Chapter 30
Jarod sat down on Brian's bed. He had just put Abigail down for a nap. Mallory had left to drive Debbie home.
'When did this start?' Jarod asked quietly.
Brian was busy looking through his dresser drawers for another shirt. He did not answer.
Jarod stood up and walked over to him.
'Brian, I need to know how long this has been going on?' he asked again, this time his voice was quiet, yet firm.
'Nothing has been going on. We just became close at the hospital...when she and her father came to be with us. There's nothing going on.'
'It didn't look like nothing.'
'We were just fooling around! Didn't you ever do that at my age? Wait, I know the answer to that, no, right?'
Jarod folded his arms.
'What does that mean?'
'Nothing.' Brian muttered in a surly manner. But Jarod would let it go.
'No, Brian, when I was your age I was used as a Guinea pig to hurt people. You would've been doing the same thing as I, if it hadn't been for my father and me. You would still be at the Centre, if it hadn't been for a lot of good people. So no, I didn't fool around with 12 year olds when I was 15. Not that I would've wanted to. And you're not going to do it either!'
Brian slammed his dresser drawer closed and walked out of his room. Jarod followed him as he walked down the hall.
'Brian? Brian, I want you to stop right now!"
Brian, who had been headed back downstairs, stopped in the middle of the hallway. His back was to Jarod. Jarod walked up and past him, until he was facing son again.
'Your mother is probably going to have to tell Mr. Broots what happened here today. He's going to want to know how long this has been going on.'
'Why do you two have to ruin everything in my life?!' Brian snapped. 'Why does YOUR wife have to tell Debbie's father anything?! Nothing was going on! And I think you have a lot of nerve lecturing me! You may not have been doing anything at 15, but I can add...better than most people. You had to have been really young when I was born.'
Jarod eyed him, then nodded.
'We were, although we did not know that you had been born.'
'Yeah, right!'
Jarod's eyes widened!
'What did you say?'
Brian's jaw hardened.
'You heard me. I don't believe your story about how you 'just realized I was your son'. I never did. If you didn't want me, you should've just said so, instead of thinking that you're any better than Dad or Cathy. They may not have done right by Mallory or you, but at least they admit that and...'
Jarod put a hand up!
'Excuse me, young man! Where the hell are you getting your information?! Your mother and I were given a drug to erase our memories! I'm now wondering if you weren't injected with something as well! You lived at the Centre for a good part of your life! You know what that place was like! Did my father tell you that story? Or Cathy?'
Brian folded his arms and said nothing. Jarod continued his tirade, but in a much quieter voice, as to not wake Abigail from her nap.
'I'm not going into this with you anymore. You might as well get used to the fact that we are your parents. And if you want to begin associating with your grandparents again when you're eighteen, then by all means you go for it. But you will be living with us until that day. And Dad and 'Cathy' will not be welcome in our lives until then. Also, I would be prepared to face a lecture from Mr. Broots tomorrow over your disgusting behavior with his daughter! I don't know where you got the idea that necking with a 12 year old was decent behavior, but that too will end as long as you live here! Are we clear?'
Brian turned and stomped back towards his room! He slammed the door hard! Jarod nodded to himself.
'I think he understands.' he said to himself. He still couldn't believe the kid's gall! To hint that Mallory and him had lied about the circumstances surrounding his birth! Jarod decided not to tell Mallory that. She had enough to deal with, just knowing that her mother was alive after all of these years, and trying to recover from her ordeal with Lyle.
The doorbell rang. Jarod went downstairs and looked through the peephole. It was his cousin, Sidney. He opened the door and gave her a big hug.
'Sidney! Did you come for a preview of the Christmas dinner?' he asked jokingly. Sidney could smell good things, just from her position outside. She shook her head.
'Jarod, we need to talk. Can I come in?'
Jarod nodded quickly, concerned about his cousin's demeanor.
'Of course, get in here.' he said, pulling her in, then closing the door. Sidney looked around.
'Is Mallory around?' she asked, her eyes taking in the Holiday decorations.
