~*~*~
Thursday Morning
0653 Hours
Shadow padded across the living room towards the bedroom. As far as she was concerned, it was time for a nap. Terrorizing the stuffed mouse and trying to create havoc around the apartment was enough for at least a few hours' sleep. Hopping onto the bed, she made herself quite comfortable with a blue looking blanket placed on the foot of the bed. Comfort.
Meg was having a cup of coffee and lounging on the couch. She didn't have to go to the office today; she had arranged it so she could work out of her apartment and wanted to complete painting the kitchen. "You're going to be late, Harm!" She yelled at him. He had stayed on her couch last night.
From the bathroom, Harm called back, "I'm hurryin'!" Harm was quickly doing his morning routine. Unlike Austin, he was unable to take the day off. "Any more of that coffee out there?" he asked as he splashed on a bit of after shave.
"Lots left, but if you don't hurry.. can't guarantee there will be any." Meg slowly got up off the couch, not feeling too ambitious at the moment. "I can't believe you're insane enough to get up early to just... jog." Pouring herself a second cup, she knew she should cut back, but she could never resist Irish Cream.
Harm hurried out of the bathroom, his short dark hair still damp and kind of disorganized...for lack of a better description...wrapped in a robe. He came into the kitchen, which still half smelled of paint, and poured himself a mug of coffee. Taking a swallow, he hoped desperately it would turn his brain on before he took on the morning run.
Taking another quick sip, he set the mug on the counter and hurried back into the bedroom to dress. Shadow was now curled up on a pillow, completely oblivious to the events around her. Harm, for his part, was in too much of a hurry to take much notice of his blue jogging suit which was placed across the bed. He dressed quickly, putting on t-shirt and socks... then pulling on the navy jogging pants, and finally grabbing sneakers.
It wasn't until he came back out and Meg started to laugh that he even realized that he was quite covered in cat fur. "What in the--" he started, and he brushed futilely at the pants.
Meg tried desperately to hold back her laugh. "Shadow just wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget about her during the day." She walked over to her purse and pulled out a little roller. She was accustomed to having Shadow leave signs of love over her uniforms. She ran the roller over Harm. "Quit squirming, I'm trying to get as much fur off as possible and you're not making it any easier."
"But...it.....*tickles*!" Harm squirmed again as she ran the roller over his thighs.
Shadow, upon hearing her name, wandered back out to where they were, stretching and the meowing in her, 'I'm innocent in this matter, don't look at me' kinda way.
Harm just shook his head and pointed a finger at her. "*You*--" he said sternly, "--are lucky that I don't ship you off to Siberia." Shadow remained unconcerned, even going as far as to rub up against his ankles, making him step back out of her way--and out of Meg's reach. "Damn!" Harm hung his carry bag on the back of a chair and reached out a hand for the roller. He quickly brushed off his pants and his socks while Meg stifled her giggles.
"I'll have to make myself a note to kill a cat when I come back." Harm grimaced. He wasn't serious, of course, but he at the rate he was going he was going to have to cut his time down on jogging. "Did we get all of it?"
Meg made a motion for him to turn around, and she bit her lower lip. The seat of his pants were still covered with shed fur. Raising a brow, she was unsure of how to go about.. removing the fur from that area. "I hope so, with all your squirming about..." She wrinkled her nose at him once she realized what he was teasing about. "You will keep your mitts off Shadow. She loves you Harm!" She secretly hoped that his jacket would adequately cover his fur covered.. six.
"Your mug of to-go-coffee is on the counter, your briefcase is by the door and your car keys are hanging by the door also." She furrowed her brow a moment. *Why did that sound like a married couple comment?* "I'll see you at lunch?"
"Yeah...I'll probably be about fifteen minutes later than normal. Commander Krennick wants the Chambers file on her desk by the time I leave for lunch.. so I'll be pushing it. And loves me? That cat loves me like the plague." Harm winked. He scooped up his things and hurried out the door, mindful not to spill his coffee.
Harm pushed into mile number three of his morning run, enjoying the early morning sunshine and the cool breeze. There was no one else around; it was early enough that there were only a few other joggers, scattered about in various places of the park. It gave him space to think. He was turning over the case in his mind, puzzling over it like a tenacious dog pulling on a bone.
