Disclaimer:  In first chapter.

Chapter 31

Jarod had to practically drag Sarah up the stairs.  The task would’ve been tougher if Sydney wasn’t there to help.  When they reached the top of the steps, Sydney and Jarod had to hold Sarah up to keep her from stumbling over her own feet as they slowly made their way down the hallway to Sarah’s bedroom.  When they reached her room, Sydney let go of the exhausted teenager as Jarod lead her to her bed.  Sydney watched from the doorway as Jarod took off her shoes, and then tucked her into bed. 

Smoothing the dark tresses back from her forehead, Jarod bent down, placing a gentle kiss on Sarah’s temple.  “Sweet dreams, Sweetheart,” he whispered.  The girl didn’t say anything as she snuggled deeply into her pillow.  Sighing, Jarod quietly walked out of the room and into the dimly lit hallway.  Closing the door softly, he turned around to find a curious Sydney standing a few feet away, waiting patiently for an explanation about what happened tonight with the kids.

Folding his arms across his chest, Jarod began his little tale.  He told Sydney about Sarah’s drinking and being drugged, about Josh, Eli, and Debbie trying to help her in her time of need, only to get in trouble themselves.  He told Sydney about Mr. Cox and the fact that Brad was his son, who was also a rape suspect in a number of states.  And then he told the aging psychiatrist about Alex’s warning about Brad and his connection to Mr. Parker. 

“Sydney, do you think Mr. Parker is capable of sending a known rape suspect to his granddaughter, knowing of the risks he was placing her life in?” Jarod asked, hoping Sydney would tell him he was overacting.  He still wasn’t ready to go down that road of knowing Mr. Parker would be that cruel to his own flesh and blood.

However, Sydney’s grim look told him all he needed.  “Jarod, I believe that man could be capable of anything if he felt threatened, and you investigating into Catherine’s death may have driven him over the edge.”  Leaning against the wall across from Jarod he added, “He’ll do whatever he can to protect that law firm of his, even harm or kill people if needed be.”

Jarod stared at him intently for a few moments before speaking again.  “You believe he killed Catherine, or at least had a hand in her death, don’t you?”

Silence filled the air as Sydney stared at Jarod thoughtfully.  “Let’s go downstairs,” he suggested, pushing himself off the wall as he made a beeline for the stairs.

Jarod reached out, grabbing a hold of his arm.  “Sydney, don’t avoid the question,” he bit out.

Looking down at the hand holding his arm, Sydney looked back up into Jarod’s demanding brown eyes.  Pushing Jarod’s hand away, Sydney replied back, “I’ll answer your question Jarod, but I prefer to do this downstairs, away from your children’s bedrooms.”  Giving a slight nod, Jarod followed behind Sydney down the stairs to the living room.

As Sydney made himself comfortable on the plush chair by the fireplace, Jarod walked to the front window to peer outside.  Josh and Parker were still in the car talking.  He wondered what they were talking about.  Hopefully, they would tell him when the time was right.  Turning around, he walked away from the window and sat down on the couch.  Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together as his eyes fell upon Sydney.

The older man’s eyes remained glued to the crackling fire burning in the fireplace as he spoke.  “As you know, Catherine was a very dear friend of mine.”  A wistful smile tugged at his lips.  “The first time we met each other was 35 years ago at Blue Cove General Hospital, where Jacob worked.  We got stuck on an elevator for over two hours, talking about nothing and everything.  She was such a warm, affectionate, beautiful soul.  Whenever she walked into a room, the place seemed to light up.”  Soon Sydney’s smile vanished.  “But, eventually that light became dim to nonexistent as her marriage to Mr. Parker progressed over the years.  I never could understand the man.  He had this beautiful family that surrounded him, yet he had to manipulate it, destroy it for his own personal gain.  With him, I do believe misery loves company.”

Jarod watched as Sydney got up from his chair and walked over to the small liquor cabinet.  Grabbing the bottle of scotch, he poured himself a drink, downing it in one gulp.  Jarod could see his hand slightly trembling as he poured himself another drink into the tumbler.  With the drink in his right hand, Sydney walked back over to the fireplace.  Taking another drink, his eyes fell on the photo of Catherine, Parker, and Robert at their high school graduation.  Jarod knew Sydney wasn’t telling him something as he continued to gaze at the picture, still lost in memories from the past.

Clearing his throat Jarod asked, “Sydney, what aren’t you telling me?”

Sydney’s voice had a wistful quality as he replied back, “I remember this day.  Catherine was so proud of her children.  She loved them more than life itself.  They were her saving grace.”

Jarod didn’t like where this was going.  The news Sydney was about to share with him wasn’t going to be good.  “Sydney, you didn’t answer my question,” Jarod stated softly.

