Don't own Chuck
The temperatures were hot but they seemed to get even hotter when Sheila came back to the office in the afternoon dressed to kill in a black evening dress with lace in all the right places carrying a matching clutch purse. Walking through the office all the heads turned to follow her to her office. She smiled inside feeling all the eyes on her which was exactly what she wanted and she hoped she could cast the same spell over Ettore. Martin just shook his head and followed her in closing the door behind him.
"I suppose this is some sort of ploy of yours to dress like this? Remember you're going to dinner with a serpent and a snake doesn't care what you look like just as long as your warm blooded when he eats you."
"I know," said Sheila as she took out a Beretta Bobcat from her desk drawer. Checking it she put one round in the tip-up barrel then housed the six clip magazine before slipping it in her clutch.
"Listen Ettore was seen around town today and seems to be staying at the El Presidente," said Martin. Sheila interrupted him.
"What a minute that doesn't make sense. Why is he taking me to his ranch outside of town?" she said as she reasoned. "Well I guess he could be using it as a place to meet people and staying in the city for comfort…"
"You don't really believe that do you?" said Martin. "Because if you do there's a slightly used metal structure willed to me as the only heir to Gustave Eiffel. It's a little rusty but all in all it's in good shape."
"Funny, very funny but no I don't. I guess I'll find out what he's up to when I get there," said Sheila as she check what she looked like in her compact then fixed her lipstick.
"You know it's not too late to back out if you've changed your mind and don't want to go," said Martin. "You don't have to get in that car he's sending for you."
"I know I don't have to but I'm going to. I might have a choice but I really don't if I want to find out how Ettore's operation works. I'm bring these along with me too," said Sheila as she held up a couple of bugs.
"Are you insane? If you get caught planting those your host could get very angry and when I say angry it is an understatement. How many people know you have those things?"
"None, I brought them from France with me. You see for a while I went out with an Agent from the General Directorate. He was a little possessive and planted these in my place. When I found them I made him give me the receiver. Well it's almost time I need to go," said Sheila as she looked at her watch.
She made her exit like she made her entrance with all eyes on her and she ate it up. Martin stood in her doorway watching the show and shook his head.
"Hey guys if you don't mind can we get some work done here. You know if you turn your head around too fast you can get whiplash like that," yelled Martin but he had a personal drama going on inside. He should call Paolo to warn him about the listening devices but if they confronted her she'd know he was the one who ratted her out. However, if he did nothing then he risked Paolo calling him on a bugged phone or from a bugged office which would reveal him as the mole. There had to be a third option but if there was it wasn't coming to him.
"I'm going to check out a lead. I'll be on my phone if you need me," said Martin as he ducked out of the building. He had to go see if Ettore was indeed still in the hotel.
Martin quick stepped across the square and down the street to El Presidente. When he got there he ran up the steps then through a revolving door to enter the reception area. He started to walk to the Manager's office when the elevator opened and a crowd stepped office. There was something that attracted his attention in the elevator and from the back of the crowd Morgan and Casey stepped out.
"Oh crap," he said inside as Morgan and Casey walked towards him. At first he thought his cover was blown he was in the middle of the room and there as nowhere to go. However, lucky for him they walked right past him heading for the exit so he tried to tag along and listen in on their conversation.
"Casey are you sure about this? Shouldn't we wait and talk this out with Chuck. His might have a better plan than ours."
"The computer skin job can keep his plans for all I care. We've gotten by perfectly well without him before he came along and we'll do just fine when he's not anymore."
"Chuck isn't going anywhere this is his life now and Sarah… well I don't see her quitting either. John, I think you're making a lot about nothing."
"Am I? She's had a hard enough time keeping up with the team with one rugrat. Here soon she's going to have a second one. She might not want to but nature is going tell her something different."
"I'm glad she isn't here to hear you because we both know how mad she'd get at you for saying something like this. I'm just saying that..."
But just then they went in the revolving door to leave the hotel and Martin couldn't hear them anymore. He went up to the door then waited a few minutes before going out only to watch the two of them drive off on a bike.
