Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this little tale. This is gonna be the last chapter I think, not bad considering there was only supposed to be one!
Chapter Five: It's Too Late For Comebacks
The phones constant shrill rattles through my entire body and jolts me from my thoughts. I can already guess who will be on the other end of the line but this time it's not my call to take. I re-adjust my stance, and also my aim, and smile sweetly at my 'prisoner'. I can see the veins in his neck bulge and I start to enjoy myself just a little.
It's disconcerting to be here, back at The Centre. I had never envisaged myself returning to Hell so soon, if at all. I didn't think I could, not after I finally opened my eyes and woke up from the nightmare that was passing itself off as my life. I wasn't living at that point, I was barely even existing. But this isn't a decision I arrived at lightly, coming back here, but there is something very important at stake - me. After I walked out of The Centre I discovered who I could be under different circumstances, who I really am. And I realised who I wanted to be with.
Leaving with Jarod was the best decision I've made in a long time. The first week of my freedom he gave me all the space I needed to come to terms with what I had done without ever letting me feel I was alone. We spent time a lot of time together, Jarod rarely took part in any pretends, and began to rebuild what was left of the friendship we had begun as children, and I neglected as an adult. And as we cemented that friendship it became increasingly difficult to ignore the attraction that had lain between us for so long... So we didn't.
That's why I am here now, why both Jarod and I are taking this step. What I have with Jarod is worth holding onto for as long as I can, and it is my intention to never let go. Sure, we could go to ground and keep on the move hoping The Centre never catches up with us. But we've both lived under the shadow of The Centre long enough and I can't, won't, live like that any more. Having to keep up a guard that I've finally learnt to drop, wondering if the next day will be the last we spend together, and have to face the very real possibility of losing Jarod.
I motion for Raines to answer the phone. If everything has gone to plan it will be Lyle on the other end of that line. It took some persuasion to convince Jarod to bring The Centre down. I've often wondered why he never took such steps when I was chasing him all those years. When I asked him why he wouldn't give me a direct answer but instead took my hand in his and held it to his heart. He cares too much about the people still inside The Centre. And that's why we are doing it this way.
As Raines takes the call I can see his anger rising further, if that's at all possible. I would have loved to have seen my demonic twins face when he realised he had been set up. I met the undercover cop whom Jarod was working with and she was perfect. Setting Lyle up was Jarod's idea, he didn't want any possibility of Lyle escaping punishment and hopefully this way he might even get the chair. I had other business to attend to so I will have to wait to hear Jarod's account of how he took the news.
Raines slams down the phone after venting his spleen at Lyle for about five minutes. I note that he never offered to help Lyle in any way - things just might go our way after all. "And how is my brother?" I ask sweetly. I watch as Raines' only response is to squirm in his seat - he's probably trying to work out some way he can save his sorry corpse from this whole mess. I know he took a call from the triumverate yesterday, I heard the recording. Someone up there likes me, the triumverate have washed their hands of The Centre, and of Raines too. That was an unexpected bonus though we were prepared to take them on too should it come to it. And now Raines is alone.
A few weeks ago I had Broots tap Raines' phone and several others. Broots squirmed as much as Raines is now when I turned up at his house last month. And when I asked him if he would help me and Jarod take on The Centre he squirmed even more. But I obviously never gave him enough credit when we worked together because after a minute or so he got his act together and has been a vital player in this plan. Getting Syd to assist was less bother than I suspected too - though I had to endure a long discussion with him about my time on 'the run'.
Setting up The Centre was my idea. Hanging around The Centre as a child, working in corporate, and snooping around these past few years have had some use. I know how The Centre works and I know where there are potential weaknesses. With the help of Sydney, Broots and Angelo, Jarod and I have exploited them. One by one major backers of The Centre are pulling out and taking their investments with them. This might not have been a problem ten years ago but since Jarod escaped Centre funds have been dwindling, hence the major effort to retrieve him. I have been busy this week visiting these backers and laying down a lie with them all, and some were more gullible than others. The ones who were blackmailed into co-operating with The Centre had their files returned to destroy and they were quite happy to 'pretend' the whole sorry affair never happened. Those involved with The Centre willingly were informed that the authorities were investigating The Centre's business dealings - the rats soon deserted the sinking ship when I offered to destroy any evidence linking themselves to The Centre on the condition that they kept their hands clean in the future.
