Sphere of Influence: Homecoming --**-- by JayVitolo
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights. I'm just writing for fun.
Author Notes: This story started on schedule and then all of my classes wanted me to write things . . . so I never picked this back up. Once I decided to continue working on this chapter, my main problem was finding the Chinese that Lyle speaks . . . took me about a month to find Chinese words, every search brought about Chinese characters. But this is where it gets interesting . . . my computer decided it was time to fry the THIRD hard drive, causing me to lose ALL of my documents. This includes the Fanfics from Ouroboros Chronicles to Sphere of Influence. Hell . . . even my backup decided to not work.
But now it's done . . . so you can end my bitching and moaning here.
---***---
Marie Parker walks out of her bedroom to the sound of her cell phone beeping, indicating she has a message waiting for her. Without a second thought, she opens it and dials the number to reach her voice mail. Once she hears the voice, however, she wishes she never played the message.
"Hi sis. Long time no see. Listen closely. We NEED to talk, it a matter of life and death. Call me back soon." Lyle's voice carries his usual smug attitude, but somehow Marie detects the urgency. She quickly presses the disconnect button and dials Sydney's number, hoping he knows what's going on.
"Sydney . . . "When he answers the phone, Sydney sounds like he just woke up.
"Syd, I just received a phone call from somebody we thought was dead." Parker instinctively looks around her living room, usually when somebody turns up alive they come after her.
"Who?" The curiosity in Sydney's voice doesn't try to be hidden.
"Lyle." Miss Parker pulls the phone close to her mouth and utters his name with a growl.
"That would explain my email message." The psychiatrist exhales slowly.
"What message?" Now it's Marie's turn to be curious.
"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. So, what does your brother want?"
"He wants to talk." A soft sigh escapes Marie's lips as she continues. "Which, given Lyle's personality, could mean a variety of things."
Sydney chuckles before continuing. "Are you going to meet with him?"
"I have no choice."
"Then be careful Parker."
"Always Syd." Marie grins as she closes the phone. She quickly turns to a mirror and adjusts her suit coat. "Alright Lyle, what are you up to now?"
---***---
Lyle looks behind him to see if he is being followed or watched. Once he realizes he is alone, he pulls his phone from a pocket again. He flips it open and begins to dial a number before looking up to see Viktor staring at him.
"Ah, Mister Lyle. Might I inquire as to what you are doing?" Viktor's voice carries an air of confidence as he stares into Lyle's eyes.
Lyle smiles as he straightens. "I'm just ordering Chinese."
A faint grin passes over Viktor's face. "Why don't you use the phone in my office?"
The response catches Lyle off guard, but he quickly composes himself. "I pay for 200 minutes on my phone . . . so I might as well use them. No offense to you in anyway."
"None taken. Just order me an Egg Roll." Viktor walks past Lyle before stopping in the shadows behind him.
Lyle finishes dialing the number and holds the phone to his ear. Once a voice on the other end answers, Lyle looks around again.
To be safe he opts to speak a different language, he figures Chinese is the best bet since he told Viktor he was ordering Chinese food. "Zán xÅ«yào liáotiÄn." (We need to talk.)
The voice on the other end acknowledges him as he continues. "DÄng dàng." (Face to face.)
Lyle nods slowly as he finishes. "Zàijiàn." (Good-bye.) Lyle then closes the phone before adjusting his suit coat and walking through a door.
Viktor steps out of the shadows with a mug expression on his face. He turns to his right and opens the door to meet with Wilhelm. The two come face to face as Wilhelm lowers an earpiece.
"I couldn't figure out what he was saying. He spoke a language I have not studied." Wilhelm looked Viktor in the eyes, hoping that Viktor would not kill him.
"You are of no use to me are you? The language was Chinese." Viktor smiled as he looked past Wilhelm to the dark walls. "Evidently Mr. Lyle is unaware that I am fluent in that tongue."
"So what did he say?"
Viktor smiles as he runs a hand over his chin. "He's meeting with someone. I don't know who and I don't know where, but I want him followed. Get some of the 'seekers' to tail him."
"As Blake commands, it will be done." Wilhelm bows his head before turning to leave the room.
Viktor watches Wilhelm close the door before voice his thoughts. "What are you up to Lyle?"
---***---
Lyle closes a door behind him and looks around the parking lot. He cautiously walks to his car and drops to his knees to look underneath it. Ever since he came back from Africa, Lyle has become more cautious about his surroundings. Always making sure he is alone, always making sure there are no eyes watching. Satisfied, he gets into his car and turns the key. Oddly enough, his cell phone rings as soon as he leaves the parking lot.
Lyle carefully reaches into his suit coat to remove his phone. "Lyle speaking."
The voice that responds is full of venom and definitely not in the mood for games. "What do you want?"
A grin finds its way onto Lyle's lips as he changes lanes. "Hi sis."
"Cut the crap Lyle. What do you want?"
Lyle doesn't even try to avoid the laugh building in him. He collects himself before continuing. "Always one for the point. I just wanted to talk."
"About what?"
"Don't you ever get tired of asking questions and never finding answers, sis?"
Anger builds in Marie's voice as she responds. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Patience Parker." Lyle grins as he detects the anger building in Marie. "About old times. About family matters. About Jarod." Lyle sighs into the phone after mentioning his name; unfinished business is often the best business.