"Crap," he said as he looked around for transportation but nothing was available. He could only think that maybe Sheila was right and Ettore was heading back to his compound to have dinner with her. But now he had other questions like who was this Casey and what was an American doing with Ettore?
"He'll be gone for a while," Martin said to himself as he turned and looked at the elevator. "Maybe a quick room tour is in order?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chuck came out of the back dressed up like Juri Sheshenov and sat next to Zondra. He nodded to her politely and smiled. She kept glancing over at him looking at him from head to toe. This was the first time Chuck could remember that Zondra didn't have anything to say. He thought about chalking it up on his calendar but opted to be polite.
"Juri Sheshenov at your service," said Chuck. He smiled at Zondra's silence until he couldn't resist anymore. "Cat's got your tongue or something?"
"Impressive but can you walk the walk and talk the talk?" said Zondra. But before she could say anything else Tower Control was calling them giving her landing instructions and a little while later they were setting down at Bogotá's El Dorato airport.
They taxied off the apron and into a hangar off the flight line. Pulling inside customs agents came to clear the plane and passengers. Chuck took Zondra down the gangway where they were met by the officers.
"You asked if I can walk the walk and talk the talk," said Chuck. "Just watch this." Zondra rolled her eyes and thought their gooses were cooked.
"Passports and documents please," said the one officer but Chuck ignored him and walked up to the senior officer a Lieutenant.
"My name is Kolonel Juri Sheshenov and this is my assistant Natasha. We're here on business to see Mr. Ettore La Barba," said Chuck. Just the mention of Ettore caused the agents to stop and turn their heads.
"I can't help that we still have our job to do," said the Lieutenant as he waved for his men to continue. "If you let us do our job we'll be done…"
"Certainly Lieutenant Marcus Valdez," said Chuck as he looked the man in the eyes. "How is your wife and children? Your parents are both still healthy and doing well in Medellín?" The Lieutenant stopped and stared back trying to figure out what was going on and who was in front of him.
"How do you know all that," said the Lieutenant. "Do I know you from somewhere? Or do you know my parents? Have we met somewhere and I don't remember you?"
"I never told you Kolonel in what. My dear young lad we know everything and you should be very careful when you deal with strangers because they may not be who they seem to be. Do we need to continue here? I've got people waiting for me and if I don't show up very soon they won't be happy. Do I need to go on further?"
"I think we're done here," said the Officer. Sergeants let's wrap this up and let our guests get on with their visit. Bienvenido a Colombia Kolonel," said the man as he handed them back their passports. Sweat started breaking out on the man's forehead.
"Spasiba," said Chuck as he bowed politely. Zondra stood there with Chuck in silence waiting for the customs officers to disappear.
"Okay you've got to tell me the trick. How did you know all those things about that guy? You had to have met him before? Or did you study the files on the customs officers that work here in the airport and got lucky."
"Luck had nothing to do with it. No, and for your information this was the first time we met but it wasn't anything special what I did. He had a wedding band that was cutting into his finger so I figured he was married and had been married for a while," said Chuck as he and Zondra pulled their luggage from the hold.
"Okay I can see that but how did you know the rest? He had children and where he was from," she asked as they divided the bags.
"As far as children goes, this is a predominantly Catholic country so translates to no birth control. I said children I didn't say how many. As far as his parents, if you listened to his Spanish he had a Medellín accent and he was young enough that his parents should still be alive. Easy peasy no? But when I told them I had business with Ettore they weren't going to question anything I said."
"Not bad I have to admit but where do we go from here? You don't happen to have ground transportation in that hat of yours?"
"As a matter of fact I do around the corner from the hangar I had a car dropped off for us. Now we need to go to the El Presidente hotel and check into our rooms. There we'll make contact with Morgan and Casey. Hopefully I can talk some sense into them but I'm not counting on it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sheila rode in the back of a Range Rover Discovery through the mega-slum in the ciudad section of the city then on past out into the jungle. It seemed like to the vegetation was going to devour them as they continued on down a path more than a road. Darkness seemed to come quickly in the shadow of a mountain that towered over them and before long there were the sounds of nocturnal animals coming out to hunt. Finally they drove up to a gate that automatically opened then they drove down a long drive to a ranch house at the end.
