Don't own Chuck

Chuck left the school with Sam in the car. Sam sat quietly next to him in the passenger's seat looking out the window. He understood she was mad at him and rightfully so but before dealing with her he had to check on Bunny. He called Kat and was told Bunny was fine. She was taking a nap after an intense afternoon.

"Sounds like you had your hands full," said Chuck. "Don't worry about supper. Sam and I will make a Chinese run for everyone at Sizzling Shrimp. I'll call Morgan and have him meet us there to help with the order. ... Yes, I remember your order, General Tso's Chicken with white rice. I've got you cover," said Chuck then he hung up.

"What did she mean by saying 'Bunny had an intense afternoon'? I bet she took Bunny to the park and she played in the sandbox."

"So, what if she did," said Chuck as he punched in Morgan's number then put the call on speaker. "They have to do something all day."

"Playing in a public sandbox is how you get worms. I saw that on Dr Phil and there was this interview I saw with Kristen Bell..."

"We're definitely going to have to set some boundries on what you watch on TV. It sounds to me like someone is a little jealous. Maybe they would've like to have gone to the park too?"

"I don't know who this someone is because it certainly isn't me and even if I wanted to go to the park I couldn't have because I was forgotten at school. You do know the abandonment of a minor is a criminal offence?"

"If I didn't I do now," said Chuck as he smiled over at Sam but she wasn't smiling back. "Okay, I know I screwed up. Can't you find room in your heart to forgive me?"

"Sure, I can dude," said Morgan as he came on the line. "But first Chuck remind me what I'm forgiving you for?"

"Not you... I was talking to Sam. Hey, I need for you to take off from there and meet us at Sizzling Shrimp. We're doing a run for supper and I could use the second set of arms and you have the nose for what's good."

"That's true. Wong likes to use the oil as long as he can get away with it but as much as I'd like to help out. I'm stuck here with our guest until the people from downtown show up and take her into custody. They just called and said there were held up in traffic."

"What do you mean you have to pass Eileen off to the downtown team. Where's Casey and Sarah? They can't still be talking to Beckman? I know Sarah wanted answers but that was a while ago."

"I don't know dude. John just told me he had to do something with Sarah then dropped Eileen on me. I'll check with the team coming to pick our perp up then I'll get back with you."

"Okay, Sam and I can chill for a little while and there's something I need to do so we'll meet you there." Chuck hung up his phone then glanced over at Sam. She gave him a look back and raised her eyebrow. "I need to check out a building so..."

"You know leaving children in a locked car is also a criminal offense," said Sam as she looked over at him and gave him the look of death. She'd already let him know he was in the dog house with her so he decided to play it safe.

"There's a building I need to go check out. I just need to see if an alibi holds up so I guess you can come along. Your mother will just kill me if anything goes wrong."

"Seems only fair... wait a minute you're telling me I get to go on a dragon hunt with you... for real? Wow, just wait until I tell Tommy. He's going to really freak out."

"Hold up a minute this is Tommy from your class you're talking about," said Chuck as Sam nodded. "Look you can't tell everyone what we do. It's supposed to be a secret and it isn't a secret if everyone knows. We talked about this."

"Oh, right... well it's just that everyone else talks about what their parents do and... well, I don't know why I have to tell everyone you work at the Buy More. The other kids said that the Buy More is for losers and that made me mad because you're no loser."

"I know but this is the way it has to be. Look at all the superheroes they have day jobs to cover their true mission in life. Superman is Clark Kent and..."

"And Wonder Woman is Diana Prince. I get what you're saying and don't worry I made Tommy pinky swear he wouldn't tell anyone else."

"Good and here we are," said Chuck as he pulled off the road and parked near the curb. "You play your cards right and there could be ice cream in this afterwards."

"I'm good at cards so this should be easy for me," said Sam as she unbuckled herself. Chuck went around and helped her out then they walked into the lobby. He looked at the building map and looked over the office listings.

"I don't see a Eliv productions listed," said Chuck. "She said it was on the fifth floor so let's take the elevator up and see what's there?"