"What about Jarod?"
"How he's walking into a trap and seems to be completely oblivious about it." Lyle turns onto a side road as he continues. "Family love can be so blinding."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Listen Parker, I'm about to meet an old friend. How's about you and I get together and discuss this?" Lyle parks his car in a parking lot outside a shopping mall. He turns the ignition off as he shifts the phone to a different ear.
"Fine. Where?" Marie is starting to become impatient. Why can't Lyle just die like a normal human?
"Parkway Shopping Center in Gilmor Field, Maryland." The dial tone greets his ear as Marie hangs up. Without flinching, Lyle dials a second number. As soon as the voice answers, Lyle speaks. "I'm here. Where are you?"
---***---
Marie looks out the window of her house and notices the rain clouds forming. Unconsciously, she looks at a picture of her and her mom. The smile on Catherine's lips is both warming and warning as Marie lifts the picture from her fireplace.
"What are you trying to tell me, mom?"
For a second, Marie could swear the smile on her mother's face disappeared. Quickly dismissing the thought as part of a headache, she places the photo where it came from. Turning her back to the picture, she pulls out her phone as she heads to the door. She quickly dials Jarod's number as she pulls the door shut.
---***---
Jarod is busy pulling on a shirt when his phone rings. The phone could have had a megaphone attached to it and he still wouldn't have heard the ringing. His mind was elsewhere. It kept pondering the same questions over and over again. What does he say to his mom? Will she still look like he pictures her? Is she with Emily and Dad? He looks into the room's mirror and straightens his jacket. After running his hands through his hair, he notices the light on his phone flashing.
Only then does he answer it. "Hello?" Jarod's voice is more enthusiastic than usual. Probably due to the fact he will finally be able to talk with his mom. No more running, no more evading. Just them . . . and them alone.
"Jarod! I thought you wouldn't answer." Marie's voice causes a smile to cross Jarod's face. It took him awhile, but she finally admitted her feelings. "Jarod, I need you to do something for me." Her voice trails off.
"What? I'm in a hurry Marie. I want to get to the Holiday Inn before I meet with my mom." A smile crosses his lips; old habits die hard, or so he's told. "It's hard for me to get over the feeling of being chased."
Marie sighs before she responds. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Lyle called me, he wants to meet."
"You think you can trust that psycho?" Jarod remembers when he was caught after holding Mr. Parker hostage. Lyle doesn't seem to be somebody you can trust. He always has a secret agenda, a way to look out for number one.
"I'm not too sure." She exhales slowly before attempting to voce her thoughts. "Jarod, I need you to not see your mom until I meet with Lyle."
The words sting Jarod. What is Marie doing? "What? I finally have her come back into my life and now you want to prevent me from seeing her? Why?"
"It's for your safety Jarod." Marie is rubbing her temples as she speaks.
"No. You've been doing this ever since I ran away from the Centre. For years you prevented me from seeing her. Now you want to start the games again." Anger begins to fill Jarod's voice as he begins to pace around the room. "She has come back into my life and she wants to see me. I will NOT disappoint her."
Marie is shocked by the anger Jarod shows, she covers her face before she responds. "Please, please don't do anything until I call back. Just give me one hour." She looks at her watch as she continues. "By my calculations that will give you enough time to scout the Inn."
A sigh of anger escapes Jarod's throat as he responds. "Fine. Do what you want to Parker. But you have a hour." He closes his phone as he turns to the mirror. "She's back in my life Parker. I cannot wait this time."
Jarod grabs his coat and quickly leaves the small motel room and heads to his car. As he begins to leave the motel, all he can think about is what he would say to his mom.
---***---
"What do you mean you lost Lyle?" Viktor is pacing around his desk. Good help is so hard to keep alive. He stops behind his desk and stares at the doorway. "You better damn well find him. The coins are not in your favor right now."
Viktor slams the phone back into its cradle before sitting in his chair. He runs his hands through his hair before looking up to see Wilhelm.
"Is something wrong sir?" A look of puzzlement is displayed on Wilhelm's face.
"Only the incompetence of a few." Viktor's hands cover his mouth as he focuses on a candle burning on his desk.
"In that case, I have some news that may enlighten your mood."
Viktor looks up to Wilhelm and waves his hand. "Continue."
"I know where Lyle is. And more specifically what his is doing and whom he sees." A smug look passes over Wilhelm's face.
Viktor leans back in his chair and smiles. "Explain."
Wilhelm clears his throat before pulling out a black folder. "He is in Stratten Field, Delaware at the local shopping mall. He is consulting a man from his past, voice patterns indicate the man as somebody he brought into the Centre a few years back." Wilhelm slides the folder towards Viktor before placing his hands behind his back.
Viktor picks up the blank folder as Wilhelm continues. "It is believed to be this man. During the political infighting the Centre went through years ago, he disappeared without a trace. Rumor has it he is the SOLE reason for Lyle's continued survival, even with a Yakuza contract on his head and the Triumvirate wanting him dead."
Viktor flips open the folder and reads over the paper contained inside. For a couple of seconds, the only noise is the mumbling of the man's name. Viktor's voice is barely audible as he continues to read. He looks up to Wilhelm with a smile. "Find all you can on this Jackson Cox."
