Don't own Chuck
Mary rode in the back of the taxi as they followed Omer's Mercedes through the streets of Berlin. She told the cabby to be careful or he'd been seen but he just glanced up at her then put his eyes back on the road. He'd thought of Mary as a grandmother but now he was wondering if she wasn't James Bond's granny. Finally, Omer pulled over and parked outside the Marx-Engels forum then got out and walked into the park.
"Drive past him then stop before you get to the river. I can double back and catch up with him from there on foot," said Mary as she kept an eye on Omer in the rearview. When the driver pulled over she tossed him money then started to get out.
"Do you want me to circle the forum and pick you back up here? I don't mind and this has been the most fun I've had in a long time... not since the wall came down."
"No, I appreciate the offer but this is where we part company. Go home and hug your kids because you can. I wish I could but mine are grown up and... well you be there for yours. I'm good here and there's the U5 line of the U-Bahn that's on the other side of the park I can take to get out of here."
Mary watched as the taillights of the taxi disappeared in the dark over the Rathausbrüche bridge. She pulled her fedora down over her face she was back in the game then ran into the park following the signal with her tracker. A sudden light drizzle started which helped muffle the sound of her running to catch up with Omer but that also caused a problem - the rain muffled voices too.
"There you are," she said seeing movement on the other side of the Marx-Engels statue. The statue was a leftover when this side of Berlin was on the wrong side of the wall. She made her way across the open park keeping the statue between herself and Omer. But as she got nearer she could see Omer wasn't alone.
"Crap, I'm late. He's already made contact," she said as she got closer. There was something familiar about that other shadow but the rain started coming down harder now making it almost impossible to hear a word of what they were saying. She could tell the two men were arguing but she couldn't tell what they were arguing about. She guessed money.
"Just a little bit closer," she said but she had to be careful because they started walking around the statue. She thought they might've heard her so she pulled her Beretta and held it down by her side but then they turned and went back around. With hands waving they were too angry with each other to notice her.
"I'm almost there," she said when she heard the sound of a suppressed gunshot followed by two more. She glanced around the statue to see the mystery man with his back to her huddled over Omer's body. The man rifled through Omer's pockets until he found what he was looking for then pocketed it for himself. Omer lay on the ground looking up with a glassy stare and a bullet hole between his eyes.
"No, vest was going to protect against that," thought Mary. But the mystery man kept his back to her and if she was going to see who he was she'd need to get around to the other side of the statue. She started easing around when the man darted across the green making a beeline for the U5 line. The very line on the German subway she'd plan on taking.
"You need to get after him," she said to herself as she checked her tracking device. The signal was still coming in loud and clear. There wasn't anything she could do for Omer even if she'd wanted to. Two in the chest and one in the head from a small caliber weapon. The mystery man wasn't fooling around and was showing he knew his business.
"Omer was an idiot for bringing the drive with him," said Mary as she ran after the stranger. She had to be careful as they ran across the open green. She couldn't let him see her and as best as she could she tried to stay in the shadows and waited for him to clear a section before catching up to him then allowing him to get ahead again. They got to the underground line as a train pulled in. This was a problem because this late at night there were very few people in the cars and those who were had spent too much time in the beer hall.
"Don't let him see you or all this is for nothing," she warned herself as she stood on the stairs looking down on the platform. Then when she saw the raincoat with hood pulled up hop on a car she ran as fast as she cold and jumped on a car two sections back just as the doors started to close.
"That was close. Now let's have a peek and see if I can see my target," she said to herself as she went to the door that connected the cars looking through the glass to see if she could get a glimpse of the mystery man. "The way he walked and ran... his gate. It was all so familiar. I know I know this guy but if only I could've heard his voice better."
"Hey, grandma, was ist los?" said a skinhead sprawled out in the car with two other companions. Mary shook her head wondering who she'd pissed off. She tried to ignore the boys' cat calls but the one wasn't going to let her go.
