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Bad Tidings


Back at The Centre, Miss Parker sat in her office pouring over the information Broots obtained for her. She was reading everything The Centre was doing at this house. She couldn’t believe it. They were trying to find cures to save people’s lives but it the meantime they were taking them. Her doors swung open and Broots rushed in. “Miss Parker, I have to talk to you.”

“What is it, Broots?”

“I was going over some of the data, and I kept coming up with wrong calculations, so I figured we were missing something….”

“Or your calculations are wrong.” Miss Parker looked at him with a smirk.

Broots smiled but continued. “…so I pulled up the numbers they get for their studies. They have this others category. It didn’t say what the others were, so I started to poke around...” Broots started rambling.

“Get to it, Broots!” Miss Parker said forcefully.

“There are other houses, approximately forty world wide by what I figure.” Broots sighed after he finally managed to get everything out in the opened.

Her jaw nearly hit the desk on the way to the floor. “Forty houses like the one in Denton?”

Broots leaned in and whispered. “Yep, and all of them working on similar projects.”

“My God, what do they think they are doing? They don’t have the right!” Miss Parker was furious. She stood and paced around the room.

“Shhhhh. They know we know. It is only a matter of time now.” Broots was nervous. He turned in his chair so his gaze could follow Miss Parker around the room.

There was a long pause as Miss Parker made her way around the room. Broots could almost see the wheels in her head turning. He admired that. Even after everything, being shocked by their findings, Miss Parker could still set the shock aside and get down to business. She would do her best to stop everything and he knew it.

Miss Parker had made her way back to her desk and stopped. She then put her hands on the desk and leaned over towards Broots. “How do they know, we know?” Miss Parker whispered.

“I don’t know but I heard them talking about it. How we were a problem now.” Broots whispered.

“Damn. Let’s get out of here for the time being.” Miss Parker came around her desk, grabbed Broots’ arm, and dragged him out of her office.


Are You a Doctor


Jarod and Ethan stood in the front office of Harrington Medical Facility. Jarod stared at the secretary as she showed him the form they would have to fill out. Her words didn’t penetrate his concentration. The only thing he could think of was what he had seen at the house run by The Centre. Their intentions seemed good, for the most part, however, the way they went about it was criminal, and Jarod knew any cures wouldn’t be given freely to the public. Jarod had a mission to help the weak and abused and he would do his very best.

Jarod could hear the secretary talking to them, but he couldn’t concentrate on her. He heard Ethan answering a question with yes, but his own thoughts were, ‘Why are they putting people through these experiments?’

“Dr. Cramer?” The Secretary was trying to get his attention.

Jarod’s focus was jarred. “Yes. I am sorry. What was the question?” Jarod felt a bit red.

“I asked if you understood everything on this form.” She was looking at him strangely. She was mostly likely trying to determine if he heard anything she had said.

“I do, and if I come across anything that puzzles me I will ask you.” Jarod stepped back to look at her nameplate. “Rachel, thank you for all your help.” He smiled and walked off to his office space.

“Yes, thank you, Rachel.” Ethan said politely, taking Jarod’s lead.

“Your welcome Dr. Cramer & Dr. Cramer.” Rachel stared after them. She could only smile. At first she had thought the tall one was odd and the other sweet, but now she was sure they were both sweet, sweeter than most anyway. And the fact two brothers who were both doctors wanting to work in the same place. It was too sweet. Rachel smiled again.


Getting To Know About You


Jarod walked into his office with Ethan close behind. Ethan was walking around the room looking through everything. On the desk, Jarod saw a nameplate for a Dr. Robert Simians. Jarod pulled out his red notebook. He opened it to the first page. The headline read, “Doctor Implicated in Hospital Cover Up.” Jarod looked around at the pictures of the previous man’s family. Something wasn’t right. This man had family and friends. He didn’t seem the type to do such a thing. He turned it to the latest article he has retrieved from a newspaper. “Doctor’s Death Rule Suicide.”

“You must be the Cramer’s? So which is which?” Jarod turned to see a man approximately his age standing in the doorway. “I am Dr. Timothy Randall.” The man stuck his hand out to Ethan who was closer.

Ethan took the man’s hand. “Hello, I am Ethan and this is my older brother Jarod.” Randall turned to shake Jarod’s hand.

