Catching Up
First things first, Miss Parker thought as she
walked down the corridor that led to Angelo's room. She had just returned from
Oregon, another futile trip to catch Jarod. Of course she had not caught him,
and of course she was upset about it. Well, at least officially. What really got
her upset was the fact that she had wasted her precious time in Oregon while
there were more important things in the Centre for her to do. Things she would
focus on now.
Actually, she should not be here. Angelo was sort of "off-limits" for
her unless she needed his help for her task. And Mr. Lyle had left no doubt that
he wanted to see her as soon as she arrived. Anyway, she had decided that Lyle
could wait, especially after she had found out about the latest trick he had
played on her, on everyone in the Centre. He was not her brother! The relief
this thought brought her surprised her every time anew.
She walked around a corner and then entered Angelo's room. He sat in front of
his computer and looked up when he heard her.
"Hey, Angelo. How are you?", she greeted him with some warmth.
There was a worried expression on his face.
"Lyle is furious."
"Yes, I know. Here, I brought you something."
She handed him a box of Cracker Jack.
"Danger", he insisted.
"This place is dangerous because you can't trust anyone. No one, not even
Sydney..."
"Sydney friend. Sorrow."
Miss Parker shot him a surprised glance. She had thought about Sydney a lot
lately, but she had never assumed that he might have acted out of sorrow for
her. But usually Angelo was right about other persons' emotions, so that she was
willing to believe him.
"Listen, Angelo, I gotta go now, but I'll be back tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, yes."
She smiled at him and left. It was about time to meet Lyle. Back in the elevator
she looked at her reflection in the cold steel wall. Since she had found out
about Lyle's latest trick, she had begun to observe him closely. That way she
had noticed the way he looked at her, and now she knew what he wanted.
Her plan was easy. Jarod was no longer an option to get the answers she wanted.
He was getting too close to her, and there was no way she was going to let that
happen. Lyle could get that information, too.
During the last few weeks she had changed the way she dressed, until she had
found out what appealed most to Lyle. However, she didn't only get his
attention, but that of most men at the Centre. Even poor Broots had reacted to
her, undoubtedly making him even more uncomfortable whenever she was around.
Miss Parker reached her destination, and after a short knock she entered Lyle's
office.
He was sitting behind his heavy desk and looked at her. The expression on his
face was controlled, but in his eyes she could see his anger, and something else
that she couldn't put a name to yet.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked calmly.
Lyle frowned.
"You arrived at the Centre more than half an hour ago. I wanted you to come
here immediately."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I don't take any orders from you, got me?"
He slowly rose, his eyes never leaving her face.
"Miss Parker, I don't think you understand the position you're in."
She smiled.
"Oh, but I do. And I understand the situation you're in. There's a reason
why I came here, I mean apart from your... friendly request. I'm here to propose
a deal."
"A deal?" he asked, brows raised. "And what would that be? You've
got nothing I want or that I couldn't take if I wanted it."
Her smile deepened.
"Well, if that is so... I've got some more important things to do."
She turned to leave.
"Wait! I'd like to know what you think you've got to offer me - and what
you'll ask in return."
"You see - I know about the test results. Admittedly, that was very clever.
Daddy definitely wouldn't want to learn that, and I wouldn't want to be the one
telling him."
He cocked his head.
"You can't prove that."
"True. I'm sure Daddy would rather believe you than me, and then telling
him wouldn't bring me any benefit - apart from getting rid of you, that is. But
that's not the deal. I just wanted to let you know that I know."
"Get to the point."
"First things first. I must know if you can provide what I want from
you."
"And that would be?"
...
Main
© 2001 by Miss Bit