Chapter Nine
Disclaimer: Little Bo peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them
Leave them alone, and they'll come home
Wagging their tails behind them
CrackerjacknPez: I'm not going to bother replying to that massive review here. I already e-mailed you. Not that there's anything wrong with massive reviews. Thanks anyway.
SezZie: I guess these things go on the basis of 'nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.'
Brandy: What's so shocking about me updating? I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I have about 3 chapters in the can. I actually post slower than I write. Yeah, Parker's softening towards J. Doesn't mean there ain't gonna be sparks though.
mfkngst: Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, I cheer for everyone pretty much indiscriminately in the Olympics ('cept for America). It's a great Australian tradition (that is, egging every one on, and hating America).
Gemini 006007: Thanks for the review Mercy. You'll see about Broots though.
pretender fan: OMG! OMG! Sorry, when reviewers get excited, I get excited. But yes, some more 'romantic stuff' will be happening shortly.
Onisius: Good going with repercussions. Thanks for updating. I wouldn't rate broken fingers as minor. From the breaks I've had, fingers hurt worse than arms, legs and collar bones. Thanks for the review.
It was nearing midday by the time that Jarod roused again. He opened his eyes to see Sydney and Miss Parker sitting at a table, heads bent over a map, quietly discussing something. Despite the fact that a mere five hours had passed, he felt much better. Yawning, he folded the blanket down and sat up. 'Morning again' said Parker, looking over to see that he was awake. Jarod nodded in response. Then he glanced down and his went mouth dry. The black and purple mess of his fingers, the burns and cuts on his chest, the heavy bruising all battered at his mind, reminding him of how he had let go at just the wrong moment.
His horrified inspection was cut short as Sydney handed him a shirt. 'It will heal' he was told firmly as the psychiatrist helped him to put it on. As Sydney assisted Jarod, Parker mused again on how the pretender had managed what he did. He had survived almost a full week of Lyle's company, broken out, rescued them, and above all, he seemed unaware of the extent of his injuries. The way he had looked at his fingers had been of a person seeing them for the first time. Parker frowned then noticed that Jarod had noticed her noticing him. She met his gaze for a moment, conveying some the questions she had in store for him, then rose and headed into the kitchen. Jarod watched her leave as Sydney carefully bound his fingers
The three of them left the safe-house under an hour later. This time they moved with a plan. Through his haze of pain and drugs, Jarod was impressed. The two that had formerly pursued him had obviously been taking notes. Their passage was smooth, and unremarkable to any potential witnesses. Parker had ditched her week old business suit, and was instead dressed in jeans and one of Jarod's shirts that was a couple of sizes too large for her. Sydney remained in his non-descript suit, playing the part of a father helping his daughter with a brain damaged son. Jarod's bruised face was hidden in the shadows of a hooded jumper, and the excuse explained his limping gait.
The three walked, with Jarod in the middle and supported on either side, a short way to a bus terminal, where an interstate bus left every half hour. Their tickets were paid for in cash, probably stolen from the Centre in times past. It was after six o' clock that they reached their destination, a b-grade hotel, the only criteria for selection having been a high speed internet connection and the option of paying upfront in cash. And that it was a good distance away from the Centre.
They stumbled through the door, Jarod barely making it the few steps to a comfy looking armchair. 'We need a car' he wheezed. 'I second that' joined Parker as she sank down onto a couch next to the armchair, 'I hate public transport.'
'Young people these days. No stamina' commented Sydney lightly as he wandered into the next room.
Parker laughed then stood to place a pillow behind the pretender's head, whose eyes had closed. The hood of the jumper had fallen back when he had flopped down on the couch, revealing the fact that the dressing on his forehead was soaked through with blood. Parker grimaced and rose to retrieve a damp cloth from the bathroom. When she returned Sydney was quietly urging Jarod to get up and move to the couch where he could stretch out. He was having some difficulty. The pretender's eyelids flickered briefly open then he mumbled something and fell back asleep.
'Stubborn' commented Parker, handing Sydney the cloth. 'Parker...' warned Sydney. She ignored him and un-holstered the gun she had borrowed from the safe house in Delaware. She quickly flicked the safety on and off then re-holstered the gun. Jarod's reaction at the sound was instantaneous. His eyes snapped open and he was half way out of the chair before he looked around to judge what was going on. 'Since you're awake,' said Parker sweetly, 'you can get your arse over to the couch so Sydney can look at you wounds.'
Jarod gave her a look that stated that so much as touching a gun in his presence again would result in slow and painful death but obligingly heaved himself the rest of the way up and limped across to the couch. Sydney shook his head disappointedly at Parker, who responded with an innocent shrug.
After Sydney had readministered to Jarod's injuries, and almost before he had finished, Jarod fell asleep once again.
'This is the most sleep he has had in one day since he was ten' commented Parker wryly.
'Healing needs sleep. It doesn't matter though; we have plenty of time. Letting Lyle stew right now is to our advantage.'
'Say what you will, personally I'm itching for revenge. That bastard interrupted my holiday.'
'He also murdered several people, has cannibalistic tendencies and is now in a position of enough power to cause serious damage to the world, not to mention the fact that he almost tortured Jarod to death.'
'That too.'
Sydney shook his head again, although his eyes remained on Jarod. Parker smiled grimly and sighed. Sydney was right; it would be a while before Jarod could walk normally again, and yes, she grudged Lyle for every scratch and bruise.
() 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 ()
The object of Parker's hatred was now sitting in his new office, stewing. It had been a... disappointment, when they had finally flushed out the presence in the vents, only to find the idiotic empath, blinking in the sudden light. Likewise, Lyle had not been pleased with the three's speeding escape that had resulted in the ruin of a set of gates, a car, and the hospitalisation of a sweeper. He was annoyed with the way he had so easily fallen for Jarod's act. The original madness may have been real, but 'refuge' had worked, he just had not realised. He cursed himself inwardly. Things had gone so wrong. And once again, the triumvirate was on his tail.
Still, Lyle had a few aces up his sleeve. Jarod would soon be in his clutches again. Not to mention his sister. And they would be at his mercy. He closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself to think of the sweet pleasure of watching Jarod's flesh melt, hearing his screams. Oh yes, he would have the pretender soon enough. An evil smile graced his lips and he stood to go and check on a few of his favourite projects, sideshows until the main attraction started.
() 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 () 0 ()
After Jarod had rested, they set to work. The room came with a reasonably up to date computer, and Sydney helped Jarod to sit in front of it before pulling up a chair to sit beside him. Parker remained standing, looking over the shoulders of the two men.
His typing was inhibited by his broken fingers, but he slowly and steadily traced Broot's movements since he had left the Centre. The tech was good, he had covered up most traces, but no one could best a pretender at any game they choose to play, so it was not long before Jarod had an answer.
'Oh, no' he said, reading the code that flashed across the screen.
'What?' asked Parker sharply from where she hovered just behind Jarod's shoulder, unknowingly distracting him far worse than any of his injuries.
'I found him' replied Jarod.
TBC... (although that 'tbc' is entirely dependant upon reviews of course)