Disclaimer: The Pretender characters don't belong to me. They belong to
NBC and MTM etc. But definitely don't belong to me. No infringement is
implied etc. etc.
Author's note: The restaurant I use is a true restaurant in Seattle, WA.
The tourist places they visit in Chicago are also real. Everything else is
the product of my imagination including any other companies and
complications the characters run into.
Feed back wanted tigereyes320@hotmail.com
My Dearest Angel
By tigereyes320 Part 3 of 5
Day 2
Chicago, IL
10 a.m.
Miss Parker slowly felt herself waking up. As she came closer to consciousness, she realized she wasn't in her bed. She opened one blue eye and observed her surroundings. Then she opened the second as she heard sounds of laughter coming from the other side of the door. She sat up quickly and then lay back down. She was at Jarod's, in Chicago, with their son. Her eyes narrowed as she got out of bed and padded to the door.
"Please let there be coffee," she thought to herself.
"Hey Evan, look who finally woke up." Jarod said, " Good morning Evie."
"Momma" Evan cried happily sloshing his cereal onto his highchair.
"Good morning baby, Morning Jarod. Please let that be what I think it is." she said as she dropped a kiss on Evan's head and looked at the mug Jarod was holding out to her.
"I know better then to greet you in the morning without coffee." Jarod teased. " I also have some bagels already toasted. You can have them with cream cheese. I could also make you some bacon and eggs, or you could have some cereal."
"A bagel will be just fine, Jarod. Thank you," she said as she sat down at the table and drank deeply from the mug of coffee. She closed her eyes for a moment.
"So, honey, what do you want to do today? We can talk and get settled into our new situation, or we can play tourist in Chicago." he asked as he handed her the bagel and cream cheese.
"You want to explore Chicago with a toddler? Where would we go?" she asked almost choking on the bagel.
"We could go to the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, or the Museum of Science and Industry," Jarod ticked the answers off on his fingers. "All we have to do is put him in a stroller."
"Jarod we aren't exactly on a family vacation." Parker shook her head at the thought.
"I know that. We are a family by fact if not by choice. We want to get to know our son and each other without the Centre interfering. What better way to do that? We can deal with all the crap the Centre has piled on us tomorrow. For once, you can actually see more of a city then my clues and the airstrip. I'm not here on a pretend. I was here for a vacation. I needed some down time. I have Lyle, Sydney and Broots on the West coast. We are as safe as we can get. Now did you pack anything that doesn't have a designer label on it? " Jarod paced the floor, while making his argument.
"I brought mostly my casual stuff," Parker said as she stood up and walked over to the table where her wallet was resting and opened it. "I'll need to get more cash. I want to do some shopping for Evan and myself while I'm here. We'll have to buy a stroller. My house, Jarod I have to get some people working on my mother's studio to make it into Evan's nursery. No, he's too big for a nursery, but he needs his own room though. Maybe Sam can work on it for me while I'm here." Parker made a list in her head as her words almost ran over themselves in an effort to get out.
"Evie, Stop!" Jarod laughed. "We have plenty of time for all of it. I've heard of a great toy store here in Chicago, FAO Schwitz."
Parker rolled her eyes, "That is FAO Schwartz. There is also one in New York City. You want me to take two kids into a toy store. I'll never get out of there alive," she shook her head.
"What two kids?" Jarod asked.
"You and Evan, who else." she replied jokingly.
A ringing phone cut off further conversation. They looked at each other.
"That must be Ethan." Jarod said grabbing his phone. "Hi Ethan."
"Hi Big Brother. Is everyone ok?" he asked worriedly.
"Everyone is great. Why don't you come and join us? We'll have a family reunion." Jarod said, laughing to himself, at the way Evan was making faces at his mother while her back was turned.
"Where are you guys?"
"We're in Chicago. You can stay with your sister, your nephew, and me. You might also be able to help us with a puzzle we have." Jarod said thinking about all the stuff he and Parker still had to sort through.
"Ok. It'll take me a few days to get there. Let me talk to my sister, please." Ethan requested
Jarod hands Parker the phone "It's for you dear." he said in a syrupy voice.
"Very funny." she snatched the phone from his hand. "Go, get Evan out of the highchair and clean him up. Hello Ethan."
"Hello sis, are you all right? The voices - Her voice said you'd need me. What nephew?" he said carefully.
"I'll be fine, Ethan. Jarod and I have a son. He was conceived as you were, without our knowledge. I only found this out myself yesterday. His name is Evan." hearing laughter she turned and saw Evan grabbing at the sideburns on Jarod's face. Jarod's eyes were nearly crossed in pain. "Evan, leave the hair on Daddy's face alone. Ethan you will come won't you. I was so worried when I found that unfinished note." she said.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I saw the men coming for my fath- Raines. I didn't think I should be there when they arrived." he explained.
"I'm just glad you're safe. When will you get here?"
"In a couple of days. Let me speak to Jarod again. I'll get the address."
"Honey, it's for you," she said in her best Donna Reed voice, tossing him the phone.
He caught it right before it hit him in the nose. "Ok Dear. Here, catch your son," as he tossed Evan to her.
Evan shrieked with glee as his mother caught him and gave him a hug.
"Again! Mommy Again!" He begged.
"Maybe, later." She promised.
"Kiss. Now!" He demanded
Her heart melted as she gave him the demanded kiss. She hugged him close and swore to herself that nothing would ever come between her and her family. Which included, she admitted ruefully, Jarod. She was going to have to do some reevaluating of her priorities.
"Let's get you dressed, baby boy," She said pressing her face into his neck.
"I not baby. I a handsome big boy." He argued.
"Yes, you are my handsome big boy. But, you'll always be my baby," she argued right back with a smile.
"You my pretty Mommy." he said putting his hands on either side of her face and giving her a kiss.
"Yes I'm your Mommy. No one will ever keep us apart again. When we get back to Mommy's house, you are getting your own room." she said just holding him close. Momma, I wish you could see you grandson, she thought.
"You need any help?" Jarod asked, coming up from behind her and stroking Evan cheek. Evan grabbed at his father fingers. "I could change him while you get changed." he offered.
"No, thanks Jarod. I need to do this. Do you think I can do this Jarod? Be a mother?" she asked half- terrified of the responsibility that lay ahead of her.
"I think, that there isn't anything you couldn't do." he sincerely replied.
"Thanks." she said as she took Evan back to their room to get changed.
Twenty minutes later she emerged from the room behind Evan who was running toward his father on quick little legs.
"Daddy," he said grabbing hold of Jarod's long legs. "Mommy says we need to go shopping. I have to have new shoes," he said jumping up and down.
Jarod laughed. He picked up Evan and sat on the couch with him, still laughing. He laughed so hard his sides began to hurt.
"What is so da-darned funny?" she demanded with her hands on her hips.
"Evan. I think that statement alone qualifies him as your son. Only a child of yours would be concerned with their footwear," he said trying to keep a straight face.
Her lips twitched, as she rolled her eyes. "Are you ready? I think I'd like to go shopping today. For clothes, and shoes. I want to get some toys for him. I didn't bring any of his. They can keep him occupied while we put together our puzzle," she said as she bent down to finish tying her own shoes.
"Let's go." he picked Evan up and put his arms through his little windbreaker.
"Here." she said as she tossed him his leather jacket. She shrugged in to her own leather jacket. "Let's get a stroller first. Do you think we'll be able to get the stuff delivered back here?"
"If we pay for it, they will." he said as he followed her out the door.
Portland, OR Around Same Time
Lyle was looking around his surroundings. "Just what is Jarod is trying to tell us this time, Sydney?" he shook his head at the interior of the room. It was filled with canvases all signed by Jarod.
"Lyle, I just told you what I felt Jarod was trying to do here. Forgive me for butting into your private life, but Are you all right? It's only been a month since your father, the man you considered your father died." Sydney asked in a soothing tone.
"I don't know what is wrong with me." He said running his hand through his hair. "I don't know what's wrong with Parker either. I know she and I have never gotten along. Since the service, she won't stay five minutes in the same room as me. I invited her out to dinner last night. I thought maybe we could talk. She looked at me as if I had just asked her to be the main course, then she just stormed out. Now Raines says she is on vacation for the next 3 weeks." he paced the small room they were all in. "I wasn't any happier that Dad died. I feel even worse, knowing that the man, who stole me from my family, is in fact my father. Sydney, do you think I could have had a normal life? If I hadn't been taken away from my mother. If I hadn't been so miserable, maybe I wouldn't have sold myself to the devil incarnate." he said sounding almost wistful.
Sydney and Broots both looked at Lyle in amazement. They had never though he was capable of feelings. The fact that he was now seemingly full of regrets astounded them. Maybe it wasn't too late for Lyle to prove he was human after all.
Sydney walked over to where Lyle was standing. He was staring at a portrait Jarod had painted of a mother and her three children. Lyle was touching the mother's face. She looked a great deal like Catherine Parker. The fact that two of the children were older and one was a baby, Sydney realized Lyle saw himself in it.
"Lyle, acknowledging and accepting that you can't change what you've done in your past, will go a long way with your sister. You can't undo the damage you've done to her, yourself, your foster family, or Jarod. Accepting that, and making an honest effort to be a better man, could start the long process of forgiving. Once she forgives you, she then can start trying to trust you. You will have to be prepared to fail many times, she doesn't trust easily under the best of circumstances. You haven't given her a reason to trust you. Trying would show, that you're making steps in becoming a son of Catherine Parker. A son she would be proud of." Sydney said trying to reach the miles of hurt in the man, to try and offer him some comfort.
"She would have been ashamed of a son like me. A lying, murdering psychopath." Lyle spit out venomously.
"What is causing this self-examination now? You've always maintained that you like your life just as it is?" Sydney questioned gently.
"I was in my office yesterday, flirting with my secretary, when something inside me told me that I wasn't happy. It said I hadn't been happy for a very long time. It said if I wanted some happiness, I should ask my sister out to dinner." he shook his head, as he remembered the look of absolute disgust on Parkers face when he had asked her.
Broots and Sydney looked at each other. Each thinking the same thing, he has Catherine's Inner sense.
Sydney said "Lyle did you know that Catherine, sometimes heard voices that told her things would be happening. Your sister, and Ethan, you know him as Mirage, also seem to have these voices. You and Parker have always been trained though to ignore those voices."
"Why would I she want to reach me? She didn't even know I was alive. If she were here now, she'd want nothing to do with me!" he said feeling strangely defeated.
"M-Mr. Lyle, I never had the privilege of knowing your mother. From my work with Sydney, and your sister, I've feel as if I know her. I discovered one unchanging thing about Catherine Parker. She loved children unconditionally. She sacrificed everything for her daughter and the baby they forced on her, you can't tell me she wouldn't have sacrificed equally for you. I know she wouldn't have liked what you've done to people in your past. I think as your mother, she would have loved you regardless. It was the type of person she was, I think you ought to listen to that voice a lot more often." Broots said confidently.
He jumped when he felt a hand slap him on the shoulder, "Thank you Broots, I just might do that. Lets get the sweepers to pack it all up. We can go through it at Blue Cove." Lyle said as he walked toward the door.
"What is this?" Sydney asked as he pulled a small envelope from under one of the portraits. "It smells strongly of coffee," he said opening up the envelope. In it he found a napkin with Seattle Washington on it. He handed it to Mr. Lyle.
"Let's get the jet ready," Lyle said as he walked out of the apartment with Sydney and Broots in tow.
Chicago, IL 4:00 pm
"My feet are killing me. I haven't had that much fun shopping in years." Parker said as she pushed the stroller, which was loaded with shopping bags, through the door.
She flopped on the couch and kicked off her shoes. She, then looked up and watched as Jarod brought in Evan. The toddler was draped over his father's shoulder in complete exhaustion.
She stood up and walked over to them, "Did I wear my baby out?" she crooned softly looking at Evan.
"Yes, you did." Jarod said as he took off Evan's windbreaker and took him into the bedroom so he could finish his nap.
He came back out and fell into one of the chairs in the living room.
"I meant Evan, honey." she said tossing a pillow at him.
"I know, sweetums." he said catching and tossing it right back at her.
"I think we went a little crazy. He won't find the time to play with all the toys you got him. He'll probably outgrow half the things I bought him before he can even wear them." she said shaking her head.
"Relax Evie, parents are allowed to go a bit crazy with their firstborns. Aren't you hungry? We could send out for a few pizzas and watch one of the video's we bought. How about E.T.?" Jarod offered
"I could do pizza. Evan should be up in about an hour. Maybe we should try Toy Story first, for a video." she said her stomach grumbling in response to the idea of food.
"I'll order the pizza."
"Jarod, remind me before we leave, I'll have to buy Evan a larger suitcase." She grinned wryly.
"Only Evan?" Jarod raised an eyebrow toward the bags, " I could have sworn, I saw at least a half a dozen pairs of shoes in those bags that would only fit you."
Parker stuck out her tongue, "So I bought a few pairs of shoes for myself. I did buy a bunch of really cool clothes for Debbie. Broots hasn't a clue what a 14-year-old needs. He just asks that I keep the leather down to a minimum." She started taking things out of the shopping bags.
"What do you want on your pizza, Evie?" Jarod called from the kitchen.
"Anything except anchovies and spicy sausage. Get one pizza with just cheese for Evan." Parker was still busily dividing the clothes in three piles, hers, Evans' and Debbie's'.
"Pizza will be here in about 45 minutes." Jarod handed her a glass of deep red wine.
"Thanks, You look really wiped." She sat on what space was left on the sofa and looked at him, with a bemused expression on her face.
"Someone had to keep Evan occupied so he didn't keep peeking under the dressing room doors. It was cute when he did it to you. He was about to start on the next one, when I caught him and held him, while his mother tried on clothes for hours." Jarod complained with his eyes closed. He opened one in a plea for sympathy and saw her shaking her head at him.
"Now you know how I felt in the toy store, with 2 children asking me for everything insight. His father so enraptured by some of the toys I had to pull him from the store." Parker said putting her feet on the low table in front of the sofa.
He grinned, "I don't know who you could be talking about." Jarod fought a grin as he took a sip of wine. He ducked as she threw a pillow at him
Seattle, Washington About the same time
"Broots, how many Starbucks are there in Seattle?" Lyle asked coming off the tarmac, away from the jet.
"Uh - 71." Broots cautiously gave him the information. Lyle after all had a temper just a couple of notches below Parker's.
"71!"Lyle rolled his eyes, " Jarod is having us visit 71 of these coffee places to find our next clue?"
"Unless the coffee stain is a particular kind, special to only one or two stores. We'll be visiting all 71."
"Lets get started. We might as well check into the hotel and eat. We'll start first thing tomorrow morning." Lyle climbed into the rented black Lincoln Continental with Sydney and Broots. "Broots, I hope you arranged for someone to watch your Debbie, we could be out here several days."
Broots managed to keep his jaw from hitting the floor in shock. He and Sydney exchanged looks of amazement. Lyle was asking about Debbie? Lyle was acknowledging his daughter even existed. "Debbie is staying with her cousins, for the next few weeks. When she gets back Parker has promised to go shopping with her. Parker says I don't have the fashion sense to take a teenager clothes shopping." Shaking his head, "I just hope this time she not decked out in leather from head to toe."
Sydney chuckled, "I bet you never thought asking Parker to watch Debbie that one time would result in a friendship like this."
"I don't think, anything can prepare you for Parker." Broots leaned back against the seat. He noticed Lyle acting preoccupied. "Mr. Lyle, I hope I don't put my foot in it. Are you ok? No disrespect intended, but since when have you cared whether or not I have daycare for my little girl? When have you shown any emotion toward the people around you, and what they are feeling? All of a sudden you're worried about your sister, and my daughters welfare. You're asking Sydney for advice, on what he thinks your mother would think of you. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone, or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Could you please not kill me for what just came out of my mouth?" Broots realized he had actually spoken this diatribe aloud.
"Broots, I'm not going to kill you. I must be going through some kind of midlife crisis." Lyle absently responded, as he maneuvered the car smoothly between lanes on the highway.
"Perhaps, what you are feeling is a loss of the connection you felt with Mr. Parker. He was the man, who claimed you as his son. He gave you a family. You had a sister, who while her father was alive tolerated you. You were finally part of something bigger then yourself. Regardless of the fact, that you tried to double cross that family at every turn. You had a family." Sydney offered as an explanation. Secretly pondering over what Lyle could be up to this time.
"I wasn't given a family, Sydney. I took a family. They were never mine. I'm not Parker's brother. Raines told me to switch the results of a test you were conducting Broots. I wasn't aware at the time what was being tested. Truth is, I wouldn't have cared. I hadn't been useful to the Centre. If I had to do over again I would. You see Sydney, I have no family." Lyle confessed pulling into the hotel called, the Inn at the Market.
"Lyle, maybe we should discuss this in more detail. Possibly over dinner?" Sydney asked unsure of how to proceed into this unfamiliar territory that Lyle had placed them all in. "It might give you some peace of mind."
"I'll think about it Sydney." Lyle said as he strode out of the car. Sydney and Broots followed him into the inn.
While they waited to be checked in, Lyle pulled out his cell phone. He dialed his sisters' number. He got her voice mail after three rings. "Parker, when you get this message. Call me. Please. I need to talk to you about something important. We're in Seattle right now. Chasing Jarod, of course. You can reach me on my cell. This isn't a trick or a ploy. I just need you to call me back." Lyle ended the call before he could really beg.
After checking in, he went to his suite. He had left a wakeup call to be sent to his room in two hours. He had a message sent to Sydney's room, that he would call Sydney in a couple of hours if he wanted to meet for dinner. He put his things away in the closet and in the bathroom. It was a good thing they always kept extra clothes on the jet. He shrugged out of my navy blue suit jacket, kicked off his shoes, and took off the tie. He unbuttoned his light blue shirt a couple of buttons, and lay down on the bed. Lyle reached over to the other side of the queen-sized bed and grabbed the pillow, putting it behind his head and closed his eyes.
The dream was getting to be all too familiar. He was in a room that was all white. He was lying on the bed hooked up to a couple of monitors. When he looked over to the side of his bed, there she was: Catherine Parker. The woman he truly wished was his mother. She was sitting in a rocking chair with a fluffy lavender shawl around her shoulders that covered the white dress she wore. She was reading a book, humming softly as the chair slowly rocked back and forth.
When she saw that he had opened his eyes, she leant across to pull the covers up to his shoulders. "What are you doing here, Catherine?" he said reaching out to try and touch her face.
She grabbed his hand and brushed it against her cheek, it was wet from tears. "My sweet boy, what have they done to you?" she murmured. She reached over and brushed the hair off of his forehead. "Momma's here, and they won't hurt you any more."
"Why are you here with me . . . Mom?" he said hesitantly as his eyes absorbed the way she looked at him. It was if she loved him, like a mother.
"I'm always here, especially when one of my children need me." Catherine answered as she leaned over and kissed his forehead.
"But, I'm not your son. I switched the results. Angelo, Timmy is your son, he is Parker's brother. I don't have you, or anyone else for a mother." Lyle protested vehemently.
"You are my son. I just didn't know about you when I was alive. I couldn't reach you until recently. You didn't want to be helped. You didn't think you deserved to be saved." Catherine held tight to his hand. "Your sister will be able to help you. So will your brothers and you nephew. You have the family you have always wanted, my sweet boy. You just have to reach out and hold onto it. You can't put the Centre first anymore. The lies that are told there are monumental. Your sister will need you soon. Be there for her. Help her finish my work. I love you my sweet boy." With a final kiss to his cheek, she glided out the door and into the brightly lit hallway.
"Mom!" Lyle called frantically, "MOM!"
Lyle bolted straight up in bed. The phone rang as his mind was cleared of the dreams.
"What?" Lyle asked, his tone reminiscent of Parker's.
"Mr. Lyle, you requested a wake up call." The receptionist sweet voice reminded him.
"Yes, Thank you. Could you pleas, put down another request for tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.?"
"Certainly, Mr. Lyle, you have a pleasant evening." The receptionist hung up.
Lyle dialed Sydney's room.
"This is Sydney." Sydney answered.
"Did you still want to meet for dinner?" Lyle asked not bothering to identify himself.
"That would be fine when do you want to meet?"
"Let's meet in the lobby in an hour. I'll see if I can get us reservations at the restaurant downstairs." Lyle suggested, as if he went out to dinner every night with Sydney.
"That would be fine. I'll see you in an hour." Sydney said hanging up the phone.
Lyle called the concierge, and made arrangements to have dinner at 6:00. He then got off the bed, and padded into the bathroom. He stripped off his clothes, and took a shower. When he got out he decided he needed to shave again. Lyle splashed on a bit of Cool Water cologne. He then got dressed, this time in a black suit with sapphire blue shirt. He tied his silk sapphire blue, white, and black tie, all the while avoiding his own reflection. He looked up for a moment to see his own reflection. One day he thought, I'm going to like what I see in the mirror. He grabbed his wallet and his key as he left the room.
Lyle walked up to Sydney in the lobby.
"We have reservations for 6. They are supposed to have an excellent sea bass. Shall we go, or are we waiting for Broots?" Lyle gestured for Sydney to follow him.
"Broots is in the midst of a call from Debbie. He said after he spoke with her, he wanted to get online and chat with some of his buddies. When he was done, he planned to just order some room service." Sydney said as his phone rang. "Go ahead without me I'll be right there."
Lyle went into the restaurant so they wouldn't give the reservation away.
"This is Sydney." He answered.
"Sydney, It's me," Parker said. "Are you able to talk?"
"Actually, Lyle and I were just about to have dinner Parker. Why don't I call you in an hour or two? If that's all right?" Sydney asked.
"Yes that's fine. Don't tell Lyle who it was on the phone. You can reach me on my cell. I'll try and explain some of this when you call back." Parker said as she ended the call.
"Be sure you will Parker." Sydney stared at the phone for a moment, before following Lyle into the restaurant.
Chicago, IL Around the same time
Parker hung up the phone. She smiled as she saw Jarod and Evan eating pizza. Evan was doing his best to get some pizza in Jarod's mouth. It just didn't seem to make it.
"I'm going to have to buy a camera. I'll need it for Kodak moments like this." Parker said raising one of her eyebrows and smiling.
"Was Sydney not able to talk?" Jarod asked as he watched her walk over to them.
She shook her head, as she picked up Evan and took him to the sink to clean him up. "No, he said he was joining Lyle for dinner, believe it or not. I think something is up. Sydney didn't even ask where I was?" Parker threw the washcloth she had just used to clean Evan's face and hands into the sink. "Lets get you changed into your pj's, buddy. Then you and Mommy, and Daddy are going to watch one of your new movies. Jarod can you grab the stuff on the sofa and put it in the spare bedroom. I'll sort it out tomorrow." She asked as she took Evan into their room.
Jarod got up and put the dishes in the dishwasher, and he put the leftover pizza in the fridge. He then started the DVD player and put in the movie Toy Story Parker called it. As the promos came on he dumped all off Parkers shopping booty on the bed in the other bedroom. He shook his head as he looked at the pile of clothes. I hope she realizes this is where Ethan will be sleeping, he thought.
"Jarod do you have any popcorn?" Parker called form the living room.
