Chapter Three
Jarod and Snowy dashed together down one side street then another. It wasn't made any easier by the fact that Snowy was trying not to laugh as he ran. They finally made it to the market place where they quickly blended in with the thousands of other people there.
Strolling casually among the crowds, holding hands to hide the handcuffs that held them together, they watched as Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots pushed into the throng of people in search of them. Jarod moved into a small area against one of the walls of the square and carefully kept an eye on them until they eventually gave up and turned to fight their way out of the bustle.
Snowy finally gave in to the urge to cackle madly. 'Man that was classic' he snorted. 'I don't think I will ever get tired of that' he leaned against a wall and laughed so hard his eyes watered. Jarod began to laugh and soon they were both leaning on the wall and gasping for breath.
'When she fell through that window' started Snowy, bringing to mind one of Parker's funnier escapades and they both started hooting again. Finally they were able to cease laughing, mainly because their stomachs were hurting to continue.
'It was close but it had to be worth it' stated Snowy. Jarod nodded solemnly in agreement and they both strolled together out into the market again to browse through the stalls.
They had crossed to the other side of the country since the pursuit team had been covered in slime, helping people and doing pretends on the way. Since then a pattern had been established.
Jarod was the one that actually took up the job and got to know the people. Unless Snowy was able to put up a convincing pretend he would jeopardize the whole set up. Instead, Snowy stayed behind the scenes and helped with the investigation and the plan laying. They worked well together, communicated on the same bandwidth.
Jarod insisted that they give Miss Parker some time to cool down for a while and Snowy had finally consented. They decided just to let the Centre follow their leads for a while without actually making contact.
Finally though, Jarod gave into the insistent pleading of Snowy that they have another confrontation with the Centre. So it was arranged in Los Angeles. It took place after Jarod took a pretend as a fisherman to investigate an 'accidental' drowning a few months back.
This time for a change, Snowy entered the pretend, playing Jarod's son, a role that Jarod considered close enough to the real thing to be easy to act. Snowy did well enough that he was awarded the title of 'a natural.' They solved the mystery together easily but against the usual pattern, they stayed in town afterwards and began to construct an elaborate scheme.
Once everything was perfect, Snowy carefully constructed a clue that would be just hard enough to not look faked but easy enough that it would get the pursuit team in Los Angeles before the day was out.
They watched via binoculars as the dark town car pulled up in front of the building. Grudgingly Jarod slapped a $10 bill into Snowy's hand. 'Your estimate was closer than mine. Three minutes off. Not bad.'
As the three people inside the car emerged and stalked across the crowded sidewalk into the building Jarod and Snowy went to stand by the door of the room they were in. When the man at the front desk informed them that the pursuit team was in the elevator (via walkie-talkie) Jarod opened the door and calmly composed himself.
The lift made a loud 'ding' as it reached their floor. Taking a deep breath, Jarod and Snowy stepped out into the corridor, facing away from the lift, and began to run down the hallway.
They heard a shout behind them and on cue they both turned around to face a triumphant looking Parker with Sydney and Broots standing behind her. 'So this is the famous Snowy' gloated Parker sarcastically. In spite of the situation Snowy smiled and gave a small bow. 'Pleased to meet you Miss Parker' he said cordially, his dark eyes flashing.
'Mentality of a eight year old meets an actual ten year old. How typical that you would hit it off with someone one quater of your age Wonder boy.'
'I'm thirteen,' Snowy told her huffily.
'I don't give a damn. I'm sure Raines will still have fun dissecting you' she snarled, reaching for her gun. Her hand groped at an empty holster. A massive grin split Jarod's face and he and Snowy turned and dashed together down the corridor, away from the pursuit team, and the lift. 'JAROD!' bellowed Parker, giving chase with Sydney and Broots right behind her.
Jarod practically dived out the pre-opened window at the end of the corridor, with Snowy right behind, and began climbing the fire escape ladder.
Parker swore, took off her high heels and followed.
When she finally reached the top of the building she confronted the two fugitives bending over something on the other side of the roof.
'You're trapped now.'
'Ah but Miss Parker, you thought that in the corridor,' declared Jarod.
'Besides, how are you going to bring us in without your gun?' added Snowy.
'You little brat. You made a serious mistake stealing my gun.' At that moment Sydney then Broots finally emerged panting at the top of the ladder.
'Jarod . . . don't you think it's time to come in?' asked Sydney hopefully, always trying to persuade his protégé.