'Uh, no. She had an errand to run. Brian and Abigail are upstairs. What's up?'
Sidney grabbed his hand and pulled him down onto the couch next to her. She eyed the staircase, before speaking.
'I went to see Lyle today.'
Jarod's expression changed.
'Why?' he asked in a tight voice.
'Jarod, I am just as worried about little Bobby as you are...'
'And I understand that, Sidney. Both Mallory and I feel better knowing that Vaughn and you are doing everything you can. But you have to think about him.'
Sidney raised a brow.
'Vaughn?'
'Yes! He was worried sick about you when you were undercover at the Centre. And I know it is one of his greatest fears that Lyle will take some kind of revenge on you. Stay away from Lyle.'
'Jarod, really I appreciate your concern. But I am a CIA agent. That's what I do. Vaughn is going to have get past his overprotectiveness when it comes to my assignments. Look, I didn't come here to discuss my problems. I learned something from Lyle today.'
'He told you something? About Bobby?'
Sidney nodded grimly. Jarod felt his throat tighten.
'He's dead, isn't he?'
'No! No, he's not. But, it's not good.'
'Just tell me.' Jarod insisted.
'Lyle told me that he received a visit from Catherine Parker two weeks ago.'
Jarod slowly stood up.
'Catherine Parker went to visit Lyle in prison, when she acted too scared to see him in the hospital?'
Sidney stood up as well.
'Oh, believe me, Jarod, that crossed my mind as well! But it gets worse. Catherine told him that she was his real mother, and that she would be happy to care for Bobby until he got out of prison.'
Jarod just shook his head.
'You're telling me that that woman and my father, have Bobby? That they've had him for the past two weeks?'
Sidney nodded silently. Before Jarod could vent, Sidney had to say something else.
'Is it possible that Brian knew this whole time as well?' she asked.
Jarod just stared at his cousin.
'I....I don't know. I suppose it's possible. Before you arrived here we were having a disagreement about something else. Anyway, as per the norm with my son, he threw my father and Catherine Parker in my face again. I don't know. It could be possible.'
Sidney reached out and clasped Jarod's hand.
'I'm so sorry that you are still having problems with Brian. I thought after what happened to Mallory, maybe he would've come around.'
'So did I.' Jarod said softly.
'Listen, I have a team watching the house in Alaska. It's up to you how you want to proceed. Mallory is going to be...'
'Angry and disappointed in her mother, yet again!' Jarod hissed angrily.
'You know, I was wondering, maybe we should look into Catherine Parker's story.'
Jarod gave her a questioning look.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, Jarod, that this woman that you've been dealing with is nothing like the brave, gentle courageous woman you always heard people speak of. I watched the old DSA's too, for my assignment. They look alike, but it's almost as if anything soft about the woman on the DSA's, has long vanished in the woman we see today.'
'Yes...but she has that strange illness. I guess being sick constantly put a strain on her and my father.'
'Yeah, Jarod, I can appreciate that. But look at it from my perspective, that being that neither one of them are my parents. They have lied a little too much already and exhibited some really underhanded behavior. It just makes me wonder if that story Mallory and you were told, shouldn't be looked into. I mean, let's take this twin sister Mallory has? I know you saw some pictures and all of that, but why haven't you met her? Does she hate your father and her own mother? I don't think we can take Catherine Parker's word for anything anymore.'
Jarod nodded slowly. Sidney was making sense, though it had never occurred to him, or Mallory, to ever doubt Catherine's story. Her reasoning was what had upset everyone. To not tell people you're alive because you have some facial scars just sounded ridiculous and vain.
Then again, maybe that story was also a lie.
Jarod looked into Sidney's eyes.
'I'm not telling Mallory any of this until after Christmas. I don't want the holiday ruined by anything or anyone. After, I'll tell Mallory about Bobby, and we'll fly down to Alaska together.'