"Just the microwave kind," Jarod said as he walked down the hall to the living room. "Did you want me to make some?"
"Yeah, that would be great." Parker said as she arranged herself and Evan on the sofa.
She put his blanket to the side, as she doubted Evan would make it through the whole movie. She also put her cell phone on the table. Jarod had already put a scrambler on it, if they tried to trace any of her calls. Momma, she thought, I wish you could see him. My son, he's got our eyes and Jarod's smile. I wish I knew where to go from here. How am I going to raise him properly? How can I show him how to be a good person, when I work in the midst of all that is evil, at the Centre? What will he think of me when he realizes my job, for the past 5 years, has been to hunt down his father? How will I face him, when I have to tell him for us to live a normal life, I have to have his father locked up like a rat. Please help me Momma.
She snapped out of her thoughts as she saw a huge bowl of popcorn in front of her. She took the bowl as Jarod sat down with two glasses and a smaller cup, full of a brownish liquid. "I'm telling you right now, if that is a wheat grass shake, you'll be wearing it in a minute."
Jarod smiled as he sat back on the sofa, "Relax, Evie it's just apple cider. It goes good with popcorn.
They both sat back to watch the movie with their sun.
Seattle, WA Campagne Restaurant
Sydney followed the waiter as he led him to the table where Lyle was sitting. It was a window table overlooking Elliot's Bay. Lyle had a glass of white wine in front of him.
"Sydney, I hope you don't mind, but I already ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I figured it would go well with whatever, we order." Lyle said as Sydney sat down and accepted a menu from the waiter.
"That's fine," Sydney said as he looked up at the waiter. "What do you recommend?"
"Well, The foie gras parfait is an excellent choice for an hors d'oeurve. I personally recommend the cold lobster salad. For an entrée it depends what you like. If you prefer fish, our Striped Bass filet is excellent. The grilled Sea Scallops are perfection if seafood is your choice. We also have a chestnut stuffed pork chop or a dry marinated rack of lamb. Your wine selection, of Pinot Grigio, works well with any of the entrees." The waiter said expertly. He stood expectantly for their order.
"I think I'll go with your suggestion of the Lobster Salad and the Grilled Sea Scallops. Could I also get some coffee with that? Lyle, how about you?" Sydney asked as he handed the menu back to the waiter.
I think I'll have the Lobster salad as well. I think for an entrée I'd prefer the stuffed pork chop. I'd also like some coffee." Lyle said matter of factly, handing back the menu.
"Excellent choices sirs. I'll have your coffee brought along momentarily." The waiter gave a quick nod of acknowledgement, and took his leave.
"What did my sister want, when she called you?" Lyle asked Sydney casually.
Sydney raised an eyebrow, "She didn't say. I plan to call her later this evening. I want to make sure she's all right. Why do you ask? Before you answer that, I'd like an answer to a different question. What did you mean when you said you switched the results?" The look in Sydney's eye left no doubt, as he wanted a truthful answer.
Lyle sighed, "Raines had me switch the information being tested. My information and Angelo's. That way when Broots ran the tests, I would come up as the missing Parker heir. I'd like to say I had no idea what was going on. Lets face it I was on borrowed time at the Centre. I knew I was only there because Mr. Parker had called in every favor owed him and then some, to get me reinstated. He would only have done this if it was mentioned to him that I might be his son." Lyle took a long drink from his glass of wine.
"Lyle." Sydney began.
"I know Sydney," Lyle interrupted. "Don't you think I would love to have the Centre's patron saint as my mother? THE Catherine Parker. I've heard what everyone thought of her, from the Triumvirate to her daughter. If I thought for one second, I actually came from something that good. Hope, that I could actually be something other then the monster Raines has helped turn me into. All I do is fantasize that she is my mother. It's played havoc with my life. How else do you explain the -." Lyle suddenly broke off his diatribe and averted his eyes from Sydney's. Damn but it felt good to get this off of his chest.
"Explain the what, Lyle?" Sydney asked sipping his coffee, that the waiter had discreetly left at their table.
"Excuse me gentlemen," the waiter said as he placed their salads in front of them. He also placed a basket of warm rolls and butter to the side of table. "Enjoy your food. Let me know if there is anything I can get for you."
He waited for their nods before leaving.
"You were about to explain something to me Lyle?" Sydney's tone was courteous but firm.
Lyle ran his fingers through his hair. "Sydney you can't want to hear me out, or help me through this. I nearly killed your son, Nicholas. If Jarod hadn't been there, I probably would have killed him. I have done some of the most reprehensible crimes. Why would you want to help me? Why would you care?"
Sydney looked at him for a moment and said frankly, "I have my reasons. The fact that you care what I or anyone else thinks of you is one of them. Now, Explain the what?"
"I've been having this dream. I'm in a room that is all white. I'm hooked up to some monitors. I think I'm in the hospital. When I turn my head, Catherine is there. She is sitting by my bed in rocking chair, reading a book and humming to herself. She was just where you would expect any mother to be, if her son was in the hospital. I ask her what she is doing there. She calls me her sweet boy." Lyle shakes his head in disbelief at that. "She tells me I am her son. She says my sister, brothers, and nephew will help me be the man, she knows I can become. She kisses my cheek and tells me to help my sister finish her work. My head has got to be making this up. I want so badly to be her son, I'm making myself believe I have her Inner Sense." Lyle picked up his fork and began attacking his salad.
Sydney took a few bites of food and a sip of wine before he addressed Lyle's concerns.
"Lyle did you know that Catherine parker and her husband tried Invitro- fertilization? There is a possibility that you could be her son. I'm not sure who your father could be. When your sister comes back from vacation. We should get Jarod to test all of you. If Catherine's saying you're her son, she is probably revealing this to you know for a couple of reasons. One, you're open to the idea of love and family. Two, you're having genuine regret for the path you've been following up until now." Sydney said quite matter-of-factly.
"Why Jarod?"
"I would trust Jarod's results. The Centre has a way of bending results to suit their purposes."
Lyle and Sydney fell into a companionable silence and finished their salads. After they ate the entrees that they had requested. They both ordered a ginger brulee for dessert.
After it arrived Lyle asked "What are we going to tell my sister about this, when you call her later?"
"I think I'll see what she has to say first. I'm interested in why she needed an immediate vacation." Sydney replied spooning some of the brulee into his mouth.
"I wonder what Mom meant about my nephew. As far as I know Angelo Ethan and Parker are all childless." Lyle suddenly questioned. "You don't think that Parker's pregnant do you?"
"I don't catalog your sister's sexual activities Lyle. I don't think she's pregnant. She might have found out that the Centre made her a mother without informing her. I've suspected for some time the Centre may have used her in such a way."
"How could they have used her?" Lyle demanded.
"Think back when she almost died of the ulcer perforation. They could have taken her eggs then. What child do we know that was born a little over a year after that occurrence?" Sydney asked.
"The only child I know of is my bro-," Lyle broke off as realization dawned. "Evan. Oh my God! NO! They wouldn't have used Parker to deliver her own son would they? Having Parker inadvertently handing her child over to the Centre. I'll bet Parker is beyond angry. The Triumvirate is going to regret doing that to her. I wonder who the father is?" Lyle paused in the midst of his reflection of the situation. "Jarod! I wonder if she and Jarod are with their son right now? What do you think Sydney?"
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she Evan and Jarod were together. I wish them some peace. They won't have any when she returns." Sydney said as he finished his dessert.
Lyle motioned for the check and placed his platinum visa on it. The waiter took it away to calculate it and bring back the receipt to sign. After signing his name and giving the waiter a generous tip, Lyle turned to Sydney, "Will you tell her whether she needs my support or not she has it 100%. She won't care, but I want her and Jarod to know they can depend on me. I'll come through for my family this time." With that he turned on his heel and walked out of the resturant.
"I'll be sure to do that Lyle. She's going to need her family to get through this." Sydney arose from the table and followed Lyle out of the resturant.
Chicago, IL A little bit later
Miss Parker smiled as the credits rolled on the screen of the television. She looked down at Evan, who was sound asleep, snuggled between his parents. His unwavering trust in them, to keep him safe was so obvious. She brushed his hair off of his forehead. She came in contact with Jarod's fingers that were stroking their son's cheek. He grabbed her hand and linked their fingers before she could pull them away. She looked up to see him staring intensely at her.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm going to promise you something. Evan will always be safe from the Centre." Jarod said solemnly.
"You can't promise that Jarod. If something were to happen to me-." Parker broke off realizing if that happened, her son would be reliving her life.
"If anything were to happen to you, I'd take him and disappear. The Centre would never find us. I would give up my Do Gooding and even my search for my family. I swear to you he will not grow up like you and I did! Will you promise me something?" Jarod looked directly into her eyes.
She gave him a half smile. "What do you want me to promise?" she asked half- afraid of what he would ask.
"If anything ever happens to me. You'll disappear. You'll take Evan and raise him some place safe far away from the Centre. Promise me that?" he gave a tug on their still linked fingers.
"I promise that I'll move heaven and earth to keep our son safe." Parker said looking directly into his eyes.
Before she could take he hand away, he raised their hands and kissed the back of hers.
"Thank you," Jarod said sincerely. "Since Sydney should be calling you back soon. I'll put Evan to bed." Jarod lifted Evan into his arms
Parker kissed Evan's forehead as Jarod went by to put him in their bedroom.
"Lub you Momma." Evan murmured.
"I love you too, baby." Parker watched as Jarod cradled him gently. She knew it would be a while before Jarod came back. He loved to watch Evan sleep.
The phone rang insistently she snatched it up. "What?" she said in an almost pleasant voice.
"Good evening Parker." Sydney replied.
"Sydney! How is the chase going without me?" she smiled as she thought of the three of them, half a continent away, chasing the man who was in the next room.
"I think you know how the chase is going. How is your vacation? Are you having a good time with Evan and Jarod?" Sydney asked as he waited for the explosion.
"We're having a great time. Wait a minute! How the hell did you know I'm with Jarod and Evan? Who told you? Sydney I swear to God, if you have endangered the life of my son. I'll kill you and anyone else who comes after him." Parker all but shouted as her temper exploded. Just as Sydney knew it would.
Sydney waited until she was breathing normally into the phone before he continued, "So Evan is your son with Jarod. When did you find out?"
"In a letter from Daddy. Quite a bit of information was in that letter, Syd. Including the fact that either you or Jacob is my real father. Angelo's my twin, not Lyle. Which is one favor I'm thanking God for. So, are you?" she demanded, "Are you my real father, Sydney? Or was it Jacob? Tell me it was you. Tell me Raines didn't order me to kill my own Father. Tell me I didn't watch my own father die, not knowing I was his daughter. Sydney!" she begged not caring that there were tears running down her face. She thought back to Raines ordering her to smother Jacob. She also remembered Sydney playing home movies for him at the cabin before he died.
Sydney paused and softly said, "Miss Park- Eve, I don't know the answer to that particular question. I do know, that Jacob and your mother had only a platonic relationship. I also did have an affair with your mother. It was before she became my patient. The only time I asked your mother about it, she vehemently denied that I was the father. She said she and your father had reconciled and the baby, you, was his. If you like we can be tested to prove it. Before I tell you some of my news, you need to hear this. First of all, nothing would make me prouder then to find out you are my daughter. Eve, Lyle isn't your twin, but he may be your brother. We all need to get tested, to make sure." Sydney said all this carefully, wishing he were there with her to hold her as her father, not a friend. He also knew that she was still processing a lot of the information and anger.
"What did you say?" she gasped. "Lyle, the thumbless wonder, thinks he's really my brother. How is that possible? Unless someone, Raines, got a hold of my mother's eggs when they were trying the invitro process. Can my family tree get any more twisted? How are we to test all of our blood? Wouldn't we need Momma's and Jacob's? Who is going to test it? Whom can we trust to give us the answers we need?" she asked her head in her hands.
"Jarod could do it. I would trust any results he comes up with. We could get samples and then send them to Jarod for him to test?" Sydney suggested.
"No too many people would be involved. I'd want Jarod to do it all from taking the samples to doing the actual testing. I'll have to talk to him about that, and get back to you. Lyle as my actual brother might send him over the edge. Jarod has wanted him dead, ever since Kyle. Since you know Evan is my son, you need to know he'll be living with me. I'll need help getting the house baby-proofed, and a room ready for him. Sydney, how the hell am I going to be a mom? You know what I am, what the Centre has made me into. I don't want my son growing into that." Parker stood up began pacing around the living room.
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You are wonderful with Debbie. You'll be incredible with Evan. Lyle wanted me to tell you that he will back you a 100%. He says he knows you don't trust him, and you probably don't believe him, but he is here if you need him. Did your father say anything else to you in the letter?" Sydney asked in his most patient tone of voice.
Parker sat back down on the sofa before speaking. "Jarod and I haven't even started going through it all yet. Lyle's right I don't believe him. Let him know, I said thanks. Let me talk to Jarod about the testing, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye Sydney." Parker said as she disconnected the call.
Parker was still staring into space when Jarod came into the room ten minutes later. "Evie, what's wrong?" Jarod asked as he came over to the sofa and sat down beside her. He put his arm around her shoulder as she burrowed into his side. He lay down on the sofa taking her with him, so that she was lying halfway across his chest. He held her like that and just stroked her back in a soothing up and down motion. Parker closed her eyes and enjoyed being held in Jarod's arms. It felt like home, being part of a family again.
"My family tree just got a whole lot stranger. Lyle isn't my twin, Angelo is. However. Lyle still might be my brother. Same mother, different fathers, like what happened with Ethan. Is Evan still asleep?" she asked.
"Yeah, he's out like a light. He drools out of the same side of the mouth that you do." Jarod said still stroking her back.
"Did you know that he almost had a brother or a sister?"
The stroking paused for a moment and then was continued. "When were you pregnant?" Jarod asked carefully.
"I was pregnant when Tommy was murdered. I didn't know it at the time. It was about three weeks after it was all over, right before Donoterase was uncovered, that I found out. It was on a Friday. Debbie had called to invite me to her school play Saturday night. All of a sudden I was in horrible pain. I was cramping. I thought it might be my ulcer again. I just passed out. When I came to, I was in an ambulance and Broots was with me holding my hand. We got to the emergency room, and the doctor asked if I'd been having any trouble with my pregnancy so far. I told him I didn't know I was even pregnant. He said I was about fourteen weeks, and it looked as if I was miscarrying the baby. You know, Broots never left my side that whole night. I promised God anything in the world, if I could just keep that baby. My last piece of Tommy. Broots just stayed, holding my hand and talking to me. Nothing helped; I lost the baby about dawn the next morning. They told me they couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl, but I think they were lying. Broots took me home. I stayed in bed all weekend, with the exception of Debbie's play. I made Broots promise not to ever mention it again. Monday I acted as if nothing had changed. In my mind I even named the baby. David Thomas for a boy; David means beloved and Thomas for the obvious reason. For a girl I picked Aimee Katrine; Aimee means loved one and Katrine is a form of Catherine, which means pure. I hurt so badly after losing the baby; it was probably why I stepped in front of that bullet meant for Daddy. I couldn't stand to lose anyone else, I just couldn't." She buried her face in his chest.
Jarod kept stroking her back as he felt her tears soak his shirt. He didn't know how to help her with this kind of pain. "I don't know what to say," he told her.
"There's nothing to say. The doctor said nothing I had done brought on the miscarriage. He said it might have been the shock and grief about Tommy's death. He examined me after it was over. He didn't foresee any complications for further children. That baby, though was the one I wanted. After I was shot, and in the hospital drugged. I saw Momma. Tommy was with her, holding a baby. I asked her why I had lost my baby. She told me I was meant to be a mother; it just didn't work out this time. Tommy she said was lonely without me. He and our baby would watch over me, just as she had always done. They would watch over my family and me. Momma also said not to give up. I needed to fight the infection and live. I was to live for the children I was meant to have. I wonder what she would think of Evan?" she said. It felt good to talk about this, especially to Jarod.
"She probably thinks he's incredible." He said smiling at the thought of their son.
"Jarod, would you be willing to test our blood? You'd have to test; Sydney's, Ethan's, Lyle's, Angelo's, Evans, yours, and mine. You are the only person I trust to take the blood and perform the DNA tests. We'd all finally have some answers. I need answers. Will you help me?" she asked looking into his eyes.
"Of course, I'll help you." Jarod said sliding a finger down her cheek and across her jaw line.
"Can I sleep with you tonight? I don't mean have sex. I'd just like to be held, at least for tonight." Parker asked as she crawled over him and got off the couch. "I'm not ruling out that kind of relationship, maybe sometime in the far future. I just don't think we need that kind of complication right now."
"You can sleep with me tonight." Jarod said gallantly.
"Thanks. I'm going to shower and change. So you'll do the testing? I know you hate Lyle; you've every reason to. This could give you some answers too."
"I'll do this for you and Sydney," Jarod said. "I'll call Sydney tomorrow and see what kind of arrangements we can make. I'm going to take a shower too. Just limb into the bed when you're done." Jarod headed off to his own bathroom.
Parker went and took her shower and changed into her favorite pair of silk pajamas. She peeked in to check on Evan, and saw him sleeping peacefully. She went into Jarod's room and slipped between the sheets. She closed her eyes, and almost immediately fell asleep.
Jarod came out of his bathroom in his boxers. He saw she was already asleep. He turned out the lights and got into bed. He leaned over and spooned his body behind hers. She stiffened momentarily and then relaxed boneless against him. HE closed his own eyes, and dreamed of a possible happily ever after for all of them.
Day 3 Seattle, WA 8 a.m.
Lyle, Broots and Sydney walked out of yet another Starbucks. He saw the four sweepers walking toward them.
"Any luck?" Lyle asked as they shook their heads.
"Broots how many more are there?"
"Out of the 71 we've got another 40 to go. Twenty are closer to the outskirts of town. There are another 15 in a ten mile radius of where we are right now."
"All right we three will take the 15 inside the ten mile radius. You four take the outskirts. Call me if you find anything."
"Of course sir." They said as they took their leave.
"Sydney, have you heard from them yet?" Lyle asked waiting until the sweepers were out of earshot.
"No. I expect Jarod will have to get access to a lab before he can contact us. More then likely he'll have to find us, to get the samples so that the tests can be run." Sydney said.
"This just keeps getting more, and more weird." Broots said. "Lyle, I can't believe you are helping your sister. Who it turns out may, or may not be your sister. You've actually agreed to have Jarod help you find out."
He was cut off with the ringing of Sydney's cell phone.
"This is Sydney."
"Sydney, it's Jarod. Are you still in Seattle searching Starbucks for me?"
"Yes, we are. Did you have to choose a city that had 71 of them?"
"How else could I be assured you guys would be out of my hair long enough, for me to enjoy my first vacation? " Jarod remarked a bit flippantly.
"How should we get the blood samples to you Jarod? I don't think we can ship them to you?" Sydney asked, sure the Jarod already had a plan of action.
"No, you can't. Mr. Broots is going to help us. He is going to have an emergency at home involving Debbie. He'll then during a stop over in Chicago, hand off the samples to me, I'll meet him somewhere in a spot that I won't tell you about just yet." Jarod said already working the scenario out in his mind. "He'll then fly back to Blue Cove, getting Angelo's sample. I'll also need him to go into the Fluid Retention Unit, to see if there is a sample of Catherine and Jacob's DNA. He'll then stop over again in Chicago, where I'll meet him again. By the time you three are back in Blue Cove I should have the definite results of our complicated puzzle. However, if I see any sign of sweepers or cleaners, I'm out of there. You won't get the results."
"We're all agreed on that Jarod. Especially Lyle. Jacobs DNA won't be at the Centre. The one Hospital he was at still has several samples of bone marrow and blood. I had it taken just in case I ever needed it, as he was my twin. I can let them know Broots is coming and get it released to him. All you have to do is tell us when and where and we'll make sure Broots is there." Sydney looked at Lyle who was gesturing impatiently at the phone. "Jarod, Lyle would like to speak with you. Did you want to speak with him?" Sydney asked knowing there was no love lost between the two men.
"All right Sydney. I'll talk to him." Jarod wondered what Lyle would say. Maybe he'll try to what's that expression, oh yeah butter me up.
"Jarod? Listen I know you could care less about what happens to me in this whole scenario. We both know the only reason I'm alive, is because I've been believed to be Parkers brother. You'd never kill a member of her family, no matter how much they deserved it. I trust you to give me these answers. I'm not asking for any kind of special treatment. If I manage to stay alive inside the Centre, I know I'll be answering for my sins somewhere down the road. At this moment in time Jarod, we're the same. I just want to know who I am." Lyle said wanting Jarod to understand how he felt about all of this.
"You're right Lyle, you will answer to someone for all you've done. I won't be your judge, jury or executioner. However, if you ever come anywhere near my family with the attempt to hurt or harm them in any way. God is going to be the only one who'll be able to identify and find your remains. Hold on, Parker wants to talk to you." Jarod said handing over the phone.
"Lyle," Parker began, taking a deep breath. "What makes you so sure you're my brother? What makes you think you're entitled to another chance? Why should any of us trust you? Can you give me a single reason why I, or for that matter we, should?" she asked.
"I know you've no reason to trust me. Remember when I was making fun of your 'dreams'? I've been having the same one for last two weeks. I'm willing to do whatever it takes for you to trust me. Even though I know you never will, not completely. I'm just asking that we try Parker. You and I have been searching for answers, granted I haven't been searching as long as you, for a while now. I think its time we shook the family tree." Lyle heard himself almost begging.
"All right. Remember this Lyle. I shot you once, because you gave me no choice. You cross me; I'll have no problem being Judge, jury and your executioner. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
"Fine. Give the phone back to Sydney, so he can make the final arrangements with Jarod." Parker handed the phone back to Jarod.
"Sydney, I'll be sending you all the information to your hotel. It will come via Next Day Air, tomorrow morning. It will have all the details as well as Broots' air tickets. Follow them to the letter. I'll call you once I have confirmation you've received it. Enjoy looking for the clues I left. I'll give you this much of a hint, the Starbucks is on Madison Avenue. Talk to you later Sydney." Jarod taunted ending the call.
"Did he give us any clue as to where to go next?" Broots asked.
"He said the Starbucks is on Madison Street. Let's go and get started. I don't think this will be as easy, as it seems." Sydney replied shaking his head.
Lyle and Broots got into the car with him and headed toward Madison Street.
Chicago, IL
Same time
Jarod and Parker just looked at each other across the table. He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze of support.
"So, do we sort through the tangled vines of our past today, or do you want to do that after the testing is complete? Don't forget Ethan is coming tomorrow or the next day. Maybe he can help." Parker suggested, as she got up from the table and entered the living room.
She watched Evan playing with the Lego's his father had bought him.
"Let's hit the Shedd Aquarium, Evan will love it. We can relax today. Later we can go shopping for the 6 suitcases you'll need to get everything home in." Jarod joked, as he came up behind her.
Parker grabbed a pillow from the sofa and hit him with it.
"Fine, I'll get the stroller you get Evan put together. Evan, how would you like to go to the Aquarium and see all the different fish? Then we'll go and do some shopping. We need to get you some bigger suitcases."