Snowy gave a snort of laughter at this. 'Oh please you guys. Haven't you realised it yet? You don't have a hope in hell.'
'No *hope.* Just certainty' growled Parker. Snowy just raised an eyebrow in reply.
'Ah, but that is the point Miss Parker' said Jarod, 'what is certainty, when certainty is always wrong? You knew for certain that I would be back within the year when the chase first started. You were certain that your mother's death was everything your father said it was. And now you're certain that you will get us all the way back to Delaware. Without your gun'
'Enough with the riddles already ratboy. You know you're coming in this time'
'Ratboy. She has such cute pet names for you' sniggered Snowy quietly. Both Jarod and Parker shot him a Look. He grinned self-consciously and shrugged. Out of sight of Parker, Broots was smiling.
Sydney took a few steps forward until he was next to and just in front of Parker. 'Jarod, the Centre is . . .'
He stopped. Snowy had his eyes rolled to the sky and was silently mimicking the aged physiatrist. His actions were a perfect caricature and Broots was smothering laughter.
Hearing Sydney stop, Snowy focused his black holes of eyes back on his audience. 'Bored now' he said languorously, and toppled backwards off the building.
'SNOWY!' yelled Jarod, dashing to the edge to peer over. Then he looked up, winked, and followed his young friend in a perfect swan dive.
Sydney was the first one to make it to the edge and look down to the alleyway that ran between two tall buildings. Broots was second. 'There's nothing there' he exclaimed in confusion.
'Of course there isn't,' sneered Parker, not bothering to look, 'You think the labrat would actually jump off a building without some sort of trick?' she continued scathingly, making Broots wince slightly.
'Come on,' said Sydney, 'Jarod and Snowy have obviously been planning this for a while. We won't catch them now.'
Parker hissed in frustration and padded in stockinged feet over to the internal stairwell, her expensive high heels left behind in the corridor. She yanked on the door handle but it didn't give.
'When I catch up with that &%$# he is going to pay for this' she swore. Broots walked over the fire escape ladder and stared mournfully downwards. 'Um, Miss Parker?'
'What Broots?' she snapped.
'The fire escape, it's . . .' Parker growled in irritation at his inability to just say it. She strode over to see for herself. The top part of the ladder was now attached to a clearly visible car battery.
There was a ringing sound and Parker snatched her phone out. 'What?' she snapped.
'Hiya Miss Parker!' answered Snowy jovially. Parker's eye twitched in annoyance. The little brat was starting to sound like Jarod. 'What do you want you white-skinned freak?'
'That's not very nice Miss Parker' it was Jarod's voice this time.
'Tell me how to get off this goddamn roof FrankenRat!'
'Look over at the building next to your one'
Parker turned from the ladder and glared across the roof. Two figures, one holding a phone to his ear, could clearly be seen there.
'Flying foxes are so much fun' stated Jarod before hanging up. Parker growled and stalked over to the side of the roof closest to Jarod and his annoying friend. Just a few metres were separating them.
'Jarod, if you don't tell us how to get off this roof I WILL make sure you live a *very* long, *very* painful life and have a death that's ten times worse'
'I'm would expect nothing less' he said, before turning and disappearing among the clothes lines and plant pots that littered the top of the building. Snowy remained and he leaned on the short wall that rimmed the roof and inspected his nails.
'Hey Snowy,' yelled Broots 'was that you that did that thing . . . um, on my computer?'
'Of course,' Said Snowy, as though it was a stupid question, 'She's a very nice lady Broots' Parker looked over at the now beet red technician and raised an eyebrow. He made a plausible attempt to disappear. 'We just met online. I was chatting to her when my computer came up with the weirdest error message I have ever seen. It said, um, +++error, out of cheese, error, redo from start+++ And then some files disappeared.'
'Which files exactly Broots?' she said in a lethally low tone.
'Don't worry Miss Parker, I promise I won't tell anyone.' Said Snowy loudly across the rooftops.
'Tell anyone what?' she snarled
'What's in your personal file' He replied. Sydney smiled.
'You have my personal file on your computer?' she hissed at Broots. He gave a guilty smile and said 'I haven't read it, it just downloaded along with the full copy of the red files that that you asked me to get.'
Parker narrowed her eyes at the cowering tech then turned her glare on the younger genius. 'Tell us how to get down from here or I will eviscerate you with a blunt spoon.'
