Chapter 4: Plane Trip

Later that same day…

Alexander Mahone burst out of his office, papers in hand.

"Sucre was just seen at a gas station near Vegas on a bike," he announced as he walked quickly over to the map.

Wheeler, Lang, and Jack all jumped up from behind their desks and followed him. Alex quickly plotted Sucre's position on the map and stepped back to study it carefully.

"You know what I find interesting," asked Alex, quietly, "Sucre, Franklin, and Bagwell. They all seem to be heading west. Why?"

The other three agents did not respond. They stood quietly and waited for Alex to continue his train of thought.

"Oh, ho," chuckled Alex as his eyes glittered with understanding, "They're going for the money."

"The money?" asked Wheeler, "What money?"

"D.B. Cooper," muttered Jack, shaking her head in amazement, "They're going for the five million."

Alex picked up a black marker and pointed it at Jack.

"Exactly," he replied as he began to draw lines on the map.

The other agents watched, practically in awe, as Alex soon found a point where all three lines met together.

"D.B. Cooper allegedly dropped the stash near Salt Lake City, Utah," said Alex, pointing at the map, "And they're all going for it."

Late that afternoon, a black SUV pulled up in front of Alex's house. Jack stepped out of the vehicle and approached the front door. She rang the doorbell and stepped back to wait.

Meanwhile, in the backyard, Alex was sitting in a white lawn chair. He stared intensely at a birdbath a few feet away from him. After a couple of minutes, he stood up and approached the birdbath. He gazed down into the water and slowly took off his sunglasses.

Just then, his cell phone rang. Alex barely even reacted. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone.

"Mahone," he muttered, absently.

"Alex it's me, Jack. You told me to pick you up at six, remember?"

"Uh…yeah."

"Well? Where are you? The plane for Utah leaves in an hour."

"I'll be right there."

Alex hung up the phone and replaced his sunglasses. With a final sigh, he turned, picked up his briefcase, and walked out of the backyard.

That evening, Alex and Jack boarded the plane heading for Salt Lake City, Utah. Shortly after the plane took off, Alex glanced over at Jack. She was staring out the window, her eyes full of uncertainty and fear.

"You're worried about your parents, aren't you?" he asked her, quietly.

Jack glanced over at him and nodded. A single tear escaped and slid down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, trying to maintain her composure.

Alex reached over and held her hand. He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"It's going to be okay," he said, surprising himself with the sudden, overwhelming wave of sympathy he felt towards her, "I'll get you out of this…somehow. Don't worry."

Jack smiled slightly and squeezed his hand in gratitude. She was glad for the comfort and security of his presence. They barely knew one another, but she somehow felt safer when he was nearby.

"Want to see a picture of my son?" he asked, hoping to get her mind off her family.

Jack nodded, more than happy for the distraction.

Alex pulled out Cameron's school picture and handed it to Jack.

"Oh, Alex! He's adorable," breathed Jack, "How old is he?"

"Five," replied Alex, as he pulled out another picture, "The woman in that picture is Pam, my ex-wife."

Jack studied the picture for a moment, and then turned to look at Alex.

"What happened between you two? If you don't mind me asking."

"Things got bad," he muttered, "It was best for her to leave.

Jack studied Alex for a moment. She hesitated, not sure if she wanted to ask her next question.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with that Shales guy, would it?"

Alex froze, visibly. He cleared his throat and shivered slightly.

"Um, why do you ask?"

Jack shrugged, "I overheard some of the other agents talking about how losing Shales really bothered you. And I kind of read people…its part of the job."

Alex did not respond for a moment. Jack studied him once more, curious as to why Shales rattled this man so much. Then, a terrible hypothesis crossed her mind. She shook her head slightly, trying to shake the thought away. It was a horrible thing to assume and she tried to let it just slide away, but it lingered.

"You…you wouldn't happened to have done…anything," she stammered, trying to find the right words without giving too much away.

Alex's gaze flew to hers, full of panic and fear.

Jack shuddered under his gaze. She was afraid that he had just answered her question. She reached out and touched his arm.

"Alex…tell me the truth. We're partners now. We're fighting for our families' lives. We can trust each other, right?"

Jack watched as another shiver passed through his body.

"Alex," she pressed, firmly this time, "Did you…?"

"Yes," breathed Alex, voice shaky, "I did."

Jack blinked, stupefied by his reply. Even though she had practically figured it out, she had still hoped that she was wrong.

"Why?" she whispered, hoarsely.

"I…I couldn't take it anymore," he replied, voice low so that the other passengers would not hear, "I caught him…had him cornered. Then he began to taunt me. He said that I didn't have the guts to take him out. He said he would get away and hurt more innocent people…in horrible, terrible ways."

Alex paused and took in a long, shaky breath. Jack squeezed his arm, comfortingly.

"Then he said my wife's name," he continued, voice slightly steadier, "And I lost it. I didn't mean to do it…it just happened. I snapped."

Jack sat quietly for a moment and took a few shaky breaths of her own.

"I, um, I guess I can't blame you. I would have probably done the same thing. I probably will do the same thing before this is over."

Alex glanced over at her, eyes filled with regret and shame.

"Thank you for being honest with me," said Jack, sincerely.

Alex nodded and averted his gaze.

"Yeah," he murmured, "No problem."