"See fish?" Evan asked.
"Yes, baby. We'll see lots of fish. Maybe if there is time and you aren't too tired we can go to the zoo." She said smiling down at him.
"Okay Momma. Lez go Daddy. Right now!" Evan demanded.
"Sure thing son. I guess we know where you get that from don't we?" Jarod asked, winking at Parker.
"Momma." Evan stated gleefully.
"Listen, there will be no uniting against Mommy. You got that kiddo. You understand?" Parker said as she tickled Evan's ribs.
"I unnerstan Momma!" Evan gasped out.
"Go and get ready, silly boy." She said dropping a kiss on his cheek.
Evan grabbed her face and gave her a kiss back.
"Ok, Momma." he was still giggling as Jarod took him back to the bedroom.
Jarod's videophone rang. Parker went over to activate it. She smiled as she saw Ethan's face appear.
"Ethan, you look good. When are you arriving?" she asked looking at the screen. She sat down at Jarod's desk.
"I'll be there the day after tomorrow. I'll probably arrive sometime around noon. How are you and Jarod doing discovering you're parents?" Ethan asked concerned, as he knew how Parker could react to new discoveries.
"Jarod's happy as a clam. I'm taking it better then I did, when I discovered we shared a brother. Evan's such a great kid, Ethan. I think he definitely inherited Jarod's genius, but he seems a bit young for his age. We're going to take him on an outing, like a real family. I want you to ask you something. You hear our mother's voice guiding you. What does she tell you about Lyle? He says he's been having a dream about her. What is she trying to tell him?" Parker asked, not wanting to believe that Lyle could actually be her brother.
She watched as Ethan closed his eyes for a few moments.
"She says she has been trying to contact him for sometime. She's never been able to get to him until recently. He's been too closed off. She says ever since Mr. Parker died, he seems to be looking for something. That is how she's been able to reach him." Ethan calmly relayed to her.
"So he really is my, our brother. Does she know what happened? Or how we can get the information on this?"
"She says you and Jarod have all the information you need. Mr. Parker gave it to all of you. This is weird she says to tell you, not to worry they are still watching over you. Do you know who she means?" Ethan inquired.
"Yeah, I know who she's talking about." Parker said, closing her eyes and thinking of Tommy and her baby. "Are you ok for money to get here?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you the day after tomorrow. I love you, Parker. I know you don't like hearing it, but you'll have to get use to it."
"Then I guess you'd better start calling me something other then Parker. I know she's told you my given name. I'd like you to use it. If you don't like it, you can use a nickname. I'll see you soon. Stay safe, Ethan. I finally have all this family. I don't want to lose any of you." Parker confessed showing Ethan one of her rare smiles.
"Mommy, I'm ready." Evan came up to her with his arms spread out. "Whom're you talking to?"
"I'm talking to Uncle Ethan. Would you like to say hello?" Parker asked as she picked him up.
"Yeah! Hi Uncle Ethan. You look like Daddy." Evan said waving at the screen.
"Hello Evan. You look like your Mommy. Same big blue eyes." Ethan looked at his nephew and waved back. "I'm going to be there in a few days and we will have some serious fun. OK?"
"Okey-Dokey, Unca Etan." Evan said cheerfully. "Daddy! Unca Etan coming to visit soon."
"That is right, kiddo. Lets go see the fish." Jarod replied. "Are you ready Evie?"
"Yes, I'm ready. Do you think they'll be able to pull it off?" She inquired hopefully.
"I hope so." Jarod said as he opened the door for his family.
"Let's go Momma and Daddy!" Evan demanded.
Seattle WA Madison Street
They walked into a Starbucks and asked the girl at the counter if she had seen Jarod, and showed her a picture.
"You guys know Jarod?" Elizabeth, her nametag read, asked.
"Yes, we do. Do you know where he was living?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah he was staying at the Paul Revere. Did you want a Jarod?"
"Excuse me?" Lyle asked.
"A Jarod, it what we call his drink. It really caught on. An Iced Carmel Macchiato mixed with white chocolate. It's really good."
No, Thank you. We'll be on our way. Thank you for your time." Sydney said.
"No Problem. Any friend of Jarod's is a friend of mine."
Sydney exited the store. "Do we know where the Paul Revere is?"
"Yes we do." Broots was busy clicking on his Palm organizer. It's on Ninth. Shall we go?"
They got in the car and headed toward Jarod's apartment.
A little later at
Jarod's Lair
Lyle walked into the room first. Followed closely by Sydney and Broots. His eyes darted around the room, for the familiar red notebook that should be lying around. When he spotted it, he went over to pick it up. Sydney was looking around the room in amazement.
"What does the notebook say Lyle?" Sydney asked as he picked up some paper lying on the bed.
"Just Jarod's usual righting the wrong done to some innocent. This time it looks like he found out about a drug company named DryGum, they were about to release a drug that would aid women trying to get pregnant. They neglected to tell anyone that their research was flawed; women that used the drug to get pregnant often lost the baby before the sixth month of pregnancy. Due to the drug bleeding was hard to control, and often resulting in the women being forced into having partial-hysterectomies. In which only the uterus was removed. Jarod it looked like infiltrated and got the information to the FDA before they could market it to the public. The women that were affected during the trials, Jarod was able to help with a drug he created that helped the blood clotting issue. The few that did have to have hysterectomies, were helped by the drug company using surrogate mothers to give them their own children." Lyle answered while perusing the notebook and requisite newspaper clippings. "The last article says one of the mothers found out she is having a boy and is naming him Jarod for the man who made it possible for her to have a baby."
"It makes me sick to think people take advantage of those wanting to have a child." Broots said looking through the closet.
"Broots, Wake up! How do you think the Centre got Jarod?" Lyle snapped. "Don't you think the Centre knew how to use the desire for children against people?"
"I know what they do. I just don't see where they get the idea that they have the right, after helping people finally have a child, to take that child away and do God only knows what to it. I may not be smart, but from all I've seen the Centre has so many years of being evil under its belt it needs to be wiped out of existence. I sold my soul to work there, because the money was incredible and so were the benefits. Now I can't leave because of what they would do to me, or my daughter." Broots said shaking his head.
"Right now we need you Broots. When this war between The Centre, and us is over. Jarod and my sister will be running the place. If you want to leave they won't stop you."
"Broots, we will get out of this, in what shape, I can't tell you. I will have a life with Michelle, Nicholas and anyone else I choose to. Right now we have to be strong. Will you be ready to leave tomorrow after we get Jarod's package?"
"I'll be ready Sydney."
"Lyle do you think we should call the cleaners in to pack it all up and send it back to the Centre? Lyle?" Sydney asked concerned as Lyle had been staring at a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco California.
"What? Yeah, Sydney call them. This picture looks good doesn't it? It's weird though. Everything else has to do with coffee, Starbucks or DryGum. This is the only thing out of place. I guess we are heading for San Francisco. Let's get out of here. I'm starving." Lyle kicked aside the rest of Jarod's debris as he left the room.
As Lyle, Sydney, and Broots left the building. They didn't notice the blonde woman watching them. Nor did they see her use a cell phone and make a call. As they pulled away in the Black Lincoln, she quickly got into her own car a cherry red Mazda Miata and followed them.
Chicago, IL Late Afternoon
Jarod came out of the kitchen to see Parker looking again at her letter from her father.
"Evan still taking his nap?" Jarod asked sitting down on the other side of the sofa.
"Yeah, he was. Who knew an aquarium could exhaust him so much. We'll have to wake him up soon, or he won't sleep tonight." Parker put aside the letter. "It doesn't seem like he's had much fun. I never knew a two year- old could actually sit still that long. What's for dinner?"
"You mean you don't have our dinner already in the oven, Honey?" Jarod smiled as he teased her. "We're having Coq au vin with garlic red potatoes, and freshly steamed broccoli and carrots."
"You really think Evan'll eat that?" Parker asked her left eyebrow rose skeptically.
"He's like me, if it tastes good he'll eat it. Tomorrow I thought you could meet Broots. You can assure him you're in one piece. Evie, when do you want to start on the letters and stuff?" Jarod asked concerned as he saw her eyes darken.
"Did I tell you? Daddy, I can't believe I still call him that admits that he was involved in Thomas' murder. He says he was forced to make a choice. What choice was that? They killed a wonderful man, because he loved me! If I'd been given the choice I'd have let him go. Anything but have him dead. Do you have any idea how crazy our life is going to get Jarod? How are we supposed to share custody of Evan? It's not like we're divorced and you can see him on the weekends. You have to run, and I have to chase you on the weekends!" Parker dropped her head into her hands and began massaging her temples.
"Evie, we can't change the past. We can only go on from here. Thomas wouldn't want you beating yourself up about this." Jarod stroked her back.
"Jarod, I'm just so tired of this. I want to live to see my son grow up. I want him to be able to see you whenever he wants. Do you think we could make a deal with the Triumvirate? We won't blow the whistle on all the past misdeeds, if they agree to let us run the Centre however we deem fit? We could run it together. We'd be able to see our son grow up. Our families could be safe. Am I just dreaming that this could happen?" Parker ranted desperately.
"We'll look at all of our options, when we get the test results back. Let's wait to make any big plans for the Centre until then. We can hook up all our arsenal at that time." Jarod volunteered.
"Jarod, how sure are you that the Seratonin wouldn't work on Angelo again? Could the process be adjusted and tried again? The brain is an incredible thing; even the Centre doesn't know all it's capable of. My brother sacrificed his humanity for that little boy, Davy. I want to make sure no stone is left unturned before we, before I give up on him again. I owe my mother that. I owe my brother that much."
"I can double check my research against any new developments. I'll also have Sydney examine him again. I don't want to give you any false hope. It would be a long shot."
"I like long shots. Jarod, why do you keep helping me? I haven't helped you half as much as you've helped me. If anything I keep you from what you want most, your family." Parker put her head into her hands.
"We're connected Evie, always have been and always will be, thanks to the Centre. I don't blame you for how you've been in the past. I just want to get past it. I don't want our son in the middle of a war between us. I don't want us in the middle of a war between us." Jarod rubbed her shoulders comfortingly.
"Jarod, What did Daddy," Parker paused in the middle of her sentence. She looked at Jarod with a half smile. "What did he give you as far as information?"
"He sent me a key to a safe deposit box. I checked it out. It's to a bank in a small town about an hour and half north of the city. It's called Zion, IL. Tomorrow while you pick up the stuff from Broots. Evan and I can go to Zion. It's supposedly safe. What do you think?"
"Why not be on the safe side? Let me take Evan with me. You then can concentrate on the safe deposit box."
"All right," Jarod gave her his dimpled grin. "So what do you want to do after I clean out the box?"
"I say we wait and dig into it after we have the blood test results. How long will it take? A week?" Parker asked as she stood up and stretched.
"About that. Lets go wake up Evan so we can eat dinner." Jarod said standing up as well.
"Ok." Parker followed Jarod down the hall.
Seattle, WA A little later in the evening
Sydney approached Lyle as he was at the bar. From the look of it Lyle was on his fourth or fifth drink. He slid onto the stool next to him.
"You realize, of course drowning your sorrows won't make them go away." Sydney said as he ordered a chivas on the rocks, with a single ice cube.
Lyle gave a snort. "Do you realize that I'm a dead man? Parker deserves to know the whole truth about what I've done to her. When I've told her all I know. . .Brother, or not she'll shoot me right between the eyes."
"Lyle, she knows you aren't perfect. I'm certain she feels that you might be able to be a better man. Your potential is incredible. What could you have done, besides what she already knows about, that she couldn't forgive you for?" Sydney asked perplexed at this complete change in attitude from Lyle.
"Thomas." Lyle replied simply.
"You had something to do with Thomas's death?" Sydney couldn't keep the anger he felt from coming through on his voice.
"I didn't pull the trigger, or assign Brigitte to carry it out. I was worse. I was the catalyst. I let Raines overhear me on several occasions saying that since Parker got involved with her carpenter, she seemed to be losing her edge on trying to catch Jarod. I thought they would warn her or slap her on the wrist. I didn't think her warning would be them killing Thomas. I should have. It's exactly what I would have done. Raines made me into the perfect Centre machine." Lyle finished his drink in a single swallow. He motioned for the bartender to bring him another.
"Lyle most of your problems stem from the abuse you suffered as a child. The Bowman's were not people that should have been entrusted with a child. When Raines made you the offer, to become stronger then the man who was abusing you. You jumped at the offer, who wouldn't in your position." Sydney said trying to impress upon Lyle that some choices he had made were as a defensive mechanism. "Even the name you use, it's a slap in the face to the one who hurt you. If you really want to make some changes, I can suggest two right off the bat. One, make your peace with the Bowman's. Let Mr. Bowman out of Jail, say you were kidnapped and brainwashed. You have come to your senses, only to find out that Mr. Bowman has been imprisoned for your murder. You want to right the wrong done to your adoptive father. After you do that change your name don't be Lyle Parker, Bobby Bowman, Mr. Lyle. Be who you want to be. Find a name that means something to you and go from there." Sydney put his hand on Lyle's shoulder. "Lyle, no son of Catherine Parker would accept this set down. She has faith in you, she wouldn't be coming to your dreams if she didn't."
"I'm not worthy of being her son. What could she possibly think of a son that has done all the horrible things that I have? I'm glad she's dead. I wouldn't want to see the look of disgust on her face when she looks at me. Why all of a sudden does this bother me? I have been doing this for over 20 years." Lyle spat out contemptously.
"It bothers you now. Because you know if Catherine had known about you, she would have rescued you and loved you. It was the kind of person she was." Sydney explained confidently.
"I think I'm just going to go to bed. Sleep off the Scotch. Tell Broots to call my room when he needs me in the morning. Good night Syd. Thank you for the advice. I'll sleep on it. Maybe I'll ask Catherine for her advice. See you in the morning." Lyle gave Sydney a halfhearted grin and put several bills on the bar. He turned and left the room.
To all people he looked like a young, confident career man. Sydney only saw the troubled waters beneath the still surface. When Lyle started answering for his crimes, it seems as if he'd be a much harder judge on himself, then one might think.
Sydney saw Broots join him from the corner of his eye.
"What'll you have Broots? I'm buying." Sydney asked, signaling the bartender over.
"Can I have a Tanquray gin and tonic with lime, please?" Broots requested.
"Sure, I'll have it for you in a moment."
"Sydney. If this situation gets any weirder, I'm calling Guinness." Broots shook his head. "I don't know how much more Parker can stand. She has had to deal with so much. She's going to destroy the Centre when the test results come in. Parker mad is not something I want to deal with anytime soon. Do you think she and Jarod are getting along?" Broots asked as the bartender came back with his drink.
"Broots I think Parker is a lot stronger then we know. I agree this to her will be the last straw. Her and Jarod parenting a two-year-old is something I would love to see. I've always thought they would be incredible parents. Broots I want you to do something for me. When you go to the Centre to get Angelo's blood. Can you get a list of all of our contacts in the military and overseas? Those that have contracted the Centre to do work for them. Also I need a complete list of everyone who works at Blue Cove and Corporate. I want to know where every single annex is. All of our branches, everything, No stone left unturned. We are going to need it; When Jarod brings down the place. I want you to down load everything on to laptops. Leave all of this with Parker and Jarod when you drop the samples off. We'll then wait for Jarod to contact us, with what to do."
"Sydney do you realize what you're asking me to do? I might as well sign my own death certificate."
"I know Broots, but having that information might save all of our lives. Why don't you let me have Michelle and Nicholas pick Debbie up from camp? We can ask Jarod for a safe place to have all of you stay while we figure this out."
"I'll call the came tomorrow. When I drop off the stuff, I'll ask Parker to talk to Jarod about it. I'll call you when I get to Blue Cove. We can take it from there. I'm going to bed. I need as much sleep as possible, to help me with what I've got to do tomorrow. Just call me Broots, James Broots." Broots tried to joke.
"Is that really your first name? James?" Sydney asked. "I'm ashamed to say I don't know your first name."
"No my first name is Dennison. It was my mother's maiden name. My brother got the normal name of Jefferson. Parents and the names they give kids. I'm no better we had decided before Debbie was born to give her a 'D' name because of mine and her mother's name, which was Doreen."
"I'm not sure why I was named Sydney and my brother Jacob. I never got a chance to ask my parents."
"Sydney, do you think Jarod and Parker will change Evan's name?" Broots asked as he got off the stool at the bar.
"I doubt it. Goodnight Broots. I'll see you in the morning." Sydney turned back to his drink.
It was going to be a long night.
Chicago, IL That same night
Parker came from the spare room where she had just finished packing all of the new things away. As she went past her room, she peeked in to check on Evan. He was sleeping soundly. The television was on in the living room. When she entered the room she saw Jarod was watching "Casablanca." Parker walked over to the sofa and sat down.
"Evan's out like a light. He likes you putting him to bed."
"I know. It's going to be hard when you're in Blue Cove, and I'm wherever." Jarod sighed wistfully. "Rick really loves her doesn't he?"
"In the movie? Absolutely. I always thought that. I also thought he was pathetic. Why give up the woman you love just because she's in love with someone else? At least don't give up without a fight." Parker replied.
Jarod turned to her. Before she could react he reached out and kissed her. The kiss lasted for a few minutes. Then Jarod broke it off.
"You kissed me!" Parker accused.
"You kissed me back." Jarod replied.
"Was that some sort of experiment? You wanted to see if I would respond to you? You want to go where you've never gone before?! Why did you do that?" Parker demanded.
"I wanted to know if kissing you would make me forget Zoë? I still have feelings for her that are unresolved. Evie, neither of us is ready for a relationship, not yet. I just needed to see what would happen, if I kissed you. No harm no foul." Jarod leaned back into the couch.
"Jarod, didn't Sydney teach you that to prove or disprove a hypothesis you have to run more then one test." Parker said as she leaned over and kissed Jarod.
At first the kiss was hesitant and then grew deeper. Jarod pulled Parker on to his lap facing him. She straddled him as the kissing went on. She pulled away from his lips and began to work at the sensitive part of his neck right below the earlobe. he also be began nuzzling her collarbone and dropping soft kisses along the way. This time when they pulled back they had to detangle their legs from each other and they were both flushed.
"I think that proves there is definitely something there. I agree we need a little more time before we jump into anything." Parker laughed at the raised eyebrow she got from Jarod. "I know, me of all people advertising self restraint. We can't just jump on this one Jarod. I don't want our son hurt if a relationship doesn't work out with us. Besides the parenting one." Parker said still breathing a bit heavy.
"I agree. I think we should both take a cold shower, and go to bed. We'll figure out the rest as we go. Tomorrow I have to let you know what to do with the samples." Jarod nodded as his own breathing calmed and his heartbeat went back to normal.
"Good Night Jarod."
"Good Night Evie."
Day 4 Chicago, IL Around 10 a.m.
Jarod woke up to the smells of breakfast being cooked. He got up and walked to the kitchen. There was Parker with an apron over her jeans cooking.
"Have I entered the Twilight Zone? You're cooking?"
"Daddy! Momma cookin'. She burnt toast and said a bad word." Evan crowed at the top of his lungs.
"Stool Pigeon!" Parker muttered.
"She did. What did she do with the toast?"
"She threw it away." Evan said waving a piece of non-burnt toast in front of his father.
"Do you want breakfast, Jarod? I have pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon." Parker said as she dished up her own plate of food.
"Sounds great."
She brought over the plates and they began eating.
"So when does his flight get in?" Parker asked in between mouthfuls of food.
"He'll be receiving my package in about an hour. After he leaves immediately, for Blue Cove care of a stopover here in Chicago. Lyle and Sydney will leave to investigate my whereabouts in San Francisco. He should be here around 2 p.m. He has a three-hour layover here. He then boards a plane to Blue Cove. He'll drive home sleep for a few hours. Then before anyone get in get Angelo's sample. he will also try and check the Body Fluid storage for any of your mother DNA. He then goes to the hospital Sydney had Jacob's DNA held and then he flies back to San Francisco care of another layover in Chicago. Where we then will have the last pieces of the puzzle. By then Ethan will be here and we can start working on putting the puzzle pieces together." Jarod explained as he cleaned his own plate.
"So we can stay here, while everything goes down. Why do I feel like we are stepping into some deep sh- you know what?"
"Because there is no going back after we get these answers." Jarod said reaching over and squeezing her hand.
"Should we get a safe house for Michelle, Nicholas and Debbie? Also when are you leaving to check out the safe deposit box?" Parker asked willing her ulcer to calm down.
"I'm going to check into a safe house. I don't think it should be in Chicago though. Not with Broots making two stops. Maybe Milwaukee, or Kenosha, maybe even that Zion. I'm going to leave as soon as I take a shower and shave. Are you going to be all right with Evan and going to meet Broots?
"Worrying about me already, Jarod? You know I can take care of myself and Evan." Parker said her teeth on edge.
"I'm not saying you can't! Evie, you're in a strange town, you aren't used to being alone with Evan, and on top of it all you have to covertly met Broots and get the DNA samples he'll have." Jarod explained a bit defensively.
"I'm Sorry Jarod. It just for too long, not being able to do something perfectly was the same as failing at it. I have to learn to think before I open my mouth." Parker apologized.
"It's OK. We're both having to do a lot of adjusting right now." Jarod stopped as some scrambled egg hit him in the face. He turned to Ethan who though he had just discovered something incredibly funny. "What was that for kiddo?"
"It swipped, Daddy. Mommy says 'we don't throw food.' I sowwy." Evan replied innocently. Jarod and Parker had to hold back the laughter as Evan did his best imitation of Parker and actually got it pretty close.
"That's right we don't throw food, at each other. Jarod, since it will be a while before Broots gets here what should we do today?" Parker asked smiling and making faces at Evan.
"I thought we could stick around here today. I'll leave in about an hour for Zion. By the time I've picked up my information, and gotten back to the city, you should have what I need. I'll get samples from you, Evan, and myself. I can then go into the lab and get started on the results. It should take about a week, once I get all of the DNA, to get the samples analyzed and cross referenced, so that everyone will know who is related to whom." Jarod said as he read the newspaper.
"Jarod, I feel like Pandora. I wonder if we aren't better off not knowing. There is some comfort in being ignorant of all the facts." Parker said worriedly. "I don't want you or I to be a grave Evan visits once a year. I want us to see him grow into a man, and start his own life. If you had, had a choice would you have named him Evan Thomas?" Parker asked hoping to lighten the dark mood that had seemed to come over both of them.
Jarod who was in the process of cleaning off Evan's face with a towel left on the table. "I don't know. Maybe we should go back to that Borders bookstore and get a baby name book and see what we would have come up with. You want to argue about what to name our son?" he replied half-jokingly. He put Evan down so he could run and play with his toys in the living room.
"I already looked it up. I found out that many consider Evan a form of John, which means God, is gracious. I kind of like the fact that he was named for the brother my mother thought was stillborn. Angelo and Timmy's actual name. Face it if Angelo's mind could be fixed he's probably going to want to go by Timmy or Tim. I'd like to spend the day with you and Evan." Parker confessed looking intently at her plate of food.