Taking a fleeting glance at the picture, Sydney walked back to his vacated chair.  Looking at Jarod he began, “Well, Catherine was a patient of mine.  Our last session was 25 years ago.”  He paused, taking another drink then continued, “This was the night I believe Catherine signed her own death warrant because of the actions she took that night…”

25 years ago           

A seventeen year old Parker came barging through the front door as tears came down her face.  Her father had fixed her up, or more like, demanded her to go on a date with one of his client’s sons named Michael Patrick.  The guy was a first class jerk.  He tried to get to second base with her in his car, so she did the only reasonable thing; she bit his lip as she pulled his middle finger back.  She knew she broke it when she heard it snap.  Michael instantly backed away from her, crying out in pain.  Taking advantage of the situation, she quickly scurried out of the car.  Angry words were exchanged between the two before Michael finally gave up and left her up at the lake.  Swallowing her pride, she walked all the way back home.

She knew she was late.  Her curfew on a Saturday night was 11:00pm.  Looking down at her watch the time read 12:38am.  She hoped her parents were sound asleep as she quietly closed the front door.  However, her hopes were quickly dashed when the living room lights came on.  Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around.  Her father was sitting in his favorite reclining chair, glaring furiously at her.

Taking a few hesitant steps, she stood nervously in the entryway.  Smoothing back her hair she said, “Daddy, I’m sorry.  I know I’m late, it’s just that…”

Her father stood up, slamming his newspaper down on the table.  “What happened tonight?” he demanded angrily.  “And don’t lie to me.”

Miss Parker’s mouth went dry as she looked down at the floor, avoiding her father’s angry eyes.  “Michael got a little…too physical tonight…”

“Liar!” he roared as he stalked over to her.  Grabbing her roughly by the upper arms he said furiously, “Michael’s father is one of my best clients, and then I find out you broke his son’s finger and bit his lip.”

“What is going on down here?” Catherine’s voice floated through the air from the stairs.

Still staring at his daughter, Mr. Parker replied back with disgust, “Catherine, we have a daughter who’s a liar and a tramp!”

“Jonathan,” Catherine gasped.  “How dare you talk about our daughter like that!”  Catherine glanced at the girl seeing the hurt look on her face as tears fell down her cheeks.  “Let her go!” she demanded.

Mr. Parker ignored his wife’s demand as he shook his daughter.  “Your selfish little actions tonight almost cost me a lucrative client, luckily Mr. Patrick was very understanding.  He said he’ll forget the whole incident if you apologize to his son for what you did.”

Parker couldn’t believe what she just heard.  Her father was taking their side over hers.  How could he do that to her?  “Daddy, do you want to know why I broke his finger?”

“I don’t care what he did.  You had no right to do that.”

“I…I don’t believe you,” she cried out, struggling to break free from her father’s grasp.  “How could you take their side over mine?  I’m your own daughter for crying out loud.  Doesn’t that mean something?”

“Blood or no blood, you could’ve cost this family their financial future,” he bit out.

Parker gaped at him.  Breaking free from his grasp, she glared at him.  “Well, guess what Daddy,” she spat out, “you’re little angel isn’t going to apologize to anyone.  Michael got what he deserved, and if he tried to manhandle me again I would do the exact same thing.”

Mr. Parker took a step towards her, but Catherine stepped in between them.  “You both need to calm down.  This is getting way out of hand,” she said evenly.  Turning around to look at her daughter she commented, “Baby, it’s late.  Go on up to bed and we’ll discuss this tomorrow morning with cooler heads.”

“No!  We’re not done talking yet.  She’s going to apologize whether she likes it or not.  This spoiled little brat won’t ruin my career,” he snarled.  Pushing Catherine aside, Mr. Parker roughly grabbed his daughter by the arm.  Dragging her across the room, he threw her down onto the couch.  Grabbing the phone, he threw the receiver into Parker’s lap.  “Dial,” he ordered.

Catherine walked up beside her husband, anger burning within her eyes.  “Jonathan, I won’t let you do this.”  Glancing down at her daughter with softer eyes she said, “Honey, go upstairs.”

Parker got up from her seat, but her father quickly pushed her back down.  “Catherine, you have no say in this matter so leave.”

Catherine huffed in disagreement.  “I’m her mother, and I’m staying.”

Mr. Parker glared at his wife.  “Catherine, why must you challenge me on every little thing when it comes to disciplining our children?  I just want what’s best for this family.”  Looking down at his daughter once again he said, “Now dial the number and apologize for what happened tonight, so we can all put this night behind us.”

