'You don't need more sand,' Luis explained, handing over the bucket. 'The mixture will dry too quickly, and Jo will demand your blood. Now don't forget to fill it with water next time.'

'I won't,' Tony replied, gratefully. Jo had spent the entire morning yelling at him and he found it increasingly hard to remain silent. 'Thanks, Luis.'

Luis shrugged and grinned at him, returning to his wall. Tony watched the cement mixer in silence for another minute before he returned to the brick piles, checking which builder had the least amount beside him. He had spent the entire morning carting bricks to each of them, unable to finish unloading one set before someone else would yell for more. The time he would spend earning his money was going to be extremely long, he could see that already.

'Tony, where the hell are you? I need bricks, damn you. What do you think this wall is being built from, daydreams?' bellowed Jo, his voice echoing through the half built structure.

Tony permitted himself a slight sigh as he filled the barrow with more bricks, moving as fast as he could, snatching them up and dumping them inside. Jo glared at him as he arrived and piled them out in the rows he had been shown, and he fought down an urge to slam his fist into the man's face.

'Right, I can do more work. Thanks! Now I'm gonna need cement, as you can see. Go get some,' he pushed over an empty ice-cream tub, 'and mix some more. Today, Tony!'

'And I thought it was for tomorrow,' he muttered under his breath as he fetched the cement. He filled the mixer and glanced at the builders, noting with surprise that they all appeared to have plenty of bricks. Finally he would be able to get himself a drink. Tony hurried round the building and filled his cup with cold water, pouring the first load over his head. He pushed his hat back on and filled the cup again, swallowed every last drop and wished he had a bottle he could fill to carry some back with him.

The foreman appeared, checking their progress, discussing something about the position of the door with Jo. He glanced critically at the returning Tony, leaving Jo. 'Tony. I heard you're still much too slow. Where have you been?'

Tony chewed his lip, forcing his anger aside. 'Just to get some water, señor. It's almost lunch time, and I haven't had anything yet.'

'Hmm, well, try and keep up with the work. People are counting on you.' He turned away, glancing at the windows. 'Gunga Din, you're gonna need more cement under that window. Hoy, I just called you. Come here at once and don't give me that idiotic look. You've been here two weeks now; don't pretend you don't speak Spanish! More cement!'

The man nodded and waited silently for any further comments.

'You know, yelling won't help him understand any better,' Tony heard himself saying. 'He doesn't speak Spanish, why don't you cut him a little slack. He's doing a good job.'

The foreman turned to face him. 'Did I ask for a comment, Tony? You're the slowest man we're ever employed, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut and do some more work. Now then Gunga Din, more cement!' He pointed in irritation at the mixer. 'Shit, some people are not worth the trouble.'

'He wants you to put more cement under the window to protect it from rain,' Tony muttered in English as he passed the Sikh.

The man's eyes lit up. 'More cement under the window? It's not really necessary, but I'll add some, why not? I'm sorry if I shouted at you before.'

Tony shrugged. 'It's ok; I'm a pretty lousy brick carter.'

'Tony, where are you?'

'I'm on my way,' he called, grabbing bricks rapidly and hauling them into the barrow, listening to thuds as they fell against the metal surface. The final brick scratched his hand badly and he swore aloud, not surprised to find a thin line of blood. 'Dammit,' he muttered, wondering what to do.

'I got a bandage,' Luis told him, watching the blood trickle over his hand. 'I'll go get you one.'

'Gracias,' he said gratefully, carrying the pile of bricks to the wall. It was a lot higher than the day before, he had to lift them individually above his head to hand them up. Once the barrow was empty he rinsed his hand in the cold water from the tank and returned to Luis, who handed him a band aid. He stuck it on carefully, cursing himself for his clumsiness. A bell rang loudly and everyone cheered, moving towards the caravan.

'Come on Tony, get some lunch,' Luis told him. 'Don't worry about Jo, you're doing fine.

Tony grinned and shook his head. 'You're a bad liar, Luis.'

'No really, you're faster than yesterday,' Luis told him, grabbing a sandwich. Tony grabbed one for himself and settled under a tree next to him, chewing slowly. 'You won't see me next week, I got my money. I'm off to America.' He beamed at Tony.

Tony swallowed a little more of the dry bread. 'You know where you're going? You got anyone there? It can be real tough, alone.'