'The flying fox of course' replied Snowy calmly, then pushed himself off the short wall and wandered off to follow Jarod.
Parker glared daggers at his back then looked down between the buildings. Sure enough there was an almost invisible black rope, running from just below the top of their building to an open window on the second from top floor of the building that Jarod and Snowy had been standing on.
'Uh oh,' said Broots looking down, 'I'm not exactly so good with heights.'
'Then you can stay up here Broots. Personally, I don't feel like waiting until Wonderboy remembers to tell someone we're up here.'
'We could, uh, call the Centre on your cell' he offered hopefully.
'Do you want to explain to Raines exactly why you were trapped on a roof in Los Angeles?' She asked sweetly. Broots mutely shook his head. Sydney sighed and reached down to pick up the smaller rope that was attached by pulleys to the rope that spanned the buildings. There was a small piece of paper attached to the end. He unfastened it and read the words out loud. 'Certain that you won't fall?' Broots swallowed hard. Parker just shrugged and yanked hard on the rope, which held.
'Alright Freud, if you see Labrat at the other end, tell him I'm going to strangle him with his small intestines when I catch up with him.'
One by one they swung across to the other building, the smaller rope thrown back to the starting place each time. Broots made the journey with his eyes tight shut but he secretly considered the journey worth it for having seen Miss Parker fall in an undignified heap on her but at the other end of the ride.
The room they landed in was a normal, run of the mill, roach infested housing commission. Parker looked around her in disgust then carefully made for the door, trying very hard not to breathe the air or touch anything.
She wrenched open the door with Sydney and Broots following close behind and strode out into the corridor. She didn't get very far.
'Hey you lady. You're Miss Parker ain't cha'?' slobbered a dirty, grey skinned man.
'What do you want?' she snapped, extremely annoyed with the stunt Jarod had pulled. 'Well if you say please Jarod says I can give you this' he said, holding out her gun. Parker made a grab for it but he was surprisingly quick for such a disgusting looking individual.
'Give me the gun or you will not live to smoke another joint'
The man chuckled and shook his head. Parker narrowed her eyes; a warning signal that both Broots and Sydney knew meant 'dive behind the nearest piece of sturdy furniture.'
The man just gave a yellow, gap-toothed grin. Parker sighed in annoyance. 'Give Me My Gun Back . . . Please.' She said, very carefully enunciating each word. The man's grin got wider and he allowed her to grab the 9mm.
She quickly slid the clip out to check it. 'I knew it. He is so dead.'
'Oh no ma'am, it wasn't Jarod that took them bullets. I just didn't want to get shot when I gave it back' with that he turned and ambled off down the corridor, apparently oblivious to the woman visibly restraining herself behind him.
Parker stared after them man for a second then abruptly turned in her shoeless feet and headed towards the lift. The lift was broken so they took the stairs. By the time the reached the bottom Parker's mood had gone all the way through angry. She was dead calm. Broots was absolutely terrified.
She walked to the car with the two mean but didn't get in. 'Wait here,' she commanded, 'I'm going to get my shoes.' She paused long enough to retrieve some bullets from the glove box and reload her gun then turned and stalked into the building.
The entire plot had been worked out from start to finish by Jarod and Snowy, then simmed carefully. Unfortunately, one factor hadn't been taken into account. Between the planning and the execution, the lift in the housing commission had broken down. Walking down nine flights of stairs had made Parker snap.
In the sims, Jarod had worked out that they would just leave after getting of the roof. He hadn't counted on the extra fuel to her anger. After leaving the roof of the housing commission, Jarod and Snowy had gone back to the room that they had started in.
Parker stood perfectly still in the lift until it reached the right level, then walked calmly out the doors. He white hot rage had narrowed into a freezing sharp focus. Padding out into the corridor she looked down to where she had kicked of her shoes before climbing the ladder.
They weren't there. Suddenly she knew. She knew that Jarod and Snowy were still in the building. Only Jarod would have picked up her shoes to send back to her, no doubt with an annoying note attached. Narrowing her eyes in triumph she counted down the doors until she got to the one that Jarod and his little friend had originally ran out of.
Just to be sure she listened against the door and heard a muffled conversation. 'That was a nice acting performance there Snowy'
'Well I do work out' she heard the young boy say, pompously mocking some rough, tough body builder. Jarod snickered. It was the right door alright.
To her absolute joy, they had left it unlocked. Silently she twisted the handle, still holding the door shut. Taking a deep breath and readying her loaded gun with the other hand, she flung the door open.
