Don't own Chuck
Mr. Black looked at the bug he'd just squashed under his foot and realized he was going to have to change his plans. If the Major wasn't behind planting it and the more he thought about it the more he was sure he wasn't. The Major didn't have neither means nor opportunity. This meant if he went and checked into the casino now there would probably would be a reception team waiting for him.
"Crap, looks like there goes my mud bath as well as my champagne and caviar," he said as he got back into his Porsche and continued on his drive to Kotor. He drove to the Casino and pulled up outside.
"This is going to be hard," he said as he sat for a moment fantasying about the luxury he was going to have to give up.
"Well, it can't be helped. You'd better get a move on it before you attract attention," he said to himself as he noticed a traffic warden in the rear view looking at him. He drove a little further away until he found the nearest B&B.
"This is going to be a big step down," he mumbled as he got out of his car and walked up to the white washed house in a small square surround by other houses painted in the same Mediterranean white.
"Yes, one minute I'll be right there," yelled a woman from the inside speaking Albanian after he rang the doorbell. Mr. Black didn't have any idea what she said but understood from the tone.
"I'm here about your room to let. I saw your sign that says you've got a B&B," said Mr. Black talking to the woman as she cracked the door open.
"It's a room and bath upstairs behind but you need to talk with my husband. He runs a bar in the old part of town. I can give you his address or you can come back this evening."
"As-salāmu ʿalayki, I'm really tired and I'd just like to get some sleep before 'Asr prayer. Look let me call your husband and talk with him on the phone. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement."
"waʿalaykumu as-salām, I guess that will be okay. Please wait here my husband doesn't like men to come in his house while he's away. He's very traditional like that," said the woman now speaking English.
"I understand your husband quite well. I see he is a good man and he is only looking out for you. You are a good obedient wife.
"Thank you. You give me great honor by understanding that. I wish my daughter would understand that. She has all these new ideas in her head," said the woman as she opened the door and dialed a number.
Husband," said the woman in the phone speaking again in Albanian. Mr. Black looked at her as she spoked with her husband and knew he'd won her over. However, if things didn't go the way he wanted with the husband he would just take out the whole family and move in. A little trip into the country side and a shovel would do the trick then their cousin, himself, would move in if anyone asked.
"Here speak with my husband. I've explained everything to him," said the woman as she handed Mr. Black her mobile phone.
"As-salāmu ʿalayka," said Mr. Black. He and the man began to haggle over a price for a while. It was more out of tradition that they haggle then out of an actually necessity. If he hadn't haggled it would've been an insult so he did and, in the end, they came to an agreement.
"Thank you and peace be with you," said Mr. Black as he handed the phone back to the woman. She listened to her husband's instructions then hung up.
"Please wait here for a moment I need to turn off the stove before I burn everything. Then I'll take you up to the room," said the woman as she ducked back inside then a few minutes later she was back.
"What is it you're cooking? It smells delicious," said Mr. Black as he followed the woman around the house to a set of back stairs. But he was thinking that he liked the fact that it had a private ingress which meant he could come and go as he please.
"It's called Perime Në Scarë," said his new Land Lady. "It's grilled vegetables... eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions and peppers we use them to go with other dishes. It's a side dish if you like to go with my Tavë Kosi which is my family's favorite dish."
"Really and how do you make it. Is there someplace around here where I can grab something to eat," said Mr. Black. Remembering what he noticed of the neighborhood and the alleyways that lead to this street for a quick getaway if he needed one. "There are a few places but not as good as what I cook. For Tavë Kosi you bake lamb in an earthenware dish with eggs and yogurt. When it's done it looks like a quiche, with tender meat and a light, creamy egg topping. We raise our own sheep outside town so my lamb is always fresh. We have a shepherd who takes care of the sheep so I know where they graze. My husband sells them to the butchers in the city and they are always in demand."