When his thoughts settled on Jarod Hayes, however, his brows knit together in a tight frown. Hayes was likeable enough... pleasant... and smart as a whip. But there was something... not quite right. It bothered Harm that Jarod's paperwork had never come through, and the Admiral wasn't around to confirm the assignment. He rounded a bend in the running path, and picked up the pace a bit, as if stretching his limits would help him think better.
Miss Parker sat back watching the bleak scenery go by. Any moment now she'd have Jarod in custody. She wasn't sure if she was ecstatic about it or not. The thrill of the chase being over. No.. no that wasn't it. Could she deal with having Jarod back in the clutches of The Centre? Especially now that The Centre wants him dead?
Parker shook her head, not understanding why one moment the game had her wanting to catch him and the next she was hoping he would find a way to avoid capture once more. As a precaution, she and Sydney had decided to go at this separately. Syd decided to go to one of the other Naval offices while she decided to scope out this location, bringing along a single sweeper. They had promised to get in touch with the other within the hour.
Parker stopped her car at a pedestrian cross walk and watched a tall jogger run past. He looked vaguely familiar. She glanced down into the open file of the naval officer Broots had selected as a possible contact, with whom Jarod might be associated. It was him. The one who had requested Jarod's file.
Pulling her car to the curb, she jumped out and yelled at him. "Hey YOU!" Damn, what was his name? Hell, what was his ... what do you call it.. rank? She gave it a shot. "Commander!"
Harm threw a glance over his shoulder--in the wrong direction at first. Not seeing anyone, he continued to run. A second shout, more insistant, brought his head around to the other side. The sight that met his eyes brought a mischievous grin to his features. It was Kate Pike, standing next to a silver grey car, clad in a mini skirt with matching jacket and fashion sunglasses. His grin broadened as he noticed the heels she was wearing. He almost winced in sympathy at their height; he couldn't imagine they'd be very comfortable.
Switching directions, he jogged towards her, taking in her appearance with an appreciative gaze. "You're up early this morning." he greeted her, jogging in place to keep himself loose and ready to continue.
Parker tapped her shoe on the pavement in annoyance. If she wanted to catch up to Jarod, she had to do so now before he caught wind that she was there to get him. 'Early this morning?' "How would YOU know my sleeping habits." She folded her arms across her chest then leaned against the car. She eyed him, appraising his physique, the only appreciative look she gave was raising a brow. Harm kept his pace in a bouncing run in front of her, and the motion was starting to annoy her. "Would you stop that." she demanded.
"Early... and crabby." Harm remarked cheerfully, but he gradually dropped off and started to stretch to cool off. Now that he was close, Miss Parker was suddenly aware of his height. "So, " He flashed that grin again. "What can I do for you? I can see you don't need to borrow the 'Vette."
Parker raised a brow, wondering what drugs this man was on. That, or he was some fluke experiment somehow connected to The Centre. "You can tell me where Jarod is." At least she hoped that he could tell her where Jarod is. She resumed tapping her foot, it was the only thing occupying her enough to keep her from wanting that cigarette. Although she'd slowed down lately, it wasn't enough to quit completely.
Harm frowned a bit. "Said he was going to visit a Captain Avery this morning I believe" Harm grinned suddenly. "If you want to know any more... you're gonna have to keep up....and then let me buy you breakfast. You can use it, looks like you're suffering from toothpicitus." With that, he started back down the path, unwilling to lose his morning run to teasing over Lieutenant Commander Jarod Hayes.
'What? What did that man say? How the hell did he make it so far in the Navy? Is the Navy completely full of idiots or is he just 'special'. And now he had the nerve to run off on her? She went to draw her own weapon but realized she had it locked in the glove compartment. 'Damn. What to do?'
She hopped back into her car and tore off to find the end of the path. Once there, she retrieved her gun, shoved it in the waist of her skirt and waited for him once more. She once again leaned against the car, arms crossed, as the sweeper took up his station. Minutes later, the commander was coming into her line of sight.
Harm raised his eyebrows at the sight of the car at the far end of the park, and he started to laugh in between hard breaths. She had to have waited for a few minutes; it was almost another two miles from one end of the running path to the other.
He slowed his pace, starting to "cool down", and he stopped momentarily by a water fountain, taking a long drink before approaching her again. "Nice thinking, Counselor." he complimented. "Jarod left... I'm sure I told you this before, remember?"