"Who is this woman and does Mommy know about her? On Ellen the other day they said that you men are gullible. Is that what this is? Are you being gullible Chuck?"

"I really think we need to set some guidelines on the TV programs you watch and Ellen isn't the best source for things that deal with..." Chuck started to say but suddenly remembered who he was talking to and how old Sam was. "Never mind we can have this conversation in a few years or better this is one of those things you should talk to your mother about."

"But why," asked Sam. Chuck was saved by the bell... literally as the elevator announced they were on the fifth floor. The doors opened and they stepped off.

"There looks like there's movement down that end," said Chuck as he hurried Sam along hoping she'd forget about their conversation. Irvine and Sons Law firm, read Chuck off the piece of cardboard written with a marker taped to the glass panel on the door.

"They must not do very much business if that's the best office sign they can afford," said Sam as Chuck knocked then walked inside.

"Can I help you? My name is Louise and if you'll just fill out this questionnaire I can get you into the right lawyer. If it's a divorce, separation or child support we can handle anything," said the woman as she smiled at Sam then shoved a clipboard in Chuck's face.

"No, I don't need to fill out any questionnaire. I just need to ask you a few questions," he said as he handed her back the clipboard then showed her his homeland badge. As soon as she saw the badge she pushed a button under her desk which was a signal for the rest of the office to go into their respective offices and lock themselves in. It was like watching roaches scurry away when the lights are turn on.

"I'm sorry but unless you've got a court order all our records are sealed and we have a strict attorney-client policy," said a large woman who materialized out of nowhere.

"Geez, lady they ought to put a bell around your neck or something. You could give a person a heart attack."

"I don't appreciate the humor so I don't think there's anything else that we can help you out with," she said as she tired to move Chuck towards the door.

"I'm sorry there seems to have been a mistake," said Chuck as he ignored the attitude. "I don't want to see any of your records. You see we picked up a woman this evening who claims to have been in this building and met with a representative of Vile Productions, a kind of talent scout agency for some upcoming film. I'm just trying to corroborate her story that's all. We called earlier but no one seemed to know anything so I thought I'd do some footwork."

"I'm the office manager, Maude, and can I see your badge? What is this father-daughter day? Bring your kid to work?" Sam gave her an angry look then wandered off. In the meantime, the rest of the office opened back up and returned to what they'd been doing.

"If you have to know I had to pick her up from school but I didn't want this woman sitting in jail overnight if she was telling the truth. I think you should understand that."

"Don't ask me, most of our clients are guilty. Yes, someone was in our offices at lunchtime. I thought it was some practical joke and fired a guy over it. I guess I pulled that trigger too quickly on him," said Maude as she laughed. "Follow me. I'll show you," she said as she took Chuck over to the door where she pulled the cardboard off. Vile Productions was written underneath.

"I see," said Chuck as he looked at it. "Yes, I guess she was telling the truth. Thanks, this will make a lady very happy this evening."

"Here you can give her one of our cards. We can sue on her behalf for false arrest and get her some serious cash."

"Yeah, I'll see she gets this alright," said Chuck as he shoved the card into his pocket, which was going out the window as soon as they left. "Where's my daughter? Sam, Sam, where are you?"

"I'm here Chuck," said Sam as she stuck her head out of a cubical. "That should get you back on track," said Sam to the woman inside then she came out to where Chuck was.

"And what was that?" he asked wondering what she'd been up to.

"The lady had a problem with a spread sheet that wouldn't add up and I spotted the error for her. I didn't want to tell her but it was very simple. I think Bunny could've found it."

"Right, well we need to go and meet Morgan. Thank you for your time and I'll make sure Carmen gets your card," said Chuck as he tapped his pocket.

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Mr. Black checked his weapon then went into the bathroom where he got a hand towel. He put it over his arm and hand covering the Makarov with only a little part of the suppressor protruding. He then he walked out of his room and into the hall. There he looked up and down making sure no one was around then he knocked next door. At first, he didn't hear any movement inside so he knocked again this time harder. Finally, he heard movement someone was alive.