Raines regains my attention, "You're not going to pull the trigger. You're too much like Catherine, I've always thought that."
I desperately want to pull the trigger, blow his brains out. But I'd be no better than he is, I'd be just like him and that's the last thing I ever want to be. And it's not part of the plan, it's too easy of a way out for him. He deserves to suffer for what he has done. When Syd was digging in the files for the blackmail material he came across some other files that made for interesting reading. And I'm sure the feds would like to see them too. I take out a photocopy of one of the more revealing files and throw it onto his desk. "I am stronger than my mom and I will succeed where she couldn't."
I watch as Raines' anger turns to disbelief as he unfolds the page and glances over it. "You are very thorough Miss Parker, it's a shame you never showed this kind of loyalty to The Centre. Maybe we could have had Jarod returned by now."
"He's probably already here. We have a lot of people to evacuate before this place blows." I smirk once more at his reaction. I wonder if he thinks I'm going to leave him here? As soon as I got into The Centre this morning, the back way of course, Sydney and Broots began evacuating the skeleton staff from the building - they were told it was a bomb scare and that they could go home as it would take many hours to search the building thoroughly. I had also spoken to Sam when I'd seen Broots and Syd. If he was surprised to see me then he didn't show it. He didn't draw his weapon either, which I took as vindication of my belief that he would help. Sam was responsible for taking care of Willie and any other Centre sweepers and I left it to his discretion whattheir fates would be. He convinced me that there were three or four he could count on - highly irregular for The Centre where trust is a rare commodity - but he was as sure of this as I was of him and they would help with the evacuation of The Centres 'guests'. Sydney had arranged for a local psychiatric hospital to take those who needed strict supervision and Jarod had arranged for the other more able ones to stay at a hotel thirty miles away. I had heard noises that confirmed this scene had begun to play out as I made my way here earlier. Angelo had volunteered to set the explosives, was quite explicit about doing it himself. I've never heard him string so many words together before.
"Then let's go." Raines mutters, too confidently for my liking. Can I constitute leaving him handcuffed somewhere inside the building as an accident? It would be more satisfying to know he really was going down with The Centre - anyway doesn't the captain go down with his ship? Once more a ringing phone cuts through my thoughts, though this time it's my own. As I answer it I lower my aim slightly. It's Jarod he's just arriving at The Centre. As I speak to Jarod I walk towards the door out of the office, Raines is inside - he's not going anywhere.
And then all Hell breaks loose. As I get out into the corridor I hear a gunshot and then comes the explosion. As I hit the ground I surmise that Raines has blown one of his oxygen tanks and a similar incident a few years ago crosses my mind. I don't lose consciousness as I manage to control my fall to the ground. Jarod is shouting my name down the line and it only occurs to me to answer him after a minute or so and ease his concern. I get up and edge along the corridor as Jarod comes running towards me.
"What happened, are you okay?" He puts his arm around my shoulder to steady me.
"Raines must have blew his tank." I look back to the flames that are spilling out of his office, this could be a disaster. "Jarod we have to..."
"I know. Everyone else is out and at their relevant locations. Angelo is outside waiting for us, everything is set."
I take one last look around the cold walls of the building that has had so much influence on both of our lives as we hurry outside. There are no pangs of regret, no last minute changes of heart. I glance at the man at my side, who grins widely back at me, and know that I have made the right choice. We catch up with Angelo who is at a safe distance, a huge grin on his face. I can't resist giving him a hug which he reciprocates.
"Safe" he murmers and I agree with him, reiterating his word and his grin. He lets go of me and produces the detonator, offering it to both myself and Jarod. It's Jarod who suggests that we all press the button together and I can't help but agree. Angelo nods his consent, all three of us silently acknowledging the symbolism playing out - we really are gaining our freedom. Jarod puts his hand on top of Angelo's and I place mine on his and together we say goodbye to The Centre.
