Small comfort that Nessa didn’t start her shift until the afternoon. She wouldn’t be much use protecting Jay from… whatever Sixer decided to pull next. And God forbid Jay revealed to Nessa what she was. Nessa would totally wig out and run screaming for the hills.
Huh. Come to think of it, he didn’t believe for a second Jay would reveal all to Nessa. Because then, to ensure Nessa’s silence, Jay would have to either threaten her or bribe her, and Tyler couldn’t see that working out so good.
Well, there was a third alternative, but Tyler knew Jay wouldn’t resort to offing Nessa no matter how much of a pain in the ass she could be. From the scant details he had been able to glean, Jay had a personal code. If directly threatened, she would disable and render her opponents unconscious. She only killed if there was no other alternative….
Like the time her creator had accessed her core command codes and compelled her to kill him. He’d been old and dying of an incurable cancer. Because Jay’s command codes had been keyed to his voiceprint, to his way of thinking once he was dead she would be safe. But for Jay to be forced to kill the man she thought of as her father? Cruel. And even though she’d been compelled and had no choice but to obey, even though she was a cyborg, it had affected her deeply—still did, Tyler knew. He didn’t believe she would deliberately kill again if she had the choice.
Shame. Because to Tyler’s way of thinking, Sixer needed killing. And if it came down to it, to keep Jay safe, to ensure her secret was kept, Tyler would do whatever it took. Even if it meant killing a man.
~~~
Chapter Thirteen
Jay escorted Nessa to Café au Lait. Nessa still seemed a bit skittish—not surprising considering recent events. Just to be completely certain she was reading Nessa correctly, she asked, “How are you feeling about everything?”
“Better now I’ve slept on it.” Nessa’s gaze drifted to a storefront window. “Thanks for walking me to work. I’m still a bit freaked about... you know.” She dragged her attention from the outfit in the window to shoot Jay a conspiratorial gaze. “Being watched.”
“If you’re uncomfortable staying at my place I will help you find suitable accommodation elsewhere,” Jay said. “And there’s also the matter of the money Sixer promised you. I’ll reimburse you for monies owed so you have the fresh start you hoped for when you left Snapperton.”
Nessa stumbled on a non-existent crack in the pavement but caught herself quickly enough that Jay didn’t find it necessary to intervene. Her eyes rounded until she reminded Jay of a manga character. “You’d do that for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She tucked her hands into the pockets of the short trench-style coat she wore with black pants, black monogrammed t-shirt and comfortable flats.
“For the same reason I gave you a cell phone and a few hundred dollars this morning. Because you need help and I’m in a position to give it.”
Nessa scoffed. “Yeah, right. All that money you seem to have isn’t gonna last long if you keep throwing it at every charity case who comes knocking on your door. Besides, you don’t even like me all that much.”
Jay frowned. It was true—to a point. She didn’t believe she’d ever like Nessa as much as she did Caro. But she no longer disliked her. “I like you more now than I did back at Greenfield High.”
“Oh God.” Nessa visibly winced. She peeked at Jay, her gaze now puppy-dog-pleading-for-forgiveness rather than wide-eyed disbelieving owl. “I was a total bitch to you. If I’d known—”
“What? That sometime in the future you’d be reliant on me for accommodation, food and clothes, you’d have been a bit nicer?” Jay smiled to take the sting from her comment. She’d intended it to be humorous. Hopefully Nessa would see it that way.
“Yeah. Something like that.” Nessa grinned back. “But seriously—”
“Seriously, I admire your drive to better yourself, even if the method you chose was somewhat distasteful.”
Nessa’s mouth sagged open and she shook her head. “You admire my drive to better myself, even if the method I chose was somewhat distasteful?”
Jay wondered what she’d said wrong. “Yes.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but seriously, you are just the slightest bit weird. Have you ever listened to yourself?”
“Believe me, sometimes the words that come out of my mouth freak me out just as much as they apparently do you.”
