Don't own Chuck
The Major realized who Twelve was talking to on the phone and he also realized he needed to over hear the conversation so he moved closer. He knew Twelve didn't like White but did he dislike White more than he disliked him. If by some miracle White had pulled this off the Major knew he'd made the cardinal mistake of poker he'd shown his hand.
"You say you've got it. ... Mr. Black retrieved it in Berlin and he sent you a copy. I don't want any more copies made. Button this down... secure the drive and bring it to me in person. I'll let the board know the good news," said Twelve then he hung up.
"I to rain on your parade but I couldn't help but over hear your conversation," said the Major as Twelve turned around and almost ran into the Major standing there.
"I'm sure you couldn't," said Twelve. He was about to give it to him for listening in but then the Major said something that made him think.
"Don't get me wrong and it's good you've retrieved the ledger but how do you know this is 'the ledger'? I'm assuming White has it on some sort of secure drive. I heard you tell him to button it down which is good. Too many copies and who knows where they'll end up and Abe wasn't dumb enough to leave it laying around on paper where anyone could get it."
"Can you get to your point? I'm kind of busy here getting the members of the Circle inside away from prying eyes which is what we're paying you for."
"You're paying me for security and security is what I'm talking about. What I'm saying is how does White know he's got the goods? What he knows is he's got a device but he doesn't know what's on that device. If I were you I wouldn't mention this to the Circle until I was sure. I wouldn't want to promise them something then not come through with it. In fact that sounds like what happened to the Turk."
"I know why you're saying this but what you're saying also makes sense," said Twelve. The Major walked away smiling inside.
"You've sowed your seeds now it's time for them to sprout and if you're wrong. What are you going to do then?" It was a bit of a gamble but he also knew Twelve didn't like White either so he was confident he wouldn't rat him out... at least now just yet.
Twelve was left standing there thinking. He couldn't make up his mind if he should have Mr. White try to check the file on the pen or continue as planned and he'd check it himself when he got it. He was a cautious man by nature and indecision ate at him on the inside. However, he'd navigated these waters long enough to know that you could never be too cautious.
"Twelve," said a skinny pale man with greased back hair in a pinstriped suit. "One sent me to find out what's going on with the Abe affair. He's anxious to get this tied off."
"What? Yes, of course he is and so am I. You can tell him that Mr. White called me and said he had something he wanted to present to the Circle. He says he has what we want..."
"I feel you're about to give me a 'but'," said the man. Twelve didn't like One's secretary. He was a slimy little man but he had the absolute trust of One so he needed to be careful how he dealt with him. However, he had an idea... a way to buffer himself if things went sideways.
"Well yes. I think Mr. White might've gotten ahead of himself. He's retrieved a device but he failed to mention if he's actually looked at the data on it to confirm that it's the ledger."
"That's stupid and he's going to come here with something that could be what? Someone's shopping list. Does he want to get himself shot? And that's the good case scenario."
"I know. Look once we're done here and everything is set up I'd like to send the Major on a recon mission to Montenegro. We know Abe was in cohorts with a Jack Burton and he's there. I'd like to send the Major to have a little sit down with him so we can confirm what we have is genuine."
"You realize you're putting your neck on the line by doing this. If White comes here and what he has is good then you'll look like the village idiot."
"I don't think so. I think I'll look like what I am and what I've always been, a cautious man who likes to hedge his bets that's why my name isn't in that ledger."
"I'll leave that little detail out when I report back to One but if anything, you are a sensible man. I'll brief One but I don't see why you should wait for me to get back to you."
"So just to be clear, you're giving me the green light," said Twelve. One's secretary nodded then walked away. Twelve knew without a doubt if crap hit the fan the slimy little rodent would disavow their conversation and deny he'd just given him the go ahead. But Twelve knew he couldn't wait because he also knew Mr. Black would be in Kotor soon to eliminate Jack Burton.
