“I don’t need to see, to know you’re brooding.” Jarod’s deep voice penetrated the grey darkness. Parker moved away from the window.

     “I’m not brooding. I’m thinking.” Her lips quirked, her eyes betraying a hint of irony.

     “What are you thinking?” Jarod asked. Still fully clothed he slowly sat up from his position stretched out on the bed.

     A retort was on the tip of her tongue before she bit it off and walked to perch herself on the edge of the bed.

     “I’ve… just been thinking about everything. I wish this all came with a script.” She murmured waving her hand vaguely in the air at the ‘all this’. She moved to accommodate Jarod as he swung his legs off the bed to sit beside her.

     “I’m kind of glad it doesn’t.” Jarod countered. She waited. “Then we wouldn’t be able to make up own stories. And this would definitely not be in the script.” His fingers lightly gripped her chin to turn her head toward him until he could press his lips, warm and soft, against hers. She tried unsuccessfully to suppress the warmth that immediately spread through her body at his touch.

     “Depends whose script you’re talking about.”

     “Not the Centre’s obviously.”

     Parker laughed softly, before silence settled over the darkened hotel room once again.

     “Parker I need to tell you something…” The room was almost too dark to see by but she could hear the seriousness in his voice.

     “Need to tell me what?” She asked.

     “I’ve been having nightmares.”

     Parker’s brow furrowed at the sudden change in topic. “I’ve spent the last week in a variety of hotels and cars with you; there was no way I couldn’t notice, Jarod.” Her voice softened slightly, “You can’t sleep more than three hours at a time.”

     He nodded, shifting beside her uncomfortably. “Why I’m telling you this is because, these aren’t my usual nightmares. I’ve had them since the accident, and they’ve been getting worse.”

     “They’re about your eyes?”

     “Yes, But it’s more than that. I think they’re memories - foggy incoherent - memories of when I woke up in hospital. But… if so…” He blew a frustrated breath. He didn’t know how to tell her.

     “Just say it.”

     “I saw your father, or more accurately, I heard him. In the hospital.” He softly stressed the last part to make sure she hadn’t missed its implications.

     “You said it was a nightmare. You don’t think you could just be mixing up your ‘Hells’ to provide a fresh new way to keep you up watching infomercials?”

     He didn’t take her bait. “No.”

     “So you think my father was responsible for your accident that he intentionally-”

     He interrupted her. “No, I know that part was an accident. Nobody played a part in that but Fate. It’s the after I’m questioning.”

     “You haven’t even told me what happened to put you in hospital, what made you blind! Have you told anyone?” By now she was on her feet and pacing beside the bed.

     “Do you want me to tell you what happened?”

     “Yes.” She stopped her pacing to stare at him. It had been over three months now since he’d been blinded and yet she still didn’t know how it had happened. And it seemed intrinsically wrong to her that she didn’t know the details of the catalyst that had tipped her world off its axis.

     “OK, but after that we talk about your father.”

     “Deal.” She said finally settling back down beside him.

     “I was working in a medical lab connected to the University of Michigan. I was there acting as a supervisor for one of the research groups.”

      “Was it a Pretend?”

     “Not really. There was a Doctor there, Neil Robinson, he was paralysed when he was in high school, a road accident that killed his mother. He went on to college, excelled in his field and has spent the last 15 years conducting breakthrough research into Muscular Dystrophy. Anyway, he got married 6 months ago, only his commitments at the lab meant he couldn’t get away and well I…”

     “You took over his responsibilities so he could go on a honeymoon?” Parker replied putting the pieces together. Jarod nodded.

     “One day one of the undergraduates was carrying vials of chemical solutions. Well let’s just say they don’t react so well together and she… dropped them. She was wearing protective glasses, I wasn’t, when I went to grab her and pull her back, the vapour got into my eyes. I could feel them burning. The next thing I knew I was out in the corridor and everything was beginning to go black. I collapsed and blacked out.”

     “And that’s all it took?” Parker asked softly.

