Disclaimer in part 1

Note: Yes, I know it's been an extremely long time since I've posted toward this story. Blame my muse. I also know that this is - for me - a very short chapter. I apologize. However, I will do my best to make sure that the next chapter will (a) be sooner and (b) be longer. Thanks for your patience ;-P

Guilty
by imagine

Part 23

Margaret rose from the sofa but Sydney did not move from his place at the edge of the room. With his hands clenched and hidden inside the pockets of his jacket, he watched Jarod's mother closely as she anxiously greeted the new arrivals.

"Stan, Mark, thanks for coming," Mike grinned, taking turns shaking the men's hands.

Sydney nodded in their direction as Mike made a quick introduction, then turned his eyes back on Margaret. Behind her, through the light-colored sheers that donned the window, he saw headlights and a compact car cruise down the adjacent street.

He tensed until the vehicle was gone, then noticed the sedan parked a few yards from the house. Parked on the opposite side of the street, it was in front of a dark SUV. From where he stood, Sydney could not be certain whether either vehicle was occupied. When he saw no movement, however, the psychiatrist moved further into the room and took a seat in the wing back chair that decorated the corner. His new position gave him a less conspicuous view of the street while still allowing him to keep an eye on Margaret and the others in the house.

"I understand that you claim to be the owner of this box," Stan said, when he was introduced to Jarod's mother. "Is that true?"

"Yes. It was in the trunk of my car when it went off the bridge on Route 3."

He frowned and glanced at Mark. "I understand a man was found on the shore of the river, very close to where your car was discovered. Is he an acquaintance of yours?"

"He's my son."

Sydney slid his hands from the pockets and folded them on his lap. He had not expected the woman to be so honest with her answers and he was curious how long she would continue. At some point, he decided, she would need to start coloring the truth, if she had any hope of protecting Emma, Mike, and their visitors from the Centre.

"I see. Where is he now?"

"Resting. Jarod's injuries were extensive but, luckily, not life threatening." She looked the gentleman in the eye and forced a smile. "He promises that, after a few weeks, he will be as good as new."

"Is your son a doctor?"

Glancing at Sydney, her smile faded but Margaret shook her head and looked back at the men. "No, but he does have medical training. Now, may I please see the box? I need to confirm its contents have not been damaged."

The psychiatrist shifted his attention from the woman back to the two men. He saw their reluctance as well as the questions that had yet to ask. When they refused her request, stating that they needed more information, Sydney sighed and leaned back in the chair. As Margaret feigned indignation, he glanced out the window and frowned. Though the cars had not moved, and the glare of a street lamp prevented him from a clear view of the occupants, he thought he saw a shadow shift.

"Sydney, tell them how important it is that I open the case," Margaret demanded. "Tell them . . ."

Ignoring the woman, he rose from the chair. "Excuse me," he said as he started across the room, "I need to attend to an important matter. I'll be right back."

Crossing into the dining area, she deposited her case on the table and took in the surroundings. The house was set deeper in the woods, and was smaller than the one they had just left. The main level had three bedrooms and one bath. The kitchen was designed like a galley and the living and dining areas were combined. There was no second floor but, from the outside, she saw windows at ground level that told her there was a basement.

"I know it doesn't seem like much but, it's safe," the Major offered.

Looking up at the man, Miss Parker nodded. When Jarod appeared, with Emily and the boy in tow, she glanced at him for only a moment before looking back at the Major. "Safe, is a relative term," she warned, "People trapped in close quarters have been known to kill each other."

"They've also been known to work together and develop a sense of trust."

Frowning at him, she turned away. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jarod hesitate as he passed the table but she did not meet his gaze. If he intended to apologize, she was not going to make it easy for him. If he intended to continue their fight, she wanted to make it clear that she was ready. Dropping his eyes, the Pretender continued through the house, without a word.

"He feels bad, you know."

She looked at the young man, arched an eyebrow and nodded. "Good."

The boy frowned and took a seat at the table as Miss Parker turned her attention back to the computer. Less than a minute later, the weight of his stare became too much.

"What?" she snapped.

He shrugged and shook his head. "I didn't say anything."

She scowled at him and looked back at the computer. "Don't you have something to do?"

"Nope. Dad and Jarod are in the bedroom," he answered, watching her unwind the cords she pulled from a pocket inside the case. "I imagine Dad is trying to get him to come out and talk to you, so I would just be in the way."

"Well, you're in the way, here, too. Why don't you go help your sister?"

"Emily is in the bathroom. I think she's quite capable of doing whatever it is she's doing without my help."

Miss Parker glared at him, then shook her head. Dropping the computer cords on the table, she sat in the seat beside him and looked at the young man. It had been a long time since she'd seen him up close and it appeared that the child she'd promised to help no longer existed. In a matter of a few years, he had become an adult with broad shoulders, chiseled features and a five o'clock shadow. Suddenly, she felt old.

"So," she sighed, "what should I call you? The last I heard, you were deciding between Lucas and Conner."

