Chapter 10

4:00PM-5:00PM

I walked over to a conference room where my dad was working.

"Everything's running as smoothly as possible with the National Guard and state police," I told him.

"Good," he said. I sat down in one of the chairs. Then, Driscoll came and put the speakerphone on. It was Jack.

"Jack, it's Jim," my dad said. "Bring us up to speed."

"We have a hostage situation involving one of the men involved in the terrorist attacks this morning," Jack said.

"We're pulling up his I.D. now," Driscoll said, using the screen behind me. I turned around. "His name is Navi Araz. He was granted American citizenship five years ago."

"Who's the hostage?" dad asked.

"His seventeen year old son, Behrooz. He broke ranks and now his father sees him as a liability. Araz knows that we have his wife in custody. He's worried that if he kills the boy, she'll betray him by cooperating with us," Jack said.

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She's agreed to help us find the override to stop the nuclear meltdowns if we rescue her son," Driscoll answered.

"So, the father will stall, keep the kid alive until the reactors blow?" dad asked.

"That's right, sir," Jack said.

"We already lost one in California, Jack. Can we trust this woman to help us?" dad asked.

"Right now I think she'll do whatever she can to protect her son," Jack said.

"Okay, Jack. Whatever you need, you got," my father said. "Just get that kid."

"Yes sir," Jack said. "Erin, I'm going to need a thermo-satellite scan of the building. We're looking for two heat sources in close proximity in remote areas in the basement."

"Okay, I'll call you back as soon as we've got something," Driscoll said. Driscoll hung up and left the room.

Jack came up behind me quietly and wrapped his arms around my waist. I jumped not realizing that he had even woken up never mind walked into the kitchen.

"You scared me," I said.

"Sorry," he said, kissing my shoulder and wrapping his arms tighter around me. "What are you doing?"

"Making pancakes," I said.

Jack's lips travelled along my neck and his hands went under my shirt. I turned around and kissed him. He tried to pull my shirt up but I stopped him.

"Breakfast first," I said, turning around to the pancakes before they could burn.

"No," Jack said, his lips finding my neck again. "Breakfast later."

"Jack," I said. "If we eat now we won't have to take a break for food for a while."

"Good point," he said, backing away. He got out two plates and I put the pancakes on them. We sat at the table and ate our breakfast quickly so we could go make love. Only seconds after putting the dishes in the sink, Jack's lips were on mine and we were headed to the bedroom where we would spend the majority of our Saturday.

Driscoll and Curtis joined us to talk about the mole, Marianne Taylor. Apparently, there was a computer file with names of whom she and Henry Powell were working for.

"So this Marianne Taylor claims she has to access the file personally?" My dad asked.

"Yes," Curtis said.

"And, do you believe her?" dad asked.

"I'm not sure," Curtis said. "The polygraph indicates that she's telling the truth but in my opinion she may be a sociopath."

"Are you a psychologist?" my father asked.

"No," Curtis said. "But I have had dealings with her before."

"Dealings that might affect your judgment?"

"No," Curtis said.

"Well we have to check it out. The question is how?" dad said.

"I can spare an operative from the cyber unit and security team," Driscoll said.

"What do you think?" dad asked me.

"I think Curtis should go," I said.

"I need Curtis here," Driscoll said.

"The information on the computer file may be important," I said. "Someone with experience needs to examine it first hand."

"I agree," dad said. "Send Curtis, with a security team and you'll have to do without him until he gets back."

"Yes sir," Driscoll said. She and Curtis left the room. I left shortly after and took a seat at a computer. My phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Ms. Raines, this is Mike Evans from the Los Angeles DOD office," the man on the line said.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"I was wondering if Secretary Heller had an idea as to who can come help us with our workload," Mike said.

"I'll talk to him and let you know," I said. I hung up and looked at their office logs. My father came by.

"I spoke with Mike at the local DOD office and he wants to know who you want to bring in to help manage with their load," I said.

"Things are too unstable for me to leave here. I have to keep my eye on tactical," he said.

"Well, I checked with their logs and their going to need someone pretty soon," I told him.

"How're you holding up?" he asked.

"I can handle it, if that's what you mean," I said. I could tell he was worried about me leaving again. "Dad, it will be fine."

