Don't own Chuck
After the botch intercept attempt the General ordered the whole team out before the Mexican authorities started asking too many questions. Reluctantly Casey went with the group back across the border then on to Burbank. The drive was long and quiet as John fumed over Beckman's decision to pull them out while he drove. Chuck tried to defuse the situation but with very little success receiving only threats of grave bodily harm.
"John as soon as we get in we can tap into the mainframe and find out where Ettore flew too. Even if he filed a false flight plan we can still find him. You can't hide a DC-9 that easily and I'm sure one of our spy Sats caught something. You could also check with some of you buddies at the NSA to see if they know anything. We just have to keep it together."
"Keep it together! You're a good one to talk about keeping it together. You and Beckman think I can't keep my personal life out of my professional well you're both wrong and I'll prove it you."
"I didn't say that I agree you've... we all have a very personal interest in this. Alex isn't just your daughter she's my friend... our friend."
"Well, Beckman was out of line pulling us out like that she should've let us run with the ball. The trail is going to go cold like this. We should've grabbed a plane at the airport and gone after him."
"Yes, and then what," said Sarah. "The Mexicans would've sent fighters up to bring us down. By the time the local authorities would've gotten the word to let us pass it would've been too late. Then we wouldn't be any good to anyone and caused a major international incident."
"Bunch of Nancies," said Casey as he sped across the border then followed the I-5 up. "Grimes you know this is partly your fault. If you didn't have that Brillo pad on your face we would've know who was who and Alex would be with us now. Not to mention you let him get the drop on you back in the room, way to go there Cobra."
"John that's not fair and you know it. It was nobody's fault," said Sarah. "You know things can go sideways on a mission and that's what happened. Instead of finger pointing it would be more constructive to come up with a plan to take Ettore down."
"We have to find him first and thanks to Beckman right now we haven't got a clue where Troll number two is," growled Casey.
"Well we don't have to," said Chuck. "I've got an idea. Ettore is an arms dealer what if we put out feelers over the dark net that we're looking for a weapons dealer who knows Central and South America. We say we're interested in destabilizing a small country to bring in a regime more to our liking…"
"Guys, I tell you Ettore is on his way to Columbia to his safe house outside of Bogotá. He has a ranch outside of the city called la Vecchia Fattoria..."
"Grimes will you pipe down or your next cover will be as dead man and you won't have to study for the role it will come naturally after I strangle you to death."
"I think Chuck's idea is a good one," said Sarah. "But Ettore knows who we all are and what we look like. He worked with you guys on the ship and shot you John with your own dart gun…"
"Isn't that kind of what you accused Morgan of doing letting Ettore get the drop? But Morgan is novice agent while you… well I don't know you made a rookie mistake." Casey white knuckled the steering wheel.
"Shut up Bartowski or I'm going to have to push your reset button with my fist. Back on topic he knows you two he saw you both on the monitor in the room. So who is going to be out guy who wants to become a warlord?"
"Isn't it obvious John there is only one person in our circle that Ettore doesn't know who we can call on in a moment's notice?"
"Oh Chuck you're not suggesting who I think you're suggesting are you? Not again please," said Sarah. "You promised me no more."
"I know I promised but we need him and this is an emergency. I don't see any other way or anyone else who can pull this off."
"Who are you talking about?" asked Casey as he looked at Chuck in the rearview. Now he was really curious. "Am I missing something? Don't make me the little fat boy."
"He's talking about going in as Juri Sheshenov. If you remember last time you got called out and crap when sideways. You can't keep this cover going forever."
"The Kolonel will give me the validity with which we need to do this mission. I'll be able to get close to Ettore then we move in."
"But we still need to locate Ettore."
"I told you where he is," said Morgan. "But go ahead and check it out but when you find him in Columbia I'm going to tell you all I told you so."
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It was pitch black outside when they entered Columbian airspace with clouds blocking the Moon and the stars making the night time landing that much more difficult. Once in country they radioed ahead and made a beeline for a private airfield outside of the capital. As they made their approach lights came on illuminating the landing strip and the pilot brought the bird in with only a few feet to spare.