What was with this moron? "Riiiiight." Parker lowered her sunglasses, perching them on the end of her nose, then squinted up at him. "And... why would I know this? I assumed he was still here, playing sailor, hanging around with you bunch." She placed a hand on her hip, then took a step towards the tall man. "Where did he go? And when exactly is he returning?" Just her luck that Jarod would disappear the moment she arrived. He'd probably gotten wind of their arrival and taken off. Whoever informed him was going to be hobbling around for a month or two.
Harm frowned heavily. Suddenly his instincts took over, and they were screaming. His memory flashed back to the recent evening in his apartment, and Jarod's reaction to Kate Pike.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but since when did the affairs of the United States Navy become public knowledge?" All attempts at casual conversation with Kate's ringer were dropped, and his expression became deadly serious. Whatever this woman was to Jarod, it was obvious that she was dangerous. Whatever his doubts about Jarod.... he set them aside as he was faced with this predatory version of Kate Pike.
"Who's to say the United States Navy isn't run by the Centre?" Parker growled in a deep voice. Her patience was wearing thin, and the next step she took, her hand encircled the weapon in her skirt waist. She was prepared for any sudden move this man made. "Now where is he?" She had to admit that he had thrown her off with the 'pretending to know her' act, but had shrugged, thinking perhaps Jarod had mentioned her to him. Now, looking into those hazel eyes, she was unsure of the situation. She swore at herself for letting herself get distracted by this man.
Harm noticed the motion she made, and stiffened as he realized she most likely had a weapon. He could outrun those heels, but not a bullet. The area they were in was still fairly secluded; no one would notice anything was amiss until it was too late. His expression hardened a bit, the hazel eyes giving Parker a penetrating, sharp look. "I don't know exactly where he is, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." he replied evenly.
A moment later, the barrel of her gun was leveled at his chest. Harm drew in a resolved breath. This *definitely* was not Kate. "Harmon Rabb, Jr. Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. 989-54-8301. October twenty-fifth, 1963."
"I won't repeat myself. I need to find Jarod, and I need to find him now." She held her stance, not wavering a bit. It was quite obvious she knew how to handle a gun. To her amazement, Harmon Rabb, Jr. did not move a muscle, simply standing there and holding her gaze with a steely resolve in his hazel eyes.
"Harmon Rabb, Jr. Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. 989-54- 8301. October twenty-fifth, 1963." His voice was calm and controlled as he repeated himself, the words deliberate and hard. Suddenly his eyes narrowed, gun barrel in his chest notwithstanding. "What did you do with Kate?"
"Who the hell is Kate?" she spat. "What do I look like to you, your personal black book? You really should learn to keep track of your 1-900 dates." She took a couple steps back from him now. She knew better than to burn her bridges, so to speak, and having this battle of wills with the man who knew Jarod's whereabouts was pointless. He had already proved he was more stubborn then the average moron.
Parker lowered the pistol slightly, "Look, I just need to find him. He's..." Should she take a chance? She looked into those hazel eyes, tried to judge this man. Finally she sighed, ".. he's in danger." Danger from Mr. Raines, and his sweeper teams.
Harm's eyes remained squeezed into a squint, distrust registering in his features. "With someone like you looking for him, I'd imagine so." he finally replied. He continued to scrutinize this woman who stood before him; he could have sworn it was Kate playing some sort of bizarre joke on him. But there was something else... a coldness, that made it perfectly obvious that this was *not* Pike.
Suddenly just across the way, another dark car pulled up to a screaming halt, and the doors flew open to allow the exit of five men in black suits. Black suits--and semi-automatic weapons. Bullets were flying before either of them quite had a chance to react.
"Get in the car!" Parker hissed as she and Harm dropped down for cover.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Rabb replied, his eyes looking for their best escape route.
"In the car, dammit!" Parker ordered again. The Naval officer didn't even acknowledge it this time. "Melvin!" she called out. Suddenly, from behind a nearby tree, another black suited man appeared and before Harm had time to react, was swinging with the butt of his weapon. Harm sagged forward, manifestly unconscious.
Parker fired back at the advancing sweepers. "Get him in the car; he's my ticket to finding Jarod." She dropped one sweeper... then fired again, wounding the next one.
Melvin, always prepared, flung a can of tear gas in their direction. Taking advantage of the break, Parker scrambled into the car and started it, barely waiting for the men to be inside before she screamed away from the curb. She fired her gun as she pulled away, blowing the back tire of the sweepers' vehicle.
