Don't own Chuck
Chuck went up to the cockpit and grabbed a sat phone from the co-pilot and took a quick glance at their position before calling Sam's school to find out what was going on. He walked back to Sarah as he explained to the principal's secretary that they were on a plane returning to Burbank and they wouldn't be landing until it was late. Sarah watched him as he walked up and down the isle nodding his head like a bobblehead which only had the effect of making her feel more anxious until she couldn't take it anymore.
"I swear if you don't stop pacing and sit down, I'm going to break both your legs then kiss you," said Sarah.
"What?" said Chuck into the phone. "You thought you heard what? No, that was my wife asking me what's going on," he said as he gave Sarah a look. "You sent us both text messages. My mother is there watching Sam why didn't you... Oh you tried and got a recording. Well there's also Ms. McHugh... Oh you tried her too."
"Crap Chuck, who's with Sam now?" said Sarah as she got out of her seat. "And Bunny? Who's got Bunny?" As she suddenly realized there was no one on first.
"Just clam down and stop spiraling," said Chuck as he covered the phone with his hand. "Did you heard my wife? ... She asked who's with our daughter... She was with the principal and then Ms McHugh did show up later saying she'd left her phone at home. I guess that explains that. Okay we'll bring Sam to school tomorrow and meet the new principal. By the way what's her name? ... Can you repeat that I'm not sure I heard correctly? ... Okay, we'll be in first thing tomorrow with our daughter I promise. Until tomorrow," said Chuck then he hung up.
"I guess that explains that my butt," said Sarah. "That doesn't explain crap. "Where's Mary at and why can't anyone reach her? Chuck, did you hear me? Chuck, what's wrong?""
"Wrong? No, nothing is wrong," he said as he stood holding the phone in his hand with a perplexed look on his face.
"So, what is it? You're standing there looking dumber than usual. Did she burn down the school or did she give everyone a reflect test with her hammer and broke a few knee caps in the process?"
"Funny John, but no. I didn't get the full story but someone brought a spider to school and tried to say it was Sam's. Some kid was bitten and had to be taken to the hospital. We've got to go to school tomorrow and straighten this all out."
"Where's Mary in all this," said Sarah again. "Your mother was supposed to be taking care of her and what about Bunny?"
"I don't know about Mom but you might have heard. Kate forgot her phone at home that's why no one could reach her today. Any way she showed up to pick Sam up when school let out with Bunny. Sam spent the afternoon with the principal."
"Sounds like old times, doesn't it," said Morgan. "I spent some wonderful times sitting on that bench outside the principal's office. I wonder if you can still see my name I carved into it?"
"What part of not helping don't you understand Morgan," said Chuck. "I'm sure it's nothing and we'll work it out tomorrow. You'll never guess who the new principal is."
"Chuck, I'm not in the mood to play twenty questions. I... we trusted Mary with the girls and this is what she does... she's not very responsible and that's not to say worse."
"Don't get me wrong and I can't believe I'm going to say this. However, first of all, I'm not trying to defend my mom but we need to wait to pass judgement until we know the whole story."
"Chuck, I can't believe you're trying to defend her," said Sarah like she hadn't just heard what he said. "Not after everything she's done to you... starting from abandoning you which is what this seems like happened... history repeating itself."
"That's not fair but I don't want to argue this with you. Like I said Mom might have some good reasons for being out of pocket. Kate came to pick up Sam as planned so Mom didn't abandon her. For all we know Beckman could've asked her to do something for her."
"I don't want to get into this with you here either so let's just drop it. There's nothing we can do about this right now anyway. You were about to tell me who the new principal is. So, do we know her or him?"
"Yes, actually we do and it's a her," said Chuck but before he could finish telling Sarah who the principal was Beckman came on the big screen in the cabin.
"Speak of the devil," said Chuck as Beckman raised her eyebrow giving him a look. "General, we haven't touched ground yet so if you're looking for us for a mission, we're going to have to pass this time. Something's happened at Sam's school and we've got to meet with her principal tomorrow."
