Don't own Chuck
Chuck took Sheila to the restaurant where they had breakfast together. They chatted for a bit over pastries and coffee until Zondra came back from her run. She stuck her head in to let him know she was back but instead of being alone she found Sheila with him. It was a good thing Chuck were posing as a Russian because he should've been used to the Siberian frost that filled the dining room or at least at his table.
"Otets," said Zondra speaking Russian. "Father, who's this woman and what do you think you're doing talking to her? I don't think mother would approve."
"Doch', daughter try to be polite and speak English," said Chuck then he turned to Sheila. "This new generation I don't know about them. Let me introduce you Natasha this is Sheila Swanson. She's the chief in charge of the Interpol office here. I ran into her in the elevator as she was on her way up to the Penthouse. We're going to join forces for this evening's festivities."
"Do you think that's such a good idea to get outsiders involved in our business? You know we have our own agenda which could come into conflict with your new friends."
"I don't know if hers comes into conflict or runs parallel. She wants to arrest Ettore and that could play into our hand. Go up to the room take a shower and change I'll have breakfast waiting for you when you come down."
"This topic isn't over and I feel like calling 'Babushka'. "It was nice meeting you," said Zondra as she turned to leave. She walked a little ways away then turned like she wanted to come back and say something but she just turned around then left.
"Who was that woman?" asked Sheila as she watched Zondra leave. "She really knows how to make an entrance."
"It's okay you can use the B-word. It would be nothing I haven't already heard or thought myself. But we don't always get a chance to pick who we get partnered up with. However, to answer your question Natasha is my assistant."
"Assistant in what?" asked Sheila. "I'm sorry but you don't seem like the type of person who needs an assistant to get things done."
"Thank you," said Chuck. "That was exactly what I said when I left Lubyanka to come here. But nobody listened to me so we're here together."
"Well I should get over to my office I need to contact Mr. Hernandez the Chief of Police then I have to make a trip to the morgue to see if they'll release Martin's remains to me so I can have them shipped back to France," she said as she got up.
"Then I'll see you this evening," said Chuck as he stood up and shook her hand.
"Until this evening Kolonel Sheshenov," said Sheila.
"Please call me Juri. We broke bread together. In Russia once you present bread and salt to a person you become their friend."
"Very well it was a pleasure meeting you Juri, dasvidániya."
"Spasiba do-skó-raj-fstryé-chi," said Chuck. Sheila looked at him perplexed. "I thought you might speak Russian. See you soon thank you.
Sheila walked away disappearing into the lobby and after she was gone Chuck sat back down and signaled the waiter for more coffee. But Sheila didn't completely disappear she waited a few minutes then ducked back in to take a picture of Juri. She wanted to run his photo up the grapevine to see if he was on the up and up. She was putting her life in his hands after all.
"Okay that's done," she said then she started to leave when she saw Zondra getting out of the elevator. She took a couple quick shots of her too.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the B-word isn't her middle name," said Sheila to herself as she left. The distance from the hotel to her office was short. Walking in she was met with a lot of gloomy faces.
"Hector I'm promoting you to be my new vice," said Sheila. "At least until HQ can send in a replacement. Call Chief Hernandez and see if he can meet us at the morgue. Tell him I need to meet him there to expedite the shipment of Martin's remains back to France. Can you do that for me while I get somethings done in my office?"
"Sure but don't you want to slow down a little bit and reappraise the situation? After all Martin is dead and we don't know why."
"Yes we do the police told us he was killed in a mugging that went wrong. As far as slowing down I don't think so if anything we need to strike now that the iron is hot. Are you going to have a problem following orders?"
"No… no I'll get right on it. Do you have any preference about the time? The Chief might not want to meet at the morgue around his lunchtime."
"With all the bodies he has to look at he's probably comfortable dinning in the Morgue. It's one of the few cool places around here during the day. So you do that then knock on my door and let me know," said Sheila.
