This is the Way the World Ends
By Bethe
~*~
Part Four
~*~
Jarod awoke the next day to the sound of music drifting from somewhere in the house. He felt the warm late-spring breeze dance about his face. Curious as to what was going on, he got out of bed, threw on a tee shirt, and followed the music.
He ended up in the kitchen. A country group that Jarod didn't recognize blared from a boombox placed on the counter. Jarod leaned against the doorframe and took in Melanie's appearance. She was wearing a pair of jeans that had seen better days: holes had been ripped in both knees and they were now white in color. She had on an oversized blue tee shirt with the bottom tied up in a knot. The shirt was so big that one side of the collar slipped past her shoulder. She had pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail. Several strands had fallen from the band, framing her face in loose waves.
She was on her knees, scrubbing the wood floor while singing along with the CD. She bobbed her head with the music as her arm moved vigorously. "She held Wanda's hand, and they worked out a plan, and it didn't take 'em long to decide that Earl had to die," she belted out and pounded the floor once. Jarod cleared his throat, and Melanie looked up at him, noticing him for the first time.
"Good morning, Jarod," she said cheerfully as she smiled. She pushed herself back up and sat back on her knees while brushing her loose hair out of her face. Jarod smiled back as he studied her face.
"Your face looks improved from last night." And it did. Her left eye was open and not so swollen, and the her right cheek was turning a greenish- yellow.
"Gee, Jarod, you sure know how to make a girl's heart go a-flutter," she replied sarcastically, planting her fists on her hips.
"I meant it as a compliment, Mel," Jarod started defensively.
"Jarod, simmer," she said on a laugh while putting a hand in the air to stop him from continuing, "I was just joking."
"So was I," he whispered conspiratorially, his eyes gleaming. Melanie laughed and shook her head. "You seem in a better mood, as well," he remarked.
"After you went to bed last night, I did a lot of thinking. You were right." Jarod raised his eyebrows, and she smiled. "Yes, Jarod, I'm admitting that I was wrong. I'm letting myself be the victim. Then I started thinking about Mike. I guess you could say I profiled him. Or, simmed him, in your terminology. I think he likes the fear and a sort-of respect he gets from being in control during situations like that. . ." Mel's voice trailed off as the smile left her face. She inhaled deeply and shock entered her eyes.
"Mel, what's wrong?" Jarod asked, concerned. She covered her mouth with her hands and took many deep breaths.
"Mike. . .Mike's the killer," she whispered in horror. "He's doing this to get my attention," she continued. "If my job was keeping me away from him, why not become my job? He's a doctor. Did I ever tell you that?" Jarod shook his head. "A psychologist. I'd told him half-truths about me past, but I was honest about my 'need for love'. He knew I'd let myself be victimized. And he also has access to all the drugs he'd need to perform the killings." Melanie blinked multiple times as she took all of this in. She pulled the loose strands of hair back from her face and held them on the top of her head. "It's all my fault," she whispered, her lips trembling.
"No," Jarod stated forcefully. In one quick movement, he was kneeling next to her and taking her hands in his own. "It is definitely not your fault, Mel. You had no idea how he would take your breaking up with him. Don't blame yourself. This is just what he would want." He reached between them and placed his palm on her good cheek. "Instead, concentrate on getting this guy." Melanie looked into his eyes. "We can get him," Jarod whispered. Then he nodded to reinforce his statement. She thought on this for awhile.
"Let's nail the bastard."
~*~
Two days later, their plan was formulated. Just to be sure they had the right guy, Melanie showed a picture of Mike to the hotel concierge. When he affirmed that Mike was indeed the "tall, big guy" that had accompanied Jerry Walters, she went ahead and gave her ex-boyfriend a call.
"Mike," she'd whispered when he'd picked up, "I miss you so much. I want to be with you again." Within a matter of moments, she'd arranged a meeting with Mike at the Chamberlain Hotel, the very same hotel that Walters was killed at.
In the days leading up to her "date", Melanie and Jarod finalized the details and made sure that everything would happen according to plan. Jarod spent many hours brewing up a drug cocktail that matched what was found in Jerry Walters' blood during the autopsy. Melanie spent time rehearsing her lines. She also went shopping and found a very alluring, very Miss Parker- ish ensemble: a crimson silk button-up blouse, a very short black suede skirt, and a very long black suede jacket. She also dug around in her closet and found a pair of her old black stilettos. However, she refused to show Jarod what she'd bought.