Jarod fumbled a moment and managed to put everything into one hand and shake the man’s hand. “Hello.”

“Well, Jarod, Ethan it’s nice to meet you.”

“It is nice to meet you as well.” Ethan and Jarod said together. Jarod stared at the doctor. Did he have anything to do with this?

“I see they put one of you in Bobby’s office?” Jarod sensed pain in the man’s voice.

“Yes, I wasn’t sure if I should move anything.” Jarod probed for more info.

“Personally, I don’t believe Bobby could do what they said he did.” Timothy shook his head.

“So you don’t think he covered up mistakes like the medical board says he did?” Ethan asked. Jarod was also curious to see what this doctor thought. Timothy worked with Dr. Simians and he was sure he would know something.

“Bobby wouldn’t do something like that.” Timothy shook his head. “It wouldn’t be like him. He loved to help people. A woman died on his table last year from circumstances beyond his control and he blamed himself. He wouldn't cover something up if it was his fault.”

“Timothy, maybe he didn’t know what else to do?” Jarod sympathized.

“Call me Tim, and he would have told me. I was his best friend. He would have said something.” Jarod felt bad that he could think this man framed Simians. Tim was obviously torn up about his friend’s death.


The Enemy of My Enemy


“Miss Parker, where are we going?” Broots looked behind them to make sure they weren’t being followed.

“Back to that house. We are going to get proof The Centre is involved in those monstrosities.” Miss Parker checked the review mirror.

“What do we do with the information once we have it?” Broots seemed to annoy Miss Parker, but he was right. What will we do with the information?

Miss Parker’s eye gleamed as a thought entered her head. “Who is the one person who would love this kind of information? Who would use it to stop The Centre’s actions?”

Broots looked at her a moment and then it hit him. “Jarod?”

“You better believe it!” Miss Parker drove on.


Plots


“Lyle, where is Miss Parker?” Cox’s accented voice rang through the room.

“I don’t know. Why, what's up?”

“She knows about the houses. She is going to try and stop us. We should have taken care of her sooner.” Cox looked at Lyle, forgetting for a second Miss Parker was his sister.

Lyle stared back at him and grinned. “Whatever is best for The Centre.”

Cox smiled and walked off.

Lyle waited for Cox to get out of sight before he bolted for his fathers office.


Plans


Mr. Parker sat at his desk looking over files and projects, when his son burst through his doors. “What is it, son?”

“We have a problem.”

“What is it now?” Mr. Parker reclined a little in his chair waiting for the news.

“She knows about the houses and Cox thinks she should be eliminated. I think he’s getting pressure from a higher authority.” Lyle looked worried.

“Angel?” Mr. Parker was a bit more interested now.

Lyle just nodded.

“Find her and make sure she stays out of trouble and away from Cox.” Mr. Parker stood and walked towards the doors to his office. “I am going to have a talk with him.” Then he walked out.


Mission


Miss Parker looked at the house she had been at only hours ago. She knew the front door was not an option, so she and Broots sneaked in the back door. They walked through the halls of the house looking for the right office.

Broots stared behind them, infront of them, all around them. He listened to everything. He didn’t want to be caught with his hand in the cookie jar, so to speak. The Centre was already after them, why make it worse. Nevertheless, he knew he couldn't dissuade Miss Parker from searching this house for every drop of information. She was determined and he knew she would work until she had succeeded in her latest mission against whomever she deemed worthy.

“Broots, in here.” Miss Parker was entering a room ahead.

Broots looked ahead. He jogged towards the door. She was already at the computer and was turning it on. Broots slowly closed the door behind him. He then scurried over to the desk and sat down.

“Hurry! We don’t have much time.” Miss Parker whispered. She stared to pace.

Broots ignored her and let his mind focus on the problem in front of him, instead of the problems all around him. His mind worked as his fingers flew over the keys.

Miss Parker went over to the balcony and peered out. There was nothing there to see. It wouldn’t take The Centre long to figure out she had gone back to the beginning. They would be here soon.

“Miss Parker,” Broots whispered, “I think I have it.”

Miss Parker rushed over to the desk to look at the information Broots had on the screen. “And you are sure Jarod doesn’t know this already?”

“Positive, he didn’t get this deep into the access codes.”