Nessa tossed her head and giggled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jay felt a little glow of warmth around the region of her heart. She suspected it was satisfaction—the satisfaction of helping Nessa put the past behind her and stand on her own two feet. “Do you want to stay on a while longer with Tyler and me? Or would you prefer a clean break?”
Some of Nessa’s pleasure dimmed. Her smile seemed forced and there was a tension about her shoulder muscles that hadn’t been evident before. “I should find my own place.”
Jay could have taken this declaration at face value. It would have been less complicated to do so. But something prodded her to ignore Nessa’s words and look deeper. “I’m not asking what you think you should do. I’m asking what you want to do.”
Nessa stopped dead on the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to fan around her.
“What’s wrong?” Jay asked, momentarily confused by the tears glistening in Nessa’s eyes. She grabbed Nessa’s arm and dragged her off to the side beneath a storefront awning where she wouldn’t impede the flow of foot traffic. Some of the mutterings from passersby were getting a bit snarky.
“When it comes to the big stuff, no one’s ever asked me what I wanted to do before,” Nessa said. “They’ve always just told me what I should do—for my own good.”
By “they” Jay presumed Nessa meant her parents. “Well, it’s about time someone asked, then, isn’t it? So, what do you want to do? Stay, or help me look for a suitable place for you to live?”
Nessa blotted her eyes with her forefinger, careful not to smear the layers of mascara. She heaved a deep breath and faced Jay. “I think I’d like to find my own place. I mean, your place is awesome but I’m intruding. I figure if I could survive on the crap wages Time-Out paid me, I’ll do fine at Café au Lait.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll help you work toward. I’ll check out a few places and give you a list.”
Nessa’s smile was back. “That’d be great. Thanks so much, Jay.”
“Well, I can’t have you moving into that dump where Tyler lives. If you hooked up with Pete, Tyler would have a cow.”
Nessa’s reaction to that sally—a full-body shudder—was everything Jay had expected. “As if!” she said.
“You always did have excellent taste in guys,” Jay said. “Well, except for Shawn.”
“Yeah.” Nessa gave a theatrical little moan. “Boy, was he ever a mistake.”
“A big-time mistake.”
“Matt was a sweetie, though, wasn’t he? I’m guessing he’s still with Caro?”
“Yes.”
Nessa hesitated and bit her lip. Then she asked, “How is Caro?”
“She’s doing great.”
“Maybe I should call her sometime.” It was quietly said, as though more to herself than to Jay.
“Maybe you should,” Jay said. “I’m sure she’d like to know how you’re doing… after you grovel and apologize for being the worst friend ever, and beg her not to hang up on you.”
“Ouch. You don’t pull your punches, do you?”
Jay shook her head. “No.”
“I kinda like that about you. And Jay? I don’t need you to pay me the cash Sixer promised me. It wouldn’t be right to expect you to do that.”
Jay towed her back into the flow of pedestrians. “And that kind of attitude, Nessa, is exactly why I’ll make good on Sixer’s deal with you regardless.”
Nessa absorbed this logic in silence for a couple of minutes. “Oh! Well, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll
open a bank account for you and give you the details when you get home. Now hurry it up. You don’t want to be late on your first day, do you?”
“Eeek! Hell, no!”
Nessa upped her walking pace and they arrived with seven minutes to spare, Nessa slightly out of breath and Jay of course unaffected. “Have a great first day,” she said to Nessa. “And give me a ring if you’re still feeling freaked about everything and you want someone to walk you home tonight.”
“I don’t want to put you to any more trouble.”
“If it was any trouble, I’d arrange for you take a taxi. Either way, call and let me know what you want to do.”
“Yes, Mom,” Nessa said.
Jay rolled her eyes.
“Hey, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Oh, the usual. Saving the world and other assorted day-to-day chores.”
Nessa gave her trademark giggle. “Better you than me. See ya!”
Jay waited ’til Nessa disappeared through the doors before heading off to her next assignment. This morning, after Tyler had left for class, she’d emailed the application along with the photo Caro had taken of her back in Snapperton. Just before lunch she’d gotten the phone call asking her to come in.