     “Yeah, that’s all it took.” She tried to imagine the rest of Jarod’s life, dealing with his condition. Anger welled in her so fast she couldn’t breath, she wanted to hit someone, preferable that idiot undergraduate, or Neil Robinson or any God damned person that moved would be just fine… how could something that took mere minutes forever destroy something so precious? She found arms encircle her in a tight grip.

     “Shh.” Jarod soothed.

     “It’s unfair.” Parker insisted, “And why am I the one that’s getting so messed up?”

     “Because you did such a good job sorting me out.”

     “Not me, you have the mental stability of a continent, you know that? And it’s annoying.” She felt his chest rumble as he chuckled.

     “I’ll take that as a compliment.” They sat there in silence before Parker finally pulled away.

     “You wanted to tell me something about my father?” She asked warily.

     “I think he knew about my blindness… before.”

     “Because you think he was there, at the hospital with you, when you first woke up?”

     “Yes.”

     “But do you really know? I mean you don’t really seem sure, surely if-”

     “I was groggy, overwhelmed… but I don’t think I’m imagining things. At first I was willing to accept it was just another nightmare, but they keep getting worse, like they are a message I haven’t been listening to and it’s turning up the volume.”

     “What do you want to do? What do you want me to do? Even if he was there it doesn’t change a thing-”

     “It changes a lot, for one; I’d like to know why he was there.”

     “You already said it was an accident-”

     “Yes, but-”

     “No! I don’t see how-”

     “Parker, please.” She suddenly felt Jarod’s warm hand gently covering her mouth. She took a breath, then immediately dragged in another.

     She pulled his hand away from her face. “I’m sorry, it’s just… he’s my father, he’s been the only thing, the only family, I’ve had for so long and I don’t know how to…”

     “I know.” He said softly. She felt the empathy of those two words and a tired silence settled over the darkened motel room.

     “Do you think hypnosis would work? Like it did before, when you remembered visiting my mother at Raines’ cabin?”

     Jarod shook his head in question.

     “To give you a better clarity to your nightmares - or memories, whatever - so you can know if they have any substance in reality or not.”

     Jarod took his time in answering.

     “I would rather things worked out between us, if not knowing is better then…”

     “The truth is always better being known, Jarod. Hell,” Her lips turned up in a wry smile. “It can set you free.”

     “Or kill you.” Jarod added and for one moment a burst of wry laughter lightened the room.

     “I’d rather know.” Jarod said once quiet had again settled between them.

     “So would I.” Parker agreed quietly.

     “Surely you got the address wrong.” Parker murmured her head craned to get a better look along the street. The car crawled along as she tried to look at the numbers.

     Jarod shook his head. “This is it.”

     “This can’t be it.”

     “Why?”

     “Because I’m looking at a street that would pull a medium sized country out of bankruptcy. And number 19, the one your sister and Sydney are supposed to be staying in, is the biggest damn one of the lot.”

     “They’ve done well for themselves I see.”

     “Right; Sydney’s the bastard child of Donald Trump and good ole Dad lent him a few million.” Parker replied caustically.

     “Surely it’s not that bad.” Jarod said with a lift of one eyebrow.

     “Ten to one, there are original Rembrandt’s hanging from the walls.”

     “You didn’t exactly grow up in poverty Parker; don’t tell me you’re intimidated.”

     “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Her voice dripped in indignation.

     “Good. Then let’s go knock on the front door.” A grin spread along his lips.

     They were only a few metres in front of the massive wrought iron gate when it began to slowly inch open. Parker gently tugged on Jarod’s hand as she led him through the ever widening gap. Someone knew they were here. She didn’t feel any prickling along her spine that may forewarn a setup but the fact that this wasn’t what she had been expecting was enough to have her senses on red alert.

     “Door knocker; shoulder height; dead ahead.” She murmured to Jarod and immediately saw him lift his hand to the glided monstrosity. The three loud bangs made her wince. No cars drove along the street, no kids played on front lawns, not even a dog barked. She unconsciously drew closer to Jarod.

