mgowriter's notes: In episode 5 ("Blind Spot") of the first season, Carrie briefly mentioned that Saul spent 3 months in a prison in Malaysia. This is my take on what could've happened.
Chapter 1: Three Days Without Contact
Carrie unlocked the metal door to her third story apartment and slid into the dark room. The desert heat that crawled through the walls and collected in the small space was almost suffocating. It pushed against her lungs, making every breath an effort.
She shifted the lock back into position, pulled off the laminated press pass clipped to her shirt, and surveyed the room. The curtain near the closest window was open a fraction of an inch, letting in just enough sunlight for her to make out the familiar shadows of the room.
She pulled off the hijab around her head as she moved to the small desk and turned on the laptop. Her fingers tapped nervously on the table.
After a few seconds, she opened the top drawer to grab a small plastic bottle. She twisted the cap open. Only two pills spilled into her hand.
Shit.
She placed the pills back into the bottle. The computer hummed along as it booted up. Her fingers resumed their restless tapping, this time followed by her leg.
A muffled thud sounded below her. She stood quickly to look outside. There was no one at the front entrance of the building. She turned back at the door, noting it was still locked. After a deep breath, she returned to the computer.
A quick glance at the screen told her she hadn't received any new messages. Her expression turned into a frown. It had been three days. Something was wrong.
Carrie walked back to the window on impulse, and looked down into the street. A young Afghan boy in tattered beggars' clothes played with a deflated soccer ball. Two women dressed in blue burqas walked by. Further down the street, a man stood next to a wooden cart, advertising a variety of fruit. It was midday in Kandahar. Most people were indoors, seeking shelter from the heat.
The sweat began to trickle down the back of Carrie's shirt as she paced the perimeter of the small room. She tried to clear her mind; forced herself to think through the sweltering heat. After a quick deliberation, she returned to the desk and dug out a satellite phone that had never been used. Emergencies only, Saul's voice sounded in her head.
She pressed the power button and watched the screen light up. Her fingers began to dial a number from memory.
. . .
The phone rang for ten long seconds before someone picked up on the other end.
"This is Estes."
"David," Carrie replied, sounding surprised. "Where's Saul?"
"Carrie." There was a pause. "You're not supposed to be contacting him through this number."
"I haven't heard from him in three days. Where is he?"
"He's busy," said Estes. "On assignment. And I'm ending this call. Your cover's at risk."
"Tell him to get back to me," Carrie interjected. "I need one of his contacts that can get me eyes on Al-Masri. He's meeting with Abu Nazir, here, tomorrow at noon. This is big, David. Tell him I need that contact."
"The meeting's confirmed?" Estes asked.
Carrie shook her head. "I'm going to confirm it. When they meet. That's why I need the name."
There was another pause on the line, longer this time. "Saul's not going to be able to get you the contact."
"What?" Carried said in disbelief. "Did you hear what I just said? Al-Masri is meeting with Nazir. What the hell is going on back there?"
"Are you running any other active ops right now?" Estes asked.
"Just this one," Carrie replied. "Why?"
"I need you back in Langley for a few days. I'm not going to tell you why on the phone. I'll see you when you get in."
The line went dead.
Carrie stood rooted to the floor. The temperature in the already intolerable room had risen with her activity, but a numbing chill snaked through her body. He didn't need to tell her. Saul was in trouble.