'I got a sister, I'll go to her,' Luis replied, leaning back. 'It's like a dream, off to America!'

'And how do you plan on entering?' Tony inquired, crumbling a little bread for some birds.

'By truck. There's this guy who can get you in, once you pay him.'

Tony nodded, his eye on the birds. They appeared to enjoy the sandwich more than he did. He crumpled the remainder of the bread and threw it further, watching them run or fly after it. 'Does this guy have a name?'

'Of course he does. You thinking of using him too? He's Michael Peters, and he's good, though not cheap. He charges 5000 dollars for the ride and some papers.'

Tony glanced up, chewing his lip. Michael Peters, I heard of you! You rob every one of their cash, and leave them stranded, so our guys find them. His eyes moved over to Luis again, who rested against the tree trunk. 'What happened to your arm?' he inquired casually, noting burn marks along it.

'You know what life's like, Tony. I got questioned about something I didn't know the answer to.' He shrugged. 'It's ok, my sister's safe, and I'll join her soon. Hey, you didn't eat anything. Want an apple?'

Tony nodded gratefully and rubbed it against the inside of his t-shirt. 'What did you do back home?' he questioned, unable to remain silent.

'I was an accountant, but only for a year. Before then I studied in the evenings and I worked on buildings like this one during the day.'

Tony nodded, eating the apple. The bell rang again and everyone got up, grumbling. Luis stared at him in surprise as he remained under the tree. 'I'm almost done,' he explained, getting up reluctantly. 'Luis.' The man turned, watching him curiously. 'Don't go with Peters. There's a different place they don't really monitor, you can cross by yourself and keep your money.'

'You sure?'

He nodded, a pang of guilt racing through him. 'Sí, I'm sure. I heard about it.' He knelt down and scratched a rough map in the dirt, pointing to a spot. 'Right over there. It's rarely patrolled.' What the hell, he's a decent guy.

Michelle chewed her upper lip as she stood before the desk and shook her head. 'I'm quite sure I don't know where he is, Bill. I was in Langley when he was arrested, as you might remember.'

Bill Buchanan leaned further into his chair and searched her face, not altogether satisfied. 'You realize it's imperative he is recaptured. I know it's hard, but if he is as innocent as you insist he has nothing to fear.'

'I'm sure he's aware of that,' she replied, twisting her wedding band round her finger.

Bill rose from his chair and moved over to her. 'A lot of people are surprised you haven't been suspended pending our search,' he said. 'I just finished telling them you'd be sure to cooperate with us fully. Am I right?'

Michelle nodded, avoiding his gaze. 'Of course. I want this cleared up as much as you do, even more.'

He nodded again. 'And his family is as ignorant of his whereabouts as you are?'

She raised shocked eyes to meet his. 'What's that supposed to mean, Bill? Am I under surveillance?'

'District is keeping tabs on all his immediate relatives,' Bill warned. 'You spent the night there.'

'I went for dinner and I was just too spent to drive home. We often ate there. Is that any concern of District's?'

'Only when you spend ten minutes outside and return jubilant. The father told you something, right? Come on Michelle, normal people don't admire vegetables at 11:30 on a cold evening. What did he say?'

She shook her head. 'He just wanted to know if I heard anything,' she lied, determined to protect Tony despite having misgivings about his escape. 'They're a real close family, his parents are beside themselves.'

He threw her another searching look, pulling the secrets from the depths of her soul. 'Funny you should mention that. I was told they seem a lot less "besides themselves" in the last couple of days. They seem to be getting on with a normal routine.'

'Life goes on, Bill,' she said softly, longing to leave his office.

'I'll believe that when…' He paused, searching for a suitable comparison.

"I'll believe you, sweetheart, when Mr. Spock says something illogical! Right now…" Tears filled her eyes which she indignantly blinked away.

Bill sighed and touched her arm gently. 'I'm sorry, Michelle. I didn't mean to insinuate anything. I'm certain his family has had contact with him in the last few days, but I can well believe they failed to tell you. Either they wish to protect you or they don't trust you. Either way, you're in the clear. Try them again and let us know if one of them gives away a clue.'

She nodded, forcing herself to exit the office calmly.