"I'm glad you could make it," said Ettore as he opened the car door. "Please follow me," he said then he led her inside with Paolo following behind them like an omnipresent shadow.
"I have to admit I had mixed feelings about coming here and a I nearly cancelled at the last minute. My vice thinks I'm crazy for accepting."
"Does he? Well I hope you like what I've got planned," said Ettore as he led her to a dining room. "Please sit here," he said as he held a chair for her.
"I thought you said you were having a dinner party? Where are all the other guests?" asked Sheila as she sat down looking around at the empty room.
"Everyone else cancelled at the last minute. Can you believe that so it's just you and me," said Ettore as he sat down opposite her with Paolo sitting down at the end of the table.
"I hope you like fish. We're starting our dinner with an antipasto of oysters on the half shell followed by a risotto alla pescatora then baccala alla vincentina. I think I saw a tiramisu in the kitchen earlier for dessert."
"I don't understand what is this?" asked Sheila as she looked down at Paolo. She couldn't help wonder if he wasn't some sort of chaperon. "What do you hope to gain from this?"
"Good company for one thing and if you don't mind I really don't like to talk shop at the dinner table so can we table all that until we're done. Paolo can we have a little music please." Paolo looked at the both of them then got up slowly then left. As soon as Paolo was out of the room Ettore passed her a note.
"Put that in your purse and read it later," Ettore said as Paolo walked back in with a couple of musicians carrying stringed instruments who played while they dinned.
"What the…" Sheila started to say but Ettore shook his head. She slipped the piece of paper in her bag discreetly giving Ettore a puzzled look. They went through the antipasto and the first dish but as the second one was being served Sheila asked to be excused.
"I'm sorry I need to go powder my nose," she said as she got up. Ettore and Paolo immediately got up too. "Can you show me the way to a restroom please?"
"Follow me," said Paolo as he escorted Sheila to a toilet off the dining room. Once inside she locked the door then pulled the note out of her purse and unfolded it. A California driver's license fell out on the floor she quickly picked it up. The face on it was Ettore's but the license was for a Morgan Grimes. She read the note hoping it would explain what was going on.
'Help me things are not what they seem. My name is Morgan Grimes I was forced to double for Ettore La Barba. I need to get out of here.'
Suddenly things made a little more sense. Now she understood how Martin saw Ettore at the hotel earlier because that was him. This poor sap was the man they were using as a bullet magnet but how could she help him or could she use him to flush out the real Ettore. She had an idea but she didn't know if it would work.
"Thank you for waiting for me," said Sheila when she came out of the restroom to find Paolo was still there waiting for her. He led her back to the table where they finished their meal together then they retired back to the study for a nightcap.
"Would you like a brandy or cognac?" asked Ettore as he walked over to his bar.
"Actually, I'd prefer a single malt," said Sheila. "I'm sorry I'm not much of a brandy or cognac drinker. I hope I won't insult you but they both taste like cough syrup to me."
"To tell you the truth I feel the same way. Then a single malt it is. I've got this Macallan that I think you'll like," he said as he poured them both a drink.
"Your man servant doesn't imbibe," asked Sheila as she looked over at Paolo who shook his head. "Maybe he'll let us spend a little time alone on the balcony?"
"What do you say Paolo? You can stand right here and watch us. I think Ms. Swanson will guarantee not to hurt me," said Ettore as he smiled at her. "After you please," he said as he opened the glass doors and they walked outside on the veranda under a moonlit starry night.
"I read you note," she said under her breath. "But I'm going to need proof more than a phony driver's license."
"Check it out I'm being held here with my fiancée. That's how they're controlling me," he said as he talking into his glass. "Please I need to get out of here."
"No you need the real Ettore be arrested then we can see about getting you out of here," she said as she turned the idea over in her head. "Let me go and see what I can do."
"I think they think I was supposed to sweep you off your feet. If you don't mind I'm going to need a good night kiss to convince them."
"If it's necessary," she said as she looked over at him.
"Oh I think it is."
