Vanished

By Gemini-M

Chapter 8

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Author's Note: Once again a million thanks for all the Wonderful
reviews. They are like oxygen for the writer. Thanks to, Airam4u, Rev2004,
pretender fan, Nans, Mercedes Aria, NYT, phi4858, Sirus183, ICD, and
bloodymary2. And of course, my endless appreciation to my Beta-reader,
Jaccione.

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has
happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this
is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." Author
unknown.

Miss Parker's home9:00p.m.

The rain had ceased, but the menacing black clouds still hovered above. A
flash of lighting illuminated the night sky of the tranquil neighborhood and a
shadowy figure standing at the end of the manicured lawn came into view. Cold
emotionless eyes, reflecting as much anger as the approaching storm, carefully
observed the movements of the occupants in the target home. He could easily aim
his high powered riffle and put an end to his hunt, but this would be too easy,
plus the resourceful pretender could interfere again and save the day. This time
he was not going to make the same mistake. He was going to eliminating those
most important to Jarod one by one, and at a moment when the altruistic
pretender would be helpless to change the outcome. Slowly, an evil smile grew on
the assassin's face. He had all the time in the world and his patience would be
greatly rewarded. Like a ghost, he vanished from the shadows and returned to the
safety of his vehicle. There he would wait for the right moment.

Everything was working just as he had simmed, Jarod thought as he pulled
against the handcuffs with some irritation. Ignoring his pleas to stay away from
the Centre, Parker had ordered Sam to take the Pretender back to the guest room
and secure him for the evening until their return. Jarod smiled inwardly. He had
given them quite a performance, struggling against the burly sweeper and yelling
warnings at his huntress, but at the end he had surrendered to their demands,
for he knew that his stay here would only be temporary. Although the truth of
the matter was he didn't want Miss Parker returning to the Centre at the moment.
But some things were simply outside even his sphere of influence, most
especially Miss Parker. The stubborn woman insisted on searching Raines' and
Lyle's office for clues to Sydney's whereabouts, plus she was hoping to find
Angelo and ask for his help.

Jarod dropped his head back into the pillow and closed his eyes. He could
use a few minutes of rest before he put his plan into motion, but his concern
for his friends continued to assault his every thought. There would be no rest
until Sydney and the others were out of danger. But for now, all he could do was
pray that Sam would keep his promise and protect Miss Parker at all costs. From
the room Jarod could hear Parker threatening Broots and he almost felt sorry for
the poor man. After tonight, he was not going to be the only one on Parker's hit
list.

"Broots remember what I told you."

"Yes Miss Parker, I'll keep a close eye on Jarod." Broots answered
nervously. "But, in his condition I don't think he'll try
anything."

"Don't underestimate him Broots." Parker snapped back as she
checked the clip in her 9mm and returned it to the holster at the small of her
back. "We have made that mistake too many times in the past."

Broots' eyes froze on the weapon and he swallowed dryly. He wondered if
the next time he saw Miss Parker, he would be staring at the other end of her
Smith & Wesson for letting the Pretender escape. How he wished he had a nice
boring computer programmer job, instead of working for this house of
horrors.

"BROOTS?"

"S...sorry Miss Parker I was just thinking." Broots jumped in
surprise.

"STAY ALERT!" Parker looked at her watch. "It's 9:30. We should
be back in about two hours. Call me if you have any problem with Boy
Wonder."

"Yes Miss Parker." Broots answered quietly.

"Lets go Sam." Parker said grabbing her jacket. "Lets take the
Centre car."

"Yes ma'am." Sam quickly replied and followed his boss.

