Chapter 2
Ramon wasn't sure what to expect when he approached the church. Jack had been brief on the phone. She'll help, it's all settled. You can come in now.
Glancing around Ramon saw the dead bodies of the woman's guards. He knew he wouldn't be too cooperative if someone had just killed all his men. He wondered how Jack had pulled it off.
When he opened the door, he found the two of them standing in what once had been the aisle. Both looking up at the sound of his entrance, Jack quickly came towards him while the woman stayed exactly where she was, arms folded, expression observant and seemingly relaxed.
"She's gonna work with us?" Ramon asked, keeping his voice down to make sure she couldn't overhear them.
"Yeah," Jack replied. "I had to offer her more money but she's with us now."
"How much?" Ramon asked glancing at her.
"Twenty million."
Slowly he took his eyes off the woman and let his gaze wander to Jack, not revealing any reaction.
"It's okay, Ramon," Jack whispered assuring and leaned a little closer. "Once we got the virus, I'll take care of her. You won't have to pay her anything."
Ramon looked into Jack's eyes and was pleased with what he saw. She killed my wife, Jack had told him earlier. Now he saw his longing to take revenge but he also saw that he was in control. He would be able to work with her until they had the virus. And from that point on, Ramon didn't care about who took her out. Maybe he would let Jack have his revenge. He could still decide when the moment had come.
"Are you sure?" he asked as if he was a bit worried, and Jack nodded without hesitating.
The woman cleared her throat and looking up Ramon saw her shifting her weight from one leg onto the other. He walked towards her.
"Nina, it was?" he asked and displayed the hint of a smile. It couldn't hurt to charm her a little as long as she was useful to them.
"Ramon," she said and reached out to shake his hand. He took it and let his smile become a bit warmer.
"I'm sorry for the rough start," he exclaimed with a gesture, glancing at the dead man lying a few feet away. "But you know Jack."
"Yeah," she simply stated, darting a quick look across the room to where Jack was standing. He examined her face but either there really was nothing beyond her sarcastic expression, or she did a pretty good job in hiding it.
"I hope this doesn't pose a problem," he continued, not ready yet to give up. If he was gonna do business with her, he had to be sure she wasn't gonna become a problem. Hector was already worried and with Claudia dead there was a risk he would panic and chicken out. Ramon had to make sure at least everything else ran smoothly.
"Well, if Jack didn't promise too much we're alright," she said in purely businesslike manner, and again, he couldn't see anything implicating she didn't mean it.
"We are, of course, willing to compensate you for your...expenses," he assured her while he could hear Jack stepping closer. "And from what I hear twenty million dollars would cover those?"
"Absolutely," she replied and this time he saw something flashing in her eyes. Just for a second but he saw it. And smiled inwardly. Just like everybody else, she had her price as well. And just like Jack, that made her controllable. All he had to do was make her believe that she would get her twenty millions in the end.
"Then it will be a pleasure to work with you," he declared, just as Jack caught up with them, and gave the woman another warm smile. It couldn't hurt and he was curious how Jack would react, seeing Ramon getting all charming with the murderer of his wife.
As expected Jack scowled, not making a big effort to hide his disapproval.
"We can go through with the deal as soon as Amador calls," he explained and turned to Nina. "He will want to verify your clients' funds. You should set up the transaction file."
"Sure," she said and turned away, walking over to pick up her briefcase.
Watching her placing the laptop on a desk and starting to work the keyboard, Ramon lowered his voice and addressed Jack.
"Hector called. Your partner escaped."
Jack made a face as if he was suppressing a curse. "You should have let me kill him when I had the chance."
"Yes, I should have," Ramon said, knowing well he had made a mistake. "However, we should get this done as quickly as possible."
Jack nodded and turned to walk over to the woman, but Ramon held him back, scrutinizing his expression. "Claudia is dead. For some reason she was there too."
"What?" Jack exclaimed, obviously shaken. "How?"
"Hector didn't say."
Jack looked down and Ramon could tell he was trying to get a grip. It seemed to really upset him.
"Tell Hector I'm sorry," Jack finally said and Ramon shot him a warning look.
"Tell him yourself when he gets here. He's on his way. Now help her. Make sure she plays along."
Without another word Jack walked over to the woman and Ramon kept staring after him.
Of course he's upset. And he's worried. Jack knew Hector's temper and with his partner being responsible for Claudia's death, there was a good chance Hector would take it out on him. And if anyone knew something about revenge for the death of the woman you loved, it was Jack. He had to be worried Hector would come after him. Maybe there will be more than one bill settled once this deal is over.
Asking the woman something, Jack leaned closer to the screen, examining what he saw there. Ramon focused on her and even from a distance he noticed the look on her face. She answered with a brief remark, explaining something Jack had wanted to know. But the way she glanced at him had nothing to do with the transaction file. She must have heard, Ramon thought. And she seemed alarmed. But why?