"Major," said Twelve. The Major had seen Twelve talking with One's man so he hung around nearby. "Come over here. I need to talk to you. How soon can you be wheels up?"
"I've got a go bag ready and I can be on the next flight out of the capital. Why? What's going on?" he asked but he'd already guessed the seeds he'd planted had started taking root.
"You need to get to the Casino Royale and let me explain to you why..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In Kotor, after Jack's encounter with Carmine, Margot thought she need to have a little heart to heart with him to put him back onto the straight and narrow. However, she realized that by now if Jack hadn't changed he was never going to change, but she just needed to vent some frustration and, in her eyes, Jack had screwed up. She marched Jack out of the reception area and back into the Casino. She didn't try to hide the fact that she was angry with him.
"Okay, okay, I'm going. You don't need to shove and watch the suit. These threads cost a good deal unlike what your people wear that comes off the rack from their designer JC Penny. What's the matter?"
"And you have to ask. You men... you're all alike. Some pretty thing comes along bats her eyes and you don't know what to do. Don't deny it I saw you back there with that woman at the reception desk."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I was just doing my job as Casino manager trying to stir up business. You get someone like her in the Casino and before you know it men will follow her in. If you're going whale fishing you need the right bait. I'm counting on her losing that hundred I spotted her and some knight in shinning armory offer to help her out. She won't bust the bank... no, if anything she'll make our coffers overflow with other people's money. So, what's the big deal?"
"So what's the big deal? You won't have to worry about some stranger killing you because I'll beat him to it. I've just gotten a call from my men outside your door saying that you tricked them inside then locked them in. You realize they are there to protect you and make sure you're safe or has that little detail somehow escaped your pea brain. Have you forgotten that someone is trying to whack or has that escaped you too?"
"People have tried to "whack" me before and I am sure without any doubt others will try in the future. I just needed a little fresh air and I wanted to stretch my legs. Being confined in that office is like being in a six by eight just this one is stocked with a bar and besides I don't see any harm in taking a little stroll. I don't know why you're making a federal case out of this when I never left the casino."
"And let's go back to what you were doing at the reception desk? It looked like flirting to me with someone you don't even know. For all you know that woman could've been a hired killer trying to get you alone."
"Well if she was I certainly didn't see any place she could've been hiding a gun. Not with the outfit she had on and besides like I already told you I was only doing my job as casino manager getting people inside to gamble," said Jack as they walked up to his office door.
"Jack, here you are," said Emma as she walked up to the two of them carrying a basket. "I know you've been too busy to come eat lunch with us so I had a picnic basket prepared for us. I'm sorry Margot if I had known you were here I would've had them prepare more food."
"Thanks, but I've suddenly lost my appetite and besides I've told Jack everything I needed to say," said Margot as Jack opened his office door and the two men trapped inside walked out. Both men gave Jack the look of death as they walked by.
"Somehow I think I stepped in the middle of something," said Emma as she looked at the four of them. "What's going on? Jack, what did you do?"
"Why do you assume that I've done something? I could be totally innocent and by the way a person is innocent until proven guilty."
"Because I know you Jack Burton like the back of my hand. I don't think there's anything you can do that would surprise me anymore. So, confess... they say it's good for the soul."
"And it's put a hangman's noose around many a man's neck. What did I do you ask... well nothing major really... I just went for a walk. What's in the basket? Whatever it is it smells really delicious," he said as he held the door for Emma so she'd walk on in and to get her away from Margot.
"Remember what I said I'd do for your friends. You keep it up and I just might be tempted to beat them beat them to the draw," said Margot. Jack just smiled and closed the door on her before she could rat him out.
"What's going on with you and Margot?" said Emma as she sat the basket on a chair in front of his desk. "Is she upset because you haven't put this thing together yet?"
"It's something like that but let me clear a spot off on my desk so we can eat. I'll be done with this in an hour then things will go back to normal."
