A/N: I have a lot written - but it's not in order so I'm trying to figure out the order and add as needed. I still haven't determined how old Cox and Parker are but I'm making them roughly the same age.

The Owl and the Angel

Chapter 3

Lyle and Cox had dinner together at a restaurant in Dover a week after Raines had issued the order for the twins to get married. Lyle did not trust Cox and was wary when he requested to have dinner with him. Well, requested is a kind way to say that Cox grabbed him from behind and led him to his car. Cox had murmured in his ear to stay quiet and walk out of the Centre like there was nothing wrong all the while keeping a firm grasp on his shoulder.

Lyle, not wanting to cause a scene, allowed Cox to lead him out of the Centre and to his vehicle. He was surprised when they stopped and switched cars and grew more apprehensive as they drove north. The Owl normally did his work late at night, but it was getting close to sunset and Lyle was nervous. Had his time run out with the Triumvirate? Was Cox sent to finally end him?

Cox parked the borrowed (or stolen) car in the parking lot of a restaurant and told Lyle to follow him in. He had already been relieved of his cell phone and Lyle didn't know Dover well enough to get home on his own. And if the Triumvirate wanted him dead, running off now was not going to help the situation. They would find him eventually.

But, Cox led him into the restaurant and they got a table. Lyle wanted to slap that mild expression off Cox's face as he perused his menu.

"Cox, what are we doing here?" Lyle hissed at him from across the table. He was growing angrier every passing moment. The only good thing about this restaurant was the group of Asian college students not far from their table. It was pissing him off even more that he couldn't even go to the bathroom without Cox following him. Stopping at their table to pick one (or two) up was out of the question.

"I thought we should discuss a few things. We have a mutual acquaintance who has outlived his usefulness and I've been instructed to take care of the problem." Cox focused on eating his dinner, slicing through his steak and taking a bite. He chewed it thoroughly while gauging Lyle's reaction.

Lyle took a drink of his water to swallow down the anxiety that was creeping up from his stomach. Shit, Cox probably already poisoned it. "Just shoot me, Cox. Why draw this out?"

Cox let out a quiet chuckle. "I'm not here to assassinate you, Mr. Lyle. No no, someone more dangerous than you. I had to bring you here so that we could talk privately. The person in question is your birth father, Mr. Raines."

Lyle let out a sigh of relief. Cox had been instructed to kill Raines. Finally the Triumvirate was getting rid of that old ghoul. "What do you need from me?" Cox smirked. He knew he was right to bring Lyle in.

"I will take care of Mr. Raines, I simply need for you to collect his body from the authorities so I can perform an autopsy. As his next of kin, his body would be released to you. I have identification prepared, all the proper documentation, a few photos. Anything you could possibly need to prove that you're his son."

"Why all the hassle? Why not just take care of him and dispose of him like Brigitte?" Lyle still missed his little psychopath fling and he was still bitter that he never saw her again after she had vanished with his father.

"My contact wants this done a certain way and as such I won't be nearby when he dies. The autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death as a stroke. The documentation has been prepared in the event that someone outside our organization becomes involved and someone discovers Mr. Raines after his demise."

"A stroke? How are you going to make it look like a stroke? Especially if outside entities are involved?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with the details. Once the deed is done, I will provide you with the documentation and you and your dear sister can go to collect him."

Lyle watched as the group of Chinese women left and he met eyes with few of them. He really wished he were at the restaurant under different circumstances. "Okay, I will do whatever you need me to."

Cox smiled at his dinner companion. He had known this would be productive. "Wonderful. Now, the matter of your sister. I would like to marry her regardless of Raines' death, but if she wishes to rescind her reluctant acceptance, I would understand."

"I can't make Miss Parker do anything she doesn't want to. She is a totally independent woman and if Raines is gone and Dad is gone… I can't see her staying unless the Triumvirate forces her to. I know she has wanted to leave for a long time, but Dad wouldn't let her and then I think she stayed out of pride."

"Perhaps a bit of reverse psychology? Reinforce that she does not have to stay. Offer to help her leave. I understand the two of you have become close over the past months. She even seems to trust you to a point. Quite an achievement."

Lyle did not want to lose his sister, but he would never admit that. Not to Cox, not to her. Possibly to their baby brother who was being cared for around the clock in the Centre nursery, but that's only because he doesn't talk aside from the baby babbles of a child no older than two.

"I'll see what I can do. What about the kid?"

Cox had not considered Baby Parker who had fallen into Raines' dubious custody with the disappearance of Mr. Parker. "I suppose he can stay where he is unless you want him?" Lyle shook his head. Lyle's predilections did not leave much room for childrearing. "Hmm, we shall have to see about this. Perhaps my bride-to-be would want to take over caring for the child. Your father would be satisfied with that decision."

"Dr. Cox, I don't care what he would want. He left that maniac alive and in charge, not to mention the years of abuse I suffered from both of them. They can rot in hell together."

Cox did not disagree with that. Perhaps one day, Lyle would explain what he meant by "years of abuse" but today was not the time to ask.

"That child will be better off without either of them. Miss Parker couldn't do any worse than the Centre nurses. You know, they rotate them every day. He does not see the same person for more than six hours at a time. It's so the nurse doesn't get attached and so that he doesn't get attached to any one person. It's horrendous."

"He'll never be able to form attachments if we don't liberate him soon. You work on Miss Parker. I will do what I must, and eventually I'll convince her to have the baby come into our home."

"Thought you said you weren't going to force her to marry you?"

Cox smiled. This man was supposed to be a pretender, but alas, this is what happens when they aren't trained properly. "I'm not forcing her. You are convincing her. She and I are inevitable. Your mother told me when I was a child that your sister and I are meant to be together. Fate only takes you so far. You have to do some of the work and sometimes recruit outside help." Cox stood and paid for their meal in cash. He left the table without another word, and Lyle followed after him, not wanting to be left behind in Dover.