Chapter Five: It's Too Late For Comebacks
The phones constant shrill rattles through my entire body and jolts me from my thoughts. I can already guess who will be on the other end of the line but this time it's not my call to take. I re-adjust my stance, and also my aim, and smile sweetly at my 'prisoner'. I can see the veins in his neck bulge and I start to enjoy myself just a little.
It's disconcerting to be here, back at The Centre. I had never envisaged myself returning to Hell so soon, if at all. I didn't think I could, not after I finally opened my eyes and woke up from the nightmare that was passing itself off as my life. I wasn't living at that point, I was barely even existing. But this isn't a decision I arrived at lightly, coming back here, but there is something very important at stake - me. After I walked out of The Centre I discovered who I could be under different circumstances, who I really am. And I realised who I wanted to be with.
Leaving with Jarod was the best decision I've made in a long time. The first week of my freedom he gave me all the space I needed to come to terms with what I had done without ever letting me feel I was alone. We spent time a lot of time together, Jarod rarely took part in any pretends, and began to rebuild what was left of the friendship we had begun as children, and I neglected as an adult. And as we cemented that friendship it became increasingly difficult to ignore the attraction that had lain between us for so long... So we didn't.
That's why I am here now, why both Jarod and I are taking this step. What I have with Jarod is worth holding onto for as long as I can, and it is my intention to never let go. Sure, we could go to ground and keep on the move hoping The Centre never catches up with us. But we've both lived under the shadow of The Centre long enough and I can't, won't, live like that any more. Having to keep up a guard that I've finally learnt to drop, wondering if the next day will be the last we spend together, and have to face the very real possibility of losing Jarod.
I motion for Raines to answer the phone. If everything has gone to plan it will be Lyle on the other end of that line. It took some persuasion to convince Jarod to bring The Centre down. I've often wondered why he never took such steps when I was chasing him all those years. When I asked him why he wouldn't give me a direct answer but instead took my hand in his and held it to his heart. He cares too much about the people still inside The Centre. And that's why we are doing it this way.
As Raines takes the call I can see his anger rising further, if that's at all possible. I would have loved to have seen my demonic twins face when he realised he had been set up. I met the undercover cop whom Jarod was working with and she was perfect. Setting Lyle up was Jarod's idea, he didn't want any possibility of Lyle escaping punishment and hopefully this way he might even get the chair. I had other business to attend to so I will have to wait to hear Jarod's account of how he took the news.
Raines slams down the phone after venting his spleen at Lyle for about five minutes. I note that he never offered to help Lyle in any way - things just might go our way after all. "And how is my brother?" I ask sweetly. I watch as Raines' only response is to squirm in his seat - he's probably trying to work out some way he can save his sorry corpse from this whole mess. I know he took a call from the triumverate yesterday, I heard the recording. Someone up there likes me, the triumverate have washed their hands of The Centre, and of Raines too. That was an unexpected bonus though we were prepared to take them on too should it come to it. And now Raines is alone.
A few weeks ago I had Broots tap Raines' phone and several others. Broots squirmed as much as Raines is now when I turned up at his house last month. And when I asked him if he would help me and Jarod take on The Centre he squirmed even more. But I obviously never gave him enough credit when we worked together because after a minute or so he got his act together and has been a vital player in this plan. Getting Syd to assist was less bother than I suspected too - though I had to endure a long discussion with him about my time on 'the run'.
Setting up The Centre was my idea. Hanging around The Centre as a child, working in corporate, and snooping around these past few years have had some use. I know how The Centre works and I know where there are potential weaknesses. With the help of Sydney, Broots and Angelo, Jarod and I have exploited them. One by one major backers of The Centre are pulling out and taking their investments with them. This might not have been a problem ten years ago but since Jarod escaped Centre funds have been dwindling, hence the major effort to retrieve him. I have been busy this week visiting these backers and laying down a lie with them all, and some were more gullible than others. The ones who were blackmailed into co-operating with The Centre had their files returned to destroy and they were quite happy to 'pretend' the whole sorry affair never happened. Those involved with The Centre willingly were informed that the authorities were investigating The Centre's business dealings - the rats soon deserted the sinking ship when I offered to destroy any evidence linking themselves to The Centre on the condition that they kept their hands clean in the future.
