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Chapter 45: Banco de Versailles
Jack and Lincoln stood in front of the visitation area and waited for Michael.
"So," said Lincoln, glancing away, "What's with you and that Susan, chic?"
Jack narrowed her eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"The way she kept looking at you…at the bar, at the outdoor restaurant. Seems like she knows you," said Lincoln as he gave Jack a suspicious look.
Jack rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, Lincoln. I've never seen her before in my life."
Lincoln sneered, "Whatever."
Jack shot him an angry look, but saw Michael walking towards them out of the corner of her eye. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to remain calm.
"Linc…Jack," said Michael nodding to each of them in turn as he approached, "Here."
He handed Lincoln a note through the mesh fence.
"What's this?" asked Lincoln.
"Don't know. That's why I'm giving it to you. It's from Whistler."
"So you've met him?" asked Jack.
"Yeah…more or less."
"Who is he?"
Michael shrugged, "Claims he's a fisherman but I doubt it."
Michael looked back over at Lincoln.
"Look, I'm going to break Whistler out of here or die trying…that has to count for something. Tell them that, okay?"
Lincoln nodded and looked away sadly.
"I'd trade places with you in a second."
Michael nodded, "I know."
Jack glanced briefly at Michael and saw the pain reflected in those ice-blue eyes. She hesitated for a moment.
"Michael?" she asked quietly, not making eye contact.
Michael looked at her, sympathy and even a little compassion in his eyes.
"Let me guess," he said with a slight smile, "Mahone?"
Jack nodded sheepishly, "Yeah…is, is he okay?"
"Yeah, he's going through the beginning of withdraw, but he's okay."
Jack nodded. Her shoulders shook slightly with relief and anguish for Alex.
"I'll see you both soon," murmured Michael as he turned to leave.
Lincoln stayed and watched Michael until he was swallowed whole by the walls of SONA.
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Lincoln and Jack stood at a bus stop near the penitentiary. Jack had convinced him to take the bus instead of the rental car that day. She said they needed to change up their schedule since The Company was now involved. They needed to at least make their schedule irregular. Just one small change to confuse The Company's agents.
Soon, another man approached the bus stop. Jack froze in astonishment as she recognized who the man was. He obviously recognized her too because his face contorted into a horrified expression.
"Fernando Sucre?" whispered Jack, in shock.
Sucre tensed to run, but soon saw Lincoln standing beside Jack. He paused for a moment, confusion evident on his face.
"Hey, Sucre," said Lincoln, also very surprised to see his old friend again, "What…what are you doing here?"
"I was…on my way to Chicago to see Maricruz. Lincoln…what are you doing with her? She's, she's Company."
Lincoln shook his head, "Not anymore."
Sucre furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Look, Sucre, it's a long story," said Lincoln, "But we could use your help. Michael's in SONA."
Sucre shook his head slowly.
"No, I'm sorry papi. I gotta go get my girl."
Lincoln nodded understandingly as Sucre's bus pulled up beside the curb.
"Alright, but if you change your mind we're at the Plaza del Sol Hotel downtown."
Sucre nodded as he climbed onto the bus. As the bus pulled away, Lincoln noticed an ad on the back of it for the Banco de Versailles.
"So," said Jack, "What'd the note say?"
"Don't know," replied Lincoln, quietly, "I haven't read it yet."
Lincoln pulled the note out of his pocket and unfolded it.
Versailles
1989
V. Madrid
"Versailles," muttered Lincoln, "The bank…Banco de Versailles. That's where we got to go."
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Lincoln and Jack walked into the Banco de Versailles. Lincoln began to walk up to the counter, when Jack quickly grabbed his arm.
"What do you think you are doing?" demanded Lincoln.
"Don't! They may get suspicious."
"You're paranoid."
"You think?" asked Jack sarcastically, "After all I've been through being paranoid's the least of my problems. Right now it could save us."
"Then what do you propose we do?" said Lincoln, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"I…I don't know. Just let me think for a moment, okay?"
Lincoln sighed and sat down on one of the couches in the lobby. Jack began to pace, racking her brain for a plan…any plan.
Just then a woman entered the bank and made a bee-line for the counter. She handed the woman teller a note and began to speak quickly.
"I'm here about James Whistler," she explained as the lady read the note.
Jack jerked her head up in surprise and looked over at the woman. She felt a jolt of shock run up her spine as she realized that the woman at the counter was the same woman back at SONA a couple days ago who had been screaming for them to release her husband's body.
"You're a signature on his account," said the teller, "One moment and I'll get the safety deposit box for you."
"Safety deposit box?" muttered Jack to herself.
Then she realized that that was what the note must have meant and that this woman must also have the same note. Jack walked over to where Lincoln sat on the couch. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, listening intently to what the woman and the bank teller were saying. Jack sat down beside him and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"Okay…I came up with a plan."
Lincoln sneered and tried to hide an amused smile.
The bank teller returned with the box and placed it on the counter. The woman took what was inside the box, put it quickly into her purse, then quickly made her way out the door. Lincoln and Jack stood and followed close behind.
Soon, they caught up with the woman.
"Hey!" called Lincoln as he grabbed her arm.
The woman cried out in surprise.
"Look," said Lincoln, "We know you're Whistler's girl. Now, what'd you take out of the box?"
"Nothing! It's none of your business!" protested the woman.
Jack snatched the woman's purse out of her hands. The woman cried out again, but Jack ignored her. She dug through the bag and pulled out small, pocket-sized book about birds.
"And what's this?" asked Jack, incredulously.
"Give it back!" cried the woman as she tried to make a leap for it.
Jack jerked the book away from the woman and gave her an amused look.
"No, I don't think so."
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Lincoln and Jack walked out of a bookstore a few blocks down the street. As soon as they turned the corner, they ran right into Susan.
"Hello Lincoln…Jack," she crooned, "Mind giving me what you took from Sophia?"
Susan held out her hand expectantly.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lincoln, feigning confusion.
Susan smiled coldly, "I have spies, Lincoln. Give me the book."
Lincoln reluctantly nodded to Jack. Jack sighed in defeat and handed the woman the bird book.
Susan took it out of Jack's hand, holding it for a moment and giving her a long look. Suddenly her gaze hardened as she glared at Lincoln.
"Stay away from Sophia," she snapped angrily.
She turned her back on them and disappeared into the crowd.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter or two will have a major twist to it…it's gonna be big, I promise. I'm not sure if it'll end up in the next chapter or the one after it…but it will change a big part of the storyline.
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