"As you wish." Wilhelm turns on his heels and heads to the door. He looks back over his shoulder with a smile. "Hackers are a gift from God himself."
Viktor barely acknowledges the remark with a wave of the hand. As the door shuts behind Wilhelm, Viktor spins his chair to face the wall. With the picture of the man in front of him, Viktor lets out a sigh of comfort. The man in the picture is wearing a three-piece suit and has his black hair slicked back. A smug grin is on his face.
A soft chuckle escapes Viktor's mouth. "Mr. Jackson Cox. What secrets do you hide for me to find?"
---***---
Lyle pulls into a parking place outside the main building of the shopping center as he carefully looks around. A van slows to a stop in the distance and a man leaves the driver's side. The unknown man begins to walk towards Lyle; his hands are in his pockets. Instinctively, Lyle reaches for his gun but stop when he sees the three-piece suit and the slicked back black hair. He extends his hand as the other man graciously accepts it.
Lyle breathes a sigh of relief as he faces the other man. "Thank you for coming Jackson."
The Englishman smiles and nods his head. "It's but a honor of mine. About this urgent matter?"
Lyle looks around the parking lot again and sees his sister pull up. He waves his hand in between Cox and himself to indicate a change of subject. Once Marie walks up to them, Lyle flashes a grin that causes her blood to freeze. "Morning Sis."
Marie looks Lyle in the face and notices the cut on the right side of Lyle's face and the absent look in his right eye. "Jesus Lyle. What'd you do, cut yourself shaving?"
Lyle smirks at the comment, waving it off like it never happened. "Sis, I'm sure you remember our esteemed colleague, Mr. Cox."
Parker looks to her left with a look of disgust on her face. "Not you again."
Cox steps forward with a smug expression on his face. "I assure you, Miss Parker, it is a honor to see you again."
"Same crap, new day." Marie rubs her temples as she turns back to Lyle. "Now, what did you want to meet me about?"
Lyle sighs before continuing. His gaze falls to the parking lot before he speaks. "Two things actually. One: these people I've been working with have kidnapped our father. And Ben."
"I know that already. Cut to the chase." Marie crosses her arms over her chest as she starts to tap a heel.
"They're planning to kill them." Lyle looks up to Marie's face and sees the look of shock. Marie turns to head back to her car, but Lyle grabs her arm to spin her back around. "There's more."
"Like what?!?" The panic in Parker's voice is evident. Her real father and the man that raised her from childhood are about to die and Lyle wants to keep talking.
"They set a trap for Jarod."
"I know that already. You told me over the phone." Marie pulls her arm out of Lyle's grip as she starts to back peddle to her car.
"Yes, but you don't know who's involved." He sees the panic etched into Marie's face as he continues. "You have to stop the meeting before it's too late."
"Why?" Marie tries to sound like she isn't worried, but so far it's failing miserably.
"Because the woman he's meeting isn't his mom. Her name is Madeline and she looks almost exactly like Margaret." Lyle might as well have stopped talking after saying the woman isn't Jarod's real mom. He watches as Parker jumps back into her car, a smile breaks onto his face.
Lyle turns back to Cox, the smile still plastered on his lips. "Now about our business." He places his arms around Cox's shoulders as they begin to walk into the mall. "I've been away from the Centre for far too long. With my sister being currently occupied, our only resistance comes in the form of Broots and Sydney." The two disappear from view in the mall as Marie pulls out of the parking lot.
---***---
Miss Parker swerves down the road, keeping one eye on the traffic while the other helps her fish for the cell phone. She finally finds it and dials Jarod's number. She tries again after receiving no response only to suffer the same fate. She curses under her breath as she plugs a second number into her phone. She breathes a sigh of relief when a familiar voice answers.
"Broots." The technician sounds like he just woke up.
"Broots! Where are you?"
Once he hears Marie's voice, he snaps awake. "Tech room. Why?"
"Good. I need you to do a trace on a phone number."
Marie hears the clicking of keys as Broots responds. "Give me a couple of seconds."
"You have two."
Broots sighs as he hits one final key. "There. Go ahead."
"Area code 814, 3933036."
"Got it. Hey, this is Jarod's number." A hit of joy hits Broots' voice as he looks over the recent calls list. "I hope you know this isn't the most legal thing I could be doing right now. It's more legal for me to snipe people from a bell . . ."
Marie cuts off the tirade with one of her Ice Queen demands. "I don't care right now Broots. Just tell me where he is."
"Tower." Broots mumbles the final word of his last thought and scrolls through the listing of recent calls. "According to this he's outside of Baltimore. Looks like Fredericksburg."
"Good. I just entered Baltimore's city limits. Can you tell me where the Holiday Inn is located?"
More clicking keys can be heard as Broots diligently types away. Parker can here him humming in the back ground, but the noise suddenly stops as he clicks two more keys. "Found it. 6251 South G Street. G as in Girl."
"Thank you Broots." Marie closes her phone and tosses it on the passenger side as she takes a sharp turn. In a couple of minutes, she makes it to G Street and smiles as she sees a rather large 'Holiday Inn' sign elevated over the road. Parker screeches the car to a halt and quickly unbuckles her seatbelt, as the car's door swings open. She quickly pulls her gun out of the holster and screws a silencer into place before securing it under her suit coat. Marie opens the doors and looks around the large room, noticing a man sitting at a table with a red headed woman.