The day of the meeting, the two went to the hotel about five hours early. They set up the room just the way they wanted it. They installed the necessary surveillance devices, as well. Then, Melanie went into the bathroom to get ready. After she'd put on the shirt and skirt, she meticulously applied her makeup, also specially bought for this night. Then she styled her hair into a perfect coiffure. She slid her shoes and jacket on, then took a good look at herself in the mirror.
"My God," she whispered, tears standing in her eyes, "I've brought her back." She blinked several times, squared her shoulders, then opened the bathroom door.
Jarod's reaction would have thrown Melanie off. But she wasn't Melanie now. She was Miss Parker.
Jarod sat down on the bed, amazed. The transformation was shocking. There were no traces of bruises, but it seemed as if she didn't care. He swallowed before whispering, "Mel?" The look she shot him made his blood run cold.
"Not today, Wonder Boy," she replied icily. "We've got one hour. I'm going to drive around for a bit, for appearance's sake. You stay here for another thirty minutes, then go into the next room and watch," she ordered with an air of authority. Then she left the room.
~*~
Once in the car, Parker sat at the wheel for a few moments. Melanie struggled and came out for awhile. She blinked rapidly, attempting to keep herself from crying. She was scaring herself, but it was part of the plan. While Melanie was the dominating personality, she thought back to how Jarod had reacted upon the first sight of her in the Miss Parker getup.
The fear in his eyes had frightened her. It was almost as if the past two years had never happened, and Miss Parker was still at the Centre and chasing Jarod. At least, that's what she saw in his eyes. It was written all over his face, too. His body had tensed up, as if preparing to run. It had broken her heart.
Suddenly, Miss Parker took control once more, and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. Then she started the car and pressed on the gas.
~*~
At the sight of Michael in the hotel lobby, Parker smiled. "Mike!" she called out, waving to him with her hand. Tall, strong, and ruggedly handsome, Mike saw her and smiled as well. He ran over to her and swept her up in a tight embrace. He then kissed her passionately, causing her to laugh in delight. She raised her eyebrows seductively, then grasped his jacket lapel and led him to an elevator.
Once the doors had closed, they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Their affection ceased momentarily when they reached their floor. Parker led the way and they were soon in the room. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it.
"I'm glad that you came to your senses," Mike murmured.
"Well, I realized that you were more important than my job," she replied, walking away from the door and shedding her jacket. "I bought this, just for the occasion," she said, retrieving a bottle of wine from a pail of ice sitting on a side table. "Chilled to perfection."
"Mm," he murmured in reply. Then he searched until he found two glass goblets. Parker poured the liquid in both glasses, then raised hers.
"To us, and new beginnings," she offered. Mike nodded and clinked his glass with hers. He took a long pull, but didn't seem to notice that she never drank from hers.
"This is good," he stated, reaching for the bottle to pour more. Parker perched herself on the edge of the bed and crossed her long legs.
"So," she began, "what have you been up to?"
Mike swirled his glass around, watching the wine go in circles. "Not much really."
"See, that's funny," she said on a light chuckle, "because I've been following you. And everywhere you go, dead bodies seem to turn up," she finished icily. Mike, who was starting to sway slightly, feigned a look of innocence.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm sure you do. You're a good liar, but I'm a good polygraph. It comes with experience," she sneered. Mike stumbled, now feeling the effects of the drugs in his drink. He looked at the glass in his hand, then back at her.
"You spiked the drink!" he exclaimed not out of shock, but rage.
"What goes around, comes around, darling," she purred. "Now 'fess up, and I might be lenient with you. Did you kill Jerry Walters, and seven other people in the past three months?" she asked demandingly.
"I don't have to answer this," he replied.
"But you will," she said while inspecting a fingernail. "In addition to the drugs, I had Jarod add a truth serum to the mix." She looked up at Mike. "So, either you confess out of your own free will, or the serum will kick in and do it for you."
"What if you're lying?" he asked, becoming slightly unsure. Parker stood up and walked over to her purse. She calmly pulled out a 9mm handgun and aimed it at Mike.
"I shoot you. Right between the eyes, like you did with Jerry. Tell me, Mike, was he awake or unconscious when you offed him?"
"You shoot me, you go to prison," he threatened. Parker simply shook her head.
"No. It was self-defense. I have a witness that says you've been beating me on a regular basis."
"And who would that be?" he scoffed.
