Before Tony answered the phone to Gael he had begun to feel hopeful that Jack might call in before he was captured. Chase's team were already close to their planned base and the CTU cameras and microphones installed around the ranch had brought nothing of interest to their attention. Gael's voice punctured his optimism.
'Tony, there's more action in the barn. Looks like it is gonna go down there, and soon. Ramon's installing his own camera. He doesn't want to miss the party.'
'Shit.' Tony took a deep breath, 'OK – let the others know what you've seen. And check that Chase is in position. It looks like all we can do now is wait'
'Shit' he said to himself again when he had put down the phone. He put his head in his hands.
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Jack set off in Hector's car. He didn't want to take any chances being followed so he didn't intend to take a straightforward route. He planned to double back on himself several times and finally to leave the car at a different address about a mile away and go by foot to the house. He had no idea how technologically capable the Rodriguez cartel might be, but this route would fool all but the most sensitive satellite set-ups.
He drove for about ninety minutes and hid the car amongst some trees. He got out of the car. He felt a lot more confident now that he was in action again. He made his way across country, staying close to the trees that edged the field, always alert for any sign of a tail. He couldn't see anybody.
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Ramon pulled the phone out of his pocket as it rang, looking at the caller id. as he lifted it to his ear.
'Yes Carlos'. He listened in silence for a few seconds.
'What do you mean you can't find him? You even have the address he's going to. What more do you need for Christ sake? You stupid shit – Don's not even expecting him. I'll ring Don now – let him know what's going down. You'll have to get Jack before he gets back here. Don't make any mistakes this time Carlos'
'Fuck' he said as he dialled Don's number. Hector looked at him enquiringly.
'Don – it's Ramon'
'Yeah, yeah great. Listen to me carefully Don. One of my men is coming to you with money. Jack Bauer. He's probably already on your land. He's my best man. You won't see him until he's on top of you. Yeah. He's expecting to be given a bag of shit. Let him try the stuff. He thinks it's the sample for a big deal.'
'Just do it Don. You're not in any danger'
Ramon put the phone down angrily.
'Your best man?' Hector asked
'Until I know otherwise' Ramon said
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Jack got back into the car with the heroin. He didn't start off straight away. That had been a strange encounter. Granted he had surprised the guy – turning up in his kitchen without warning. But he had seemed strangely tense, as if he didn't really know why Jack was there or what was going on. Well, he'd got the stuff so there was nothing else for him to do. He'd warn Ramon though. Perhaps he was in the pocket of the Rodriguez Cartel. Jack started the engine and set off, planning to take a similarly circuitous route back.
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Carlos and his men set themselves up just half a mile from Ramon's ranch. It didn't matter which route Jack took on his return. He had to pass them. Their car was hidden and they crouched with rifles, just waiting for Jack.