     “You’re being paranoid.” Jarod murmured a faint smirk on his lips.

     “We’re being chased by a powerful black-market corporation that has networks in about every position of power in this country… what’s to be paranoid about?” She murmured in reply.

     “I hear there is a conspiracy theorist’s convention going on over in Cincinnati, I’m sure they would love to hear all about it.”

     “Even they wouldn’t believe us.”

     Suddenly footsteps sounded on the other side of the door.

     “Ready to find out how more unbelievable our story can get?” Jarod asked.

     “Sure; I always loved fiction.”

     Both turned as the door opened to reveal a smiling and slightly out of breath Emily.

     “Sorry, I had to come all the way from the servant quarters. Come on through.”

     Jarod enjoyed the sensation of sinking into soft cushions as he sat in the sofa Emily had pushed him into. He found he felt sensations more vividly since he lost his sight and he enjoyed them where he could as his life had taught him nothing if not to savour every morsel of joy he could get out of life. He could feel Parker settling beside him, the smugness coming off her was almost palatable. There hadn’t just been an original Rembrandt but a few Monet’s thrown in there too. She always did love being right.

     He took Parker’s hand within his own as he listened to the rustling of Emily and Sydney settling into their own seats opposite the sofa. He didn’t need physical contact to know where Parker was or what mood she was in but that didn’t mean he didn’t take advantage of the few benefits his condition afforded him; that of almost constant touch, especially when it came from her. She curled her fingers around his but remained quiet otherwise. He felt the message clearly; this meeting was for him and he would be the one to direct it.

     He cleared his throat. “I suppose you are wondering why I insisted on meeting.”

     It was Emily who replied. “Well you did say we should split up and now you call saying you want to meet us? I hope you’re not here just to check up on us. We’ve been doing just fine I’ll have you know, big brother.”

     “I can see that Em; the both of you have done very well. This is definitely the last place the Centre would think of looking.” Jarod gave an amused chuckle.

     Emily beamed at her brother’s approval before her eyes clouded with concern and her mouth tightened into a frown.

     “Then what does bring you here Jarod?”

     “Sydney actually - not that it isn’t great to see you baby Sis.”

     “Me? What can I do for you Jarod?” Sydney queried his brow raised in curiosity.

     “I need…” Jarod paused, doubts abruptly clogging his tongue. He sighed. Was this really such a great idea? He had almost everything he wanted there in his hand, did he want to jeopardise any of that by leading them all down a path that might just lead back to a confrontation with the Centre? One they may not all survive a second time?

     “We need the truth.” Parker interceded and after a pregnant pause Jarod nodded in agreement. This had to be done, he had to know.

     “I have dreams I think have some basis in reality. But I was confused at the time and in my conscious mind it’s all a blur. I was hoping… Parker suggested… that you hypnotise me again.” Jarod concluded awkwardly, acutely aware he was making rather a muddle of this. But even he wasn’t sure exactly what he was asking.

     “When are these memories from - if there are indeed memories?” Sydney asked a measure of control coming into his voice as he reverted unconsciously to ‘Doctor Mode’.

     “After I was blinded, when I woke up in hospital. I think Mr Parker may have been there, I need to know whether he was and if so maybe why he was there.”

     “I can try taking you back to that time, but this isn’t the same as Raines’ cabin. There you were conscious and aware it was only afterward your memory was tampered with. Here you were confused at the time and we may only be able to get bits and pieces.”

     “I’ll take anything. Please, Sydney.”

     Sydney nodded. “Of course, Jarod.” There was a shuffling as they re-positioned themselves to better conduct the hypnosis.

     “Now Jarod I need you to relax, take a deep breath and let your mind go. I’m going to count backwards from ten; when I reach one, I want you to fall into a deep sleep. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,” Jarod’s head fell back against the couch and his breathing began to slow, “4, 3, 2… 1. Jarod, I need you to go back to the moment that you first woke up in hospital, the first moment you woke up and realised everything was dark.”