"Then Dr. Dunham has arrived that's good to know; however, that's not why I called and no there isn't a mission."
"Excuse me," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah and then back at the General. "You knew Kathy Dunham was going to be the new principal at Sam's school. How and why?"
"That's easy, I arranged it. Don't look at me like this was some covert operation. Your daughter and I talked. I realized with the work your family does for us she needed some semblance of stability so I arranged for Dr. Dunham to receive an offer she couldn't refuse. It was a win-win for everyone. Now. let's get back to why I called. Chuck, where's your mother?"
[A Little While Before]
Beckman was on her plane with General Thomas talking over the current situation. The Director of Homeland had called her about missing ICE agents whom she denied knowing anything about. Tank even remarked that for once Agent Bartowski wasn't involved which he'd meant as a joke and they both laughed. However, that was before she remembered Chuck and Sarah weren't the only Agent Bartowski.
"What do you mean Mary's not answering? I don't give a rat's behind where or what she's doing she'd better pick up. She's supposed to be back in Burbank taking care of the farm. Put a tracer on her phone, call out the NSA... I don't care who you have to call just find her."
"Yes ma'am, she is but I can't make her pick up. I'm sure she has a good reason for going dark. Maybe the other Agents Bartowski know where she is or how to reach her?"
"That's a good idea do it. Put me through to them asap as far and as her reasons for going dark let's hope they don't include disappearing a team of ICE agents."
"It just doesn't make any sense. Why would she do that?" said Tank. "Don't get me I'm not trying to defend her. The woman has some serious problems not the least is her son but to disappear a team from another agency?"
"Who knows why she does half the stuff she does? Don't tell me Chuck's team has gone dark too? I'll line them all up against a wall."
"No ma'am, he's coming on the line right now."
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Mary was riding in the back of a black hawk heading towards home by herself. Her work was done on the other side of the border. The next phase in her plan was left in the hand of the Federales to complete. If Beckman found out about her jaunt across the border she'd probably be pissed but not to the point of doing anything. Mary smiled thinking that Diane might even enjoy the irony of her plan.
"I can't wait to read the newspapers tomorrow," Mary said to herself as she looked out the hatch at the terrain below. Everything was right with the world again or so she thought before her phone began to ring. At first, she wasn't going to take it. She was flying dark and didn't want to be found by Chuck or the General but when she saw the number she decided to take it.
"Hans, what are you doing calling me? You know one of these days I'm going to have to kill you," she said. Both knew that it was no joke.
"Not if I return the favor first. Now, is that anyway to talk to an old friend like me who just gave you his help. I trust it went well in Mexico?"
"Like cake but you haven't answered my question why are you calling me?" said Mary. Hans was a fixer and a good one at that. Mary had come across him when she was Frost and found him very talented in making problems and people go away.
"I've got a job and might I add a good job plus the pay is good too. However, if you want this you'll need to act quickly because there are other players involved and two are already on site."
"I don't know Hans. I'm getting too old for that kind of work. Don't you have anyone younger and more talented."
"Younger doesn't always go hand in hand with talented. My dear Frost, people like you and me are becoming a rare breed. Maybe I was wrong to call you after all there are already two mechanics on site and what can you do?"
"Now you're just insulting me. Okay, for curiosity's sake where's the location? I'm not saying I'll take it but tell me more."
"That's my Frost. This is easy money I'm telling you and the location is in Montenegro... more specifically in Kotor. There's a man there who did something to someone he shouldn't have." Mary's attention piqued when she heard the location. There was only one person in that town who she knew who could piss off someone so much they'd put a hit out on him.
"Okay, I'm in now. Send me the details via the dark web and who are these two mechanics in place. How good are they?"
"I think you know them Gustav and Klaus... the Albanians. They work for the Turk but you know that. It seems our man along with Abe Weinstein short changed the Turk and now he's looking to get his money back as well as sending a message to anyone who might be thinking about doing him the same."