"Jarod!" Marie quickly runs over to the man but stops when she realizes the guy is too young to be Jarod. She quickly turns her back before the couple can see her blush. As she turns around, Jarod walks through the main doors and finds his way to the reservation desk. After what looks to be a quick exchange, Jarod walks towards the back of the motel and sits facing the back doors. Marie decides to walk in his direction and try to talk him out of this meeting.
Jarod looks up to See Marie walking towards him and stiffens in the seat. Without even glancing at her, he speaks. "What do you want?"
The anger in Jarod's voice hurts her. It reminds her of when they were caught on Carthis, the way she treated him in the car. That's how Jarod is treating her now. "This is a trap Jarod. The woman you're meeting is not your mom."
Jarod looks at her with a sad expression. "You're going to have to do more than that Parker. You people kept me from her my whole life and now when I finally get to meet her again, you want to stop it."
Marie sinks to her knees when Jarod called her by her last name. They've been through so much together, why won't Jarod see the truth? Maybe Lyle was right. Maybe family love can be blinding. "I'm serious Jarod. I don't want you to get hurt."
Jarod looks Marie in the eyes and notices the tears that are forming. "She finally came back into my life Parker. For once I'm going to have a full family." Jarod looks up to see a woman walk through the doors, a smile breaks out onto his face as he starts to stand. Marie sees his face light up and follows his eyes. Before she can say anything else, Jarod is on his feet and heading in her direction.
Marie looks to the floor and notices a reflection of a man with what looks like a rifle. She looks up to Jarod and starts to yell at him, but everything seems to be happening in slow motion. Marie sees the woman reveal what seems to be a rag and go to place it over Jarod's mouth. Out of instincts, Marie pulls her gun out of the holster and fires at the other woman, causing her to drop the rag and fall to the ground. Parker rolls to her back and manages to shot the man in the balcony before he can do any damage.
Time seems to restore itself as Marie looks to see Jarod looking at the woman on the ground. Tears cover his face as he looks at the woman in the puddle of blood. "Mom? Mom!" He looks up at Marie as the tears give way to rage. "You killed her."
Marie slowly climbs to her feet, still holding the gun in her hands. "Jarod, she was setting a trap." She walks towards Jarod but is shocked to see him back peddling.
"I don't want to hear anymore Parker. Stay away from me." Jarod keeps his eyes locked onto Marie as he backs through the door. "This is the last time you people kill my family."
As Marie watches, the door slams shut separating her from Jarod and her hopes of ever making him understand. Her eyes look from her gun to the woman lying on the floor as she falls to her knees. She knows it isn't wise to sit here after just killing somebody, but her body doesn't want to move. She eventually summons the willpower to stand and head through the doors after Jarod, but the city is so big. Add to it that he KNOWS how to disappear and he could be sitting on a park bench watching her, Marie still wouldn't be able to find him. She sighs before looking around and tossing her gun in the trash. Maybe Sydney can help with Jarod, she doubts it though.
---***---
Lyle pulls his car back into the old parking garage of Viktor's hideout and slowly parks where he was before. He quickly exits the car after turning it off and quietly closes the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turns to walk through the garage and opens the door that leads into the building. As Lyle takes a turn down a hallway, Wilhelm steps in front of him. Lyle looks at the man and smiles.
"Can I help you?" Lyle tries to sound as polite as possible, truth be told he is actually quite annoyed.
"Viktor wants to address us." Wilhelm's tone matches his demeanor, he means business.
"Lead the way." Lyle pushes his hands into his pockets as Wilhelm pivots on his heels.
The two men walk down a hallway and stop as Wilhelm opens one of the large metal doors. He steps to the side allowing Lyle to enter first and then slowly pulls it closed. Viktor stands as Lyle walks to the desk with Wilhelm following closely.
"Hello gentlemen." Viktor sighs as he leans on his desk. "I have some unfortunate news."
Lyle straightens as Wilhelm relaxes his shoulders. The last time Lyle heard those words coming from somebody, it was bad news for him.
"It seems Madeline has been killed." Viktor's eyes fall to the desktop as he continues. "But our plan has worked. One of our followers has reported that Jarod and Miss Parker are no longer on 'speaking' terms. Jarod pretty much vowed to kill her next time they meet."
A grin passes over Lyle face; he realizes this meeting has nothing to do with him. The smile fades as Viktor looks at him.
"Now for the second matter of business. Where have you been for the past hours Mr. Lyle?" Viktor falls back into his seat as Wilhelm reaches into his coat. "It seems your intentions are not the same as our own. You seem to be involved in 'extra-curricular activities' as of late."
Lyle straightens as he feels Viktor's eyes gazing at him. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh really?" Viktor smiles as Wilhelm places the barrel of a handgun into the base of Lyle's neck. "Perhaps you'd like to explain your actions. You've been contacting an outsider. I want to know why." Lyle takes a deep breath as Viktor slides the picture of Mr. Cox towards him.
Wilhelm smiles as he pulls the hammer back on the gun. "You might want to start talking. I don't know how long I can avoid pulling the trigger."