"The dish sounds lovely and if it tastes as half as good as it smells I'm sure it's delicious. It reminds me of what my mother used to cook for us in Niger. We had a similar operation and I was in charge of taking care of the sheep," said Mr. Black. He remembered watching his father and uncles butchering them then hanging them upside down.
"Yes, you never forget the smell... I mean the fragrance." "Well, if you don't mind I'll send my daughter up with some for you later after you've rested before Maghrib. You can try my cooking and tell me if... well, I don't want to say better, because the cooking of one's mother is always the best but maybe as good."
"Yes, I think that's true but that would be very kind of you," said Mr. Black as the woman opened the door and waved him inside.
"I told your husband I'd be here a week but I'd like to pay you up front," said Mr. Black as he walked in and looked around. It wasn't what he was expecting at the hotel but he would have to make do and maybe in the long run it would offer him the privacy he needed.
"You can talk to him about that when he comes home this evening. Now if you will excuse me I have to get back to my cooking and like I said I'll send Miriam up with a plate for you later."
"Miriam is a lovely name for a girl. It means virtuous, pious, God-fearing and devoted to God," said Mr. Black as he took the key to the apartment.
"I wish that were the case. She is a good girl but she's seeing this boy from the Casino and her father isn't very happy with him. Although all in all he's a good boy but he's only half-Muslim and that's a problem for my husband."
"I see... well half is better than none I guess but this is your husband's house and your daughter should respect that."
"That's exactly what I've been telling her. I can see you could be a good influence on her."
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Kathy, Dr Dunham, felt a little nudge then she slowly opened her eyes. It took a little while for everything to come into focus. Here head was throbbing and she couldn't remember where she was not until Sam's face came in focus. Sam was standing over her with a cup of coffee in hand. Kathy slowly got up and found she had been lying on the sofa in Sam's house. Her mouth felt dry like she'd eaten all the sands of the Sahara and her head felt like it was going to explode.
"Where am I? What time is it?" she said as she looked around squinting. Everything ached even her eyelids. "Can you lower the curtains a little? The light is bothering me. How'd I get here? What's happened to me?"
"I'm sorry," said Sam. "Here drink this it's a cup of coffee. It will make you feel better. Chuck's making pancakes but we're going to need to hurry if we're going to get to school on time."
"School? On time? It can't be... What time is it," she said as she looked at her watch. "This is morning but how... I mean I can't remember. I think my head is going to explode do you have any aspirin?"
"You don't remember bringing Sam's school bag home last night then staying for dinner. I knew that Chinese food tasted a little off..."
"Chuck, there was nothing wrong with the Chinese," said Sam as she gave him a look. "I don't know maybe you had a little too much scotch. You and Chuck had a little drink after dinner then the next thing I knew you were curled up on our sofa. You did look very tired so we decided to let you sleep and Chuck put the blanket on you."
"Yeah, it's probably just the stress of being at a new school and the burden that being in charge brings with it. You were finally able to unwind last night and you fell asleep. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Here you go," said Chuck as he plated a pancake. "You can have the first stack. I've been told my pancakes are pretty good."
"They are," said Sam as she helped Kathy up from the sofa then over to the kitchen table. "I don't want to say anything but you don't look so good. Maybe you need to get a doctor's note and spend the day at home in bed resting?"
"I'm still in the hotel. I haven't found a place yet and besides I've got too much work to stay at home. I've never blacked out like this before..."
"I guess there's always a first," said Chuck as he continued to cook. "Here eat up and we'll keep the story about how much you drank last night between us. I don't think that's something you want to get back to the school board.
"Here Sam. Eat up," said Chuck then he turned off the burner. "We can drop Sam off at school then I can run you by your hotel before taking you back to school. You don't want to show up wearing the same clothes you had on yesterday and being dropped off by the father of one of your students. School boards frown on these types of things even if it is innocent but it's been my experience that some people have malicious tongues and see things where there's nothing."