'Okay, that solves one problem...sort of. Do you really think your father and his wife are just going to turn Bobby over to you? I mean, Brian was different, because he was your actual child. And to be honest, I should call social services. I mean he's really not yours or theirs.'
'I have faith that the system will see our side. Catherine Parker lied about being Lyle's mother in order to get Bobby.'
'But Jarod, what if she DIDN'T lie? What if the story she told Sydney, Mallory and you is the lie? What if Lyle really is her son? What if this twin doesn't exist? What if those pictures were fake or something?'
'Sidney...where would she have gotten Mallory's image from? I mean that is what we're talking about here. And I've never seen...'
Jarod suddenly sighed heavily. He had once been a Pretender for a place called The Centre. He had spent years on the run, falsifying I.D.'s and paperwork, just so he could fit in at one occupation or another. Of course it could be done.
'I won't hit Mallory with this now. Not at Christmas...maybe not until the New Year. Do you think that you can keep watch on the house that long?'
Sidney shook her head.
'Not without a good explanation. We need to move now. I really think that we've been underestimating your father and step-mother.'
'I'm afraid your right.' Jarod said grimly. But there was a part of him that wondered if somewhere along the way, his own father became a pawn in Catherine Parker's game as well.
****
Twenty minutes later, Mallory opened the door and slammed it. Jarod came out of the kitchen. He had donned his 'Kiss The Cook' apron again, and had continued on with dinner. He reasoned he would just have to tell Mallory the truth about Bobby, and let the chips fall where they may.
'Well?' he asked, helping Mallory take off her coat.
'Broots wasn't there...he had to work, but I gave Debbie a lecture...no, I chewed her out! She just can't put out at her age!'
''Put out'?' Jarod asked. He then walked over to the closet and hung up her coat. Mallory didn't really feel like explaining such a crude expression to him at this time.
'You know, she's not my child. I guess how she conducts herself is really none of my business.' Mallory said resignedly. She sat down on the couch and put her face in her hands. Jarod walked over and sat down next to her. Mallory rested her head in his lap.
'Honey, Debbie doesn't have a mother. In many ways, you are the closest thing she has had to one.'
'I know that Jarod, but...'
'Mallory, listen to me: I know there were people that thought that I was being nosy, or interfering in things that did not concern me, when I used to do all of those Pretends. But I have always believed that if everyone did just 'mind their own business', then there would be a lot more misery in this world. Debbie needs to talk to another woman. Maybe you can make time tomorrow to take her aside and say something.'
Mallory lifted her head up and looked at him.
'You want me to give Debbie the 'sex talk' on Christmas Day?'
Jarod put his arms around her.
'Think of it as a Christmas present to her.'
Mallory smiled and pulled away from him.
'Okay Confucius! Did you give our son the same talk?'
'I tried and got a lot of attitude for my trouble. Also, I got a visit from my cousin Sidney.'
Mallory frowned.
'Is everything alright? Are her and Vaughn still coming tomorrow?'
'Uh, yes. Honey, she went to see Lyle today.'
Mallory stood up.
'Because of Bobby? Did she find out anything?'
Jarod stood up as well.
'Yes. I want you to stay calm now.'
'He's dead, isn't he?! Lyle murdered him, didn't he?!' she asked, beginning to panic.
'No! No, honey, he's not dead. Lyle has him staying with a couple.'
'A couple? A couple of criminals I'm sure! Did Sidney find out who they were?'
Jarod reached out to take her hands in his.
'Yes.'
There was a silence.
'Okay. I can tell by the fact that you don't want to tell me who these people are, that it's someone I know, right?'
'It's someone we both know.'
There was another silence.
'Jarod! Just tell me!'
'Our parents have Bobby.' Jarod said quietly. Mallory snatched her hands from his!
'This is a joke, right? You're kidding?! You are kidding, Jarod, aren't you?!'
'Honey, calm down.'
'Calm down? Those 'people' have lied to the both of us for the last time! Now I hate to ruin everyone's Christmas, but I am flying to Alaska to get my little brother back! What the hell was my mother thinking?! What is wrong with her?!'