---***---
TBC . . . . . . . . . . . Read and Rate
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights. I'm just writing for fun.
Author Notes: This story started on schedule and then all of my classes wanted me to write things . . . so I never picked this back up. Once I decided to continue working on this chapter, my main problem was finding the Chinese that Lyle speaks . . . took me about a month to find Chinese words, every search brought about Chinese characters. But this is where it gets interesting . . . my computer decided it was time to fry the THIRD hard drive, causing me to lose ALL of my documents. This includes the Fanfics from Ouroboros Chronicles to Sphere of Influence. Hell . . . even my backup decided to not work.
But now it's done . . . so you can end my bitching and moaning here.
---***---
Marie Parker walks out of her bedroom to the sound of her cell phone beeping, indicating she has a message waiting for her. Without a second thought, she opens it and dials the number to reach her voice mail. Once she hears the voice, however, she wishes she never played the message.
"Hi sis. Long time no see. Listen closely. We NEED to talk, it a matter of life and death. Call me back soon." Lyle's voice carries his usual smug attitude, but somehow Marie detects the urgency. She quickly presses the disconnect button and dials Sydney's number, hoping he knows what's going on.
"Sydney . . . "When he answers the phone, Sydney sounds like he just woke up.
"Syd, I just received a phone call from somebody we thought was dead." Parker instinctively looks around her living room, usually when somebody turns up alive they come after her.
"Who?" The curiosity in Sydney's voice doesn't try to be hidden.
"Lyle." Miss Parker pulls the phone close to her mouth and utters his name with a growl.
"That would explain my email message." The psychiatrist exhales slowly.
"What message?" Now it's Marie's turn to be curious.
"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. So, what does your brother want?"
"He wants to talk." A soft sigh escapes Marie's lips as she continues. "Which, given Lyle's personality, could mean a variety of things."
Sydney chuckles before continuing. "Are you going to meet with him?"
"I have no choice."
"Then be careful Parker."
"Always Syd." Marie grins as she closes the phone. She quickly turns to a mirror and adjusts her suit coat. "Alright Lyle, what are you up to now?"
---***---
Lyle looks behind him to see if he is being followed or watched. Once he realizes he is alone, he pulls his phone from a pocket again. He flips it open and begins to dial a number before looking up to see Viktor staring at him.
"Ah, Mister Lyle. Might I inquire as to what you are doing?" Viktor's voice carries an air of confidence as he stares into Lyle's eyes.
Lyle smiles as he straightens. "I'm just ordering Chinese."
A faint grin passes over Viktor's face. "Why don't you use the phone in my office?"
The response catches Lyle off guard, but he quickly composes himself. "I pay for 200 minutes on my phone . . . so I might as well use them. No offense to you in anyway."
"None taken. Just order me an Egg Roll." Viktor walks past Lyle before stopping in the shadows behind him.
Lyle finishes dialing the number and holds the phone to his ear. Once a voice on the other end answers, Lyle looks around again.
To be safe he opts to speak a different language, he figures Chinese is the best bet since he told Viktor he was ordering Chinese food. "Zán xÅ«yào liáotiÄn." (We need to talk.)
The voice on the other end acknowledges him as he continues. "DÄng dàng." (Face to face.)
Lyle nods slowly as he finishes. "Zàijiàn." (Good-bye.) Lyle then closes the phone before adjusting his suit coat and walking through a door.
Viktor steps out of the shadows with a mug expression on his face. He turns to his right and opens the door to meet with Wilhelm. The two come face to face as Wilhelm lowers an earpiece.
"I couldn't figure out what he was saying. He spoke a language I have not studied." Wilhelm looked Viktor in the eyes, hoping that Viktor would not kill him.
"You are of no use to me are you? The language was Chinese." Viktor smiled as he looked past Wilhelm to the dark walls. "Evidently Mr. Lyle is unaware that I am fluent in that tongue."
"So what did he say?"
Viktor smiles as he runs a hand over his chin. "He's meeting with someone. I don't know who and I don't know where, but I want him followed. Get some of the 'seekers' to tail him."
"As Blake commands, it will be done." Wilhelm bows his head before turning to leave the room.
Viktor watches Wilhelm close the door before voice his thoughts. "What are you up to Lyle?"
---***---
Lyle closes a door behind him and looks around the parking lot. He cautiously walks to his car and drops to his knees to look underneath it. Ever since he came back from Africa, Lyle has become more cautious about his surroundings. Always making sure he is alone, always making sure there are no eyes watching. Satisfied, he gets into his car and turns the key. Oddly enough, his cell phone rings as soon as he leaves the parking lot.
Lyle carefully reaches into his suit coat to remove his phone. "Lyle speaking."
The voice that responds is full of venom and definitely not in the mood for games. "What do you want?"
A grin finds its way onto Lyle's lips as he changes lanes. "Hi sis."
"Cut the crap Lyle. What do you want?"
Lyle doesn't even try to avoid the laugh building in him. He collects himself before continuing. "Always one for the point. I just wanted to talk."
"About what?"
"Don't you ever get tired of asking questions and never finding answers, sis?"
Anger builds in Marie's voice as she responds. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Patience Parker." Lyle grins as he detects the anger building in Marie. "About old times. About family matters. About Jarod." Lyle sighs into the phone after mentioning his name; unfinished business is often the best business.
