Sydney ducked into the nearest alcove down the corridor from Parker's office, his breath short, and his pulse racing wildly. He let out a slow sigh of air, and leaned his head against the wall, trying to calm down. He slammed his eyes shut against the painful memory that was thirty years in the past, and thirty years in the making. There had been no choice then, any more than there was now. He would have to do what was necessary, no matter what the cost. He opened his eyes, straightened his tie, and quickly walked toward the elevator. There was a lot of work to do....
The loud ringing made her start. She grabbed her cell phone, opened it, and stabbed a button.
"What?"
She could hear the smile in the voice on the other end of the phone. "Don't you ever tire of Centre intrigue, Miss Parker?"
"Is this how you spend your days, monkey boy, harassing people on the phone?"
"It's early yet, Miss Parker. I have many things planned for today."
"Please. I've had enough riddles for one morning."
"And yet there's so much more to discover about today...."
"If you know something, Jarod--"
"--Start looking within, Miss Parker, you're the one with all the answers."
The line went dead before Parker could fix him with a well-placed retort. She slammed the phone shut and threw it on the desk. In a huff, Parker headed for the door. It was long past time she had a conversation with her father.