Thursday Morning
0653 Hours
Shadow padded across the living room towards the bedroom. As far as she was concerned, it was time for a nap. Terrorizing the stuffed mouse and trying to create havoc around the apartment was enough for at least a few hours' sleep. Hopping onto the bed, she made herself quite comfortable with a blue looking blanket placed on the foot of the bed. Comfort.
Meg was having a cup of coffee and lounging on the couch. She didn't have to go to the office today; she had arranged it so she could work out of her apartment and wanted to complete painting the kitchen. "You're going to be late, Harm!" She yelled at him. He had stayed on her couch last night.
From the bathroom, Harm called back, "I'm hurryin'!" Harm was quickly doing his morning routine. Unlike Austin, he was unable to take the day off. "Any more of that coffee out there?" he asked as he splashed on a bit of after shave.
"Lots left, but if you don't hurry.. can't guarantee there will be any." Meg slowly got up off the couch, not feeling too ambitious at the moment. "I can't believe you're insane enough to get up early to just... jog." Pouring herself a second cup, she knew she should cut back, but she could never resist Irish Cream.
Harm hurried out of the bathroom, his short dark hair still damp and kind of disorganized...for lack of a better description...wrapped in a robe. He came into the kitchen, which still half smelled of paint, and poured himself a mug of coffee. Taking a swallow, he hoped desperately it would turn his brain on before he took on the morning run.
Taking another quick sip, he set the mug on the counter and hurried back into the bedroom to dress. Shadow was now curled up on a pillow, completely oblivious to the events around her. Harm, for his part, was in too much of a hurry to take much notice of his blue jogging suit which was placed across the bed. He dressed quickly, putting on t-shirt and socks... then pulling on the navy jogging pants, and finally grabbing sneakers.
It wasn't until he came back out and Meg started to laugh that he even realized that he was quite covered in cat fur. "What in the--" he started, and he brushed futilely at the pants.
Meg tried desperately to hold back her laugh. "Shadow just wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget about her during the day." She walked over to her purse and pulled out a little roller. She was accustomed to having Shadow leave signs of love over her uniforms. She ran the roller over Harm. "Quit squirming, I'm trying to get as much fur off as possible and you're not making it any easier."
"But...it.....*tickles*!" Harm squirmed again as she ran the roller over his thighs.
Shadow, upon hearing her name, wandered back out to where they were, stretching and the meowing in her, 'I'm innocent in this matter, don't look at me' kinda way.
Harm just shook his head and pointed a finger at her. "*You*--" he said sternly, "--are lucky that I don't ship you off to Siberia." Shadow remained unconcerned, even going as far as to rub up against his ankles, making him step back out of her way--and out of Meg's reach. "Damn!" Harm hung his carry bag on the back of a chair and reached out a hand for the roller. He quickly brushed off his pants and his socks while Meg stifled her giggles.
"I'll have to make myself a note to kill a cat when I come back." Harm grimaced. He wasn't serious, of course, but he at the rate he was going he was going to have to cut his time down on jogging. "Did we get all of it?"
Meg made a motion for him to turn around, and she bit her lower lip. The seat of his pants were still covered with shed fur. Raising a brow, she was unsure of how to go about.. removing the fur from that area. "I hope so, with all your squirming about..." She wrinkled her nose at him once she realized what he was teasing about. "You will keep your mitts off Shadow. She loves you Harm!" She secretly hoped that his jacket would adequately cover his fur covered.. six.
"Your mug of to-go-coffee is on the counter, your briefcase is by the door and your car keys are hanging by the door also." She furrowed her brow a moment. *Why did that sound like a married couple comment?* "I'll see you at lunch?"
"Yeah...I'll probably be about fifteen minutes later than normal. Commander Krennick wants the Chambers file on her desk by the time I leave for lunch.. so I'll be pushing it. And loves me? That cat loves me like the plague." Harm winked. He scooped up his things and hurried out the door, mindful not to spill his coffee.
Harm pushed into mile number three of his morning run, enjoying the early morning sunshine and the cool breeze. There was no one else around; it was early enough that there were only a few other joggers, scattered about in various places of the park. It gave him space to think. He was turning over the case in his mind, puzzling over it like a tenacious dog pulling on a bone.
