Jack heard the shot and knew immediately that a bullet had taken out the front tyre. He ducked instinctively as he fought to bring the car under control. A second shot hit one of the tyres at the back and Jack braked, realising that he wasn't going to be able to drive through this ambush. He pulled his gun out of its holster, opened the car door and climbed out, using the door to shield his body. The heroin was left under the driver's seat. 'Too visible', Jack decided and he pulled it out and lodged it in the undercarriage of the car.

Looking above the door he could see two men with rifles walking towards the car. He looked behind him and saw another man coming towards him. A fourth approached the car from the side and he knew he was trapped. He hadn't fired a shot so he decided he should play innocent. He put his gun on the shelf by the steering wheel, and walked out from behind the door with his hands raised.

'Hey guys – what's this about? He shouted at the two walking towards him.

Turn around and put your hands on the car where I can see them. One of the men demanded, as he got close enough.

Jack turned and allowed himself to be frisked.

'He's clean'

'Cuff him' the first man ordered.

'What's this about?' Jack asked,' Are you police?'

Police? The man with the cuffs laughed. 'Er no, we're not the Police. You're a joker aren't you? Hands behind your back Bauer'

Jack put his hands together behind his back and felt the cuffs snap closed over his wrists, '

'How do you know my name?' He asked

The man put his hand on Jack's shoulder and forcibly swung Jack round to face him,

'We ask the questions Bauer. You give the answers.'

Jack found himself staring into the eyes of a man about six feet tall, heavily built with dark curly hair and a dark complexion. He looked Mexican but he spoke without an accent,

'Now, where's the stuff?' He asked

'What stuff?'

For a brief moment Jack thought his interrogator was going to speak again but then the man's rifle slammed into his stomach by way of reply. The force of the blow pushed Jack's back against the car providing him with enough support to stay upright.

Jack groaned in pain.

'If you don't give us the answers we want, Bauer, things are gonna get a lot worse for you. Search the car' his assailant ordered the other three men.

'I'll ask you again Bauer. I'd like you to save us some time by telling us where the stuff is hidden.'

'And I'll have to give you the same answer' Jack replied,

He grunted as the rifle butt connected with his stomach again and he doubled up, his face contorted with pain, struggling to breathe – and struggling to think.

The men knew who he was and they knew what they were expecting to find but Jack felt sure that he hadn't been followed. So they'd seen him leave and just waited for him to come back? That seemed a bit unlikely. They'd have had no idea how long he'd be away. If they were with the Rodriguez Cartel, they must have had a tip off from amongst Salazar's men. But if they had a mole, they wouldn't need to catch Jack to learn more about the Salazar operation...

Jack's thoughts were interrupted by a shout.

"Got it Carlos'

One of the men brought the bag of white powder over to Carlos and he held it in front of Jack's eyes.

'This is what we were looking for Jack' he explained sarcastically. 'Now where are you taking that?

'I bought it – for my own use'

The man who had found the bag pulled back the left sleeve of Jack's shirt.

'Hey, he really is a junky', he laughed pointing at the track marks on Jack's arm.

Carlos pointed his rifle at Jack's stomach.

'OK Jack, it's a bit hot out here for me, so we're gonna take you back to our place, show you some real Mexican hospitality. That OK with you?'

Jack just stared at him. His eyes were cold and disdainful. The knowledge of what was to come had removed the look of innocence he had been trying to convey. Now his training was kicking in. Now he would just stay silent.

'It's rude not to answer me Jack. Never mind, we'll be able to teach you some manners when we get back home. For now, let's see if you can follow orders. Turn around and face the car.'

Turn around and face the car' he repeated, 'Do it. Let's face it, you're are in no position to argue, Jack'

Jack turned around and waited for the inevitable blow to the back of the head, which would send him into unconsciousness. He didn't have to wait long.