     A shudder racked Jarod’s body.

     “Everything is fine Jarod, you’re safe. What are you feeling, what’s running through your mind?”

     “I keep trying to open my eyes. But everything is still dark. I don’t… I don’t understand. I can hear people moving around, I can hear… I can hear nurses, and patients. I’m in a hospital. But I don’t know why, I don’t remember why.”

     “Jarod tell me what’s happening?”

     Jarod’s breaths began to pick up. Sydney opened his mouth to reassure Jarod again that he was safe but Jarod stilled suddenly. “I can hear someone beside me. They don’t say a word but I can feel him. I don’t know how but I know they are watching me. Always watching me…”

     “’Is it done?’ he says. Someone else has come into the room. I know that voice! I know it; it’s Mr Parker.” Jarod’s voice lowered to a growl over Mr Parker’s name.

     “What is he saying Jarod?”

     “It’s all… it’s so confused; I can’t concentrate!”

     “Focus Jarod. What is Mr Parker saying? Who is the man with him?”

     “The other man; I don’t know his voice. It’s all jumbled. They’re saying…” Jarod’s voice trailed off as his head cocked to one side as if he was still listening to their conversation.

     “Have you organised it... yes… letting him go… one last purpose… drugs… miracle…out of bed… final test. That’s it; then they’re gone.”

     “Do you remember whether you hear those voices again?”

     “No, the next time I wake up, it’s a woman; a nurse.” Jarod’s head shakes, no. “I don’t hear them again.”

     “Ok, Jarod I need you to wake up.” Sydney said as he continued pulling Jarod out of the dream state.

     Jarod rubbed his neck as he tried to digest everything. It wasn’t much; and what it was, was a distorted jigsaw puzzle at best. He needed to think before he could ascertain exactly what it meant.

     Jarod leaned against one of the kitchen counters as he listened to Emily prepare tea and biscuits. The familiar murmur of Parker and Sydney’s voices as they continued to talk quietly in the lounge room provided him with a soothing background noise.

     “What are you thinking Jarod?” His sister’s voice was accompanied by the whirl of the coffee grinder, “Did you achieve what you came for?”

     Jarod took his time in answering, “I have to think about it. Obviously there is more to this,” Jarod scoffed lightly, “There always is with the Centre.”

     “What is she like?”

     “Who?”

     “Parker.”

     He considered his answer. Curious as to why Emily asked.

     “She’s… a lot of things, everything really, all the clichés; funny, smart, beautiful. As well as a crack shot, cunning and capable. She’s loyal to those she cares about, she has a soft heart but she hides it underneath thick amour plating.”

     “You love her.”

     “Very much. Don’t tell her, I don’t think she’s ready yet.”

     “Or you’re not ready.” Jarod winced, he was discovering to his chagrin that sisters could sometimes be annoyingly perceptive.

     “It’s not that I don’t know what I feel…”

     “You’re just not ready to face the fact that what she feels may not be the same.”

     “Yeah.” Honestly, he wished they were still talking about the Centre and it’s threats to their family. Emily remained silent and Jarod fell into his thoughts.

     He was so tired of the lies; of the twists and turns. He had yet another mystery to uncover and he knew whatever he found would only be the tip of the iceberg.

     What kind of future could his family have when all they chased were constantly shifting shadows of truth and lies? If they had each other, was going after all the secrets worth it? Yet one member of their family remained absent. Would they be giving up any chance of finding her if they moved against the Centre?

     “Jarod?” He lifted his head at his sister’s soft voice. “You look like you’re a solider about to face the Roman army.”

     “Not the Roman army, but a battle was what I had in mind.” He would never give up finding his mother, but they needed a permanent solution to keeping the family he had free of the Centre’s long tentacles.

     What kind of future could he offer Parker if he didn’t?

     Before he left he spoke his thoughts to Sydney, Emily and with Parker who stood at the edge of the room. Parker stayed silent but the others talked voraciously on the pros and cons. In the end Sydney and Emily’s opinion was the same.