"Okay, we're here," said Paolo. "I want to welcome you to Columbia. Ground transport is arriving and from here we'll be going to la Vecchia Fattoria."
"What is la Vecchia Fattoria," asked Alex as Paolo waved for men to come and off load them. "Hold up you said you need our help well I'm not going anywhere until I know what I'm getting into?"
"La Vecchia Fattoria is a safe house we have here. Impenetrable from the outside and inside well it is well furnished as well as secure. I will be acting as your host inside and as long as you hold up your end of the bargain everything will be... well pleasant. Now go quietly with my men," said Paolo as waved for the men to come. They'd already been briefed about Ettore's farce and how they were to they play along.
A few minutes later after a few hundred dollars to a customs officer they were off in a Range Rover Discovery making their way across the city. It was late but the city was still alive with people moving about trying to make a living. The caravan sped up as it passed through the mega-slum section of the capital in the Ciudad Bogotá section.
"Over there," said the man riding shotgun. The man picked up a radio and called back to the rest. "We've picked up an escort. Everyone look alive and stay alert."
"There's a lot of crime here both unorganized and organized. We pay the FARC in arms to leave us alone and for protection. Although I have to say they're not a domesticated animal but they come in handy sometimes when other predators come visiting."
"What do you mean handy?" asked Alex as she looked out the window but couldn't see much just the occasional motorcyclist who seemed to appear out of nowhere then disappeared again.
Alex lost track of how long they'd been driving but somewhere they drove out of the city and their motorcycle escort dropped away. She wondered what Paolo meant by 'handy' and it didn't escape her that he didn't answer her question.
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Sheila Swanson was in her office early after stopping off at Starbucks on the way in to grab a coffee to go. It seemed like it took forever for them to get a Starbucks and truthfully the local coffee was better but it reminded her of home. Somehow she managed to piss off the right people back in Lyons and got sent to run the operations here in Bogota. She replaced the former Chief who managed to catch thirty-two rounds in the back going home one night.
"What's this on the fax machine," she asked as she took the papers off as she tried to balance her coffee, bag and papers. She remembered asking why they still had a fax in this the digital age then she was introduced to the local telephone system. "Hey look at this Ettore La Barba was seen at the old airport then left heading towards the Ciudad."
"So? You don't know who he is," said her vice. "Remember the old chief the one you replaced and what happened to him? Well he was just looking into Ettore."
"Martin, Ettore broke out of an Italian prison and is responsible for the death of a guard. Not to mention all the other charges we have on him and all the ones we can't prove…"
"So? Listen in country the man can't be touched. You take any request to the local policíe to move against Ettore and you'd better check into full body armor."
"Intimidation is what these small time thugs live on. If we look the other way then we're no better than they are. We're paid to uphold the law and to bring criminals to justice."
"And I have a wife and two children I love. I want to see them at night when I go home. I don't want to have to worry that some punk is going to come by and spray my car with lead trying to kill me when I'm taking my kids to school or plants a bomb under my wife's car thinking it's mine."
"What kind of world do you want your kids to grow up in? One where lawless people like Ettore run around and do whatever they want with impunity because no one has the courage to stand up to him?"
"I want my family to run around in a world with me and one where I can watch over and protect them from people like Ettore. Don't get me wrong if I moved against Ettore there would be no slap the handcuffs on and hope for a conviction. It would be him trying to resist arrest and ending up with a nine mil round in the back of the head. 'Ops my warning shot was low.' That's the only way to deal with people like Mr. La Barba because that's what he'll do to you and the ones you care about."
"I want to see what the old chief had on Ettore," said Sheila. Martin realized she hadn't heard a word of what he said and all he could do was shake his head.
"Listen I'll give it to you as long as you promise to take everything slow. I don't want to be responsible for you getting yourself killed."
"Yeah, yeah just give me," she said. Martin left wondering if he was doing the right thing or not. But he knew what he had to do.