"Well he's not going to get his money back if he whacks the mark before he gives up the location of the cash. But a contract is a contract."
"You're right but the Turk is pissed and isn't thinking straight. I met him last night in his club he was blowing off steam... and drinking like a fish. I've never seen him drink before... I always thought it was because if his religion"
"Hans, back to the contract. So, what did the Turk have to say and how'd you get this contract from him if he's already got people on site ready to make the hit?"
"He doesn't trust the Albanians anymore. They screwed up when they bumped off Abe before he gave up where he'd hid the money. The only thing they got out of him was a name, Jack Burton. From other sources I was told there was no money stashed away but that Abe got sucked into some sort of Ponzi scheme by this Jack Burton. The money was good at the beginning but then this Jack disappeared with all the dough. This was bad news for Abe because he'd used his clients' money to bankroll his investment with this Jack Burton so when he ran..."
"He took all the money leaving Abe high and dry to explain what he'd done. That's not healthy... so much for honest Abe."
"You can say that again. His body was found floating face down in the Danube but that wasn't how he died. No, his death was ruled a homicide... death by electrocution and torture was what was written on the coroner's report. The Albanians botched the job up and the Turk even said that he told Klaus to off his partner Gustav when they'd finished. If he doesn't the Turk is going to put a contract out on both of them."
"That's good to know. Send me the details I'm on my way to Montenegro but I'm still going to have to kill you one of these day."
"And like I said, not if I beat you to it," he said as he laughed. "You'll be able to check your box on the dark web in a few minutes. I'll have my associate up load it for me and watch your six out there. You know as well as I do what kind of animals these Albanians can be."
"Don't worry about them. I've already got an idea how to neutralize them so let me get off here and get to work." Mary hung up the phone then unbuckled and tapped the pilot on the shoulder.
"We need to change course. I need to be taken to LAX I've got a plane to catch."
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Klaus walked out of the restaurant and looked around for Gustav who was naturally nowhere to be found. He looked at his watch and it was well past the time they were supposed to meet. He shook his head then went on into the Casino hoping that his partner hadn't screwed things up again. If Gustav had he might not be able to wait until they'd taken care Jack to eliminate him.
"Is this chair taken," said Klaus as he sat down at the Black Jack table. It was strategically located where Klaus could keep a look out for Jack and see Gustav when he came in or so he thought.
"Please place your bets," said the dealer and Klaus placed a twenty-euro chip in his betting circle. The dealer passed out each players' cards from a shoe. The house got the eight of clubs. Klaus got the two of hearts but he was so busy looking around for Gustav and Jack that he didn't look at it.
"Hit me," said the man next to him. He had an seven showing then he dealer gave him five. The man smiled thinking this was his hand but that quickly changed when he scratched the table for another card and he got a Jack.
"Crap, I'm busted," said the man as he tossed in his cards. The dealer didn't like the man's poor table etiquette but he tolerated him.
"Please Monsieur, I'm the only one allowed to touch the cards. Maybe you'd like to take a break or maybe you'd like a drink," said the dealer as he waved for a waitress.
"No, I don't want to take a bloody break and I don't want a drink. Well, buddy what are you going to do? You can't just sit there and look pretty." snapped the man at Klaus.
"What? Oh right," said Klaus as he continued looking for Gustav who was still missing. The dealer dealt him a nine but Klaus didn't even look at his cards. "I'll stand."
"Stand on eleven? Who stands on eleven," said the man next to him who turned red in his face and his veins popped out on his neck. The woman on the opposite side of Klaus went busted too which left Klaus and the house.
"Eleven... can you believe this idiot stood on eleven. You might as well have hand the house your money. What an idiot. Can you believe this guy?"
"The house has eight showing," said the dealer trying to speak over the angry man. The house had to take a card and the dealer pulled the three.
