i) Thanks again to Sabrina and gemini006007 for leaving a review.
ii) 'Did I ever even cross your mind? Cause it's not a game of who is under the thumb' (A Studt, Under The Thumb)
Chapter Ten
Broots rubbed his upper arms in an effort to bring some warmth to them in the chill of the morning, though he had to admit the temperature outside of The Centre was somewhat more hospitable than inside at present. The ever growing paranoia of most of the people employed there had reached a pinnacle; the ever dwindling numbers were most recently shocked by Mr Raines' departure. Broots had just been down right pleased, though a niggle of doubt had wormed inside his head. "Is it time yet, Syd?"
Sydney drew his thoughts back to the present and considered the younger man's question. "Yes", he nodded his head as he said this, if there ever was a time to leave it had to be now. The rumours cursing their way through the veins of The Centre were, frankly, ranging from the ludicrous to the unnervingly truthful. And before long there would be no staff left to circulate such nonsense. Sydney himself had been shocked by Raines' 'accident', one that ended the career of his pet sweeper too.
Broots asbently kicked at a small stone in his path as they walked in the surrounding gardens of The Centre, somthing they had taken to doing with a recurring frequency. "What's going on Sydney?"
"The Triumverate are shutting The Centre down", Sydney caught Broots surprised expression, "Cutting their losses, so to speak." The two men continued their journey with a slower pace. "This means cutting the staff too, the ever quieter corridors are somewhat unnerving don't you think?"
Broots shivered involuntarily, he had figured as much. "But where are they all going?"
"Most are not aware of The Centre's more 'darker' work, I would imagine they will be released without any complications."
"And the rest Sydney?", Broots asked worriedly.
Sydney cast a quick glance at the opposing building that had housed his career before replying. "There are those that will still be of some use to The Triumverate, they would be kept on, transferred to other facilities." Sydney did not want to be in that particular group. No, this was to be his chance to finally break free.
Broots digested this piece of information uneasily, he hoped he was in the first group. He trusted Sydney's judgement though, if he said it was time to go... "Why do I get the feeling there is another option, Syd?"
"There will of course be some people who know too much, but are of no further use to the powers that be..." Sydney didn't complete the sentence, he didn't need to. Broots had worked at The Centre long enough to know what would happen to those people.
"We're in that group, aren't we?"
Sydney nodded, "I fear so. Our involvement in Jarod's pursuit has drawn us both into the murkier waters surrounding The Centre." His mind once again wandered to the past, his time at The Centre and how naive he had really been all those years. At times he had seen something of himself in Broots; the innocence that turned to ignorance through fear. It was time to leave, if Raines' death proved anything it was that. The old wheezebag had died in an explosion, early reports pointed to a mixture of the oxygen tank and Raines' penchant for a cigarette as the cause, but this was The Centre after all - nothing could be taken as read.
"I made up some papers for us."
This time it was Sydney's turn to look surprised.
Broots smiled shyly, "You said we should be ready to leave."
"Yes. Yes I did", Sydney smiled as he responded. "Can you arrange some for Angelo too? I don't want to leave him behind."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jarod lounged on the bench and tried to look natural, fighting the urge to return to Miss Parker's house. After days of preparation with both sides, and with an agreement from Miss Parker that she would not use her gun, Jarod had arranged a meeting between his father and ex huntress. As much as he wanted to witness the 'occassion' Miss Parker had signalled her disapproval; she did not want Matthew present, or Jarod for that matter. An agreement was made whereby Jarod would take Matthew to the local park for the morning.
They had so far enjoyed an hour or so messing about with a baseball and bat; Matthew had expressed an interest in the game and Jarod had thought it would give them further opportunity to bond. Matthew had proven quite talented and Jarod had managed to forget other matters that were currently at hand elsewhere.
"What's really going on Jarod?", Matthew asked. He waasn't fooled by the older man's request for a rest; there was definitely something on his mind, something that involved Miss Parker too.
"What do you mean?"
"Mom's worried about something, I can tell."
Jarod smiled weakly, he and Miss Parker had disagreed about what to tell the boy. Jarod had bowed to her wishes to keep things under the carpet at the moment, but he didn't want to leave Matthew thinking the worst either. "My father is calling round to see her today, he knew Miss Parker's mother. Did she tell you about her?"
Matthew nodded, remembering the photo he had seen at Ben's and the explanation he'd received at the likeness.
