Thanks to Maestra for taking on the job of betaing this.

     “Can’t see, Can’t see, CAN’T SEE!!!” Angelo’s voice grew in volume and aggression as he crouched on the ground his hands held tightly to his head as if to still the imagined pain.

     “Calm down Angelo.” Broots pleaded fervently standing a cautious few metres from the hysterical man. He sighed and turned to the room’s other occupant, “He’s going to hurt himself if this goes on much longer Syd. Can’t you get him to stop somehow?”

     “I can try Broots, but he’ll calm down when he’s ready.” Sydney replied, distracted. They had decided, well Broots had insisted, that any rash action on their part against the Centre would be suicide. So they had come down to one of the Labs to think. If Sydney had stayed in that small office of his any longer he would have driven himself mad, at least here he didn’t have to turn around every five steps to continue his pacing. Plus they’d thought Angelo might give them some insight. All he had given them so far was a headache. It was the lack of noise that finally got Sydney’s attention. The room had suddenly turned silent. Angelo stopped abruptly as he’d started.

     “Oh thank God.” Broots breathed, relieved. If he had to take much more of that he was going to be the one who was in danger of hurting himself. The sound of someone almost running past the door to the lab caught their attention. They had heard sounds of people rushing past the door intermittently for the past hour.

     “What is going on out there?” Sydney asked under his breath. He opened the door to the lab to investigate and hopefully, to catch someone to interrogate. A man rushed past too quickly for him to grab, but then a woman also came hurtling down the corridor.

     “Maria.” Sydney called, recognising the woman. He only knew her enough to politely nod hello when passing but maybe she could tell him what had the Centre acting like they had just been asked for bank records by the NSA. “Maria!” He called more forcefully. She stopped suddenly turning to him with a dazed expression as if she didn’t know why she had just stopped.

     “Sydney?” She asked confused.

     “What’s going on Maria? Why is everyone running around all over the place?”

     “You mean you haven’t heard yet?” She asked incredibly. She didn’t even pause to take a breath before she continued, “They all want answers, Mr Raines, Mr Lyle, Mr Parker and they all want them right now!”

     “Answers to what?!” Sydney asked a little less than patiently. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone wave some papers at Maria urgently.

     “Sorry. Have to go-” She rushed away before he could stop her.

     “Well that was helpful.” Broots commented sarcastically. Sydney just shook his head a small smile forming on his face.

     “Who do we know at the moment that can’t see?” He asked Broots gesturing towards Angelo who was watching them impassively.

     “Jarod.” Broots answered starting to realise where this was going.

     “Exactly. And he ‘can’t see’ if he’s dead, now can he?” Broots got his point.

     “You think Jarod’s still alive?” Broots asked. Sydney’s smile widened to a grin.

     “What else would have the Centre in such a state? No, Jarod’s capture has again eluded them. But of course I want to know for sure that it’s really not him down there…”

     “If that true and he’s not on SL-14,” Broots asked sceptically, “Then where is he?”

     Jarod’s chest moved in rhythmic intervals, his breathing soft and even. He’s eyelids didn’t even flicker as Jim pried them open to shine a penlight into his eyes; he was out cold.

     “He seems fine.” Jim commented clicking his penlight off, “Except for the bump on his temple, you must have given him one hell of a hit to knock him out for this long.”

     “…I did hit him rather hard…” Her lips tightened as she remembered delivering the striking blow to his temple. She doubted he even realised what was happening, he had, literally, never seen the blow coming. “But that’s not why he’s still out. Robert injected him with some pretty heavy tranquillizers.”

     “Robert?”

     “The mortician.”

     “Why exactly, does a mortician have tranquillizers?”

     “I didn’t ask.” She replied her voice flat, though her eyes conveyed the slightest hint of amusement.