"The house shows eleven," said the dealer as he took another card. The man next to Klaus was waiting for the shoe to drop on him but the house pulled a two.
"The house has thirteen showing." This meant the dealer had to take another card which was an eight.
"The house has busted. You win Monsieur," said the dealer as he reached over and took Klaus' cards then paid out his chips.
"You never even looked at your cards and yet you won? I've been playing at this table all evening bleeding chips with ever bet and you come over, sit down and win without even looking at your cards," said the man as he got even redder in his face. The veins in his forehead started bulging as well as those in his neck.
"Baron, it's just a case of beginner's luck is all," said Jack as he magically appeared behind the angry customer. "Maybe you're playing the wrong game tonight. You know I read somewhere that depending on your zodiac sign there are days when certain games are more auspicious."
"Actually, I was thinking about playing poker when I came in but there weren't any seats at the table so I came over here," said the Baron as he quickly calmed down.
"Well, I can take care of that," said Jack as he snapped his fingers at the pit boss who nodded back. "My man will take care of you and here's a hundred euro in chips to get you started." The baron grabbed the chips with his fat little hands then scurried off with the pit boss.
"You know if you keep handing money out like that this place will go bankrupt soon," said Klaus standing behind him.
"There's no worry about that happening. Not as long as people like the Baron come gambling here. He'll lose that back and then some before the night is over. The truth is the man shouldn't gamble at all. There are just some people who aren't cut out for it. So, I see you're hard at work trying to break the house should I be worried about you?"
"So, what am I?" said Klaus quickly changing the subject wondering if Jack was on to him. "Tell me am I someone who shouldn't be gambling? I'm gambling on the chips you gave me and when they're done I'm going to walk away."
"You don't know how many people have told me the very same thing. If only I had a dollar or euro for each I'd be rich by now but don't let me get in your way of having fun. Where's that friend of yours you check in with? I don't see him in here."
"You remember him," said Klaus then he quickly recovered from his astonishment. "He went out for business and was held up. I'm sure he'll show up any time now."
"Remember him... it's what I get paid to do to remember people. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to head off another disaster that's starting to brew. It looks like this is going to be a long evening."
"Yes, it certainly does," said Klaus. He watched Jack as he walked off. He was having trouble matching what they knew Jack had done with the man he'd just been talking with but a contract was a contract and already he had an unpleasant task to do when this was over so one more or one less didn't really matter to him.
"Monsieur, you're holding up the game if you're going to remain at this table you need to place a bet."
"Yes, of course," said Klaus. He placed his bet in the circle while keeping an eye out trying to image what was holding his partner up. "Gustav, where are you, you idiot."
[Meanwhile outside the Casino]
Gustav was on his way back from Ishmael's. The service had been slow and he really shouldn't have had that second beer but the kebab was excellent. Succulent pieces of roasted lamb served with a wonderful tzatziki sauce of yoghurt, lemon and fresh dill garnished with slices of cucumber and sprigs of parsley. It had been worth the wait but now he was heading back and he was late.
"Klaus is going to be pissed off I know but he's got to understand the stomach wants what the stomach wants," he said as he walked the cobblestone street.
"Okay, get ready for a crap storm... I know, maybe if I can get him to come with me, he'll see what a great place this is and he might even like it," he said but he shook his head doubting it.
"Well, I'm here," he said as the casino came in sight then he looked at his watch. "Good. I'm not that late. I might even avoid a tongue lashing."
Gustav picked up his pace thinking these few minutes he could make up but as he was about to enter the square where the casino was his phone started to ring. He stopped and panted as he looked at it. On the screen the caller ID read 'anonymous'. He wasn't sure if he should answer it at first but it kept ringing.
"Oh, what the heck," said Gustav as he answered the call looking around to see if he was being watched. "Who is this and how did you get my number? ... What are you talking about? ... Yes, I know who you are but that doesn't answer my question. How did you get my number? ... Okay, I'm shutting up. ... I don't believe you. Why would... Yes, I'm shutting up again."