Flexibility

            Psychological flexibility. That was what Sydney found in the shipping container where Jarod had imprisoned Miss Parker and Mr. Lyle for several days. One warning sign—Do Not Push This Button—to trap them, for Mr. Lyle, who despised and did not understand him. Another—Do Not Pull This Lever—to release them, for Miss Parker, who understood him and did not understand herself. One man would think up one of those signs, another the other, but who would think up both of them? Jarod. He manipulated two different people two different ways, using one method. Flexibility. He would survive.

Do Not Pull This Lever

            Afterward, Miss Parker understood the significance of the signs. Do Not Push This Button—for Lyle, who was impulsive, defiant, and stupid. Jarod understood him too well, manipulated him too easily. Lyle trapped himself by his own cunning.

            Do Not Pull This Lever—for her. Oh, Jarod had her well-trained now. Once she would have pulled it. Now he said Jump, and she jumped, just to see why. He was always telling her something. This time: her own freedom was in her hands, with a Centre sign saying Do Not Pull This Lever. She was too afraid to pull it.