Tony was seated on an old creaky bench within one of the large green parks within LA. He watched a group of children playing football and laughed as the same dog continued to interrupt their game, snatching the ball up with its teeth and running away. Tony smiled warmly as the kids chased it around the park, eventually winning back the ball only to give it back to the dog willingly, the game of football forgotten as a new game began.
The cell phone was heavy in his hands. He had driven to the park knowing it was a good place to trash it and scatter the contents, but he couldn't make himself do it. This was the only way Jack could contact him, the only link back to his old life. He knew that the source which had tried to tap into the phone call was a strong example of why he needed to ditch the phone, but it also worried him - what if Jack got into trouble and needed to contact him in a hurry?
Shaking his head Tony got up and tucked the cell back into his jeans pocket, unable to make himself do it. He knew he was being selfish, but he couldn't help it. Walking back over the green hill Tony zipped his coat up against the cool breeze, telling himself that he could hold onto the phone a little longer; maybe he would toss it tomorrow.
Slumped down on the beat up coach Jack closed his eyes as he tipped the glass up and pored the last of the scotch into his mouth. He squeezed his eyes as the shot burned despite the many others he had drank earlier that night. After Gina ran to their room her sobs had been heard downstairs, despite the space between them. Unable to listen, but not willing to see her in risk of hurting her even more, he grabbed the bottle of alcohol and deciding to be civil, a glass too.
Hours had passed since, no more sound could be heard from Gina. He had stared at the television screen even though it wasn't turned on. Thoughts spun through his mind but he couldn't focus on the individual ones. Terri and Kim's faces swirled around his head as did Gina's. He loved her so much that it hurt to think of leaving her. And the child… how could he abandon his child? But if he didn't, they could be hurt. His stomach tightened as the thought passed through him again, the force feeling like a sledgehammers as he pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose in the hopes of controlling the pounding in his head but it didn't help.
Rolling his head from side to side he got up from the couch and headed for the door, reluctantly leaving the rest of the scotch behind. It was cool outside but thanks to the beer he didn't feel it as he walked down the empty streets looking for another phone box. He hated himself for being so selfish - if he really loved Gina then wouldn't he already be gone?
Jack rested his head against the steel phone as he contemplated turning around and returning home. Was it fair to put his troubles on Tony, didn't he have enough to deal with? Taking a breath he dialled the number and was surprised to hear Chloe answer.
"You tell a man to do something, and he doesn't. Typical."
Jack was startled and stayed silent, wondering what the hell was going on. "Sorry Jack, that was rude of me - its not your fault Tony's an idiot."
"Is he okay?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes. But I told him to ditch the phone as a precaution. I wasn't confident in his ability to do that and so I set up a diversion in the signal sending it to a different scrambled phone, so his cell would be undisturbed and the call would come through mine."
"Oh." Jack said dumbly, not sure what she was saying.
"Its safe don't worry. And I have software ready in case its traced, so I can trace the tracer."
"Is it serious?" Jack asked quietly, "are they going to find me?"
Chloe let out a long deep breath reminding herself to be patient and sensitive, she was after all, understanding of Jacks predicament. "Not if I stay on it. I've got the phone covered."
"Good."
"It would be wise to move but seen as that's not gonna happen I'm just gonna have to monitor the cell signal as its our only lead."
"Okay."
Chloe was surprised and concerned by his one word answers but knew she had to be careful of how to approach the subject.
"Are you okay?"
Jack chuckled slightly, "I don't know."
"Oh," she said, "well I guess things will clear up either way. Either I find the tracer or the tracer finds you."
Jack stiffened as Chloe mentally kicked herself. "You have any information on the origins of the call?"
Chloe shook her head sadly. "No, but I got the feeling its from inside the US."
Jack said nothing, not knowing if that was good or bad.
"I guess I shouldn't call again."
Chloe signed, "I hate to make your situation worse but that's probably a good idea. I'll have Tony contact you through mail if he needs to pass on any information."
"Yeah," Jack said, "thanks," he said getting ready to end the call.
"Jack?" Chloe said cautiously, "take care."
Again Jack chuckled sarcastically as he hung up the phone. He was drunk and tired but too afraid to return home.