CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

Dec 19 2001

They had to protect the child at all costs, and knew that Lambourni was their best bet, but as they started towards the lawyer's office, Broots spotted them as he came through the door with Sydney and the other staff members.

"Miss Parker! Whose kids are those?" he asked.

"I'm babysitting the child," she lied as she put the child down, shielding him with her body and then introduced the older boy, " and this is Lambourni's son, Geraldo. He was attending St. Vincent's in New York." I hope there's a St. Vincent's and I sure hope Broots doesn't start investigating all the Private Schools with that name. "Mr. Lambourni figured he could attend private school here in Delaware or at least in New Jersey."

"I'm planning to be the next district attorney," said Geraldo with a smile and then paused. "By the way Miss Parker, anything I can do for you?"

"Not for several years," she said, taking out an office key, "Geraldo, your father's been letting me use the file cabinet to store some of my stuff since he works at home. If you look in the cabinet under P, you will see a black beaded purse. Could you bring it out for me?"

"Are you freshening up for the auspicious occasion? Okay I'll get it for you."

"So you're here for the ceremony," said Broots and went to get the package of chips from the vending machine. "You haven't seen Debbie, have you Miss Parker? I heard Antonio took her to California for the TV Judge broadcast."

Ah you and he are on a first named basis. Miss Parker waited until Geraldo entered his father's office. "No, I haven't and Mr. Lambourni didn't say anything about a judge or who it was."

"I have no idea, Miss Parker."

"Oh don't bother telling me. I can ask him myself. I see him coming now and Debbie's with him."

Debbie ran ahead, carrying a notebook in her arm, and going over to the nearest electrical outlet, sat down on the chair, and plugged it in. Meanwhile her father talked with Lambourni who told him that the trip to California was a success.

The young girl eyes were like daggers as she looked up at her father. "See I told you, it's not as bad as on TV," she said.

"I still don't approve. Antonio, are you sure this was necessary?" asked the computer geek.

"Actually I wanted it to be a very volatile experience so she would get it out of her system instead of a boring case about a tree hanging over a neighbor's fence."

Debbie folded her arms, and pouted. "And before they announce the next case, he gave me some money to go see a movie. Said it wasn't appropriate for young ladies, probably some stupid housewife complaining about her neighbor's cat. I thought that civil court
would be exciting, people accusing each other of stalking, keying cars." Her eyes gleamed and then glowered with anger as she pressed the backspace on the laptop. "Great, I made another mistake. Why can't I use the spell checker and grammar? I mean Microsoft put them in for a reason."

"Because your teacher told you not to," said her father, "Now stop complaining .It was nice of Mr. Lambourni to let you use his computer because you accidentally formatted our hard drive."

"Sorry."

"She formatted the hard drive? Oh that's bad! What did he have on it, damaging information?' asked Geraldo as he gave Miss Parker her purse who went into the washroom.

"Oh nothing important except tax reports, and financial records," said Broots, "I barely missed getting an audit."

"That hurts," said Geraldo, "almost as bad as a plan to take over the world."

"You don't have to worry about that," said Lambourni, "I heard it's not a good idea— something about a statue with feet of iron and clay. There hasn't been a successful long living empire since the beginning of the first century, but in case another evil empire arrives, I took precautions. I backed everything up on CDRS, tape drives, Zip drives…"

"Tattooed on the columns, in the district attorney's office, in the President's bed room," said Debbie with sarcasm and even Geraldo giggled, now volunteering his own ideas where his father hid his sensitive information.

"Are our children going to be like that?" asked Miss Parker, looking through the washroom door. She had changed into a black silk blouse and was now applying a little rouge and lipstick. How she managed to put that in her purse without crumbling it was a miracle in itself.

Ten to one, she's got a skirt, a pair of pantyhose, and sandals with high heels stuffed in another compartment, thought Jarod, unless Geraldo masked us and sneaked them in the woman's washroom without us noticing "I hope not," he said, "probably worse, complaining because you won't allow them to kill someone."

"Thanks for the assurance, I hope."

He opened the door to Mr. Parker's office to see the head of the Centre there and not in the best of moods. By what they made out, not only had the top female member (besides Miss Parker) telephone him that she would be late, but Lambourni was being too happy for his own good. Imagine Mr. Parker's surprise when he found out that trip to California had been orchestrated. Imaging being seen on camera, being sued by that upstart Mafia lawyer they hired and by a famous TV judge who gave the number of people watching who now knew his organization was responsible for the destruction of Lambourni's house. The only good thing was that, much of the information about The Centre, except an organization that has been in the Parker family for generations, and Lambourni's street address was given the usual silent treatment. However, that did not fool the audience.

