Chapter 6
Thirty minutes later, the three returned. Kendall was flushed; clearly, in whatever discussion had taken place he had lost, Jack thought to himself.
Bates cleared his throat. "Agent Bristow, you have been accused of the torture and murder of a CIA agent on US soil. You have confessed to this murder and offered no hard evidence linking him to a foreign power. You acted as judge and jury for this man, and failed to report the deed afterwards. We have no choice but to recommend that formal charges be brought against you."
"Director Devlin believes you constitute a flight risk." He nodded to the FBI agents. "You will be remanded into custody until a formal hearing can be held. Director Kendall has agreed to keep you here overnight until transportation can be arranged to a more suitable facility on Monday."
Jack stared at him in shock. He was being taken into custody? Here, guarded by his own colleagues?
The FBI agents converged on Jack. "Please hand over your firearm, Agent Bristow." Jack noticed that two agents held back, out of range, in the event that he became difficult. With disgust, he reached in and pulled out his gun, handing it over. He remained motionless as they patted him down. Unbidden, suppressed memories from 20 years ago surfaced in his mind. Nameless FBI agents coming to collect him, taking his gun, patting him down.
"Your tie, belt, and shoelaces, sir." Jack looked at him in bewilderment. "Dr. Barnett's orders." Barnett had put him on suicide watch, he thought bitterly to himself. Silently he handed them over.
"Hold out your hands, sir." Handcuffs were placed over his wrists. Hands on either side of him guided him toward the door. Numbly, Jack realized that he was going to be escorted, handcuffed, through the heart of the Ops Center.
He prayed that Sydney would not be there.
Thirty minutes later, the three returned. Kendall was flushed; clearly, in whatever discussion had taken place he had lost, Jack thought to himself.
Bates cleared his throat. "Agent Bristow, you have been accused of the torture and murder of a CIA agent on US soil. You have confessed to this murder and offered no hard evidence linking him to a foreign power. You acted as judge and jury for this man, and failed to report the deed afterwards. We have no choice but to recommend that formal charges be brought against you."
"Director Devlin believes you constitute a flight risk." He nodded to the FBI agents. "You will be remanded into custody until a formal hearing can be held. Director Kendall has agreed to keep you here overnight until transportation can be arranged to a more suitable facility on Monday."
Jack stared at him in shock. He was being taken into custody? Here, guarded by his own colleagues?
The FBI agents converged on Jack. "Please hand over your firearm, Agent Bristow." Jack noticed that two agents held back, out of range, in the event that he became difficult. With disgust, he reached in and pulled out his gun, handing it over. He remained motionless as they patted him down. Unbidden, suppressed memories from 20 years ago surfaced in his mind. Nameless FBI agents coming to collect him, taking his gun, patting him down.
"Your tie, belt, and shoelaces, sir." Jack looked at him in bewilderment. "Dr. Barnett's orders." Barnett had put him on suicide watch, he thought bitterly to himself. Silently he handed them over.
"Hold out your hands, sir." Handcuffs were placed over his wrists. Hands on either side of him guided him toward the door. Numbly, Jack realized that he was going to be escorted, handcuffed, through the heart of the Ops Center.
He prayed that Sydney would not be there.