"What about Jarod?"
"How he's walking into a trap and seems to be completely oblivious about it." Lyle turns onto a side road as he continues. "Family love can be so blinding."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Listen Parker, I'm about to meet an old friend. How's about you and I get together and discuss this?" Lyle parks his car in a parking lot outside a shopping mall. He turns the ignition off as he shifts the phone to a different ear.
"Fine. Where?" Marie is starting to become impatient. Why can't Lyle just die like a normal human?
"Parkway Shopping Center in Gilmor Field, Maryland." The dial tone greets his ear as Marie hangs up. Without flinching, Lyle dials a second number. As soon as the voice answers, Lyle speaks. "I'm here. Where are you?"
---***---
Marie looks out the window of her house and notices the rain clouds forming. Unconsciously, she looks at a picture of her and her mom. The smile on Catherine's lips is both warming and warning as Marie lifts the picture from her fireplace.
"What are you trying to tell me, mom?"
For a second, Marie could swear the smile on her mother's face disappeared. Quickly dismissing the thought as part of a headache, she places the photo where it came from. Turning her back to the picture, she pulls out her phone as she heads to the door. She quickly dials Jarod's number as she pulls the door shut.
---***---
Jarod is busy pulling on a shirt when his phone rings. The phone could have had a megaphone attached to it and he still wouldn't have heard the ringing. His mind was elsewhere. It kept pondering the same questions over and over again. What does he say to his mom? Will she still look like he pictures her? Is she with Emily and Dad? He looks into the room's mirror and straightens his jacket. After running his hands through his hair, he notices the light on his phone flashing.
Only then does he answer it. "Hello?" Jarod's voice is more enthusiastic than usual. Probably due to the fact he will finally be able to talk with his mom. No more running, no more evading. Just them . . . and them alone.
"Jarod! I thought you wouldn't answer." Marie's voice causes a smile to cross Jarod's face. It took him awhile, but she finally admitted her feelings. "Jarod, I need you to do something for me." Her voice trails off.
"What? I'm in a hurry Marie. I want to get to the Holiday Inn before I meet with my mom." A smile crosses his lips; old habits die hard, or so he's told. "It's hard for me to get over the feeling of being chased."
Marie sighs before she responds. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Lyle called me, he wants to meet."
"You think you can trust that psycho?" Jarod remembers when he was caught after holding Mr. Parker hostage. Lyle doesn't seem to be somebody you can trust. He always has a secret agenda, a way to look out for number one.
"I'm not too sure." She exhales slowly before attempting to voce her thoughts. "Jarod, I need you to not see your mom until I meet with Lyle."
The words sting Jarod. What is Marie doing? "What? I finally have her come back into my life and now you want to prevent me from seeing her? Why?"
"It's for your safety Jarod." Marie is rubbing her temples as she speaks.
"No. You've been doing this ever since I ran away from the Centre. For years you prevented me from seeing her. Now you want to start the games again." Anger begins to fill Jarod's voice as he begins to pace around the room. "She has come back into my life and she wants to see me. I will NOT disappoint her."
Marie is shocked by the anger Jarod shows, she covers her face before she responds. "Please, please don't do anything until I call back. Just give me one hour." She looks at her watch as she continues. "By my calculations that will give you enough time to scout the Inn."
A sigh of anger escapes Jarod's throat as he responds. "Fine. Do what you want to Parker. But you have a hour." He closes his phone as he turns to the mirror. "She's back in my life Parker. I cannot wait this time."
Jarod grabs his coat and quickly leaves the small motel room and heads to his car. As he begins to leave the motel, all he can think about is what he would say to his mom.
---***---
"What do you mean you lost Lyle?" Viktor is pacing around his desk. Good help is so hard to keep alive. He stops behind his desk and stares at the doorway. "You better damn well find him. The coins are not in your favor right now."
Viktor slams the phone back into its cradle before sitting in his chair. He runs his hands through his hair before looking up to see Wilhelm.
"Is something wrong sir?" A look of puzzlement is displayed on Wilhelm's face.
"Only the incompetence of a few." Viktor's hands cover his mouth as he focuses on a candle burning on his desk.
"In that case, I have some news that may enlighten your mood."
Viktor looks up to Wilhelm and waves his hand. "Continue."
"I know where Lyle is. And more specifically what his is doing and whom he sees." A smug look passes over Wilhelm's face.
Viktor leans back in his chair and smiles. "Explain."
Wilhelm clears his throat before pulling out a black folder. "He is in Stratten Field, Delaware at the local shopping mall. He is consulting a man from his past, voice patterns indicate the man as somebody he brought into the Centre a few years back." Wilhelm slides the folder towards Viktor before placing his hands behind his back.
Viktor picks up the blank folder as Wilhelm continues. "It is believed to be this man. During the political infighting the Centre went through years ago, he disappeared without a trace. Rumor has it he is the SOLE reason for Lyle's continued survival, even with a Yakuza contract on his head and the Triumvirate wanting him dead."
Viktor flips open the folder and reads over the paper contained inside. For a couple of seconds, the only noise is the mumbling of the man's name. Viktor's voice is barely audible as he continues to read. He looks up to Wilhelm with a smile. "Find all you can on this Jackson Cox."