"That would be me," replied Jarod, who was now standing in the doorway. He casually leaned against the frame. "I'd tell the truth if I were you. She can be deadly when angry."
Mike looked back and forth between them before sitting down. "Okay!" he exclaimed. "I did it. I killed Jerry and all those other people." He looked up at Parker. "I love you, and your job was keeping us apart. So, I got involved. You can't blame me for that, can you?"
Tears now slid down her face as she moved forward and jabbed the gun at his forehead. "Yes, I can," she ground out, breathing heavily. "I can, and I will. Not only have you put me through a fearful hell each night, you've ruined eight lives. Not to mention the lives of their families and loved ones. I should shoot you right now," she gritted from the back of her throat.
Jarod stepped forward, but a dangerous glare from her stopped him in his tracks. "Parker," he murmured, "it's over." To his horror, she extended her arm and pressed the nose of the gun against Mike's forehead. She tightened her arm muscle and pulled the trigger. Both Jarod and Mike flinched at the same time, but only a click resounded in the silent room.
"Bang. You're dead," Parker whispered icily before pushing Mike to the floor. She stood up and walked past Jarod, out into the hallway. She pushed her way through the throng of agents that had flooded the hotel and went to her car. Instead of getting in the driver's seat, she sat in the back.
She drew her knees to her chest and wept openly. It was over. She felt so relieved, and yet so depressed. She was ashamed of herself. But if she had been Melanie Carlyle for the confrontation, she would have been weak. She needed the icy front of Miss Parker to keep her strong. Miss Parker had no attachments to Michael.
But the downfall to bringing her back was that Melanie didn't know if she could just get rid of Parker that easily. It had taken her a year initially to develop a whole other personality, and another year to perfect it. Miss Parker did not disappear willingly.
The opening of the car door startled her. She looked up and saw Jarod's head ducking down to see her. "Hey there," he rumbled. "Mel?" he asked.
"For now," she whispered back. "I don't know when the other one will come back."
Jarod furrowed his brow, then got in the car without asking permission. "You mean Miss Parker?" he asked. When Melanie nodded, Jarod continued. "I know how hard it must have been to assume that persona after so long."
"No," she interrupted. "It was quite easy. And that's what scares me," she finished. Jarod took a long look at her. Her face was deathly pale, even more so under all that dark makeup. She was trembling all over. He acted on instinct and took her into his arms. She struggled, but he held her fiercely, refusing to let her go.
"It'll be okay, Mel," he whispered into her hair. "Miss Parker is a part of you; there's no denying that. It is possible to maintain a healthy balance between both extremes. The Melanie Carlyle I first met was a perfect blend of the two. The times when Mike paid you visits were the times when you became Melanie, the victim. And then, just now, you had to become Miss Parker again to overcome it. But the Melanie I was introduced to not even a week ago was a strong, opinionated, quirky, friendly, and extremely beautiful woman."
Melanie pulled away, and he allowed it this time. She searched his eyes, and he nodded. "You thought I was beautiful?" she asked, lips trembling.
"I always have, Mel. And I still do. Even when you were black and blue, and in a drunken rage, I thought you were beautiful." He tilted his head and stroked her cheek.
"Jarod. . .I. . .I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he replied understandingly. "Just know that I'm here for you." His cell phone rang just then. Groaning, he picked it up and pressed a button while putting it up to his ear. "Yes?" he answered. He listened for a little bit. "Look, Agent Howard, this has been emotionally taxing on the both of us. You'll get your report by five tomorrow." Then he hung up the phone and tossed it in the front seat. He turned back to continue his conversation with Melanie, but she had fallen asleep.
Jarod sighed and rested his head on his fist. She looked so beautiful when she was sleeping. The worries of the world were lifted momentarily off her shoulders during slumber. The hard lines that her face had taken on throughout the course of a day disappeared, giving her a youthful appearance.
He gently helped her to lay lengthwise in the seat, then he moved up to the front. He started the car and set off towards Mel's house. With the case days away from being shut, Jarod knew he would have to move on. Despite Melanie's efforts, the Centre still remained, and they were hell-bent on finding him. If he stayed much longer, they would track him down and find Melanie in the process. He couldn't do that to her. He would have to leave.
Tomorrow. He'd leave tomorrow.
~*~
The sound of Melanie's terrified screams abruptly woke Jarod from the murky depths of sleep. He swiftly jumped out of bed and dashed down the hall. He opened her door and found her sitting straight up in bed, her face dripping wet. "Mel," he panted, "what's wrong?" She nervously clutched at the bedsheets and shook violently. Jarod moved to the bed and took one of her tight-fisted hands into his own. He looked down at it in surprise when he felt that it was ice cold.