     To them another confrontation with the Centre seemed inevitable, this time it had to be final, a victor… and a loser. To avoid that would mean spending the rest of their lives living only half-lives; forever afraid that any happiness they found, and roots they put down would be violently taken from them once again by the Centre. They had a chance at finally, truly, being free of the Centre and the risk of failure was a bitter pill they would have to take a chance on. They had the best minds on their side, people who have lived and worked on the inside, if they couldn’t defeat the Centre… then no one would be able to stop them. And that thought was too sickening to tolerate.

     Jarod sat rigid in the passenger seat. Parker had yet to turn the ignition and her hesitancy along with her silence in the house had him worried.

     “Jarod?” Parker said softly as she sat staring without focus out the windshield.

     Jarod let his head fall back against the head rest.

     “I know this is not what you want; I know I’m putting you in the middle, but-”

     “It’s ok.” Jarod felt her warm hand caress his jaw. “Is this for revenge?”

     “God no!” He lurched up in his seat. “I wouldn’t risk this much for some petty one-up-man ship!”

     “You are only doing it for the future happiness and safety of your family and of the innocents that the Centre hurts?”

     “Yes! I wouldn’t-” Her fingers pressed against his lips.

     “I know Jarod. I know you. You don’t need to make excuses to me. I know.” The tension left Jarod’s body in a rush and his head fell forward until he came to rest against her nape. “You know what this means?” He wanted to be absolutely certain they were on the same page – no misunderstandings.

     “The total dismantling of the Centre.” He felt her fingers comb through his hair and he was pretty sure he was in heaven. Parker’s acceptance, her touch, her affection; everything he had always silently yearned for and yet had never managed to achieve before now. Sometimes the thought would flitter through his head that this was all a dream, that he was still in that apartment after coming home from the hospital, and this was all an elaborate daydream his mind spun to escape the nothingness.

     “Do you think you can do it?” The tone of Parker’s voice caught him; it was both hopeful as well as sad. He pulled back from her so he could cup her face.

     “If I could do this without hurting you, I wouldn’t hesitate. But I can’t, you grew up there, worked there, your family ties are intractably linked to its creation and its running; it’s going to hurt a heck of a lot to turn on that and destroy it all.”

     “Promise me it’s for the best.”

     “It is for the best.”

     “I’m going to have to trust you on that. Because even if my head knows it’s right and that it’s time; there is still some part of me that wants to fight you tooth and nail.”

     “That’s ok.”

     “How is that ok?”

     “Because being loyal is concreted into your genes Parker, your very make up. I don’t expect you to change over night. Plus, there’s the most important thing.”

     “And what is that Know-it-All?”

     He whispered directly into her ear. “You’re still here; with me.”

     “So you’ve heard the plan?” Major Charles asked two of his sons.

     “It isn’t much of a plan.” Ethan replied his gaze thoughtful.

     “’Destroy the Centre’, isn’t a plan it’s a fantasy.” Adam interjected.

     “Adam, have some faith.” Major Charles said as he returned the phone to its resting place.

     “Why does Jarod get to decide what we do? When did he become the sole voice of our family?”

     A frown marred Charles’ brow before he took a seat across from his youngest son, “We all know that things can’t go on the way they are. If it was within my power I would have gotten ridden of the Centre years ago.”

     “But we’re all out now; there is no one they can hold over our heads if we move against them.” Ethan said.

     “You’re forgetting Mom; she’s still out there somewhere. Maybe they have her.” Adam interjected.

     “Maybe.” The muscles in Major Charles jaw bunched, “There is nothing I want more than to have her back, but we have to assume she is somewhere safe.”

     Adam still seemed less than convinced but he knew to tread on light ground when discussing Margaret. Instead he chose another tactic.

     “What about all the innocent people that could get hurt in the crossfire; secretaries, IT personnel, janitors… all the people that think the Centre is just a normal think tank. The people that don’t have any idea what goes on under the surface?”

     “Adam has a point.” Ethan admitted his eyes dark as he looked to his father.