Jarod and Snowy were lounging on the couch together, sharing a packet of chips and talking animatedly. Both froze dead when the door banged open. 'Hiya Snowy' she said sweetly, the undertones deadly. 'Wanna' find out what happens when you steal Miss Parker's gun?' She asked, doing an impersonation of a kindergarten teacher.
Snowy's dark eyes widened until the whites stood out against the dark irises and lashes. Jarod looked equally shocked and was, for once, silent. 'It must be illegal to have this much fun' thought Parker. This moment, catching the pretender unawares, more than made up for the whole shenanigan before.
In a secret sign language they had made up that was almost unnoticeable to anyone who didn't know it Snowy asked Jarod #what happens now??#
#Haven't been studying me long enough to know I always have a plan B?# said Jarod, his hand signals as small as possible as he watched Miss Parker. 'Congratulations Miss Parker. I underestimated you'
'No, you just made me really mad. It's a bad idea. Right now I'm debating whether to take you back to the Centre or just shoot you in both knees and leave you here to bleed to death.'
'The latter would be preferable' mumbled Jarod quietly. Parker gave a parody of a grin. 'Get up' she ordered sharply. The two of them complied. #When exactly does this plan B kick in?# asked Snowy.
#Just follow my lead# replied Jarod, as Parker handcuffed them together. Not stopping for anything, they were quick marched out of the room in front of Parker, the gun firmly trained on their backs. 'You forgot the DSA's Miss Parker'
'Do I really look that stupid? The Centre will send a cleaner team for them later,' she snapped, although her good mood showed through slightly. Jarod shrugged, using the motion to hide a rather emphatic #Plan B step one!# as they were just about to enter the lift. He kicked on of the skirting boards on the side of the corridor, seemingly just an accidentally brush, but actually pressing a hidden emergency stop button for the lift.
'It must be my lucky day' hissed Parker as the second lift for the day failed to work. 'The stairs are good exercise' stated Snowy in a lecturing tone of voice. #Not a smart thing to say to someone with a gun# chided Jarod as they turned to the stairs. #They say that she who god wishes to destroy he first makes mad# replied Snowy, although the reference was completely lost on Jarod. As they passed their most recent lair Jarod said 'what about your shoes Miss Parker?'
This caused a moment of indecision. Then Parker stopped them. 'Open the door' she commanded, wary of any buckets perched on door frames. Nothing happened. Pushing Jarod and Snowy before her they all re-entered the room. 'Right, where are they Frankenrat?'
'In that cupboard over there' replied Jarod coolly, not betraying a thing. #Get ready# he warned Snowy. 'Open the cupboard' commanded Parker. Jarod nodded and pulling Snowy by the handcuffs opened the cupboard. 'There's nothing in there' started Parker warily but before she could finish Jarod had dragged Snowy through the doorway into the small cupboard. The door slammed behind them.
Parker launched herself forward and tugged on the door. It wouldn't open. Taking a deep breath she realised you had to turn the handle and did so. Inside the 'cupboard' turned out to be a lift shaft, with a rapidly disappearing lift halfway down it.
Parker didn't waste a second. She turned and dashed out of the room, back to the main elevator, which had miraculously started working again.
Jarod and Snowy burst out of the lift that at one time had been used to send food up and down, into the kitchens on the first floor. Snowy started to head for the lobby but was pulled up short by the handcuffs. 'Not that way' warned Jarod and led the way through the general mess belonging to all large kitchens.
It was mostly empty and they passed without comment through to a back door that led into the alley that could be seen from the roof of the building.
Nearly dragging the unfit boy by the handcuffs, Jarod headed for the main road, hoping to get away before Miss Parker made it out.
They burst from the alley just before Miss Parker burst from the hotel doors giving Broots and Sydney just enough time to exit the car they had been sitting in.
And then the chase was on, through alley and backstreet, until they lost the three pursuers in the crowded market.
'So where to now?' asked Snowy.
'I left the DSA player and PEZ containers back in the room' replied Jarod, grinning.
'She wouldn't go back for a third time would she?' asked Snowy in disbelief.
'Maybe we should just wait a while.' Replied Jarod, looking slightly guilty.
'Hmmm' agreed Snowy, loudly not saying anything more.
Btw, what do you guys think of Snowy? Too childish for a thirteen year old boy? Should I give him a tan perhaps?