"Then I'm going to need you to do something for me," said Sheila. Morgan smiled at her. "What do you think I want? No don't answer that. You sure you have a fiancée?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Back at the hotel Chuck and Zondra showed up to check in. They parked in the hotel parking lot then walked in. Chuck strolled in with Zondra on his arm and a cane in the other. He went to the reception desk they got their keycard for their suite then went up with the porter who carried their bags. Chuck tipped the man then sent him on his way.
"What room are Casey and your friend in," asked Zondra. Chuck shrugged his shoulders as he pulled out his tablet and in a few minutes he was in.
"I don't know but I will soon. Okay I'm in. They have to be in the penthouse it says it's booked but it doesn't list the occupant. Let's go up and drop in."
"We need to be careful and not be seen. If you're going to see Ettore you don't want anyone seeing you with Morgan."
"Crap you're right. If we run into anyone we can always say we got lost, but that doesn't sound too convincing or very plausible."
"No it doesn't let me go up and you wait here Loverboy. I'll talk to them and get John to come down here," said Zondra. Chuck didn't like it but what Zondra said made sense.
"Okay but take an earbud and keep your comms open. I'll follow you using the hotel's security camera just in case and stop calling me Loverboy."
"A part from the fact that sounds creepy but I think I know what I'm doing. I don't need you looking over my shoulder," said Zondra. "How does Sarah put up with your constant smothering?"
"Concern isn't smothering and just do it," said Chuck as he handed her an earbud. "If you get into trouble I'll be right up."
"What kind of trouble can I get into to? I just have to ride the elevator up one floor then knock on a door. When Casey or the runt answers I walk in. I'm out of here," she said as she pocketed her Beretta cougar then left.
"I got you," said Chuck as he watched her walk to the elevator then press up. He saw her look up at the camera and rolled her eyes then shook her head. The plan sounded good but he still had a bad feeling in his gut."
"Remember you told Sarah you'd make this work," he said to himself as he watched her get on the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor. He put the security feed on a loop so the people working security wouldn't see her going up. He watched her get off the elevator then head down to the penthouse suite. She walked up to the door and was about to knock when Chuck noticed from the feed that the door seemed slightly ajar.
"Hold up don't knock," said Chuck. "Push lightly on the door." When she did and the door opened. "John wouldn't have left the door like that be careful there's someone in the suite. The security cam feeds inside are down I'm trying to bring them back up..."
"I'm going inside to see who's there," said Zondra as she gently opened the door then slipped in quietly. Inside she heard someone looking around. She ducked into a closet by the door where she cracked the door so she could look out.
"Chuck, can you see what I'm seeing," radioed Zondra. "There's a guy here going through Casey and Morgan's things."
"No I don't see you jumped too quickly. I'm trying to get the cams back up but it's taking time. Crap, I'm going to have to reboot the system. Stay hidden and don't move."
"What if this guy is one of those assassins Beckman was talking about. Can we afford to let him go? What if he's planting a bomb or something?"
"We don't know that stay hidden. Do you see Morgan or Casey around in the suite?"
"No, they don't seem to be here but there are two rooms off the common area with doors closed. He could have them in there."
"Or they could be out and he's just searching their room for intel. Don't over think this. Good, I'm almost there," said Chuck as his hack went through. Now he could turn the cameras on.
"Crap I think he heard me," said Zondra as she saw him look her way pulling out a Glock from his shoulder holster. "Chuck, he's armed and he's coming towards me.
"Zondra just a few more minutes don't...," he said but his voice was drowned out by the sound of gunfire. Suddenly the cameras were on and he saw Zondra standing over a body.
"Chuck, it was me or him. I had too," said Zondra as she knelt down to check him for vitals but as she did he flashed. Suddenly Chuck knew who he was and it was bad.
"Leave him and get out of there right now."
"But I still..."
"No get out of there right now I'm killing all the feeds and erasing everything. Get back here right now and that's an order."
"Don't get your panties in a bunch what's the matter?"
"You just killed a senior Interpol agent. Now do you understand what's the matter? Get your butt out of there. Crap, I've got hotel security on their way up someone must've reported hearing the gunshot. Hit the stairs. Move it now!"