"As you wish." Wilhelm turns on his heels and heads to the door. He looks back over his shoulder with a smile. "Hackers are a gift from God himself."
Viktor barely acknowledges the remark with a wave of the hand. As the door shuts behind Wilhelm, Viktor spins his chair to face the wall. With the picture of the man in front of him, Viktor lets out a sigh of comfort. The man in the picture is wearing a three-piece suit and has his black hair slicked back. A smug grin is on his face.
A soft chuckle escapes Viktor's mouth. "Mr. Jackson Cox. What secrets do you hide for me to find?"
---***---
Lyle pulls into a parking place outside the main building of the shopping center as he carefully looks around. A van slows to a stop in the distance and a man leaves the driver's side. The unknown man begins to walk towards Lyle; his hands are in his pockets. Instinctively, Lyle reaches for his gun but stop when he sees the three-piece suit and the slicked back black hair. He extends his hand as the other man graciously accepts it.
Lyle breathes a sigh of relief as he faces the other man. "Thank you for coming Jackson."
The Englishman smiles and nods his head. "It's but a honor of mine. About this urgent matter?"
Lyle looks around the parking lot again and sees his sister pull up. He waves his hand in between Cox and himself to indicate a change of subject. Once Marie walks up to them, Lyle flashes a grin that causes her blood to freeze. "Morning Sis."
Marie looks Lyle in the face and notices the cut on the right side of Lyle's face and the absent look in his right eye. "Jesus Lyle. What'd you do, cut yourself shaving?"
Lyle smirks at the comment, waving it off like it never happened. "Sis, I'm sure you remember our esteemed colleague, Mr. Cox."
Parker looks to her left with a look of disgust on her face. "Not you again."
Cox steps forward with a smug expression on his face. "I assure you, Miss Parker, it is a honor to see you again."
"Same crap, new day." Marie rubs her temples as she turns back to Lyle. "Now, what did you want to meet me about?"
Lyle sighs before continuing. His gaze falls to the parking lot before he speaks. "Two things actually. One: these people I've been working with have kidnapped our father. And Ben."
"I know that already. Cut to the chase." Marie crosses her arms over her chest as she starts to tap a heel.
"They're planning to kill them." Lyle looks up to Marie's face and sees the look of shock. Marie turns to head back to her car, but Lyle grabs her arm to spin her back around. "There's more."
"Like what?!?" The panic in Parker's voice is evident. Her real father and the man that raised her from childhood are about to die and Lyle wants to keep talking.
"They set a trap for Jarod."
"I know that already. You told me over the phone." Marie pulls her arm out of Lyle's grip as she starts to back peddle to her car.
"Yes, but you don't know who's involved." He sees the panic etched into Marie's face as he continues. "You have to stop the meeting before it's too late."
"Why?" Marie tries to sound like she isn't worried, but so far it's failing miserably.
"Because the woman he's meeting isn't his mom. Her name is Madeline and she looks almost exactly like Margaret." Lyle might as well have stopped talking after saying the woman isn't Jarod's real mom. He watches as Parker jumps back into her car, a smile breaks onto his face.
Lyle turns back to Cox, the smile still plastered on his lips. "Now about our business." He places his arms around Cox's shoulders as they begin to walk into the mall. "I've been away from the Centre for far too long. With my sister being currently occupied, our only resistance comes in the form of Broots and Sydney." The two disappear from view in the mall as Marie pulls out of the parking lot.
---***---
Miss Parker swerves down the road, keeping one eye on the traffic while the other helps her fish for the cell phone. She finally finds it and dials Jarod's number. She tries again after receiving no response only to suffer the same fate. She curses under her breath as she plugs a second number into her phone. She breathes a sigh of relief when a familiar voice answers.
"Broots." The technician sounds like he just woke up.
"Broots! Where are you?"
Once he hears Marie's voice, he snaps awake. "Tech room. Why?"
"Good. I need you to do a trace on a phone number."
Marie hears the clicking of keys as Broots responds. "Give me a couple of seconds."
"You have two."
Broots sighs as he hits one final key. "There. Go ahead."
"Area code 814, 3933036."
"Got it. Hey, this is Jarod's number." A hit of joy hits Broots' voice as he looks over the recent calls list. "I hope you know this isn't the most legal thing I could be doing right now. It's more legal for me to snipe people from a bell . . ."
Marie cuts off the tirade with one of her Ice Queen demands. "I don't care right now Broots. Just tell me where he is."
"Tower." Broots mumbles the final word of his last thought and scrolls through the listing of recent calls. "According to this he's outside of Baltimore. Looks like Fredericksburg."
"Good. I just entered Baltimore's city limits. Can you tell me where the Holiday Inn is located?"
More clicking keys can be heard as Broots diligently types away. Parker can here him humming in the back ground, but the noise suddenly stops as he clicks two more keys. "Found it. 6251 South G Street. G as in Girl."
"Thank you Broots." Marie closes her phone and tosses it on the passenger side as she takes a sharp turn. In a couple of minutes, she makes it to G Street and smiles as she sees a rather large 'Holiday Inn' sign elevated over the road. Parker screeches the car to a halt and quickly unbuckles her seatbelt, as the car's door swings open. She quickly pulls her gun out of the holster and screws a silencer into place before securing it under her suit coat. Marie opens the doors and looks around the large room, noticing a man sitting at a table with a red headed woman.