Tbc...
Jarod and Snowy dashed together down one side street then another. It wasn't made any easier by the fact that Snowy was trying not to laugh as he ran. They finally made it to the market place where they quickly blended in with the thousands of other people there.
Strolling casually among the crowds, holding hands to hide the handcuffs that held them together, they watched as Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots pushed into the throng of people in search of them. Jarod moved into a small area against one of the walls of the square and carefully kept an eye on them until they eventually gave up and turned to fight their way out of the bustle.
Snowy finally gave in to the urge to cackle madly. 'Man that was classic' he snorted. 'I don't think I will ever get tired of that' he leaned against a wall and laughed so hard his eyes watered. Jarod began to laugh and soon they were both leaning on the wall and gasping for breath.
'When she fell through that window' started Snowy, bringing to mind one of Parker's funnier escapades and they both started hooting again. Finally they were able to cease laughing, mainly because their stomachs were hurting to continue.
'It was close but it had to be worth it' stated Snowy. Jarod nodded solemnly in agreement and they both strolled together out into the market again to browse through the stalls.
They had crossed to the other side of the country since the pursuit team had been covered in slime, helping people and doing pretends on the way. Since then a pattern had been established.
Jarod was the one that actually took up the job and got to know the people. Unless Snowy was able to put up a convincing pretend he would jeopardize the whole set up. Instead, Snowy stayed behind the scenes and helped with the investigation and the plan laying. They worked well together, communicated on the same bandwidth.
Jarod insisted that they give Miss Parker some time to cool down for a while and Snowy had finally consented. They decided just to let the Centre follow their leads for a while without actually making contact.
Finally though, Jarod gave into the insistent pleading of Snowy that they have another confrontation with the Centre. So it was arranged in Los Angeles. It took place after Jarod took a pretend as a fisherman to investigate an 'accidental' drowning a few months back.
This time for a change, Snowy entered the pretend, playing Jarod's son, a role that Jarod considered close enough to the real thing to be easy to act. Snowy did well enough that he was awarded the title of 'a natural.' They solved the mystery together easily but against the usual pattern, they stayed in town afterwards and began to construct an elaborate scheme.
Once everything was perfect, Snowy carefully constructed a clue that would be just hard enough to not look faked but easy enough that it would get the pursuit team in Los Angeles before the day was out.
They watched via binoculars as the dark town car pulled up in front of the building. Grudgingly Jarod slapped a $10 bill into Snowy's hand. 'Your estimate was closer than mine. Three minutes off. Not bad.'
As the three people inside the car emerged and stalked across the crowded sidewalk into the building Jarod and Snowy went to stand by the door of the room they were in. When the man at the front desk informed them that the pursuit team was in the elevator (via walkie-talkie) Jarod opened the door and calmly composed himself.
The lift made a loud 'ding' as it reached their floor. Taking a deep breath, Jarod and Snowy stepped out into the corridor, facing away from the lift, and began to run down the hallway.
They heard a shout behind them and on cue they both turned around to face a triumphant looking Parker with Sydney and Broots standing behind her. 'So this is the famous Snowy' gloated Parker sarcastically. In spite of the situation Snowy smiled and gave a small bow. 'Pleased to meet you Miss Parker' he said cordially, his dark eyes flashing.
'Mentality of a eight year old meets an actual ten year old. How typical that you would hit it off with someone one quater of your age Wonder boy.'
'I'm thirteen,' Snowy told her huffily.
'I don't give a damn. I'm sure Raines will still have fun dissecting you' she snarled, reaching for her gun. Her hand groped at an empty holster. A massive grin split Jarod's face and he and Snowy turned and dashed together down the corridor, away from the pursuit team, and the lift. 'JAROD!' bellowed Parker, giving chase with Sydney and Broots right behind her.
Jarod practically dived out the pre-opened window at the end of the corridor, with Snowy right behind, and began climbing the fire escape ladder.
Parker swore, took off her high heels and followed.
When she finally reached the top of the building she confronted the two fugitives bending over something on the other side of the roof.
'You're trapped now.'
'Ah but Miss Parker, you thought that in the corridor,' declared Jarod.
'Besides, how are you going to bring us in without your gun?' added Snowy.
'You little brat. You made a serious mistake stealing my gun.' At that moment Sydney then Broots finally emerged panting at the top of the ladder.
'Jarod . . . don't you think it's time to come in?' asked Sydney hopefully, always trying to persuade his protégé.