"She didn't want you to see her upset, or even angry, when they talked about her." Jarod frowned slightly at his jumbled explanation. "She was told some things about her mother that were not exactly true, do you understand?"
Matthew slowly nodded his head and processed the news.
"My father would like to meet you, too. If that's okay with you and your Mom?"
Matthew picked up the baseball and played absently with it, "If it's okay with Mom." After a few moments silence he added, "He won't want to be my father as well, will he?"
Jarod sighed, "It's a difficult situation for all of us, Matthew. He just wants to meet you, that you're safe and happy are the most important things to him."
Matthew smiled, "Okay. It's just that I kinda already had somebody in mind for that role..."
Though he didn't finish the sentence Jarod caught his meaning and couldn't help but return the grin. He didn't know what Miss Parker would think of Matthew's choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sneaking into the room was the easy part, the harder task being how to handle two people with one gun. Fortunately he was a smart man, by his own admission anyway, he had kept his options open. He surveyed the two bound, and thankfully gagged - he only liked to hear his younger victims scream -, figures in front of him with a modicom of satisfaction. He was going to enjoy this more, take his time.
Killing Raines had not been the pleasurable experience he had expected. The moment he had seen that name at the top of Mtumbo's list he had gladly accepted the assignment, he would have accepted anyway out of survival but this way he would actually be keeping his word. He took only a small smatter of enjoyment at the beating he metered out to Raines and it surprised him to a certain degree; had he grown accustomed to the violence?
Willie had had to go too, if only because the sweeper had the misfortune to be at Raines' house when he called by. He had borne Mtumbo's wishes in mind and rigged an explosion to look like the whole thing had been an accident. On this occassion though he would give that no thought.
He played with his gun in full view of his captives and strolled casually in front of them. Defiant eyes watched his every movement, his father's with a trace of disgust, Brigette's with a hint of pleading. He had woken Brigette first, talked her into helping him tie up Mr Parker. Whether she agreed out of fear or greed he didn't know, or care for that matter. He had then simply turned the tables on her and tied her up too. She wasn't on Mtumbo's list, the African must have a soft spot for her, but he wanted to make sure of something.
He uncerimoniously ripped off the tape gagging both of the captives. "I'm sure you both have a lot of questions, Dad why don't you go first."
Mr Parker scowled at his son, "What the Hell are you doing?"
Lyle smirked, "What do you think? I'm eliminating the competition Dad. I want The Centre, you could live for years."
"What about our 'agreement'? I trusted you!"
Lyle straightened his face, "C'mon Dad. First rule of The Centre is don't trust anyone. Isn't that right Brigette?"
Brigette decided better than to try and appeal to his better side and merely nodded her head. She had tried to think of a way out of the situation but couldn't see one.
Lyle glared at Brigette for a moment. "Whose child is it Brigette?"
"Ours", Brigette replied indicating herself and Mr Parker with a nod of her head.
"Ah." Lyle looked at Mr Parker, "Is that right Dad? Are you going to be a father again?"
Mr Parker squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. On the outside he hoped he appeared calm because inside he was cursing, why did he ever think he could trust either of his children?
When Mr Parker failed to answer Lyle continued. "Didn't you think it was odd that he married a woman unable to bear children naturally?" He turned his attention back to Brigette, "That he pushed you into fertility treatment immediately?"
Brigette remained mute but cast a stony glance at Mr Parker; one he refused to return.
Lyle sighed. "Do you know what he did to his own daughter?"
"Lyle!" Mr Parker boomed warningly.
Lyle continued, "He manipulated her DNA. Hers and our prize project's. He just needed someone to carry the child, someone he could watch constantly. And in some way that he would be able to lay claim to the child. I think you excelled yourself Dad." Lyle grinned and then tacked on, "Apart from one little thing."
Mr Parker nodded, "I trusted you."
Lyle grinned even wider, "Okay, two little things."
"What other thing?", Mr Parker asked, puzzled.
Lyle glanced over at Brigette then returned his attention to the older man. "Did you check Brigette's medical file?"
"Of course!"
"I did too, it's all very authentic. Isn't it Brigette? What is your real name by the way?"
Brigette smiled, she'd had enough. The pieces of the puzzle that formed Project Silence were beginning to fall into place - she just never imagined she was at the heart of it. "So I faked some papers." She glanced at her husband again to find that she had his full attention this time, deservedly so. "The real Brigette can't have children, I stole her papers when I stole her identity. I never thought they'd come in so handy." She threw a grin at Mr Parker, his anger evident.
