Author's Note: I rewrote the last half of this scene so that Annie stays there while Auggie finds the list of laboratories, and Annie gets Belenko's itinerary. It works better for her to stay there at least that long, since she'll be leaving on a flight within a couple of hours and Auggie has to bring her more detailed info on a flash drive. Frankly, I don't think the timing works all that well, but that's what they gave me to work with here.
Chapter 4: Auggie's Apartment, after Annie breaks into Tony's house
ANNIE: I have to do this for you. And we have to move fast—before Belenko makes his next move.
AUGGIE: Let me figure out which labs can make tetrotodoxin and see if any names pop up in intelligence circles on people who might be selling it.
ANNIE: Sounds good. Do you…do you mind if I hang out here while you're looking?
AUGGIE: [mildly reproachful] You mean McQuaid's not waiting for you at home?
ANNIE: [uncomfortable silence] You know, I'm the one who's had to watch you sleeping with two different women the last few months.
AUGGIE: Maybe. But I'm not the one who said she didn't want to be involved with anyone. I just didn't realize that anyone just meant me.
[He walks past her to the kitchen counter, facing away from her. Then trailing the counter with one hand he goes on to the fridge, as Annie finally turns, watching him, a sad, slightly puzzled look on her face, as if she doesn't know what to say. He stands for a moment with his hand on the door, then opens it and grabs out two beers. He goes back to the counter and sets them both down as Annie walks around the counter to stand a few feet from him. He holds one bottle out to her with a question on his face. She takes it, then backs up a few steps and leans against the counter.]
ANNIE: It didn't mean just you, Auggie. But I — I know it must seem like that. I can't explain it. I can't explain myself. Not since I went dark. I don't understand what's going on in my head. And…you deserve better than that. You deserve someone who's whole and here and not…not me.
AUGGIE: But you're good enough for McQuaid—that it?
ANNIE: [Shrugs, then seems to recognize that he won't be able to see that.] It just happened. You and I didn't just happen. This thing, with Ryan, it's just a thing. For now. I'm not looking down the road, or even beyond tomorrow. Eventually I'm going to face the music with him, too. Just not today—not right after he almost died. [pleading tone] I hope you—does that make sense at all?
[They both realize at the same moment that they're still standing with their unopened beer bottles, and they both twist off the caps and take a drink.]
AUGGIE: Doesn't matter if it makes sense to me, if it works for you. [He takes another long drink, and sets the bottle down a little hard on the counter.] I need to get working on those labs, or we'll be up all night.
[He heads back to his computer, sits, puts on his headphone, and starts researching. Annie watches him with a little smile on her face for a few minutes, sipping her beer. Then she comes over to the couch next to him, and curls up on one end of it, continuing to watch him. It only takes a few moments before he looks up in her direction, taps on the keyboard, and pushes the headphones down off his ears.]
AUGGIE: You know I can't concentrate when you're staring at me. Can you make yourself useful and find Belenko's flight itinerary to and from Istanbul?
ANNIE: You're thinking he stopped to pick up the tetrodotoxin on his way home? What if he had a middleman?
AUGGIE: Can't assume that - otherwise we got nothing. Can someone at McQuaid Security get you the itinerary, or you need me to get Barber or Holman to get it?
ANNIE: I can get it.
[She stands and pulls out her phone, and walks toward the kitchen as she scrolls through her contacts. In a moment, she's on the phone and Auggie tunes her out as he turns his attention back to the laptop and pulls the headphones over his ears again.]
[Annie stays on the phone only a few minutes, but when she gets off, she stays at the kitchen counter, perching on a stool and opening the web browser on her phone. Five minutes goes by, and her phone buzzes as she gets a text. It says, "Check email - Belenko itinerary." Annie checks her email, reads the itinerary, and gets up excitedly, heading back toward Auggie. She perches on the edge of the sofa next to him and leans over, hands on her knees.]
ANNIE: Auggie, I got it. He went through London on the way there, but he stopped in Essen, Germany coming back. That can't be random - nobody flies to Essen unless they have a reason. Most connections from the U.S. to Turkey are routed through London or Frankfurt.
AUGGIE: Okay. I got the labs. [Pauses to read the Braille display.] Number 3 on the list: KLF Chemical, in—
ANNIE: Let me guess: Essen?
AUGGIE: We have a winner.
[She stands, crosses the 18 inches between them and lays her hand on his shoulder.]
ANNIE: I'll get myself on a redeye to Essen tonight. Just gotta run home and pack a bag.
AUGGIE: I'll dig into KLF, see what intel I can come up with that might help you find an in, figure out who might be on Belenko's payroll.
ANNIE: Or in his bed, like Caitlin was.
AUGGIE: Good point. I'll do some research on the scientists, see if any match a profile. I'll put everything I find on a flash drive and bring it to your place if you'll text me the address.
ANNIE: I'm going to have McQuaid Security get me a car to the airport. I can have the driver stop by here and pick it up on his way.
AUGGIE: No offense, but I don't trust anyone at McQuaid's outfit. I'll bring it to you.
ANNIE: [Smiling, with a tender look on her face, she rolls her eyes.] Okay, Mr. Conspiracy Theory. Can I just have the driver come get you and bring you to my place? You really don't need to get a cab or take a bus at 10 at night.
AUGGIE: This whole thing is one big conspiracy theory. If you want to send McQuaid's car for me, that's fine. Just tell me when he'll be here.
ANNIE: I'll text you.
AUGGIE: [Nodding.] Okay. [He starts to put the headphones back on and she stops him.]
ANNIE: Hey, lock the door behind me, okay?
AUGGIE: [He kind of blows out a laugh, half-smiling and shaking his head, but after a second he takes the headphones off and stands to follow her to the door.] Listen, it's going to be fine. We really don't have any choice here. We've gotta follow this lead and see where it takes us.
ANNIE: I know. Just don't take any chances until we get Belenko. I really think you should call Joan and at least fill her in. You should be in a safe house. You're a sitting duck in this apartment.
AUGGIE: That's a stretch. We don't even know what the connection is between my unit and Belenko. And Charlie was killed months ago, so he's obviously not in a hurry. Whatever his deal is, we've got time to figure it out. I'm going back to work next Monday, so I can talk to Joan then. Okay?
ANNIE: [looking worried] No, it's not okay. But I know I can't change your mind once it's made up.
AUGGIE: Wonder who I got that from? [He flashes a teasing half-smile at her, then jerks his head toward the door.] Go on, you've got a plane to catch.
ANNIE: [Reaches down and grabs his hand to give it a squeeze. Pauses for a moment, then gives him a quick hug.] I'll text you about the car. Keep the door locked.
AUGGIE: Will do. Go.
[She finally yanks the door open and slips out. He pushes it to, and turns the lock, then hits the lights and stands in the dim light for a moment, then heads back to the computer.]