When his thoughts settled on Jarod Hayes, however, his brows knit together in a tight frown. Hayes was likeable enough... pleasant... and smart as a whip. But there was something... not quite right. It bothered Harm that Jarod's paperwork had never come through, and the Admiral wasn't around to confirm the assignment. He rounded a bend in the running path, and picked up the pace a bit, as if stretching his limits would help him think better.
Miss Parker sat back watching the bleak scenery go by. Any moment now she'd have Jarod in custody. She wasn't sure if she was ecstatic about it or not. The thrill of the chase being over. No.. no that wasn't it. Could she deal with having Jarod back in the clutches of The Centre? Especially now that The Centre wants him dead?
Parker shook her head, not understanding why one moment the game had her wanting to catch him and the next she was hoping he would find a way to avoid capture once more. As a precaution, she and Sydney had decided to go at this separately. Syd decided to go to one of the other Naval offices while she decided to scope out this location, bringing along a single sweeper. They had promised to get in touch with the other within the hour.
Parker stopped her car at a pedestrian cross walk and watched a tall jogger run past. He looked vaguely familiar. She glanced down into the open file of the naval officer Broots had selected as a possible contact, with whom Jarod might be associated. It was him. The one who had requested Jarod's file.
Pulling her car to the curb, she jumped out and yelled at him. "Hey YOU!" Damn, what was his name? Hell, what was his ... what do you call it.. rank? She gave it a shot. "Commander!"
Harm threw a glance over his shoulder--in the wrong direction at first. Not seeing anyone, he continued to run. A second shout, more insistant, brought his head around to the other side. The sight that met his eyes brought a mischievous grin to his features. It was Kate Pike, standing next to a silver grey car, clad in a mini skirt with matching jacket and fashion sunglasses. His grin broadened as he noticed the heels she was wearing. He almost winced in sympathy at their height; he couldn't imagine they'd be very comfortable.
Switching directions, he jogged towards her, taking in her appearance with an appreciative gaze. "You're up early this morning." he greeted her, jogging in place to keep himself loose and ready to continue.
Parker tapped her shoe on the pavement in annoyance. If she wanted to catch up to Jarod, she had to do so now before he caught wind that she was there to get him. 'Early this morning?' "How would YOU know my sleeping habits." She folded her arms across her chest then leaned against the car. She eyed him, appraising his physique, the only appreciative look she gave was raising a brow. Harm kept his pace in a bouncing run in front of her, and the motion was starting to annoy her. "Would you stop that." she demanded.
"Early... and crabby." Harm remarked cheerfully, but he gradually dropped off and started to stretch to cool off. Now that he was close, Miss Parker was suddenly aware of his height. "So, " He flashed that grin again. "What can I do for you? I can see you don't need to borrow the 'Vette."
Parker raised a brow, wondering what drugs this man was on. That, or he was some fluke experiment somehow connected to The Centre. "You can tell me where Jarod is." At least she hoped that he could tell her where Jarod is. She resumed tapping her foot, it was the only thing occupying her enough to keep her from wanting that cigarette. Although she'd slowed down lately, it wasn't enough to quit completely.
Harm frowned a bit. "Said he was going to visit a Captain Avery this morning I believe" Harm grinned suddenly. "If you want to know any more... you're gonna have to keep up....and then let me buy you breakfast. You can use it, looks like you're suffering from toothpicitus." With that, he started back down the path, unwilling to lose his morning run to teasing over Lieutenant Commander Jarod Hayes.
'What? What did that man say? How the hell did he make it so far in the Navy? Is the Navy completely full of idiots or is he just 'special'. And now he had the nerve to run off on her? She went to draw her own weapon but realized she had it locked in the glove compartment. 'Damn. What to do?'
She hopped back into her car and tore off to find the end of the path. Once there, she retrieved her gun, shoved it in the waist of her skirt and waited for him once more. She once again leaned against the car, arms crossed, as the sweeper took up his station. Minutes later, the commander was coming into her line of sight.
Harm raised his eyebrows at the sight of the car at the far end of the park, and he started to laugh in between hard breaths. She had to have waited for a few minutes; it was almost another two miles from one end of the running path to the other.
He slowed his pace, starting to "cool down", and he stopped momentarily by a water fountain, taking a long drink before approaching her again. "Nice thinking, Counselor." he complimented. "Jarod left... I'm sure I told you this before, remember?"
