DISCLAIMER:
This piece of writing uses characters copyrighted by MTM, TNT und NBC Productions, without permission. This material is used for the purposes of non-profit entertainment, and is not intended to interfere with their right to use said characters for their own commercial goals.
Helping Jarod
Chapter 1
Parker frowned. Someone had been in her house during her absence.
Lately she had come accustomed to little tricks, like labels sticking on doors and windows. Every now and then she found them torn apart. That was when the Centre had installed new surveillance devices. Usually the next day she would have Broots over and swipe her house clean. She didn't like to be watched, or bugged.
She parked her car properly and took her purse with her. Climbing the steps to her front porch she wondered whether the Centre didn't get tired of this. By now they should have realized that Parker did not accept being shadowed.
Opening the front door she found it unlocked. Quietly she opened the door a little and peaked into the hall. The room was dark and she couldn't make out any differences. Carefully she slipped through the door opening, her gun in her hand. Even if the Centre knew, she knew about their regular visits, they never left the slightest clue. So this had to be someone else.
Creeping thorugh the hall she came to her living room.
Nothing.
When she switched on the light she found it empty. Nothing had changed. Parker went towards the kitchen. The little light was already switched on. She used an automatic timer for that.
The kitchen was tidy as always, but she missed some of the towels that she had hung over the radiator to dry. Next to the radiator she found spots of dirt. Coming closer she saw the spots were already dry, but it was not dirt but the unmistakeable color of dried blood.
Someone had been in her house and this someone had been losing blood. Since all the towels were gone she figured it would have been a lot of blood. But who the hell ever came here, this far out of Blue Cove? The only people Parker had seen near her house were hunters in the woods....but neither of them would invade her house....
A knock on the front door frightened her but she quickly got her composure back. She rushed to the hall and tore the door open. Again she was frightened by the sight of her little mutant twin standing in front of her.
There were very few times Lyle had decided to show up at Parkers house. So he would have a reason.
"What?"
Parker sticked to her curt manner. Lyle blinked and tried a smile. She could see he was uncomfortable. He shifted from one foot to the other.
"Hi, Sis. I just happened to drive home and heard the news. Some guy tried to break in a few houses. Somebody discovered him and so he vanished into the woods. It's not far away so I thought you should know...."
Stunned Parker studied Lyles face. All she saw was worry, genuine worry. Mistrustful as she usually was, she couldn't believe there was nothing more behind his visit. But if there was not, it would have been very impolite if she did not ask him in.
"Nice thought, Lyle. Seems you're a little too late..."
She opened the door wide and gestured him in. Surprised he stepped in and looked around. Parker asked him to sit down and prepared a drink for the two of them. She chose water, not Wodka. She needed a clear mind.
Lyle chose water as well and Parker didn't know what to make of it, since before she never cared what drinks he preferred.
"What do you mean, I am too late?"
He watched her intensely. She shrugged.
"Someone broke in today and stole some towels. I found blood on the kitchen floor..."
Suddenly Lyle was alert.
"Did you check all the rooms? He could still be here!"
She nodded, although she hadn't done so. Her intuition told her, that she was safe and since meeting Ethan she had learned to listen to the little voice in her head. And she didn't want Lyle snooping around her house.
"I am a big girl, Lyle. I can take care of myself."
She knew Lyle despised her cool manner. He still hadn't figured a way to meet her challenges without threatening her. And she loved to see him flinch on her remarks.
"Well, then my help is not needed at all. Good night, Sis."
He rose from the couch and went towards the hall before Parker had even put her glass down. She followed him quickly. He stopped on the front porch and turned to her again. He studied her face and she couldn't read his expression for once. She held his gaze and waited.
In the angle of her eye she caught a movement and a suppressed moan. Startled she retreated, so she could have a better look at the person lying in her corridor. Lyle saw her expression and questioningly raised his brows.
Parker kicked and pretended to crush something on the floor. The thud frightened Lyle and he stepped back a little. She smiled apologetically.
"Just a spider. I don't like spiders."
Lyle swallowed. He knew, she didn't like him either. Maybe this time he figures what I will do with him if I get the opportunity, she mused, still smiling slightly. He backed of and headed for his car. She watched him drive down the road until she couldn't see him anymore. Then she threw the door closed and headed for the corridor leading to her stairway.