"Since you cooked breakfast. I'm still thinking about calling Guinness about that. I'll clean up. Why don't you go and get dressed. We can play with Evan for a bit before I have to go." Jarod cheerfully volunteered.
Miss Parker stood and was about to go down the hall, when she heard Jarod's videophone ring. She crossed the living room where Evan had all of his toys spread out. "Evan put some of this away, you aren't playing with half of it." She clicked on the icon and was almost as surprised to see the person who came up on the screen, as they were to see her.
"Well, Miss Parker I take it that if you're answering Jarod's videophone you have caught him and put him back in the Centre?" Major Charles relayed his intense dislike of the woman in front of him with just those few words.
"Actually Major Charles," Parker replied in her hardest Miss-Parker tone of voice. "Jarod is right behind me. We are spending a few days getting to know our son, your grandson, by the way. Jarod! It your father." She called out as she walked down the hall into her bedroom.
Parker sat on the bed, her hands shaking. 'Momma, I can't do this. His family hates me. The thing is I can't blame them for it. I spent 5 years chasing him down. I almost killed his father because I though he had killed you. Momma, I wish you were here. I can't undo what I've done in the past. Nor, will I keep apologizing for doing what I had to do to survive. I won't let them hurt Evan, I'll die before anyone hurts my son!' she vowed to herself.
Twenty minutes later there was a soft knock on the door. As it opened Jarod poked his head around. "Evie, my dad wants to talk to you again." He said looking at the hurt, his father had out in her eyes with his careless words. "I explained about what's been going on. I think he wants to apologize for judging you too quickly. Will you speak with him? Evan's out there right now talking to 'Gwampa'."
Parker looked at him with her clear blue eyes. "I suppose you want me to be the bigger person and go out there and say all is forgiven?" she asked a bit meaner then she intended.
"I know he hurt you by what he said, and by what he assumed. He's been hurt just as much, if not more than we were in all of this. Evie, please? Talk to him." Jarod asked flashing his puppy dog eye look at her.
"All right! I'll go talk to him. Happy now?" Parker asked sarcastically, as she stomped out of the bedroom and back down the hall. She stopped when she saw how happily Evan was talking to his grandfather. Explaining all about the fun he, Daddy, and Mommy had had at the aquarium.
"Evan, it's my turn to talk to your Grandfather. Daddy is in my room. Why don't you go and let Daddy get you cleaned up and changed. When you come back out we'll play some more. OK?" Parker asked her son in an even sort of tone.
"OK Mommy! Bye Gwampa. Loves you. I talkes to you soon." Evan waved as he got up off the chair and raced down the hall to where Jarod was waiting for him.
Parker sat down in the chair her son had recently vacated. She had her face composed into her I-am-Miss-Parker-don't-mess-with-me look. "Jarod said you wanted to speak with me." Parker waited to see what Major Charles would say.
"Miss Parker, I'm man enough to admit I misjudged the situation. I also admit that I jumped to conclusions concerning this whole situation. When I saw your face, my first thought was that you'd caught him. The next was that he was dead, and you were waiting for us to contact him to let us know. God forgive me, in that split second if I'd have to choose between those scenarios's I'd rather him be alive at the Centre then dead. I took my disgust at that reaction out on you. I'm sorry for that." Major Charles took a breath, and then continued. "You look so much like your mother. Jarod filled me in on what's been going on with you two and Evan. He is going to look more like you then Jarod. I'm also sorry about your father." He decided to see what she would say before going on.
"Major, I know why you dislike me. I'm not saying you don't have reason to believe I'd hurt Jarod. We're just trying to work everything out as best we can. I'm not asking you to forget about the past. Even I can't manage that. I'm just asking that you give me a chance to prove I'm not one of the bad guys in all of this. Can you do that?" Parker asked.
"Yes. I can give you that chance." Parker's cell phone interrupted him as it rang.
"Excuse me, Major. I have to get that." Parker walked over to where her phone was ringing. She snatched it up. "What!"
"Miss Parker, this is Sydney. I thought you should know Broots has the samples and is on his way to the airport k right know. Lyle and I'll be leaving in about an hour heading for San Francisco."
"Thanks Sydney. I'll talk to you soon." Parker disconnected the call and tossed her phone onto the couch. "Major we really have to get started on our day today. Did you want to speak to Jarod again?"
"No. I'll keep in touch Miss Parker." Major Charles said as his image faded from the screen. Parker got out of the videophone screen. She the rose and got up to tell Jarod what Sydney had said.
In an Airplane
Flying to Chicago
Broots didn't think he'd ever been so nervous in his entire life. 'When this is all over I'm taking Debbie and getting away from the Centre!' My body can't handle this pressure. He looked at the briefcase he held in his hands. Jarod had supplied him with the credentials of a medical doctor. Security looked at them and the briefcase which held the samples of blood that both Sydney and Lyle and given him.
'I'm gonna sleep for a week, when we get back from this trip.' Broots settled his head against the back of the seat and tried to close his eyes. He fell into an uneasy sleep as the plane took him swiftly to Chicago.
Several hours later O'Hare International Airport Chicago, IL
Miss Parker paced around the airport with Evan in his stroller. For thirty minutes Broots' plane had been delayed. So she was going up and down the length of the baggage claim corridor until he arrived. She'd already been doing this for almost an hour before the delay. Jarod had given her a briefcase to give to Broots. It was identical to the one she knew he would have with him.
"Mommy! Getting dizzy! I hungry!" Evan voiced his own complaint at going back and forth at the airport.
"Sorry, baby." Parker leaned down and kissed Evan head. As she stood she rummaged in the diaper bag for a snack for Evan. She thanked foresight for the idea to pack some just in case. She came up with a plastic container of cheese and crackers. Parker handed them to Evan along with a sippy cup of juice. "Here you go sweetie." Evan grabbed at the food. She held it out of his reach. "What do you say?" she asked.
"Sank you Mommy." Evan said politely.
"Your welcome, baby." Parker smoothed her fingertips through his hair and dropped another kiss on top of his head.
"M-M-Miss Parker?" Broots stuttered a bit, shocked at the way she looked at the boy. The last time he had seen that look on her face, Thomas was still alive.
"Hello Broots. How was the flight?" Parker asked as she rose and smiled at him. "What?" she asked as she saw him shake his head.
"I don't want to bring up bad memories Miss Parker. But, I haven't seen you this happy since Thomas. Debbie was right about you. You make an incredible mother." Broots said smiling at her. "However, not one I'd ever want to cross or run into in a dark alley." he grinned when he saw her smile again.
"We can get into that in a few minutes. When does your next flight leave is it sooner because of the delay?"
"I checked. My flight won't leave until 7p.m. now. So what do we do know?" he asked unsure of what the answer would be.
"We take the train into Chicago and we get something to eat. Let me call Jarod and see if he's heading back yet." Parker took her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Jarod's number. "Jarod? Broots' plane has been delayed until 7. Where do you want to meet? Are you sure? Ok, See you then. What? Hold on I'll ask. Do you want anything in particular for an early dinner Broots?" she asked holding the phone to her shoulder.
"If I said I'd love some Chicago style Pizza would I get into trouble?" Broots asked hesitantly, fascinated by her one-way conversation with Jarod that we was hearing. 'Boy, would Sydney love to see this.' he thought.
"Jarod? Broots has a craving for Pizza. Ok I'll see you soon." Parker ended the call with Jarod, before continuing, "We also have some salad stuff at the house, Evan is going to recognize and eat vegetables in this lifetime, Jarod's meeting us there. Let's go." she commanded with her usual proficiency. She walked down the corridor of the airport to grab the train.
"Miss Parker you never change." Broots said as he followed her.
"Actually, I have. While you're here call me Eve or Evie, as Jarod does. I don't want my son calling me Miss Parker." Parker said as they walked, giving Broots permission to call her the name that very few people knew she possessed.
"OK." Broots agreed slowly, "You have to call me by my first name then."
"All right. Do you prefer James, Jim or Jimmy or maybe I should use the first name that you think no one knows about?" Parker smiled as she saw his expression change from smiling to total shock. "What you don't think I know the names of the people I trust?"
"I only told Sydney about my name being James last night. You knew all this time? You know my REAL first name. I only put my initial on my application for the Centre. How did you find out?" Broots shook his head, at the very idea of Miss Parker knowing his name.
"We all have our sources. Yours is a tongue less mute. Mine is your daughter. She told me one time when I told her my name. I believe she said something along the lines of, I've got nothing to complain about as I at least didn't have your given name" Parker teased as she saw his face grow pale.
"You can't know! You love to make fun of people's name and anything else for that matter. If you'd known you would have teased me relentlessly." Broots was horrified that she might actually know it.
"Broots, I don't use my name. Besides I always had plenty to tease you about with out ever needing to resort to your given name. Dorian! BROOTS! You pass out on me I'm leaving you where you fall." Parker threatened as Broots went dead white and swayed.
"Miss Parker! Not so Loud! Do you have any idea what that name put me through as a kid? My parents thought it would be great to name me after some obscure relative. I've used James ever since I was in middle school. So please don't use that name." Broots begged.
"I won't, Jim it is then. I wonder how Lyle and Sydney are doing in San Francisco?"
"Hopefully better then me." Broots said as they stepped into the building to catch the train.
San Francisco, CA Around the same time
Lyle and Sydney got off the Centre's jet and got into the waiting car. They told the driver to take them to the hotel they were staying at the Astoria Hotel in downtown San Francisco. As the car pulled in to traffic Lyle signaled to Sydney not to talk about anything as the car was bugged. Sydney raised his eyebrows and nodded his under standing. Sydney's cell phone began to ring breaking through the silence.
"This is Sydney," he answered. Sydney smiled, "Hello, Nicholas How are you?"
It was so quiet in the car Lyle could hear Nicholas through the phone.
"I'm good Dad. I called to see if you could come up to Albany in a week or two."
"That might be plausible. You and your mother are all right aren't you?"
"Yes we are both fine. I want you to meet someone I've been dating. It's getting pretty serious. You've had to miss so much of my life. I thought you might like to meet the woman who, if she says yes, would be your daughter-in-law." Nicholas held for his father's reaction.
"Daughter-in-law? You found someone who makes you that happy? Nicholas I'm so pleased. Yes, Of course I'll come. You tell me when, I'll be there work or no work. Nicholas, I can't tell you what this means to me, that you want me to meet her. The woman, you plan to spend the rest of your life with. What is her name?" Sydney asked emotion choking him.
"Ally, It's short for Alessandra. She is a drama professor here at the college where I teach. Don't start on the names. Mom already thought it was quite funny that we have names of the last Romanov czars." Nicholas said with a slight groan. "I know you're busy I just wanted to make sure this was ok with you. I'll call you in the next day or two with a firm date."
"I'll be waiting for you call, Nicholas. Thank you for including me in this."
"I'll talk to you soon. Dad. Bye."
Sydney pressed the button to end the call. His son was getting married. 'Thank you Jarod,' he thought, 'for finding him, and for rescuing him. I owe you more then you know.'
"Nicholas is getting married?" Lyle asked.
"He hasn't actually proposed yet. He wants me to meet her. I'm surprised. I thought he would have done it as a fait acompli. Not introduce me before." Sydney said calmly.
"I'm glad you have your son. Everyone should have family." Lyle said a bit brusquely. He would have said more, but they pulled into the hotel. Lyle got out of the car to check-in. He left Sydney behind to follow him.
Chicago, IL Jarod's Condo A little later in the day
"So Broots what do you think of the pizza?" Jarod asked as he polished off his third slice.
Broots just rolled his eyes heavenward and grunted as he finished his own third slice of heaven.
"You two have never heard of chewing your food?" Parker asked testily. "You two have as much food on you as Evan and he has an excuse he is two years old. What pray tell is your excuse?"
"I haven't eaten all day Miss- Eve, I'm starving." Broots answered as he came up for air, before digging into his fourth slice.
Parker raised her eyebrow at Jarod, who shrugged. "I always eat like this Evie. You know Broots, we should probably be leaving soon if we want you to make your flight."
Broots glanced at his watch it was just after 4 o'clock. "Yeah, you're right we'd better get going. Eve it was good to see you. I'll see you tomorrow around the same time?"
"Call us after your flight leaves Maryland. So, we'll know when to expect you. Take care of yourself. When you talk to Debbie, tell her I said Hi, and that I got her some great new clothes. In fact you can take the suitcase I have of her stuff home with you. Bring it back tomorrow and I can fill it up again before I leave. Ok with you?" Parker suggested.
"Eve, you didn't get her a lot of leather again did you? I like that she admires you. I'd just like my daughter to have her skirts a little longer then you wear them, and in not so many dry-clean-only fabrics." Broots said carefully, you still had to be careful not to tick Miss Parker off.
"I only got her four things in leather; a jacket, a pair of pants, a long skirt, and a pair of boots. They are great for traveling, as they don't wrinkle. I was good this time." Parker said quite pleased with herself. "Jarod get the red suitcase from my bedroom for him. I'll clean up Evan. I'll see you tomorrow Broots. Don't forget to check in with Lyle and Sydney when you get into Blue Cove. You normally would do so. Take care." Parker said as she stood and walked over to where Evan sat in his high chair, his mouth still full of pizza. "Finish that bite so we can get you cleaned up. If you hurry I'll put in the video of Tarzan that you like so much."
"Oh-tay Mommy." Evan replied with a mouth full of food.
Jarod got up washed his hands and then went to the bedroom to get the suitcase. He brought it out with him. "Ready Broots?"
"As ready as I'm gonna get." Broots walked to the door, opening it lugged the suitcase behind him.
"I'll be back soon. You want me to pick up some dessert? Maybe some Eli's Cheesecake?" Jarod asked hopefully.
"All right if you want to." Parker said as she picked up Evan, and carried him down the hall.
Jarod watched them as they went, then he shut the door and followed Broots downstairs.
San Francisco, CA
Astoria Hotel
Later that evening
Sydney watched as Lyle picked at his fillet mignon steak. "Not hungry Lyle?
"What? Oh-Yeah, I am. I just can't seem to concentrate. I think I'm going to make a very early night of it. I go watch some TV and then go to bed. I'm afraid I didn't sleep much last night." Lyle stood and reached for his wallet.
"Don't worry about it Lyle. This is my treat." Sydney said waving his hand at Lyle.
"Thanks Sydney." Sydney's phone rang. "I'll let you get that. Well start on Jarod's "trail" first thing in the morning. Good-night." Lyle turned and walked out of the restaurant.
"This is Sydney." he said as he tossed money on the table and walked out of the restaurant.
"I thought you'd like to know Broots is on his way to Blue Cove as we speak." Jarod said.
"Jarod! It's good to hear your voice. I was thinking about you today. I spoke with Nicholas earlier, he's met someone. He's going to ask her to marry him. I was thinking I wouldn't be a part of his life at all, if it weren't for you finding him and saving him that time in Appalachia. How are you and Eve doing? Are you getting along or are we going to have to hire someone to find the missing body parts later?" Sydney asked hopefully, as he crossed the street into a park that overlooked the bay. He sat down at a bench.
"We're getting through it day by day. I don't know how she'll react once the tests come back. Evan is incredible. We took him to the Aquarium the other day and he loved it. Sydney, I've never been so terrified in my life. What if I do something wrong and hurt him? What if he's hurt by the Centre to get to me? See I'm still asking for your guidance." Jarod confessed.
"Jarod, as long as you and Even put Evan first, and not spoil him rotten, you and he will be fine. I know I thanked you for finding my son. I wanted you to know that I've lied to you. Every time you asked me if I felt anything for you, and I said 'No,' I've lied. Nicholas maybe my biological son, but his is more George and Michelle's son. You are the son I raised. The one I taught to tie a tie. I gave you all that I would have given to Nicholas, if I'd known about him. I know I told you I wasn't able to care for you. The truth is Jarod, I couldn't help but care about you. I knew if I confessed to it, or showed it, you'd be taken away and probably given to Raines. I couldn't allow that. You may not be my biological son, but you are the son I was allowed to raise. I'm very proud of who you've turned out to be. I know I'm saying this too late. I just wanted to finally say it." Sydney stopped as he allowed Jarod to absorb the words, he knew Jarod had been waiting for all of his life.
"Thank you Sydney. I love my dad very much and one day I'll meet my mom. You've always been the one I seek my approval from. I'm happy that you consider me part of your family. Know that you've always been part of mine." Jarod said, unheeding of the few tears that ran down his face after hearing Sydney's confession. "I'll call you again when Broots has dropped off the second set of samples. I'll call you again when I get the results. Oh, Just to give you and Lyle a clue where to start searching for the next piece of my puzzle. Look into the cable car company. Broots will call you once he arrives in Blue Cove. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye Sydney and Thank you." Jarod said as he ended the call.
Sydney stayed on the bench for almost three hours just watching life and the day go by. When this was over he planned to go back to France and maybe start putting a few of his own demons to rest. He could invite Michelle to join him. He could enjoy the time he had left, perhaps playing with his grandchildren, maybe finally asking Michelle to marry him. Finally be happy. He walked back to that hotel. The concierge had a message for him. Broots was safely in Blue Cove. He'd see them tomorrow as soon as he checked on Debbie to make sure she was all right. Sydney smiled, as he crossed the foyer of the hotel, at least Broots remembered his cover story. He took the elevator to his floor and decided he would retire for the evening early as well.
Day 5 Chicago, IL
Around 12 o'clock
Miss Parker heard the knock on the door just as she was putting Evan down for his nap. She quickly left the bedroom and closed the door to where Evan was sleeping. The knock sounded again. She ran down the hall so she could answer it before it woke up Evan. She peeped through the peep-hole in the door. When she saw who it was, she quickly unlocked the door. After she opened the door she enveloped the person in fierce hug. "If you ever leave again, you are to contact me so that I know you are safe." she scolded.
"Is this the end of my lecture?" Ethan asked smiling at her.
Parker inspected him closely. He still seemed a bit twitchy, but his eyes had lost that haunted look. "Jarod is going to be so mad that he missed you. He ran out to get started on the genetic tests we're having run. I just put Evan down for his nap. Come in! Where are my manners? Would you like something to eat, or drink?" She asked as she led him into the condo. "You can put your stuff in the last room down the hall on the right."
"Ok I'll be right back. A soda if you have it sounds real good." Ethan went down the hall to put his stuff away. When he came back the soda was on the kitchen table waiting for him. He downed it in a couple of swallows. "Thanks that was good. Mind if I see what you got in the fridge?"
"No. Help yourself." Parker smiled to herself as she went digging. Ethan was a lot like Jarod in that respect. "Jarod should be back in an hour or so. You look tired. Why don't you take your snack," she paused as she saw the huge sandwich Ethan had made himself. "Why don't you take your 'snack' to your room and maybe rest for an hour or two. We won't be going anywhere until Evan wakes up from his nap. That will be at least two hours."
"You're sure you don't mind. We haven't caught up." Ethan said.
"We can catch up tonight over dinner. You need some rest. I can keep myself occupied for an hour or two. Go!" Parker demanded as she pointed him toward his room.
"Ok Mom." Ethan teased.
Miss Parker sat on the sofa and grabbed the remote, "Let's see what's on TV." as she began flicking through the stations.
When Jarod arrived almost three hours later, he found the condo strangely quiet except for the television. He saw Parker on the sofa her eyes closed, and covered with a blanket. He walked down the hall the room Parker shard with Evan and found his son asleep as well. When he closed the door he heard something from the last room. He peeked in, his eyes widened in shock as to who was sleeping on the bed. Ethan. He was about to leave when he heard Ethan stir.
"What no 'hello' big brother?" Ethan asked as he stood and rubbed his eyes. Then he stretched as starting walking toward Jarod to embrace him.
"Hello Ethan. You look good."
"Actually I could really use a shower so I can get cleaned up."
"Why don't you take what you need and use the shower off my bedroom. Evie, and Evan use the one down the hall. They'll both be waking up soon. What do you want for dinner? We can order in, go out or I have some really good steaks we could grill them up with some baked potato and some green beans."
"Steaks sound good to me. Let me go get cleaned up."
"Come into the living room when you're done. We'll be waiting."
Jarod back to the living room where he found Parker sitting up and stretching as well. "Have a good nap, honey?" he teased.
"Funny Jarod, Sleep is coming easier here, now that I've been able to relax. Are Ethan or Evan awake yet?" Parker asked as she yawned and craned her neck side to side to get the kinks out.
"Ethan is he's taking a shower using my bathroom. Have you heard from Broots yet?"
"No, but since I fell asleep, I should probably check my messages." She walked over to the counter where she had left her phone that morning. Picking it up she punched in her code to get her messages. "He called about 15 minutes ago. He was just leaving the hospital where Jacob had been. His flight is due to leave in two hours. He has all of the samples we need. By my calculations, he should be here in about 4-5 hours. What are you making for dinner?"
"I thought I'd make some steaks and baked potatoes with green beans. Let's get started that way we can eat as soon as its done. You want to go get Evan up?"
"Sure be back in a bit."
O'Hare International Airport Chicago, IL 4-5 hours later
"Where is Broots?" Parker demanded.
"Evie relax, his plane only landed two minutes ago. Give him some time to get down here." Jarod laughed as she gave him one of her patented Miss- Parker-glares.
"Fine I'll give him 25 minutes. I want this over with. When does his flight to San Francisco leave?"
"In about 90 minutes. I didn't want him to have such a long layover in the same town as before."
"There he is. Give me the briefcase Jarod. I'll need to exchange it with him." Parker took off to meet Broots halfway. They quickly exchanged briefcases. Broots also handed Parker his luggage claim ticket for the suitcase that would be coming down shortly. Broots nodded before heading off in the opposite direction, as now he had to run to catch his next flight.
Parker walked back to Jarod, "Well we have the next set of pieces to the puzzle, all that's left is to get Ethan's."
Jarod pulled her close into an embrace. "In a week we'll know Evie. In a week to 10 days we will know. No more secrets."
"Jarod , lets go home to our son. I really need to hold him right now." Parker said into his shoulder as she returned the embrace briefly.
They walked out of the airport to the car. They got in and fastened their seatbelts. Parker used her fingers to shape the briefcase. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about what she held. She felt her hand being squeezed. She opened her eyes to see Jarod's hand in hers.
"Evie, I promise you, no matter what these tests reveal. We are still a family for Evan and we will work it out. About us, about everyone, you just have to trust me." Jarod said giving her hand another squeeze.
"What are we doing when we get back home- to your place?"
"I thought we could chill out. Have some dessert. Watch a few movies. I'll take the samples from Ethan, Evan, you and myself tonight. Tomorrow I'll go to the lab and get the test started. When I get back, we can look at what was in our various boxes and paperwork with Ethan. We'll then see what we can get figured out before the test results come back. We just have to take it a day at a time."
"I can do that. I don't like it. I wasn't raised to be patient. It'd be nice to know who really is on my family tree." Parker settled back into the seat. "Let's take Evan to the zoo the day after tomorrow. He won't like being in the house all day tomorrow."
"Ok, Evie. Do you want to call Sydney tonight?" Jarod asked.
"I'd rather wait until we at least get the tests started. When we get a few more answers, we'll let them know. Besides I wouldn't want to deprive them of the joy of chasing after your many clues. It would be rude." Parker said innocently.