Jarod gently pushed Mallory back down on the sofa. He sat down as well.
'Sidney has people watching the house. Apparently your mother went to the prison to see Lyle and told him that she was indeed his real mother.'
Mallory began shaking her head.
'Why now? That's no different from what you asked her to do in the hospital!'
'Believe me, that was not lost on either Sidney or myself. She thinks we ought to check out your mother's story.'
'What do you mean?' Mallory asked him wearily.
'I mean, our parents have been less than truthful with us before...maybe we should have had your mother's story checked out.'
'You think she lied about Lyle? You think he really is my twin?' Mallory asked him.
'Or maybe you don't have a sister. Maybe the pictures were doctored. This 'secretary' that was Lyle's mother...what was her name? She must've had a family.'
Mallory looked him carefully.
'Jarod, that would mean that your father lied as well.'
'He already lied about my mother selling my brother and I to the Centre! Our relationship has never been the same since. I'm afraid we can't put it past him to lie about this as well. Sidney said that because Bobby is not our child or theirs, this could get messy. The fact that they have lied so much could work in our favor.'
'It has to.' Mallory said with determination. 'No judge could be so cruel as to leave an innocent little boy in the hands of two born liars! Look, let's just have a nice Christmas and after, we'll figure out what to do. I don't guess they're beating him or anything. I suppose he'll be alright until then.'
Jarod pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. Neither of them saw Brian creep back up the stairs. He hurried into his room and closed the door. He then opened his dresser drawer and dug around. He pulled out that cell phone that Cathy had snuck to him at the hospital. He was only to use it to call them.
Brian turned it on and began punching in numbers. From what he had just overheard between Jarod and Mallory, Cathy and his father were about to be accused of stealing some child or something!
Brian knew that Cathy would've never just taken this Bobby, without letting Jarod and Mallory know about it! Mallory had been moping around here since getting out of the hospital about the kid! There was no way! But this time, he wanted his parents to be prepared for the accusations that were going to be hurled their way, so they could defend themselves properly.
Jarod sat down on Brian's bed. He had just put Abigail down for a nap. Mallory had left to drive Debbie home.
'When did this start?' Jarod asked quietly.
Brian was busy looking through his dresser drawers for another shirt. He did not answer.
Jarod stood up and walked over to him.
'Brian, I need to know how long this has been going on?' he asked again, this time his voice was quiet, yet firm.
'Nothing has been going on. We just became close at the hospital...when she and her father came to be with us. There's nothing going on.'
'It didn't look like nothing.'
'We were just fooling around! Didn't you ever do that at my age? Wait, I know the answer to that, no, right?'
Jarod folded his arms.
'What does that mean?'
'Nothing.' Brian muttered in a surly manner. But Jarod would let it go.
'No, Brian, when I was your age I was used as a Guinea pig to hurt people. You would've been doing the same thing as I, if it hadn't been for my father and me. You would still be at the Centre, if it hadn't been for a lot of good people. So no, I didn't fool around with 12 year olds when I was 15. Not that I would've wanted to. And you're not going to do it either!'
Brian slammed his dresser drawer closed and walked out of his room. Jarod followed him as he walked down the hall.
'Brian? Brian, I want you to stop right now!"
Brian, who had been headed back downstairs, stopped in the middle of the hallway. His back was to Jarod. Jarod walked up and past him, until he was facing son again.
'Your mother is probably going to have to tell Mr. Broots what happened here today. He's going to want to know how long this has been going on.'
'Why do you two have to ruin everything in my life?!' Brian snapped. 'Why does YOUR wife have to tell Debbie's father anything?! Nothing was going on! And I think you have a lot of nerve lecturing me! You may not have been doing anything at 15, but I can add...better than most people. You had to have been really young when I was born.'
Jarod eyed him, then nodded.
'We were, although we did not know that you had been born.'
'Yeah, right!'
Jarod's eyes widened!
'What did you say?'
Brian's jaw hardened.