     “You have some strange friends, but then you always were highly mysterious.” He gave her an infectious grin. He hadn’t changed much since she had last seen him; he had just gotten a little older. A little more laid back, but then he had never been that excitable. Which is probably the reason he lasted so long; you had to have a certain nerve of steel if you were dating her. She looked down at the unconsciousness Pretender who lay sprawled across the bed in one of Jim’s guest bedrooms.

     “So… he’s going to be O.K?” He again saw the desperation she had showed when she had first asked for his help creep back into her eyes.

     “He’s going to be just fine.” He told her in a reassuring voice, calming distraught family members wasn’t new to him, though he couldn’t say he had been in a situation quite similar to this one before. “He’ll wake up in a few hours, I’ll give him some aspirin and he’ll be as good as new…” his expression turned grave, “The blindness is something that is going to be a little harder to fix, I’m a surgeon Parker not ophthalmologist. But I’ll see what I can find out.”

     “Thank you.” She told him softly.

     “No problem.” He answered with another of his grins, “Since Sleeping Beauty’s not going to be awake for a while why don’t I make you breakfast?” She looked on the verge of protesting but he continued before she could interrupt, his voice again turning serious, “You can explain everything to me while you eat, so far all I’ve got is the broad strokes. I’ll help you Parker, in whatever way you need, the only thing I ask in return is an explanation as to why you need that help.” He spoke quietly but in a voice that brokered no arguments. She nodded softly, she was strongly aware of how much danger she had put him in by being here. If all he asked for in exchange for his help was an explanation then it was the least she could do. What kind of danger had her actions put them all in, she wondered as she followed Jim out of the room.

     “Well?!” Raines ground out, “What do you have to say for yourself?” Jed stayed silent, his posture rigid as he stared straight ahead. Raines paused in his diatribe as he circled the man, his gaze penetrating. “The ease with which Miss Parker played you is something which is unforgivable. Your stupidity is not the best trait a sweeper can have. In fact it is a flaw that is usually only ever fleeting… because those with the trait are immediately dealt with, do you understand?”

     “Yes Sir.”

     “Good.” Raines rasped in a low, menacing voice, “Now prove to me you’re worth keeping.”

     “The only time Miss Parker was left on her own with the body was the preliminary examination undertaken by the mortician; my men guarded the only door to the room. When the body was wheeled out it was not covered, the identity of the deceased was unmistakable. The mortician then took the body to another room, Miss Parker stayed in the main lobby, she was never out of my sight after that-”

     “But she was. You arrived here alone.”

     “She said she wanted to take a helicopter, to arrive here first.”

     “So far all you are doing is digging yourself in deeper, get to the part where you play a useful and vital role in the future pursuit of Jarod and Miss Parker.” Jed’s head dropped, muscles playing in his jaw as he clenched his teeth.

     “It’s true that Miss Parker played me that I underestimated her, underestimated her hold over the mortician. But it is not a mistake I will make again. She is now at a disadvantage; she no longer has the illusion of Centre loyalty to hide behind. She’s out there on the run, with a blind Pretender. If you let me Sir, I’ll bring her back within a week.”

     “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

     “If I don’t have your Defector and missing Pretender by the end of the week you can do with me what you will.” Jed raised his head staring intently at the blank wall in front of him as if it was the brunette herself.

     “Very well.” Raines replied. Jed loosened his stance.

     “If I may ask Sir… what has become of the mortician?”

     “He has not yet been able to be located. He will in time, but he is not our top priority at the moment.”

     “Is it known what hold Miss Parker had over him, to make him do what he did?”

     “No… but whatever it was it was enough for the man to in all likelihood sacrifice his life.” Jed took that in before nodding and leaving the office. As Jed walked down the dim corridor he had the distinct feeling that he had just walked away with his life: by the skin of his teeth. It was not a feeling he enjoyed.

     “How is the search coming along?”

     “We have everyone on it; they should get a hit any minute now.” Mr Parker responded with a sigh.

     “If I had known your sister would do something like this…”

     “I hate to say it Dad but it’s your own fault, you’re the one who pushed her.” Lyle commented.

