Parker had finished up her Finals with one last burst of creativity that might net her another place on the Dean's List this semester; too soon to tell, or care, yet. She planned on being drunk for the next 24 hours, screw her ulcer. She deserved it.

But first, a call to Roma, and a policeman of her acquaintance from two years before. "Paulo, it' ( Read more... )

Parker later thought the whole mess could have been avoided if she'd just gone to the beach. Sadly for her and her brand-new mini-Cooper, it was not to be.

"Oi! Girlie!"

( In which Parker does not pick up an art thief. Except literally. )

"So how are you settling in?" Parker asked Giusseppe, peering at him over her sunglasses. "Doing the priest thing."

Giusseppe gave her an amused look, and said, "Very well, thank you for asking. How is that separation of Church and Parker developing? Still in a Cold War?"

( A conversation, with ocean view. )

Parker was now putting on her sixth lipstick shade while she and Zero waited. Occasionally, some traveler would try to glare at her in front of the lounge mirror, but Parker remained oblivious, talking to Zero and ignoring them.

"... so yeah, your 'flight' announcement? How can there be a delay? I ask you."

Parker stared at the lines, then at Zero, then back at the line. "What, are they actually keeping gladiators in there? Because that's the only thing I'd wait that long for."

Parker checked her watch and fixed her lipstick in the mirror of the Woman's Room for the third time. Nice WC, really, but seriously. Where was Zero?