'You see, it's real important that I find Tony,' Jack explained, sipping the ice cold beer he had been offered. 'He needs protection; he doesn't even know a dangerous guy is after him.' He gazed round the old house, enjoying the cool family room, looking at all the photos hung on the wall. 'You got a real nice place.' Slowly he sipped more beer, a drink he'd certainly earned driving down the roads Michelle had warned him about, his eyes on Tony's cousin. 'Come on, Mr. Rosales. You surely don't want anything bad to happen to Tony.'

'No, I don't.' Pedro's elder brother Jose got up and fetched a second beer, eyeing his visitor distrustfully. 'I'm sorry Mr. Bauer; I have no idea where he is. He would know this place would be searched, so he would never come here.'

Jack nodded, resolved to press the man further. 'I'm certain Tony would never put you in a compromising position, sir. I just hoped you could help me get to him, that's all. I understand you know him quite well.'

Jose frowned, laying his beer glass on the table. 'He spent a few weeks here in the summer, years ago, when we were kids. I haven't seen him for a very long time.'

'Have you seen your brother?' Jack inquired casually. 'He would be closer to Tony, being the same age.'

Jose laughed, stretching more comfortably on the couch, his stance indicating to Jack that he considered his line of questioning harmless. 'My brother and Tony never got on, Mr. Bauer. How shall I put it, Pedro's not the type to help anyone. He wouldn't lend me anything when I lost my job and had problems running this place. Hell, he made me work for him and you know he pays far less than the average wage. Never showed me any favors, though we got along well.'

Jack swallowed more beer, deep in thought. 'He had a few guys working for him?'

'Sí, he's a building contractor.'

'Mr. Rosales, it's real important that I talk to him,' Jack said, resolved to get Pedro's address at any cost. 'Like I said, someone's after Tony and will kill him if I can't warn him. Please, sir.'

Jose shook his head. 'I wouldn't know where to find him at the moment, Mr. Bauer. I'm sorry.'

Jack sighed and got up, laying his glass down. 'Thanks for the beer, anyway. I guess someone will tell us where your cousin is soon enough, they're offering half a 1000 000 dollars for him. I just hope I get to him first.'

'Mr. Bauer - wait.' Jack turned in the doorway, wondering who used the swings under the tree a few feet away. 'There's a reward for Tony's capture?'

Jack nodded. 'You know where he is?' he asked.

Jose shook his head. 'What kind of man do you think I am, Mr. Bauer? If he were here I'd have helped him and no one would find him, neither you nor Mexican Intelligence. But if he went to my brother he is in real danger. Pedro is always heavily in debt. The moment he hears there's that kind of reward out, he'll call the police. I'll get you his address.'

'Thanks,' Jack said, checking to see whether he could read the writing on the scrap of paper he was handed.

'It's ok. Just hurry.'

Tony pulled off the bandage and washed his hands before heading upstairs to the shower. Once again he stood under the hot steam, relieving aching muscles. He could take his time tonight, Pedro had failed to return. All was peaceful, Angelo smoking outside the front door and the entire house empty. He stood motionless until the tank emptied and lukewarm water poured on him. Groaning aloud he turned the tap off and got dressed, carrying his dirty clothes down to the machine. Having only two sets of clothes was proving inconvenient. Tony was unable to go to sleep without a shower, nor could he bring himself to pull on the previous day's dirty clothes. He turned the machine on and walked into the kitchen, reheating the saucepans of food left for them.

'Hi Tony,' Pedro greeted, entering the house as he finished setting the table. 'Did you warm up the dinner? Gracias.'

'Sure,' Tony replied, sitting down. 'Can we eat now? I'm starved. You missed a real performance, you know.'

Pedro laughed, taking his place. 'I stayed for a coffee with some friends. Don't worry Tony, I spoke to the foreman, he mentioned something about you making some wise comments.'

Tony shook his head, eating hungrily. He felt a lot less exhausted than the previous evening, able to enjoy his food. 'I only told him Anjid wouldn't understand him any better if he yelled. He's not deaf.'

'Who the hell's Anjid?' Pedro asked, surprised.

'The guy with the turban. He doesn't like answering to Gunga Din,' Tony explained.

Pedro roared with laughter. 'Yes well, the foreman loved that movie. If he calls the guy Gunga Din, then he IS Gunga Din! He'll learn to answer to it, whether he likes it or not. You want to watch the news?'

Tony nodded, dumping his dishes in the sink. They settled in the family room, watching the TV in silence. He felt his eyes close halfway through and gave up the struggle to keep them open. 'Buenas noches, Pedro. Will you go out to the site tomorrow?'