She went into her office and closed the door then looked back out the glass window at everyone. There still was that dark cloud that hung in the air but she didn't have time to worry about everyone's feelings. Maybe she suffered a little from reduced affect display too. She took out her phone then called a number.
"Hello Philip this is Sheila," she said as she put the call on speaker so she could take out her earrings. "I know it's been a long time but I need a favor…"
"Give me one good reason why I should help you. You only call me when you need a favor and the last time we were supposed to meet you stood me up."
"That's not true I don't just call you when I need a favor. Okay, well maybe I do but the last time I stood you up wasn't my fault. I was getting canned from Lyons and sent to this armpit. But if you give me a second chance I'll make it up to you the next time I'm in Paris."
"Oh I'm sorry I heard about your transfer through the grapevine but I didn't know you got canned. Everyone was told you got promoted."
"So they could get rid of me. Look I'll make it up the next time I'm in cross my heart and hope to die."
"Okay shoot, what do you need? Please be something that I won't go to prison for doing. I wouldn't fair well there."
"Will you shut up," she said as she laughed. "This is what I need I've sent you some of photos and I need you to run them through our facial recognition program. The woman's name is supposed to be Natasha something or other…"
"So is something or other her last name," said Philip as he chuckled.
"If you're done being a butthole the old man is supposed to be Kolonel Juri Sheshenov, FSB," she said but as soon as she mentioned the name Philip stopped her.
"This is Sheshenov? I thought he was a myth like the Yeti or the Lochness monster. Oh my I don't know if I should run this."
"Why who is he? The way you're talking I should know him. I had a long talk with him and we had breakfast together."
"The man is the FSB director's right hand. It is rumored that Sheshenov single handedly ended an armed conflict against rival warlords in the Caucasus Mountains. He's also supposed to have close ties to the Bratva which is remarkable since one of their rules is to have nothing to do with any law enforcement agency. If I run this there will be all sorts of bells and whistles that will go off."
"How can I be sure that the man I met is who he claims to be?"
"Listen only a fool or an idiot would pretend to be him because if the real Sheshenov found out he'd be dead and I'm not talking about dead. I'm talking about the kind of death that drags out for days that in the end comes as a relief. Let me run the woman's first then I'll get back to you. If she checks out there will be no need in running the other."
"You're a friend and I won't forget my promise the next time I'm in Paris you can buy me dinner."
"I was really hoping for the other way round but sure that will work too. Well let me get off the line so I can start running this photo for you."
"Thanks again," said Sheila. "Oh wait one minute before you go. There's another name I'd like you to look up. It might be nothing or it might be connected. The name is Morgan Grimes, Burbank California. See what you can find out on him and let me know. For this extra I'll pay for the meal when we meet."
"Now we're talking and I know the perfect restaurant on the Seine. It would've been a bit pricey for me but now that you're drawing chief's pay you can afford it."
"You better get to work before I come back there and kick your butt all the way to your pricey restaurant on the Seine."
"Okay I'll call you when I've got something," he said as he laughed.
She hung up and was putting away her phone when there was a knock on the door then Hector walked in with a notepad.
"Do you really need that to remember when we're supposed to meet the Chief of Police? You just talked to him on the phone," said Sheila as she slipped her phone back in her purse.
"Maybe not but it helps me keep my facts straight," said Hector. Then he stood there looking at her waiting for something.
"Excuse me you were going to tell me when the appointment was," she said. She was concerned if she'd made the right choice choosing Hector. The man was loyal and honest but dumb as box of hammers.
"Oh right I was just wondering if you had something else you wanted to ask me but I guess not or you would've said what that something you wanted to ask me was that you didn't ask."
"What did you say? Are you speaking some foreign language?" she said. Now she was sure she'd made the wrong choice. She could only hope that HQ would send in a replacement ASAP.