"He. . .he was here," she whimpered like a lost little girl. "He said that I'd be sorry. . ." she trailed off.
"Who? Michael?"
"Raines," she whispered. "Then I woke up, and the window was open." She looked Jarod in the eyes. "I never sleep with the window open."
Jarod sat for a moment in indecision. Then he got up from the bed, closed the window and locked it, and locked her door. He looked at her and explained, "You're not going to be alone in here tonight."
Melanie looked slightly relieved, but her face fell when she saw him start to lay down on the floor. She shook her head. "No, Jarod, you can't sleep on the floor." Jarod started to protest, but Melanie put a halt to them with her hand. "No. You're a guest in my home."
"Where do you suggest I sleep, then?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips.
"Well. . ." Mel looked around. Her eyes rested on the spot beside her on the bed.
"I don't think so. I can't sleep there,"
"Oh, why not? You scared I might put the move on you?" she joked, cracking a smile.
Jarod rubbed his face. --No, I'm more afraid of what I might do,-- he thought to himself. Then he threw his hands up in defeat. Still unsure of the idea, he cautiously climbed into the bed beside Melanie. She settled down back under the covers and turned on her side.
"Thanks, Jarod."
"Goodnight, Mel."
Jarod had no more than said those words when he heard Melanie's breathing even out and deepen. He smiled to himself as he propped his head up and rested his elbow on the bed. He sighed before letting his head drop to the pillow. It was only a few moments, however, when a gasp from Mel jerked him back from that state between sleep and awake. She sobbed softly.
"Mel, what's wrong now?" he asked.
"They'll never leave me alone," she choked out. "Jarod, just hold me, please?" she begged desperately. She clutched at his chest.
"Mel," he whispered while tentatively wrapping his arms around her, "it will be alright. They can't get you if you won't let them. Try to sleep."
Long after she'd fallen asleep, he stayed awake. Now that Melanie was in his arms, it was so much harder to contemplate leaving her. He had quickly become her port in the storm, and the idea of leaving her at this crisis in her life caused his heart to break.
Then the thought occurred to him that Raines may have already found them. If that was the case, he couldn't leave--not without Melanie.
~*~
"Good work, agents," Howard addressed them both the next morning. "Now that the killer is behind bars, I think we all can rest a little easier tonight." Jarod and Melanie shared a look. "You two work well together. It's kinda freaky, like you almost share the same mind," he commented while on his way to the door. He paused with his hand on the knob and turned back to both of them. "Morris, I'll have your release form filled out and sent in an immediately. Same for you, Carlyle. Then, you're free to go." He nodded slightly, and walked out the door.
"So," Melanie said after a few moments of silence, "where are you headed to next?"
Jarod opened his mouth to reply when Howard burst back into the room. He slammed the door behind him and tried to catch his breath. "People are looking for you, Morris. I think they want Carlyle too, only they're not calling her that name. They're looking for a Miss Parker." Jarod and Mel looked at each other.
"No," she stated forcefully, shaking her head. "I'm not running, Jarod. I've built my life, my home here. They can't take me."
"They have a warrant out on you, Carlyle," Howard said softly. "One of 'em's draggin an oxygen tank behind him. The other is all smiles, but they never reach his eyes; looks kinda like a cold fish."
"Parker," Jarod whispered, unconsciously using her old name, "come with me. You won't be safe here, no matter high profile you think you are. C'mon," he reasoned. He grabbed her hands and started pulling her toward the back exit. "Mel, we have to go now!" he exclaimed.
"I'll cover for ya. To the best of my knowledge, you both left early to catch up on some much needed rest. Now get outta here!" Howard urged.
Melanie didn't have a chance to respond. Jarod, still holding her hands, dashed for the door. She followed wordlessly. Within moments, they were in her car. Jarod got in the driver's seat while Mel shrank up against the door. Like an expert, he turned the key, shoved the car in drive, and slammed on the gas, peeling out of the parking lot. Gunshots rang out behind them, but never hit the vehicle.
Once they were on the highway, Jarod turned and looked at her. "I guess now it's we run, they chase, eh?" He grinned good-naturedly. Melanie only kept her gaze out the window. She said nothing as the tears continued to roll down her face.
She was now on the run for her life.
And nothing had ever scared her more.