"Thanks... I think. But if I came over here to drop off Sam's backpack then I should have my car outside so thanks for the offer but I can drive myself. But you're right I think I need to go by my hotel room before going into the office. I'm sorry these are good pancakes but my stomach isn't feeling so well this morning."
"They're the best," said Sam as she sat down to her stack with eyes wide open. "I'll keep Kathy company while you get Bunny ready. Chop, chop I don't want to be late."
"Now you see what my life is like," said Chuck a he took a sip from his coffee cup then kissed Sam on the forehead before he started to walk into the back. "Oh, and little lady, before I go get Bunny ready dishes in the sink when you're finished eating and don't forget to brush your teeth."
"Of course," said Sam as she looked over at Kathy. "You really don't look so good. Maybe you ought to go back and lie down on the sofa. It will be a little while before we can leave."
"Yes, maybe that's a good idea," said Kathy as she stood up. However, when she did she got up too fast. The room started to spin, she felt hot in the face and her stomach started rumbling. "Quickly, which way is your bathroom?"
"Down the hall, first door on your right. The next door is my bedroom please don't throw up in there. Let me take you."
Kathy wasn't awaiting around and as soon as she got directions she took off. It was all she could do to hold everything down and she barely made it. Sam stood outside the door with Chuck who had Bunny in his hand as they listened to the guttural sounds coming from inside.
"I hope you're happy," said Sam as she gave Chuck a look. "I told you that stuff wasn't good for you and look what you've done."
"I'm sorry Sweet Pea but it couldn't be helped. Besides She's better off not remembering," whispered Chuck. He was also thinking they were better off too but he didn't dare tell Sam that. They heard the sound of the towelette being flushed then heard running water. A few minutes later Kathy came walking out looking worse than she had before.
"I think I'll take you up on that ride to my hotel. I don't feel like getting behind the wheel especially in L.A. traffic."
"I think that's a good idea," said Chuck. "Sam will take you back to the living room so you can lay down until we leave."
"I'm make you a cold compress you can put on your forehead that will make you feel better and I would wait on the aspirin until you're sure you can hold it down."
"Thanks, you're going to make a good doctor one of these days," said Kathy. Sam smiled at the compliment leading her back down the hallway.
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Sarah and Casey flew in the afternoon a half an hour ahead of schedule. Once they were down and their plane was in the hangar they were ready to deplane but being early they didn't expect anyone to meet them. The deal with Emma was Sarah would see her in the bar and then they would go to Jack's office together. Sarah wanted to look Jack in the face when she asked him her questions because by now she was Jack's intersect and could tell when he was lying.
"I'd go easy if I were you with the questioning," said John as they powered down. "At least in the beginning before you say things you can't take back."
"I'll think about it," said Sarah. She was still thinking about her conversation with Sam and wondering why she'd come. She had one foot in both worlds and it seems they were tearing her apart.
"The ground crew has the ladder up so we can deplane. How are we getting to the casino? Don't tell me you've got Jack meeting us? If you do I'll walk there. I'd prefer not see anything I'll have to testify to later."
"Funny, but no... no one is meeting us. We're going to grab a taxi from the airport then I'm going to meet Mom in the casino."
"Good, just don't kill anyone at least not until I can get a little sleep and some food down," said John as they made their way to the hatch.
"I won't swear to that," said Sarah as John opened it up and let the grounds people onboard then they stepped out.
"Looks like we've got a ride like it or not," said John looking down the ladder. Standing at the bottom was Margot and from her the look on her face she didn't seem too happy to see them.
"Good afternoon Margot," said Sarah as she stepped off the ladder. "I wasn't expecting to see you until we got to the casino."
"And you wouldn't have if it hadn't been for your mother-in-law. She's staying on the boat and told me to tell you she wants to talk with you."
"I'm sure she does and people in a warm place want ice water but that doesn't mean they're going to get it. We need to go to the Casino first I'm meeting Emma before I see Mary."