Pedro nodded, his eyes on the TV.

'Look, are you going out there in the morning? I could use a lift,' Tony pressed.

Pedro glanced at him. 'Ok, why not? I got to check some roof tile delivery. I'll take you. You'll get to sleep in a bit for once.'

'Gracias Pedro, I could use it,' Tony said and walked upstairs, climbing the ladder to his attic. The night was slightly chilly and he removed his clothes rapidly, throwing them over the chair without bothering to turn on the lamp. Michelle's picture lay on the blanket and he reached for it eagerly. I miss you so much sweetheart. Sure wish I could see you smile. Or maybe you're real pissed off with me at the moment. Sighing aloud he gazed at the official photo. You've got every right to be mad, if you are. Setting the picture on his pillow he pulled his blanket back and crawled onto the mattress, asleep before his head lay beside her.

'I'm working for the US government,' Jack snapped in irritation at the sleepy policeman who held up a stop sign. 'I can't stop, this is urgent.'

'Sí señor, I understand,' the policeman told him, straightening slightly. 'Thing is, the cement is just being poured. That half of the road is impassable and right now the other side is going. I'll stop them now.' He spoke into his radio and soon the stream of cars coming opposite Jack disappeared. The stop sign was removed and he was waved through, cursing the delay under his breath. Hammond had just informed him of the increase in the reward for Tony and he had yelled at him for five steady minutes. 'You're not giving me any time, Brad,' he muttered, pushing the car as fast as it would go.

Tony woke with a start, finding himself flat on his stomach on the cold floor, rough hands pinning him down. He kicked out instinctively, hearing an infuriated curse before someone kicked him in the leg. Hands pulled his arms out from underneath him and forced them behind his back, he heard a telltale click and cold steel closed round his wrists. In despair he kicked out again, his foot connecting sharply with something soft. Someone groaned and released his arms temporarily and he spun around, catching sight of three Mexican policemen. He pushed himself up and raced for the hatch, ignoring their guns pointed at him. You're NEVER gonna shoot a foreigner. 'Stop, Almeida. It's over.'

Tony's headlong flight was blocked by Pedro, who pushed him backwards, pulling a gun onto him. 'Don't try me, cousin.'

The Mexican police reached him an instant later, tackled him to the ground and tightened the cuffs, pinning him down while they shackled his feet. 'Prisoner secure,' one said into his radio and Tony was pulled up by his hair. 'Move it, Almeida. Try anything at all, I'll sedate you.'

Pedro moved aside, following the group as they negotiated the ladder. Another three police waited in the small bedroom, falling into place round Tony. They pushed him down the stairs rapidly, not leaving him a chance to get his bearings. Angelo opened the door and Tony was pushed through the open doors of a police van and secured to a seat.

'Wait a minute,' Pedro demanded, grabbing the arm of an officer who had watched the proceedings without comment. 'My information was correct, you've captured Almeida. When will I get my money?'

'You'll get it, Señor Rosales, probably tomorrow morning,' the Captain answered.

'That's not good enough,' Pedro insisted, preventing his departure. 'How do I know the Americans won't just move him by then? I need my money tonight!'

'How much did they promise you, Pedro? Thirty silver pieces about right?' Tony asked, giving his cousin a disgusted look.

'Shut it, Almeida! You've caused us more work than anyone before you. You'll get paid Señor, tomorrow. Let's move.'

The door slammed shut behind Tony and two armed police and they drove off, bumping over the rough road. The police kept their eyes peeled on him, convinced he was a threat, while he moved his cuffed hands slowly hoping to free himself somehow. Less than ten minutes later the van pulled up and the door opened. He was unshackled and pushed into a dark courtyard surrounded by a high wall. Someone pushed a gun into his ribs, prodding him forwards. Thick wooden doors opened and he was grabbed by both arms and dragged inside.

Bright lights revealed a long room with a counter at one end. Tony was dragged past it and down a narrow corridor, the gun never leaving his side. They stopped before a solid steel door which was unlocked with a large key and he was pushed into a cell. The door slammed behind him, leaving him in pitch darkness. 'Hey,' Tony yelled, turning to face the door. 'My cuffs. You're supposed to take them off in here!'

Silence greeted his words, broken by the sound of several pairs of footsteps moving further down the corridor.