Snowy gave a snort of laughter at this. 'Oh please you guys. Haven't you realised it yet? You don't have a hope in hell.'
'No *hope.* Just certainty' growled Parker. Snowy just raised an eyebrow in reply.
'Ah, but that is the point Miss Parker' said Jarod, 'what is certainty, when certainty is always wrong? You knew for certain that I would be back within the year when the chase first started. You were certain that your mother's death was everything your father said it was. And now you're certain that you will get us all the way back to Delaware. Without your gun'
'Enough with the riddles already ratboy. You know you're coming in this time'
'Ratboy. She has such cute pet names for you' sniggered Snowy quietly. Both Jarod and Parker shot him a Look. He grinned self-consciously and shrugged. Out of sight of Parker, Broots was smiling.
Sydney took a few steps forward until he was next to and just in front of Parker. 'Jarod, the Centre is . . .'
He stopped. Snowy had his eyes rolled to the sky and was silently mimicking the aged physiatrist. His actions were a perfect caricature and Broots was smothering laughter.
Hearing Sydney stop, Snowy focused his black holes of eyes back on his audience. 'Bored now' he said languorously, and toppled backwards off the building.
'SNOWY!' yelled Jarod, dashing to the edge to peer over. Then he looked up, winked, and followed his young friend in a perfect swan dive.
Sydney was the first one to make it to the edge and look down to the alleyway that ran between two tall buildings. Broots was second. 'There's nothing there' he exclaimed in confusion.
'Of course there isn't,' sneered Parker, not bothering to look, 'You think the labrat would actually jump off a building without some sort of trick?' she continued scathingly, making Broots wince slightly.
'Come on,' said Sydney, 'Jarod and Snowy have obviously been planning this for a while. We won't catch them now.'
Parker hissed in frustration and padded in stockinged feet over to the internal stairwell, her expensive high heels left behind in the corridor. She yanked on the door handle but it didn't give.
'When I catch up with that &%$# he is going to pay for this' she swore. Broots walked over the fire escape ladder and stared mournfully downwards. 'Um, Miss Parker?'
'What Broots?' she snapped.
'The fire escape, it's . . .' Parker growled in irritation at his inability to just say it. She strode over to see for herself. The top part of the ladder was now attached to a clearly visible car battery.
There was a ringing sound and Parker snatched her phone out. 'What?' she snapped.
'Hiya Miss Parker!' answered Snowy jovially. Parker's eye twitched in annoyance. The little brat was starting to sound like Jarod. 'What do you want you white-skinned freak?'
'That's not very nice Miss Parker' it was Jarod's voice this time.
'Tell me how to get off this goddamn roof FrankenRat!'
'Look over at the building next to your one'
Parker turned from the ladder and glared across the roof. Two figures, one holding a phone to his ear, could clearly be seen there.
'Flying foxes are so much fun' stated Jarod before hanging up. Parker growled and stalked over to the side of the roof closest to Jarod and his annoying friend. Just a few metres were separating them.
'Jarod, if you don't tell us how to get off this roof I WILL make sure you live a *very* long, *very* painful life and have a death that's ten times worse'
'I'm would expect nothing less' he said, before turning and disappearing among the clothes lines and plant pots that littered the top of the building. Snowy remained and he leaned on the short wall that rimmed the roof and inspected his nails.
'Hey Snowy,' yelled Broots 'was that you that did that thing . . . um, on my computer?'
'Of course,' Said Snowy, as though it was a stupid question, 'She's a very nice lady Broots' Parker looked over at the now beet red technician and raised an eyebrow. He made a plausible attempt to disappear. 'We just met online. I was chatting to her when my computer came up with the weirdest error message I have ever seen. It said, um, +++error, out of cheese, error, redo from start+++ And then some files disappeared.'
'Which files exactly Broots?' she said in a lethally low tone.
'Don't worry Miss Parker, I promise I won't tell anyone.' Said Snowy loudly across the rooftops.
'Tell anyone what?' she snarled
'What's in your personal file' He replied. Sydney smiled.
'You have my personal file on your computer?' she hissed at Broots. He gave a guilty smile and said 'I haven't read it, it just downloaded along with the full copy of the red files that that you asked me to get.'
Parker narrowed her eyes at the cowering tech then turned her glare on the younger genius. 'Tell us how to get down from here or I will eviscerate you with a blunt spoon.'