"What've you got in your bag? Surely, you've got something you can give us needy children," he said as she got up and started towards her.
"Look, back off. I don't want any trouble so why don't you just sit back down and go back to sleep and sleep it off? You can ignore me being here and we'll both be happy."
"Listen to this," said the man as he spewed out insult after insult. But Mary took it because she had her eye on the bigger picture. They pulled into a station and the tracker indicated that her target had gotten off so she went to the door but found it blocked by the three men.
"Out of my way," she said but the men weren't going to budge. "Look Hans or whatever your name is this isn't going to end well for you. Didn't your mother ever teach you anything manners?"
"This is a toll door. If you want to get off you have to pay up but you need to hurry because we're going to leave soon or would you like to stay here in our company."
"I warned you," said Mary. She pulled the stiletto from her bag and before his friends could warn him Mary drove the blade into his leg then shoved him out of the way. She didn't have to but she turned around.
"Don't try to pull that knife out. It's the only thing keeping you alive right now. The blade nicked your femur artery so if you pull it out you'll bleed out right here in seconds. You need to get your friends to take you to a hospital fast. I did try to warn you but you wouldn't listen and in the future remember manners maketh the man," said Mary as the doors closed. She heard the boy yelling more insults as the train pulled away.
"If he lives I hope this teaches him something," she thought as she checked the direction the tracker was headed. She exited the subway station and looked around. She suddenly realized she knew the neighborhood.
"Hey, I know this place and I also know who lives here. No, it can't be or can it? Now, this is what I call mixing business with pleasure," she said to herself as she ran in the direction of the tacker.
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It was already late when they got Eileen settled in and naturally she was denying knowing the gun was loaded or real for that matter. However, Casey was having a hard time buying it. In her purse they found a photo of Chuck and the Buy More address on the back. She admitted she'd put the note on their car that morning but she told them that was at the direction of a Jack Burton who was a talent scout for Eilv productions.
"I hope you guys aren't buying that because if you are I've got some prime real estate in the everglades for sale," said Casey as they regrouped in the conference room. "I used to get photos like this all the time of people I was to take out," he said as he dropped it on the table. "I'll show you my album one of these days."
"I think I'll pass on that if you don't mind. However, I think it's worth checking out her story just to make sure. Someone had to put her up to coming here and her story isn't that farfetched."
"And you believe it was Jack Burton who sent her? Come on if he were going to get rid of you he would've done it a long time ago. Besides he's in Montenegro under watchful eyes. It's more likely the tooth fairy sent her."
"The tooth fairy, really? I think Jack and I have got a good relationship. I'd even go as far as saying he might even like me," said Chuck as he looked around the table at Sarah and Casey. "Well I do. I'm not getting any back up here?"
"That might be true but I'd still check to make sure I have my wallet if I were you. The time has come for us to call the General and find out what she knows."
"You guys can get on the horn with the General. I want to check the CCTV feeds around that building Eileen said she met her Jack Burton in. I know we called and no one there knew anything about Eilv productions but I'd also like to to make a run there and see if anything unusual happened today."
"Okay, sounds like a plan so you go do that while we talk with Beckman," said Sarah. They broke and started to leave but Casey glanced down at his watch.
"Hold up there Chuck," said Casey as he grabbed Chuck by the shoulder and pulled him back. "Aren't you guys forgetting something or better someone? What time does or did Sam get out of school?"
"Crap, we're late," said Chuck as Sarah gave him a look. "Okay, I'm late. I'll go get her now," said Chuck but as he started to leave Sarah's phone rang.
"This is the school. Just go and I'll tell them you're on your way," said Sarah as she answered Chuck gave her a thumbs up then headed out.
