PREVIOUSLY: Everything over the last couple of weeks have led to this. Rory Flanagan, former New Direction member has put himself in harms way to find information on behalf of Artie, and the New Directions to discover how their Western European opponents co-operate with one another. Now in deep trouble, and keeping himself hidden, the New Directions themselves have gone to his aid to lure his pursuers away from him.
How long can they keep trouble away from Rory? Only time will tell.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 53 - PLAYING - WHERE'S RORY (WHERE'S WALLY)
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The next day Michael and the New Directions put their plan into action. Will had returned and was told everything. He decided to stay back with Rachel and Michael so that they could oversee things from base. Instead, Michael sent Minders who were to keep their distance, but would also provide security with each group.
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A small operational area was set up in the Choir Room with a map of Europe displayed, which included the countries the New Directions members were going to, plus Rory in London.
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Michael had sources confirming that there were a group of men searching the East End of London, for some unknown person. But those men had suddenly disappeared but had been spotted in the North of London at airports heading across to Europe. He had the name of those flights and were waiting for them to take off being an email would be sent to Rory to get to an airport A.S.A.P.
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Michael, Dan, Will and Rachel were in the Choir Room when Michael's cellphone rang. He noticed that it was a block number, it must be the same person ringing back that he spoke to on Saturday night. He decided to activate the speaker.
"Michael Baxter."
"Hey Mr Baxter, I'm returning my call from two days ago," came Cedric's voice but Michael didn't know who Cedric was
Michael acted nonchalant "Two days ago was a busy time. You may have to refresh my memory."
"I called about asking about a former performer of the New Directions in the past. Was there ever an Irishman who performed for the New Directions?"
Michael looked at Will and Rachel.
"Who am I talking to?"
"A fan of the New Directions like yourself."
"Well if you're a fan like myself, you should already know the answer to that."
"I'm not as big as a fan as yourself," came Cedric's reply "I do not know their names. That's why I am asking now."
"Well yes there was an Irish Boy who joined the New Directions in their 3rd year of existence. His name was Rory Flanagan."
"Thank you Mr Baxter. Just one more question."
"Sure?"
"Why didn't you try to recruit Mr Flanagan, when you were recruiting everyone else."
Michael thought that, that was a strange question "Because I didn't want a large group. The New Directions performed well when they had 12 members. The fact that I recruited 15 this time around was because I thought having an experience of 15 people would be enough."
"That's a good answer, well Mr Baxter thanks for that."
"I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind," said Michael
"I only have time for one question, sorry."
"Why is Mr Flanagan so important to you?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a second.
"Because he just is, sorry Mr Baxter I got to go."
"Didn't you want to be involved..."
Cedric hung up.
"That was rude," said Rachel
"I'm sure he's involved with my brother Rick, I sort of heard his voice somewhere before."
"What happens now?" asked Will "Surely giving Rory's full name will make them search for Rory's address in Ireland. He needs to get back home to send through the information. Is that right?"
"Correct," replied Michael looking across at Dan "Was I on long enough to get a trace?"
"Yes sir, you were."
"Great," smiled Michael
"What's going on?" asked Will
"Mr Steel, you explain."
Rachel and Will looked at Dan.
"Mr Baxter managed to keep the caller on long enough for me to put a bug on the line for us to keep tabs on who he is calling."
"Isn't that illegal?" asked Rachel
"Only if you use it against them as a blackmail tool," said Dan "We're using the information to keep Mr Flanagan safe."
"Would the caller be aware that you did that?" asked Will
"It depends," replied Michael "We're all use to checking anyway but that's just us, the Baxter's. The people who work for my brother Rick, are never told about it. Rick sometimes gets himself into messes. But you never heard that. The both of you."
Will and Rachel smiled at one another.
"So what now?" asked Will
"Well," said Dan "We have trackers on the mean at the airport, they're obviously been told about the New Directions flying into Europe for a photo session, believing that they're there to find Rory, and take him to safety. They will be doing their best to get him."
"So basically it's a waiting game?" asked Will
"Correct," replied Michael. "These initial few hours will be tough, but once everything gets going, and hopefully they will, everything will heat up."
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It was an hour later when the men who were waiting at the airports in London, boarded several flights to Europe.
Two were heading to Spain, where Kitty and Artie were going.
Two were heading to Italy, where Finn, Brittany and Jake were going.
Three were heading to France, where Santana, Mike, and Sam were going.
And the remaining three were heading to Scotland, where Kurt and Blaine were heading. Those 3 were pretty certain that Rory may be in Scotland as it was closer to England, as Rory hadn't been seen for a few days. They were the strongest of the men. Obviously they were to get Rory any way they could.