Something that she identified as excitement fizzed through her veins. Today she was going for her first job interview and she had no doubt whatsoever the experience would prove to be an interesting exercise.
She’d researched interview techniques. Common advice given was to be polite and professional, and to answer questions clearly and concisely. One should not be tempted to fill silences with babble, as one might inadvertently reveal more than one was comfortable with, thus putting oneself at a disadvantage and giving the interviewer the upper hand. Jay didn’t believe she would have issues with any of that.
The address she’d been given was a dwelling approximately fifteen minutes easy walking distance from her own house. Escorting Nessa to Café au Lait meant she was now twenty-seven minutes walk from her destination… with thirteen minutes to do it in.
Jay set off at a slow-paced—for her, at least—jog, which must have looked somewhat incongruous considering she was dressed in “interview” clothes that hadn’t been too dissimilar to Nessa’s outfit. The only difference was that along with her black slacks and black t-shirt, Jay was wearing the low-heeled boots Nessa had talked her into buying instead of the sneakers she usually favored. Still, she probably didn’t look too remarkable—merely like any other girl forced to jog because she was running late for something. With an added bonus that being a cyborg, she hadn’t broken a sweat by the time she reached Honeysuckle Street.
Number 15 Honeysuckle Street was a subdivided building in a predominately residential area. The front comprised the Beanz Café, and out back were privately owned rooms. The directions she’d been given told her to look for the back entrance.
She slowed to a walk and strolled through the low wrought iron gate, following the path of uneven cobbles that snaked down the side of the building to the back door. The gardens out back were beautiful—cherry trees and extensive flower beds. Someone had a passion for gardening.
She lifted the door knocker and rapped three times.
She heard running footsteps, and then the door was yanked open and a bearded man peered out at her. His wildly unkempt red hair stuck out in all directions. He wore a paint-stained shirt, un-tucked, over old baggy sweatpants that sagged at the knees. His feet were bare. Evidently she shouldn’t have wasted any time considering the suitability of her “interview” outfit.
He looked her up and down, starting from her head and sweeping his gaze down to her toes and back up again, taking in every little detail. And then he beamed. “Jaime Smythson, I presume.”
Jay nodded and held out her hand. “Please, call me Jay.”
“I’m Allen.” He clasped her hand but instead of shaking it, as would be usual for an encounter such as this, he drew her inside. “Hoh boy. Lovey, you really are as gorgeous as your photo. You’re gonna knock their little cotton socks off. All the guys are gonna spin like tops when they lay eyes on you.”
Jay blinked slowly, her literal brain conjuring images of barefooted men spinning crazily round in circles, surrounded by a pile of discarded socks.
Allen led her through to a bright, airy room. “Total privacy,” he said, winking. “Wouldn’t want to shock the neighbors now, would we?”
“No. That would not be prudent.”
“Would not be prudent.” Allen brayed a laugh. “Lovey, you’re hilarious! Everyone’s gonna love you.” He gave a sweeping flourish with his hand, indicating the electric blue couch and lemon-colored chairs grouped around a low table in the corner of the room. “Can I get you a drink? Coffee? They make the most marvelous coffees at Beanz—best in the neighborhood. Which is why I don’t bother making my own anymore—they never measured up. All I need to do is text Danny and he’ll send someone round with our orders. Or perhaps tea? Herbal? Chez Allen caters to all tastes.”
“A soda would be lovely. Or water if you don’t have soda.”
“Diet cola okay with you? Not that you need diet anything.”
“Diet is fine, thank you.” Jay chose one of the easy chairs, preferring a modicum of personal space rather than risk knocking knees with Allen on the couch. His fulsome compliments were quite enough to cope with.
He selected a couple of sodas from the fridge by the sink, and rushed back to hand one to her before plunking down on the couch. He sat on an angle, one leg crossed, an arm draped over the chair-back. “So, Jay. I’ve read through your covering letter and everything seems dandy. You sure don’t have a problem with nudity? Wouldn’t want you having an attack of the shys and running screaming from the room when everyone shows up.”