     “I expected more loyalty from her than this, a little more professionalism than… running away with one of the Lab-rats!”

     “As if this act of rebellion has never occurred to you.” Lyle said, the sarcasm light but still tangible. Mr Parker paused before replying as if pulling memories from his mind that had been hidden deeply.

     “It’s why I removed her, sent her to Europe. That way I could make sure they never encountered each other. They had been getting too close she was acting like one of them, not like a future leader of the Centre. I thought I had dealt with all of that, it’s been over twenty five years for god’s sake!”

     “Jarod’s been playing with her mind ever since his escape; he’s been softening her up. Even I could see that, see she was loosing her focus, her edge.”

     “…You’re right of course.” Mr Parker shook his head sadly as he turned to look out of his office window, “She takes after her mother too much.” The words were spoken so softly Lyle barely caught them. His father didn’t move from the window, obviously caught by distant memories that would never fade, however many years passed. The conversation clearly over, Lyle turned to leave the office.

     “The sweeper blamed for changing the orders regarding Jarod’s recapture?” Mr Parker asked suddenly.

     “Taken care of.” Lyle replied shortly. Mr Parker turned back to the window as Lyle left the office. Night was winning the war over daylight as Mr Parker watched the last rays of sunlight glint off the waves as they swept the shoreline in the distance.

     Jed was waiting for Lyle when he walked into his own office. Jed had a sour look on his face that Lyle guessed was most likely due to an encounter with Raines.

     “If you get through this alive it’ll be a miracle.” Lyle commented casually as he walked around to sit at his desk.

     “I can still prove myself. I catch Parker, bring back her Boy Toy, all will be forgiven. That bitch tricked me once, but no one makes a fool of me twice, I’ll bring her back alright…”

     “Correction I will be bringing her back. Don’t forget who you work for. Everything you do comes back to me, which is why you’re damn lucky you’re still breathing.” Lyle poured himself a drink from the jug resting on his desk. Jed stared transfixed as the liquid fell into the cup Lyle held in his hand.

     “Miss Parker made a fool of us all.” Jed said quietly.

     “Yes and she must be found.” Lyle replied calmly replacing the jug in its original position on his desk.

     “And punished.” Jed replied, the finality to the statement chilling, made even more so than by the sadistic glint in his eyes. Lyle didn’t even blink as he raised his glass and took a small sip.

     “Well I think you’re right about it not being Jarod down there. I mean it’s hardly a secret now that the body isn’t Jarod’s, everybody’s talking about it-”

     “This does continue on to a point in the near future does it not Broots?” Broots cleared his throat.

     “Right, well. That sweeper, what’s his name Jet, Jeb-”

     “Jed.” Sydney corrected. Broots didn’t even loose his stride.

     “He was in with Raines; boy would I have loved to listen in to that conversation. And Lyle was in with Mr Parker. Then I saw Jed go into Lyle’s office… There is more swapping of partners going on here than at a swinger’s party!” Sydney couldn’t help the slight smile that creased his features.

     “Been to many of those Broots?”

     “No! I didn’t mean, you know, I don’t do that kind of stuff… What would Debbie think?!” Sydney patted him affectionately on the shoulder.

     “I’m sure she’d be open minded.” Sydney’s smile had turned into a positive grin at the younger man’s obvious agitation. Broots smiled abashly. All traces of amusement left Sydney’s face, “Found anything that might hint where Parker and Jarod are?” Broots expression too turned serious.

     “No. It’s like she just disappeared, Jarod too. I guess she was paying more attention to Jarod’s tactics over the years than we thought.”

     “Hmph, maybe it’s a good thing we haven’t found anything. And it’s probably good if we continue to find nothing.”

     “But…”

     “If we don’t find anything then there is no chance that the Centre can use us against them. They are both smart and capable people; I think it best if we wait for them to contact us instead of plundering across the country trying to find them.”

     “I guess that’s best, but do you think they will really get in contact. I mean wouldn’t it be safer for them to just disappear, completely?”