Sheila was thinking as she went into her office that if she could pulled this off she could get herself transferred back to Lyons and with another promotion. "Boy, would I rub that in the Chief's face," she said with a smile as she sipped on her coffee. "I'll make Jacque regret the way he treated. Promote me to get rid of me will you."
"Promote who? What? Who are you talking to" said Martian as he walked in carrying a cardboard box he'd gotten from the archives.
"No one I was just thinking out loud. Is this everything," asked Sheila. One cardboard box didn't seem like very much considering it got a man killed.
"Yes, this is everything so where do you want me to sit down at?" asked Martin as he let out a sneeze. "Sorry I'm allergic to dust."
"Sorry you can sit it down anywhere. Here on my desk is fine. I'll see to it," she said. She felt like it was Christmas day as she took off the lid. "Let's see what we have here."
"The first thing you need to look at is the autopsy report on our former chief," said Martin still trying to get her to leave it alone. "You want to see what thirty-two rounds can do to a body? Hint do you like Swiss cheese?"
"Thank you but I'll take this from here. Unlike you I don't have a family to worry about. My work is my life how pathetic does that sound but it's true and if this helps get me out of this armpit… well it's worth the risk. Not that I don't appreciate you guys just this is..."
"I get it an armpit. Well as long as 'out' isn't feet first and in a body bag. When you have a few moments can you give me some bullets for your eulogy."
"I hear you and I promise to tread lightly but if I get a chance to make a collar I'm going for it and nothing is going to hold me back." It was then Martin realized she was a dog with a bone and what probably pissed off her Chief in Lyon.
"Well if you still want to run with this remember what I said two in the chest and one in the head. The report will read whatever you want it to read that you can leave to me."
"This is interesting he flies in and out of Bogotá using the old military airfield on the outskirts of the town then always drives across the Ciudad to reach his ranch at the foot of the mountains. Most people would be afraid of that neighborhood."
"That's because he pays the FARC to watch over him like bodyguards in exchange for free weapons. The government doesn't like it but they haven't been able to do much to stop it. Those who have tried usually disappear and are never heard from again."
"Why do you think that is? It says here there are people on the inside of the military that are taking kickbacks to protect Ettore and his business of death. If this information got out it would be a great embarrassment to those taking the money and just might get them removed or make them do something."
"Wait a minute you can't go to the Minister of Justice and report these people. You don't have a shred of proof and even if you did you'd only get yourself and the Minister killed in a horrible accident that everyone will know was no accident to make a point."
"I know that but if this information were feed to the right newspapers they could take the ball and run with it. Once it got out on the international press then something would have to be done or risk isolating the government from the World Bank and the IMF as well as their North American friends."
"I don't suppose you know any journalist that would like this story? Or who would as you said 'take the ball and run with it.'" He wanted to add that Ettore would make that statement literal if he got hold of the journalist.
"It's funny you ask but yes I do. I want our contacts to keep a watch out at the airport for Ettore. I want to establish a record of his movements to see if I can catch him with his pants down."
"I told you what you ought to do when you try to bring him in. Any other way and you put yourself at risk."
"I'll take it under consideration but for now let's try this my way. You can got now I'll be here a while sorting through the stuff in this box. If I need you I'll call for you," said Sheila as she took a sip from her coffee that was now cold. She made a face then tossed it. "Martin if you want to help bring me a cup of coffee black I'd appreciate it a lot." He was about to tell her that wasn't what he got paid to do but he changed his mind.
"Sure one cup of black coming right up," said Martin then he left. This was his chance to duck out for a moment. Once outside he made a beeline for the bathroom then inside he checked the stalls and locked the door. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hey it's me," said Martin. "You need to tell Mr. La Barba he could have a problem coming in the form of my new Chief. She's reviewing the old Chief's notes. …. I know I was supposed to get rid of them but I didn't have a chance and now she has them. …. Well if you'd gotten me the position as Chief like you promised then this wouldn't be happening. What do you want me to do? …. Okay I can keep an eye on her. Look I need to go but I'll keep you informed," said Martin as he hung up. He hated himself for this. They promised him the last time that no harm would come to his Chief and not to worry about it then the man got gunned down. Now he worried that 'don't worry about it' meant the same thing for Sheila.