She seemed smart, the fact that she was still alive and in business only proving it. It had probably not taken her long to figure out that working with them was her smartest move, being outnumbered and up against someone who would gladly kill her the first chance he got. She had all reason to keep a watchful eye on Jack, especially as she had seemed so convinced earlier that he still was with CTU. The news about another agent - on the loose on top of it - had to worry her. Somehow Jack had managed to convince her that he was working for himself now, but maybe she wasn't too sure about that anymore. It would make sense.
But for a moment Ramon had thought he'd seen something else as well - and that would not make sense at all. For the fraction of a second, he had thought to see compassion in her eyes. Pity, sympathy. He could be mistaken of course but if not... Something didn't add up. What reason could she have to pity him or worry about him? She couldn't possibly know who Claudia was or what consequences her death might have for Jack. And even if - shouldn't it rather comfort her then?
As far as Ramon knew the two of them had been working together until she had killed his wife - which explained Jack's passionate hate. He wanted revenge. And he was only agreeing to work with her now because he thought he would get a chance to kill her later. If she was only half as clever as Ramon thought she was, she knew that she wasn't safe with Jack around. So the chance of Hector killing Jack should make her comfortable. Not worry her. But then again - she couldn't possibly know all this. So why that look then? Was there something he didn't know?
He had to be sure. As long as he could play them out against each other, as long as they wanted to kill each other, he was in control. But he couldn't take the risk of them suddenly discovering common grounds.
Turning around he started walking away from them, increasing the distance until he felt it was safe while he got his cell phone out and called Hector.
"What is it?" his brother asked and Ramon could tell he was still angry at him for not listening to his complaints. Sometimes Hector was like a child.
"I need you to call your guy at CTU again."
"Gael? What for?"
Ramon darted another glance through the room before he spoke, making sure neither Jack nor the woman were listening.
"We need more information about the woman. Have him call me back. I want to know exactly what happened between her and Jack."
"Why?" Hector asked and Ramon got annoyed with him.
"Because I say so. Now stop asking questions and wasting our time. Make the call."
Angrily, he hung up. He loved his brother but he had no patience for this now. Putting the cell phone back in his pocket he watched the two former agents standing side by side. If the success of this deal even slightly depended on them, he had to make sure to know where he had them.
-x-
Nina sighed.
"Where's the money coming from?" Jack asked, keeping his voice down but giving her an insistent look. "Who's your client?"
As if she could tell him.
"Who is he talking to?" she shrugged his question off, having spotted Ramon out of the corner of her eye.
Jack threw a furtive glance at his alleged ally and turned back to face her. "Hector probably."
His brother. Jack had briefed her in the short time between calling Ramon and his arrival. She hadn't been happy about the rush, but Jack had convinced her that Ramon would get suspicious if he didn't hear from him soon.
He had also mentioned Chase. His new partner. She had been surprised Jack had risked confiding like that in someone again. But then again the job required it. It wasn't possible to last that long without confiding in someone. Just like it wasn't possible to make it that far without getting your hands dirty. Even Jack had understood that eventually although it had taken him longer than her. She was somehow curious what exactly he had been forced to do this time. I had to give them my soul. She still wondered what he had meant but there had been no time to ask.
Then he had told her about Gael. It had surprised her that he had put just that card on the table, but thinking about it - what harm could it really do. If she told Ramon their insider was really more working on the inside than they thought, Jack could always say she was lying. That she only knew about Gael because he had mentioned him in the course of trying to convince her to work with them. That she was only trying to set Jack up or undermine the whole deal because she still wanted the virus for herself. She didn't have any proof so what could she gain from knowing Gael's real loyalties. It had been safe to tell her so he had done it. She was sure there were other things he had kept to himself.
A fake mole, she had thought. Did you think of me when you came up with that idea? Probably. But there hadn't been time for thoughts like that either.
Once he had started telling her about the mission his voice had taken on a strictly professional intonation, his face looked nothing but matter-of-fact. And just listening to him, raising a question here and there to make him clarify things for her, it had almost felt like being back at CTU again, back in that other life. Where he had trusted her. Trusted her as a person and trusted her competence.
She had always known her strongest weapon was her analytical skills, and Jack had known that too. Analyzing a situation, quickly piecing together information, identifying the available options, and discerning the most profitable one - that was what she had always been best at, and it was the one thing she had always relied on. This wasn't any different. She knew there were things Jack hadn't told her, but for the moment she was satisfied with what she knew. CTU didn't pose a threat to her as long as she and Jack were with the Salazars and the virus with Amador. Chase having escaped didn't change that. Even if he could give CTU their present location - which she doubted - they still couldn't do anything else than wait. Just like the Salazars. As long as she was the only one who could get them the virus and as long as they believed she would, they were no threat to her either. And Jack's priority was his mission. She had no doubts that he still wanted to kill her and would if he got a chance, but for the moment she was safe.