     The kitchen was bright and airy and had such an aura of calm normality that Parker could almost believe that all she was here for was to visit an old friend, not to hide from people that two days before she was working for. She settled down on one of the chairs next to the kitchen table as Jim went to make coffee.

     “So how have you been Jim?” She asked, an ironic smile touching her lips. She was as yet unwilling to break the illusion that her life was still as it had been. It had made just as little sense but at least she had known the rules. Jim shrugged.

     “Got bored of it back there, especially once you were gone, so I decided to apply for a job out here. I got it, been here ever since, not much to tell.”

     “But no wife, kids… I’ve looked around this house Jim, you could fit three families in here!”

     “Already got the car, thought I’d get the house to match, you know, I couldn’t let the surgeon’s reputation as hideously wealthy pricks be challenged,” He grinned playfully, “I even play golf every Saturday.” Her only reply was to glare at him. He settled the mugs on the table before sitting down opposite her the grin fading from his lips and his face became clouded. “…There was this one woman, a few years back.”

     “What happened?” She asked softly. Jim bent over his coffee mug and shrugged.

     “It didn’t work out.”

     “I’m sorry.”

     “It wasn’t meant to be I guess… much like us.” Parker laughed.

     “We weren’t that bad together.”

     “Except for all those times you had to rush back to work at all hours of the day and night-”

     “Much like you did!”

     “True.” He consented. She smiled remembering the time they use to date. It had been a year or so before she had been called onto the pursuit of Jarod. He hadn’t exactly been her type, but he had been fun and wasn’t easily intimidated. After a time the energy and passion in their relationship had just fizzled out and they went their separate ways. She had never regretted the time with him but nor had he entered her thoughts much in the time since then. Their relationship had just gone through its natural course and she had left it at that.

     “So what have you been up to the last six years? Last I heard you were reassigned.” Jim asked.

     “…And currently my ‘reassignment’ is upstairs sleeping off some heavy duty tranquilizers.” His eyebrow rose questionably. “It’s a long story.” She replied.

     “I’m not rostered on today.”

     “Its better, safer, if you don’t know everything.”

     “That wasn’t the deal.”

     “We’ll be here until next spring if you want to hear everything.”

     “Alright then just give me the relevant details.” She looked down at the table her hands fiddling with her coffee mug.

     “Ok, but I’m going to be asking you to believe a lot of things you’re going to find hard to accept. But I don’t want to be sitting here all day trying to convince you… so I’m just going to ask you to trust, that everything I say, is the truth. Can you do that?”

     “I’ll believe whatever you tell me Parker.” She looked up at him to see if he was mocking her, but his expression was deadly serious. So she began reluctantly, from the beginning. “Five years ago I was reassigned to capture Jarod, he had escaped and the people I work for wanted him back. Only the reason they wanted him back so much was the same reason he was so bloody hard to capture.”

     “Reason?”

     “Jarod’s a Pretender, a genius who can become anyone that he wants to be.” The words slipped effortlessly from her tongue, so familiar the phrase. “Two days ago I finally caught him.” She shifted in her seat as Jim leaned forward in his.

     It had been a normal lead, nothing unusual. Other than the fact that they hadn’t heard from Jarod in awhile but then he had never worked by a regular schedule. And of course there was the bad temper she had been in for the last week or so. She had taken any opportunity to yell at Broots, often at the top of her lungs. Broots had put it down to ‘that time of the month’, Sydney considered it lack of sleep and too much stress and, she, she left the examining to them. She had better things to do than wonder why she suddenly felt like yelling at everyone within a mile of her current position.

     Driving away from the morgue, as Robert scrambled to gather his possessions and do the same, she thought on where to go next. It was obvious that Jarod needed medical treatment and just as obvious that going into a hospital was suicide. She had already relied on a friend’s help once, what was the shame in doing so again?