By Bethe
~*~
Part Four
~*~
Jarod awoke the next day to the sound of music drifting from somewhere in the house. He felt the warm late-spring breeze dance about his face. Curious as to what was going on, he got out of bed, threw on a tee shirt, and followed the music.
He ended up in the kitchen. A country group that Jarod didn't recognize blared from a boombox placed on the counter. Jarod leaned against the doorframe and took in Melanie's appearance. She was wearing a pair of jeans that had seen better days: holes had been ripped in both knees and they were now white in color. She had on an oversized blue tee shirt with the bottom tied up in a knot. The shirt was so big that one side of the collar slipped past her shoulder. She had pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail. Several strands had fallen from the band, framing her face in loose waves.
She was on her knees, scrubbing the wood floor while singing along with the CD. She bobbed her head with the music as her arm moved vigorously. "She held Wanda's hand, and they worked out a plan, and it didn't take 'em long to decide that Earl had to die," she belted out and pounded the floor once. Jarod cleared his throat, and Melanie looked up at him, noticing him for the first time.
"Good morning, Jarod," she said cheerfully as she smiled. She pushed herself back up and sat back on her knees while brushing her loose hair out of her face. Jarod smiled back as he studied her face.
"Your face looks improved from last night." And it did. Her left eye was open and not so swollen, and the her right cheek was turning a greenish- yellow.
"Gee, Jarod, you sure know how to make a girl's heart go a-flutter," she replied sarcastically, planting her fists on her hips.
"I meant it as a compliment, Mel," Jarod started defensively.
"Jarod, simmer," she said on a laugh while putting a hand in the air to stop him from continuing, "I was just joking."
"So was I," he whispered conspiratorially, his eyes gleaming. Melanie laughed and shook her head. "You seem in a better mood, as well," he remarked.
"After you went to bed last night, I did a lot of thinking. You were right." Jarod raised his eyebrows, and she smiled. "Yes, Jarod, I'm admitting that I was wrong. I'm letting myself be the victim. Then I started thinking about Mike. I guess you could say I profiled him. Or, simmed him, in your terminology. I think he likes the fear and a sort-of respect he gets from being in control during situations like that. . ." Mel's voice trailed off as the smile left her face. She inhaled deeply and shock entered her eyes.
"Mel, what's wrong?" Jarod asked, concerned. She covered her mouth with her hands and took many deep breaths.
"Mike. . .Mike's the killer," she whispered in horror. "He's doing this to get my attention," she continued. "If my job was keeping me away from him, why not become my job? He's a doctor. Did I ever tell you that?" Jarod shook his head. "A psychologist. I'd told him half-truths about me past, but I was honest about my 'need for love'. He knew I'd let myself be victimized. And he also has access to all the drugs he'd need to perform the killings." Melanie blinked multiple times as she took all of this in. She pulled the loose strands of hair back from her face and held them on the top of her head. "It's all my fault," she whispered, her lips trembling.
"No," Jarod stated forcefully. In one quick movement, he was kneeling next to her and taking her hands in his own. "It is definitely not your fault, Mel. You had no idea how he would take your breaking up with him. Don't blame yourself. This is just what he would want." He reached between them and placed his palm on her good cheek. "Instead, concentrate on getting this guy." Melanie looked into his eyes. "We can get him," Jarod whispered. Then he nodded to reinforce his statement. She thought on this for awhile.
"Let's nail the bastard."
~*~
Two days later, their plan was formulated. Just to be sure they had the right guy, Melanie showed a picture of Mike to the hotel concierge. When he affirmed that Mike was indeed the "tall, big guy" that had accompanied Jerry Walters, she went ahead and gave her ex-boyfriend a call.
"Mike," she'd whispered when he'd picked up, "I miss you so much. I want to be with you again." Within a matter of moments, she'd arranged a meeting with Mike at the Chamberlain Hotel, the very same hotel that Walters was killed at.
In the days leading up to her "date", Melanie and Jarod finalized the details and made sure that everything would happen according to plan. Jarod spent many hours brewing up a drug cocktail that matched what was found in Jerry Walters' blood during the autopsy. Melanie spent time rehearsing her lines. She also went shopping and found a very alluring, very Miss Parker- ish ensemble: a crimson silk button-up blouse, a very short black suede skirt, and a very long black suede jacket. She also dug around in her closet and found a pair of her old black stilettos. However, she refused to show Jarod what she'd bought.