Raines regains my attention, "You're not going to pull the trigger. You're too much like Catherine, I've always thought that."
I desperately want to pull the trigger, blow his brains out. But I'd be no better than he is, I'd be just like him and that's the last thing I ever want to be. And it's not part of the plan, it's too easy of a way out for him. He deserves to suffer for what he has done. When Syd was digging in the files for the blackmail material he came across some other files that made for interesting reading. And I'm sure the feds would like to see them too. I take out a photocopy of one of the more revealing files and throw it onto his desk. "I am stronger than my mom and I will succeed where she couldn't."
I watch as Raines' anger turns to disbelief as he unfolds the page and glances over it. "You are very thorough Miss Parker, it's a shame you never showed this kind of loyalty to The Centre. Maybe we could have had Jarod returned by now."
"He's probably already here. We have a lot of people to evacuate before this place blows." I smirk once more at his reaction. I wonder if he thinks I'm going to leave him here? As soon as I got into The Centre this morning, the back way of course, Sydney and Broots began evacuating the skeleton staff from the building - they were told it was a bomb scare and that they could go home as it would take many hours to search the building thoroughly. I had also spoken to Sam when I'd seen Broots and Syd. If he was surprised to see me then he didn't show it. He didn't draw his weapon either, which I took as vindication of my belief that he would help. Sam was responsible for taking care of Willie and any other Centre sweepers and I left it to his discretion whattheir fates would be. He convinced me that there were three or four he could count on - highly irregular for The Centre where trust is a rare commodity - but he was as sure of this as I was of him and they would help with the evacuation of The Centres 'guests'. Sydney had arranged for a local psychiatric hospital to take those who needed strict supervision and Jarod had arranged for the other more able ones to stay at a hotel thirty miles away. I had heard noises that confirmed this scene had begun to play out as I made my way here earlier. Angelo had volunteered to set the explosives, was quite explicit about doing it himself. I've never heard him string so many words together before.
"Then let's go." Raines mutters, too confidently for my liking. Can I constitute leaving him handcuffed somewhere inside the building as an accident? It would be more satisfying to know he really was going down with The Centre - anyway doesn't the captain go down with his ship? Once more a ringing phone cuts through my thoughts, though this time it's my own. As I answer it I lower my aim slightly. It's Jarod he's just arriving at The Centre. As I speak to Jarod I walk towards the door out of the office, Raines is inside - he's not going anywhere.
And then all Hell breaks loose. As I get out into the corridor I hear a gunshot and then comes the explosion. As I hit the ground I surmise that Raines has blown one of his oxygen tanks and a similar incident a few years ago crosses my mind. I don't lose consciousness as I manage to control my fall to the ground. Jarod is shouting my name down the line and it only occurs to me to answer him after a minute or so and ease his concern. I get up and edge along the corridor as Jarod comes running towards me.
"What happened, are you okay?" He puts his arm around my shoulder to steady me.
"Raines must have blew his tank." I look back to the flames that are spilling out of his office, this could be a disaster. "Jarod we have to..."
"I know. Everyone else is out and at their relevant locations. Angelo is outside waiting for us, everything is set."
I take one last look around the cold walls of the building that has had so much influence on both of our lives as we hurry outside. There are no pangs of regret, no last minute changes of heart. I glance at the man at my side, who grins widely back at me, and know that I have made the right choice. We catch up with Angelo who is at a safe distance, a huge grin on his face. I can't resist giving him a hug which he reciprocates.
"Safe" he murmers and I agree with him, reiterating his word and his grin. He lets go of me and produces the detonator, offering it to both myself and Jarod. It's Jarod who suggests that we all press the button together and I can't help but agree. Angelo nods his consent, all three of us silently acknowledging the symbolism playing out - we really are gaining our freedom. Jarod puts his hand on top of Angelo's and I place mine on his and together we say goodbye to The Centre.