     She finally came to sit heavily back into her chair concluding her story, emotions sapping her strength. “I guess to sum it up; I’ve just betrayed some really powerful people and am now running for my life.” Her lips turned up in an ironic smile as she looked to Jim. After being silent for so long Jim took his time in replying, once it came though it was without hesitation.

     “Let’s see what we can do about that.” He said flashing his trademark grin. Parker was too speechless to reply.

     Parker walked slowly up the stairs towards the guest bedroom. She would look in on Jarod and then she would head out to call Sydney and Broots. Jim would stay behind. They had made plans for him to sneak Jarod into the hospital where he worked once Jarod was awake. Jim was going have to pull some major strings and call on many favors, but she had never known Jim to be on anyone’s bad side, so she doubted he was going to find it hard to organize. Hopefully if Jarod wasn’t admitted officially into the hospital system, the Centre would be unable to track them.

     She opened the door slowly; Jarod was as they left him. Walking into the room she came to sit in a chair beside the bed. She sat down awkwardly not knowing why she was here. Checking in on him had been her intention, but she could have done that by the briefest of glances from the door. She sat still in her chair; she could feel the kinks in her back. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since the last time she had slept. The empty side of the bed next to Jarod was starting to look tempting. She shook her head slightly, the smallest of smiles gracing her lips; she must be more tired than she thought. But now wasn’t the time to rest, in fact she didn’t see anytime in the near future for it. There was too much to do, especially since Jarod was out and it was up to her to keep both of them safe.

     Parker watched the rise and fall of his chest; he looked peaceful, if he could be called such under the circumstances. If they got out of this – away from the Centre – what kind of life was before them? The answer terrified the Ice Queen to the core: anything. There were no limits, she had lived within boundaries her whole life, and yet suddenly she was thrust into a world, a life, where the only boundary, the only rule she had to live by, was to keep out of the Centre’s hands. A big task no doubt but it left a lot of freedom. When she worked for the Centre, she worked by their rules, lived by their rules. She was what they made her. By running from them, by hiding from them, she was rejecting that. She could be anyone that she wanted to be. That is what terrified her. She shook her head to break the spell, pondering the future before they had even guaranteed that there was going to be one, was premature. She stood up from the chair and after one last glance at Jarod she forced herself to leave the room.

     “How long are we going to wait for them to contact us?” Broots asked from his place on Sydney’s couch. They were again back in Sydney’s office.

     “As long as it takes.” Sydney replied easily as he twiddled his pen between his fingers.

     “That’s fine except Miss Parker’s not stupid enough to call here or even our homes. The Centre probably has everything bugged by now.” Broots commented.

     “She will call.” Sydney replied with certainty. Broots considered the possibilities.

     “I guess I could try to scramble the line, but that will make it obvious we’re trying to stop the Centre from finding them. Or I could set up a different line, one that is secure, only we have no way of contacting her so ringing her or telling her the number is out of the question.” Sydney leaned back in his chair as he considered a comment spoken not long ago.

     “You said before Broots that Parker has paid more attention to Jarod’s tactics over the years than we’ve thought… Where would Jarod ring?” Silence reigned until, slowly, smiles appeared on both their faces. The smiles grew into grins as they shared a knowing look.

     “Do you want to drive or should I?” Broots asked.

     Parker stood in front of the payphone the phone pressed to her ear. She listened to it ring as the noises of cars and people hummed in the background.

     The sound of the phone interrupted the stillness, the oppressive silence that had pervaded. It’s shrill cry echoed throughout the empty house, demanding attention. Four rings, five. Not even the wind stirred.

     The piercing sound was suddenly silenced in mid-ring as a hand reached down to pick it up.

     “This is Sydney.”

     “You’re in my house.”

     “We let ourselves in, I hope you don’t mind.” Parker chuckled.

     “I expected no less, I’m glad you guys made it.” Sydney smiled. Broots looked to him questionably. Sydney put the phone down turning on speakerphone.

     “Hello Broots.”

