The following morning, Parker woke with a new sense of purpose. The carbs had energized her and a plan formed as she showered and dressed. It wasn't long before she was out the door and on the road, learning the lay of the land. It was nearly lunchtime when she headed back, certain Broots would be whining and Sydney would be concerned. On the way, she stopped at a little café she had spotted up on the square. She grabbed sandwiches for everyone and three bottles of water as a peace offering.

She had barely gotten out of the rental when the door of their room flew open and Broots stormed out. "Where have you been? We've been worried sick!"

"Relax, Broots. I got us some lunch."

"Sweet." Broots snatched the bag and scurried back into the room he and Sydney shared.

Parker rolled her eyes and followed him to liberate her lunch. They ate in silence and it dawned on her suddenly why Broots was being so bitchy. Snorting, she put her sandwich down on the Styrofoam container, wiping her lips daintily. Sydney cast an inquisitive look at her, while Broots stared moodily across the room, shoveling food into his mouth.

"Is there something you'd like to share?"

Her eyes met the older man's and she couldn't contain it, she laughed. His eyes widened and even Broots looked at her with surprise. "I just figured out why Broots is PMSing."

He shot her a nasty glare, which she blatantly enjoyed, and Syd shook his head. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You have no tech. No way to chat with your online honey, no phone to call her with. You're jonesin', Nerdman." Opening his mouth to argue, no words came out. Smugly, she smirked, crossing her arms.

Nodding, Sydney responded sympathetically, "She's right. Low tech you can make do with. No tech is causing serious withdrawals. I'm a little concerned about your mental health."

"Are you-you can't be serious. I'm fine."

"How's Delilah?" Parker looked at him with wide-eyed innocence, but there was an evil smile playing about her lips.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead. "She's, y'know, fine."

"Why don't you tell us more about her?"

"She's really a great woman."

"What does she look like?"

"Uh, she-why do you care?"

"There's no reason to get testy, I was just curious."

"Oh, please, don't act all hurt."

"Broots, you're snapping at her unnecessarily."

"Don't tell me you're buying this crap, Syd. She's pretending to be interested so she can humiliate me."

"You don't know that is true."

"Oh, come on! She does this kind of stuff all the time! Why are you tag-teaming me, what did I do?"

"Your paranoia is showing," Parker whispered mockingly.

"Bite me," Broots fired back.

"Parker, take your lunch to your room, please." Sydney looked at her and raised his eyebrows when she gave him a mutinous glare by way of response. "Now."

"Fine," she huffed. Closing the container, she stalked from the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Broots, you and Parker have a very sibling-like relationship. And you know how volatile she can be, so I need you to keep it together. We don't want to antagonize her any further."

"Why am I in the principle's office? She rags on me all the time and I take it for the most part. What's her problem anyway? She's been like a ghost for the last year and then suddenly all the sudden she's got a bug up her ass?"

"It's because of Jarod's possible reappearance. You know those two are like oil and water unless they have a common goal to unite them."

"For a psychiatrist, you're pretty blind. It's not that they don't like each other, Syd, they are hot for each other."

The older man blinked. "That confirms it then."

"You suspected?"

"Of course I did. I knew it was certain when she demanded a copy of the recording of my conversation with Jarod about sexual attraction. But I have to hide that knowledge to protect them."

"Yeah, that should have been the clincher for me too."

"You had a crush on her."

"I had myself convinced she wanted it because it was a weakness she could exploit."

"It's what she wanted everyone to think. And because of your feelings for her, you were able to ignore the truth that was right in front of you."

"Yeah, I was stupid."

"No, you weren't stupid, Broots. Parker is a very lovely woman. She knows it and often uses it to her advantage. But never once has she used your feelings to hurt you when she could have so easily. The harder she is on a person within her circle, the more she likes them. She was taught that that is love. Lucky for us, Thomas changed that to a degree."

"God, Thomas. He deserved better than what the Centre did to him."

"He did. And she deserved the chance to be happy with him."

"I just don't understand why they can't let anyone be happy. What's their problem, Syd?"

"Fear, intimidation, it's what they do. They want power over us, to control us in any way they can. But Parker is a red file, like Angelo and Jarod. Lyle is in league with them, in every possible way, it's why no matter how badly he messes up, he always lands on his feet. She will not offer her allegiance to them because they will never let her have what she really wants."

"Even if she gave them her loyalty, they would only let her have a lie, someone who is just watching her for them. Like that guy that worked for Raines, remember?"

"Yes, I do."

"Syd?"

"Yes, Broots?"

"I think Jarod has something to do with the sudden change in her. After Carthis, I mean. And if you tell her I said that, I'll call you a liar."

"Another suspicion confirmed. I thought the same myself," he said quietly, giving Broots a meaningful look.

"So, do you think they're up to something?"

"Perhaps. But if they are, I would think there would be some evidence of it. There hasn't been a single hint from Angelo and she has been unsuccessful so far in locating her baby brother. She would never leave him behind or put him in harm's way. No, I fear this is another of Jarod's games and if she catches up to him this time, she will hurt him."

"What makes you think that?" A sick feeling rose in Broots' stomach because deep down, he believed he already knew the answer to his own question.

"She's been unlike herself for a year. When she first returned, she was quiet, but there was an air of contentment about her I've only seen in her twice in her life."

"When she was a girl?"