Completely unaware of the cold eyes watching them across the street, Miss
Parker and Sam quickly boarded the Centre's black sedan and drove away. A few
seconds later, a dark colour van pulled from the curve very slowly and followed
its target at a safe distance into the darkness. "This is going to be easier
than I expected." A malicious laughter filled the inside of the van.
"Jarod, this time you won't be able to save your Miss Parker." The driver
briefly glanced at the back of the van and smile as he thought about his well
calculated plan. 'The good doctor was still out cold and with the amount of
sedative he had administered earlier, his guest should remain in that state for
at least two more hours. Enough time for him to eliminate Miss Parker and set
the trap for Jarod in his mentor's house. Their midnight meeting at the
Psychiatrist's home would be the final battle ground and this time he would come
out victorious.' The icy-blue eyes glared unblinking at the black car ahead
and suddenly they were filled with madness and rage as the abominable Centre
building came into view.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Mr. Broots, Is the coast clear? Jarod asked as he reappeared in
the living room a few minutes after Miss Parker and Sam had left.

"JAROD, WHAT?... HOW DID YOU...?" Broots jumped at the sight of the
evasive Pretender.

"Never mind that now." Jarod scanned the room quickly. "Mr.
Broots, do you have a gun?"

"ME, No...no...I hate guns." Broots said shaking.

"Didn't Miss Parker give you a gun or tell you where she kept one?"
Jarod asked frustrated.

"No...no Miss Parker didn't give me a gun. I guess she thought I might
shoot you accidentally or something."

Jarod gave Broots a quizzical look but remained quiet. Raking a hand
through his hair, Jarod walked around the room anxiously. Now changes had to be
made to his previous plan. He had hoped that Miss Parker had another weapon in
the house, but that was not the case. If he was to rescue Sydney, he was going
to need a gun. He was in no shape to go against Alex unarmed. In conclusion, his
only choice was to go to his lair, get his gun and do all this before midnight.
"Damn" Jarod swore, looking at his watch.

"Jarod, is something wrong?" Broots asked with concern.

"No, I'll be right back." Jarod said and left the living room and
headed back to the guest room, leaving a very confused Broots standing alone in
the middle of the living room. A few minutes later Jarod returned wearing his
own clothes and his black leather jacket. He walked over to the window and
parted the curtain to look outside. "Good she left her car." Jarod
commented to himself before he turned to face his confused friend.

"Mr. Broots, do you know where Miss Parker puts her car keys?"
Jarod asked very casually.

"WHAT? YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE HER CAR? No...no you...you can't do that
Jarod." Broots said panicking. "I mean, I'm letting you escape and
M...Miss Parker is probably going to kill me for that, but...but taking her car.
You just can't do that."

"Mr. Broots, I don't have another choice." Jarod said tiredly.
"I have to meet with the kidnapper at midnight if I'm to help
Sydney."

"Jarod, maybe you should have told Miss Parker and Sam about this
meeting." Broots looked at the Pretender with concern. "Do you think you
can handle this guy by yourself? I mean, you're in really bad shape at the
moment."

"NO, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TELL THEM ANYTHING, UNDERSTOOD!" Jarod
said furiously, but immediately calmed himself when he noticed the terror in
Broots eyes.

"Okay, okay Jarod."

"Sorry Mr. Broots, please don't tell Miss Parker anything. Remember
this psycho is out to get her as well." Jarod's eyes held a deep concern.
"If anything happens to her, I could never..." Jarod stopped mid sentence
when he noticed Broots curious gaze. "Mr. Broots, are you going to help me
look for the car keys?"

"Oh yeah." Broots replied and moved toward the small desk at the
entrance. "I think I saw Miss Parker put them in one of these drawers."

"I'll check my e-mail again while you look for the keys." Jarod
said as he walked back into the kitchen.

"I FOUND THEM!" Broots shouted a few minutes later.

"Good Job Mr. Broots." Jarod said as he exited the kitchen and
grabbed the keys from the techie's hand.

"Any new messages?" Broots asked hopefully.

"Nothing." Jarod said visibly frustrated.

"Mr. Broots, where is Debbie?" Jarod suddenly asked with
concern.

"She's staying with a friend in New York for the weekend." Broots
said with a frown. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to make sure she was away from here and safe." Jarod
explained plainly.

"Thanks Jarod." Broots replied honestly. "I hope this is over
soon."

"Me too." Jarod replied quietly as he headed for the front door.
"I have to leave now."