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LIMA, OHIO
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Dan was watching footage from one of the airports that had flights going to Ireland, and it seemed that it was clear of people searching for Rory.
"Mr Baxter," said Dan
"Yes Mr Steele?" asked Michael
"In my professional opinion I think that the window of opportunity is now to get Mr Flanagan out of hiding and to the airport. I think he will be in Ireland by the time they realize."
Michael thought for a second and looked at Will, and Rachel. He had to trust Dan's judgement.
"Okay, send the email. Inform everyone else that the mission has started. Go."
"Yes sir," said Dan pushing the send button on the email
"This is it," said Michael "This is where everything will start to hit the fan, so to speak."
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LONDON, ENGLAND
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Rory was still barricaded into his little area, and he had only moved when he needed to eat or go to the toilet. He knew that his house was in had been searched thoroughly and he had men about to search his place last night, but some how for some reason they were called off. He thought he had been caught, so for them to leave when they did, was such a relief.
Suddenly his lap top beeped. He looked at the incoming email.
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TIME TO MOVE
NOW
NEAREST CENTER
NOW
GOT TIME BUT
IT WILL
RUN OUT
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Rory quickly got out of his little barricaded area, and grabbed everything he needed, plus he destroyed anything that had him as Rory O'Carroll. He then quickly and quietly left the house, and made sure the area wasn't being watched, and disappeared into the surrounding area of London.
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MADRID, SPAIN
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Kitty walked off the plane, while Artie wheeled himself off. They had been told not to discuss anything about what was happening, as there could of been ears on the plane.
Kitty was still angry at Artie for not even telling her the plan, and wasn't speaking to him. She had been forced to go with him to Spain, because basically their relationship.
"Will you please stop, Kitty," shouted Artie who had, had enough of the silent treatment.
Kitty stopped as people around them, walked on. Artie wheeled up.
"Please I know you are still pissed off about what happened. How many times will it take to say I'm sorry before you will forgive me?"
Kitty turned around and shouted back "I'M PISSED OFF THAT I HAVE TO COME WITH YOU AFTER I SAID I'D RATHER NOT... I wanted time out. I didn't get it. You'd tried talking to me all the way from the states. I WISH YOU WOULD JUST SHUT UP NOW! We're here to do a job. Do me one thing. One simple thing. SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Kitty turned and walked off leaving Artie with his mouth wide open. People had stopped and stared at the display. Artie's Minder walked up.
"Come on Mr Abrams, we need to get to the Photo session."
Artie moved his wheel chair all the way out of the airport. Two people who had walked off the same plane got on their phones, and recorded the verbal frustration but now they were calling it in. Which is what the situation had clearly intended to do.
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Artie got outside to their waiting hire car. Artie was lifted into the car, and his wheel chair was placed in the boot, and the car drove off.
"We're clear," said the Minder
Artie looked out his window, as Kitty scurried across to grab his hands.
"I am so sorry. If that felt real then I apologize, I was just releasing my anger that I had back at home."
"It's okay," said Artie still looking out of the window "I'll get over it it."
"Look at me," said Kitty "Please."
Artie looked back at Kitty
"I'm sorry. I wished you let me in but I understand. But please next time, tell me. I love you so much."
"I love you too," smiled Artie "I promise if there ever is a next time, I'll tell you what I am doing."
"Good, but once we get to our destination we need to go back into character again."
Artie nodded and smiled. Kitty smiled too, and they kissed a long passionate kiss.
"Guys," said the Minder "I hate to break you guys up, but we suddenly got a tail. Which was the intention."
"Okay," said Kitty moving back across to the other side of the car "I'll take a rain check though."
"Sure," smiled Artie
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LIMA, OHIO
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In the Choir Room, Michael, Will, and Rachel were watching the different screens. One was of Europe, and one was where the New Directions were, and what they were doing.
Dan walked back into the room, as he had been checking on information from sources that had called him to confirm that the plan had worked.
"All groups reporting in that they had spies on all the planes," said Dan
"Good," said Michael
Dan's phone buzzed.
"It seems your mystery friend is receiving a call," said Dan
"His first," replied Michael "Put it on speaker."
Dan pushed a button on his phone, as Rachel walked up to a television looking at the airports in England.
"Brewster," came Cedric's voice
"Sir, we're in Spain. Two New Directions have arrived. One chick, and that wheel chaired bound dude."
"And?"
"The chick is pretty angry with the guy. She had a blow up with the dude in the airport foyer. I don't think they're very happy about being in Spain."
"Good job. Stay with them until they leave. It seems all is not well in the New Directions."
"That's the feel I get too, sir."
"Okay, thanks for that."
Cedric hung up. Michael looked over at Will.