"With her mother, yes. And the second time was when she had Thomas in her life. Then it all changed. She became despondent, virtually silent, she gave up her crusade for answers. At first I believed it was the loss of Mr. Parker, but in the few times she would discuss anything, I feel confident she has grieved and moved on. No, Broots, this is something else entirely."

He wiped sweat from his brow and stopped the tractor. Shutting it off, he shifted in the seat and scanned the field, spotting his brothers bucking bales onto a flatbed trailer. Waiting patiently for them to catch up, he contemplated his life. He had a family, good friends, a home of his own. The only thing missing was the love of a woman.

He had loved a number of women in his day, but none like her, the one who got away. They were so happy, so in love, until the day it all changed. One fight and everything went to hell. She locked herself in the bathroom and he walked away for good because the words they had said to each other sounded like goodbye. And still, in spite of the time that had passed, he still felt empty without her.

"Hey, bro! Stop day dreamin' and help us get this outta the back forty!"

"Needed something to do while you two took your time about getting over here," he shot back good-naturedly.

"Shut your pie hole, dude," the youngest of the three chimed in with a laugh.

"Let's get back, boys, somebody's got a date," the middle brother said slyly.

"You always have a date."

"I'm not talking about me."

Turning to his youngest brother, he said, "Tell me you're not going out with Mr. Hanson's daughter again. Are you trying to get yourself shot?"

"Isn't me, bro," he snickered.

"Well, it's not me."

"We know she's in town, man. Give it up. You call her?"

"She's what?" He fixed both of them with a glare. "How do you know? Are you sure?"

"Alfie spotted her yesterday, asked us about her. Way to go, man, you messed her all up."

"I didn't do anything, guys. I had no idea she was here."

"Then why is she here?"

"I have no idea. Look, let's just all avoid her. The last thing I need is more drama with her."

"Okay man, we'll do what we can."

"Better warn mom and dad," the youngest advised gravely, "You know mom'll go high and to the right if she sees her."

"I do. But honestly, what are the odds they will? Mom doesn't go into town much and I don't see her seeking us out."

"Why else would she be here, if it isn't to see you. You know she looks down her nose at small-town America."

"That's because she's from out East, that exclusive enclave she proudly calls home."

"Don't start. Look, let's just forget about it, I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Thank you."

"She's so freakin' hot, though."

Maisie.

"Mmm."

Wake up, baby.

"Five more minutes," Parker mumbled, burrowing deeper into the pillow.

Maisie Ann Parker!

"Mama?" Parker sat up, a sunny smile appearing on her face as her gaze fell on Catherine.

Yes, baby. She smiled, love shining in her eyes. Did you sleep well?

"You came all the way here to ask me that?"

Catherine laughed. It isn't like that. I don't board a plane and go. I think of a place and I am there.

"I need that power."

It would make life easier.

"I thought I was only limited to ghosts with unfinished business. This is cool, though, I can see you whenever I want. Are you sure I'm not just hallucinating?"

You aren't hallucinating. And though I have a greater understanding of things now, I don't understand everything. I don't know why or how this works, I just thank God it's happening.

"Can I ask you something?"

Of course, baby. Ask me anything you want.

"Why? What is the point of it all?"

I'm not sure what you mean.

"What does the Centre do what they do? Why do they destroy lives?"

Because they can.

"Well, I can go jump off of a bridge, doesn't mean I should."

For the most part, the Centre was a force of good. They had their secrets and their evil projects, but they did a lot of good too. Even now they have some legitimate research and development. But your father's time as Chairman was when everything changed. Because of Mr. Raines and the Triumvirate, they put a lot of pressure on him to pervert legitimate research for monetary gain. Money and power became the driving force and I watched him descend further and further into darkness.

"Why did you wait so long to leave, mama? Why didn't you go to the authorities and let them rescue the children?"

Your father had already reached out and made powerful connections. I couldn't risk it, I had to work within my circle of trusted allies.

"So you trusted Raines? After everything he did to you?"

I thought he had changed.

"I know. Broots, one of my team members, was able to restore of DSA of-of..." she trailed off, her throat tight, tears welling in her eyes.

I'm sorry you had to see that, baby. I never wanted you to know the truth about my death.

"There's a lot you didn't want me to know and I understand why, at least when I was a child. I just, when I set out to learn the truth, I never dreamed of the horrible places it would lead me. I-I don't want to know anymore. The last straw was learning Raines is my father. Biological father, that is."

Raines isn't your father. Where on Earth did you get that information?

"Broots ran a sample of daddy's DNA and compared it to mine. He and I had a familial match, but he wasn't my father. He and Syd also unearthed the adoption records, thanks to Angelo, and I found out he and daddy are brothers."

Did you also discover that they have another brother?

"What?"

Yes, three brothers. Mr. Parker, was the oldest. Mr. Raines was the middle child and sickly. Because of that, your grandfather decided to fake his death and gave Raines to his right hand man to raise as his own. A few years later, another son was born. He turned his back on the Centre and the Parker family and made his own way in the world."

"You know him."

I do, baby, and so do you.

Dread coiling tightly in her stomach, she asked, "Who is he, mama?"

I love you, Maisie.

"I love you too, mom, but who-" Catherine vanished and rage welled up inside Parker. Punching the mattress, she yelled, "I'm getting really fuckin' tired of this!"