     “And in a perfect world, I wouldn’t want any of them to get hurt either, but if we just stand by… more harm will come, more innocents will be hurt.” Charles replied.

     “You don’t know that, you can’t predict that.” Adam shook his head.

     “No, I can’t narrow it down to some statistical ratio of loss versus gain; all I can go by is my gut. And it’s telling me Jarod’s right, that the time has finally come. I will not run anymore.” Pausing to gather himself Charles continued, meeting Adam’s eyes directly, “You’re not a child and I won’t treat you like one. If you wish to have nothing to do with this, I’ll accept your choice.”

     “But I don’t get to be a part of the family anymore right?”

     Charles burst into laughter, “I forget you’re not used to having family yet. First thing you should have learned Adam, is there is no getting out of it. Whatever, you decide; you’re still one of us.”

     Adam turned shifting uncomfortably, not meeting his father’s eyes. Sometimes he still felt like that little boy that wasn’t allowed to cry.

     Charles paused, but when it was clear Adam wasn’t yet ready to reply he brought his focus to his other son.

     “Ethan, we may not have much of a battle plan yet but we have a goal, are you in?” For all the directness of the question, he kept his voice low. He would not be making the choice for his sons, too many choices had already been taken from them; this was theirs alone to decide.

     Ethan’s gaze drifted down, his body tense. This was no question to be given a flippant answer.

     “The Centre created me, I can’t hate them for giving me life, but I can hate them for thinking that means they own me. They killed my adoptive parents; they wanted to make me into a weapon to hurt people. I won’t let them do that to anyone else. I’m in,” His gaze clashing with his father’s. “Whatever it takes.”

     Major Charles’ only reaction was to nod in acknowledgment before turning to Adam.

     “I know the Centre was your only home for most of your life and going against that may not be an easy choice for you but now’s the time to decide whether you want to be a part of this.”

     Seconds passed without a sound before Adam’s low reply.

     “I’m in.”

     “You’re sure?”

     “Yeah, for all the reasons Ethan said and more.” Adam’s lips hardened, “But Jarod doesn’t get to make all the rules. I don’t want to be some pawn in a game of power, I’m tired of that.”

     Major Charles’ gaze drifted to the window and the view beyond, “We all are, Son.”

     “Did you talk with them?”

     “Yes. Adam is still a little resistant but I think he genuinely believes in what we are doing.”

     “Good. That’s good. I need you all believing this is possible otherwise we’ve already failed.”

     Major Charles shifted the phone from one ear to the other glancing across the room at his sons.

     “There is something I wanted to bring up with you Jarod.”

     “What?”

     “Your mother. I need to find her; if she runs into the crossfire of this fight with the Centre…”

     “That’s not going to happen. We’re going to find her; we’re all going to be back together, whatever it takes.”

     “If somehow she gets caught up in this and it’s her or destroying the Centre, she’s my priority and I really don’t give a damn about the greater good. She’s my wife, I love her and miss her more than you can ever imagine.” He took a heavy breath, “I know you may not be able to understand that but-”

     “No.” Jarod interrupted, in the resulting quiet he could hear Parker moving in the adjoining bathroom, “I… understand fully.”

     “Good. Then we’re ready whenever you need us.”

     Jed grunted, hunching down as he searched an unused crawl space.

     “Where is the little weasel?” He muttered. Concluding it was empty he pushed his way out and back into SL15’s storage room.

     “It looks embarrassing when, not only are we unable to find nine people, we can’t even find one in our own facility!” The sweeper accompanying him continued to stare passively at the opposite wall. Jed threw him a disgusted look before stepping into the hall and continuing on to the next hiding place big enough to hide a full grown – in body at least - man.

     “Mr Broots.”

     “Jarod. How are you? And Miss Parker?”

     “We’re fine Broots. I trust Debbie’s well?”

     “Yes, of course, we’re both doing just great… um… so is there a reason you called?”

     “There wasn’t much time when we all met to discuss the future. But I think we all knew what was coming. I’m calling to ask if you’re ready Broots?”

