MADRID
"Madrid is nice this time of year," comments Sydney, letting him know that she is under no illusions about where they are.
So is Santa Barbara, a smug voice says in his brain. Sark ignores it. Perhaps I should have blindfolded her after all, he thinks musingly, as the car rolls around to the side of the building. That would hardly build up her trust, though.
Irina smiles warmly at the two of them as they enter. "Hello, Sydney," she says. She turns to Sark. "Did you get the device?"
I don't get a "Hello, Sark." I'm just a lowly agent who risked my life for her daughter. "Someone triggered the alarm. There was no time to take it."
She looks away. Then she looks back at Sydney expectantly.
Sydney takes a shaky breath. "There are two possible scenarios here. The first one is that you're telling me the truth, that you want to take down Sloane and you want me to help you. The second one is that this is all just a setup. You're going to hand me over to Sloane as soon as you get the chance. I'm inclined to believe the first one. But I need proof."
Irina shifts her eyes back to Sark, whose hand is brushing along his left upper jaw line. Suddenly, they hear Jack's voice. "The CIA team invaded the building in Mexico City. I was recovered and brought back to L.A. Sloane escaped, along with the device. The Telling."
It's coming from Sark, but his mouth isn't moving. Sydney stares at him. "The very, very newest in bug technology," Irina says softly.
The entire conversation Sark had with Jack is replayed. When it ends, Sark touches his jaw line again. "I made them a deal," he says. "They didn't take it."
"They- they must've thought it was a setup, too," Sydney says, without much confidence.
Irina's eyes are unusually bright as she looks at her. "Sydney- how can I convince you that this is not a deception?"
"You can't."
"If there was ever a time I needed you to trust me, it's now."
There is a long pause.
Sydney sighs. "I'll do it. I'll work with you. But . . . if I see even the slightest sign of possible betrayal, I will go straight back to the CIA."
Irina beams at her. "There's a room on the next floor. Third on the right side. You should get some sleep."
Sydney slows turns and leaves the room.
Making sure the door is securely shut, Sark turns back to Irina. "She still doesn't trust us."
"I know. We just have to watch her constantly." As she says this, she switches on three tiny monitors on her desk.
"She'll be looking for bugs and cameras, you know."
"The entire ceiling is a camera."
When Sydney walks in, Irina looks up at Sark. "The CIA's still going to be searching for her."
Sark nods. "I'll take care of it."
"Sark?" she calls to his retreating back, and he looks over his shoulder.
"Doren's alive."
