It only took three things to ruin Parker's day.

1) An article, forwarded from Rome and Paulo:

Body of American Secretary, 23, Found in Tiber... ( Extra details... )

"Can't figure what you'd want to know," Lyle Bowman said, giving Parker a curious look from his side of the cell in solitary confinement. The guards had said he was in there for his own protection, because he 'rubbed people the wrong way.' "I didn't do it. Don't know who did. Not much of a story there ( Read more... )

Parker had called ahead to the Bowman residence to make sure Martha Bowman was home; no problem, she'd said. Happy to talk about Bobby. You come on by, honey.

Which was how Parker came to be standing in the woman's kitchen, watching her feed imaginary dogs.

( And it just gets more disturbing. )

Classes got over at 4PM Oxford time. Which meant that Portalocity landed Parker in Douglas, Nebraska at 8AM local time. It was going to be a loooong day. First though was a blonde wig, dark sunglasses, and an Australian/English accent which two years in England had made creditable, if not perfect. Then ID that said her name was D'Anna Biers-- who ( Read more... )

"...I don't know. I'm still waiting on the goddamn translator." Parker paused outside the door of Mr. Lyle's office, and tried not to smile. Someone was very, very unhappy. "I don't know! He just sits there, staring at me like a stoned Buddha. It's been half an hour, what could be so important that he didn't even call?"

( In which Parker shows to advantage. And Lyle... does not. )

[continued from here]They'd switched out the van for Parker's car and Isabel's Volkswagen as soon as they were out of Delaware. Let the Sweepers keep tracking dark vans, once they realized there had been an escape; so much the better. It had only taken another hour to get to the airport, with a short stop for supplies for Emily on the way ( Read more... )

[continued from here]

( After a few smoke bombs, some sirens, and a few small contained fires.... )

Before sunrise, Parker and Jarod drove to Blue Cove, and the headwaters above the Centre.

( ''Are you sure about this?'' she asked. )

Parker had called Jarod as soon as she'd gotten in, then checked her e-mail ( Read more... )

What the hell did she do last night? Or who? Brigitte woke up feeling fuzzy and sore, but with her clothes still intact, although the ugly blank in her memory hinted at Rohypnol or worse. Cursing, she staggered to her feet, and checked the clock, furious but focused on her job. Just enough time to track down Jeffries. Good. Then she'd backtrack ( Read more... )