He shrugged and scratched at the light beard on his face. "My name is Drew."

"As in Barrymore, Carey or Nancy?" she teased.

"Cute. Not funny, but definitely, cute."

She waited for him to explain the name and, when he was silent, Miss Parker sat back in the chair. Simultaneously, she crossed her arms and her legs. Her blue eyes locked onto his deep brown orbs and, silently, she pressured the young man for an answer.

"It's short for Andrew, which is Dad's middle name, if you must know."

Miss Parker leaned forward, sliding her hands to the arms of the chair. "Yes, I must. And, for the record, it's a nice name."

He nodded and returned her smile briefly. Then, taking a serious tone, he said, "I'm glad you called us, Miss Parker. We haven't heard from Jarod in a few weeks and we were getting worried."

"I called the Major because I hoped he could keep Margaret from disappearing," she replied. "It never occurred to me that he would make this a family outing. I should have known better."

With his hands folded on the table, his eyes suddenly found something interesting in the way his fingers over lapped. "Why? Why do you care if she disappears?"

"Because I know, first hand, what your family has been through. You deserve to be whole."

She watched him struggle with his thoughts, his face screwing in uncertainty before he finally looked up and asked, "What is she like?"

"Who? Margaret?"

He nodded. "I don't know much about her."

She thought about her response, biting back the sarcastic reply that came to mind. The boy was serious. He was worried about meeting the woman Jarod and Emily referred to as 'Mom'.

"Well, she and I don't exactly see eye to eye," Parker admitted. When the young man bit his lip and sighed in disappointment, she added, "But I will tell you this, she's very devoted to her family. Everything she's done, she's done to keep those she loves safe."

"Does she know about me?"

"You would have to ask Jarod that question. Like I said, Margaret and I aren't exactly at the coffee clutch and confidante stage of our relationship."

He glanced at the door that led to the room Jarod and the Major were holed up, then lowered his head. Both hands rose from the table and clasped each other behind his neck. His dark hair fell forward, shielding the bit of his face she would have been able to view.

"I don't know whether Margaret knows about you, or not," she said softly, "but I do know that she will protect you with her life. You are a member of her family, Drew."

He took a deep breath and let his hands drop back to the table. "She'll protect me."

His voice was barely a whisper but Miss Parker heard his disappointment. Sliding her hand over his, she squeezed it gently and waited for him to raise his eyes to her. "She'll love you. You're her son."

Drew stared at her while his hand wrapped around hers. He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder before facing her again. She saw something in his eyes, and waited for him to speak but, before the young man could formulate his question, her cell phone sounded. Releasing a soft curse, she reached for the device and brought it to her ear.

"This had better be important," she snapped.

"Miss Parker, it's me," Sydney murmured. "I think we may have a situation."

Lyle glanced at his watch then turned his attention back on the house. Whatever was happening inside was taking too long, as far as he was concerned. Sliding his cell phone from the inside pocket of his jacket, he pressed a single digit and brought the device to his ear.

"Pull the car out of sight, around the corner," he said, as way of greeting. "I want to know about any activity at the back of the house. Yes, I know that means you will need to get out of the car. Do it."

Snapping the phone closed, he slid it into his jacket as the headlights from the SUV were ignited. When the vehicle moved from its parking space, and turned the corner at the end of the block, he met the driver's gaze in the rear view mirror of the sedan.

"Stay put," he ordered. "When it's time for us to move, I will tell you."

"Yes, Sir."

By the time Miss Parker disconnected the call, Jarod and his father had emerged from the back bedroom and were standing behind Drew.. A few seconds later, Emily was beside them.

"Who was on the phone?" the Pretender asked.

"Sydney," she answered, rising from her chair. She punched out another number on the phone and said, "We have a problem."

Jarod laid his hand on Drew's shoulder as he moved around the young man, letting the physical connection break only when he was standing in front of Miss Parker. Their eyes met and, instantly, the brunette turned away.

"Broots, it's me. Listen very carefully," she said, into the phone, "I want you to go to Emma's house but do not go inside. Park one block South of the house and wait for me . . . Yes, one block South. Trust me. I'll be there in twenty minutes and I'll explain everything."

"Parker, what's happening?" Jarod asked, when she faced him.

"Sydney thinks the Centre is watching the house."

"They haven't made a move?"

"No but it's only a matter of time. Two police officers are inside," she explained, starting toward the door. "They're acquaintances of Mike who brought the case to your mother. Once they leave, all hell is going to break loose."

"Case?" Major Charles repeated. "What case?"

"It's a metal box that Mom has been carrying around," Jarod replied, sliding into his jacket. "It contains the scrolls."

"I don't understand," Emily admitted. "If the Centre wants the scrolls so badly, why would they wait for these officers to leave? Why wouldn't they . . ."

"One of the Cardinal Rules at the Centre is that no one gets involved with the local authorities," Jarod explained. "Whoever is watching the house will wait."

"It's Lyle," Miss Parker grumbled, checking the ammunition in her gun. "It has to be Lyle."

TBC