Catherine had enough.  Taking the phone away from her daughter, she stared angrily at the man before her.  “Jonathan, you haven’t known what’s best for this family since I married you.  Bullying and manipulating us isn’t love.”  Shaking her head sadly from side to side she continued, “What happened to the man I fell in love with all those years ago?  You were so loving an affectionate.  Once you started working at your father’s law firm you changed to a man that I don’t even recognize anymore.”

“Well, what can I say Catherine, I grew up and faced reality.  Money is what rules, not love.”  Yanking the phone from her hands, he dropped the phone once again into his daughter’s lap.  “Dial the damn number, so I can go to bed,” he ordered once again.

“Daddy, I can’t,” Parker responded back feebly.

“Fine.  Since you won’t apologize over the phone I guess we’ll just have to make a face to face visit.”  Without warning, Mr. Parker yanked his daughter up from the couch.

“Daddy, you…you’re hurting my arm,” cried Parker.  “Please, let me go.  Don’t make me do this.”

“Jonathan, let her go!  You’re not making her do anything,” screamed Catherine as she tried to pull her daughter away, but her husband’s grip was to strong as he dragged their daughter to the foyer.

“Catherine, this is the right thing to do, so stay out of it.”  Grabbing his car keys off the table by the front door, he threw open the door and pushed his daughter out.

Parker was unprepared for the shove as she stumbled out the door and slid on a patch of ice, instantly falling to the ground.  She yelped in pain as her left wrist twisted awkwardly as she tried to cushion her fall.  She cradled her arm to her chest as her mother helped her up.

“What’s going on?” Bobby’s voice came from the doorway.  Seeing his sister’s condition, he shoved past his shocked father and ran to his mother and sister.  “What happened, sis?  Are you okay?”

“Bobby, take your sister to the car and stay with her,” instructed Catherine.  As Bobby did what he was told, Catherine grabbed her husband by the arm and led him inside the house. 

“I…I’m so sorry, Catherine,” Mr. Parker kept repeating, still stunned by what happened.  He didn’t mean to hurt his daughter, but that’s just what he did.

Putting on her coat, she went to the study to get a few things.  “You should be apologizing to your daughter and not me.”  Grabbing her keys she stormed past him. 

When she got to the front door, she turned around.  “Jonathan, if you ever do what you did today again, I’ll make sure the world knows about your dirty little secrets.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Jonathan.  I know all about your shady little deals with politicians, and the law enforcement agencies.  I know about the little extra businesses you have on the side, making that illegal money.  I also know about the money you pocket every year during tax season from the IRS.”  She paused momentarily, taking a deep breath.  “And I unfortunately know about the murders you’ve issued on people.”

“Catherine, you don’t know what you’re talking about.  Whoever filled your head with these foolish ideas obviously is jealous of our lifestyle,” Mr. Parker shot back.  “Can’t you see they’re trying to tear our family apart.”

Catherine shook her head sadly.  “Jonathan, the only person who’s tearing our family apart is you.”  And with that, she left the house.

Present Day

Jarod clasped his hands together under his chin as he stared absently across the room, looking at nothing particular.  “Sydney, I remember when that happened.  It was a few days after Christmas.  Parker told me she slipped on some ice when she broke her wrist, but I didn’t know her father was the reason behind it.  Why didn’t she tell me the truth?”

“I think the reason she lied was because she was probably embarrassed by what happened,” Sydney sighed. 

Jarod remained silent for a few moments.  “When Catherine left the hospital she went to see you, didn’t she?”

“Yes, she did.  She called me at my house from a payphone.  Luckily, Michelle and Nicholas were out of town, visiting her parents in Boston.  Catherine came to my house with both children.  They stayed overnight, all exhausted from the night’s events.  The next morning she dropped off her kids at your parents’ home for the next few days while she took care of some personal business.”

“Did Catherine tell you where she was going after she dropped off Parker and Robert at my parents’ house,” Jarod asked curiously.

Sydney shook his head from side to side.  “No, she never told me.  But, I have a feeling she was covering her tracks, protecting the evidence she had on Mr. Parker.”

Getting up from his seat, Jarod walked over to the front window glancing outside, letting his eyes fall upon the two occupants in his car.  With his back to Sydney he said softly, “I should’ve known something was up.  How could I’ve been so blind?”

“You can’t blame yourself, Jarod.”

He remained silent before speaking again, “Sydney, you could’ve told me this story years ago, but why now?”

“Because you have a family to protect, and Mr. Parker and that law firm of his will stop at nothing to get what they want,” answered Sydney.

Still looking out the window, Jarod wondered how many more secrets Parker was hiding from him.

XXXXXXX

To Be Continued…