"Jarod!" Marie quickly runs over to the man but stops when she realizes the guy is too young to be Jarod. She quickly turns her back before the couple can see her blush. As she turns around, Jarod walks through the main doors and finds his way to the reservation desk. After what looks to be a quick exchange, Jarod walks towards the back of the motel and sits facing the back doors. Marie decides to walk in his direction and try to talk him out of this meeting.
Jarod looks up to See Marie walking towards him and stiffens in the seat. Without even glancing at her, he speaks. "What do you want?"
The anger in Jarod's voice hurts her. It reminds her of when they were caught on Carthis, the way she treated him in the car. That's how Jarod is treating her now. "This is a trap Jarod. The woman you're meeting is not your mom."
Jarod looks at her with a sad expression. "You're going to have to do more than that Parker. You people kept me from her my whole life and now when I finally get to meet her again, you want to stop it."
Marie sinks to her knees when Jarod called her by her last name. They've been through so much together, why won't Jarod see the truth? Maybe Lyle was right. Maybe family love can be blinding. "I'm serious Jarod. I don't want you to get hurt."
Jarod looks Marie in the eyes and notices the tears that are forming. "She finally came back into my life Parker. For once I'm going to have a full family." Jarod looks up to see a woman walk through the doors, a smile breaks out onto his face as he starts to stand. Marie sees his face light up and follows his eyes. Before she can say anything else, Jarod is on his feet and heading in her direction.
Marie looks to the floor and notices a reflection of a man with what looks like a rifle. She looks up to Jarod and starts to yell at him, but everything seems to be happening in slow motion. Marie sees the woman reveal what seems to be a rag and go to place it over Jarod's mouth. Out of instincts, Marie pulls her gun out of the holster and fires at the other woman, causing her to drop the rag and fall to the ground. Parker rolls to her back and manages to shot the man in the balcony before he can do any damage.
Time seems to restore itself as Marie looks to see Jarod looking at the woman on the ground. Tears cover his face as he looks at the woman in the puddle of blood. "Mom? Mom!" He looks up at Marie as the tears give way to rage. "You killed her."
Marie slowly climbs to her feet, still holding the gun in her hands. "Jarod, she was setting a trap." She walks towards Jarod but is shocked to see him back peddling.
"I don't want to hear anymore Parker. Stay away from me." Jarod keeps his eyes locked onto Marie as he backs through the door. "This is the last time you people kill my family."
As Marie watches, the door slams shut separating her from Jarod and her hopes of ever making him understand. Her eyes look from her gun to the woman lying on the floor as she falls to her knees. She knows it isn't wise to sit here after just killing somebody, but her body doesn't want to move. She eventually summons the willpower to stand and head through the doors after Jarod, but the city is so big. Add to it that he KNOWS how to disappear and he could be sitting on a park bench watching her, Marie still wouldn't be able to find him. She sighs before looking around and tossing her gun in the trash. Maybe Sydney can help with Jarod, she doubts it though.
---***---
Lyle pulls his car back into the old parking garage of Viktor's hideout and slowly parks where he was before. He quickly exits the car after turning it off and quietly closes the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turns to walk through the garage and opens the door that leads into the building. As Lyle takes a turn down a hallway, Wilhelm steps in front of him. Lyle looks at the man and smiles.
"Can I help you?" Lyle tries to sound as polite as possible, truth be told he is actually quite annoyed.
"Viktor wants to address us." Wilhelm's tone matches his demeanor, he means business.
"Lead the way." Lyle pushes his hands into his pockets as Wilhelm pivots on his heels.
The two men walk down a hallway and stop as Wilhelm opens one of the large metal doors. He steps to the side allowing Lyle to enter first and then slowly pulls it closed. Viktor stands as Lyle walks to the desk with Wilhelm following closely.
"Hello gentlemen." Viktor sighs as he leans on his desk. "I have some unfortunate news."
Lyle straightens as Wilhelm relaxes his shoulders. The last time Lyle heard those words coming from somebody, it was bad news for him.
"It seems Madeline has been killed." Viktor's eyes fall to the desktop as he continues. "But our plan has worked. One of our followers has reported that Jarod and Miss Parker are no longer on 'speaking' terms. Jarod pretty much vowed to kill her next time they meet."
A grin passes over Lyle face; he realizes this meeting has nothing to do with him. The smile fades as Viktor looks at him.
"Now for the second matter of business. Where have you been for the past hours Mr. Lyle?" Viktor falls back into his seat as Wilhelm reaches into his coat. "It seems your intentions are not the same as our own. You seem to be involved in 'extra-curricular activities' as of late."
Lyle straightens as he feels Viktor's eyes gazing at him. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh really?" Viktor smiles as Wilhelm places the barrel of a handgun into the base of Lyle's neck. "Perhaps you'd like to explain your actions. You've been contacting an outsider. I want to know why." Lyle takes a deep breath as Viktor slides the picture of Mr. Cox towards him.
Wilhelm smiles as he pulls the hammer back on the gun. "You might want to start talking. I don't know how long I can avoid pulling the trigger."
---***---
TBC . . . . . . . . . . . Read and Rate