"Doctor Dunham, I know why you're calling. ... Yes, I know it's late. My husband got hung up in traffic but he should be there soon. ... No, we didn't forget about Sam. How could we? This won't happen again I can assure you. ... Yes, in the future we'll make other arrangements. Like I said before this won't happen again. I'm sorry but I need to run I have a General to brief. ... No, that's not more important than my daughter but it is my job. ... Right, I'll make an appointment with you and we can sit down for a talk," said Sarah then hung up.
"It sounds to me like someone just got called into the office," said Casey. Sarah gave him a look but didn't say a word as she walked past him.
"Well, aren't you coming along," she said as she turned back. "We need to get Beckman on the horn and find out what's going on. That is if you're finished with the quips?"
"For now. Take a deep breath and calm down a minute before we get Beckman on line. You know just because your pissed doesn't mean you have to take it out on me."
"Don't worry if I were pissed with you you'd know it. Let's just say right now I'm annoyed and leave it there."
"Annoyed with what," said Beckman as she came on the monitor. "It looks to me like you're missing one of your team. Where's Chuck and what's he up to?"
"He had to go redeem the kid from school. But Chuck doesn't need to be here for this," said John as he went on to tell the General about Eileen Von Spassenmacherimessen aka Eileen Jones aka Carmen Sandiego."
"Ma'am, when I called Jack in Montenegro I got the feeling that something was going on and that he was in the middle of it. I also think you know exactly what I'm talking about or am I wrong?"
"I do but this is of no concern to you. We talked it over and it's being handled as we speak. I can tell you that the Turk put out a hit on Jack but his assassins were taken down by our people in Montenegro and are our guests. However, the Turk has had a mishap in Istanbul. The authorities are saying there was a gas leak in the Turkish bath he visited so that contract was neutralized."
"His mishap was it caused by us or someone else," asked Sarah. Casey raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. "I know you're probably going to tell me that's above my paygrade but I have to ask."
"Normally, I would tell you that but we can't take credit for the hit. So no, the mishap was the handiwork of someone else. Our people on the ground are literally piecing things back together."
"Ma'am, if Jack is in danger we can host him here along with Emma and Molly until this blows over. We can guarantee his safety as well as that of the others."
"I don't see this blowing over but Jack is in the middle of settling the last arrangements for this year's poker tournament and that is too important to let slide. No, for now we need him where he is but if you want you can evacuate Emma and Molly. I can have them on the next plane out."
"I don't give a rat's behind about the poker tournament. Anyone can plan it and Jack is walking around in the open with a bull's eye painted on his back by who knows whom and for knows why."
"I'll let that outburst go this time because Jack is your father but you should know he realizes how important this tournament is and has decided to see it through to the bitter end. That's all I can say right now."
"One second General, when you said 'we decided to handle it', who is this 'we' you were talking about? I don't see the White house or State getting involved in this."
"I cannot say anymore than what I've already said. Beckman out." The General terminated the connection and the monitor went blank.
"You need to watch what you say. You can't talk to the General like you just did and expect to get away with it. Beckman tolerates Chuck but you're supposed to be a professional."
"If you think I pissed her off now just wait until she finds out I'm on my way to Montenegro and before you say anything I have to go. The answer to it is there and I need some straight answers which I'm not getting them here."
"You know if you go Chuck's going to want to come along and before you think about sluffing Sam off on me the answer is no. She needs her mother and her father not a cool uncle who teachers her the important things in life."
"What? Cigars and Scotch? No, I'm not going to take Chuck with me. He's going to have to stay here and mind the shop."
"And how are you going to stop him? If you're going to break his legs I'll help. Nice clean breaks as you know take less time to heal."
"No, I'm... we're not going to break anything. I'm just not going to tell him and besides we've talked about this and he's onboard with it."
"What he says and what he thinks are two different things. What about that pact of yours? The one where you don't tell lies or keep secrets?"
"To each other and it's not a secret nor is it a lie. I'm just not going to tell him because I'm leaving now as soon as I can get our jet out of the hangar."