'You heard me. I don't believe your story about how you 'just realized I was your son'. I never did. If you didn't want me, you should've just said so, instead of thinking that you're any better than Dad or Cathy. They may not have done right by Mallory or you, but at least they admit that and...'
Jarod put a hand up!
'Excuse me, young man! Where the hell are you getting your information?! Your mother and I were given a drug to erase our memories! I'm now wondering if you weren't injected with something as well! You lived at the Centre for a good part of your life! You know what that place was like! Did my father tell you that story? Or Cathy?'
Brian folded his arms and said nothing. Jarod continued his tirade, but in a much quieter voice, as to not wake Abigail from her nap.
'I'm not going into this with you anymore. You might as well get used to the fact that we are your parents. And if you want to begin associating with your grandparents again when you're eighteen, then by all means you go for it. But you will be living with us until that day. And Dad and 'Cathy' will not be welcome in our lives until then. Also, I would be prepared to face a lecture from Mr. Broots tomorrow over your disgusting behavior with his daughter! I don't know where you got the idea that necking with a 12 year old was decent behavior, but that too will end as long as you live here! Are we clear?'
Brian turned and stomped back towards his room! He slammed the door hard! Jarod nodded to himself.
'I think he understands.' he said to himself. He still couldn't believe the kid's gall! To hint that Mallory and him had lied about the circumstances surrounding his birth! Jarod decided not to tell Mallory that. She had enough to deal with, just knowing that her mother was alive after all of these years, and trying to recover from her ordeal with Lyle.
The doorbell rang. Jarod went downstairs and looked through the peephole. It was his cousin, Sidney. He opened the door and gave her a big hug.
'Sidney! Did you come for a preview of the Christmas dinner?' he asked jokingly. Sidney could smell good things, just from her position outside. She shook her head.
'Jarod, we need to talk. Can I come in?'
Jarod nodded quickly, concerned about his cousin's demeanor.
'Of course, get in here.' he said, pulling her in, then closing the door. Sidney looked around.
'Is Mallory around?' she asked, her eyes taking in the Holiday decorations.
'Uh, no. She had an errand to run. Brian and Abigail are upstairs. What's up?'
Sidney grabbed his hand and pulled him down onto the couch next to her. She eyed the staircase, before speaking.
'I went to see Lyle today.'
Jarod's expression changed.
'Why?' he asked in a tight voice.
'Jarod, I am just as worried about little Bobby as you are...'
'And I understand that, Sidney. Both Mallory and I feel better knowing that Vaughn and you are doing everything you can. But you have to think about him.'
Sidney raised a brow.
'Vaughn?'
'Yes! He was worried sick about you when you were undercover at the Centre. And I know it is one of his greatest fears that Lyle will take some kind of revenge on you. Stay away from Lyle.'
'Jarod, really I appreciate your concern. But I am a CIA agent. That's what I do. Vaughn is going to have get past his overprotectiveness when it comes to my assignments. Look, I didn't come here to discuss my problems. I learned something from Lyle today.'
'He told you something? About Bobby?'
Sidney nodded grimly. Jarod felt his throat tighten.
'He's dead, isn't he?'
'No! No, he's not. But, it's not good.'
'Just tell me.' Jarod insisted.
'Lyle told me that he received a visit from Catherine Parker two weeks ago.'
Jarod slowly stood up.
'Catherine Parker went to visit Lyle in prison, when she acted too scared to see him in the hospital?'
Sidney stood up as well.
'Oh, believe me, Jarod, that crossed my mind as well! But it gets worse. Catherine told him that she was his real mother, and that she would be happy to care for Bobby until he got out of prison.'
Jarod just shook his head.
'You're telling me that that woman and my father, have Bobby? That they've had him for the past two weeks?'
Sidney nodded silently. Before Jarod could vent, Sidney had to say something else.
'Is it possible that Brian knew this whole time as well?' she asked.
Jarod just stared at his cousin.
'I....I don't know. I suppose it's possible. Before you arrived here we were having a disagreement about something else. Anyway, as per the norm with my son, he threw my father and Catherine Parker in my face again. I don't know. It could be possible.'
