Don't own Chuck
The Major and Carmen opted from brunch menu when they got to the Yacht club and they were just finishing eating with Carmen when the police commissioner walked in. The Major looked over and spotted him straight away. Dressed in his dumpy suit and rumpled overcoat, the Major wondered if the man wasn't a walking cliché.
"Don't look now but the cops have just showed up," said the Major as leaned over whispering to Carmen. "You haven't done anything illegal, have you? Now would be a good time to make our getaway."
"If only you knew," she thought as she laughed. She turned around to get a look and Oleg was right, but then she noticed the man was talking to the waiter who then pointed at them. "It looks like he's coming our way. Are you sure your house is in order?"
"Don't worry my dear, this isn't my first time do dance this dance," said the Major as he stood to greet the commissioner as he walked up to them.
"My name is Inspector Djokivic and I'm the police commissioner for this area and you are Major Oleg Romanoff. I'm dreadfully sorry to disturb your meal but I need to have a chat with you in private if I may?"
"Inspector or Commissioner, what do we call you?" asked Carmen as she continued. "You two don't have to go off on my account. Oleg be polite and offer the Commissioner a cup of coffee."
"Commissioner is my office and Inspector is my rank but either is fine. Well, in that case I will sit and chat with you both. I'm sorry to say but a man was found dead a little while ago in an alley in the center of town..."
"If that's the case we are each other's alibi we were together walking here," said Carmen as Oleg signaled the waiter for another round of coffee and a cup for the Commissioner.
"I hate to show you there photos especially since you've just eaten but I'm afraid I must. We're searching for the identity of this man," said the Commissioner as he laid the photos on the table as the waiter came with the coffee pot. The waiter was visibly disturbed when he looked down to pour their coffee but not so either Oleg or Carmen which did not escape the Commissioner's attention.
"I'd like to know if you knew this man or have seen him before. Please, be patient with me this is important if I'm to catch his killer."
"I don't know he's kind of common looking... not that I'm saying he's common just... well he could be anyone," said the Major as he looked across the table at Carmen who was as cool as cucumber.
"Yes, I agree," she said. "I might've seen him while we were walking here but I can't be sure. Where was the man killed? You said in the middle of town and do you have any leads?"
"We know he was staying in the Casino hotel the same as you two so that might be why he seems familiar and like I said he was killed in an alleyway in the old center of town. As a matter of fact, just off the street that brought you here."
"My God, that could've easily have been us. Is there some sort of crazed serial killer loose in town? Oleg you're going to have to walk me back or I'll have to take a taxi. Commissioner are we safe?" said Carmen as she overplayed her act a little.
"Yes, madam you are perfectly safe. This is not the act of a serial killer because to be a serial killer there has to be more than one victim and so far there is just this one..."
"But he could just be starting. You don't know that he isn't, do you commissioner? I mean like there's a patient zero for diseases this could be our killers first victim. Unless there is more you're not telling us."
"The man was involved in an altercation over what we don't know and that's all I can say. His wallet with money still inside was found on his body along with a very expensive watch so this was no robbery gone wrong."
"However, you can't rule that out either," said the Major as he jumped into the conversation. "The man could've been lured into the alley then overpowered but in the scuffle he makes too much noise so the would-be thief runs away not wanting to be seen before he can grab the goods."
"Grab the goods? Please don't that this the wrong way but that sounds good in one of those dime store novels the Americans love," said the Commissioner as he took a sip of his coffee. "But I deal in facts and nothing indicates that's what happened."
"Yes, I guess you do. Sorry, if I have an over active imagination," said the Major. "I need to ask you one question and I'll understand if you say you can't answer, but what I don't understand is how you even got my name or how you even thought I was involved. As I told you I don't even know this man," said the Major as he pointed to the photo.
"I guess I can tell you this. There was a witness who saw you earlier walking down the street heading here and he told me I should interview you. However, he failed to mention you were in such lovely company. Had I known you had an alibi I wouldn't have bothered you nor you friend," said the Commissioner as he glanced over at Carmen. She feigned embarrassment but enjoyed every moment.
"Let me guess who that could've been. There are only two people I know who would try to pin this on me. One is a fellow Russian and the other is a man... well you'd know him if you'd seen him."
"You mean because he's an albino. He told me there wasn't good blood between you two and normally I don't give credence to people who try to finger other people. That's usually a sign they're trying to throw my attention off themselves but the man had a rock-solid alibi too. Well, I'm sorry for bothering you two and thanks for the coffee but I need to run back to the office and see about some security camera footage," said the commissioner as he got up.
"Sorry we couldn't have been more helpful," said Carmen as the Commissioner took her hand and kissed it.
"Your presence was help enough," said the Commissioner as he bowed then left. They both sat back down and watched as the commissioner left. Neither dared talk until they were sure he was gone.
"You know exactly who that man was," whispered the Major as he leaned across the table. "That was the man who was watching you from the bushes in the hotel. I think you know more than what you're saying and it's time you come clean with me."