     “Ah, you mean to try to stop the Centre once and for all?”

     “Yes, Broots.”

      There was a long pause.

     “You know I don’t believe in what the Centre is doing… It’s just; I have to think about Debbie. The Centre wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her and she’s already been through enough. She’s my daughter and I have to protect her.”

     “And I can understand that, in fact I admire you for it. That’s why I have a job prospect for you.”

     “Job? What is it?”

     “We want you to control our base of operations.”

     “C-control?”

     “Yes.”

     “And what exactly does that mean?”

     “We need a command centre, somewhere where all our activities can be coordinated, and we’ll need someone with computer skills to do it. It wouldn’t require leaving the house but that doesn’t mean you’re free from risk. You and Debbie would be out of the direct line of fire, however, while providing us with an invaluable service.”

     “Oh.”

     “So I ask again Broots; Are you ready?”

     “I just have one final question.”

     “Yes?”

     “Do we get code names?”

     “Broots is in.” Jarod clicked his phone shut.

     “I gathered that from your grin.”

     “Would you like to be ‘Ice Queen’ or ‘Dominatrix’?”

     Parker paused in the process of packing away their clothes.

     “What?”

     “Nothing.” Jarod replied. A chuckle rumbled from his chest as he wandered into the next room.

     Parker shook her head at the oddities of men.

     “Sydney and Emily confirmed they were in didn’t they?” Parker called through the doorway.

     “Yeah.” She heard Jarod’s faint reply.

     “And Major Charles called back with their answers?”

     “All ready to go.” Jarod’s reply even fainter this time as he moved into the kitchen of the short stay apartment they had rented.

     “That’s everyone then.” She murmured to herself. Her sight was caught by the phone on the bed side table. With a sharp shake of her head she tore her gaze from it. Been there, done that. Still she could feel the temptation to call her father brewing inside her. And she knew just as keenly that it would be a very bad idea. At the same time she knew Jarod hadn’t forgotten the reason they had sought out Sydney, something that had to do with her father. Some remanent of her was still ‘Daddy’s little girl’ and that part desperately needed to know what, if anything, her father had done to Jarod - someone she was finally letting herself admit was important to her. Was it yet another thing she could turn a blind eye to, or was it something that this time, she wouldn’t be able to forgive?

     The scotch glowed amber in the rays of the setting sun that escaped the blinds designed to keep them out. He swirled the glass in his hands, not drinking a drop, just watching the liquid gold as it rolled within the confines of the crystal glass.

     Images flickered like a movie reel in front of his eyes. His father sitting tall behind a desk very much like this one. Catherine on their wedding day, radiant in white. His first speech as chairman. His first glimpse of his daughter. The many hours he’d spent behind this desk making decisions, planning ways to expand the Centre’s influence.

     So many things he’d done, some good, some bad. Some he regretted, some he didn’t. He’d been so proud when his daughter was born, only a small pang of disappointment accompanied the news it was a girl. Yet was he proud now, when his own daughter, his own flesh and blood could be the one to bring down all his plans? His life’s work.

     He was losing control of her. Just like he had with her mother. Maybe life really had softened him, because he didn’t think he had the heart to resolve the problem the same way as he had with Catherine.

     She was so much like her mother. All these years he’d tried to mould her, and now decades later, he found all his work in vain. She was still the same little girl with her heart in her eyes.

     Maybe, if he had chosen another path for himself, things could have been different. He could have kept his family; maybe he could have been happy.

     A soundless chuckle escaped his chest.

     In one swallow he downed the glass of scotch.

     It was too late in his life now for maybes, he had committed to his course, and he would succeed even if that success was giving his soul to the devil.

     Because he was a Parker. Was born one and he would die one.

     Cracks formed like spider webs in the glass as it was slammed back onto the desk.

     Jarod woke suddenly; he stared at the ceiling though blackness surrounded him as always. But at the edge of his hearing he heard voices, voices that weren’t in the room with him but inside his head. He breathed evenly, trying not to strain to hear what the voices were saying; the voices were from the hospital room. He was trying to remember and somehow it was desperately important he did.