What was with this moron? "Riiiiight." Parker lowered her sunglasses, perching them on the end of her nose, then squinted up at him. "And... why would I know this? I assumed he was still here, playing sailor, hanging around with you bunch." She placed a hand on her hip, then took a step towards the tall man. "Where did he go? And when exactly is he returning?" Just her luck that Jarod would disappear the moment she arrived. He'd probably gotten wind of their arrival and taken off. Whoever informed him was going to be hobbling around for a month or two.
Harm frowned heavily. Suddenly his instincts took over, and they were screaming. His memory flashed back to the recent evening in his apartment, and Jarod's reaction to Kate Pike.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but since when did the affairs of the United States Navy become public knowledge?" All attempts at casual conversation with Kate's ringer were dropped, and his expression became deadly serious. Whatever this woman was to Jarod, it was obvious that she was dangerous. Whatever his doubts about Jarod.... he set them aside as he was faced with this predatory version of Kate Pike.
"Who's to say the United States Navy isn't run by the Centre?" Parker growled in a deep voice. Her patience was wearing thin, and the next step she took, her hand encircled the weapon in her skirt waist. She was prepared for any sudden move this man made. "Now where is he?" She had to admit that he had thrown her off with the 'pretending to know her' act, but had shrugged, thinking perhaps Jarod had mentioned her to him. Now, looking into those hazel eyes, she was unsure of the situation. She swore at herself for letting herself get distracted by this man.
Harm noticed the motion she made, and stiffened as he realized she most likely had a weapon. He could outrun those heels, but not a bullet. The area they were in was still fairly secluded; no one would notice anything was amiss until it was too late. His expression hardened a bit, the hazel eyes giving Parker a penetrating, sharp look. "I don't know exactly where he is, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." he replied evenly.
A moment later, the barrel of her gun was leveled at his chest. Harm drew in a resolved breath. This *definitely* was not Kate. "Harmon Rabb, Jr. Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. 989-54-8301. October twenty-fifth, 1963."
"I won't repeat myself. I need to find Jarod, and I need to find him now." She held her stance, not wavering a bit. It was quite obvious she knew how to handle a gun. To her amazement, Harmon Rabb, Jr. did not move a muscle, simply standing there and holding her gaze with a steely resolve in his hazel eyes.
"Harmon Rabb, Jr. Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. 989-54- 8301. October twenty-fifth, 1963." His voice was calm and controlled as he repeated himself, the words deliberate and hard. Suddenly his eyes narrowed, gun barrel in his chest notwithstanding. "What did you do with Kate?"
"Who the hell is Kate?" she spat. "What do I look like to you, your personal black book? You really should learn to keep track of your 1-900 dates." She took a couple steps back from him now. She knew better than to burn her bridges, so to speak, and having this battle of wills with the man who knew Jarod's whereabouts was pointless. He had already proved he was more stubborn then the average moron.
Parker lowered the pistol slightly, "Look, I just need to find him. He's..." Should she take a chance? She looked into those hazel eyes, tried to judge this man. Finally she sighed, ".. he's in danger." Danger from Mr. Raines, and his sweeper teams.
Harm's eyes remained squeezed into a squint, distrust registering in his features. "With someone like you looking for him, I'd imagine so." he finally replied. He continued to scrutinize this woman who stood before him; he could have sworn it was Kate playing some sort of bizarre joke on him. But there was something else... a coldness, that made it perfectly obvious that this was *not* Pike.
Suddenly just across the way, another dark car pulled up to a screaming halt, and the doors flew open to allow the exit of five men in black suits. Black suits--and semi-automatic weapons. Bullets were flying before either of them quite had a chance to react.
"Get in the car!" Parker hissed as she and Harm dropped down for cover.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Rabb replied, his eyes looking for their best escape route.
"In the car, dammit!" Parker ordered again. The Naval officer didn't even acknowledge it this time. "Melvin!" she called out. Suddenly, from behind a nearby tree, another black suited man appeared and before Harm had time to react, was swinging with the butt of his weapon. Harm sagged forward, manifestly unconscious.
Parker fired back at the advancing sweepers. "Get him in the car; he's my ticket to finding Jarod." She dropped one sweeper... then fired again, wounding the next one.
Melvin, always prepared, flung a can of tear gas in their direction. Taking advantage of the break, Parker scrambled into the car and started it, barely waiting for the men to be inside before she screamed away from the curb. She fired her gun as she pulled away, blowing the back tire of the sweepers' vehicle.