"Who's there? I don't need anything," he heard along with some insults. "Do you know what time it is? Come back tomorrow I'm trying to get some sleep."

"I'm sorry sir, but I have an urgent message to deliver to you from the front desk. Can you please open the door? This will only take a few minutes then you can rest in peace."

"Just slide the note under the door and I'll deal with it tomorrow. It can't be that urgent. Now, let me go back to sleep."

"I'm sorry sir but you need to sign for it. Please, it will only take a few seconds then I'll be out of your hair and you can take a nice long nap," said Mr. Black as he looked up and down the hallway again to find everything was still clear. Finally, he heard footsteps coming towards the door. He could tell from their sound that whoever was on the other side of the door was a big man.

"This had better be important," said the man as he started to open the door. In that moment Mr. Black pushed the door in and grabbed the big man by the neck pulling him into him and as he did he pressed the Makarov to his chest. He put two rounds in him quickly. There was an acrid smell of gunpowder and burnt flesh. The man was big and sweaty so he slipped right out of Mr. Black's grip.

"Hans, what's going on," he heard a female voice say from the bed. "Who was that at the door? Why aren't you answering?"

Hans looked wild eyed at Mr. Back as he staggered back then turned and started to walk back towards the bed. The man had taken only two steps before Mr. Black finished him off with a round through the back of the head. The woman started to reach over to grab the phone to call for help but Mr. Black tapped her twice in center mass then finished the job with a head shot as she stared up at him.

"I'm sorry Hans," said Mr. Black. "I wish this could've been avoided but you took my room. I need the view out your window. But I did promise you could rest in peace and I'm a man of my word."

Mr. Black moved his gear over into the room next door and placed a 'do not disturb' card on the doorknob. Then he went about setting up his sniper rifle on a table near the window that looked out on Alexander Platz. Once the weapon was set up he clicked on a app he had on his phone.

"Perfect," he said as he could see through the rifle's scope then moved the weapon as he tracked a random stranger walking across the square below.

"Okay, so I can see but will it fire? I need to make sure," he said as he followed a man who had bought a newspaper and was walking unsuspectingly across the square heading for the tram stop.

"Let's see if it works. It should automatically take in consideration wind direction and humidity calculating for the best shoot. The red button below the crosshairs turned green signaling the weapon was now hot.

"Good, now I just have to push the green button and it's all over. What did you say Hans," said Mr. Black as he glanced over at Hans' body still stretched out on the carpet. "How could I take out someone I didn't know? I think you lying on the carpet answers the question if I will.

"Let's have a go," said Mr. Black as he pushed the button and the weapon dry fired. "Hans, did you really think it was loaded? Now let me load it then I think I'll run down for that breakfast the night manager was talking about," said Mr. Black as he checked his watch. "Yes, it should be open by now. I'm feeling like a short stack and some crispy bacon. I'd offer to bring you something back but I'm not coming back in here."

Mr. Black took a few minutes to wipe everything down then went over and picked up the phone calling down to the front desk

"Front desk, yes this is room 503. I'm going to be staying in my room today with my..." Mr. Black paused as he glanced over at the woman's body. There was no wedding ring on her finger. "With my friend and I'd appreciate it if no one disturbed us. If I need towels I'll ring for them but I don't want housekeeping walking in on us," he glanced over at Hans then at the woman in bed. "Somethings can't be unseen."

[An hour later]

Mr. Black had finished his breakfast and was relaxing sipping on a cup of coffee. The waitress came over and he had her top him off again then he leaned back in his chair getting comfortable. Just when he was in that sweet spot his phone rang. He looked at the Caller ID then answered.