     “Miss Parker! It’s good to hear your voice.”

     “It’s only been three days Broots.”

     “Yeh well, it feels more like three years, I think I’ve aged three decades!”

     “How’s Jarod?” Sydney inquired, concerned for his protégé.

     “Other than being unconscious he’s just fine.”

     “Unconscious?”

     “He’s fine Syd, he’ll be awake soon and I have arranged for him to be looked over by a doctor. I don’t exactly have much time here boys. I need to know what’s going on there, what’s happened since I’ve left?”

     “Other than the absolute chaos? Not much, they have everyone on the trail of both of you, but as far as we can tell they have no solid leads yet. There is a hell of a lot of secret allegiances going on, even for the Centre. You should be careful Miss Parker, Raines has put that head sweeper Jed on your trail, and looks like it’s gotten personal to him.”

     “Raines let him live?” Miss Parker asked.

     “Uh, yeah.” Broots looked over to Syd his browed wrinkled. “That means something?” He asked.

     “Raines isn’t known for his forgiveness Broots. Both of you should watch yourselves, try to stay as far away from the infighting as possible. Things like this don’t happen in the Centre everyday, heads will roll, make sure it’s not your own.”

     “You don’t have to worry about us Parker.” Sydney soothed.

     “Is there anything you want us to do Miss Parker?” Though the offer was spoken reluctantly, he felt it was his obligation to ask. They could hear her sigh as she paused before finally answering.

     “I need you to look into how this started. I want to know about Jarod’s accident, his hospital records, who in the Centre ordered his Termination, everything. Can you do that?”

     “We’ll do it.” Sydney replied without the slightest hint of hesitation.

     “Come back to the house in exactly one week, same time, we’ll talk further then. I shouldn’t have to say it but boys? Don’t get caught.” Sydney smiled at her comment.

     “Ah just one thing Miss Parker…” Broots started uncertainly.

     “What Broots?” Parker asked impatiently.

     “…Why did you do it? Save Jarod I mean.” The pause on the other end of the line was so long they thought she was already gone.

     “Because I couldn’t do anything else.” She replied softly. The dial tone sounded. Sydney leaned forward to still the noise.

     “What did she mean she couldn’t do anything else?” Broots asked.

     “It means Broots,” Sydney spoke softly as they left Miss Parker house, “That she couldn’t kill him.”

     His head hurt, that’s all he knew as consciousness stirred. He moaned, his hand reaching up to his temple. His fingers brushed against fabric, a bandage, he realized. He opened his eyes, panic rushed through him as only darkness greeted him. His mind flashing to all the dark places of the Centre he could be.

     “No need to panic, you’re safe.” The male voice sounded from somewhere to his right. He was blind he realized as the memory finally came back to him. There was nothing wrong with the room, it was his eyes that were the problem. He slowed his breathing down in a vain attempt to slow his heartbeat.

     “Who are you?” Jarod asked.

     “I’m a friend of Parker’s, I’m a doctor. She brought you here.” The voice remained where it was, speaking low and calm. Jarod recognized the tactics; the man kept his answers short and to the point, his voice steady and without infliction. Nor did he move from his place. He was letting Jarod adjust to his surroundings trying to minimize Jarod’s panic. Jarod sat up slowly. He was on a bed he realized, not a hospital bed though, it was too big.

     “Where is Miss Parker?”

     “She had to make a phone call; she’ll be back any minute.” Jarod winced as he rubbed his neck.

     “Why does my head hurt so much? If fact, why am I still breathing?”

     “Those are all questions for Parker. But I have aspirin here for your headache, it should help some.” Jarod held his hand out palm up. A second later he felt the feather light touch of two pills fall into his hand. He quickly put them in his mouth and as his hand fell back to his side it bumped lightly into a solid object. His hand closed around the object, the familiar feeling of glass greeted him. He bought it to his mouth; taking a small gulp of water, the pills went down easily.