The day of the meeting, the two went to the hotel about five hours early. They set up the room just the way they wanted it. They installed the necessary surveillance devices, as well. Then, Melanie went into the bathroom to get ready. After she'd put on the shirt and skirt, she meticulously applied her makeup, also specially bought for this night. Then she styled her hair into a perfect coiffure. She slid her shoes and jacket on, then took a good look at herself in the mirror.
"My God," she whispered, tears standing in her eyes, "I've brought her back." She blinked several times, squared her shoulders, then opened the bathroom door.
Jarod's reaction would have thrown Melanie off. But she wasn't Melanie now. She was Miss Parker.
Jarod sat down on the bed, amazed. The transformation was shocking. There were no traces of bruises, but it seemed as if she didn't care. He swallowed before whispering, "Mel?" The look she shot him made his blood run cold.
"Not today, Wonder Boy," she replied icily. "We've got one hour. I'm going to drive around for a bit, for appearance's sake. You stay here for another thirty minutes, then go into the next room and watch," she ordered with an air of authority. Then she left the room.
~*~
Once in the car, Parker sat at the wheel for a few moments. Melanie struggled and came out for awhile. She blinked rapidly, attempting to keep herself from crying. She was scaring herself, but it was part of the plan. While Melanie was the dominating personality, she thought back to how Jarod had reacted upon the first sight of her in the Miss Parker getup.
The fear in his eyes had frightened her. It was almost as if the past two years had never happened, and Miss Parker was still at the Centre and chasing Jarod. At least, that's what she saw in his eyes. It was written all over his face, too. His body had tensed up, as if preparing to run. It had broken her heart.
Suddenly, Miss Parker took control once more, and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. Then she started the car and pressed on the gas.
~*~
At the sight of Michael in the hotel lobby, Parker smiled. "Mike!" she called out, waving to him with her hand. Tall, strong, and ruggedly handsome, Mike saw her and smiled as well. He ran over to her and swept her up in a tight embrace. He then kissed her passionately, causing her to laugh in delight. She raised her eyebrows seductively, then grasped his jacket lapel and led him to an elevator.
Once the doors had closed, they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Their affection ceased momentarily when they reached their floor. Parker led the way and they were soon in the room. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it.
"I'm glad that you came to your senses," Mike murmured.
"Well, I realized that you were more important than my job," she replied, walking away from the door and shedding her jacket. "I bought this, just for the occasion," she said, retrieving a bottle of wine from a pail of ice sitting on a side table. "Chilled to perfection."
"Mm," he murmured in reply. Then he searched until he found two glass goblets. Parker poured the liquid in both glasses, then raised hers.
"To us, and new beginnings," she offered. Mike nodded and clinked his glass with hers. He took a long pull, but didn't seem to notice that she never drank from hers.
"This is good," he stated, reaching for the bottle to pour more. Parker perched herself on the edge of the bed and crossed her long legs.
"So," she began, "what have you been up to?"
Mike swirled his glass around, watching the wine go in circles. "Not much really."
"See, that's funny," she said on a light chuckle, "because I've been following you. And everywhere you go, dead bodies seem to turn up," she finished icily. Mike, who was starting to sway slightly, feigned a look of innocence.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm sure you do. You're a good liar, but I'm a good polygraph. It comes with experience," she sneered. Mike stumbled, now feeling the effects of the drugs in his drink. He looked at the glass in his hand, then back at her.
"You spiked the drink!" he exclaimed not out of shock, but rage.
"What goes around, comes around, darling," she purred. "Now 'fess up, and I might be lenient with you. Did you kill Jerry Walters, and seven other people in the past three months?" she asked demandingly.
"I don't have to answer this," he replied.
"But you will," she said while inspecting a fingernail. "In addition to the drugs, I had Jarod add a truth serum to the mix." She looked up at Mike. "So, either you confess out of your own free will, or the serum will kick in and do it for you."
"What if you're lying?" he asked, becoming slightly unsure. Parker stood up and walked over to her purse. She calmly pulled out a 9mm handgun and aimed it at Mike.
"I shoot you. Right between the eyes, like you did with Jerry. Tell me, Mike, was he awake or unconscious when you offed him?"
"You shoot me, you go to prison," he threatened. Parker simply shook her head.
"No. It was self-defense. I have a witness that says you've been beating me on a regular basis."
"And who would that be?" he scoffed.
"That would be me," replied Jarod, who was now standing in the doorway. He casually leaned against the frame. "I'd tell the truth if I were you. She can be deadly when angry."
