For Disclaimer, see the Prologue
Chapter Five
Two Days Later
6:38 p.m.
Jarod and Parker, hand in hand, walked up the large stone steps of the Centre. They entered the building with total confidence and without hesitation. The lobby was almost empty, but those in the room felt the power that they held and nobody, security included, moved to stop them.
They got into an elevator and hit the button for the floor where they knew Raines was. They didn't speak and didn't need to. The pair was focused on their mission. The doors opened and they stepped out.
The hallway was empty and there was no sound as they walked. The duo soon stood before Raines's office door. Parker looked up at Jarod.
I love you. She whispered
I love you, too. Now, let's do this.
Parker pushed open the doors and went inside, quickly followed by Jarod. Raines was sitting at his desk, with Willie standing beside him. The old man smiled his twisted, evil smile.
"You finally brought him in." said Raines with a wheeze.
"No." Parker replied.
The old man frowned and stood. "You're fools."
"No. We're taking over." Jarod said, raising his hand.
This with a burst of telekinetic power flung Raines into the back wall and held him there. Willie drew his gun, but like Raines, was flung into the wall, this time by Parker, who knocked him unconscious. Then she advanced on Raines, Jarod at her side.
"Devils." He hissed at them.
"No. You're the devil and should be sent back to hell." Said Parker.
"You won't get away with this." Raines vowed.
"Oh, we will. No one can stop us. We are immortal." Jarod said coldly.
"You don't have the hearts to kill me." Wheezed the old man.
"We don't need hearts." Answered Jarod.
"You didn't have one when you gunned down my MOTHER!" Parker exclaimed.
"Why kill me? The Triumvirate commands what we do."
"You deserve death. This is justice. The law serves as justice." Said Jarod.
"You aren't the law!"
"We have our own laws, just like the Centre." Parker spat.
"The Triumvirate will get you."
"Not if they're smart." Jarod said.
"Or dead." Added Parker.
Let's do this. She told Jarod.
The Pretender moved Raines toward the fifth floor window. The old man hovered just at the window pane. He glared at them.
"See you in hell." He growled.
"Never gonna happen." Parker told him.
With that, the woman combined her powers with Jarod's and pushed Raines out the window. Parker went over to her lover.
"Is it over?" she asked, "Just like that."
"No." he sighed, "There's still Lyle…and Willie."
"What?!" cried Parker, looking to where the Sweeper had fallen.
He wasn't there.
"Well that just fries my bacon!" She declared.
Jarod's brows furrowed. "What?"
"It's an expression…I'm pissed."
"Oh."
They walked to the window and looked down at the ground. Raines's broken body lay motionless on the ground.
"What are we going to do with the body?" asked Parker.
"Burn it." Jarod answered.
Parker scrunched her nose at the mental image of the burning body. Jarod leaned down and kissed her ear.
"I'll take care of this." He whispered.
She shook her head. "No. I'll do it. I need to do it."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes." She kissed his cheek, "I'll be fine."
And with that, she jumped out the window and landed on her feet beside the body. She closed her eyes and pictured the body on fire. Instantly, a great blaze began and Parker watched Raines burn. Justice was served. This is for you, mama. She thought.
Inside the office, Jarod was heading out the door when he felt her presence before she touched his arm.
"It's done." She told him.
They then left the office, a sense of peace settling over them.