Sidney reached out and clasped Jarod's hand.
'I'm so sorry that you are still having problems with Brian. I thought after what happened to Mallory, maybe he would've come around.'
'So did I.' Jarod said softly.
'Listen, I have a team watching the house in Alaska. It's up to you how you want to proceed. Mallory is going to be...'
'Angry and disappointed in her mother, yet again!' Jarod hissed angrily.
'You know, I was wondering, maybe we should look into Catherine Parker's story.'
Jarod gave her a questioning look.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, Jarod, that this woman that you've been dealing with is nothing like the brave, gentle courageous woman you always heard people speak of. I watched the old DSA's too, for my assignment. They look alike, but it's almost as if anything soft about the woman on the DSA's, has long vanished in the woman we see today.'
'Yes...but she has that strange illness. I guess being sick constantly put a strain on her and my father.'
'Yeah, Jarod, I can appreciate that. But look at it from my perspective, that being that neither one of them are my parents. They have lied a little too much already and exhibited some really underhanded behavior. It just makes me wonder if that story Mallory and you were told, shouldn't be looked into. I mean, let's take this twin sister Mallory has? I know you saw some pictures and all of that, but why haven't you met her? Does she hate your father and her own mother? I don't think we can take Catherine Parker's word for anything anymore.'
Jarod nodded slowly. Sidney was making sense, though it had never occurred to him, or Mallory, to ever doubt Catherine's story. Her reasoning was what had upset everyone. To not tell people you're alive because you have some facial scars just sounded ridiculous and vain.
Then again, maybe that story was also a lie.
Jarod looked into Sidney's eyes.
'I'm not telling Mallory any of this until after Christmas. I don't want the holiday ruined by anything or anyone. After, I'll tell Mallory about Bobby, and we'll fly down to Alaska together.'
'Okay, that solves one problem...sort of. Do you really think your father and his wife are just going to turn Bobby over to you? I mean, Brian was different, because he was your actual child. And to be honest, I should call social services. I mean he's really not yours or theirs.'
'I have faith that the system will see our side. Catherine Parker lied about being Lyle's mother in order to get Bobby.'
'But Jarod, what if she DIDN'T lie? What if the story she told Sydney, Mallory and you is the lie? What if Lyle really is her son? What if this twin doesn't exist? What if those pictures were fake or something?'
'Sidney...where would she have gotten Mallory's image from? I mean that is what we're talking about here. And I've never seen...'
Jarod suddenly sighed heavily. He had once been a Pretender for a place called The Centre. He had spent years on the run, falsifying I.D.'s and paperwork, just so he could fit in at one occupation or another. Of course it could be done.
'I won't hit Mallory with this now. Not at Christmas...maybe not until the New Year. Do you think that you can keep watch on the house that long?'
Sidney shook her head.
'Not without a good explanation. We need to move now. I really think that we've been underestimating your father and step-mother.'
'I'm afraid your right.' Jarod said grimly. But there was a part of him that wondered if somewhere along the way, his own father became a pawn in Catherine Parker's game as well.
****
Twenty minutes later, Mallory opened the door and slammed it. Jarod came out of the kitchen. He had donned his 'Kiss The Cook' apron again, and had continued on with dinner. He reasoned he would just have to tell Mallory the truth about Bobby, and let the chips fall where they may.
'Well?' he asked, helping Mallory take off her coat.
'Broots wasn't there...he had to work, but I gave Debbie a lecture...no, I chewed her out! She just can't put out at her age!'
''Put out'?' Jarod asked. He then walked over to the closet and hung up her coat. Mallory didn't really feel like explaining such a crude expression to him at this time.
'You know, she's not my child. I guess how she conducts herself is really none of my business.' Mallory said resignedly. She sat down on the couch and put her face in her hands. Jarod walked over and sat down next to her. Mallory rested her head in his lap.
'Honey, Debbie doesn't have a mother. In many ways, you are the closest thing she has had to one.'