     “You’re not from the Centre are you?” Somehow it struck him as funny that he only asked that once he had swallowed the pills. But then again he was already supposed to be dead, anything now was just a bonus, he thought sarcastically.

     “No I’m not and from what Parker’s told me of the place I’m incredibly grateful for that fact.” Jarod gave a low hoarse chuckle.

     “You’re a friend of Parker’s?”

     “We used to date many years ago. I hadn’t seen her for six years, that is, before she knocked on my door last night with you in tow.” Jarod’s brow furrowed. He was still alive. Parker had brought him to an ex-boyfriend’s house, a man that just happened to be a doctor… he didn’t quite know what to think. Was this all a trick, a game, she was playing with him?

     “I’ll leave you alone to get adjusted; the bathroom is three metres to your right. You’re in one of my guest bedrooms on the second story so if you go exploring be careful of the stairs alright?”

     “Sure.” Jarod replied somewhat distracted. He blinked looking toward the direction of the voice, “Second story?” He questioned. He heard the man chuckle.

     “Yeah, it was a hell of a job carrying you up the stairs. I told Parker you could walk up them on your own, once you regained consciousness, but she insisted. She always was impatient.”

     “And stubborn.” Jarod murmured absentmindedly.

     “The name’s Jim by the way, call if you need anything.”

     “I guess you already know exactly who I am.”

     “I got the basic facts. Take it easy Jarod, Parker will be back soon.” With that Jim left, softly closing the door behind him. Jarod sat still for many minutes before the urge to search his surroundings became overwhelming.

     The gurney was wheeled into the operation room as doctors yelled orders. Nurses moved in such a flurry it was a miracle they didn’t run into each other. The room was in chaos. They were not equipped to deal with such an emergency, however it was clear the patient would not survive the trip to a hospital.

     Mr Parker who had followed the gurney paused in the doorway. He watched as they torn his son’s shirt exposing his chest. It was difficult to follow all the actions of the doctors and nurses as they huddled over his still form.

     Somehow even with the noise in the operating room, the squeak of Raines oxygen tank was still perfectly audible.

     “What did you do to my Son, Raines?” Mr Parker growled between clenched teeth, his eyes never once leaving his stricken son.

     “You didn’t think your actions wouldn’t come without repercussions did you? You seem to have forgotten the Centre is answerable not just to you. If the Triumvirate had found out you tried to get Jarod killed, Lyle’s little problem would be the least of your worries.”

     “Problem? Raines you had my Son poisoned!”

     “Call it the price you pay for going against the best interests of The Centre.” Raines gave an evil grin, turning to leave “Who knows, your progeny might yet survive. Don’t you know, “ Raines said as he walked away, “No one ever dies at the Centre.” Mr Parker winced as his words drifted back to him.

     The Centre’s medical staff was still working on Lyle at a frenzied pace. A nurse paused to pull a white curtain obscuring his view of the gurney and his son. He stared blankly at the white curtain, his mind already racing.

     Jed met Mr Raines in the hall.

     “How’s the Boss doing?” He asked his tone dripping irony.

     “It could go either way.” Raines replied his neutral tone betraying the slightest hint of satisfaction.

     “And the experts consider water good for you.” Jed scoffed his mouth twisted into a manic grin. He gave a low chuckle. Raines sighed impatiently.

     “Was there something in particular you wanted?”

     “Right, thought you might like to know,” He paused dragging it out for effect; all he got from Raines was a glare, “I think I’ve found where Miss Parker is hiding.”

     “And Jarod?”

     “With her.”

     “Excellent, I might just let you live after all.” Raines smiled as he began walking away, “I appreciate what you did for me, that won’t be forgotten.” Jed grinned.

     “What I did to Lyle? I’ll give you that for free. That one was just for fun.” Jed looked down the corridor in the direction of the operating room where even now they worked desperately to keep the bastard alive. “Life’s grand.” Jed murmured to himself before hurrying after the sound of the oxygen tank.

     End of Part 3

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