"And I think we both know who killed my guy. Because if White has an alibi the only person left is your friend Oscar who was evidently following us too. Tell me this what will be Oscar's reaction now that the police are looking for him."
"First we don't know that he knows but if he did he'd be like a wild animal trapped in a corner snapping at everything and everyone," said Oleg as a thought just occurred to him. "Crap we need to get back to the hotel now and on the way, you can tell me what you're really doing here. Don't think that I've forgotten."
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Meanwhile back at the Casino Sarah and Margot were going through security footage to try to identify the dead man. They weren't too surprised when they discovered he'd checked into the hotel under an assume identity. However, flags really went up when they noticed he'd been a master at avoiding the surveillance cameras and the times he was picked up it seemed he'd been watching the Major and Carmen when they were together.
"I have to give credit where credit's due the man was good at avoiding detection," said Margot as she leaned back in her chair and yawned. "You don't know how much I like doing this. I need to write a sop that says popcorn is mandatory when reviewing video manually."
"Funny a standard operation procedure for popcorn... I think I'd go with ice cream, but now we've got a room number so I'm going to grab Mike and go up to check it out. You want to come with me or stay here and continue with the fun?"
"I think I'll stay here and continue looking for clues. See if you can find something in his room that ties him with the Major or Carmen. It can't be a coincidence that we only see him when he's tailing them. There's something about the two of them."
"I agree with you there's something going on there. But let's not forget to keep an eye on our other Russian friends. I noticed on the feeds they've all disappeared which usually means they're up to something."
"You could check them out when you go up to check out our perp's room and make sure they're behaving themselves. I don't trust any of them.
"I don't ether. It's like with Sam when she's too quiet I know she's up to something and she doesn't want to get caught which in her case usually involves a stepladder, a spoon and a carton of Rocky road ice cream. She'll have a chocolate smile that goes from ear to ear and still deny she's done anything."
"It sounds to me like you miss her. Don't worry this has got to come to a head soon and then you can be on your way back home."
"As long as it comes to a head the way I want it to with Jack getting that target taken off his back. I wish Chuck would call in but he can't do that until the mission is over and I won't know it's over until he calls."
"Sounds like a real Catch-22. All this talk of popcorn and ice cream has made me hungry. Tell Mike to bring back some popcorn when he done and remind him to go easy on the salt and butter."
Sarah nodded then when up above to the ground floor where she found Mike. She told him what they were going to do but first she told him what Margot wanted and sent him off to get some popcorn for her.
"There's no reason to make Margot wait and while you're doing that I want to check something at the reception desk," said Sarah as Mike nodded then went off to get Margot her popcorn. Sarah walked over to the check-in desk. There was something that bothered her and she want to see if what she was looking for was there.
"I need you to see if there's anything in this room number's box," she asked as she passed the clerk a note with a room number written on it.
"I don't have to check. I was here when the gentleman left this morning and had me put his keycard in his box. He said he didn't want to lose it out in town."
"And would this be that man," said a voice over Sarah's shoulder as the Commissioner stepped up to the desk and put a photo of the dead man on the counter. The receptionist looked at Sarah then at the Commissioner.
"Go ahead and answer the Commissioner's question. It's all right," said Sarah as she turned around to face him. "I didn't hear you come up behind me. You know not a lot of people can get away with that."
"I had a different job when this was a part of another nation. So my dear, is this the room of this man?" said the Commissioner as he tapped on the photo and the woman nodded. "Good, when I come back I'll need all his particulars."
"They won't do you any good because he registered under an assumed identity," said Sarah as she started to walk off but the Commissioner followed after her.
"I hope you're not thinking about searching his room. But if you want to I'm willing to make a deal," he said as they walked together towards the elevators.
"I'm listening," said Sarah as they stood in front of the doors. No sooner had they arrive when Mike showed up and gave the Commissioner a look. "It's all right the Commissioner was about to cut us a deal."
"Inside the elevator," he said as the doors opened and they all got inside then he pressed the close button so they could have some privacy. "I know what goes on here and I can make your job here easy or hard. I just ask that you keep your business inside this building. If it spills out into the street I'll have to intervene..."
"That's pretty much the same deal that we had with the last commissioner and I don't see why that should change."
"But it has. I had to disarm a group of thugs that flew in the other day and now I've got a bloody corpse lying in the middle of my street. This isn't good for anyone."
"I can assure you that this was none of our doing," said Sarah as she changed the topic. "So tell did you work for Igor or were you one of his assets when the wall was up. He told my husband that he'd arranged for the men you called thugs to be disarmed. I guess I should say thank you."
"Whatever I was, I was and I'd like to make it to retirement without having to look over my shoulder. I don't think you or your people are involved in the homicide in town but I met an albino who tried to throw me off track."
"Yes, he came in with that group of thugs you were talking about. His name is Mr. White," said Sarah as the Commissioner made a face. "I know it's not very original. But don't let looks deceive you, the man is about as cold as they come. You have his partner in your morgue. He went by Mr. Black."
"Black and White? Life was so much easier before. I may have to have another chat with him after we search this room. The man had an air tight alibi but that doesn't he couldn't be covering for someone like one of those thugs."