'I know that Jarod, but...'
'Mallory, listen to me: I know there were people that thought that I was being nosy, or interfering in things that did not concern me, when I used to do all of those Pretends. But I have always believed that if everyone did just 'mind their own business', then there would be a lot more misery in this world. Debbie needs to talk to another woman. Maybe you can make time tomorrow to take her aside and say something.'
Mallory lifted her head up and looked at him.
'You want me to give Debbie the 'sex talk' on Christmas Day?'
Jarod put his arms around her.
'Think of it as a Christmas present to her.'
Mallory smiled and pulled away from him.
'Okay Confucius! Did you give our son the same talk?'
'I tried and got a lot of attitude for my trouble. Also, I got a visit from my cousin Sidney.'
Mallory frowned.
'Is everything alright? Are her and Vaughn still coming tomorrow?'
'Uh, yes. Honey, she went to see Lyle today.'
Mallory stood up.
'Because of Bobby? Did she find out anything?'
Jarod stood up as well.
'Yes. I want you to stay calm now.'
'He's dead, isn't he?! Lyle murdered him, didn't he?!' she asked, beginning to panic.
'No! No, honey, he's not dead. Lyle has him staying with a couple.'
'A couple? A couple of criminals I'm sure! Did Sidney find out who they were?'
Jarod reached out to take her hands in his.
'Yes.'
There was a silence.
'Okay. I can tell by the fact that you don't want to tell me who these people are, that it's someone I know, right?'
'It's someone we both know.'
There was another silence.
'Jarod! Just tell me!'
'Our parents have Bobby.' Jarod said quietly. Mallory snatched her hands from his!
'This is a joke, right? You're kidding?! You are kidding, Jarod, aren't you?!'
'Honey, calm down.'
'Calm down? Those 'people' have lied to the both of us for the last time! Now I hate to ruin everyone's Christmas, but I am flying to Alaska to get my little brother back! What the hell was my mother thinking?! What is wrong with her?!'
Jarod gently pushed Mallory back down on the sofa. He sat down as well.
'Sidney has people watching the house. Apparently your mother went to the prison to see Lyle and told him that she was indeed his real mother.'
Mallory began shaking her head.
'Why now? That's no different from what you asked her to do in the hospital!'
'Believe me, that was not lost on either Sidney or myself. She thinks we ought to check out your mother's story.'
'What do you mean?' Mallory asked him wearily.
'I mean, our parents have been less than truthful with us before...maybe we should have had your mother's story checked out.'
'You think she lied about Lyle? You think he really is my twin?' Mallory asked him.
'Or maybe you don't have a sister. Maybe the pictures were doctored. This 'secretary' that was Lyle's mother...what was her name? She must've had a family.'
Mallory looked him carefully.
'Jarod, that would mean that your father lied as well.'
'He already lied about my mother selling my brother and I to the Centre! Our relationship has never been the same since. I'm afraid we can't put it past him to lie about this as well. Sidney said that because Bobby is not our child or theirs, this could get messy. The fact that they have lied so much could work in our favor.'
'It has to.' Mallory said with determination. 'No judge could be so cruel as to leave an innocent little boy in the hands of two born liars! Look, let's just have a nice Christmas and after, we'll figure out what to do. I don't guess they're beating him or anything. I suppose he'll be alright until then.'
Jarod pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. Neither of them saw Brian creep back up the stairs. He hurried into his room and closed the door. He then opened his dresser drawer and dug around. He pulled out that cell phone that Cathy had snuck to him at the hospital. He was only to use it to call them.
Brian turned it on and began punching in numbers. From what he had just overheard between Jarod and Mallory, Cathy and his father were about to be accused of stealing some child or something!
Brian knew that Cathy would've never just taken this Bobby, without letting Jarod and Mallory know about it! Mallory had been moping around here since getting out of the hospital about the kid! There was no way! But this time, he wanted his parents to be prepared for the accusations that were going to be hurled their way, so they could defend themselves properly.