"Then I'm coming along and there's no negotiating that. I've got a go bag in the armory and Grimes can pass Eileen off to the downtown team."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
[A few minutes later in Morgan's office]
"There I was in front of this crazed lady telling her sorry Charlie no receipt no reimbursement when she pulls out a gun. I was like Neo in the Matrix with bullets flying past me and I was dodging them. You know they're right time seemed to slow down," said Morgan as Skip and Fernando were all ears listening to him.
"So, the lady's name is Charlie that's a strange name," said Fernando. Skip shook his head then elbowed Fernando. "Ouch, that hurt."
"Shush, I want to hear Morgan finish the story. You know the Buy More should issue you a metal for valor in he face of an irate customer."
"Yeah and it should be in the shape of a kitty litter bag. Let's get the story right," said Casey. "It was one round and that's because lady dropped her gun out of her purse as she was looking for her receipt. The weapon must've been defective but that's what happens when you put firearms in the hands of those who shouldn't have open. A weapon should be treated like your girlfriend with all the love and care it merits and like your girlfriend it will tell you when you don't. A weapon can be your best friend but it can also be your worst enemy."
"But that doesn't erase the fact that I could've been killed. That round went right over my head and missed me by this much," said Morgan as he showed with his hand a few inches. "I could feel the wind as it passed over me."
"Like you feel a 747 when it passes over. I think your scale is a little off there. Maybe if you were as tall as Skip is then what you're showing there would be true."
"Oh, what a phony, Morgan. You're starting to sound like Lester now," said Skip as he turned around and started to leave. "Come on Fernando we've got work to do."
"And to think I was going to name my gerbil after you," said Fernando then the two of them left Morgan's office.
"Work? That will be the day. John, what are you doing to me? I had some serious store credit here and you went and threw it away."
"If you want I can shoot you but I won't aim high then you'll have your closing credits. There's going to be some guys from our downtown office come by soon to pick up our guest. I need for you to turn Eileen over to them. I'd do it but I've got to go somewhere with Sarah and do something. Think you can handle that without screwing it up?"
"Yeah, I can do that no problem. But did you find out what she meant when she said 'this is for Jack'? There's only one Jack, she could've been talking about, right? I mean you know Jack... Jack. There's only one."
"I don't know I see quite a few of them," said Casey as he looked out Morgan's window at Skip and Fernando who were having a sword fight with toy light sabers.
"Augh crap, not again."
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Mr. White sat on his flight to L.A. looking out the window as the Eastern sea board came in view wondering how things were going with Mr. Black. Their position in the circle depended on a successful outcome of this mission. Already there was one vacancy they'd created, and he'd hoped they could fill it. But to do that they needed credibility and that would come with the recovery of the ledger and by making an example out of Jack Burton. Suddenly he felt his phone fibrate in his jacket.
"Yes, what is it? This had better be good news," he said. He could see the eyes of the flight attendant looking at him. "You need to speak quickly. … Good, you have the drive in your possession. Mr. Black will meet you as planned in Potsdamer Platz at two. … Yes, we'll take care of you. You needn't worry about that," said Mr. White as the flight attendant started walking towards him. "I need to hang up. Just do as you've been instructed," he said then hung up.
"Sir, I have to warn you the use of cellular devices is against FCC regulations onboard passenger aircraft."
"I know and I'm sorry, but it was an emergency… a matter of life and death. But since you're here can I get another glass of champagne."
"I'll be right back. But you shouldn't joke around saying things are a matter of life and death. One of these days it just might be."
"You're absolutely right Louise," said Mr. White as he read her name off her uniform. "But you see Louise in my line of work I deal with life and death every day.
"So, you must be some sort of doctor," said Louise. However, the way Mr. White talked and looked at her it made a cold chill run up her back. It was hard to describe but it was like what she thought a mouse would feel looking at the snake about to eat it.
"Yes, you could say that I identify the cancer and then remove it. I'll take that champagne now, please."