"The Chief of Police said he could meet you there in a half an hour and to be punctual because he had an important meeting to attend afterwards so he's kind of short on time today. I mentioned to him that you were interested in getting Martin's body released and he said he didn't think it would be a problem."
"Good maybe we can get the paperwork started now so when we get the release we can ship him back straightaway."
"I'll get on it. If there's nothing else I'll go."
"Yes one last thing can you get me a cup of coffee black no sugar," said Sheila. She knew the rules stated that she shouldn't order her people around like servants but she had to put up with it as she rose through the ranks. The way she looked at now it was her turn. "Here take this and go," she said as she handed him her cup.
"One moment," said Hector as he took out his notepad and started writing. "One cup of coffee black, no cream, no sugar. Okay I've got it now," he said as he took her cup then left.
"Yes," she said to herself looking out the window of her office at Hector. "I hope HQ sends that replacement soon or ships in more notepads."
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Around midday Paolo came to the room and told Ettore he had to come with him. Ettore, who was still pretending to be Morgan, left with him. However, he noticed that Alex didn't seem that reluctant for him to go almost as if she wanted him to go. But he shook it off he hadn't done anything he could think of to blow his cover so it was probably just her. She'd complained about having a headache that morning so she was probably just coming down with something.
"I'm going to need Morgan for a while," said Paolo. "So don't get worried about him. He'll be back late tonight. Remember I mentioned to the both of you that there would be a meeting he was going to have to attend. Well it's tonight so come on you're going to need a tux…"
"You're going to have to tie his bow tie for him. That's something I always did because Mr. Fumble Fingers has never mastered it.
"I know what you mean," said Paolo as he laughed. Ettore gave him a look. "I mean Ettore never mastered it either so I'm quite proficient."
"It sounds like he was kind of a klutz and you did all the real work," said Alex. "I don't like speaking ill of the dead but you sure seemed to do a lot for him."
"True," said Ettore as he tried not to get angry and blow his cool and cover. "But I'm sure he appreciated everything Paolo did for him. I mean if he was so successful it was because of you."
"You mean he was successful because of Paolo despite himself. But I guess in the end his stupidity caught up with on the Serenity. How did he get whacked and you got off?"
"We don't have time for this right now," said Paolo. "Mr. Grimes if you'll please follow me I'll get you suited. There's a tailor waiting for your fitting. Your luncheon plate should be here very soon today is vichyssoise…"
"Nothing like cold potato soup made with cream when you're lactose intolerant," said Alex. "I look forward to throwing it up. Tell him sweetie you know I'm lactose intolerant. Remember that time you thought you'd be nice and cooked scrambled eggs for me. I don't think I've ever been so sick in my whole life."
"Right," said Ettore. "I remember quite well. I don't think I'll ever do that again." He had to corroborate her story but he had to skate around the details.
"Well I forgave you because you didn't know but if you want to make me deathly ill just give me some milk. I guess my reaction to milk might be as bad as yours to nuts. I think I heard Ettore or you say something that you were allergic."
"Yes and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Well since the soup is out what would you like to eat for lunch? Our chef is quite accomplished."
"You know what I'd really like is a Big Mac and fries. You can tell them to hold the cheese and secret sauce which makes it so you actually taste the burger."
"I'll see what I can do," said Paolo as he went out with Ettore. They closed the door then went around to the surveillance room.
"I'm tired of this game of going back and forth. She doesn't seem like she's going to give in to my charms so make this her last meal."
"That's what you call them charms? Okay I'll send someone to get her the Big Mac. If her intolerance is like my allergy a little bit of secret sauce could bend her over. It will make it easier for me to give her a shot of epinephrine that will jack up her heart rate and send her into cardiac arrest."
"A simple bullet to the back of the head no hum," said Ettore. "I'm just saying why do you have to go and make it complicated."
"You wanted to toy with her for these past few days and I had to play along with you. But now that you're tired of her you want me to clean up your mess. I think I deserve a little fun out of this, don't you?"