"The plan worked. Miss Wilde must have lived up to her name," smiled Michael
"She certainly sold it," replied Will
"Guys," said Rachel staring at a certain image
"They are safe right?" asked Will
"Yes, their Minders will keep them safe. No one will get close."
"Guys," said Rachel louder
"What is it Mrs Hudson?" asked Michael
"Rory. He's just turned up at the airport."
Michael, Dan, and Will walked over and looked at the monitor, that Rachel was looking at.
"Are you sure that's him?" asked Michael
"I haven't seen him for years," started Rachel "But I do remember what he looks like, and that's Rory Flanagan."
"I agree," said Will
Dan got on his phone, and walked over to the other side of the room.
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LONDON, ENGLAND
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Rory made his way up to the Ticket counter. He kept looking behind him. To see if there was anyone around watching him. But no one was.
"Can I help you sir?" asked the Ticketing officer
"I need to get the next flight to Dublin please."
"Certainly let me see what I can do."
Rory smiled. He looked around again to see if any was watching him. Again no one was.
"You're lucky sir, there's a flight leaving in 30 minutes. That'll be $150 pounds."
Rory grabbed his wallet, and took out his credit card. He thought about the fact that people could be checking his credit details and decided to us the last of his cash, and handed over the $150 pounds. He received his ticket.
"Do you have any bags to put on?"
"No, I'll just take my back pack," smiled Rory
"Okay, boarding at Gate #7."
"Thanks," smiled Rory
Rory quickly headed to the gate.
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In a video room somewhere in London, Rory was seen on a small television camera but wasn't being watched, as two guys were watching footage of the New Directions spread across Europe. Rory disappeared from that camera view just as one of the guys looked back at the screen, then checked other cameras of airport surveillance across London.
"Still nothing!" said the first guy
"He's gotta be somewhere," said the second guy "His friends are throughout Europe, if he knew they were coming he'd try to make his way to them."
"That's what we're here for, it's all about timing. Sooner or later he'll show up."
"We just have to sit tight and be patient."
The first guy went across to the other video screen, just as Rory popped back on the first video screen.
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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
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Blaine and Kurt had arrived in Glasgow, Scotland and had been taken to their first photo shoot, and were halfway through, and were taking a break when Blaine received a call. He answered his phone.
"Blaine here."
"Mr Anderson, it's Dan Steele."
"Yes Mr Steele?"
"I've been guaranteed a secondary photo shoot in Dublin, Ireland, and we have decided that you have been chosen to do it. Finish the one with Mr Hummel and then head for the airport."
MEANING: Part 2 of the Plan is now in action. Rory's heading to Dublin. Blaine needs to be there to help keep eyes off of him.
"I understand," smiled Blaine
Blaine hung up, Kurt looked at him.
"What's up?" asked Kurt
"After we've finished here today, I've been asked to go to Ireland to do a photo shoot there," said Blaine
Kurt knew what that meant.
"Humph, lucky you," said Kurt
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing," said Kurt turning around
"Don't be like that," said Blaine
"Like what?" asked Kurt
"Jealous."
"GO TO HELL." shouted Kurt and walked off
The photographer looked up. He, like all the other photographers photographing the New Directions in their photo shoots today were all contacts of Michael Baxter's. So they were all in on the situation. They had helpers who they had hired for the occasion, knowing that some of them might be working for the people who were trying to find Rory.
The photographer noticed that one of his helpers seemed to grab their phone, and discreetly walked out of the room.
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LIMA, OHIO
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Michael, Will and Rachel watched as Rory boarded his plane bound for Ireland. The first part of the plan had worked out well.
"Doesn't look like he was followed," said Will
Dan walked back into the room.
"Anderson, Lopez, Abrams, and Hudson will bee heading to Ireland very soon," said Dan "The 2nd part of the plan is now in effect."
"Awesome work," said Michael "He hasn't been detected at all, which means Miss Pearce's plan has definitely worked which has helped."
"He's not back here yet," cautioned Dan "I wouldn't start to feel relaxed until he's on that plane bound for here."
"That's why I hired you," smiled Michael "You keep me grounded."
Dan's phone rang "Another incoming call."
Dan pushed the speaker button.
"Brewster here."
"Mr Brewster, it's Harold."
"What's up Harold?"
"All the contacts are confirming that the New Directions seemed to be pretty angry at one another. It's like they don't want to be here in Europe, or even doing photo shoots."
"That's what I'm picking up as well," replied Cedric "Keep updating me."
"Yes sir."
Cedric hung up ending the call.
"We've got them wondering what the hell is going on with us," said Will "Instead of focusing on their prime mission."
The door to the Choir Room opened and in walked Emma.
"How's it going in here?"