"Well, we wouldn't want you to be rude, would we?" Jarod said as he pulled into the parking lot attatched to his building.
TBC
My Dearest Angel
By tigereyes320 Part 3 of 5
Day 2
Chicago, IL
10 a.m.
Miss Parker slowly felt herself waking up. As she came closer to consciousness, she realized she wasn't in her bed. She opened one blue eye and observed her surroundings. Then she opened the second as she heard sounds of laughter coming from the other side of the door. She sat up quickly and then lay back down. She was at Jarod's, in Chicago, with their son. Her eyes narrowed as she got out of bed and padded to the door.
"Please let there be coffee," she thought to herself.
"Hey Evan, look who finally woke up." Jarod said, " Good morning Evie."
"Momma" Evan cried happily sloshing his cereal onto his highchair.
"Good morning baby, Morning Jarod. Please let that be what I think it is." she said as she dropped a kiss on Evan's head and looked at the mug Jarod was holding out to her.
"I know better then to greet you in the morning without coffee." Jarod teased. " I also have some bagels already toasted. You can have them with cream cheese. I could also make you some bacon and eggs, or you could have some cereal."
"A bagel will be just fine, Jarod. Thank you," she said as she sat down at the table and drank deeply from the mug of coffee. She closed her eyes for a moment.
"So, honey, what do you want to do today? We can talk and get settled into our new situation, or we can play tourist in Chicago." he asked as he handed her the bagel and cream cheese.
"You want to explore Chicago with a toddler? Where would we go?" she asked almost choking on the bagel.
"We could go to the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, or the Museum of Science and Industry," Jarod ticked the answers off on his fingers. "All we have to do is put him in a stroller."
"Jarod we aren't exactly on a family vacation." Parker shook her head at the thought.
"I know that. We are a family by fact if not by choice. We want to get to know our son and each other without the Centre interfering. What better way to do that? We can deal with all the crap the Centre has piled on us tomorrow. For once, you can actually see more of a city then my clues and the airstrip. I'm not here on a pretend. I was here for a vacation. I needed some down time. I have Lyle, Sydney and Broots on the West coast. We are as safe as we can get. Now did you pack anything that doesn't have a designer label on it? " Jarod paced the floor, while making his argument.
"I brought mostly my casual stuff," Parker said as she stood up and walked over to the table where her wallet was resting and opened it. "I'll need to get more cash. I want to do some shopping for Evan and myself while I'm here. We'll have to buy a stroller. My house, Jarod I have to get some people working on my mother's studio to make it into Evan's nursery. No, he's too big for a nursery, but he needs his own room though. Maybe Sam can work on it for me while I'm here." Parker made a list in her head as her words almost ran over themselves in an effort to get out.
"Evie, Stop!" Jarod laughed. "We have plenty of time for all of it. I've heard of a great toy store here in Chicago, FAO Schwitz."
Parker rolled her eyes, "That is FAO Schwartz. There is also one in New York City. You want me to take two kids into a toy store. I'll never get out of there alive," she shook her head.
"What two kids?" Jarod asked.
"You and Evan, who else." she replied jokingly.
A ringing phone cut off further conversation. They looked at each other.
"That must be Ethan." Jarod said grabbing his phone. "Hi Ethan."
"Hi Big Brother. Is everyone ok?" he asked worriedly.
"Everyone is great. Why don't you come and join us? We'll have a family reunion." Jarod said, laughing to himself, at the way Evan was making faces at his mother while her back was turned.
"Where are you guys?"
"We're in Chicago. You can stay with your sister, your nephew, and me. You might also be able to help us with a puzzle we have." Jarod said thinking about all the stuff he and Parker still had to sort through.
"Ok. It'll take me a few days to get there. Let me talk to my sister, please." Ethan requested
Jarod hands Parker the phone "It's for you dear." he said in a syrupy voice.
"Very funny." she snatched the phone from his hand. "Go, get Evan out of the highchair and clean him up. Hello Ethan."
"Hello sis, are you all right? The voices - Her voice said you'd need me. What nephew?" he said carefully.
"I'll be fine, Ethan. Jarod and I have a son. He was conceived as you were, without our knowledge. I only found this out myself yesterday. His name is Evan." hearing laughter she turned and saw Evan grabbing at the sideburns on Jarod's face. Jarod's eyes were nearly crossed in pain. "Evan, leave the hair on Daddy's face alone. Ethan you will come won't you. I was so worried when I found that unfinished note." she said.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I saw the men coming for my fath- Raines. I didn't think I should be there when they arrived." he explained.
"I'm just glad you're safe. When will you get here?"
"In a couple of days. Let me speak to Jarod again. I'll get the address."
"Honey, it's for you," she said in her best Donna Reed voice, tossing him the phone.
He caught it right before it hit him in the nose. "Ok Dear. Here, catch your son," as he tossed Evan to her.
Evan shrieked with glee as his mother caught him and gave him a hug.
"Again! Mommy Again!" He begged.
"Maybe, later." She promised.
"Kiss. Now!" He demanded
Her heart melted as she gave him the demanded kiss. She hugged him close and swore to herself that nothing would ever come between her and her family. Which included, she admitted ruefully, Jarod. She was going to have to do some reevaluating of her priorities.
"Let's get you dressed, baby boy," She said pressing her face into his neck.
"I not baby. I a handsome big boy." He argued.
"Yes, you are my handsome big boy. But, you'll always be my baby," she argued right back with a smile.
"You my pretty Mommy." he said putting his hands on either side of her face and giving her a kiss.
"Yes I'm your Mommy. No one will ever keep us apart again. When we get back to Mommy's house, you are getting your own room." she said just holding him close. Momma, I wish you could see you grandson, she thought.
"You need any help?" Jarod asked, coming up from behind her and stroking Evan cheek. Evan grabbed at his father fingers. "I could change him while you get changed." he offered.
"No, thanks Jarod. I need to do this. Do you think I can do this Jarod? Be a mother?" she asked half- terrified of the responsibility that lay ahead of her.
"I think, that there isn't anything you couldn't do." he sincerely replied.
"Thanks." she said as she took Evan back to their room to get changed.
Twenty minutes later she emerged from the room behind Evan who was running toward his father on quick little legs.
"Daddy," he said grabbing hold of Jarod's long legs. "Mommy says we need to go shopping. I have to have new shoes," he said jumping up and down.
Jarod laughed. He picked up Evan and sat on the couch with him, still laughing. He laughed so hard his sides began to hurt.
"What is so da-darned funny?" she demanded with her hands on her hips.
"Evan. I think that statement alone qualifies him as your son. Only a child of yours would be concerned with their footwear," he said trying to keep a straight face.
Her lips twitched, as she rolled her eyes. "Are you ready? I think I'd like to go shopping today. For clothes, and shoes. I want to get some toys for him. I didn't bring any of his. They can keep him occupied while we put together our puzzle," she said as she bent down to finish tying her own shoes.
"Let's go." he picked Evan up and put his arms through his little windbreaker.
"Here." she said as she tossed him his leather jacket. She shrugged in to her own leather jacket. "Let's get a stroller first. Do you think we'll be able to get the stuff delivered back here?"
"If we pay for it, they will." he said as he followed her out the door.
Portland, OR Around Same Time
Lyle was looking around his surroundings. "Just what is Jarod is trying to tell us this time, Sydney?" he shook his head at the interior of the room. It was filled with canvases all signed by Jarod.
"Lyle, I just told you what I felt Jarod was trying to do here. Forgive me for butting into your private life, but Are you all right? It's only been a month since your father, the man you considered your father died." Sydney asked in a soothing tone.
"I don't know what is wrong with me." He said running his hand through his hair. "I don't know what's wrong with Parker either. I know she and I have never gotten along. Since the service, she won't stay five minutes in the same room as me. I invited her out to dinner last night. I thought maybe we could talk. She looked at me as if I had just asked her to be the main course, then she just stormed out. Now Raines says she is on vacation for the next 3 weeks." he paced the small room they were all in. "I wasn't any happier that Dad died. I feel even worse, knowing that the man, who stole me from my family, is in fact my father. Sydney, do you think I could have had a normal life? If I hadn't been taken away from my mother. If I hadn't been so miserable, maybe I wouldn't have sold myself to the devil incarnate." he said sounding almost wistful.
Sydney and Broots both looked at Lyle in amazement. They had never though he was capable of feelings. The fact that he was now seemingly full of regrets astounded them. Maybe it wasn't too late for Lyle to prove he was human after all.
Sydney walked over to where Lyle was standing. He was staring at a portrait Jarod had painted of a mother and her three children. Lyle was touching the mother's face. She looked a great deal like Catherine Parker. The fact that two of the children were older and one was a baby, Sydney realized Lyle saw himself in it.
"Lyle, acknowledging and accepting that you can't change what you've done in your past, will go a long way with your sister. You can't undo the damage you've done to her, yourself, your foster family, or Jarod. Accepting that, and making an honest effort to be a better man, could start the long process of forgiving. Once she forgives you, she then can start trying to trust you. You will have to be prepared to fail many times, she doesn't trust easily under the best of circumstances. You haven't given her a reason to trust you. Trying would show, that you're making steps in becoming a son of Catherine Parker. A son she would be proud of." Sydney said trying to reach the miles of hurt in the man, to try and offer him some comfort.
"She would have been ashamed of a son like me. A lying, murdering psychopath." Lyle spit out venomously.
"What is causing this self-examination now? You've always maintained that you like your life just as it is?" Sydney questioned gently.
"I was in my office yesterday, flirting with my secretary, when something inside me told me that I wasn't happy. It said I hadn't been happy for a very long time. It said if I wanted some happiness, I should ask my sister out to dinner." he shook his head, as he remembered the look of absolute disgust on Parkers face when he had asked her.
Broots and Sydney looked at each other. Each thinking the same thing, he has Catherine's Inner sense.
Sydney said "Lyle did you know that Catherine, sometimes heard voices that told her things would be happening. Your sister, and Ethan, you know him as Mirage, also seem to have these voices. You and Parker have always been trained though to ignore those voices."
"Why would I she want to reach me? She didn't even know I was alive. If she were here now, she'd want nothing to do with me!" he said feeling strangely defeated.
"M-Mr. Lyle, I never had the privilege of knowing your mother. From my work with Sydney, and your sister, I've feel as if I know her. I discovered one unchanging thing about Catherine Parker. She loved children unconditionally. She sacrificed everything for her daughter and the baby they forced on her, you can't tell me she wouldn't have sacrificed equally for you. I know she wouldn't have liked what you've done to people in your past. I think as your mother, she would have loved you regardless. It was the type of person she was, I think you ought to listen to that voice a lot more often." Broots said confidently.
He jumped when he felt a hand slap him on the shoulder, "Thank you Broots, I just might do that. Lets get the sweepers to pack it all up. We can go through it at Blue Cove." Lyle said as he walked toward the door.
"What is this?" Sydney asked as he pulled a small envelope from under one of the portraits. "It smells strongly of coffee," he said opening up the envelope. In it he found a napkin with Seattle Washington on it. He handed it to Mr. Lyle.
"Let's get the jet ready," Lyle said as he walked out of the apartment with Sydney and Broots in tow.
Chicago, IL 4:00 pm
"My feet are killing me. I haven't had that much fun shopping in years." Parker said as she pushed the stroller, which was loaded with shopping bags, through the door.
She flopped on the couch and kicked off her shoes. She, then looked up and watched as Jarod brought in Evan. The toddler was draped over his father's shoulder in complete exhaustion.
She stood up and walked over to them, "Did I wear my baby out?" she crooned softly looking at Evan.
"Yes, you did." Jarod said as he took off Evan's windbreaker and took him into the bedroom so he could finish his nap.
He came back out and fell into one of the chairs in the living room.
"I meant Evan, honey." she said tossing a pillow at him.
"I know, sweetums." he said catching and tossing it right back at her.
"I think we went a little crazy. He won't find the time to play with all the toys you got him. He'll probably outgrow half the things I bought him before he can even wear them." she said shaking her head.
"Relax Evie, parents are allowed to go a bit crazy with their firstborns. Aren't you hungry? We could send out for a few pizzas and watch one of the video's we bought. How about E.T.?" Jarod offered
"I could do pizza. Evan should be up in about an hour. Maybe we should try Toy Story first, for a video." she said her stomach grumbling in response to the idea of food.
"I'll order the pizza."
"Jarod, remind me before we leave, I'll have to buy Evan a larger suitcase." She grinned wryly.
"Only Evan?" Jarod raised an eyebrow toward the bags, " I could have sworn, I saw at least a half a dozen pairs of shoes in those bags that would only fit you."
Parker stuck out her tongue, "So I bought a few pairs of shoes for myself. I did buy a bunch of really cool clothes for Debbie. Broots hasn't a clue what a 14-year-old needs. He just asks that I keep the leather down to a minimum." She started taking things out of the shopping bags.
"What do you want on your pizza, Evie?" Jarod called from the kitchen.
"Anything except anchovies and spicy sausage. Get one pizza with just cheese for Evan." Parker was still busily dividing the clothes in three piles, hers, Evans' and Debbie's'.
"Pizza will be here in about 45 minutes." Jarod handed her a glass of deep red wine.
"Thanks, You look really wiped." She sat on what space was left on the sofa and looked at him, with a bemused expression on her face.
"Someone had to keep Evan occupied so he didn't keep peeking under the dressing room doors. It was cute when he did it to you. He was about to start on the next one, when I caught him and held him, while his mother tried on clothes for hours." Jarod complained with his eyes closed. He opened one in a plea for sympathy and saw her shaking her head at him.
"Now you know how I felt in the toy store, with 2 children asking me for everything insight. His father so enraptured by some of the toys I had to pull him from the store." Parker said putting her feet on the low table in front of the sofa.
He grinned, "I don't know who you could be talking about." Jarod fought a grin as he took a sip of wine. He ducked as she threw a pillow at him
Seattle, Washington About the same time
"Broots, how many Starbucks are there in Seattle?" Lyle asked coming off the tarmac, away from the jet.
"Uh - 71." Broots cautiously gave him the information. Lyle after all had a temper just a couple of notches below Parker's.
"71!"Lyle rolled his eyes, " Jarod is having us visit 71 of these coffee places to find our next clue?"
"Unless the coffee stain is a particular kind, special to only one or two stores. We'll be visiting all 71."
"Lets get started. We might as well check into the hotel and eat. We'll start first thing tomorrow morning." Lyle climbed into the rented black Lincoln Continental with Sydney and Broots. "Broots, I hope you arranged for someone to watch your Debbie, we could be out here several days."
Broots managed to keep his jaw from hitting the floor in shock. He and Sydney exchanged looks of amazement. Lyle was asking about Debbie? Lyle was acknowledging his daughter even existed. "Debbie is staying with her cousins, for the next few weeks. When she gets back Parker has promised to go shopping with her. Parker says I don't have the fashion sense to take a teenager clothes shopping." Shaking his head, "I just hope this time she not decked out in leather from head to toe."
Sydney chuckled, "I bet you never thought asking Parker to watch Debbie that one time would result in a friendship like this."
"I don't think, anything can prepare you for Parker." Broots leaned back against the seat. He noticed Lyle acting preoccupied. "Mr. Lyle, I hope I don't put my foot in it. Are you ok? No disrespect intended, but since when have you cared whether or not I have daycare for my little girl? When have you shown any emotion toward the people around you, and what they are feeling? All of a sudden you're worried about your sister, and my daughters welfare. You're asking Sydney for advice, on what he thinks your mother would think of you. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone, or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Could you please not kill me for what just came out of my mouth?" Broots realized he had actually spoken this diatribe aloud.
"Broots, I'm not going to kill you. I must be going through some kind of midlife crisis." Lyle absently responded, as he maneuvered the car smoothly between lanes on the highway.
"Perhaps, what you are feeling is a loss of the connection you felt with Mr. Parker. He was the man, who claimed you as his son. He gave you a family. You had a sister, who while her father was alive tolerated you. You were finally part of something bigger then yourself. Regardless of the fact, that you tried to double cross that family at every turn. You had a family." Sydney offered as an explanation. Secretly pondering over what Lyle could be up to this time.
"I wasn't given a family, Sydney. I took a family. They were never mine. I'm not Parker's brother. Raines told me to switch the results of a test you were conducting Broots. I wasn't aware at the time what was being tested. Truth is, I wouldn't have cared. I hadn't been useful to the Centre. If I had to do over again I would. You see Sydney, I have no family." Lyle confessed pulling into the hotel called, the Inn at the Market.
"Lyle, maybe we should discuss this in more detail. Possibly over dinner?" Sydney asked unsure of how to proceed into this unfamiliar territory that Lyle had placed them all in. "It might give you some peace of mind."
"I'll think about it Sydney." Lyle said as he strode out of the car. Sydney and Broots followed him into the inn.
While they waited to be checked in, Lyle pulled out his cell phone. He dialed his sisters' number. He got her voice mail after three rings. "Parker, when you get this message. Call me. Please. I need to talk to you about something important. We're in Seattle right now. Chasing Jarod, of course. You can reach me on my cell. This isn't a trick or a ploy. I just need you to call me back." Lyle ended the call before he could really beg.
After checking in, he went to his suite. He had left a wakeup call to be sent to his room in two hours. He had a message sent to Sydney's room, that he would call Sydney in a couple of hours if he wanted to meet for dinner. He put his things away in the closet and in the bathroom. It was a good thing they always kept extra clothes on the jet. He shrugged out of my navy blue suit jacket, kicked off his shoes, and took off the tie. He unbuttoned his light blue shirt a couple of buttons, and lay down on the bed. Lyle reached over to the other side of the queen-sized bed and grabbed the pillow, putting it behind his head and closed his eyes.
The dream was getting to be all too familiar. He was in a room that was all white. He was lying on the bed hooked up to a couple of monitors. When he looked over to the side of his bed, there she was: Catherine Parker. The woman he truly wished was his mother. She was sitting in a rocking chair with a fluffy lavender shawl around her shoulders that covered the white dress she wore. She was reading a book, humming softly as the chair slowly rocked back and forth.
When she saw that he had opened his eyes, she leant across to pull the covers up to his shoulders. "What are you doing here, Catherine?" he said reaching out to try and touch her face.
She grabbed his hand and brushed it against her cheek, it was wet from tears. "My sweet boy, what have they done to you?" she murmured. She reached over and brushed the hair off of his forehead. "Momma's here, and they won't hurt you any more."
"Why are you here with me . . . Mom?" he said hesitantly as his eyes absorbed the way she looked at him. It was if she loved him, like a mother.
"I'm always here, especially when one of my children need me." Catherine answered as she leaned over and kissed his forehead.
"But, I'm not your son. I switched the results. Angelo, Timmy is your son, he is Parker's brother. I don't have you, or anyone else for a mother." Lyle protested vehemently.
"You are my son. I just didn't know about you when I was alive. I couldn't reach you until recently. You didn't want to be helped. You didn't think you deserved to be saved." Catherine held tight to his hand. "Your sister will be able to help you. So will your brothers and you nephew. You have the family you have always wanted, my sweet boy. You just have to reach out and hold onto it. You can't put the Centre first anymore. The lies that are told there are monumental. Your sister will need you soon. Be there for her. Help her finish my work. I love you my sweet boy." With a final kiss to his cheek, she glided out the door and into the brightly lit hallway.
"Mom!" Lyle called frantically, "MOM!"
Lyle bolted straight up in bed. The phone rang as his mind was cleared of the dreams.
"What?" Lyle asked, his tone reminiscent of Parker's.
"Mr. Lyle, you requested a wake up call." The receptionist sweet voice reminded him.
"Yes, Thank you. Could you pleas, put down another request for tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.?"
"Certainly, Mr. Lyle, you have a pleasant evening." The receptionist hung up.
Lyle dialed Sydney's room.
"This is Sydney." Sydney answered.
"Did you still want to meet for dinner?" Lyle asked not bothering to identify himself.
"That would be fine when do you want to meet?"
"Let's meet in the lobby in an hour. I'll see if I can get us reservations at the restaurant downstairs." Lyle suggested, as if he went out to dinner every night with Sydney.
"That would be fine. I'll see you in an hour." Sydney said hanging up the phone.
Lyle called the concierge, and made arrangements to have dinner at 6:00. He then got off the bed, and padded into the bathroom. He stripped off his clothes, and took a shower. When he got out he decided he needed to shave again. Lyle splashed on a bit of Cool Water cologne. He then got dressed, this time in a black suit with sapphire blue shirt. He tied his silk sapphire blue, white, and black tie, all the while avoiding his own reflection. He looked up for a moment to see his own reflection. One day he thought, I'm going to like what I see in the mirror. He grabbed his wallet and his key as he left the room.
Lyle walked up to Sydney in the lobby.
"We have reservations for 6. They are supposed to have an excellent sea bass. Shall we go, or are we waiting for Broots?" Lyle gestured for Sydney to follow him.
"Broots is in the midst of a call from Debbie. He said after he spoke with her, he wanted to get online and chat with some of his buddies. When he was done, he planned to just order some room service." Sydney said as his phone rang. "Go ahead without me I'll be right there."
Lyle went into the restaurant so they wouldn't give the reservation away.
"This is Sydney." He answered.
"Sydney, It's me," Parker said. "Are you able to talk?"
"Actually, Lyle and I were just about to have dinner Parker. Why don't I call you in an hour or two? If that's all right?" Sydney asked.
"Yes that's fine. Don't tell Lyle who it was on the phone. You can reach me on my cell. I'll try and explain some of this when you call back." Parker said as she ended the call.
"Be sure you will Parker." Sydney stared at the phone for a moment, before following Lyle into the restaurant.
Chicago, IL Around the same time
Parker hung up the phone. She smiled as she saw Jarod and Evan eating pizza. Evan was doing his best to get some pizza in Jarod's mouth. It just didn't seem to make it.
"I'm going to have to buy a camera. I'll need it for Kodak moments like this." Parker said raising one of her eyebrows and smiling.
"Was Sydney not able to talk?" Jarod asked as he watched her walk over to them.
She shook her head, as she picked up Evan and took him to the sink to clean him up. "No, he said he was joining Lyle for dinner, believe it or not. I think something is up. Sydney didn't even ask where I was?" Parker threw the washcloth she had just used to clean Evan's face and hands into the sink. "Lets get you changed into your pj's, buddy. Then you and Mommy, and Daddy are going to watch one of your new movies. Jarod can you grab the stuff on the sofa and put it in the spare bedroom. I'll sort it out tomorrow." She asked as she took Evan into their room.
Jarod got up and put the dishes in the dishwasher, and he put the leftover pizza in the fridge. He then started the DVD player and put in the movie Toy Story Parker called it. As the promos came on he dumped all off Parkers shopping booty on the bed in the other bedroom. He shook his head as he looked at the pile of clothes. I hope she realizes this is where Ethan will be sleeping, he thought.
"Jarod do you have any popcorn?" Parker called form the living room.
"Just the microwave kind," Jarod said as he walked down the hall to the living room. "Did you want me to make some?"
"Yeah, that would be great." Parker said as she arranged herself and Evan on the sofa.