The critical moment was when she would meet Amador and do the exchange. The second the virus was in her hands, she would have three parties coming after her. And none of them had any reservations about her getting killed. Her only chance was narrowing it down to a one-on-one. Which meant she had to keep CTU out of this as long as possible and have Jack take care of the Salazars. Which he would have to do if he was on his own. He must know he's a dead man once they have no use of him anymore. And if he couldn't count on any outside help, he would have to take them out before they took him out. But he couldn't do it too early either. For the moment, they were his best leverage against her. He needed them just as much as they needed her. Until she had the virus. Whichever way one wanted to look at it - it all came down to that moment. And unfortunately, her analytical skills would only get her so far as to understand that and do everything she could to influence the setup for the endgame. Once it was on, a lot of factors would take effect that she had no control of. She could only rely on her instincts and her survival skills. And as much as she hated admitting it, when it came to instinct Jack was head and shoulders above her.
Their survival skills were undoubtedly equally strong, both of them ready to do whatever it took. But their ways and means were entirely different. If Nina was going about it like a chess player, planning ahead and anticipating moves before they were made, trying to fix the desired outcome in advance, then Jack was pursuing his goal with the tit-for-tat strategy of a boxer, warding off his opponent's blows one by one and trying to counter with an appropriate response, ultimately landing a lethal swing.
Well, in a boxing match, in a ring, she might not stand a chance against Jack, but in the open field, with the virus as her leverage and a gun for her protection, her odds might not be that bad. And looking into his eyes now she felt a strange, almost impassive curiosity, as if it wasn't her life that was on the line. Who would make it if it came to their final dance?
"What?" Jack asked, glaring back at her.
-x-
What is going through her mind now? Jack wondered, gritting his teeth as she broke into one of her condescending smiles.
"It's fascinating, isn't it?" she said.
"What is?" he asked, letting his gaze wonder to Ramon who was standing at one of the windows near the entrance, still or again speaking on the phone. He wasn't paying attention to them.
"How it makes you feel alive," she elaborated. "The excitement, the adrenalin, the danger."
Confused he met her eyes again.
"What are you talking about?" He honestly had no idea where she was going with this.
Another smile and a soundless laughter that threatened to take him over the edge.
"Come on, Jack," she seemed to urge him. "Don't tell me you never thought about it. Don't tell me you really believe the only reason for you doing this is to save the world? Protect your country? Doing the right thing?"
Her look was intense, scrutinizing, inquiring, and suddenly he felt like an insect being studied under a microscope.
"You should be grateful it is," he replied. "Cause otherwise -" and he leaned a little closer, whispering now, "you would be dead already."
But if he had thought she would be scared or impressed, he got disappointed. Still smiling she didn't show the slightest reaction.
"You believe whatever you want to, Jack, but deep down you know I'm right. How many missions have you completed, how many assignments finished? And how much did you sacrifice over the years?"
You should know, he thought, but didn't say it, afraid he would lose his temper.
"What did it ever get you?"
His own words thrown back at him. But he had just repeated a well-rehearsed lie, trying to convince her he had turned his back on his old life. He didn't really feel that way. Did he?
"Don't get me wrong, Jack - I'm not questioning your patriotism, your loyalty to your country and your government. The same government that thinks you are more than expendable by the way but anyway. Your dedication, your commitment - I never understood it but I'm not denying it. I'm just saying there's something more that keeps you going, something additional."
"And what is that?" Jack retorted, shooting another nervous glance at Ramon. If he happened to hear any of this, they would both be dead. What the hell was she doing?
"The thrill."
He could only stare at her and shake his head.
"Tell me I'm wrong," she challenged him. "Tell me this is not the only time you really feel alive. Tell me you're happier when you're sitting in your office at CTU or at home." And leaning closer now as well, it was her turn to whisper. "Tell me you feel anything when you're not risking everything."
Again he shook his head, speechless for a second.
"Is that why you are doing this?" he turned the question around at her. "Is that why... Did you betray the people who trusted you because it made you feel alive? Did you help terrorists to set up a nuclear device because -"
"Oh, get over it, Jack," she cut him off, sounding tired rather than angry. "I never helped set up anything."
He didn't object, knowing it would ultimately lead him back to the first question that had pierced his mind, and that he had been about to ask, but not allowed himself to voice. Because he knew it would take him to a place he couldn't afford to be in right now.
Is that why you killed my wife?
Her gaze strayed around the room for a moment before returning to him. "I'm not saying it's the only reason. But a part of us...needs it."
"Speak for yourself," he retorted and turned away from her. And walking over to Ramon, he knew that she was wrong. Maybe it was true for her, but he wasn't like her. Adrenalin had nothing to do with it. He didn't have to put his life on the line to feel alive and he most certainly didn't need Nina Myers to feel at all. He knew she was wrong. He knew it.