Mike looked back and forth between them before sitting down. "Okay!" he exclaimed. "I did it. I killed Jerry and all those other people." He looked up at Parker. "I love you, and your job was keeping us apart. So, I got involved. You can't blame me for that, can you?"
Tears now slid down her face as she moved forward and jabbed the gun at his forehead. "Yes, I can," she ground out, breathing heavily. "I can, and I will. Not only have you put me through a fearful hell each night, you've ruined eight lives. Not to mention the lives of their families and loved ones. I should shoot you right now," she gritted from the back of her throat.
Jarod stepped forward, but a dangerous glare from her stopped him in his tracks. "Parker," he murmured, "it's over." To his horror, she extended her arm and pressed the nose of the gun against Mike's forehead. She tightened her arm muscle and pulled the trigger. Both Jarod and Mike flinched at the same time, but only a click resounded in the silent room.
"Bang. You're dead," Parker whispered icily before pushing Mike to the floor. She stood up and walked past Jarod, out into the hallway. She pushed her way through the throng of agents that had flooded the hotel and went to her car. Instead of getting in the driver's seat, she sat in the back.
She drew her knees to her chest and wept openly. It was over. She felt so relieved, and yet so depressed. She was ashamed of herself. But if she had been Melanie Carlyle for the confrontation, she would have been weak. She needed the icy front of Miss Parker to keep her strong. Miss Parker had no attachments to Michael.
But the downfall to bringing her back was that Melanie didn't know if she could just get rid of Parker that easily. It had taken her a year initially to develop a whole other personality, and another year to perfect it. Miss Parker did not disappear willingly.
The opening of the car door startled her. She looked up and saw Jarod's head ducking down to see her. "Hey there," he rumbled. "Mel?" he asked.
"For now," she whispered back. "I don't know when the other one will come back."
Jarod furrowed his brow, then got in the car without asking permission. "You mean Miss Parker?" he asked. When Melanie nodded, Jarod continued. "I know how hard it must have been to assume that persona after so long."
"No," she interrupted. "It was quite easy. And that's what scares me," she finished. Jarod took a long look at her. Her face was deathly pale, even more so under all that dark makeup. She was trembling all over. He acted on instinct and took her into his arms. She struggled, but he held her fiercely, refusing to let her go.
"It'll be okay, Mel," he whispered into her hair. "Miss Parker is a part of you; there's no denying that. It is possible to maintain a healthy balance between both extremes. The Melanie Carlyle I first met was a perfect blend of the two. The times when Mike paid you visits were the times when you became Melanie, the victim. And then, just now, you had to become Miss Parker again to overcome it. But the Melanie I was introduced to not even a week ago was a strong, opinionated, quirky, friendly, and extremely beautiful woman."
Melanie pulled away, and he allowed it this time. She searched his eyes, and he nodded. "You thought I was beautiful?" she asked, lips trembling.
"I always have, Mel. And I still do. Even when you were black and blue, and in a drunken rage, I thought you were beautiful." He tilted his head and stroked her cheek.
"Jarod. . .I. . .I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," he replied understandingly. "Just know that I'm here for you." His cell phone rang just then. Groaning, he picked it up and pressed a button while putting it up to his ear. "Yes?" he answered. He listened for a little bit. "Look, Agent Howard, this has been emotionally taxing on the both of us. You'll get your report by five tomorrow." Then he hung up the phone and tossed it in the front seat. He turned back to continue his conversation with Melanie, but she had fallen asleep.
Jarod sighed and rested his head on his fist. She looked so beautiful when she was sleeping. The worries of the world were lifted momentarily off her shoulders during slumber. The hard lines that her face had taken on throughout the course of a day disappeared, giving her a youthful appearance.
He gently helped her to lay lengthwise in the seat, then he moved up to the front. He started the car and set off towards Mel's house. With the case days away from being shut, Jarod knew he would have to move on. Despite Melanie's efforts, the Centre still remained, and they were hell-bent on finding him. If he stayed much longer, they would track him down and find Melanie in the process. He couldn't do that to her. He would have to leave.
Tomorrow. He'd leave tomorrow.
~*~
The sound of Melanie's terrified screams abruptly woke Jarod from the murky depths of sleep. He swiftly jumped out of bed and dashed down the hall. He opened her door and found her sitting straight up in bed, her face dripping wet. "Mel," he panted, "what's wrong?" She nervously clutched at the bedsheets and shook violently. Jarod moved to the bed and took one of her tight-fisted hands into his own. He looked down at it in surprise when he felt that it was ice cold.
