Disclaimer: See Chapter One. The song belongs to 12 Stones…I just LOVE it to death…it reminded me of a song Jarod would write for Parker
Miss Parker was half way asleep in the bathtub when she saw Jarod moving pacing around outside the door. What's his problem? She wondered.
"Jarod? What's wrong?" she called.
He stopped pacing. "Can I come in?"
She couldn't help but laugh. "Why do you ask? You were the one that undressed me and put me in here."
Shaking his head slightly in amusement, Jarod entered the bathroom. He sat on the side of the tub. As Parker looked up at him, she saw his expression grow serious. *Uh-oh* she thought.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Where did you meet Brian?"
"Um...at a party that my father had thrown...why?"
"How much do know about him?"
Parker's stomach knotted with dread. "Why? What did you find out?"
"He has a record with the LAPD for abuse, drunk driving, and assault..." Jarod paused, not sure if he should go on.
Swallowing hard, she looked at him, "And?"
"He was accused of murder but the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence."
Parker closed her eyes. *Oh god.* "I'm dating a killer?"
"Possibly. I have more work to due now." He stood and walked towards the door.
Without looking back, Jarod went back downstairs to the den. Parker felt numb inside. She had known deep down that Brian had been hiding something but she had no idea that it could be murder. What did I do to deserve this? She wondered as she stood and got out of the tub. She grabbed a towel from the counter and quickly dried off. On the back of the door, on a hook, was Jarod's bathrobe.
Taking it off the hook, she put it on and went downstairs in search of Jarod. She heard loud rock music coming from the den. As she made her way to the door the music got louder.
When I look into your eyes
I see a lot of hate
Pushing me away
You're haunted by a past
A past that brings you down
So you throw it all away
Again
Just try to find a place deep within your soul
And don't deny the child living deep inside
Open your eyes and find
This life's better than you know
It's in your hands now
Just open up your eyes
Deep inside of your mind
You're forced to believe
That nothing's gonna change
So I take you by the hand
And I lead you to a place
A place of happiness
Like this
Parker entered the room, finding Jarod deeply engrossed in his work at the computer. She gladly took the opportunity to turn down the music. It was only then that the Pretender noticed she was in the room. He smiled when he noticed she was wearing his robe. She looked over his shoulder at the computer screen, briefly scanning the article that was on the page.
"What's this?" she asked.
"This is the newspaper article on the murder that Brian was accused of." answered Jarod.
"Oh."
"Don't you want to know about it?"
"Not really. But you're gonna tell me anyway, right?"
"Right." he smiled briefly, then became serious, "The victim was his girlfriend, she was found: beaten, strangled, and shot. According to the autopsy, there was even evidence of a sexual assault."
Parker cringed. Jarod gave her a look.
"I don't want you going back home." he told her.
"I can take care of myself." she said confidently.
"I would've never guessed." muttered Jarod.
She hit him in the head; "I need to go back anyway."
The Pretender rubbed the spot where she hit him and sighed. "You don't have to."
"Yes, I do. Don't argue with me."
"When should I take you back?"
"In a few minutes."
He gave her a look, clearly stating his unhappiness with her decision. Parker sighed and went up stairs. Her body still ached by it was only a faint throb. *Jarod'll have to get me some more of that stuff.* she thought as she entered his bedroom. She took her time getting dressed.
Jarod was waiting at the foot of the stairs for her. She smiled weakly at him, trying to get the look of unhappiness off his face. It didn't work. They left the house and got into his car. The ride to her house was silent. Neither bothered to talk.
As he pulled into her driveway, Parker felt a pang of uneasiness. Jarod stopped the car and sighed.
"I'll be okay, Jarod." she told him.
"What are your plans for the rest of today?" he asked.
"Make a brief appearance at the Centre, then go home, and break up with Brian."
The last part made Jarod happy; he wasn't to keen on the first two.
"Be careful when you do break up with him." he told her.
Parker could help but smile. He was always worried. She chuckled and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll have my gun. I'm a good shot, remember?"
Jarod smiled. "Call me if you need anything."
It was her turn to smile. "You usually pick up on my moods pretty well on your own." She opened the car door, but didn't get out. "Thank you again, Jarod. I don't deserve a friend like you."
Before Jarod could comment, Parker had gotten out of the car and shut the door. He waited until she got into the house to pull out of the driveway.
**Later on that Day**
The Centre
5:30 p.m.
Sydney sat in his office, attempting to read a book. He found it hard to focus on it. He was about to go see what Broots was up to when his phone rang. He quickly picked it up and answered it.
"This is Sydney."
"Hello, Sydney. Is Parker there?" It was Jarod.
"No. I thought she was with you."
"She was, but I dropped her at her house earlier and she said she was going to come into work."
"I don't think she came in, but I'll have to check with Broots. Why? What's going on Jarod?"
"I have a bad feeling." answered his Pretender, "Get Broots and meet me at Parker's. If I'm not there, stay outside, do not go in."
Before Sydney could say anything more, Jarod hung up.
"Damn it." he muttered, putting down the phone and leaving his office.
**30 minutes later**
Jarod sat in his car outside Parker's house. His stomach twisted in knots as he waited. A second later, Sydney's car pulled up into the driveway. He and Broots got out of the car, as did Jarod.
"What's going on, Jarod?" Sydney demanded.
"I'll tell you later. We need to get inside now."
The three men entered the house to find it quiet, seemingly empty. Immediately, Jarod went upstairs, followed closely by Sydney and Broots. As they entered Parker's bedroom, they all stopped dead in the tracks in shock. Parker lay on the floor at the foot of her bed, naked and unconscious. Blood flowed from a deep cut on her forehead. Her breaths were slow and getting even slower.
"Damn it!" Jarod cursed, rushing towards Parker's still form.
TBC...