'The flying fox of course' replied Snowy calmly, then pushed himself off the short wall and wandered off to follow Jarod.
Parker glared daggers at his back then looked down between the buildings. Sure enough there was an almost invisible black rope, running from just below the top of their building to an open window on the second from top floor of the building that Jarod and Snowy had been standing on.
'Uh oh,' said Broots looking down, 'I'm not exactly so good with heights.'
'Then you can stay up here Broots. Personally, I don't feel like waiting until Wonderboy remembers to tell someone we're up here.'
'We could, uh, call the Centre on your cell' he offered hopefully.
'Do you want to explain to Raines exactly why you were trapped on a roof in Los Angeles?' She asked sweetly. Broots mutely shook his head. Sydney sighed and reached down to pick up the smaller rope that was attached by pulleys to the rope that spanned the buildings. There was a small piece of paper attached to the end. He unfastened it and read the words out loud. 'Certain that you won't fall?' Broots swallowed hard. Parker just shrugged and yanked hard on the rope, which held.
'Alright Freud, if you see Labrat at the other end, tell him I'm going to strangle him with his small intestines when I catch up with him.'
One by one they swung across to the other building, the smaller rope thrown back to the starting place each time. Broots made the journey with his eyes tight shut but he secretly considered the journey worth it for having seen Miss Parker fall in an undignified heap on her but at the other end of the ride.
The room they landed in was a normal, run of the mill, roach infested housing commission. Parker looked around her in disgust then carefully made for the door, trying very hard not to breathe the air or touch anything.
She wrenched open the door with Sydney and Broots following close behind and strode out into the corridor. She didn't get very far.
'Hey you lady. You're Miss Parker ain't cha'?' slobbered a dirty, grey skinned man.
'What do you want?' she snapped, extremely annoyed with the stunt Jarod had pulled. 'Well if you say please Jarod says I can give you this' he said, holding out her gun. Parker made a grab for it but he was surprisingly quick for such a disgusting looking individual.
'Give me the gun or you will not live to smoke another joint'
The man chuckled and shook his head. Parker narrowed her eyes; a warning signal that both Broots and Sydney knew meant 'dive behind the nearest piece of sturdy furniture.'
The man just gave a yellow, gap-toothed grin. Parker sighed in annoyance. 'Give Me My Gun Back . . . Please.' She said, very carefully enunciating each word. The man's grin got wider and he allowed her to grab the 9mm.
She quickly slid the clip out to check it. 'I knew it. He is so dead.'
'Oh no ma'am, it wasn't Jarod that took them bullets. I just didn't want to get shot when I gave it back' with that he turned and ambled off down the corridor, apparently oblivious to the woman visibly restraining herself behind him.
Parker stared after them man for a second then abruptly turned in her shoeless feet and headed towards the lift. The lift was broken so they took the stairs. By the time the reached the bottom Parker's mood had gone all the way through angry. She was dead calm. Broots was absolutely terrified.
She walked to the car with the two mean but didn't get in. 'Wait here,' she commanded, 'I'm going to get my shoes.' She paused long enough to retrieve some bullets from the glove box and reload her gun then turned and stalked into the building.
The entire plot had been worked out from start to finish by Jarod and Snowy, then simmed carefully. Unfortunately, one factor hadn't been taken into account. Between the planning and the execution, the lift in the housing commission had broken down. Walking down nine flights of stairs had made Parker snap.
In the sims, Jarod had worked out that they would just leave after getting of the roof. He hadn't counted on the extra fuel to her anger. After leaving the roof of the housing commission, Jarod and Snowy had gone back to the room that they had started in.
Parker stood perfectly still in the lift until it reached the right level, then walked calmly out the doors. He white hot rage had narrowed into a freezing sharp focus. Padding out into the corridor she looked down to where she had kicked of her shoes before climbing the ladder.
They weren't there. Suddenly she knew. She knew that Jarod and Snowy were still in the building. Only Jarod would have picked up her shoes to send back to her, no doubt with an annoying note attached. Narrowing her eyes in triumph she counted down the doors until she got to the one that Jarod and his little friend had originally ran out of.
Just to be sure she listened against the door and heard a muffled conversation. 'That was a nice acting performance there Snowy'
'Well I do work out' she heard the young boy say, pompously mocking some rough, tough body builder. Jarod snickered. It was the right door alright.
To her absolute joy, they had left it unlocked. Silently she twisted the handle, still holding the door shut. Taking a deep breath and readying her loaded gun with the other hand, she flung the door open.