"That would be where I'd look if I were you," said Sarah as the elevator bell rang and the doors opened."
"We're here," said Mike as he waited for the Commissioner and Sarah to exit holding the doors open..
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Oscar was waiting for his men to show up after taking his shower. He'd sealed the bag with the blood-stained clothes and next on his list of things to do was to get rid of them. However, he needed to get this show on the road before someone came knocking on his door asking about his whereabouts that morning. In his mind he was a soldier fighting behind enemy lines which meant if he were caught there would be no cavalry coming over the hill to save him. If he were lucky a last cigarette while standing in front of a wall.
"Where the heck is everyone and why aren't they here already," he said as he looked down at his wrist then remembered his watch was in the bag. "Crap, this is White's fault. Why did I get involved? I should've let him hang."
As he was turning all the should'ves and could'ves in his head there was a knock at his door. He went over and looked out to see his men standing there.
"Come on in," he said as he looked them over. "What took you guys so long? Never mind you're all here now... but you're not. Where's Gustav and White?"
"We got held up in the lobby because the police came in and Gustav didn't think we should walk past them... not as a group and especially because they were talking with the people from the hotel."
"That was probably a good call. You say the police were down below, did you overhear what they were saying or asking the hotel people?"
"They looked like they were talking but no, they were too far away but the plain clothes guy held up a bag with what looked like a pen in it. The bag looked like there was blood in it."
"Crap," said Oscar as he remembered the pen was from his room. He had to get another one just in case they came looking. "Okay, I want one of you to go to the airport and have the plane serviced. I want it ready to fly out of here in a moment's notice. The rest of you..." Oscar started to say when there was a knock on his door. He drew a pistol from under his jacket.
"Where did you get that if we had to leave all our weapons on the plane? Oscar, what's going on?" asked one of the men but Oscar ignored him going to the door to check to see who it was.
"Gustav, White, you're both late," said Oscar as they walked in and he put away his weapon. "Okay, we're all here know so I can go over this once. Screw trying to get the ledger we're going with plan B. I want you guys to keep the guards busy on Burton's door then I go in and put two rounds in his head. After that we turn tail and blow this place heading back to Moldova before anyone can react. It's simple and sweet."
"What happened to taking our time, making a plan and retrieving the ledger as well as grabbing Jack Burton? Does the fact that there are police in the Casino have something to do with this change of heart and are they here because of the body that was found in the street near here?" said White there was a silence in the room that was deafening.
"You should remember we're here because you asked for our help and none of this would've happened had we continued on to Moldova. Oh, and a thank you would be nice."
"Thank you. I haven't forgotten nor have I forgotten what our objectives are or were as they've seemed to have changed now. But with the police outside the front door, you're going to need to come up with a different escape route and while you boys are working on that I need to use your facilities," said White then he disappeared into the bathroom.
As he started to leave he could hear the chatting going on behind him then he went straight inside locking the door behind him. He was hit by the strong smell of bleach so strong that his eyes watered.
"Phew, someone was trying to get rid of DNA," he said to himself as he pulled out his new phone. He knew he didn't have much time so he turned on the taps then dialed a familiar number. It seemed to take forever before the call was answered.
"... It's me. ... What do you mean who is 'me'? It's White. ... No, I can't talk up I'm calling from a bathroom. Your man Oscar has gone off the deep end and he wants to cowboy this hit. I don't know what he did but he's done something. ... What do I mean about 'cowboying'? He wants to kick Jack Burton's office door down then walk in and put two rounds through his face then we're to run out of here. I heard him send one of his men to the airport to ready the plane for our escape. He's not even going to try to get the ledger from Burton so our lack of success can't be held against me. ... What do you mean things have changed? ... You want me to do what? Are you kidding me?"
White held the phone out looking at it. He couldn't believe what One's secretary had just ordered him to do. Any way he looked at it Oscar was going to be pissed with him not that he wasn't already but now he was going to be even more so.
"What took you so long in there? I hope you flushed," barked Oscar as White came out of the bathroom. "What's that you got in your hand? You have another phone. Don't tell me you ratted me out?"
"Here, I was told to give this to you," said White as he handed Oscar the phone. He saw fire in Oscar's eyes and the rest of the men got quiet again.
"Deadman walking," whispered Gustav in White's ear as Oscar but the phone next to his ear. Oscar gave Gustav a look and signaled him to shut up. "Sorry."
"This is me so what do you want? ... Things have changed. ... Yeah that was the plan. ... Because it's the fastest way to get us out of here. I don't know if you remember but the Major is here and he's causing us problems. ... Yes, I understand what you want but is this you talking or does this come from One. ... No, I'm not questioning orders. All right we'll get it done," said Oscar then he broke the phone in pieces then handed them back to White.
"Here's your phone back. Listen up new plan, but first White I want you go get on the plane. If you're not there when we're ready to leave you're going to be left behind. You got that?"
Next thing White knew he was outside in the hallway.
"Well that went better than I expected."