"He. . .he was here," she whimpered like a lost little girl. "He said that I'd be sorry. . ." she trailed off.
"Who? Michael?"
"Raines," she whispered. "Then I woke up, and the window was open." She looked Jarod in the eyes. "I never sleep with the window open."
Jarod sat for a moment in indecision. Then he got up from the bed, closed the window and locked it, and locked her door. He looked at her and explained, "You're not going to be alone in here tonight."
Melanie looked slightly relieved, but her face fell when she saw him start to lay down on the floor. She shook her head. "No, Jarod, you can't sleep on the floor." Jarod started to protest, but Melanie put a halt to them with her hand. "No. You're a guest in my home."
"Where do you suggest I sleep, then?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips.
"Well. . ." Mel looked around. Her eyes rested on the spot beside her on the bed.
"I don't think so. I can't sleep there,"
"Oh, why not? You scared I might put the move on you?" she joked, cracking a smile.
Jarod rubbed his face. --No, I'm more afraid of what I might do,-- he thought to himself. Then he threw his hands up in defeat. Still unsure of the idea, he cautiously climbed into the bed beside Melanie. She settled down back under the covers and turned on her side.
"Thanks, Jarod."
"Goodnight, Mel."
Jarod had no more than said those words when he heard Melanie's breathing even out and deepen. He smiled to himself as he propped his head up and rested his elbow on the bed. He sighed before letting his head drop to the pillow. It was only a few moments, however, when a gasp from Mel jerked him back from that state between sleep and awake. She sobbed softly.
"Mel, what's wrong now?" he asked.
"They'll never leave me alone," she choked out. "Jarod, just hold me, please?" she begged desperately. She clutched at his chest.
"Mel," he whispered while tentatively wrapping his arms around her, "it will be alright. They can't get you if you won't let them. Try to sleep."
Long after she'd fallen asleep, he stayed awake. Now that Melanie was in his arms, it was so much harder to contemplate leaving her. He had quickly become her port in the storm, and the idea of leaving her at this crisis in her life caused his heart to break.
Then the thought occurred to him that Raines may have already found them. If that was the case, he couldn't leave--not without Melanie.
~*~
"Good work, agents," Howard addressed them both the next morning. "Now that the killer is behind bars, I think we all can rest a little easier tonight." Jarod and Melanie shared a look. "You two work well together. It's kinda freaky, like you almost share the same mind," he commented while on his way to the door. He paused with his hand on the knob and turned back to both of them. "Morris, I'll have your release form filled out and sent in an immediately. Same for you, Carlyle. Then, you're free to go." He nodded slightly, and walked out the door.
"So," Melanie said after a few moments of silence, "where are you headed to next?"
Jarod opened his mouth to reply when Howard burst back into the room. He slammed the door behind him and tried to catch his breath. "People are looking for you, Morris. I think they want Carlyle too, only they're not calling her that name. They're looking for a Miss Parker." Jarod and Mel looked at each other.
"No," she stated forcefully, shaking her head. "I'm not running, Jarod. I've built my life, my home here. They can't take me."
"They have a warrant out on you, Carlyle," Howard said softly. "One of 'em's draggin an oxygen tank behind him. The other is all smiles, but they never reach his eyes; looks kinda like a cold fish."
"Parker," Jarod whispered, unconsciously using her old name, "come with me. You won't be safe here, no matter high profile you think you are. C'mon," he reasoned. He grabbed her hands and started pulling her toward the back exit. "Mel, we have to go now!" he exclaimed.
"I'll cover for ya. To the best of my knowledge, you both left early to catch up on some much needed rest. Now get outta here!" Howard urged.
Melanie didn't have a chance to respond. Jarod, still holding her hands, dashed for the door. She followed wordlessly. Within moments, they were in her car. Jarod got in the driver's seat while Mel shrank up against the door. Like an expert, he turned the key, shoved the car in drive, and slammed on the gas, peeling out of the parking lot. Gunshots rang out behind them, but never hit the vehicle.
Once they were on the highway, Jarod turned and looked at her. "I guess now it's we run, they chase, eh?" He grinned good-naturedly. Melanie only kept her gaze out the window. She said nothing as the tears continued to roll down her face.
She was now on the run for her life.
And nothing had ever scared her more.