“No. Why would I? It’s just a body. Everyone has one.”
“Lovey, it’s a damn fine body. And that face, those eyes—are they contacts?”
“No.”
His eyes rolled to the ceiling and he sank back against the couch. “Stunning,” he finally announced when he’d finished with what appeared to be a paroxysm of sheer delight. “You sure you’re not a model? You absolutely could be one.”
“I have no interest in modeling professionally.”
“The modeling industry’s loss is our gain.”
“I’m flattered you would think so.” Jay hid a smile. Tyler would be scowling and figuring out the best way to let Allen know she was off limits by now.
“Any scars?” Allen asked.
“No.”
“Pity.” He tugged his beard. “That would be a fascinating contrast. What about tats?”
“No. I’m sure I could arrange something for you, however,” Jay said.
Allen gave her startled eyes and then brayed his raucous laugh again. “Very droll. As if I’d expect you to go to those lengths.” He waved a languid hand. “No matter. You’re a blank canvas. The guys can use their imaginations.”
Just as well. Tyler didn’t think much of tattoos. She couldn’t imagine him being pleased if she got one. Besides, Jay had no idea whether a tat would ‘take’. She suspected her dermis might simply absorb the ink and heal any tattoo she happened to get.
“We’re a very professional group,” Allen said, his friendly, open expression becoming serious. “You’ll not find any perverts amongst my students, and inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. They know the deal.”
“I’m pleased to hear it.”
“So. You want the job? Please say yes! If the guys find out I’ve let you get away my life won’t be worth living.”
“Yes,” Jay said. “I want the job.”
“Brilliant!” Allen crowed. He held out his can and she “toasted” him with hers. In perfect unison they popped their sodas and took a healthy swig.
Apparently her first job interview had been a raging success. She couldn’t wait to tell Tyler. This job would be proof that she could be normal and do the things normal young people
did.
Something fluttered in her stomach—a sensation akin to butterfly wings. What if she failed at this seemingly simple task of being like everyone else?
Mmm. Perhaps she could wait to tell Tyler. She could wait until she was certain her performance was adequate enough that she would be keeping this job.
~~~
Tyler yawned and rubbed his eyes. He blinked away the sleep and finally managed to focus on the blur standing at the foot of the bed. Jay. Already up and dressed. And carrying a tray of breakfast. Just like every other morning this week. It should be illegal to look that put together this early in the morning.
He glanced at his watch and grimaced. Not that it was exactly early. But he’d been pulling shifts at the college auditorium all week, and after getting home, working on assignments, and falling into bed in the early hours of the morning, it seemed pretty early to him.
Damn. He had to be away in a half hour, too. He yawned again. God. Roll on next week when the guy whose shift he was covering got back and he had a life again.
“You’re looking very pleased with yourself this morning,” he mumbled through another yawn.
“I found the perfect rental apartment for Nessa,” she said.
Huh. Tyler wasn’t sure how he felt about his ex and his current girlfriend getting all friendly and swapping stories. He resisted the desire to smother himself with a pillow. Didn’t bear thinking about.
“Not too close to here, I hope.” He was only half-joking.
“No. And not too close to your apartment, either. Allen put me onto it. It’s a one-bedroom—fully self-contained—overtop the garage. The owner’s son was using it before he moved out of state for work. It hasn’t even been listed yet. I think Nessa’s going to love it.”
Tyler sat up, scrubbed his hands through his hair, and rubbed his face some more. Jay placed the tray on his lap. “Thanks. This looks really— Hang on. Who’s Allen?”
“I met him after I walked Nessa to work. This place I found for her is only ten minutes walk from the café where she works. The rent is very reasonable, too. And if the owner doesn’t have to list it and pay any fees, he’s prepared to decrease the bond—provided he thinks Nessa’s a suitable tenant when he meets her, of course. But that shouldn’t be a problem. She can be very charming when she puts her mind to it, and it helps that her standard of dress has improved since she left Snapperton.”
Freaks in the City Page 18