Suspects


Jarod and Ethan walked into the cafeteria and sat down at the table where Tim sat. Jarod opened his lunch bag to reveal, Oreos, Twinkies, Pez and more. Ethan had the same, because Jarod packed the lunches.

“Is that what you really eat?” Another doctor walked up behind them.

“Yes, it is delicious. My name is Jarod, and this is Ethan.”

“Jarod, Ethan, I am Rick Fredericks. If you keep eating that stuff you are going to have to be on the table instead of the other way around.”

“Don’t worry. This is only lunch.” Jarod smirked as Ethan ate.

“So you are the brothers that will be working with us?” Rick asked.

“Yes. We had to pull a few strings to get stationed in the same place, but it was worth it.” Ethan told them.

“So did you follow in your brother’s footsteps, Ethan?” asked Tim.

“Yes. I look up to him and my father, but I didn’t want to be a major.” Ethan smiled as he twisted an Oreo opened.

“I have a question.” Jarod asked innocently as he ate. “What made the police think Dr. Simians had anything to do with the cover up?”

Both Tim and Rick looked a bit nervous. “I think it was because of some papers they found that Bobby had signed. But I still say their wrong.” Tim couldn’t stand the thought of people believing the rumors.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to Simians?” Ethan wanted to hear their version.

“They think he was guilt stricken and so he overdosed on some meds. It is sad really.” Rick told them.

“Hey, guys.” A blonde female doctor walked towards them with her tray in hand. “Can I sit with you and the new guys?” Ethan stared at her. She was beautiful. She had long blonde hair that had been twisted into a bun and beautiful blue eyes that shimmered.

“Sure Cathy. Jarod, Ethan, this is Cathy Riley. She is our genetics expert.” Rick informed them.

“Hello, it is nice to meet you. I am Ethan.” Ethan stood as he held out his hand for her to shake.

Jarod could tell Ethan had a crush. He had to admit the kid had taste, but what they were working on didn’t leave time for romance.

Cathy set her tray on the table and shook Ethan’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Ethan. I suppose you are Jarod then.” She let go of Ethan’s hand and extended hers for Jarod.

“Yes I am. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. So the two of you are brothers and you want to work together? What’s the deal?”

“Let’s just say we want to keep an eye on each other.” Jarod replied as he opened his jell-o. Cathy looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Jarod just means we only found each other a little while ago and we don’t want to be separated now.” Ethan told her.

“But I thought you followed in your brother’s footsteps?” Tim asked.

“Well, I did. I knew Jarod was a doctor, but I couldn’t find him. We were separated sometime ago.” Ethan lied.

“How sad.” Cathy put her hand on Ethan’s arm and looked at him with compassion. Then she pulled away. “So what were we talking about before my arrival?”

“Bobby.” replied Tim.

Jarod and Ethan both watched as her face changed to something between guilt and nervousness. “Why? What is the point? We go around in a circle with that one. Some people think he wasn’t capable and others believe he fried that girl!” She grew frustrated with every word she spoke.

“Are you trying to say you think he did it?” Jarod didn’t attempt to hide the curiosity in his voice or in his action. He was astounded by the way she spoke and unconsciously had dropped his spoon onto the table spilling jell-o.

“Well, to be frank, yes.” She replied.

Her statement puzzled Ethan. “Why would you want to be Frank?”

Jarod smiled and almost laughed until he remembered only a few years back it would have been him asking that particular question. He put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I will explain later.” Jarod then turned his attention back to Cathy. “Why would you think Simians did what they say he did?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Bobby wasn’t a bad doctor, but he had this air about him.” She paused a moment when Ethan sighed in confusion, then she finished. “He thought he was the greatest. He was a bit reckless with his patients and well, I suppose the phrase the bigger they are the harder they fall, but in Bobby’s case it was the bigger they think they are.”

Tim pushed his chair away from him as he rose to his feet. “He didn’t kill that woman, nor did he kill himself and you both know it!” Tim stormed off throwing the doors to the cafeteria opened as he left.

Cathy looked at Jarod and Ethan. “He is a bit sore about the subject.”

“There is one thing I don’t understand.” Ethan stared at Cathy and Rick.

“Only one.” Jarod whispered to Ethan. Ethan in turn gave Jarod an annoyed glare.

“If this great doctor had never made a mistake before and suddenly he had made this horrific one then why did no one see signs of suicide or even attempt to help him with the so called guilt?” Jarod had to admit; Ethan’s question was a good one.

