Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 13: Entangled

Miss Parker was summoned to her father's office the next day. She was still thinking about Lyle and all that had happened between them. Shockingly, she felt a little sisterly affection toward him. Maybe he was just lost and confused. Maybe he was what he was because someone had programmed it into him at an early age. Like Kyle. Jarod's brother had been programmed to hate for all his life and only at the end did the chains snap and he step free from his entanglement. Miss Parker had felt bad for Jarod then. It was hard losing anybody. She wondered if this world's Kyle was still alive. She supposed he had to be, if he would have been Jarod's best man at the wedding.

Thinking of home made her want to check on the status of Broots' investigation. Her father wouldn't mind if she took a little side trip. Getting into the elevator, she pressed the button for sub-level 5. Hopefully Broots would have some good information for her.

Unfortunately, he did not.

"Sorry, Miss Parker. Hacking into something that I'm not supposed to see is harder than hacking into visible things." Miss Parker resisted the urge to hit him. "Has it occurred to you that there might not be anything about portals in here? Maybe, for once, the Centre's hands are clean."

"Not likely. It's here, I can feel it. Just keep looking. Don't stop for anything or anyone. This is really important." Broots nodded and went back to work. Miss Parker left and headed for her father's office.

Mr. Parker beckoned her in immediately. He had a smile plastered on his face and started off the interview by asking if she had read all the files and if her office was to her taste. She answered affirmative for both.

"Daddy, what's this really all about? I'm sure you have more important things to do than ask me about my office."

"You're right, Angel. I see you've inherited the Parker sense. Good. Very good. I need you to do something for me. It's going to be hard, but I know you can do it." Miss Parker looked at her father.

"What is it? You know I'll do anything for you, Daddy."

"I need you to bring Jarod in." Miss Parker was confused. Bring Jarod in? She couldn't; she didn't know where he was. Well, that wasn't true but the Centre didn't know she knew where Jarod was. Unless…

"How can I? I don't know where he is. Tell me his location and I'll go pick him up." Mr. Parker looked at her sadly.

"Don't lie to me, Angel. You know exactly where Jarod is."

"No, I don't. If I did, I would have gone and picked him up already. I know how much capturing him means to you." Mr. Parker got up from his desk and paced. Nothing was said for a few minutes. Miss Parker became nervous. Someone had snitched on her and she knew who it was. When she got her hands on him, she was going to kill him.

"Angel, I'm disappointed in you." Miss Parker started. "After all this, you still have the audacity to lie to your father. Your father! You know exactly where Jarod is. We have eye witnesses who saw him come to your house. Do you deny it?"

"No." she whispered.

"Good. I need you to do this for me, Angel. This one simple thing. I know we haven't been together very long; you just got here. But, if you bring him in, there will be a handsome reward for you. And then, maybe, we can do some father/daughter things. Like we used to before you disappeared." Miss Parker sighed. The net had closed in around her and there was nothing she could do. She had to go get Jarod. Maybe when he was locked safely away, then she could concentrate on finding a way home.

"All right, Daddy. I'll do it. I have a good idea of where he is, but not a definite one. I left pretty quickly." Mr. Parker walked over and gave her a hug.

"I knew you had it in you, Angel. I'm so proud." The look of fatherly pride on his face was enough to wash most of Miss Parker's guilt away. The only guilt that remained had to do with her mother. Could she betray her?

"I do have one condition, though."

"Name it."

"No sweepers. I'm going to go by myself." Mr. Parker started to protest but she cut him off. "Daddy, please. I know Jarod better than anyone. As soon as the sweepers show up, he'll bale. There'll be no catching him. However, if it's just me, he won't go. He doesn't think I'd hurt him. Please, Daddy. Promise me that I can go alone." Mr. Parker considered her words.

"All right. You can this on your own. But, if you fail, I'll send a sweeper team to get him. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Good. Now, I'm sure you have flight arrangements to make and a plan to form. I won't keep you anymore." Miss Parker walked toward the door, but stopped. She just had to know.

"Daddy, who told you about Jarod?" She asked. Her father smiled.

"Your house has been watched since you came here. Now, don't get mad. It wasn't my order. It came from Raines. I'm sorry for the inconvenience it has caused you." Miss Parker was livid. How could he betray her like that? How could he? He promised. He had promised! Turning, she walked out of the office with every intention of finding Lyle.

Her first stop was her office. She gathered up all the files about Jarod and some other ones about various projects. She wanted to reread them tonight and also on the flight. A quick call to the Tower, told her that the Centre jet was available. Miss Parker asked for a flight the next afternoon. That should give Jarod enough time to get back to Florida. She hoped.

As she placed the files inside her briefcase, there was a knock on the door. The person entered before she could say anything; it was Lyle. Speak of the devil, Miss Parker thought.

"How you doing, sis?" Lyle asked in his most friendly manner, coming over to the desk. He didn't see the storm brewing in Miss Parker's eyes.

"How dare you tell them about Jarod visiting my house!" Miss Parker hissed at her brother.

"What are you talking about, Parker? I didn't tell them. I told you that I wouldn't."

"Oh, no you don't. I wouldn't believe anymore of your lies. I just got done talking to our father. He wants me to bring Jarod in because he saw him at my house. How could you, Lyle? I trusted you. But, then I guess I should have known better. You never can trust a killer." Lyle's face revealed the wound those words caused.

"I didn't tell. I promise. It must have been Willy." Miss Parker looked at him.

"Willy? What does he have to do with this?"

"I overheard Mr. Raines tell him to put wires through out your house. Everything you say and do is being recorded. Willy must have been listening." Miss Parker's face went pale. If they had listened, did they know about them being married? Worse, did they know that her mother was with Jarod?

"I need to get over there." She grunted, grabbing her gun which was lying on the table. She needed to find those bugs and get rid of them, if they were even there.

"What are you going to do?" Lyle asked.

"First get rid of all those bugs. Then I'm going to bring Jarod in, just like my father asked."

"I'm coming with you."

"No, you are not."

"Yes, I am. I know you're not going to bring a sweeper team. So, you'll need back up. That's what families are for, right?" Miss Parker nodded. It couldn't hurt to bring him along. After all, he was her brother.

"All right. You can come. We leave tomorrow afternoon. Meet me here, in my office. Got it?" Lyle nodded.

"All right. I'll be here." Miss Parker grabbed up the briefcase filled with the files and headed out. She needed to get over to her house and see who was watching her. If she saw Willy or found a bunch of bugs, then Lyle would be exonerated in her eyes. If not, well, there were other ways of dealing with her brother.