"Why don't you head over there then," he said.

"Okay, I'll call you from there," I said. He walked away and I picked up my phone. I called Mike Evans to tell him I would be there soon. I walked out to a CTU car and pulled out.

I hated to admit it but I was nervous about being out again. This time without Jack or my father. I kept checking my rearview mirror to see if anyone was following me. My cell phone rang and I answered.

"Ms. Raines, this is Sarah from CTU. I've got Jack. Hold please," she said. I waited for her to patch me through and was excited to finally get to talk to Jack. I heard Sarah telling Jack that he was connected.

"Audrey, it's me," Jack said.

"Hey, did you find anything at the address?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said. "The building was used by the terrorists to plan this morning's attacks."

"Jack, that's a great find," I said.

"Yeah there's something else," Jack said, apologetically.

"What?" I asked.

"The company that owns the building. It's called Galaxy Financial Services, you ever heard of them?" Jack asked.

"No, should I have?" I asked.

Jack hesitated. "Your husband's the chief financial officer."

"What?" I asked. Is he saying Paul might have something to do with this? No way. There's just no way.

"I need to find Paul," Jack said. "I need to speak to him now."

"Paul had nothing to do with the kidnapping," I said.

"Maybe. Maybe not. But, his name's all over the paperwork for the building and because of his relationship to you and your father, he's going to have to explain that."

"Jack, I don't know where he is. He left CTU without saying anything," I told him.

"Can you reach him?" Jack asked.

"Well, yeah I have his cell phone number," I said. I still didn't think Paul was involved.

"Okay, I want you to call him, keep it personal. I don't want you to tell him what we know. I just want you to tell me where he is," Jack said. I hesitated. "Audrey, five power plants could still melt down. If Paul has any information that can help us stop that from happening, we have to follow through with it. You know that."

"Alright," I agreed.

"Please get back to me as soon as you can," Jack said.

"Okay, I will," I said. We hung up. I thought about what to say and dialed Paul's number.

"Hello?" Paul answered.

"Hey," I said. "Paul, it's Audrey."

"Wasn't expecting to hear from you," he said.

"I know I was just-" I started. "Look I didn't like the way we left things between us."

"I didn't care for it much either," Paul said. "Look, uh, I'm glad you called but I'm about to check out."

Check out? Not good. "Where are you going?"

"What difference does it make?" Paul asked.

"Look Paul I was thinking about what you said about how we've got so much going on for us," I said, trying to sound convincing.

"I thought you wanted a divorce," Paul said.

"Yeah, I thought so too, but I just- you know Paul, today was the first time we've seen each other in months and I don't know maybe it took a while for it to sink in. Maybe you were right. Maybe there is something there."

"Audrey, you know this is what I want more than anything-" Paul started.

"Then let me come over," I interrupted. "I don't want to have the most important conversation of my life over the phone."

Telling him he was important. That was bound to do it. He gave in. "Okay. I'm at the West Moore Hotel. Room 408."

"Okay," I said. "I'll be there soon."

"I'll wait for you," Paul said. We hung up. I felt really bad. Especially if he's not involved which I doubt he is. I called Jack back to tell him.

"Yeah," Jack answered.

"Okay Jack I spoke with Paul," I said. "He's at the West Moore downtown room 408. I'm heading over there now."

Jack was without a doubt going to protest. "No, Audrey, you need to let us handle this. We don't know Paul's connection to the attack yet. He could be dangerous."

"Jack, I don't think we have a choice," I told him. "He was on his way out the door. I had to make something up just to keep him there."

"Fine. I can get there instead," Jack argued.

"Jack, I'm only a couple minutes away and he knows that," I said. "He's not going to stick around if I don't show up."

"Audrey, I know you're trying to help but I don't feel comfortable with you going in that room alone," Jack said.

"Jack, it's the only thing he won't suspect. He's been wanting to talk about the marriage all day long," I said. "Look, I'll keep him there until you get there."

"No, it's not an option," Jack said. God, he could be so stubborn sometimes. He was just going to keep arguing with me if I didn't hang up.

"Jack, just get there as soon as you can, please," I said. I hung up before I could hear the almost inevitable yelling. Jack would be driving much faster now but he'd get over it.

I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and my phone rang as I walked through the doors.