"You should be in L.A. by now or landing. Since you're phoning I'm guessing you're already on the ground. ... No, you've got your times zones messed up. I haven't met him yet but I will soon. ... Don't worry I've got everything set up and I'm about to make a few passes around the square to make sure there are no surprises. How's it going on your end? Have you found out anything about this Jenny Burton? ... What she's with the company going by Sarah Walker? That would explain what happened to the Turk's men. I was thinking when I get done here why don't I go to Montenegro. You can work on Jack Burton from there and I can work on him from here. What do you think? ... Yes, of course I'll secure the pen drive. I can mirror it then send you a copy that way we'll both have a copy just in case. ... I know that does sound better and happy hunting," said Mr. Black. He hung up and put away his phone then waved for the waitress to come over.

"Yes sir, may I help you?" said the waitress as she smiled at him. If there was one thing the Germans had down to an art it was customer satisfaction.

"Yes please, my coffee seems to have gotten cold while I was talking on the phone. Can I get a warm cup, please?"

"Certainly, just one moment," said the waitress then she walked away but while she was gone the Night Manager who had checked him in walked over to Mr. Black.

"Sir, I want you to know I've reviewed the reservations requests and I've found a grave mistake. You should've been placed in 503 because your reservation came before the couple in there now. The day clerk over looked it and booked them in there when they checked in. I will have this corrected for you."

"No, no don't do that," said Mr. Black thinking about what would be if they entered room 503 now. "You know I'm settled in and they couple next door... well let's just say it sounds like they're on their honeymoon next door. So, I'd rather not that they be interrupted. Just let things ride the way they are now."

"Thank you, sir, you're most understanding," said the night manager as the waitress brought back Mr. Black his fresh cup of coffee. "Please put Mr. Black's breakfast on the house tab. It's the least I can do for you. Thank you again Mr. Black and I hope to see you again as our guest."

"With service like this you just might and thank you for breakfast," said Mr. Black as he left the waitress a fifty-euro tip. "Good service needs to be rewarded."

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Meanwhile in the Casino Royale in Kotor Jack was standing over a seating chart moving guests around magnetic maps to symbolize who they represented. He standing over it admiring his handiwork wishing it was done but there were still RSVPs that were still out. In the middle of this Emma walked in with the excuse she was bringing the mail.

"What do you want me to do with this? You've got more RSVPs in this," said Emma as Jack looked up at her.

"Just sort out the RSVPs from the rest then throw them on my desk and rest in the safe. I'll look at that later. You know you don't have to do this for me. I'm more than capable of doing this on my own."

"I know you are and I also know you're capable of getting yourself shot. You know as nice as this tournament is going to be it will be too bad if you're dead and can't see it. I don't know why you won't listen to common sense and go to L.A. until this blows over?"

"I need to see this through and besides this is already over. The Turk's a stain in a rug and the guys he sent are safely locked away. There's nothing to worry about other than a cantankerous general who will shoot me if I don't finish this. Beside you saw Chip and Dale outside my door. No one is going to get past them and I'm a little surprised they let you through."

"I'd like to see them stop me. Well, if you won't listen to reason why don't you at least take this down to the dungeon and work on it there. You'd be safer there."

"I can work down there. Being down there reminds me of being in a six by eight with no natural lighting and no air. I can't even begin to think in the dungeon. Look, it might not seem it but what I'm doing here requires careful thought and consideration. If I put the wrong two people together it could literally cause World War III. You know you don't need to stick around here if you don't want to... I mean you could take Molly and visit Sarah. I know you'd like to see Bunny before she's old enough to start pole dancing..."

"I think you're full of yourself and you should watch your mouth. Remember Chip and dale are on the wrong side of the door and besides she's your granddaughter too. Anyway, we're not going anywhere. We don't have to because I just got word from Sarah she's on her way here and she told me she wants to talk with you."

"Crap, I need that like a bullet to the head," said Jack as he walked over and poured himself a drink. He held up a glass to Emma but she shook her head.

"If that's the way you feel I think the two men who were sent here would be most accommodating," said Emma. She dropped the RSVPs on Jack's desk then shove the rest in the safe. She didn't notice but in the middle of the bundle of business correspondence was a small padded envelope with a German postmark.