Lyle grinned widely at his father's distress and ever reddening expression. He walked over to Brigette and stroked her cheek, "I was under the same impression as you Dad, that's why we never used any protection did we?" He dropped his hand from her face, "Is it mine Brigette?"
Brigette smiled as both men watched her intently. She briefly wondered which answer would be her get out of jail free card, but she doubted either option would be advantageous over the other. She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."
Lyle sighed and mentally reconsidered the situation as he walked away from his parental unit; the sooner this dysfunctional family disbanded, the better.
"If you've impeded my project in anyway - "
"I don't give a damn what you think", Brigette interupted. She was painfully aware of how they had each betrayed the other; and now they were both feeling the effects of that betrayel. "I think there are more important matters at hand, don't you?"
"There is nothing more important at the moment than whose baby that is!" Mr Parker snarled back.
Lyle had been content to observe, gaining some twisted satisfaction from the whole scene, but he wanted to move things along. "Oh I don't know about that Dad."
Both of his prisoners returned their attentions to him.
"Either way, you're dead old man."
"What has Mtumbo promised you? The Centre? Have you seen what's happening there? There will be no Centre by the time he's through", Mr Parker implored.
Lyle grinned, "Maybe." He pointed his gun at Brigette as he spoke softly, "It's mine isn't it? That night at the restaurant - you were testing me weren't you?" He lowered the gun and approached her. "And I failed didn't I? It was a shock. that's all. After what Dad had told me about the project I knew he would be mad at me, at us; I didn't want it to be true." When he was close enough he caressed her cheek. "But it needn't be a problem, we can get rid of him", Lyle gestured towards Mr Parker with his eyes. "It'll just be you, me and the baby; a new generation at The centre."
Mr Parker shot a snort of disbelief.
Brigette stared into his eyes - he was a killer, she shouldn't trust him. Then again she was no angel herself. She could let herself believe him, that would be the easy option, but he was bluffing; wasn't he? The only thing she could be sure of was that she was in no position to bargain - Lyle held all the cards and she suspected he didn't care either way. If these were to be her last hours on Earth maybe it was time to be truthful, there's always time for one last shot at redemption. "I was pregnant before the first cells were implanted." And the truth would be another blow to her husband.
Lyle grinned widely whilst Mr Parker began to shout his disgust.
ii) 'Did I ever even cross your mind? Cause it's not a game of who is under the thumb' (A Studt, Under The Thumb)
Chapter Ten
Broots rubbed his upper arms in an effort to bring some warmth to them in the chill of the morning, though he had to admit the temperature outside of The Centre was somewhat more hospitable than inside at present. The ever growing paranoia of most of the people employed there had reached a pinnacle; the ever dwindling numbers were most recently shocked by Mr Raines' departure. Broots had just been down right pleased, though a niggle of doubt had wormed inside his head. "Is it time yet, Syd?"
Sydney drew his thoughts back to the present and considered the younger man's question. "Yes", he nodded his head as he said this, if there ever was a time to leave it had to be now. The rumours cursing their way through the veins of The Centre were, frankly, ranging from the ludicrous to the unnervingly truthful. And before long there would be no staff left to circulate such nonsense. Sydney himself had been shocked by Raines' 'accident', one that ended the career of his pet sweeper too.
Broots asbently kicked at a small stone in his path as they walked in the surrounding gardens of The Centre, somthing they had taken to doing with a recurring frequency. "What's going on Sydney?"
"The Triumverate are shutting The Centre down", Sydney caught Broots surprised expression, "Cutting their losses, so to speak." The two men continued their journey with a slower pace. "This means cutting the staff too, the ever quieter corridors are somewhat unnerving don't you think?"
Broots shivered involuntarily, he had figured as much. "But where are they all going?"
"Most are not aware of The Centre's more 'darker' work, I would imagine they will be released without any complications."
"And the rest Sydney?", Broots asked worriedly.
Sydney cast a quick glance at the opposing building that had housed his career before replying. "There are those that will still be of some use to The Triumverate, they would be kept on, transferred to other facilities." Sydney did not want to be in that particular group. No, this was to be his chance to finally break free.
Broots digested this piece of information uneasily, he hoped he was in the first group. He trusted Sydney's judgement though, if he said it was time to go... "Why do I get the feeling there is another option, Syd?"
"There will of course be some people who know too much, but are of no further use to the powers that be..." Sydney didn't complete the sentence, he didn't need to. Broots had worked at The Centre long enough to know what would happen to those people.
