Author's Note: Remember that in this story no one
in SD-6 or CIA knows that Irina is 'the man'… yet.
Chapter Eighteen – Necklace, Necklace, Who's Got the Necklace?
Even before Jack was fully conscious he felt the pain in
his arms. They felt as if they were on
fire – like he had been lifting weights for hours. As he became more aware, Jack realized that his arms were tied
above him and all his weight was hanging on them. His head was pounding. He
searched his mind for explanations. Jack woke up this way so many times that it had almost become
comforting… almost.
Jack struggled to get his feet under him and relieve the
pressure on his arms. It took several
tries -- his legs were stiff from inactivity and his ankles were bound tightly.
The room was too dark for him to see anything. The air smelled clean – like evergreen trees and fresh water… probably a good size lake. He heard the faint sound of gulls.
Jack tested the restraints, and found they were quite secure. He could do nothing except wait.
Eventually, a door opened and Jack was blinded by
sunlight. He closed his eyes and hung
his head in an effort to shelter his hyper sensitive eyes. Jack could hear someone approaching, but was
unable to make out anything more than a silhouette against the bright
light. The person stopped directly in
front of him.
"You look like hell, Jack."
Jack was not surprised to hear her voice. "You should know, Laura, since that is your hometown."
Irina laughed. "Charming to the end," she said sarcastically. "Are you not surprised to see your dead wife?"
"I knew your death was too good to be true," Jack spat.
"That hurts, Jack," she said mockingly. "Look sweetheart, as much as I would like to talk over old times, I'm on a bit of a time schedule. So, I'll get right to the point. I need that necklace that I gave Sydney." Jack remained silent. "The one that is the companion to this one," she held out the Rambaldi pendant for Jack to see.
Without looking at the pendant, Jack said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You haven't even looked at it, darling," Irina said.
"I don't need to. I don't know what you're talking about."
Irina grabbed his chin and pulled his face up to look at her. She moved her face so close to him that he could smell her fragrance and feel each breath she took. His eyes were slowly adjusting to the light, and he could make out some of her features: the high cheek bones… full lips… exotic, dark eyes… she was still beautiful. Jack cursed himself for even thinking that way.
"Jack, if you know where the necklace is, you need to tell me," Irina whispered menacingly. Jack stared at her coldly. "Because, if you know nothing about the necklace, then there is only one other person to go to…"
Jack clenched his teeth. "Leave Sydney out of this," Jack said forcefully.
"You're leaving me no choice, Jack," Irina said. She dropped his chin and turned her back on him. "Although, I doubt that she remembers it either, after that stay with us," she mused. "I suppose there is some way to try and recover her memory…"
Jack knew Irina was talking about a controversial method of using drugs and sensory stimulation to retrieve memories. The hate that Jack felt at that moment surpassed any he had known. And Jack was no stranger to hate.
Jack took a moment to calm his emotions before
speaking. "Sydney does not know
anything about the necklace."
Irina turned to face him, "How do you know that, my love?"
"I have it," Jack said coolly.
"Where?" Jack refused to answer her. "Always the good soldier, Jack," Irina said with a fraction of sadness. She reached out and touched the side of his face.
Jack figured Irina didn't want to bring Sydney in to this. If she had, Sydney would already be there. He was gambling that Irina would choose to torture him for information before she started using Sydney as leverage.
Jack was not disappointed.
*****
Jack had lost track of time and lost count of his injuries. They had not done anything to him that he hadn't experienced before, but he'd never had to endure so much in such a short timeframe. Irina visited him after each session. Jack refused to acknowledge her.
His plan had been to keep Irina away from Sydney for as
long as possible and find a way to escape.
But his possibility for escape dwindled with each passing hour. His strength was fading. He was falling in and out of
consciousness. He'd had no food or
water since he'd been taken prisoner.
He knew they were going to kill him and then go after Sydney anyway. He had done his best to protect her, but had failed again.
At least Irina had taken pity on him and cut him down after a particularly intense round with her henchmen. Now he was sitting on the ground with his hands bound to a beam behind him and his ankles still bound in front of him. This way he was much more comfortable as he drifted into unconsciousness.
*****
The courier delivered the package to Credit Dauphine around 7:30 a.m. All deliveries were screened before being delivered to the SD-6 offices, and top officers reviewed anything suspicious.
After reviewing the package, Sloane immediately called Sydney into his office.
"We've gotten communication from your father's abductors,"
Sloane said as he put the tape in the VCR.
"Apparently, Khasinau has him. They say they will kill him unless you bring them a Rambaldi
necklace that you have. Do you know
what they are talking about?"
Sydney forced a confused look and shook her head, "No, I
don't." It was important for Sloane to
think that Sydney was unaware that the necklace her mother gave her so long ago
was linked to Rambaldi.
"Well, they sent us a tape," Sloane continued, "Actually
it was sent directly to you. It shows
your father, includes their demands, and shows a drawing of the necklace."
Sloane played the tape for Sydney. It started with a full-length shot of
Jack. His wrists were bound together
above his head. His head was
hanging. A hand pulled Jack's head
up. His face was bruised and bloodied,
his eyes were glassy, and his lips were dry and cracked.
A male voice with a British accent started speaking. Sydney did not recognize it, but remembered
from one of Jack's briefings that an agent working with 'the man' spoke with a
British accent. Sark. After learning about Sark, she wondered why
he was one of the two people that she recognized.
"Good day, Miss Bristow.
We have a proposition for you.
You bring us the Rambaldi necklace and we will let your father
live. I will contact you on your cell
at 1:00 this afternoon with details on our meeting. And, I insist that you come alone. Otherwise your father will pay for your disobedience. I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
The camera moved from Jack to the Rambaldi page, and
pulled in on the sketch of the necklace.
Sloane watched Sydney as recognition spread across her face.
"Oh no!" Sydney exclaimed. "That's the necklace?" She turned away from the screen to
look at Sloane. "My mother gave me part
of that necklace when I was a little girl.
But I threw it away when I found out that she was KGB."
"So, there's no way to retrieve it?" Sloane asked already
knowing the answer. Sydney shook her
head. Sloane got up and began to
pace. After a few moments Sloane
stopped in his tracks, looked down at his watch and then turned to face
Sydney. "Okay, we've got five hours
before Sark calls. You will work with
Marshall to make a copy of the necklace."
"Can he make one that quickly?" Sydney asked with concern.
"If anyone can do it, Marshall can." Sloane continued, "Sydney, this is all
yours. I'm not going to tell anybody
about this. You can bring Dixon in, you
can go it alone, or…" Sloane hesitated, "I'd be willing to work with you on
this." Sydney's eyes widened in
surprise. "I've got say, though, our
priority should just be getting out of this alive. I wouldn't try a counter attack – it's just not worth the risk."
Sydney studied Sloane's face. She couldn't believe that he was allowing himself to be human –
that he cared more about getting Jack back than trying to keep Khasinau from
acquiring more Rambaldi artifacts.
"I agree with you," she said. "The only way to get Dad back is for me to go in alone."
Sloane nodded his head in understanding and then said,
"Sydney, you should prepare yourself for the fact that you may run into your
mother at the exchange." Sloane watched
Sydney for a look of surprise. She gave
none. "I think this proves that she is
still alive and working for Khasinau.
Otherwise, they would never have known about the necklace."
Sydney nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."