"Okay do whatever you want to I'm cool with it. So let's get this tux tailored I do like a new suit of clothes," said Ettore as he followed Paolo through the house to the fitting room.
"Maurice I'm glad to see you're back again. I need something nice yet functional. Oh and if you want I'd appreciate you complimenting me on how much weight I've lost."
"Yes sir and may I say you look wonderful this evening."
"I said compliment me not ask me out on a date. I want you to be careful with those hands when you take my measurements."
"I need to tell you about other developments," said Paolo. "It seems that Mr. Grimes and that American they called the Colonel have been seen in town…"
"You mean Casey? How can that be? The last time I saw him he was going over the side of the Serenity in a heavy storm. The man is remarkable to have fought back after that. I don't think he's here to bring me Girl Scout cookies. But if they know about tonight they're liable to show up uninvited. How rude don't you agree Maurice?"
"Yes sir absolutely abominable. Who do this people think they are? They think they can just come and barge in like it was their home."
"Hold on to that rage Maurice I may have an idea how we can use them. I want to do the meeting before the dinner then eat afterwards."
"Why you're usually always hungry," said Paolo as he watched Maurice fit Ettore.
"If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times I've got a fast metabolism and food just burns right through me."
"That's right sir I can tell," said Maurice. "You've lost a lot of weight since your last fitting with Claude."
"See the voice of truth. Thank you Maurice and like I said before be careful with those hands. Claude got a little touchy. Too bad about him but I think I kept his hands somewhere."
"They're in a jar in the kitchen between the pickled eggs and pickled rope boloney."
"I guess that's just as good a spot as any. Now Maurice tell me about how much weight I've lost just don't make it sound all creepy."
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Chuck and Zondra went back to their room and as they got on the elevator two men got on with them. One was a middle aged heavy set man and the other a well-built man. Chuck looked at them and flashed. Zondra looked at him trying to figure out what was wrong with him. The other two men noticed Chuck too.
"Buddy you don't look to good," said the heavy set man. "You ought to go to your room and lay down for a bit. Lady if I were you I'd call down and see if the hotel has a doctor on call."
"No I'm fine it was just breakfast that didn't agree with me. Acid reflux I don't know if you know what that's like."
"Do I ever I get it all the time. They tell you that you need a little stress in your life to keep things interesting. Well I must have one interesting life because it's eating a hole through my stomach. I order tums for the tummy by the case."
"You're American," said Chuck. "My assistant and I are from Moscow. Go figure that that we'd travel all over the world to find out we suffer from the same ailment. Your son here doesn't say much."
"He's not my son. He's my… well my assistant," the man said but the other man grunted. "I meant associate."
"I'm usually good with accents let me see you're from Chicago lower east side if I'm right," said Chuck as he pumped the guy for intel.
"Wow that's right I was born and raised there. Once I get my business done here that's where I'm headed back to."
"Oh really and what business would that be," asked Chuck. But just then the bell rang and the doors opened up.
"It's private," said the well-built man as he scooted the other man off.
"Well, well he can talk. I thought you were his mute assistant," said Chuck. The man turned red with anger but the doors closed before he could say or do anything.
"Was that necessary," said Zondra. "What was that all about anyway? Did you recognize that man from somewhere?"
"That was Bob Scoglione a mobster from Chicago. He's one of the people that's probably in this new organization Terror Inc. Just think how surprised he's going to be when he sees us at Ettore's ranch this evening."
"And how pissed his friend is going to be. But how do you know he's going to be at Ettore's. He could have other business here."
"The man with him was a torpedo so I'm willing to bet they're going to meet others. Bob is using the meeting at Ettore's to get inside the compound to make a hit. We need to get to our room and call this in."
"What do we do now? Does this change anything for us?"
"No for us nothing but Casey and Morgan need to know because Morgan's carrying around Ettore's face which could easily turn him into a bullet magnet. I wonder if that's not what Ettore's end game is."