She put his blanket to the side, as she doubted Evan would make it through the whole movie. She also put her cell phone on the table. Jarod had already put a scrambler on it, if they tried to trace any of her calls. Momma, she thought, I wish you could see him. My son, he's got our eyes and Jarod's smile. I wish I knew where to go from here. How am I going to raise him properly? How can I show him how to be a good person, when I work in the midst of all that is evil, at the Centre? What will he think of me when he realizes my job, for the past 5 years, has been to hunt down his father? How will I face him, when I have to tell him for us to live a normal life, I have to have his father locked up like a rat. Please help me Momma.
She snapped out of her thoughts as she saw a huge bowl of popcorn in front of her. She took the bowl as Jarod sat down with two glasses and a smaller cup, full of a brownish liquid. "I'm telling you right now, if that is a wheat grass shake, you'll be wearing it in a minute."
Jarod smiled as he sat back on the sofa, "Relax, Evie it's just apple cider. It goes good with popcorn.
They both sat back to watch the movie with their sun.
Seattle, WA Campagne Restaurant
Sydney followed the waiter as he led him to the table where Lyle was sitting. It was a window table overlooking Elliot's Bay. Lyle had a glass of white wine in front of him.
"Sydney, I hope you don't mind, but I already ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I figured it would go well with whatever, we order." Lyle said as Sydney sat down and accepted a menu from the waiter.
"That's fine," Sydney said as he looked up at the waiter. "What do you recommend?"
"Well, The foie gras parfait is an excellent choice for an hors d'oeurve. I personally recommend the cold lobster salad. For an entrée it depends what you like. If you prefer fish, our Striped Bass filet is excellent. The grilled Sea Scallops are perfection if seafood is your choice. We also have a chestnut stuffed pork chop or a dry marinated rack of lamb. Your wine selection, of Pinot Grigio, works well with any of the entrees." The waiter said expertly. He stood expectantly for their order.
"I think I'll go with your suggestion of the Lobster Salad and the Grilled Sea Scallops. Could I also get some coffee with that? Lyle, how about you?" Sydney asked as he handed the menu back to the waiter.
I think I'll have the Lobster salad as well. I think for an entrée I'd prefer the stuffed pork chop. I'd also like some coffee." Lyle said matter of factly, handing back the menu.
"Excellent choices sirs. I'll have your coffee brought along momentarily." The waiter gave a quick nod of acknowledgement, and took his leave.
"What did my sister want, when she called you?" Lyle asked Sydney casually.
Sydney raised an eyebrow, "She didn't say. I plan to call her later this evening. I want to make sure she's all right. Why do you ask? Before you answer that, I'd like an answer to a different question. What did you mean when you said you switched the results?" The look in Sydney's eye left no doubt, as he wanted a truthful answer.
Lyle sighed, "Raines had me switch the information being tested. My information and Angelo's. That way when Broots ran the tests, I would come up as the missing Parker heir. I'd like to say I had no idea what was going on. Lets face it I was on borrowed time at the Centre. I knew I was only there because Mr. Parker had called in every favor owed him and then some, to get me reinstated. He would only have done this if it was mentioned to him that I might be his son." Lyle took a long drink from his glass of wine.
"Lyle." Sydney began.
"I know Sydney," Lyle interrupted. "Don't you think I would love to have the Centre's patron saint as my mother? THE Catherine Parker. I've heard what everyone thought of her, from the Triumvirate to her daughter. If I thought for one second, I actually came from something that good. Hope, that I could actually be something other then the monster Raines has helped turn me into. All I do is fantasize that she is my mother. It's played havoc with my life. How else do you explain the -." Lyle suddenly broke off his diatribe and averted his eyes from Sydney's. Damn but it felt good to get this off of his chest.
"Explain the what, Lyle?" Sydney asked sipping his coffee, that the waiter had discreetly left at their table.
"Excuse me gentlemen," the waiter said as he placed their salads in front of them. He also placed a basket of warm rolls and butter to the side of table. "Enjoy your food. Let me know if there is anything I can get for you."
He waited for their nods before leaving.
"You were about to explain something to me Lyle?" Sydney's tone was courteous but firm.
Lyle ran his fingers through his hair. "Sydney you can't want to hear me out, or help me through this. I nearly killed your son, Nicholas. If Jarod hadn't been there, I probably would have killed him. I have done some of the most reprehensible crimes. Why would you want to help me? Why would you care?"
Sydney looked at him for a moment and said frankly, "I have my reasons. The fact that you care what I or anyone else thinks of you is one of them. Now, Explain the what?"
"I've been having this dream. I'm in a room that is all white. I'm hooked up to some monitors. I think I'm in the hospital. When I turn my head, Catherine is there. She is sitting by my bed in rocking chair, reading a book and humming to herself. She was just where you would expect any mother to be, if her son was in the hospital. I ask her what she is doing there. She calls me her sweet boy." Lyle shakes his head in disbelief at that. "She tells me I am her son. She says my sister, brothers, and nephew will help me be the man, she knows I can become. She kisses my cheek and tells me to help my sister finish her work. My head has got to be making this up. I want so badly to be her son, I'm making myself believe I have her Inner Sense." Lyle picked up his fork and began attacking his salad.
Sydney took a few bites of food and a sip of wine before he addressed Lyle's concerns.
"Lyle did you know that Catherine parker and her husband tried Invitro- fertilization? There is a possibility that you could be her son. I'm not sure who your father could be. When your sister comes back from vacation. We should get Jarod to test all of you. If Catherine's saying you're her son, she is probably revealing this to you know for a couple of reasons. One, you're open to the idea of love and family. Two, you're having genuine regret for the path you've been following up until now." Sydney said quite matter-of-factly.
"Why Jarod?"
"I would trust Jarod's results. The Centre has a way of bending results to suit their purposes."
Lyle and Sydney fell into a companionable silence and finished their salads. After they ate the entrees that they had requested. They both ordered a ginger brulee for dessert.
After it arrived Lyle asked "What are we going to tell my sister about this, when you call her later?"
"I think I'll see what she has to say first. I'm interested in why she needed an immediate vacation." Sydney replied spooning some of the brulee into his mouth.
"I wonder what Mom meant about my nephew. As far as I know Angelo Ethan and Parker are all childless." Lyle suddenly questioned. "You don't think that Parker's pregnant do you?"
"I don't catalog your sister's sexual activities Lyle. I don't think she's pregnant. She might have found out that the Centre made her a mother without informing her. I've suspected for some time the Centre may have used her in such a way."
"How could they have used her?" Lyle demanded.
"Think back when she almost died of the ulcer perforation. They could have taken her eggs then. What child do we know that was born a little over a year after that occurrence?" Sydney asked.
"The only child I know of is my bro-," Lyle broke off as realization dawned. "Evan. Oh my God! NO! They wouldn't have used Parker to deliver her own son would they? Having Parker inadvertently handing her child over to the Centre. I'll bet Parker is beyond angry. The Triumvirate is going to regret doing that to her. I wonder who the father is?" Lyle paused in the midst of his reflection of the situation. "Jarod! I wonder if she and Jarod are with their son right now? What do you think Sydney?"
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she Evan and Jarod were together. I wish them some peace. They won't have any when she returns." Sydney said as he finished his dessert.
Lyle motioned for the check and placed his platinum visa on it. The waiter took it away to calculate it and bring back the receipt to sign. After signing his name and giving the waiter a generous tip, Lyle turned to Sydney, "Will you tell her whether she needs my support or not she has it 100%. She won't care, but I want her and Jarod to know they can depend on me. I'll come through for my family this time." With that he turned on his heel and walked out of the resturant.
"I'll be sure to do that Lyle. She's going to need her family to get through this." Sydney arose from the table and followed Lyle out of the resturant.
Chicago, IL A little bit later
Miss Parker smiled as the credits rolled on the screen of the television. She looked down at Evan, who was sound asleep, snuggled between his parents. His unwavering trust in them, to keep him safe was so obvious. She brushed his hair off of his forehead. She came in contact with Jarod's fingers that were stroking their son's cheek. He grabbed her hand and linked their fingers before she could pull them away. She looked up to see him staring intensely at her.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm going to promise you something. Evan will always be safe from the Centre." Jarod said solemnly.
"You can't promise that Jarod. If something were to happen to me-." Parker broke off realizing if that happened, her son would be reliving her life.
"If anything were to happen to you, I'd take him and disappear. The Centre would never find us. I would give up my Do Gooding and even my search for my family. I swear to you he will not grow up like you and I did! Will you promise me something?" Jarod looked directly into her eyes.
She gave him a half smile. "What do you want me to promise?" she asked half- afraid of what he would ask.
"If anything ever happens to me. You'll disappear. You'll take Evan and raise him some place safe far away from the Centre. Promise me that?" he gave a tug on their still linked fingers.
"I promise that I'll move heaven and earth to keep our son safe." Parker said looking directly into his eyes.
Before she could take he hand away, he raised their hands and kissed the back of hers.
"Thank you," Jarod said sincerely. "Since Sydney should be calling you back soon. I'll put Evan to bed." Jarod lifted Evan into his arms
Parker kissed Evan's forehead as Jarod went by to put him in their bedroom.
"Lub you Momma." Evan murmured.
"I love you too, baby." Parker watched as Jarod cradled him gently. She knew it would be a while before Jarod came back. He loved to watch Evan sleep.
The phone rang insistently she snatched it up. "What?" she said in an almost pleasant voice.
"Good evening Parker." Sydney replied.
"Sydney! How is the chase going without me?" she smiled as she thought of the three of them, half a continent away, chasing the man who was in the next room.
"I think you know how the chase is going. How is your vacation? Are you having a good time with Evan and Jarod?" Sydney asked as he waited for the explosion.
"We're having a great time. Wait a minute! How the hell did you know I'm with Jarod and Evan? Who told you? Sydney I swear to God, if you have endangered the life of my son. I'll kill you and anyone else who comes after him." Parker all but shouted as her temper exploded. Just as Sydney knew it would.
Sydney waited until she was breathing normally into the phone before he continued, "So Evan is your son with Jarod. When did you find out?"
"In a letter from Daddy. Quite a bit of information was in that letter, Syd. Including the fact that either you or Jacob is my real father. Angelo's my twin, not Lyle. Which is one favor I'm thanking God for. So, are you?" she demanded, "Are you my real father, Sydney? Or was it Jacob? Tell me it was you. Tell me Raines didn't order me to kill my own Father. Tell me I didn't watch my own father die, not knowing I was his daughter. Sydney!" she begged not caring that there were tears running down her face. She thought back to Raines ordering her to smother Jacob. She also remembered Sydney playing home movies for him at the cabin before he died.
Sydney paused and softly said, "Miss Park- Eve, I don't know the answer to that particular question. I do know, that Jacob and your mother had only a platonic relationship. I also did have an affair with your mother. It was before she became my patient. The only time I asked your mother about it, she vehemently denied that I was the father. She said she and your father had reconciled and the baby, you, was his. If you like we can be tested to prove it. Before I tell you some of my news, you need to hear this. First of all, nothing would make me prouder then to find out you are my daughter. Eve, Lyle isn't your twin, but he may be your brother. We all need to get tested, to make sure." Sydney said all this carefully, wishing he were there with her to hold her as her father, not a friend. He also knew that she was still processing a lot of the information and anger.
"What did you say?" she gasped. "Lyle, the thumbless wonder, thinks he's really my brother. How is that possible? Unless someone, Raines, got a hold of my mother's eggs when they were trying the invitro process. Can my family tree get any more twisted? How are we to test all of our blood? Wouldn't we need Momma's and Jacob's? Who is going to test it? Whom can we trust to give us the answers we need?" she asked her head in her hands.
"Jarod could do it. I would trust any results he comes up with. We could get samples and then send them to Jarod for him to test?" Sydney suggested.
"No too many people would be involved. I'd want Jarod to do it all from taking the samples to doing the actual testing. I'll have to talk to him about that, and get back to you. Lyle as my actual brother might send him over the edge. Jarod has wanted him dead, ever since Kyle. Since you know Evan is my son, you need to know he'll be living with me. I'll need help getting the house baby-proofed, and a room ready for him. Sydney, how the hell am I going to be a mom? You know what I am, what the Centre has made me into. I don't want my son growing into that." Parker stood up began pacing around the living room.
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You are wonderful with Debbie. You'll be incredible with Evan. Lyle wanted me to tell you that he will back you a 100%. He says he knows you don't trust him, and you probably don't believe him, but he is here if you need him. Did your father say anything else to you in the letter?" Sydney asked in his most patient tone of voice.
Parker sat back down on the sofa before speaking. "Jarod and I haven't even started going through it all yet. Lyle's right I don't believe him. Let him know, I said thanks. Let me talk to Jarod about the testing, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye Sydney." Parker said as she disconnected the call.
Parker was still staring into space when Jarod came into the room ten minutes later. "Evie, what's wrong?" Jarod asked as he came over to the sofa and sat down beside her. He put his arm around her shoulder as she burrowed into his side. He lay down on the sofa taking her with him, so that she was lying halfway across his chest. He held her like that and just stroked her back in a soothing up and down motion. Parker closed her eyes and enjoyed being held in Jarod's arms. It felt like home, being part of a family again.
"My family tree just got a whole lot stranger. Lyle isn't my twin, Angelo is. However. Lyle still might be my brother. Same mother, different fathers, like what happened with Ethan. Is Evan still asleep?" she asked.
"Yeah, he's out like a light. He drools out of the same side of the mouth that you do." Jarod said still stroking her back.
"Did you know that he almost had a brother or a sister?"
The stroking paused for a moment and then was continued. "When were you pregnant?" Jarod asked carefully.
"I was pregnant when Tommy was murdered. I didn't know it at the time. It was about three weeks after it was all over, right before Donoterase was uncovered, that I found out. It was on a Friday. Debbie had called to invite me to her school play Saturday night. All of a sudden I was in horrible pain. I was cramping. I thought it might be my ulcer again. I just passed out. When I came to, I was in an ambulance and Broots was with me holding my hand. We got to the emergency room, and the doctor asked if I'd been having any trouble with my pregnancy so far. I told him I didn't know I was even pregnant. He said I was about fourteen weeks, and it looked as if I was miscarrying the baby. You know, Broots never left my side that whole night. I promised God anything in the world, if I could just keep that baby. My last piece of Tommy. Broots just stayed, holding my hand and talking to me. Nothing helped; I lost the baby about dawn the next morning. They told me they couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl, but I think they were lying. Broots took me home. I stayed in bed all weekend, with the exception of Debbie's play. I made Broots promise not to ever mention it again. Monday I acted as if nothing had changed. In my mind I even named the baby. David Thomas for a boy; David means beloved and Thomas for the obvious reason. For a girl I picked Aimee Katrine; Aimee means loved one and Katrine is a form of Catherine, which means pure. I hurt so badly after losing the baby; it was probably why I stepped in front of that bullet meant for Daddy. I couldn't stand to lose anyone else, I just couldn't." She buried her face in his chest.
Jarod kept stroking her back as he felt her tears soak his shirt. He didn't know how to help her with this kind of pain. "I don't know what to say," he told her.
"There's nothing to say. The doctor said nothing I had done brought on the miscarriage. He said it might have been the shock and grief about Tommy's death. He examined me after it was over. He didn't foresee any complications for further children. That baby, though was the one I wanted. After I was shot, and in the hospital drugged. I saw Momma. Tommy was with her, holding a baby. I asked her why I had lost my baby. She told me I was meant to be a mother; it just didn't work out this time. Tommy she said was lonely without me. He and our baby would watch over me, just as she had always done. They would watch over my family and me. Momma also said not to give up. I needed to fight the infection and live. I was to live for the children I was meant to have. I wonder what she would think of Evan?" she said. It felt good to talk about this, especially to Jarod.
"She probably thinks he's incredible." He said smiling at the thought of their son.
"Jarod, would you be willing to test our blood? You'd have to test; Sydney's, Ethan's, Lyle's, Angelo's, Evans, yours, and mine. You are the only person I trust to take the blood and perform the DNA tests. We'd all finally have some answers. I need answers. Will you help me?" she asked looking into his eyes.
"Of course, I'll help you." Jarod said sliding a finger down her cheek and across her jaw line.
"Can I sleep with you tonight? I don't mean have sex. I'd just like to be held, at least for tonight." Parker asked as she crawled over him and got off the couch. "I'm not ruling out that kind of relationship, maybe sometime in the far future. I just don't think we need that kind of complication right now."
"You can sleep with me tonight." Jarod said gallantly.
"Thanks. I'm going to shower and change. So you'll do the testing? I know you hate Lyle; you've every reason to. This could give you some answers too."
"I'll do this for you and Sydney," Jarod said. "I'll call Sydney tomorrow and see what kind of arrangements we can make. I'm going to take a shower too. Just limb into the bed when you're done." Jarod headed off to his own bathroom.
Parker went and took her shower and changed into her favorite pair of silk pajamas. She peeked in to check on Evan, and saw him sleeping peacefully. She went into Jarod's room and slipped between the sheets. She closed her eyes, and almost immediately fell asleep.
Jarod came out of his bathroom in his boxers. He saw she was already asleep. He turned out the lights and got into bed. He leaned over and spooned his body behind hers. She stiffened momentarily and then relaxed boneless against him. HE closed his own eyes, and dreamed of a possible happily ever after for all of them.
Day 3 Seattle, WA 8 a.m.
Lyle, Broots and Sydney walked out of yet another Starbucks. He saw the four sweepers walking toward them.
"Any luck?" Lyle asked as they shook their heads.
"Broots how many more are there?"
"Out of the 71 we've got another 40 to go. Twenty are closer to the outskirts of town. There are another 15 in a ten mile radius of where we are right now."
"All right we three will take the 15 inside the ten mile radius. You four take the outskirts. Call me if you find anything."
"Of course sir." They said as they took their leave.
"Sydney, have you heard from them yet?" Lyle asked waiting until the sweepers were out of earshot.
"No. I expect Jarod will have to get access to a lab before he can contact us. More then likely he'll have to find us, to get the samples so that the tests can be run." Sydney said.
"This just keeps getting more, and more weird." Broots said. "Lyle, I can't believe you are helping your sister. Who it turns out may, or may not be your sister. You've actually agreed to have Jarod help you find out."
He was cut off with the ringing of Sydney's cell phone.
"This is Sydney."
"Sydney, it's Jarod. Are you still in Seattle searching Starbucks for me?"
"Yes, we are. Did you have to choose a city that had 71 of them?"
"How else could I be assured you guys would be out of my hair long enough, for me to enjoy my first vacation? " Jarod remarked a bit flippantly.
"How should we get the blood samples to you Jarod? I don't think we can ship them to you?" Sydney asked, sure the Jarod already had a plan of action.
"No, you can't. Mr. Broots is going to help us. He is going to have an emergency at home involving Debbie. He'll then during a stop over in Chicago, hand off the samples to me, I'll meet him somewhere in a spot that I won't tell you about just yet." Jarod said already working the scenario out in his mind. "He'll then fly back to Blue Cove, getting Angelo's sample. I'll also need him to go into the Fluid Retention Unit, to see if there is a sample of Catherine and Jacob's DNA. He'll then stop over again in Chicago, where I'll meet him again. By the time you three are back in Blue Cove I should have the definite results of our complicated puzzle. However, if I see any sign of sweepers or cleaners, I'm out of there. You won't get the results."
"We're all agreed on that Jarod. Especially Lyle. Jacobs DNA won't be at the Centre. The one Hospital he was at still has several samples of bone marrow and blood. I had it taken just in case I ever needed it, as he was my twin. I can let them know Broots is coming and get it released to him. All you have to do is tell us when and where and we'll make sure Broots is there." Sydney looked at Lyle who was gesturing impatiently at the phone. "Jarod, Lyle would like to speak with you. Did you want to speak with him?" Sydney asked knowing there was no love lost between the two men.
"All right Sydney. I'll talk to him." Jarod wondered what Lyle would say. Maybe he'll try to what's that expression, oh yeah butter me up.
"Jarod? Listen I know you could care less about what happens to me in this whole scenario. We both know the only reason I'm alive, is because I've been believed to be Parkers brother. You'd never kill a member of her family, no matter how much they deserved it. I trust you to give me these answers. I'm not asking for any kind of special treatment. If I manage to stay alive inside the Centre, I know I'll be answering for my sins somewhere down the road. At this moment in time Jarod, we're the same. I just want to know who I am." Lyle said wanting Jarod to understand how he felt about all of this.
"You're right Lyle, you will answer to someone for all you've done. I won't be your judge, jury or executioner. However, if you ever come anywhere near my family with the attempt to hurt or harm them in any way. God is going to be the only one who'll be able to identify and find your remains. Hold on, Parker wants to talk to you." Jarod said handing over the phone.
"Lyle," Parker began, taking a deep breath. "What makes you so sure you're my brother? What makes you think you're entitled to another chance? Why should any of us trust you? Can you give me a single reason why I, or for that matter we, should?" she asked.
"I know you've no reason to trust me. Remember when I was making fun of your 'dreams'? I've been having the same one for last two weeks. I'm willing to do whatever it takes for you to trust me. Even though I know you never will, not completely. I'm just asking that we try Parker. You and I have been searching for answers, granted I haven't been searching as long as you, for a while now. I think its time we shook the family tree." Lyle heard himself almost begging.
"All right. Remember this Lyle. I shot you once, because you gave me no choice. You cross me; I'll have no problem being Judge, jury and your executioner. Are we clear?"
"Crystal."
"Fine. Give the phone back to Sydney, so he can make the final arrangements with Jarod." Parker handed the phone back to Jarod.
"Sydney, I'll be sending you all the information to your hotel. It will come via Next Day Air, tomorrow morning. It will have all the details as well as Broots' air tickets. Follow them to the letter. I'll call you once I have confirmation you've received it. Enjoy looking for the clues I left. I'll give you this much of a hint, the Starbucks is on Madison Avenue. Talk to you later Sydney." Jarod taunted ending the call.
"Did he give us any clue as to where to go next?" Broots asked.
"He said the Starbucks is on Madison Street. Let's go and get started. I don't think this will be as easy, as it seems." Sydney replied shaking his head.
Lyle and Broots got into the car with him and headed toward Madison Street.
Chicago, IL
Same time
Jarod and Parker just looked at each other across the table. He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze of support.
"So, do we sort through the tangled vines of our past today, or do you want to do that after the testing is complete? Don't forget Ethan is coming tomorrow or the next day. Maybe he can help." Parker suggested, as she got up from the table and entered the living room.
She watched Evan playing with the Lego's his father had bought him.
"Let's hit the Shedd Aquarium, Evan will love it. We can relax today. Later we can go shopping for the 6 suitcases you'll need to get everything home in." Jarod joked, as he came up behind her.
Parker grabbed a pillow from the sofa and hit him with it.
"Fine, I'll get the stroller you get Evan put together. Evan, how would you like to go to the Aquarium and see all the different fish? Then we'll go and do some shopping. We need to get you some bigger suitcases."
"See fish?" Evan asked.
"Yes, baby. We'll see lots of fish. Maybe if there is time and you aren't too tired we can go to the zoo." She said smiling down at him.