It turned up that the whole neighborhood where Lambourni grew up was a historical preserve, an example of early Italian American middle and working class. The contractors had to obey a certain code so that any repairs and construction had to have the appearance of early twentieth century Architecture. The Italian American import
and export did a thriving business in that area.

A couple of years ago, the movie photographer took pictures for a documentary about the rise of organized crime in the United States. The destruction of one of those rare houses reached the District Attorney's office and he was furious The State of New Jersey had a limit for punitive damages, but deliberately burning down Lambourni's house was a criminal offence.

To avoid being hauled in front of a criminal judge and having the Centre's dirty secrets exposed, Mr. Parker and the Centre had to pay over one hundred thousand dollars for a house that would have cost five thousand dollars to build. Now Mr. Parker hoped that the remaining member of the Centre organization would put Lambourni down a peg or two. The lawyer was already in the building, unaware of what was to follow, but first there was the matter of the Pretender and another reason to gloat.

"So you've finally come to your senses, Jarod," said Mr. Parker.

"You don't seem in the best of mood and I might say I'm rather glad at that."

"You had better be careful, Jarod. You're not in a position to speak and with my daughter who is very loyal."

"He can say what he wants to," said Miss Parker who came in the door. As Jarod suspected, she had on a black almost mini skirt — well it was not as short as the usual, being half way up her thighs — which looked as if it never needed pressing.

"Oh yes," said Mr. Parker, "because you use his body for your amusement doesn't mean he's an equal."

Jarod glared at him. "A fine retort coming from one so, excuse me, unproductive? By the way, I don't just snuggle up to Miss Parker at night. Have you noticed the improvements, electronically, and otherwise in Miss Parker's house?"

Mr. Parker paled, and Miss Parker taking advantage of the situation, caressed Jarod. "I have four children and four on the way. I even bought a whole cabinets of the latest Mr. Blue and Sesame street DVDS and have already ordered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the real one, not the Centre ones. No more curses, Daddy." She kissed the Pretender long and hard.

He did not mind and whispered into her ear.

Miss Parker giggled for a moment and then came back down to earth. "It cost quite a bit for the Centre"

"And you spend it all on children's shows, a new bedroom suite, and by the look of it, several new outfits because every time a woman gets pregnant, she puts on weight," Mr. Parker retorted.

She scratched her right cheek and faked looking pensive. "Hmm, I wonder if there'll be any left of that million dollars. I was thinking of an endowment for the Autism Society, since you sort of contributed by creating more, like Timmy, Daddy," she said.

"I suppose you won't need it, Mr. Parker, where you're going," said Jarod and then whispered in his, "To the penitentiary or the electric chair,"

"All those insults are getting us nowhere, Miss Parker," said Geraldo who came in the door. He had one of those portable folders that he handed to Jarod. "The Supreme Chosen will arrive soon."

"And I would like to meet this Supreme Chosen," said Mr. Parker, "I presume he is the leader of your gang?"

"Humans! Gangs, that is so absurd. We are homo dominants and do not follow your laws."

"You don't follow you own, Mr. Parker," said Jarod, "but I guess slavery, kidnapping, and murder are not considered criminal offenses for the Centre. I can add, drugging people, killing the other Pretenders, years after letting them go, and other things." Miss
Parker was shaking her head, but Jarod did not stop. "I guess cowardness is not a virtue, Mr. Parker. Keeping your own adopted daughter and me separate. Making her hate me. Letting her worry that she would end up alone."

Miss Parker attitude softened. "I would not have treated Jarod as harshly."

"I know you would not have," said Mr. Parker, "but I lost the bill of sale."

"Are you telling me the truth, Daddy?"

"You know that Angel. Why don't you believe me?"

"Because you lied to me so many times."

Mr. Parker had to agree. "It was for your own good, Angel."

"The Supreme Chosen is here," said Geraldo, "I have to meet with Irish and Ethan. You can stay here and exchange insults, if you wish."

"I guess we better go as well," said Miss Parker.

Geraldo disappeared into the crowd, coming out a few minutes later with Irish. Ethan followed, carrying a box in his hands. They moved ahead, towards the front door that opened as if from an unseen force.

"What happened to the alarm system?" asked Mr. Parker.

