Bauer, he said, picking up the phone. It could only be Tony or Michelle, they were the only ones who had that number.

Jack?

He was taken aback, hearing that voice. Audrey?

Yes.

How did you get that number? It was a secure line, dedicated solely to their Mexico mission.

Agent Almeida gave us that number, so that DoD would have a direct line to the mission headquarters. I'm surprised to hear your voice. I'm just calling to confirm that the line's up.

I'll be using this secure line for the next two weeks, then Tony Almeida will have this number throughout my stay down there.

Okay.

They both didn't really know what to say to each other.

How's it going?, she finally asked. She felt like she was allowed to ask that. Does everything work out as planned?

Yes, he sighed. He'd been running around aimlessly in his small apartment here, packing his things into boxes. The place would officially get evicted a month after his disappearing. Some CTU agents would bring his stuff to a deposit. Now he stopped in front of one of the mirrors, looking at himself. He was just once more shocked how bad he looked like, wearing his hair only a few millimeters short.

At what stage of execution are you?

Stage 2 already. All the CTU briefings were completed last week, I already got in contact with one of Salazar's dealers here. He looked at the vial that stood on his living room table. Pure heroin. He had bought it from that man. This was the good stuff, the expensive one, the DEA hat confirmed. Definitely out of Salazar's line of supply.

When will you go undercover?

In two weeks.

And how exactly?

Well, it was a secure line, he could tell her. He guessed that if she'd talk to Tony, she'd ask the same questions. I'll get myself arrested for drug possession, doing a few days in county jail and I'll fake a getaway during a prisoner transport. That's gonna be my reason to cross the border to Mexico.

She sat in her swivel chair in her office, looking out onto the Potomac river park. Sounds like a good plan.

There was silence for a while.
She wanted to ask him so much more.

Listen Jack, she started, last time we talked, in the car, I hope that I didn't disturb you too much about all this.

No, you didn't. You just got me thinking.

Really?

Yap. And that's not even a bad thing, he murmured, I guess I underestimated the chances of really getting in contact with that stuff.

Are you thinking of aborting the mission? she asked him, but she already knew the answer.

No. I talked to a few specialists of the DEA, about how withdrawal symptoms really look like, in case I have to fake some.

And?

They can't really be faked. They either have to be real or they cover will blow.

She was taken aback from hearing that. So… what does that mean?

It means that I have to be even more careful about not getting in contact with that stuff, he told her, taking the vial into his hand. Otherwise they'll kill me right away.

Take care, she said. She really meant it.

I will.

He took a deep breath and put the vial away again.
He didn't know what to say to her, but he didn't want to hang up either.

There was a big elephant in the room that they didn't dare talk about. Of course there was another chance – he could just take some of the drugs and then he wouldn't even have to fake anything. It would even support his cover.

As he stood there, the vial was screaming at him.

Jack?

Yeah?

You should abort the mission, she silently said. It's too risky if you're not even be sure that you can initially maintain your cover story.

Is this what you're officially saying in your DoD function?

I'm not saying anything in any DoD function, I'm an advisor only. She stood up and went over to the window, where she silently added, officially we're not even supposed to be talking. She wasn't allowed to talk to him. Protocol said that she should only contact the leading officer – who would be Agent Almeida as head of CTU, and definitely not the operative himself.

So, we're off the record?

Yes.

Good. He sighed. He heard a knock at his door. Most likely that was one of the guys who'd help him bring his stuff to the deposit. Hurriedly he grabbed the vial and hid it in one of the cupboards. Can I call you back, Audrey? Somebody just arrived here.

Of course.

They said their goodbyes and he rushed to open the door.