"You do whatever you want I'm just the messenger. It would've been nice if you'd given me a heads up you were coming and not letting your mother-in-law be your messenger. I didn't know she was coming either until she was here. If you follow me I have a car waiting for us."
"I'm really feeling like stretching my legs. Maybe I should walk to Kotor," whispered Casey. "I can see this is going to be a long ten-minute ride."
"I'm sorry Margot," said Sarah ignoring John. "I can understand you being ticked off but we were flying under the radar and I didn't want Beckman knowing what we were up to until we were past the point of no return."
"I can understand that and given everything I'd probably have done the same if I were you," said Margot as they got into her waiting Ford Explorer. "There are some things you need to know. There has already been one attempt on Jack's life but he foiled that one and since then he's been cocky. He thinks because he got lucky that one time he can take care of himself and I can tell you that's not the case."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. This isn't the first time someone has come gunning for him but I'll have a talk to him about it. Do we know why these people are gunning for him?"
"He keeps insisting that this is all a mistake and someone has him confused with someone else. But they know his name and where he lives. If it is a case of mistaken identity it's a deadly one for Jack."
"I know about 'not so' Honest Abe and the Turk but I don't see how it's connected to Jack. I agree that with Jack what he says and what's the truth isn't always the same thing. That's why I'm here I want to look him in the face and ask him. If he's lying I'll know."
"Well, whatever it is it needs to be cleared up in a hurry because Mary's followed a man here who shot up Berlin and took out the Station Chief there. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who his next target is and this guy isn't the bungling idiots they sent before. This guy is a professional and knows his tradecraft."
"If he operated in Berlin we should be able to identify him. Surely with all the CCTV cameras there and here one of them should've caught him on film?"
"The interim Station Chief in Berlin is reviewing the feeds from here looking for our target but when I said this guy is professional I mean it. He wasn't caught once on CCTV in Berlin. I've got Mike looking at everyone who's checked into the Casino since Mary arrived."
"That's a good idea but if I were him I wouldn't stay in the Casino," said John. "I'd find a nice B&B in town... some place quiet and use it as my base. I'd make a couple of trips to the Casino, play a few hands and have a look around as a sort of recon before the hit. Then once I've gotten all the intel I needed I'd make my hit then disappear into the woodwork never to be seen again... not until my next job."
"John, it sounds almost as if you've done this before," said Margot as she glanced up at Casey in the rearview.
"I can neither confirm nor deny," grunted Casey with a smile as he looked out of the window. "You'd do better using facial recognition in the Casino this evening. Identify everyone and then double check those who don't show up or are squeaky clean."
"John's right," said Sarah. "I've been in enough Casinos to know you never trust someone in one who doesn't have a past."
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In Moldovia, One's secretary put away his phone. He'd just gotten off it with Mr. White warning him about the Major's trip to Montenegro. It wasn't that he was double-crossing Twelve as it was he was hedging his bets and making sure no matter which horse crossed the finish line he'd be on the winning side.
"There you are," said Twelve as he walked up to him. The man quickly put away his phone and acting flustered with Twelve.
"Of course, I'm here. Where else am I supposed to be? I was just telling your people to hurry up we need to get this show on the road. What do you want?"
"It's not me. One is looking for you and he doesn't like not knowing where you're at. He's in the meeting room looking for the minutes from our last meeting."
"What does he want with them? He knows I have them. We both agreed I should hold onto them and not let them out of my sight."
"I think he's about to tell you to do the same thing. If I were you I'd get a move on it before he handcuffs you to himself," said Twelve. The man scurried off like a rat as Twelve watched him disappear inside City Hall then he walked straight over to the command center trailer.
"Are you guys monitoring all outgoing phone calls?" asked Twelve as he walked inside. The one man with headsets on nodded. "Good, I want to know everyone who was called in the last ten minutes."
"It could take a little bit," said the man as he removed his headset.
"I'll wait right here until you're done."