"If there ever was something normal about you. But I'm afraid that won't happen until we find out why these people are trying to kill you," said Emma as she opened the basket and pulled out a bottle of red wine. "Do you have any ideas yet who that can be?"
"Unfortunately, the list is long," said Jack as he took the bottle and opener from her. "What's this you went with the good stuff? '86 Chateau Le Franc a peppery Pinot with a stable on the label, stork on the cork. You know for me you could've gone with two buck Chuck. It's got a great bang for your buck."
"Don't try to change the topic. I'm worried about you, so do you who? Or do you have any idea why these men are out to kill you?"
"I'm going to need a little more information darling before I can start eliminating people. However, I think even then the list would still be a little long."
"Well, you should try to throw something together before Sarah gets here because I'm sure she's going to ask you the same question," said Emma as Jack popped the cork out of the bottle then sat the bottle down to decant. In the meantime, he moved stacks of papers off his desk in a chair to give them more room.
"You can be cavalier about this with me but she won't put up with it and truthfully, I don't know why I do. Maybe because I wouldn't like to know the answer."
"Don't be silly. I tell you this is all a big misunderstanding. By the way do we know when she's due in so I can make myself scarce," said Jack as he took the tablecloth and covered the area he'd cleared.
"Don't even try it. If she has to hunt you down you'll just piss her off like what you've already done to Margot," said Emma as she passed him two wine glasses then he poured. "People are trying to help you if you haven't figured that out so you should at least act as if you're grateful. Starting with the two men standing outside your door."
"You're right and I am. But let me start with thanking you," he said as he handed her a glass then they toasted by clinking glasses together. "This is a peppery pinot."
"Shut up and kiss me," she said as she leaned into him and they kissed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chuck realized that it would be dark enough soon and that would be when the wet team would make their assault. He thought about getting everyone out of the apartment and sending them to Castle where they'd be safe. However, there was no way he could move everyone without them being seen which would cause a firefight in the middle of the street.
"That would be a good welcome to the neighborhood for Kathy. Morgan, listen up I need you to do me a favor and Alex there's something I need you to do too. This isn't going to be easy but I can see us getting through this with acceptable losses."
"You know things are bad when you start quoting Casey," said Morgan. Alex elbowed him to be quiet. "Ouch! That hurt."
"Shush and listen. Chuck, what do you need us to do?"
[Meanwhile in the van across the street]
"Okay, listen up girls, check your gear one last time. Sparky, you got the package ready and are you sure it's going to work."
"Just dial the cellphone number and the fourth of July will come early this year. If you want I can show you?"
"No, I'll take your word for it. So, we go in grab the woman then get out of there. However, Franky thinks the woman isn't there yet. If she isn't we'll take the place then ambush her when she comes home. Either way we don't leave here empty handed. Now let's get to it," said George, the team leader. However, just as they were about to pile out of the van his phone started to ring.
"Hold up a moment this is Mr. White," said George as he answered. "We were just about to get this over with. ... Okay, no problem. Is there anything else you want done? ... Okay, will do."
"So, what does he want? Doesn't he know you can't just call in at the last minute and order changes. That's how things get screwed up."
"I'll let you tell him that when we meet up next. White's being recalled so we're to do this on our own. Once we have the woman we're to take her back to our safehouse and await further instruction that is if that's all right by you Franky."
"Yes of course it is... by all means proceed as planned. You aren't serious about telling White about what I said, are you? I was just shooting the breeze... everyone else understood that I was just joking around, right guys?"
"Okay enough horsing around. Franky, you and you, I want you three to go on point. Sparky, you go in after them to set up the present and I'll coordinate the operation from here. Now, get out of here and don't come back without the woman.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Black was sitting in his seat looking at the ground 50,000 feet below. His private jet had just left Italy behind and was flying over the Adriatic. In less than an hour he'd be stepping off in Tivat International airport then he'd catch a taxi for Kotor. Everything had gone relatively well in Berlin. The BND almost screwed things up but in the end, he'd gotten what he was supposed to get.