"Well she did say she had no family," he said to himself as he walked out of the bathroom. That gave him some consolation as he got her coffee then walked back in sitting it on her desk. He was about to leave when her phone rang something told him to hang around.
"Chief Swanson Interpol" she said. Her mouth dropped open as she looked over at Martin and motioned for him to come inside. "Is this some sort of joke," asked Sheila as she put the call on speaker.
"No this is Ettore La Barba and I never joke about who I am. I'm having a small get together tomorrow and I'd like to invite you. It will be an evening party so black tie if you want to know what to wear. I'll send a car and driver to pick you up at your office so there will be plenty of witnesses of you getting in."
"Wait I haven't said I was coming yet," said Sheila as she looked over puzzled at Martin who was looking back just as perplexed.
"I would think this would be the perfect opportunity for you to get to know your... well me. If you're worried about your safety I'll give you my word that no one will touch you unless you want them to."
"What do you think this is the moth and flame effect?" Sheila paused a few minutes and thought. "Okay, all right I'll come."
"I thought you'd be curious. Good I'll send my driver around about eight. I look forward to our meeting and breaking bread together. See you tomorrow evening," said Ettore then he hung up.
"What the crap was that?" said Sheila as she looked at the box on her desk. "How did he know I was looking into him?"
"I don't know," said Martin as he pretended to look pensive. "You know someone must've seen me bring you that box up from the archives. That's the only thing I can think of."
"Yes you're probably right but you know what that means Martin. We've got a mole somewhere in the office. From now on everything Ettore is handled only by me and you. I'm going to be busy looking into this stuff on Ettore so I want you to look over everyone in the office and see if you can root out who the mole is."
"Sure you can count on me," said Martin. "I've got your back."
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The team pulled into Echo Park after midnight everyone piled out and went home. Casey took Kat home to tell her what happened while Chuck and Sarah went to their place. Both Sam and Clara were fast asleep. Devon spent the night at the hospital with Ellie she was still in quarantine. Morgan mopped about grabbing a grape soda from the fridge then pulled up a chair at the table.
"Sarah do you mind," asked Chuck. He didn't have to say what she understood as they both stood in the hallway looking at Morgan. He was so sad it was as if his beard was dragging on the ground.
"No of course not and while you get him settled in on the couch I'll go check on the girls then get ready for bed. I wonder how Casey is doing next door with Kat."
"I don't know. Morgan if you want to spend the night on our couch go for it. I can get you some sheets and a pillow."
"I appreciate it I really don't want to be by myself," said Morgan as sipped on his grape soda. "Do you think Casey is right this is partly my fault? I should've seen this coming someway?"
"No, Sarah's right something things just happen and you can't look back because hindsight is always twenty-twenty. The most important thing right now is not to give up hope. We'll start the hunt fresh in the morning and I promise we'll find Ettore and Alex..."
"Chuck, just for giggles and... well can you access the mainframe from here and let me use it to look for Alex. I really don't feel like sleeping."
"I don't know little buddy I don't want you to become like me when Sarah left me. That's a dark road to travel down take my word for it I know."
"Come on Chuck you're my best friend and this is what best friends do for each other. I just want to take a quick look at Bogotá if I'm wrong I'll go to sleep if not we'll know where to start from in the morning and I can rub Casey's nose in it after all the crap he gave me on the way back."
"Okay I'll log on but once you're done log off and try to get some sleep or I swear I'll tranq you and make you go to sleep. Here you go and I'll grab you another grape soda."
"No I prefer to keep a clear head but thanks," said Morgan as he turned to work while Chuck left to go back to the bedroom with Sarah.
It didn't take Morgan long to find Ettore's plane on deck in Bogotá. Now he had to figure out what to do and sitting around for sunrise wasn't an option.
"Morgan you need a partner," he told himself and there was but one choice for operation 'Morgan's Razor'.