"We're in that group, aren't we?"
Sydney nodded, "I fear so. Our involvement in Jarod's pursuit has drawn us both into the murkier waters surrounding The Centre." His mind once again wandered to the past, his time at The Centre and how naive he had really been all those years. At times he had seen something of himself in Broots; the innocence that turned to ignorance through fear. It was time to leave, if Raines' death proved anything it was that. The old wheezebag had died in an explosion, early reports pointed to a mixture of the oxygen tank and Raines' penchant for a cigarette as the cause, but this was The Centre after all - nothing could be taken as read.
"I made up some papers for us."
This time it was Sydney's turn to look surprised.
Broots smiled shyly, "You said we should be ready to leave."
"Yes. Yes I did", Sydney smiled as he responded. "Can you arrange some for Angelo too? I don't want to leave him behind."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jarod lounged on the bench and tried to look natural, fighting the urge to return to Miss Parker's house. After days of preparation with both sides, and with an agreement from Miss Parker that she would not use her gun, Jarod had arranged a meeting between his father and ex huntress. As much as he wanted to witness the 'occassion' Miss Parker had signalled her disapproval; she did not want Matthew present, or Jarod for that matter. An agreement was made whereby Jarod would take Matthew to the local park for the morning.
They had so far enjoyed an hour or so messing about with a baseball and bat; Matthew had expressed an interest in the game and Jarod had thought it would give them further opportunity to bond. Matthew had proven quite talented and Jarod had managed to forget other matters that were currently at hand elsewhere.
"What's really going on Jarod?", Matthew asked. He waasn't fooled by the older man's request for a rest; there was definitely something on his mind, something that involved Miss Parker too.
"What do you mean?"
"Mom's worried about something, I can tell."
Jarod smiled weakly, he and Miss Parker had disagreed about what to tell the boy. Jarod had bowed to her wishes to keep things under the carpet at the moment, but he didn't want to leave Matthew thinking the worst either. "My father is calling round to see her today, he knew Miss Parker's mother. Did she tell you about her?"
Matthew nodded, remembering the photo he had seen at Ben's and the explanation he'd received at the likeness.
"She didn't want you to see her upset, or even angry, when they talked about her." Jarod frowned slightly at his jumbled explanation. "She was told some things about her mother that were not exactly true, do you understand?"
Matthew slowly nodded his head and processed the news.
"My father would like to meet you, too. If that's okay with you and your Mom?"
Matthew picked up the baseball and played absently with it, "If it's okay with Mom." After a few moments silence he added, "He won't want to be my father as well, will he?"
Jarod sighed, "It's a difficult situation for all of us, Matthew. He just wants to meet you, that you're safe and happy are the most important things to him."
Matthew smiled, "Okay. It's just that I kinda already had somebody in mind for that role..."
Though he didn't finish the sentence Jarod caught his meaning and couldn't help but return the grin. He didn't know what Miss Parker would think of Matthew's choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sneaking into the room was the easy part, the harder task being how to handle two people with one gun. Fortunately he was a smart man, by his own admission anyway, he had kept his options open. He surveyed the two bound, and thankfully gagged - he only liked to hear his younger victims scream -, figures in front of him with a modicom of satisfaction. He was going to enjoy this more, take his time.
Killing Raines had not been the pleasurable experience he had expected. The moment he had seen that name at the top of Mtumbo's list he had gladly accepted the assignment, he would have accepted anyway out of survival but this way he would actually be keeping his word. He took only a small smatter of enjoyment at the beating he metered out to Raines and it surprised him to a certain degree; had he grown accustomed to the violence?
Willie had had to go too, if only because the sweeper had the misfortune to be at Raines' house when he called by. He had borne Mtumbo's wishes in mind and rigged an explosion to look like the whole thing had been an accident. On this occassion though he would give that no thought.
He played with his gun in full view of his captives and strolled casually in front of them. Defiant eyes watched his every movement, his father's with a trace of disgust, Brigette's with a hint of pleading. He had woken Brigette first, talked her into helping him tie up Mr Parker. Whether she agreed out of fear or greed he didn't know, or care for that matter. He had then simply turned the tables on her and tied her up too. She wasn't on Mtumbo's list, the African must have a soft spot for her, but he wanted to make sure of something.
He uncerimoniously ripped off the tape gagging both of the captives. "I'm sure you both have a lot of questions, Dad why don't you go first."
Mr Parker scowled at his son, "What the Hell are you doing?"