"Yeah," I answered.

"What's this I hear about you going to see Paul by yourself?" my dad asked.

Great another overprotective male in my life to argue with. "It's the only way to keep him here."

"If Paul was involved in our kidnapping-" my dad started.

"Look, Paul would never hurt me," I said as I searched for the elevator.

"There's strong evidence to suggest that he was involved which means he is dangerous," dad said.

"Look, I don't believe he is," I said.

"You don't know what he is, Audrey," dad warned. What happened to my dad who adored Paul and constantly told me to fix things between us?

"I lived with him for eight years, I know him," I said.

"Yeah, I thought I knew him too," dad said. "Audrey, I forbid you to do this."

"Dad, I'm sorry. I'm already here," I said. I hung up on him and got onto the elevator. The ride up took forever. Paul couldn't have been involved in this morning's attacks. I knew him too well. He would never hurt me or my father. I got to the door, composed myself and knocked quietly. Paul opened the door and I gave him a fake smile.

"Come on in," he said. I walked in and looked around. "I'm glad you came. Can I get you something?"

"Sure," I said.

"I had them send up your favorite champagne," Paul said. "To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure you'd really come."

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked.

"You were so adamant before about ending things and then a turn around was just a little surprising that's all," Paul said.

"How about you?" I asked. "I hardly hear from you for about six months and then you see me with another man and suddenly you're pouring Dom Perignon."

"It shows what a fool I am for not realizing what I had," Paul said. "It also shows that I still have feelings for you. And, you must have some for me too or else you wouldn't be here right?"

I didn't say anything. How could I? Saying that I did would just make it harder for him once Jack showed up and he realized that it was all a game.

"I would hate to think that you are playing some kind of game with me," Paul said, coming closer.

"I don't play games, Paul," I lied.

"Good," he said, handing me the glass of champagne. He held his glass up. "To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings," I repeated clinking my glass against his. I took a sip.

"Why don't we sit?" Paul said, motioning to the couch. I walked past him and sat on the chair next to the couch so I could avoid sitting next to him.

"You know I think you should move west with me," he said. I didn't answer. I played with my hands nervously wondering where Jack was. I hated lying. "Or, I can move to Washington."

Paul continued, "I could turn west coast operations over to Ben Simon. Audrey."

"Yes, I heard you," I said. "Turn west coast operations over to Ben Simon."

"What do you say?" Paul asked.

"I don't know," I said. "I guess you'd have to decide whether or not he's capable of running-"

"No. Not what you think of Ben Simon, what do you think of me moving back east?" he said.

"Oh, um. Well, I don't know," I said. I took a sip of champagne.

"I feel like I'm doing all the work here," he said. "You said you wanted to talk but you're not talking."

"These things take time Paul," I said. This was getting too hard.

"Well, maybe, talking isn't what we should be doing," he said. Is he serious? Even if I truly was here to fix our marriage that would never happen. "Why are you looking at me like that?

"You're my wife for God's sake," he continued. I put my champagne down. If I left now Jack could still get here before Paul could leave.

"You can't believe I came over here to sleep with you," I said.

"Okay, you didn't come over here to sleep with me," Paul said. "You didn't come over to talk with me. Why did you come?"

"I just-I thought," I tried to think of something quickly. "That maybe we could spend a little time together. It would be nice."

"On a day like this?" Paul asked. He was getting angry now. "All hell's broke loose and you thought it would be nice for us to spend some time together? I guess I really wasn't thinking when you called, was I?

"What are you doing here? What's really going on? Are you spying on me?"

"Are you doing something worth spying on?" I asked.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Paul yelled.

"I just-I think I should go," I said.

"I think you should stay," Paul yelled blocking my way.

"Please just let me leave," I begged.

"No," he said.

The door broke and Jack came in. Perfect timing.

"Get your hands off of her," Jack yelled at Paul.

"You set me up," Paul yelled at me.

"Audrey, get behind me," Jack said nicely. Then he yelled at Paul. "Put your hands on your head now. Now!"

Paul did. "What do you want?"

"I want answers," Jack said. He kept the gun pointed at Paul.

"Well, I'm not talking to you," Paul said. Did Paul actually have something to do with all this? Jack punched him and Paul went down. What the hell was that for?