Jarod and Snowy were lounging on the couch together, sharing a packet of chips and talking animatedly. Both froze dead when the door banged open. 'Hiya Snowy' she said sweetly, the undertones deadly. 'Wanna' find out what happens when you steal Miss Parker's gun?' She asked, doing an impersonation of a kindergarten teacher.
Snowy's dark eyes widened until the whites stood out against the dark irises and lashes. Jarod looked equally shocked and was, for once, silent. 'It must be illegal to have this much fun' thought Parker. This moment, catching the pretender unawares, more than made up for the whole shenanigan before.
In a secret sign language they had made up that was almost unnoticeable to anyone who didn't know it Snowy asked Jarod #what happens now??#
#Haven't been studying me long enough to know I always have a plan B?# said Jarod, his hand signals as small as possible as he watched Miss Parker. 'Congratulations Miss Parker. I underestimated you'
'No, you just made me really mad. It's a bad idea. Right now I'm debating whether to take you back to the Centre or just shoot you in both knees and leave you here to bleed to death.'
'The latter would be preferable' mumbled Jarod quietly. Parker gave a parody of a grin. 'Get up' she ordered sharply. The two of them complied. #When exactly does this plan B kick in?# asked Snowy.
#Just follow my lead# replied Jarod, as Parker handcuffed them together. Not stopping for anything, they were quick marched out of the room in front of Parker, the gun firmly trained on their backs. 'You forgot the DSA's Miss Parker'
'Do I really look that stupid? The Centre will send a cleaner team for them later,' she snapped, although her good mood showed through slightly. Jarod shrugged, using the motion to hide a rather emphatic #Plan B step one!# as they were just about to enter the lift. He kicked on of the skirting boards on the side of the corridor, seemingly just an accidentally brush, but actually pressing a hidden emergency stop button for the lift.
'It must be my lucky day' hissed Parker as the second lift for the day failed to work. 'The stairs are good exercise' stated Snowy in a lecturing tone of voice. #Not a smart thing to say to someone with a gun# chided Jarod as they turned to the stairs. #They say that she who god wishes to destroy he first makes mad# replied Snowy, although the reference was completely lost on Jarod. As they passed their most recent lair Jarod said 'what about your shoes Miss Parker?'
This caused a moment of indecision. Then Parker stopped them. 'Open the door' she commanded, wary of any buckets perched on door frames. Nothing happened. Pushing Jarod and Snowy before her they all re-entered the room. 'Right, where are they Frankenrat?'
'In that cupboard over there' replied Jarod coolly, not betraying a thing. #Get ready# he warned Snowy. 'Open the cupboard' commanded Parker. Jarod nodded and pulling Snowy by the handcuffs opened the cupboard. 'There's nothing in there' started Parker warily but before she could finish Jarod had dragged Snowy through the doorway into the small cupboard. The door slammed behind them.
Parker launched herself forward and tugged on the door. It wouldn't open. Taking a deep breath she realised you had to turn the handle and did so. Inside the 'cupboard' turned out to be a lift shaft, with a rapidly disappearing lift halfway down it.
Parker didn't waste a second. She turned and dashed out of the room, back to the main elevator, which had miraculously started working again.
Jarod and Snowy burst out of the lift that at one time had been used to send food up and down, into the kitchens on the first floor. Snowy started to head for the lobby but was pulled up short by the handcuffs. 'Not that way' warned Jarod and led the way through the general mess belonging to all large kitchens.
It was mostly empty and they passed without comment through to a back door that led into the alley that could be seen from the roof of the building.
Nearly dragging the unfit boy by the handcuffs, Jarod headed for the main road, hoping to get away before Miss Parker made it out.
They burst from the alley just before Miss Parker burst from the hotel doors giving Broots and Sydney just enough time to exit the car they had been sitting in.
And then the chase was on, through alley and backstreet, until they lost the three pursuers in the crowded market.
'So where to now?' asked Snowy.
'I left the DSA player and PEZ containers back in the room' replied Jarod, grinning.
'She wouldn't go back for a third time would she?' asked Snowy in disbelief.
'Maybe we should just wait a while.' Replied Jarod, looking slightly guilty.
'Hmmm' agreed Snowy, loudly not saying anything more.
Btw, what do you guys think of Snowy? Too childish for a thirteen year old boy? Should I give him a tan perhaps?
Tbc...