"JAROD WAIT!" Broots yanked Jarod by the arm, making the tall man
wince in pain.

"WHAT IS IT MR. BROOTS?" Jarod asked gritting his teeth to control
the pain in his side.

"I'm sorry...Jarod you have to tell me who is this guy you're meeting
and where you're meeting him in case something goes wrong."

"Mr. Broots if you don't hear from me after midnight leave town and
don't come back and I suggest you tell Miss Parker to do the same." Jarod's
voice was tense.

"Jarod you said that Miss Parker and I were in grave danger. I think
you should tell us who's behind Sydney's kidnapping in case this guy comes after
us first." Broots pleaded. The idea of this psycho coming after him or Miss
Parker first made him feel sick to his stomach. "Please Jarod."

Jarod thought for a moment and realized that Broots was probably right. He
could not leave them in the dark. Alex was very unpredictable and he could
easily change his mind and come after them first, like Broots had suggested.
Furthermore, he was not even sure he was going to come out of this confrontation
alive.

"I guess you're right Mr. Broots." Jarod paused for a moment took a
deep breath and continued. "The person behind Sydney's kidnapping is Alex."
Jarod said in a dangerous tone. "And I'm meeting with him at midnight,
but I cannot tell you where because I know Miss Parker will make you tell her
and you both need to stay away from this sociopath."

"ALEX! You mean the other pretender that escaped with you the first
time?" Broots said surprised. "But I thought he was dead."

"So did I, Mr. Broots." Jarod said angrily. "I guess, the
Centre's evil never dies."

"That's for sure; nobody ever really dies at the Centre." Broots
muttered, but when he noticed how visibly upset Jarod was he added, "...well,
until now."

Jarod's face tightened, but he ignored Broots' comment and looked at his
watch. It was 10:00p.m and he still had a long drive ahead. "Mr. Broots, I
really have to leave now."

"WAIT!" Broots screamed.

"NOW WHAT?" Jarod hissed back.

"What do I tell Miss Parker when she asks me what
happened?"

"Just tell her that I surprised you." Jarod said and turned toward
the door.

Once again, Broots stepped forward and blocked the Pretender exit,
avoiding the menacing gaze the tall Pretender was giving him. "Miss Parker is
not going to believe that...You...you have to hit me."

"WHAT?" Jarod asked shocked.

"Jarod, you have to punch me. That's the only way she is going to
believe that you surprised me and escaped." Broots explained
frantically.

"MR. BROOTS I CAN'T PUNCH YOU."

"Yes you can and you have to because if you don't..." Before Broots
had a chance to finish his argument, the techie felt as if he hit a brick wall,
and he stumbled back into a recliner. "OUCH!"

"Sorry Mr. Broots, you better put some ice on that right away."
Jarod said as he ran out the door. A few seconds later Broots heard the
screeching of tires as Miss Parker's car sped away and then silence.

"Good luck Jarod." Broots said to the empty around him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On their arrival to the Centre, Sam stopped the black sedan right at the
bottom of the long curved stairs that surrounded a colossal fountain, marking
the grandiose entrance to the Centre. Miss Parker exited the vehicle climbed a
few steps and then stopped and looked around. The vast parking lot was almost
deserted except for the night security vehicles and a few cars belonging to the
medical personnel that seemed to live in this place. In the distance Miss Parker
noticed Sydney's elegant Town car abandoned in the darkness and she froze in
fear as she felt a chilling sensation run through her entire body. She had to
find her dear old friend. He was one of the few people that gave a damn about
her and had kept her alive and sane in this madhouse since she was a child.
Sydney was like the father she wished she had all her life and she was not going
to give up on him. "Sydney where are you?" Parker murmured with sadness
to herself. "I promise we'll find you. Please don't leave me."

"Miss Parker I'll be right in." Sam called, startling the pensive
woman. "I'm going to park the car."

"Sam leave the car right there. We'll be leaving in a few minutes."
Parker ordered as she turned and headed for the huge glass door.