"Okay Momma. Lez go Daddy. Right now!" Evan demanded.
"Sure thing son. I guess we know where you get that from don't we?" Jarod asked, winking at Parker.
"Momma." Evan stated gleefully.
"Listen, there will be no uniting against Mommy. You got that kiddo. You understand?" Parker said as she tickled Evan's ribs.
"I unnerstan Momma!" Evan gasped out.
"Go and get ready, silly boy." She said dropping a kiss on his cheek.
Evan grabbed her face and gave her a kiss back.
"Ok, Momma." he was still giggling as Jarod took him back to the bedroom.
Jarod's videophone rang. Parker went over to activate it. She smiled as she saw Ethan's face appear.
"Ethan, you look good. When are you arriving?" she asked looking at the screen. She sat down at Jarod's desk.
"I'll be there the day after tomorrow. I'll probably arrive sometime around noon. How are you and Jarod doing discovering you're parents?" Ethan asked concerned, as he knew how Parker could react to new discoveries.
"Jarod's happy as a clam. I'm taking it better then I did, when I discovered we shared a brother. Evan's such a great kid, Ethan. I think he definitely inherited Jarod's genius, but he seems a bit young for his age. We're going to take him on an outing, like a real family. I want you to ask you something. You hear our mother's voice guiding you. What does she tell you about Lyle? He says he's been having a dream about her. What is she trying to tell him?" Parker asked, not wanting to believe that Lyle could actually be her brother.
She watched as Ethan closed his eyes for a few moments.
"She says she has been trying to contact him for sometime. She's never been able to get to him until recently. He's been too closed off. She says ever since Mr. Parker died, he seems to be looking for something. That is how she's been able to reach him." Ethan calmly relayed to her.
"So he really is my, our brother. Does she know what happened? Or how we can get the information on this?"
"She says you and Jarod have all the information you need. Mr. Parker gave it to all of you. This is weird she says to tell you, not to worry they are still watching over you. Do you know who she means?" Ethan inquired.
"Yeah, I know who she's talking about." Parker said, closing her eyes and thinking of Tommy and her baby. "Are you ok for money to get here?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you the day after tomorrow. I love you, Parker. I know you don't like hearing it, but you'll have to get use to it."
"Then I guess you'd better start calling me something other then Parker. I know she's told you my given name. I'd like you to use it. If you don't like it, you can use a nickname. I'll see you soon. Stay safe, Ethan. I finally have all this family. I don't want to lose any of you." Parker confessed showing Ethan one of her rare smiles.
"Mommy, I'm ready." Evan came up to her with his arms spread out. "Whom're you talking to?"
"I'm talking to Uncle Ethan. Would you like to say hello?" Parker asked as she picked him up.
"Yeah! Hi Uncle Ethan. You look like Daddy." Evan said waving at the screen.
"Hello Evan. You look like your Mommy. Same big blue eyes." Ethan looked at his nephew and waved back. "I'm going to be there in a few days and we will have some serious fun. OK?"
"Okey-Dokey, Unca Etan." Evan said cheerfully. "Daddy! Unca Etan coming to visit soon."
"That is right, kiddo. Lets go see the fish." Jarod replied. "Are you ready Evie?"
"Yes, I'm ready. Do you think they'll be able to pull it off?" She inquired hopefully.
"I hope so." Jarod said as he opened the door for his family.
"Let's go Momma and Daddy!" Evan demanded.
Seattle WA Madison Street
They walked into a Starbucks and asked the girl at the counter if she had seen Jarod, and showed her a picture.
"You guys know Jarod?" Elizabeth, her nametag read, asked.
"Yes, we do. Do you know where he was living?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah he was staying at the Paul Revere. Did you want a Jarod?"
"Excuse me?" Lyle asked.
"A Jarod, it what we call his drink. It really caught on. An Iced Carmel Macchiato mixed with white chocolate. It's really good."
No, Thank you. We'll be on our way. Thank you for your time." Sydney said.
"No Problem. Any friend of Jarod's is a friend of mine."
Sydney exited the store. "Do we know where the Paul Revere is?"
"Yes we do." Broots was busy clicking on his Palm organizer. It's on Ninth. Shall we go?"
They got in the car and headed toward Jarod's apartment.
A little later at
Jarod's Lair
Lyle walked into the room first. Followed closely by Sydney and Broots. His eyes darted around the room, for the familiar red notebook that should be lying around. When he spotted it, he went over to pick it up. Sydney was looking around the room in amazement.
"What does the notebook say Lyle?" Sydney asked as he picked up some paper lying on the bed.
"Just Jarod's usual righting the wrong done to some innocent. This time it looks like he found out about a drug company named DryGum, they were about to release a drug that would aid women trying to get pregnant. They neglected to tell anyone that their research was flawed; women that used the drug to get pregnant often lost the baby before the sixth month of pregnancy. Due to the drug bleeding was hard to control, and often resulting in the women being forced into having partial-hysterectomies. In which only the uterus was removed. Jarod it looked like infiltrated and got the information to the FDA before they could market it to the public. The women that were affected during the trials, Jarod was able to help with a drug he created that helped the blood clotting issue. The few that did have to have hysterectomies, were helped by the drug company using surrogate mothers to give them their own children." Lyle answered while perusing the notebook and requisite newspaper clippings. "The last article says one of the mothers found out she is having a boy and is naming him Jarod for the man who made it possible for her to have a baby."
"It makes me sick to think people take advantage of those wanting to have a child." Broots said looking through the closet.
"Broots, Wake up! How do you think the Centre got Jarod?" Lyle snapped. "Don't you think the Centre knew how to use the desire for children against people?"
"I know what they do. I just don't see where they get the idea that they have the right, after helping people finally have a child, to take that child away and do God only knows what to it. I may not be smart, but from all I've seen the Centre has so many years of being evil under its belt it needs to be wiped out of existence. I sold my soul to work there, because the money was incredible and so were the benefits. Now I can't leave because of what they would do to me, or my daughter." Broots said shaking his head.
"Right now we need you Broots. When this war between The Centre, and us is over. Jarod and my sister will be running the place. If you want to leave they won't stop you."
"Broots, we will get out of this, in what shape, I can't tell you. I will have a life with Michelle, Nicholas and anyone else I choose to. Right now we have to be strong. Will you be ready to leave tomorrow after we get Jarod's package?"
"I'll be ready Sydney."
"Lyle do you think we should call the cleaners in to pack it all up and send it back to the Centre? Lyle?" Sydney asked concerned as Lyle had been staring at a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco California.
"What? Yeah, Sydney call them. This picture looks good doesn't it? It's weird though. Everything else has to do with coffee, Starbucks or DryGum. This is the only thing out of place. I guess we are heading for San Francisco. Let's get out of here. I'm starving." Lyle kicked aside the rest of Jarod's debris as he left the room.
As Lyle, Sydney, and Broots left the building. They didn't notice the blonde woman watching them. Nor did they see her use a cell phone and make a call. As they pulled away in the Black Lincoln, she quickly got into her own car a cherry red Mazda Miata and followed them.
Chicago, IL Late Afternoon
Jarod came out of the kitchen to see Parker looking again at her letter from her father.
"Evan still taking his nap?" Jarod asked sitting down on the other side of the sofa.
"Yeah, he was. Who knew an aquarium could exhaust him so much. We'll have to wake him up soon, or he won't sleep tonight." Parker put aside the letter. "It doesn't seem like he's had much fun. I never knew a two year- old could actually sit still that long. What's for dinner?"
"You mean you don't have our dinner already in the oven, Honey?" Jarod smiled as he teased her. "We're having Coq au vin with garlic red potatoes, and freshly steamed broccoli and carrots."
"You really think Evan'll eat that?" Parker asked her left eyebrow rose skeptically.
"He's like me, if it tastes good he'll eat it. Tomorrow I thought you could meet Broots. You can assure him you're in one piece. Evie, when do you want to start on the letters and stuff?" Jarod asked concerned as he saw her eyes darken.
"Did I tell you? Daddy, I can't believe I still call him that admits that he was involved in Thomas' murder. He says he was forced to make a choice. What choice was that? They killed a wonderful man, because he loved me! If I'd been given the choice I'd have let him go. Anything but have him dead. Do you have any idea how crazy our life is going to get Jarod? How are we supposed to share custody of Evan? It's not like we're divorced and you can see him on the weekends. You have to run, and I have to chase you on the weekends!" Parker dropped her head into her hands and began massaging her temples.
"Evie, we can't change the past. We can only go on from here. Thomas wouldn't want you beating yourself up about this." Jarod stroked her back.
"Jarod, I'm just so tired of this. I want to live to see my son grow up. I want him to be able to see you whenever he wants. Do you think we could make a deal with the Triumvirate? We won't blow the whistle on all the past misdeeds, if they agree to let us run the Centre however we deem fit? We could run it together. We'd be able to see our son grow up. Our families could be safe. Am I just dreaming that this could happen?" Parker ranted desperately.
"We'll look at all of our options, when we get the test results back. Let's wait to make any big plans for the Centre until then. We can hook up all our arsenal at that time." Jarod volunteered.
"Jarod, how sure are you that the Seratonin wouldn't work on Angelo again? Could the process be adjusted and tried again? The brain is an incredible thing; even the Centre doesn't know all it's capable of. My brother sacrificed his humanity for that little boy, Davy. I want to make sure no stone is left unturned before we, before I give up on him again. I owe my mother that. I owe my brother that much."
"I can double check my research against any new developments. I'll also have Sydney examine him again. I don't want to give you any false hope. It would be a long shot."
"I like long shots. Jarod, why do you keep helping me? I haven't helped you half as much as you've helped me. If anything I keep you from what you want most, your family." Parker put her head into her hands.
"We're connected Evie, always have been and always will be, thanks to the Centre. I don't blame you for how you've been in the past. I just want to get past it. I don't want our son in the middle of a war between us. I don't want us in the middle of a war between us." Jarod rubbed her shoulders comfortingly.
"Jarod, What did Daddy," Parker paused in the middle of her sentence. She looked at Jarod with a half smile. "What did he give you as far as information?"
"He sent me a key to a safe deposit box. I checked it out. It's to a bank in a small town about an hour and half north of the city. It's called Zion, IL. Tomorrow while you pick up the stuff from Broots. Evan and I can go to Zion. It's supposedly safe. What do you think?"
"Why not be on the safe side? Let me take Evan with me. You then can concentrate on the safe deposit box."
"All right," Jarod gave her his dimpled grin. "So what do you want to do after I clean out the box?"
"I say we wait and dig into it after we have the blood test results. How long will it take? A week?" Parker asked as she stood up and stretched.
"About that. Lets go wake up Evan so we can eat dinner." Jarod said standing up as well.
"Ok." Parker followed Jarod down the hall.
Seattle, WA A little later in the evening
Sydney approached Lyle as he was at the bar. From the look of it Lyle was on his fourth or fifth drink. He slid onto the stool next to him.
"You realize, of course drowning your sorrows won't make them go away." Sydney said as he ordered a chivas on the rocks, with a single ice cube.
Lyle gave a snort. "Do you realize that I'm a dead man? Parker deserves to know the whole truth about what I've done to her. When I've told her all I know. . .Brother, or not she'll shoot me right between the eyes."
"Lyle, she knows you aren't perfect. I'm certain she feels that you might be able to be a better man. Your potential is incredible. What could you have done, besides what she already knows about, that she couldn't forgive you for?" Sydney asked perplexed at this complete change in attitude from Lyle.
"Thomas." Lyle replied simply.
"You had something to do with Thomas's death?" Sydney couldn't keep the anger he felt from coming through on his voice.
"I didn't pull the trigger, or assign Brigitte to carry it out. I was worse. I was the catalyst. I let Raines overhear me on several occasions saying that since Parker got involved with her carpenter, she seemed to be losing her edge on trying to catch Jarod. I thought they would warn her or slap her on the wrist. I didn't think her warning would be them killing Thomas. I should have. It's exactly what I would have done. Raines made me into the perfect Centre machine." Lyle finished his drink in a single swallow. He motioned for the bartender to bring him another.
"Lyle most of your problems stem from the abuse you suffered as a child. The Bowman's were not people that should have been entrusted with a child. When Raines made you the offer, to become stronger then the man who was abusing you. You jumped at the offer, who wouldn't in your position." Sydney said trying to impress upon Lyle that some choices he had made were as a defensive mechanism. "Even the name you use, it's a slap in the face to the one who hurt you. If you really want to make some changes, I can suggest two right off the bat. One, make your peace with the Bowman's. Let Mr. Bowman out of Jail, say you were kidnapped and brainwashed. You have come to your senses, only to find out that Mr. Bowman has been imprisoned for your murder. You want to right the wrong done to your adoptive father. After you do that change your name don't be Lyle Parker, Bobby Bowman, Mr. Lyle. Be who you want to be. Find a name that means something to you and go from there." Sydney put his hand on Lyle's shoulder. "Lyle, no son of Catherine Parker would accept this set down. She has faith in you, she wouldn't be coming to your dreams if she didn't."
"I'm not worthy of being her son. What could she possibly think of a son that has done all the horrible things that I have? I'm glad she's dead. I wouldn't want to see the look of disgust on her face when she looks at me. Why all of a sudden does this bother me? I have been doing this for over 20 years." Lyle spat out contemptously.
"It bothers you now. Because you know if Catherine had known about you, she would have rescued you and loved you. It was the kind of person she was." Sydney explained confidently.
"I think I'm just going to go to bed. Sleep off the Scotch. Tell Broots to call my room when he needs me in the morning. Good night Syd. Thank you for the advice. I'll sleep on it. Maybe I'll ask Catherine for her advice. See you in the morning." Lyle gave Sydney a halfhearted grin and put several bills on the bar. He turned and left the room.
To all people he looked like a young, confident career man. Sydney only saw the troubled waters beneath the still surface. When Lyle started answering for his crimes, it seems as if he'd be a much harder judge on himself, then one might think.
Sydney saw Broots join him from the corner of his eye.
"What'll you have Broots? I'm buying." Sydney asked, signaling the bartender over.
"Can I have a Tanquray gin and tonic with lime, please?" Broots requested.
"Sure, I'll have it for you in a moment."
"Sydney. If this situation gets any weirder, I'm calling Guinness." Broots shook his head. "I don't know how much more Parker can stand. She has had to deal with so much. She's going to destroy the Centre when the test results come in. Parker mad is not something I want to deal with anytime soon. Do you think she and Jarod are getting along?" Broots asked as the bartender came back with his drink.
"Broots I think Parker is a lot stronger then we know. I agree this to her will be the last straw. Her and Jarod parenting a two-year-old is something I would love to see. I've always thought they would be incredible parents. Broots I want you to do something for me. When you go to the Centre to get Angelo's blood. Can you get a list of all of our contacts in the military and overseas? Those that have contracted the Centre to do work for them. Also I need a complete list of everyone who works at Blue Cove and Corporate. I want to know where every single annex is. All of our branches, everything, No stone left unturned. We are going to need it; When Jarod brings down the place. I want you to down load everything on to laptops. Leave all of this with Parker and Jarod when you drop the samples off. We'll then wait for Jarod to contact us, with what to do."
"Sydney do you realize what you're asking me to do? I might as well sign my own death certificate."
"I know Broots, but having that information might save all of our lives. Why don't you let me have Michelle and Nicholas pick Debbie up from camp? We can ask Jarod for a safe place to have all of you stay while we figure this out."
"I'll call the came tomorrow. When I drop off the stuff, I'll ask Parker to talk to Jarod about it. I'll call you when I get to Blue Cove. We can take it from there. I'm going to bed. I need as much sleep as possible, to help me with what I've got to do tomorrow. Just call me Broots, James Broots." Broots tried to joke.
"Is that really your first name? James?" Sydney asked. "I'm ashamed to say I don't know your first name."
"No my first name is Dennison. It was my mother's maiden name. My brother got the normal name of Jefferson. Parents and the names they give kids. I'm no better we had decided before Debbie was born to give her a 'D' name because of mine and her mother's name, which was Doreen."
"I'm not sure why I was named Sydney and my brother Jacob. I never got a chance to ask my parents."
"Sydney, do you think Jarod and Parker will change Evan's name?" Broots asked as he got off the stool at the bar.
"I doubt it. Goodnight Broots. I'll see you in the morning." Sydney turned back to his drink.
It was going to be a long night.
Chicago, IL That same night
Parker came from the spare room where she had just finished packing all of the new things away. As she went past her room, she peeked in to check on Evan. He was sleeping soundly. The television was on in the living room. When she entered the room she saw Jarod was watching "Casablanca." Parker walked over to the sofa and sat down.
"Evan's out like a light. He likes you putting him to bed."
"I know. It's going to be hard when you're in Blue Cove, and I'm wherever." Jarod sighed wistfully. "Rick really loves her doesn't he?"
"In the movie? Absolutely. I always thought that. I also thought he was pathetic. Why give up the woman you love just because she's in love with someone else? At least don't give up without a fight." Parker replied.
Jarod turned to her. Before she could react he reached out and kissed her. The kiss lasted for a few minutes. Then Jarod broke it off.
"You kissed me!" Parker accused.
"You kissed me back." Jarod replied.
"Was that some sort of experiment? You wanted to see if I would respond to you? You want to go where you've never gone before?! Why did you do that?" Parker demanded.
"I wanted to know if kissing you would make me forget Zoë? I still have feelings for her that are unresolved. Evie, neither of us is ready for a relationship, not yet. I just needed to see what would happen, if I kissed you. No harm no foul." Jarod leaned back into the couch.
"Jarod, didn't Sydney teach you that to prove or disprove a hypothesis you have to run more then one test." Parker said as she leaned over and kissed Jarod.
At first the kiss was hesitant and then grew deeper. Jarod pulled Parker on to his lap facing him. She straddled him as the kissing went on. She pulled away from his lips and began to work at the sensitive part of his neck right below the earlobe. he also be began nuzzling her collarbone and dropping soft kisses along the way. This time when they pulled back they had to detangle their legs from each other and they were both flushed.
"I think that proves there is definitely something there. I agree we need a little more time before we jump into anything." Parker laughed at the raised eyebrow she got from Jarod. "I know, me of all people advertising self restraint. We can't just jump on this one Jarod. I don't want our son hurt if a relationship doesn't work out with us. Besides the parenting one." Parker said still breathing a bit heavy.
"I agree. I think we should both take a cold shower, and go to bed. We'll figure out the rest as we go. Tomorrow I have to let you know what to do with the samples." Jarod nodded as his own breathing calmed and his heartbeat went back to normal.
"Good Night Jarod."
"Good Night Evie."
Day 4 Chicago, IL Around 10 a.m.
Jarod woke up to the smells of breakfast being cooked. He got up and walked to the kitchen. There was Parker with an apron over her jeans cooking.
"Have I entered the Twilight Zone? You're cooking?"
"Daddy! Momma cookin'. She burnt toast and said a bad word." Evan crowed at the top of his lungs.
"Stool Pigeon!" Parker muttered.
"She did. What did she do with the toast?"
"She threw it away." Evan said waving a piece of non-burnt toast in front of his father.
"Do you want breakfast, Jarod? I have pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon." Parker said as she dished up her own plate of food.
"Sounds great."
She brought over the plates and they began eating.
"So when does his flight get in?" Parker asked in between mouthfuls of food.
"He'll be receiving my package in about an hour. After he leaves immediately, for Blue Cove care of a stopover here in Chicago. Lyle and Sydney will leave to investigate my whereabouts in San Francisco. He should be here around 2 p.m. He has a three-hour layover here. He then boards a plane to Blue Cove. He'll drive home sleep for a few hours. Then before anyone get in get Angelo's sample. he will also try and check the Body Fluid storage for any of your mother DNA. He then goes to the hospital Sydney had Jacob's DNA held and then he flies back to San Francisco care of another layover in Chicago. Where we then will have the last pieces of the puzzle. By then Ethan will be here and we can start working on putting the puzzle pieces together." Jarod explained as he cleaned his own plate.
"So we can stay here, while everything goes down. Why do I feel like we are stepping into some deep sh- you know what?"
"Because there is no going back after we get these answers." Jarod said reaching over and squeezing her hand.
"Should we get a safe house for Michelle, Nicholas and Debbie? Also when are you leaving to check out the safe deposit box?" Parker asked willing her ulcer to calm down.
"I'm going to check into a safe house. I don't think it should be in Chicago though. Not with Broots making two stops. Maybe Milwaukee, or Kenosha, maybe even that Zion. I'm going to leave as soon as I take a shower and shave. Are you going to be all right with Evan and going to meet Broots?
"Worrying about me already, Jarod? You know I can take care of myself and Evan." Parker said her teeth on edge.
"I'm not saying you can't! Evie, you're in a strange town, you aren't used to being alone with Evan, and on top of it all you have to covertly met Broots and get the DNA samples he'll have." Jarod explained a bit defensively.
"I'm Sorry Jarod. It just for too long, not being able to do something perfectly was the same as failing at it. I have to learn to think before I open my mouth." Parker apologized.
"It's OK. We're both having to do a lot of adjusting right now." Jarod stopped as some scrambled egg hit him in the face. He turned to Ethan who though he had just discovered something incredibly funny. "What was that for kiddo?"
"It swipped, Daddy. Mommy says 'we don't throw food.' I sowwy." Evan replied innocently. Jarod and Parker had to hold back the laughter as Evan did his best imitation of Parker and actually got it pretty close.
"That's right we don't throw food, at each other. Jarod, since it will be a while before Broots gets here what should we do today?" Parker asked smiling and making faces at Evan.
"I thought we could stick around here today. I'll leave in about an hour for Zion. By the time I've picked up my information, and gotten back to the city, you should have what I need. I'll get samples from you, Evan, and myself. I can then go into the lab and get started on the results. It should take about a week, once I get all of the DNA, to get the samples analyzed and cross referenced, so that everyone will know who is related to whom." Jarod said as he read the newspaper.
"Jarod, I feel like Pandora. I wonder if we aren't better off not knowing. There is some comfort in being ignorant of all the facts." Parker said worriedly. "I don't want you or I to be a grave Evan visits once a year. I want us to see him grow into a man, and start his own life. If you had, had a choice would you have named him Evan Thomas?" Parker asked hoping to lighten the dark mood that had seemed to come over both of them.
Jarod who was in the process of cleaning off Evan's face with a towel left on the table. "I don't know. Maybe we should go back to that Borders bookstore and get a baby name book and see what we would have come up with. You want to argue about what to name our son?" he replied half-jokingly. He put Evan down so he could run and play with his toys in the living room.
"I already looked it up. I found out that many consider Evan a form of John, which means God, is gracious. I kind of like the fact that he was named for the brother my mother thought was stillborn. Angelo and Timmy's actual name. Face it if Angelo's mind could be fixed he's probably going to want to go by Timmy or Tim. I'd like to spend the day with you and Evan." Parker confessed looking intently at her plate of food.
"Since you cooked breakfast. I'm still thinking about calling Guinness about that. I'll clean up. Why don't you go and get dressed. We can play with Evan for a bit before I have to go." Jarod cheerfully volunteered.