"All this for you," said Black as he played with the pen drive. "And at long last I've got you. But now that I've got you why am I not happy. If it hadn't been for the German Secret Service I would've thought this was too easy but they certainly did try to keep me from getting you."
"Sir," said the Co-pilot standing over the top of him. "The Pilot wanted me to tell you that we're in touch with the control tower in Tivat. We should be landing in about a half hour."
"Good," said Mr. Black. He was anxious to get this over with. Unlike Mr. White he didn't like all these little games. "I suppose you want my champagne glass."
"If it's not too much trouble. I'm sorry but it's a safety precaution before we land. We're require to clear the cabin of all loose objects."
"Well, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble," said Mr. Black as he turned up his champagne flute then handed him the empty glass.
"Thank you and please remain seated until after we've taxied into the hangar. Landings here are always a little bumpy so please stay buckled in," said the co-pilot and as they were talking the pilot called back on the intercom.
"Toby, we've gotten permission to land so I need you up here right now."
"I think you're being called," said Mr. Black. The co-pilot smiled, tipped his hat then disappeared back up front.
"So, it's back to you and me," said Mr. Black as he continued playing with the pen in his hand. The plane hit turbulence and started to shake. Black grabbed the pen drive shoving it into his pocket. "The last thing I need right now is to lose you after everything I've gone through to get you. Plus, I don't think the members of the Circle or Mr. White would understand."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Morgan left with Alex going back to Chuck and Sarah's place. Morgan did what Chuck had asked him to do. He got everyone in Sam's room including Bunny then once they were inside Chuck triggered the auto lock mechanism remotely. The door secured which turned Sam's room into a panic room with steel reinforced door. The room was designed by Chuck to withstand anything short of nuclear blast.
"What just happened," said Kathy. She heard the bolts from the door click as they locked within the door frame.
"Crap, I don't know," said Morgan as he tried the door but he knew it wasn't going to budge. "It seems stuck. Let me call Alex or Chuck they'll be able to get us out."
"You know what's going on," said Kat at she looked at Morgan. Morgan thought sure this was it. Chuck's ruse was over before it began. "Someone activated the panic room. You see this is a failsafe in case of... well if anyone undesirable were to enter."
"Right, there must be a glitch in the system and it got activated by accident. Don't worry we're not in any sort of danger. The system is set up so when it's activated an automatic destress call is sent out so help is on the way."
"And what do we do in the meantime," said Kathy as she looked around the room and she began to feel a panic attack coming on. Somewhere deep down inside of her she was starting to feel claustrophobic.
"I suggest we eat," said Morgan. "I just happen to have brought our takeaway with me and since we can't go anywhere then why don't we satisfy our appetite."
"I've got no bars on my phone," said Kat. She wanted to try to call Alex and to see if Chuck could do something from the outside. "Maybe if we bang on the door or try to make noise they'll hear us."
"There's no need in doing that because I'm sure they are well aware of where we are. Sam, you like Cantonese fried rice so why don't you start digging in. This is all just going to get cold then go to waste."
"Hardly, with you around," said Sam as she went to the door and studied it. "This has never happened by accident before."
"There's a first time for everything," said Morgan. "This fried Wonton is the best they've ever made at Sizzling Shrimp. Kathy you should know they also deliver which comes in handy when you're working late and they also cater birthdays, parties, bar and bat mitzvahs."
"What are we going to do about Bunny? She's going to need to eat soon and be changed. Her things are in the back bedroom."
"I think Alex brought them in here. She was going to take them into the living room so she wouldn't have to come back here during supper but she forgot them here. Look, they're on the bed."
"Yeah, she just forgot them here," whispered Sam. "Chuck did this intentionally and the only reason he'd do this if... if there were bad guys outside. Morgan, we have to help him."
"We are helping him by keeping everyone calm and inside here," whispered Morgan.