Remembering Jarod's warning, Sam exited the vehicle and quickly began to
scan their surroundings with a wary eye. Everything seemed alright, but
something inside told him danger was lurking nearby and he had to keep his guard
up. He had to protect Miss Parker at all costs like he had promised Jarod and
himself. Somewhere out there, a psycho was waiting for them to make a mistake
and snatch them like he had done with the good doctor, but he was not going to
let that happen. Sam gave one more glance at the parking lot and followed Miss
Parker up the steps and into the building.

Miss Parker and Sam walked hurriedly to the elevators at the end of the
vast lobby. As they passed the security guard's desk, Sam nodded a salute at the
guard and stopped momentarily to inform him about their destination. "We are
going to Mr. Raines' office. Send two sweepers up to be placed on guard by his
office until Miss Parker returns."

"Yes Sir." The guard answered in attention and without delay placed
the call for Sam's request.

The elevator ride to the Tower was made in silence, but the tension in the
air was palpable. Something told her that Sydney never realized how much he was
needed and appreciated by this small group of people and without him they would
simply fall apart, starting with her and Jarod. Parker closed her eyes and
prayed that they would find some clue to help them locate their old
friend.

"Miss Parker are you alright?" Sam asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just worried about Sydney." Parker answered softly.
"Hope we find him before it's too late."

"Don't worry Miss Parker. We'll find the good doctor." Sam smiled
at his boss trying to raise her hopes. "Besides we have the genius helping
us."

"I hope you're right Sam."

Once they had reached the Tower, Parker rushed out of the elevator with
Sam trailing behind. Parker's stilettos heels were the only sound echoing in
the eerily silent hall leading to Mr. Raines office, and for a moment she felt
as if she was entering a mausoleum. It was ironic because this place had become
like a giant tomb and each day it seemed to claim a new life.

When they approached Mr. Raines' office, two sweepers were already waiting
for them and standing at attention on each side of the etched glass door.

"Both of you are to stand guard by this office until I return, and no
one is to enter here while I'm gone. UNDERSTOOD?" Parker ordered
firmly.

"Yes Ma' am." Both sweepers answer in unison.

After half an hour of searching through Raines' desk and files, they came
out empty handed. If the old ghoul had been involved in Sydney's disappearance,
he had covered his tracks very well and they were running out of time.
Frustrated by their lack of success, Parker slammed a file on the desk and
headed for the door. "Sam lets get out of here and go find Angelo."

"Yes Ma' am." Sam dropped the files he was reading and darted
across the room and out the door.

Glancing one last time into the now silent office, Parker whispered with
contemptuous hate, "Damn you Raines." The tall woman closed the glass
door forcibly, locked it and walked away angrily, leaving the two guards staring
at each other obviously bemused.

As they were walking back to the elevators, Miss Parker's cell phone
beeped loudly making the already tense woman jump. With irritation Parker pulled
the small device from her belt, flipped it open and raised it to her
ear.

"WHAT?" Parker answered annoyed.

"Broots slow down. What happened?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN JAROD ESCAPED?" Parker growled. "YOU
MORON!"

"WHAT?...HE WENT TO MEET WITH THE KIDNAPPER!...JAROD KNOWS WHO IS
BEHIND THIS?"

"ALEX!" Parker's face became paler at the mention of the name.
"He's alive?"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL US RIGHT AWAY?" Parker was furious. "THAT
SON OF THE BITCH...HE LIED TO ME...WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON HIM, HE'S GOING TO..."
Parker stopped and took a deep breath to calm herself, while Sam looked at
his boss stunned.

"WHAT ELSE DID JAROD TELL YOU?" Parker demanded, closing her eyes
and pinching the bridge of her nose.

"A LIST?...Oh this just keeps getting better and better." Parker
replied sarcastically as she paced the hall and ran her hand anxiously through
her hair.

"NO...Stay right there in case Jarod returns." Parker said, shaking
her head in disbelief, but her face no longer expressed anger, but fear. "We
should be leaving here as soon as we find Angelo."