"It's been dismantled," said Jarod.

"On whose orders?"

"Mine," said Miss Parker. "Oh I see Frederick's here. He must have come here earlier. Angelo, I should have noticed."

This Angelo was different, a blend of Angelo and the former Timmy. "He started knocking on the door last night. I had to let him in."

"You did good, Angelo."

"My name's Timothy. You don't know me, Miss Parker, but I am now a concert pianist. Of course, I've been quite ill for some time and it takes time for a comeback."

"Yes," she said with understanding.

"These people don't like to sing, the ones that call themselves Dominants are quite remarkable."

"At least you haven't been embarrassed by their greeting dance," said Jarod, with a wry smile.

Miss Parker shook her head. "When we get back to the house, I'm going to throw those tapes that Giuseppe gave you into the garbage."

"What tapes?"

"You know what ones, the ones about that stupid show based in Los Angeles about this denizen of darkness who is given a chance to redeem himself if he does several good deeds."

"I know the ones. Besides most of the TV shows are now going to be in DVD and I'll put them away so the children can't see them."

The Dominants had advertised the Supreme Chosen well judging by the way the population of the Centre were acting as if someone in diplomatic circles, an important business magnate, or someone who had the eyes of the President was going to make his appearance. Miss Parker recognized some of the Triumvirate, now no longer the power they were before by the way that no one bowed or kowtowed to them. A few beheadings had taken care of that. Several business types were there from the various Centre affiliates in various locations—including those in Mexico and England.

Rachel Burke was here along with Bailey, as representatives of the FBI. Jarod also saw that female DEA agent from his last case. He hoped she would not see him, but with all that publicity over Mr. Parker getting sued, someone would be here to see if Mr. Parker was not getting away with murder, literally speaking.

"I don't see Cox nor his family here," said Miss Parker eying the crowd of curiosity seekers and well wishers.

"I'd doubt he'd bring his family here, not with that attempt on Liza's life."

"I suppose he's moved them to a secret location, perhaps out of the country. He does have relatives in Great Britain and I guess then it will be up to Scotland Yard to deal with him, now." She straightened her skirt and unzipped her purse. Then Miss Parker's face turned pale as she pointed towards a woman who was, as one would say, noticeable in the crowd.

"What is it?" asked Jarod, "are you ill?"

"It's her!" She pointed to a woman who wore a cobalt blue silk blouse and a beige skirt that fell to her knees. Her face appeared fresh and benevolent, but that was a deception.

The female head of the Centre, also known as Lady M (but Lady Macabre behind her back) was a woman cursed with a countenance designed to lure innocence. Having returned from an extended absence, she brought back to Miss Parker's mind all the nightmares she had since a child. Lady M was a woman who brought innocent children with the Pretender gene, that is, Dominant children into the Centre. Remembering seeing her dragging the children yelling and screaming, and then later seeing them subdued, their eyes appearing to lose all will, Miss Parker's blood appeared
to run cold.

"Hello Miss Parker," the elegantly dressed woman purred, "and that must be Jarod." The inference was clear, but Jarod was not going to fall for her insults.

"Hello Lady M," he said, "I see your outfit makes you almost human. Too bad it failed."

The false benevolent demeanor changed and her eyes took on a horrifying coldness, but Lady M could not show her true nature, not when there were visitors. "I have to go to my office." She started towards it, and then someone brush up against her. Startled, she turned around, seeing the auburn-haired man who a moment ago had been talking to Broots and Debbie.

Being an excellent actress, she countered his disarming smile. "I know you. You must to be the famous Signor Antonio Lambourni," She waited for his affirmation and hearing none, continued. "Oh about that meeting. I know I should have been here an hour ago, but I had transportation trouble."

"What? You forgot your broom?"

She waited for the laughter and snickers to die down and then suddenly all sound ceased.

It happened as by a signal. Someone opened the front door, ignoring the orders of the guards, who could not have done anything for Frederick and Giuseppe had drawn their revolvers and pointed them at the guards. The man coming in with blue eyes and dark brown hair looked rather harmless. The woman besides him had wavy auburn hair and they had two children with them under the care of another woman. All looked as if they had shopped at one of the finest clothing stores in the States and they were flanked by some very important and dangerous Dominants. Then they stopped to let Lambourni in behind their leader, but besides one of the retinue, a man of middle height with light brown hair and then the possession resumed the pace, walking as conquerors.

The Chosen had arrived five days before Christmas Eve.