Rook+King vs King
By: Rising Sun – [email protected]

 

All disclaimers in place.

 

Author’s Note: This was to have been part of the Decisions Made saga. 

Even if it were no more I thought I’d post any way.

And presume to call it the epilogue.

 

The Center

Blue Cove, Delaware

 

r. Parker stood at right angle to the window.  It allowed him to look out while monitoring the office and most important the window.

 

The weather was bleak and it reflected his emotional state.  As the rain threatened to fall and imposed a gloom over everything as he watched; Lyle stepped out of his car and was stopped by the sweeper Willie.

 

Parker snorted.  Lyle, Raines, Angel what a cesspool and of all of them Lyle was surely a spawn of Satan as sure as Angel was …

 

His thought remained unfinished as he door opened and Raines shuffled in.  The emphysema riddled man stopped next to Parker and looked out the window too.

 

“Willie is beginning to exceed he terms of reference.” He wheezed.

 

Parker replied with out turning his head. “… and you have a recommendation?”

 

“The usual.”

 

This time Parker turned to face his partner in crime at the Center.  “The usual.” He repeated.

 

“The usual.” Raines replied.

 

The usual at the Center meant one of two things.  Move up as in promotion or move out as in dead.  His mood still somber Parker changed the topic.  “What do you want, Raines!”

 

Stopped by a coughing fit Raines finally managed to state.  “Your daughter is making no progress with the hunt for Jarod.”

 

“Do you recommend “the usual” for her too?”  Parker snarled.

 

“Not yet.” Raines wheezed.  “Not yet.”

 

Parker’s father swelled to twice his size.  That was the moment the office door swung open.  “What is this a freeway?!”  He bellowed.

 

Chibu of the African Consortium strode in as if he’d been invited and perched on the desk.  In an exact echo of Raines he stated. “Your daughter is making no progress with the hunt for Jarod.”

 

“As I was saying.” Raines concurred.

 

Parker’s eyebrows rose as he asked.  “… I suppose you have a recommendation.”

 

Chibu grinned.  “She needs a partner.”

 

“You?” Raines asked.

 

Chibu shrugged.

 

Parker growled “Over my dead body.”

 

“That can be arranged.”  Chibu’s grin broadened.

 

“Lyle is the one.” Raines interjected.  Scorn flashed over Parker’s face.  Raines saw it and issued a one-word challenge.  “Choose.”

 

Parker pointedly looked from Chibu to Raines to Lyle still talking with Willie.  With his back facing the two men in his office he choose.  “Willie?”

 

Chibu was unable to hide his shock.  “Who?”

 

Parker locked eyes with Raines.  “The usual recommendation.”

 

“Understood.”  With that he turned, hooked the handle of his oxygen tank and shuffled out.

 

“Willie!” Chibu was indignant.

 

“Chibu!!”  Raines ordered.

 

If he’d had a tail he’d have curled it between his legs.  The one word order from Raines stopped the Young Turk.  He too turned and left.

 

Mr. Parker stood at right angle to the window.  It allowed him to look out while monitoring the office and most important the window and wondered what on earth his two sons could still be discussing out in the parking lot.

 

The weather in Blue Cove was constant.

Lyle was devious.

Angel was tenacious.

Sydney was conciliatory.

Brootes was an ass. Brilliant technician but an ass.

Parker was ambitions.

Jarod was elusive.

 

The mandate remained the same.  Catch Jarod while you watched your back.

 

END