"Yes, I'll be careful." Parker voice was now filled with concern.
"Don't worry I got Sam with me and Broots...be careful." Parker
disconnected the call as she followed Sam into the elevator.

Dazed, Parker closed her cell phone and returned it to its holder in her
belt. "Sam we need to find Angelo and quick."

"Miss Parker, what happened?" Sam asked with dread.

"Jarod went to meet with the kidnapper...alone. THAT IDIOT!" Parker
spoke with irritation, but her eyes betrayed her, instead Sam saw anguish and
doubt in them. "He's in no shape to go against that Psycho."

"I hope the Lab Rat knows what he is doing." Sam replied simply.

Parker's troubled eyes glared at her loyal sweeper, but she immediately
looked away trying to hide the concern that was plainly visible in her eyes. She
had not felt this kind of despair and fear since she found Tommy dead on her
porch. 'Jarod, why didn't you trust me?...Why didn't you ask for my help to
rescue Sydney...YOU FOOL, you're going to get yourself killed, playing the hero
again.' Parker mused as she came to the realization. 'You're protecting
me.'

"Miss Parker, where should I start the search for Angelo?" Sam's
question brought Parker out of her reverie.

"First, go to his space and if he's not there go to SL-27." Parker
said edgy. "I'll go do some snooping in Lyle's office and then I need to go
to the car. I forgot the origami figure that Psycho left behind."

"Why do you want that now? We already know who's behind the
kidnapping." Sam asked curiously.

"Angelo might get something from the origami figure, like where Alex is
meeting with Jarod or where Sydney is." Parker said hopefully. "Hurry Sam
please."

"Yes Miss Parker." Sam replied as he exited the elevator in one of
the lower levels of the Centre. Immediately, Parker pushed the button to the
level, where Lyle's office was and once again whispered a prayer for her old
friend and...Jarod.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Concealed by the darkness, the dark figure crawled away from the black
sedan parked at the bottom of the steps that led to the Centre's entrance. This
had been easier than he expected and he felt very satisfied with his work. The
explosive device was perfect and he was going to get a real thrill telling the
noble Pretender that he had used a design and scenario from one of his famous
simulations. His job was done here; Alex smiled with venom in his eyes. Now it
was time for him to leave and prepare the trap for Jarod. Then he would finally
set into motion the plan to annihilate the Centre. Camouflaged by the shadows,
the dark silhouette casually returned to his vehicle and drove away undetected,
only leaving behind a deadly silence before the storm.

Sam was growing extremely annoyed after his search for the strange little
man, through most of the lower sublevels, had only rewarded him with a huge
headache. Just as he was about to enter the elevator to go find Miss Parker,
Willy approached him and blocked his way. The tall dark man was furious and
wanted answers.

"SAM WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"

"What are you talking about Willy?" Sam replied calmly.

"THERE ARE RUMORS GOING AROUND THAT MR. RAINES AND MR. LYLE WERE
ASSASSINATED." Willy's ebony eyes bored into Sam. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
THIS?"

"Well, I'm sorry to inform you that it's not a rumor. Your boss kicked
the bucket." Sam replied with a smirk and then continued seriously.
"Earlier today, Mr. Raines was found dead at his home by Miss Parker and Mr.
Broots, and Mr. Lyle was tragically killed by an explosion in his
apartment."

"SO IS TRUE, JAROD KILLED THEM." Willy said gritting his
teeth.

"I don't know about that, but I'm sure there will be an investigation."
Sam said simply and resumed pushing the button to call the elevator.

"THEN WHY IS THIS CIRCULATING ALL OVER THE CENTRE?" Willy shouted
angrily as he handed Sam a flyer.

When Sam looked at the flyer, staring back at him was a Centre photo of
Jarod and in plain bold letters it read, "WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE FOR MURDER AND
ACTS OF TERRORISM AGAINST THE CENTRE. THE TRIUMVIRATE WILL PAY 20 MILLION
DOLLARS REWARD TO ANYONE WHO CAPTURES THE PRETENDER NAMED, "JAROD" AND RETURNS
HIM TO THE CENTRE."

