and send you a couple wallet size prints at Vauxhall. Now will you turn around or do I need to commandeer a drone and play 24 Live Another Day? But I really liked the blonde in that."