“Who told you that?” Rick was puzzled and Jarod realized only the police report said that.

“Tim.” Jarod replied before Ethan could open his mouth.

“Well, I suppose it is because we thought he would be fine. It didn’t seem to faze him.” Rick answered.

“But his secretary says he was acting irrationally days before his death.” Ethan added.

“Well, we didn’t notice.” Cathy added.

Ethan stood and collected his stuff. “Well excuse me if I think that is a crock of bull.” Ethan walked away.

Cathy and Rick looked suspiciously at each other. Jarod thought as fast as possible. “Ethan and I have different mothers and supposedly no one saw his mother's warning signs before she took her life. Ethan takes that thing kind of personally.”

“I see.” Cathy replied clearly not convinced.

“Will you excuse me? I should see if he is all right.” Jarod stood and walked away.


Frustration


Jarod found Ethan in the corridor. “What were you thinking in there? I know it’s hard to take lies from people, but you basically told them “I think you did it.”

Ethan stared at Jarod. “They killed him, I can feel it.”

Jarod faced his brother and put his hands on his shoulders. “I can feel it too.” Jarod let go and turned a little to look into the cafeteria to where Rick and Cathy were arguing. “The problem is proving it.”

“If Simians was acting irrationally because he thought someone was trying to kill him, wouldn’t he have evidence on them?” Ethan asked looking towards his brother.

Jarod turned his head towards Ethan. “Yes.” Jarod and Ethan ran through the corridor and into Jarod’s new office. “Look in those files there.” Jarod pointed to the far wall as he took the ones close to the door.

Ethan rummaged through the files finding nothing and decided to look in the desk. Ethan opened the desk that had practically been cleaned out. As he finished his search of the desk, Ethan opened the right hand bottom drawer finding nothing again as he moved his hands through papers in the drawer.

Ethan looked up to see Jarod rerouting his search. Frustration overwhelmed Ethan as he hit his hand on the bottom of the drawer only hard enough to hear the hollow sound it made. Jarod and Ethan simultaneously looked at each other.

Jarod ran over to the desk as Ethan fidgeted with what was supposed to be the bottom of the drawer. Within seconds, Ethan was pulling the panel out of the drawer. Beneath the panel were papers and what appeared to be pictures and maps, along with other papers. Jarod pulled them out and laid them out on the desk. Ethan grabbed the picture and was going through them. “These pictures are of the girl who died.” Ethan flipped through more pictures. “Why would someone take pictures of a rug?” Ethan was sitting in the desk chair.

Jarod wasn’t paying all that much attention to Ethan. Jarod had the maps opened. “One of these is this area and the other is a world map.” Jarod seemed puzzled.

Ethan stood, put the last picture he looked at on the bottom of the pile, and laid the pictures on the table. Ethan then grabbed the papers. “These papers are about the girls autopsy and other findings. They have letters on them.”

Jarod picked up the pictures except the last one, which he missed. Jarod turned the pictures over. Each had a letter designated on it. “Put those papers out here on the desk.”

Ethan started placing them on the desk. “What do you see?”

“Each picture goes with a paper.” Jarod put the pictures on the papers and shoved them to the top corner of the desk. “Look Simians marked this location on the map.”

Without looking Ethan asked. “And what location is that?”

“The Centre house we visited earlier.” Jarod said.

Ethan’s face lighted up with realization. “Maybe we should visit again.”

“I was thinking the same thing.” They gathered the papers, maps and photos. Jarod had put everything into a folder and was putting on his jacket. Ethan was doing the same when he saw the picture of the rug. He grabbed it and shoved it into the folder as they both walked out the door.


The Enemy


Miss Parker looked up as she heard the footfall. “Hurry.” Miss Parker went towards the door. “They’re coming this way. We’ll have to take the balcony.”

Broots grabbed the disk and shoved it into his pocket. “We have to jump?”

“Come on.” Miss Parker was already on the balcony. She then walked back inside and looked up above the doorway. She could see the hooks that had once held a tapestry she knew she had seen in this room earlier as she had passed by the rooms opened door. “Where is the tapestry that was here earlier?” Broots scurried past her and the sound of the doorknob turning sent Miss Parker flying outside and around the wall for cover.

To be continued…









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