Sam was rendered speechless and when the elevator doors slid open, Sam
rushed in and closed the door immediately, leaving behind the tall angry man
cursing and pounding on the doors. Without delay, he pressed the button to the
lobby and hoped that his boss was on her way there. He had to find Miss Parker
immediately. Now they had another problem in their hands, to keep the fugitive
Pretender alive. Sam feared that as soon as this Bounty was made public, every
Centre sweeper and cleaner was going to try to cash on it, not to mention all
the bounty hunters that would come out of the woodwork to collect such a
generous reward.

Nervously, Sam crumpled the paper in his hands as the elevator slowly
ascended to ground level. This was very strange, for the past six years he had
helped Miss Parker and Sydney in the hunt for the elusive Pretender, but now
something inside him was telling him this Bounty on Jarod was an injustice and
he had to prevent it from happening. Everything had changed drastically in the
past twenty-four hours, and even though the wayward Pretender was still a wanted
man by the Centre, he was now helping them in their desperate search for Sydney
and trying to keep Miss Parker safe. "Sam, don't let Miss Parker out of your
sight whatever you do." Sam suddenly remembered Jarod's plea and the promise
he had made to the Pretender. A wave of panic made his stomach twist into knots
as he realized the terrible mistake he had made. He had left Miss Parker alone
all this time.

Rapidly, Sam reached inside his jacket and retrieved his cell phone. With
shaky hands he pressed the pre-programmed number to Miss Parker's extension and
listened attentively. He had to find Miss Parker and make sure she was alright.
Anxiously, Sam paced the small space inside the elevator as he waited for her
answer, but it never came.

Frustrated, Sam closed his phone, returned it to his breast pocket and
fixed his eyes on the numbers above the elevator door. His hands were sweating,
his heart was racing and those darn numbers were moving slower than ever.
"Come on, come on." He whispered impatiently. "How could I be so
stupid?" Sam scolded himself. "If anything happens to Miss Parker..."
At that precise moment a soft ding announced the arrival to the lobby.
Almost in a frenzied state, Sam squeezed himself through the mere opening of the
parting elevator doors and quickly scanned the entire lobby area for any signs
of his boss. "Damn." Sam cursed, and dashed across the enormous lobby
towards the security guard desk.

"HAVE YOU SEEN MISS PARKER?" Sam asked gasping for breath as he
skidded to a stop in front of the security guard.

"Yes...Miss Parker just went out the front door a few minutes ago."
The guard answered frowning at the apparently upset man. "Is there
something wrong?"

"DAMN IT!" Sam swore and ran towards the exit, leaving behind a
very confused guard.

When Sam was about twenty feet from the massive glass doors, a huge
explosion just outside the building shook the entire area, sending glass, metal
and rubble flying through the air and into the lobby. Instinctively, Sam dove to
the ground and covered his head with his forearms to avoid being struck by any
flying debris. After the blast, all hell broke loose. The screeching sounds of
the fire alarms went off and the emergency sprinklers system began raining down
on them. The stunned sweeper raised his head and quickly surveyed the damage
around him and for the possibility of another explosion. The entrance to the
lobby looked like a war zone and fragments of the doors and ceiling littered the
entire lobby. Breathing heavily and still in shock, Sam pulled himself to a
sitting position on the wet floor and looked towards the security guard, who
waved at the big man, signaling that he was fine but visibly shaken.

Suddenly, fear struck Sam like a bucket of ice water. He jumped to his
feet and dashed towards the ruins that used to be the grand entrance to the
Centre. Once outside the building, Sam looked down the curved stairs that lead
to the entrance and was horrified. A twisted mass of metal was all that remained
of the Centre's black sedan, which had been violently propelled onto the bottom
of the stairs.

In shock, Sam stared at the flames that still engulfed the remains of the
demolished vehicle, while in the distance he could already hear the sound of
sirens approaching. Devastated by his fatal mistake, the big man dropped to his
knees and whispered, "I'm sorry Miss Parker."

TBC