     …Miss Parker…

     Jed had said Parker’s name! He had been with Mr Parker in that hospital room and he had said her name. His whole body tensed with dread. He sat up in bed.

     He ran over the words he had remembered during the session with Sydney.

     Have you organised it... Jed was acting on Mr Parker’s commands

     Letting him go… they were setting him up for something.

     One last purpose… something they didn’t know he’d survive.

     Drugs… miracle…out of bed… something that required him to be incapacitated.

     Final test… a final test…? For who?

     His teeth clenched. Not for him, they didn’t think he’d survive. It was a test for Parker. They had something planned for her.

     A band tightened over his chest, because…. He didn’t think she’d passed.

     Because he was still alive.

     “The Triumvirate isn’t happy.” Raines rasping voice held a hint of smugness.

     “Been telling tales again Raines?” Mr Parker replied, not stirring from his desk.

     Raines shifted further into the room. “I didn’t need to lie. All I had to do was tell them the truth.”

     “The project was always going to be a risk.”

     “Yes, which was why its preparation was handled with such care. However, you decided to jump the gun.”

     “Time was getting away from us.”

     “There was still time. You rushed ahead and dropped the ball. We were supposed to have everything, but we have ended up with nothing. We have no Pretenders left worth mentioning. The Triumvirate are on the way here, they want an explanation in person.”

     For the briefest moment concern flickered over the mask of Mr Parker’s expression.

     Raines pounced on that glimpse of emotion, “Let me meet the Triumvirate, I will take the blame, I will smooth our relations with them once again.”

     “In exchange?”

     “Your retirement is announced immediately, along with news of my appointment as your replacement.”

     A chuckle rumbled from Mr Parker’s chest.

     “You’re like a musician that only knows how to play one song, Raines.”

     “You’ve had it this time. You’ve gone too far. If you don’t take my offer now then I will not lift one finger in your aid when they come to hang you.”

     “Your decision is duly noted.”

     With a sigh of disgust Raines turned on his heel and back out of Mr Parker’s office. The sound of his oxygen tank faded into the corridor’s shadows.

     From those shadows emerged a second figure.

     “Should I just put a revolving door in?” Mr Parker commented, his tone acerbic.

     “He has a point.” Lyle replied as he stepped into the office and slowly sank into a chair, his full strength yet to return.

     Mr Parker’s stare was stony. “How goes the search for our intrepid group?”

     “Not a whisper. I think they went to ground. With both Sydney and Parker with Jarod, we’ve lost our connection to him.”

     “Not everyone is gone.”

     “Angelo you mean?”

     “He’s still running in the sub levels isn’t he?”

     “We think so but haven’t been able to locate him yet. But what good can we get from that… manchild?”

     “He’s a connection. If they’ve gone to ground we need some way to reach them.”

     “We need more than a way to reach them. We need a way to reacquire them.”

     “I just need to talk to my daughter.”

     “You think you can bring her around like you did before? That didn’t turn out so well - you’re not so naïve as to believe Parker hadn’t already orchestrated her way out before she even stepped back into this place.”

     “She’s not to be underestimated.”

     “Are you still proud of that? That’s she’s a Parker.” Lyle asked, genuinely curious.

     “Yes.”

     “And yet…” His gaze shifted to his tie as he smoothed it, before finally looking back up to his father, “she’s on the wrong side.”

     “Cross roads… watch out for the cross roads… the end… it all ends.” A maniacal laugh left him. He hugged his legs close to his body and rocked.

     His arm suddenly stretched to the right like a snake striking out at prey, his finger jabbing at a button before he curled back in on himself.

     The computerised voice seconds later didn’t even make him blink.

     “Your mail has been sent.”

     He grinned suddenly and rocked harder, clutching a box of cracker jacks in his fist like his life depended on it.

     “The end… the end is coming…”

      End of Part 9

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