"The plan is working well," said Will "But we have to take it easy and keep in check that until Rory is back here, safe."
"That's understandable."
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For the next hour and a half everyone went in to wait mode, as Rory flew to Ireland. Blaine, Artie, Santana, and Finn were also flying to Ireland, to act as decoys.
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LONDON, ENGLAND
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Cedric was in his office at the Training Center trying to figure out what to do next. All he knew was Rory was still somewhere in London, in hiding, and that the New Directions were in Europe and Scotland waiting for Rory to make a run for them. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Enter."
The door opened and in came one of his assistants.
"What's up Jarvis?"
"I've just received word from a source that half of the New Directions have split from where they are doing photo shoots."
"What do you mean by split?" asked Cedric
"4 of them have left the others and have gone to the airports in the countries that they are in."
"Where are they flying to?"
"I'm trying to find that out."
"Let me. Thanks for the tip."
"Yes sir."
Jarvis left the office.
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DUBLIN, IRELAND
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Rory got off of his flight from England, and quickly made his way out of the airport. He had a big head start. And he really needed that.
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LIMA, OHIO
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Rachel saw Rory leave the airport as did Michael, Emma and Will. Dan was talking to someone on the phone.
"We can't be seen to be involved in helping him out..." said Dan over the phone "So I need you to keep your distance, but once he's in safe mode, protect him... Okay... I got to go... Speak to you later."
Dan hung up.
"What's the go?" asked Michael
"Our people will be arriving in Dublin, in the next hour. They will stay away from Mr. Flanagan until he gets on the plane. But they will try to keep people away from him without being involved."
"Sounds tricky," said Will
"It is, and it isn't," smiled Dan
Suddenly Dan's phone buzzed.
"It's an outgoing call," replied Dan "This'll be interesting."
Dan pushed the speaker button, and turned the phone on. There was a ringing tone. Then someone answered.
"Anderton."
"Anderton it's Brewster."
"What can I do for you boss?"
"I've been informed that half of the New Directions have split from the others and are heading on plans to somewhere. I want to know where... NOW!"
"Um let me just check," said Anderton
"Hurry it up," snapped Cedric
"Here it comes," said Michael "Our advantage of our lead is about to come down to this."
There was silence for at least a minute before the reply came.
"Um boss... Are you still there?"
"What is it Anderton?"
"All 4 are heading on different flights to Dublin, Ireland, while the rest seem to be staying in the places they are at, at the moment."
"Dublin? Why would they go there especially 4 of them coming from different parts of Europe,"
"I don't know sir."
"Do you know who the four are?"
"According to my information, Blaine Anderson, Artie Abrams, Santana Lopez, and Finn Hudson."
"When are they due to land?"
"The first one is due to land in 30 minutes, the last 30 minutes after that, so roughly an hour from now."
There was silence from Cedric for a minute before the realization hit home.
"SHIT!" came Cedric's reply "They were conning us."
"How so sir?"
"They were sent to Europe to take our focus off of Mr O'Carroll, or should I say Mr Flanagan, or whatever. If we can get to him first we can expose him and the New Directions of working together. I'll talk to you later."
The phone went dead.
"How long do you think Rory has?" asked Rachel
"Maybe roughly 2 to 3 hours," said Dan
Suddenly there was a dialing noise.
"He's calling out," said Michael
A familiar voice to Michael and Dan answered.
"Baxter..."
"It's my brother Rick," said Michael
"Sir, it's Brewster."
"What the hell are you doing ringing me on that phone?" asked Rick
"Sorry sir, I didn't realize, but we have a problem,"
"What's the problem?"
"The New Directions went to Europe, and half of them have split from the others, and are heading to Ireland. 4 of them to be exact. It seems they were playing decoys and diverting our attention away from Ireland. Mr Flanagan must have gone back and now he has a lead."
"Will you just calm down Brewster," replied Rick "There maybe a reasonable explanation for this. Knowing my brother he's probably set up a photo shoot for those 4, and if he is involved, then he's trying to trick you."
"I think he's tricked us in keeping our focus off of Ireland. That's my gut feeling sir."
Rick seemed to think for a moment. "Are you dead sure about that?"
"Positive. I have a 100 percent gut feeling."
Rick seemed to think for another moment "Then you do what you have to, but I didn't officially say that. What you do WILL NOT COME BACK ON ME!"
"I understand."
The phone line went dead. That comment sounded very sinister.
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How deadly has this situation of saving Rory now become? What does Do what you have to really mean? And how far will that go? Has the situation turned dangerous even more so? Find out in this next coming chapter. It all comes down to this. It all comes down to saving Rory. Stay tuned for a critical chapter before they focus on Regionals.