Miss Parker stood and was about to go down the hall, when she heard Jarod's videophone ring. She crossed the living room where Evan had all of his toys spread out. "Evan put some of this away, you aren't playing with half of it." She clicked on the icon and was almost as surprised to see the person who came up on the screen, as they were to see her.
"Well, Miss Parker I take it that if you're answering Jarod's videophone you have caught him and put him back in the Centre?" Major Charles relayed his intense dislike of the woman in front of him with just those few words.
"Actually Major Charles," Parker replied in her hardest Miss-Parker tone of voice. "Jarod is right behind me. We are spending a few days getting to know our son, your grandson, by the way. Jarod! It your father." She called out as she walked down the hall into her bedroom.
Parker sat on the bed, her hands shaking. 'Momma, I can't do this. His family hates me. The thing is I can't blame them for it. I spent 5 years chasing him down. I almost killed his father because I though he had killed you. Momma, I wish you were here. I can't undo what I've done in the past. Nor, will I keep apologizing for doing what I had to do to survive. I won't let them hurt Evan, I'll die before anyone hurts my son!' she vowed to herself.
Twenty minutes later there was a soft knock on the door. As it opened Jarod poked his head around. "Evie, my dad wants to talk to you again." He said looking at the hurt, his father had out in her eyes with his careless words. "I explained about what's been going on. I think he wants to apologize for judging you too quickly. Will you speak with him? Evan's out there right now talking to 'Gwampa'."
Parker looked at him with her clear blue eyes. "I suppose you want me to be the bigger person and go out there and say all is forgiven?" she asked a bit meaner then she intended.
"I know he hurt you by what he said, and by what he assumed. He's been hurt just as much, if not more than we were in all of this. Evie, please? Talk to him." Jarod asked flashing his puppy dog eye look at her.
"All right! I'll go talk to him. Happy now?" Parker asked sarcastically, as she stomped out of the bedroom and back down the hall. She stopped when she saw how happily Evan was talking to his grandfather. Explaining all about the fun he, Daddy, and Mommy had had at the aquarium.
"Evan, it's my turn to talk to your Grandfather. Daddy is in my room. Why don't you go and let Daddy get you cleaned up and changed. When you come back out we'll play some more. OK?" Parker asked her son in an even sort of tone.
"OK Mommy! Bye Gwampa. Loves you. I talkes to you soon." Evan waved as he got up off the chair and raced down the hall to where Jarod was waiting for him.
Parker sat down in the chair her son had recently vacated. She had her face composed into her I-am-Miss-Parker-don't-mess-with-me look. "Jarod said you wanted to speak with me." Parker waited to see what Major Charles would say.
"Miss Parker, I'm man enough to admit I misjudged the situation. I also admit that I jumped to conclusions concerning this whole situation. When I saw your face, my first thought was that you'd caught him. The next was that he was dead, and you were waiting for us to contact him to let us know. God forgive me, in that split second if I'd have to choose between those scenarios's I'd rather him be alive at the Centre then dead. I took my disgust at that reaction out on you. I'm sorry for that." Major Charles took a breath, and then continued. "You look so much like your mother. Jarod filled me in on what's been going on with you two and Evan. He is going to look more like you then Jarod. I'm also sorry about your father." He decided to see what she would say before going on.
"Major, I know why you dislike me. I'm not saying you don't have reason to believe I'd hurt Jarod. We're just trying to work everything out as best we can. I'm not asking you to forget about the past. Even I can't manage that. I'm just asking that you give me a chance to prove I'm not one of the bad guys in all of this. Can you do that?" Parker asked.
"Yes. I can give you that chance." Parker's cell phone interrupted him as it rang.
"Excuse me, Major. I have to get that." Parker walked over to where her phone was ringing. She snatched it up. "What!"
"Miss Parker, this is Sydney. I thought you should know Broots has the samples and is on his way to the airport k right know. Lyle and I'll be leaving in about an hour heading for San Francisco."
"Thanks Sydney. I'll talk to you soon." Parker disconnected the call and tossed her phone onto the couch. "Major we really have to get started on our day today. Did you want to speak to Jarod again?"
"No. I'll keep in touch Miss Parker." Major Charles said as his image faded from the screen. Parker got out of the videophone screen. She the rose and got up to tell Jarod what Sydney had said.
In an Airplane
Flying to Chicago
Broots didn't think he'd ever been so nervous in his entire life. 'When this is all over I'm taking Debbie and getting away from the Centre!' My body can't handle this pressure. He looked at the briefcase he held in his hands. Jarod had supplied him with the credentials of a medical doctor. Security looked at them and the briefcase which held the samples of blood that both Sydney and Lyle and given him.
'I'm gonna sleep for a week, when we get back from this trip.' Broots settled his head against the back of the seat and tried to close his eyes. He fell into an uneasy sleep as the plane took him swiftly to Chicago.
Several hours later O'Hare International Airport Chicago, IL
Miss Parker paced around the airport with Evan in his stroller. For thirty minutes Broots' plane had been delayed. So she was going up and down the length of the baggage claim corridor until he arrived. She'd already been doing this for almost an hour before the delay. Jarod had given her a briefcase to give to Broots. It was identical to the one she knew he would have with him.
"Mommy! Getting dizzy! I hungry!" Evan voiced his own complaint at going back and forth at the airport.
"Sorry, baby." Parker leaned down and kissed Evan head. As she stood she rummaged in the diaper bag for a snack for Evan. She thanked foresight for the idea to pack some just in case. She came up with a plastic container of cheese and crackers. Parker handed them to Evan along with a sippy cup of juice. "Here you go sweetie." Evan grabbed at the food. She held it out of his reach. "What do you say?" she asked.
"Sank you Mommy." Evan said politely.
"Your welcome, baby." Parker smoothed her fingertips through his hair and dropped another kiss on top of his head.
"M-M-Miss Parker?" Broots stuttered a bit, shocked at the way she looked at the boy. The last time he had seen that look on her face, Thomas was still alive.
"Hello Broots. How was the flight?" Parker asked as she rose and smiled at him. "What?" she asked as she saw him shake his head.
"I don't want to bring up bad memories Miss Parker. But, I haven't seen you this happy since Thomas. Debbie was right about you. You make an incredible mother." Broots said smiling at her. "However, not one I'd ever want to cross or run into in a dark alley." he grinned when he saw her smile again.
"We can get into that in a few minutes. When does your next flight leave is it sooner because of the delay?"
"I checked. My flight won't leave until 7p.m. now. So what do we do know?" he asked unsure of what the answer would be.
"We take the train into Chicago and we get something to eat. Let me call Jarod and see if he's heading back yet." Parker took her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Jarod's number. "Jarod? Broots' plane has been delayed until 7. Where do you want to meet? Are you sure? Ok, See you then. What? Hold on I'll ask. Do you want anything in particular for an early dinner Broots?" she asked holding the phone to her shoulder.
"If I said I'd love some Chicago style Pizza would I get into trouble?" Broots asked hesitantly, fascinated by her one-way conversation with Jarod that we was hearing. 'Boy, would Sydney love to see this.' he thought.
"Jarod? Broots has a craving for Pizza. Ok I'll see you soon." Parker ended the call with Jarod, before continuing, "We also have some salad stuff at the house, Evan is going to recognize and eat vegetables in this lifetime, Jarod's meeting us there. Let's go." she commanded with her usual proficiency. She walked down the corridor of the airport to grab the train.
"Miss Parker you never change." Broots said as he followed her.
"Actually, I have. While you're here call me Eve or Evie, as Jarod does. I don't want my son calling me Miss Parker." Parker said as they walked, giving Broots permission to call her the name that very few people knew she possessed.
"OK." Broots agreed slowly, "You have to call me by my first name then."
"All right. Do you prefer James, Jim or Jimmy or maybe I should use the first name that you think no one knows about?" Parker smiled as she saw his expression change from smiling to total shock. "What you don't think I know the names of the people I trust?"
"I only told Sydney about my name being James last night. You knew all this time? You know my REAL first name. I only put my initial on my application for the Centre. How did you find out?" Broots shook his head, at the very idea of Miss Parker knowing his name.
"We all have our sources. Yours is a tongue less mute. Mine is your daughter. She told me one time when I told her my name. I believe she said something along the lines of, I've got nothing to complain about as I at least didn't have your given name" Parker teased as she saw his face grow pale.
"You can't know! You love to make fun of people's name and anything else for that matter. If you'd known you would have teased me relentlessly." Broots was horrified that she might actually know it.
"Broots, I don't use my name. Besides I always had plenty to tease you about with out ever needing to resort to your given name. Dorian! BROOTS! You pass out on me I'm leaving you where you fall." Parker threatened as Broots went dead white and swayed.
"Miss Parker! Not so Loud! Do you have any idea what that name put me through as a kid? My parents thought it would be great to name me after some obscure relative. I've used James ever since I was in middle school. So please don't use that name." Broots begged.
"I won't, Jim it is then. I wonder how Lyle and Sydney are doing in San Francisco?"
"Hopefully better then me." Broots said as they stepped into the building to catch the train.
San Francisco, CA Around the same time
Lyle and Sydney got off the Centre's jet and got into the waiting car. They told the driver to take them to the hotel they were staying at the Astoria Hotel in downtown San Francisco. As the car pulled in to traffic Lyle signaled to Sydney not to talk about anything as the car was bugged. Sydney raised his eyebrows and nodded his under standing. Sydney's cell phone began to ring breaking through the silence.
"This is Sydney," he answered. Sydney smiled, "Hello, Nicholas How are you?"
It was so quiet in the car Lyle could hear Nicholas through the phone.
"I'm good Dad. I called to see if you could come up to Albany in a week or two."
"That might be plausible. You and your mother are all right aren't you?"
"Yes we are both fine. I want you to meet someone I've been dating. It's getting pretty serious. You've had to miss so much of my life. I thought you might like to meet the woman who, if she says yes, would be your daughter-in-law." Nicholas held for his father's reaction.
"Daughter-in-law? You found someone who makes you that happy? Nicholas I'm so pleased. Yes, Of course I'll come. You tell me when, I'll be there work or no work. Nicholas, I can't tell you what this means to me, that you want me to meet her. The woman, you plan to spend the rest of your life with. What is her name?" Sydney asked emotion choking him.
"Ally, It's short for Alessandra. She is a drama professor here at the college where I teach. Don't start on the names. Mom already thought it was quite funny that we have names of the last Romanov czars." Nicholas said with a slight groan. "I know you're busy I just wanted to make sure this was ok with you. I'll call you in the next day or two with a firm date."
"I'll be waiting for you call, Nicholas. Thank you for including me in this."
"I'll talk to you soon. Dad. Bye."
Sydney pressed the button to end the call. His son was getting married. 'Thank you Jarod,' he thought, 'for finding him, and for rescuing him. I owe you more then you know.'
"Nicholas is getting married?" Lyle asked.
"He hasn't actually proposed yet. He wants me to meet her. I'm surprised. I thought he would have done it as a fait acompli. Not introduce me before." Sydney said calmly.
"I'm glad you have your son. Everyone should have family." Lyle said a bit brusquely. He would have said more, but they pulled into the hotel. Lyle got out of the car to check-in. He left Sydney behind to follow him.
Chicago, IL Jarod's Condo A little later in the day
"So Broots what do you think of the pizza?" Jarod asked as he polished off his third slice.
Broots just rolled his eyes heavenward and grunted as he finished his own third slice of heaven.
"You two have never heard of chewing your food?" Parker asked testily. "You two have as much food on you as Evan and he has an excuse he is two years old. What pray tell is your excuse?"
"I haven't eaten all day Miss- Eve, I'm starving." Broots answered as he came up for air, before digging into his fourth slice.
Parker raised her eyebrow at Jarod, who shrugged. "I always eat like this Evie. You know Broots, we should probably be leaving soon if we want you to make your flight."
Broots glanced at his watch it was just after 4 o'clock. "Yeah, you're right we'd better get going. Eve it was good to see you. I'll see you tomorrow around the same time?"
"Call us after your flight leaves Maryland. So, we'll know when to expect you. Take care of yourself. When you talk to Debbie, tell her I said Hi, and that I got her some great new clothes. In fact you can take the suitcase I have of her stuff home with you. Bring it back tomorrow and I can fill it up again before I leave. Ok with you?" Parker suggested.
"Eve, you didn't get her a lot of leather again did you? I like that she admires you. I'd just like my daughter to have her skirts a little longer then you wear them, and in not so many dry-clean-only fabrics." Broots said carefully, you still had to be careful not to tick Miss Parker off.
"I only got her four things in leather; a jacket, a pair of pants, a long skirt, and a pair of boots. They are great for traveling, as they don't wrinkle. I was good this time." Parker said quite pleased with herself. "Jarod get the red suitcase from my bedroom for him. I'll clean up Evan. I'll see you tomorrow Broots. Don't forget to check in with Lyle and Sydney when you get into Blue Cove. You normally would do so. Take care." Parker said as she stood and walked over to where Evan sat in his high chair, his mouth still full of pizza. "Finish that bite so we can get you cleaned up. If you hurry I'll put in the video of Tarzan that you like so much."
"Oh-tay Mommy." Evan replied with a mouth full of food.
Jarod got up washed his hands and then went to the bedroom to get the suitcase. He brought it out with him. "Ready Broots?"
"As ready as I'm gonna get." Broots walked to the door, opening it lugged the suitcase behind him.
"I'll be back soon. You want me to pick up some dessert? Maybe some Eli's Cheesecake?" Jarod asked hopefully.
"All right if you want to." Parker said as she picked up Evan, and carried him down the hall.
Jarod watched them as they went, then he shut the door and followed Broots downstairs.
San Francisco, CA
Astoria Hotel
Later that evening
Sydney watched as Lyle picked at his fillet mignon steak. "Not hungry Lyle?
"What? Oh-Yeah, I am. I just can't seem to concentrate. I think I'm going to make a very early night of it. I go watch some TV and then go to bed. I'm afraid I didn't sleep much last night." Lyle stood and reached for his wallet.
"Don't worry about it Lyle. This is my treat." Sydney said waving his hand at Lyle.
"Thanks Sydney." Sydney's phone rang. "I'll let you get that. Well start on Jarod's "trail" first thing in the morning. Good-night." Lyle turned and walked out of the restaurant.
"This is Sydney." he said as he tossed money on the table and walked out of the restaurant.
"I thought you'd like to know Broots is on his way to Blue Cove as we speak." Jarod said.
"Jarod! It's good to hear your voice. I was thinking about you today. I spoke with Nicholas earlier, he's met someone. He's going to ask her to marry him. I was thinking I wouldn't be a part of his life at all, if it weren't for you finding him and saving him that time in Appalachia. How are you and Eve doing? Are you getting along or are we going to have to hire someone to find the missing body parts later?" Sydney asked hopefully, as he crossed the street into a park that overlooked the bay. He sat down at a bench.
"We're getting through it day by day. I don't know how she'll react once the tests come back. Evan is incredible. We took him to the Aquarium the other day and he loved it. Sydney, I've never been so terrified in my life. What if I do something wrong and hurt him? What if he's hurt by the Centre to get to me? See I'm still asking for your guidance." Jarod confessed.
"Jarod, as long as you and Even put Evan first, and not spoil him rotten, you and he will be fine. I know I thanked you for finding my son. I wanted you to know that I've lied to you. Every time you asked me if I felt anything for you, and I said 'No,' I've lied. Nicholas maybe my biological son, but his is more George and Michelle's son. You are the son I raised. The one I taught to tie a tie. I gave you all that I would have given to Nicholas, if I'd known about him. I know I told you I wasn't able to care for you. The truth is Jarod, I couldn't help but care about you. I knew if I confessed to it, or showed it, you'd be taken away and probably given to Raines. I couldn't allow that. You may not be my biological son, but you are the son I was allowed to raise. I'm very proud of who you've turned out to be. I know I'm saying this too late. I just wanted to finally say it." Sydney stopped as he allowed Jarod to absorb the words, he knew Jarod had been waiting for all of his life.
"Thank you Sydney. I love my dad very much and one day I'll meet my mom. You've always been the one I seek my approval from. I'm happy that you consider me part of your family. Know that you've always been part of mine." Jarod said, unheeding of the few tears that ran down his face after hearing Sydney's confession. "I'll call you again when Broots has dropped off the second set of samples. I'll call you again when I get the results. Oh, Just to give you and Lyle a clue where to start searching for the next piece of my puzzle. Look into the cable car company. Broots will call you once he arrives in Blue Cove. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye Sydney and Thank you." Jarod said as he ended the call.
Sydney stayed on the bench for almost three hours just watching life and the day go by. When this was over he planned to go back to France and maybe start putting a few of his own demons to rest. He could invite Michelle to join him. He could enjoy the time he had left, perhaps playing with his grandchildren, maybe finally asking Michelle to marry him. Finally be happy. He walked back to that hotel. The concierge had a message for him. Broots was safely in Blue Cove. He'd see them tomorrow as soon as he checked on Debbie to make sure she was all right. Sydney smiled, as he crossed the foyer of the hotel, at least Broots remembered his cover story. He took the elevator to his floor and decided he would retire for the evening early as well.
Day 5 Chicago, IL
Around 12 o'clock
Miss Parker heard the knock on the door just as she was putting Evan down for his nap. She quickly left the bedroom and closed the door to where Evan was sleeping. The knock sounded again. She ran down the hall so she could answer it before it woke up Evan. She peeped through the peep-hole in the door. When she saw who it was, she quickly unlocked the door. After she opened the door she enveloped the person in fierce hug. "If you ever leave again, you are to contact me so that I know you are safe." she scolded.
"Is this the end of my lecture?" Ethan asked smiling at her.
Parker inspected him closely. He still seemed a bit twitchy, but his eyes had lost that haunted look. "Jarod is going to be so mad that he missed you. He ran out to get started on the genetic tests we're having run. I just put Evan down for his nap. Come in! Where are my manners? Would you like something to eat, or drink?" She asked as she led him into the condo. "You can put your stuff in the last room down the hall on the right."
"Ok I'll be right back. A soda if you have it sounds real good." Ethan went down the hall to put his stuff away. When he came back the soda was on the kitchen table waiting for him. He downed it in a couple of swallows. "Thanks that was good. Mind if I see what you got in the fridge?"
"No. Help yourself." Parker smiled to herself as she went digging. Ethan was a lot like Jarod in that respect. "Jarod should be back in an hour or so. You look tired. Why don't you take your snack," she paused as she saw the huge sandwich Ethan had made himself. "Why don't you take your 'snack' to your room and maybe rest for an hour or two. We won't be going anywhere until Evan wakes up from his nap. That will be at least two hours."
"You're sure you don't mind. We haven't caught up." Ethan said.
"We can catch up tonight over dinner. You need some rest. I can keep myself occupied for an hour or two. Go!" Parker demanded as she pointed him toward his room.
"Ok Mom." Ethan teased.
Miss Parker sat on the sofa and grabbed the remote, "Let's see what's on TV." as she began flicking through the stations.
When Jarod arrived almost three hours later, he found the condo strangely quiet except for the television. He saw Parker on the sofa her eyes closed, and covered with a blanket. He walked down the hall the room Parker shard with Evan and found his son asleep as well. When he closed the door he heard something from the last room. He peeked in, his eyes widened in shock as to who was sleeping on the bed. Ethan. He was about to leave when he heard Ethan stir.
"What no 'hello' big brother?" Ethan asked as he stood and rubbed his eyes. Then he stretched as starting walking toward Jarod to embrace him.
"Hello Ethan. You look good."
"Actually I could really use a shower so I can get cleaned up."
"Why don't you take what you need and use the shower off my bedroom. Evie, and Evan use the one down the hall. They'll both be waking up soon. What do you want for dinner? We can order in, go out or I have some really good steaks we could grill them up with some baked potato and some green beans."
"Steaks sound good to me. Let me go get cleaned up."
"Come into the living room when you're done. We'll be waiting."
Jarod back to the living room where he found Parker sitting up and stretching as well. "Have a good nap, honey?" he teased.
"Funny Jarod, Sleep is coming easier here, now that I've been able to relax. Are Ethan or Evan awake yet?" Parker asked as she yawned and craned her neck side to side to get the kinks out.
"Ethan is he's taking a shower using my bathroom. Have you heard from Broots yet?"
"No, but since I fell asleep, I should probably check my messages." She walked over to the counter where she had left her phone that morning. Picking it up she punched in her code to get her messages. "He called about 15 minutes ago. He was just leaving the hospital where Jacob had been. His flight is due to leave in two hours. He has all of the samples we need. By my calculations, he should be here in about 4-5 hours. What are you making for dinner?"
"I thought I'd make some steaks and baked potatoes with green beans. Let's get started that way we can eat as soon as its done. You want to go get Evan up?"
"Sure be back in a bit."
O'Hare International Airport Chicago, IL 4-5 hours later
"Where is Broots?" Parker demanded.
"Evie relax, his plane only landed two minutes ago. Give him some time to get down here." Jarod laughed as she gave him one of her patented Miss- Parker-glares.
"Fine I'll give him 25 minutes. I want this over with. When does his flight to San Francisco leave?"
"In about 90 minutes. I didn't want him to have such a long layover in the same town as before."
"There he is. Give me the briefcase Jarod. I'll need to exchange it with him." Parker took off to meet Broots halfway. They quickly exchanged briefcases. Broots also handed Parker his luggage claim ticket for the suitcase that would be coming down shortly. Broots nodded before heading off in the opposite direction, as now he had to run to catch his next flight.
Parker walked back to Jarod, "Well we have the next set of pieces to the puzzle, all that's left is to get Ethan's."
Jarod pulled her close into an embrace. "In a week we'll know Evie. In a week to 10 days we will know. No more secrets."
"Jarod , lets go home to our son. I really need to hold him right now." Parker said into his shoulder as she returned the embrace briefly.
They walked out of the airport to the car. They got in and fastened their seatbelts. Parker used her fingers to shape the briefcase. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about what she held. She felt her hand being squeezed. She opened her eyes to see Jarod's hand in hers.
"Evie, I promise you, no matter what these tests reveal. We are still a family for Evan and we will work it out. About us, about everyone, you just have to trust me." Jarod said giving her hand another squeeze.
"What are we doing when we get back home- to your place?"
"I thought we could chill out. Have some dessert. Watch a few movies. I'll take the samples from Ethan, Evan, you and myself tonight. Tomorrow I'll go to the lab and get the test started. When I get back, we can look at what was in our various boxes and paperwork with Ethan. We'll then see what we can get figured out before the test results come back. We just have to take it a day at a time."
"I can do that. I don't like it. I wasn't raised to be patient. It'd be nice to know who really is on my family tree." Parker settled back into the seat. "Let's take Evan to the zoo the day after tomorrow. He won't like being in the house all day tomorrow."
"Ok, Evie. Do you want to call Sydney tonight?" Jarod asked.
"I'd rather wait until we at least get the tests started. When we get a few more answers, we'll let them know. Besides I wouldn't want to deprive them of the joy of chasing after your many clues. It would be rude." Parker said innocently.
"Well, we wouldn't want you to be rude, would we?" Jarod said as he pulled into the parking lot attatched to his building.
TBC
