Parker sips at her coffee as she stands with Broots and Sydney talking quietly at the periphery of the wake. The Triumvirate representatives mill around the room, usually herded by either Raines or Lyle. They monopolise face time with their bosses which is just fine with Parker. The less attention she attracts, the better as far as she's concerned.

She looks down as something curls her legs, tiny arms weave around her hips. She spies her little brother looking up at her, his bright blue eyes searching her face for reassurance and protection. Her hand smooths his dark hair before cupping his cheek. He leans into the touch, tightening his hold on her legs, almost trying to burrow into her. She senses a hand on her coffee cup and looks up to find Sydney taking it from her. She nods before dipping to get a better grip on her brother to lift him to her hip. As he's grown older, she's grown used to holding him. Adam lays his head on her shoulder, shyly peering at his sister's co-workers.

"You remember Sydney and Mr Broots, don't you?" Parker says softly. Adam nods quickly yet stays quiet.

Irritated, Parker throws a glare in Raines' direction for inflicting this situation on her little brother. He's never been around this many people; coupled with the imposing sweepers circling the room, she can imagine how a two-year-old would be intimidated. She was ten when they held her mother's wake in the same room, with many of the same people, and it added to her distress. At least she understood what was happening.

Sensing her glare from across the room, Raines turns to her; immediately returning her glare when he spots Adam in her arms. The fact that he disapproves, makes her secure her grip on the toddler, almost daring him to scold her in front of the Triumvirate.

"Missy," Adam says into her ear, his warm breath tickling her, bringing her attention back to him. "I'm thirsty."

"I'll go find something," Broots volunteers readily, eager to escape the room even for a few minutes.

Watching her assistant disappear into the crowd, envying his meagre reprieve, she inadvertently makes eye contact with one of the Triumvirate who hesitates in surprise. Ringing in her ears muffles the whispers in her head clouds her senses as she strains to decipher them. She recognises him, he stands out during any of the meetings she attended with Mr Parker over the years with an English accent yet she never got to speak with him. Before she knows what's happening the man is moving toward her, Sydney and her baby brother. A protective surge pulses through her mind, yet she doesn't flee. She's a Parker, they don't back down. Even with her as his defender, Adam needs to learn that.

"Miss Parker," the man starts with genuine regard in his tone. He nods his head at Sydney who returns the gesture. "Doctor Green." He turns back to her and the boy in her arms. "Master Parker," he greets Adam with another bow, causing the boy to look at her in confusion. She pats his leg to reassure him. Adam gives the old man a small smile, bowing his head slightly as well.

"Mister McGonnell," Parker intones respectfully. He's still a member of the Triumvirate; a reclusive figure, perhaps, who's distanced himself in recent years. Notably spending more time at his property in England, pulling away from the African headquarters. Though she is unaware of the intricacies of his dealings, she knows there are power struggles at all levels. "Thank you for coming."

He waves a hand dismissively, as though his presence isn't important. "I'm glad I'm able to pay my respects to your father," McGonnell winces at his own words as he throws an apologetic glance at her. "Despite recent revelations, I put more stock into nurturing and raising children than their genetics, Miss Parker."

A strange, strangled noise comes from her throat as she tries to swallow the lump that suddenly formed. So, the DNA results were common-knowledge amongst the Triumvirate. No wonder the bag of bones needed her on her best behaviour today; the Parkers were the stalwarts of the Centre, so if Raines wanted to take Mr Parker's place, he needed to be accepted by his children. Any sign of rejection or animosity from her or her brothers would invite the Triumvirate to tighten their leash on Raines. She wonders what'll happen if she lets slip it was Raines who shot Adama.

All too aware of Sydney scrutinising the interaction, Parker composes herself quickly, squaring her shoulders the best she can with Adam in her arms, as she tilts her curiously at the old man. Sensing she may have found an ally against Raines, she utters her thanks, her voice still thick with emotion. McGonnell bobs his head once before looking at her and Adam for a beat too long. Ally, my ass, Parker thinks only to be answered by a resounding negative by the voices.

"Besides," he starts again, a twinkle entering his eyes. "I needed to see if the rumours were true."

She cocks an eyebrow. "Rumours?"

McGonnell dares to chuckle at the regal tone in her voice. "If you were just like your mother," he clarifies.

Parker barely refrains from rolling her eyes at the words she's heard so many times before. People don't really know what the comparison does to her, an ever-present reminder that she will never be as compassionate or brilliant as her mother was and those who expect her to be will be woefully disappointed. Instead, she simply concurs, "I look just like her."

"I'm not talking about your looks, Miss Parker," McGonnell clarifies. He jerks his head at Adam. "You are just like her. She would be very proud of who you are."

An assistant appears at his side, cutting off anything else he might say and preventing her from asking him to elaborate. The silent exchange intrigues Parker yet she gets the impression neither will tell her if she asks. Sharing a quick glance with Sydney tells her she isn't imagining it. Less than a minute after appearing without saying a word, the assistant is dismissed with a wave of a hand. McGonnell straightens, returning his attention to the Centre employees.

"I apologise, Miss Parker, Doctor Green, I must cut this short. Something urgent has come up," McGonnell explains. He turns thoughtful, pulling something from his pocket. "Here's my card, I return to England at the end of the week. If you have the time, I'd like to continue our conversation. Feel free to bring Master Parker with you," he tacks on casually, though Parker gets the feeling it's an order rather than a suggestion.

Nodding, they say their goodbyes before McGonnell turns on his heel, following the path his assistant created in the crowd. Broots returns then, just managing to side-step him as he strives to keep up with his scurrying assistant. He furtively watches the retreating figure before presenting Parker with a small glass of milk for Adam.

"Who was that?" Broots asks, resignation in his voice as he knows what Parker's going to ask of him.

"I don't know," Parker says as she helps Adam steady the glass to drink from it. She smiles at the little moustache on his lip as he lowers it. She wipes it gently with her thumb. Adam beams at her. "I want you to find out."

"I don't know why I asked, I knew you were going to say that," Broots says, earning himself a chuckle from Sydney and a wry smile from Parker herself.