Lyle smirked, "What do you think? I'm eliminating the competition Dad. I want The Centre, you could live for years."
"What about our 'agreement'? I trusted you!"
Lyle straightened his face, "C'mon Dad. First rule of The Centre is don't trust anyone. Isn't that right Brigette?"
Brigette decided better than to try and appeal to his better side and merely nodded her head. She had tried to think of a way out of the situation but couldn't see one.
Lyle glared at Brigette for a moment. "Whose child is it Brigette?"
"Ours", Brigette replied indicating herself and Mr Parker with a nod of her head.
"Ah." Lyle looked at Mr Parker, "Is that right Dad? Are you going to be a father again?"
Mr Parker squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. On the outside he hoped he appeared calm because inside he was cursing, why did he ever think he could trust either of his children?
When Mr Parker failed to answer Lyle continued. "Didn't you think it was odd that he married a woman unable to bear children naturally?" He turned his attention back to Brigette, "That he pushed you into fertility treatment immediately?"
Brigette remained mute but cast a stony glance at Mr Parker; one he refused to return.
Lyle sighed. "Do you know what he did to his own daughter?"
"Lyle!" Mr Parker boomed warningly.
Lyle continued, "He manipulated her DNA. Hers and our prize project's. He just needed someone to carry the child, someone he could watch constantly. And in some way that he would be able to lay claim to the child. I think you excelled yourself Dad." Lyle grinned and then tacked on, "Apart from one little thing."
Mr Parker nodded, "I trusted you."
Lyle grinned even wider, "Okay, two little things."
"What other thing?", Mr Parker asked, puzzled.
Lyle glanced over at Brigette then returned his attention to the older man. "Did you check Brigette's medical file?"
"Of course!"
"I did too, it's all very authentic. Isn't it Brigette? What is your real name by the way?"
Brigette smiled, she'd had enough. The pieces of the puzzle that formed Project Silence were beginning to fall into place - she just never imagined she was at the heart of it. "So I faked some papers." She glanced at her husband again to find that she had his full attention this time, deservedly so. "The real Brigette can't have children, I stole her papers when I stole her identity. I never thought they'd come in so handy." She threw a grin at Mr Parker, his anger evident.
Lyle grinned widely at his father's distress and ever reddening expression. He walked over to Brigette and stroked her cheek, "I was under the same impression as you Dad, that's why we never used any protection did we?" He dropped his hand from her face, "Is it mine Brigette?"
Brigette smiled as both men watched her intently. She briefly wondered which answer would be her get out of jail free card, but she doubted either option would be advantageous over the other. She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."
Lyle sighed and mentally reconsidered the situation as he walked away from his parental unit; the sooner this dysfunctional family disbanded, the better.
"If you've impeded my project in anyway - "
"I don't give a damn what you think", Brigette interupted. She was painfully aware of how they had each betrayed the other; and now they were both feeling the effects of that betrayel. "I think there are more important matters at hand, don't you?"
"There is nothing more important at the moment than whose baby that is!" Mr Parker snarled back.
Lyle had been content to observe, gaining some twisted satisfaction from the whole scene, but he wanted to move things along. "Oh I don't know about that Dad."
Both of his prisoners returned their attentions to him.
"Either way, you're dead old man."
"What has Mtumbo promised you? The Centre? Have you seen what's happening there? There will be no Centre by the time he's through", Mr Parker implored.
Lyle grinned, "Maybe." He pointed his gun at Brigette as he spoke softly, "It's mine isn't it? That night at the restaurant - you were testing me weren't you?" He lowered the gun and approached her. "And I failed didn't I? It was a shock. that's all. After what Dad had told me about the project I knew he would be mad at me, at us; I didn't want it to be true." When he was close enough he caressed her cheek. "But it needn't be a problem, we can get rid of him", Lyle gestured towards Mr Parker with his eyes. "It'll just be you, me and the baby; a new generation at The centre."
Mr Parker shot a snort of disbelief.
Brigette stared into his eyes - he was a killer, she shouldn't trust him. Then again she was no angel herself. She could let herself believe him, that would be the easy option, but he was bluffing; wasn't he? The only thing she could be sure of was that she was in no position to bargain - Lyle held all the cards and she suspected he didn't care either way. If these were to be her last hours on Earth maybe it was time to be truthful, there's always time for one last shot at redemption. "I was pregnant before the first cells were implanted." And the truth would be another blow to her husband.
Lyle grinned widely whilst Mr Parker began to shout his disgust.