Jack settled quickly into his routine in his new role. He assumed training
responsibilities, working with the local security organization. He made
contacts with old associates. He earned a reputation as a moody, irritable
loner (which, he acknowledged to himself, did not take much effort). He
appeared at work irregularly, frequently hungover. And he developed a
pattern of long unexplained absences.
The station chief complained bitterly to his superior, but was overruled. Bristow had served well for over 30 years. He wasn't causing any harm where he was. They'd have to make the best of it. A memo was place in Bristow's file, noting the disciplinary infractions, but no further action was taken.
Jack used the unexplained absences to advantage. He had a lot of work to do.
***
Irina was worried. She had had no contact from Jack in two months. Her sources had told her that he was now in Algeria, but it seemed that he was no longer associated with the Joint Taskforce. How was he going to help her take down Sloane if he wasn't on the inside?
She also planned to give him an earful about the CIA's termination order. She had been fired on twice, in suspicious circumstances. She no longer doubted Sloane that an order had been filed - and she had increased her security precautions - but it angered her that she had to watch over her shoulder for the CIA at the same time she was watching Sloane.
Sloane was a source of increasing concern. His behavior was becoming more erratic. The closer he seemed to be getting to Rambaldi, the more obsessed he was becoming. Fortunately, he was still missing some key pieces. She intended to keep it that way.
It was with relief that she finally received communication from Jack. He wanted to meet. Mindful of her security precautions, she verified that the transmission was authentic. It was.
***
The docks of Marseilles are a dreary place in the evening. The hustle of the day is replaced by a seedy, unkempt air, overlaid by the smell of rotting fish. Irina, for once without her bodyguards, moved cautiously through the gloom toward the abandoned building at the end of the pier. It was a good place to meet, Irina thought. There was much furtive scurrying throughout the docks - drug dealers, prostitutes - one more would not be noticed. It was a place where anonymity was assured.
She glanced up, and saw him leaning against the railing, huddled in an overcoat, hat pulled low. Her pace quickened. She chuckled to herself. She had gone for 20 years without him once; now 2 months seemed like an eternity.
She almost missed it. The very faint click of a rifle being cocked. A flash from the reflection of light off a gun barrel. Instinctively, she dove for safety, as the air around her exploded in gunfire. She had spotted the trap just before it closed. In a panic, she looked for Jack. Had he reached cover in time? The sight that greeted her eyes made her blood run cold. He was casually conferring with one of the gunmen, giving orders, pointing in her direction. Pointing to where she was hidden. Blind with fury, she ran before they could finish the job.
***
Sloane noticed an immediate change in Irina. A slight tensing about the lips. A blankness in her eyes. If anything, an increase in her efficiency, as she drove herself relentlessly.
He had, of course, received reports of the attempts on her life. How disillusioning it must be, he thought snidely, to be betrayed by someone you loved.
It was time to give her a bigger role.
The station chief complained bitterly to his superior, but was overruled. Bristow had served well for over 30 years. He wasn't causing any harm where he was. They'd have to make the best of it. A memo was place in Bristow's file, noting the disciplinary infractions, but no further action was taken.
Jack used the unexplained absences to advantage. He had a lot of work to do.
***
Irina was worried. She had had no contact from Jack in two months. Her sources had told her that he was now in Algeria, but it seemed that he was no longer associated with the Joint Taskforce. How was he going to help her take down Sloane if he wasn't on the inside?
She also planned to give him an earful about the CIA's termination order. She had been fired on twice, in suspicious circumstances. She no longer doubted Sloane that an order had been filed - and she had increased her security precautions - but it angered her that she had to watch over her shoulder for the CIA at the same time she was watching Sloane.
Sloane was a source of increasing concern. His behavior was becoming more erratic. The closer he seemed to be getting to Rambaldi, the more obsessed he was becoming. Fortunately, he was still missing some key pieces. She intended to keep it that way.
It was with relief that she finally received communication from Jack. He wanted to meet. Mindful of her security precautions, she verified that the transmission was authentic. It was.
***
The docks of Marseilles are a dreary place in the evening. The hustle of the day is replaced by a seedy, unkempt air, overlaid by the smell of rotting fish. Irina, for once without her bodyguards, moved cautiously through the gloom toward the abandoned building at the end of the pier. It was a good place to meet, Irina thought. There was much furtive scurrying throughout the docks - drug dealers, prostitutes - one more would not be noticed. It was a place where anonymity was assured.
She glanced up, and saw him leaning against the railing, huddled in an overcoat, hat pulled low. Her pace quickened. She chuckled to herself. She had gone for 20 years without him once; now 2 months seemed like an eternity.
She almost missed it. The very faint click of a rifle being cocked. A flash from the reflection of light off a gun barrel. Instinctively, she dove for safety, as the air around her exploded in gunfire. She had spotted the trap just before it closed. In a panic, she looked for Jack. Had he reached cover in time? The sight that greeted her eyes made her blood run cold. He was casually conferring with one of the gunmen, giving orders, pointing in her direction. Pointing to where she was hidden. Blind with fury, she ran before they could finish the job.
***
Sloane noticed an immediate change in Irina. A slight tensing about the lips. A blankness in her eyes. If anything, an increase in her efficiency, as she drove herself relentlessly.
He had, of course, received reports of the attempts on her life. How disillusioning it must be, he thought snidely, to be betrayed by someone you loved.
It was time to give her a bigger role.
