"I’ll be back in a minute," Kiera said, ducking into the bedroom.
He made a sudden decision. Luke registered surprise when he leant forward and whispered, "She loves you, Luke. I've never seen her look so happy." When he heard the toilet flush, he put his finger to his lips as he sat back again.
Relief flooded Luke's face, and he gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.
Finally, he had understood.
Kiera fixed them all tea. She continued to distract them by encouraging them to talk about their uni days. Surprisingly, he and Luke in many ways had a lot of things in common. Once Luke had thawed, he found him to be an intelligent, warm, and likeable young man. He thought Kiera had found herself a perfect match.
#
After breakfast, Kiera walked Jack down to his bike. The sky had turned leaden, and a light drizzle misted the air.
"Thanks for playing along," Kiera said, "I didn't tell him what I was going to do last night, because I knew he’d try and stop me, or worse still, he’d have wanted to come."
Jack paused and turned to her. "I understand. I'll edit the files and send you copies by this evening. How are you going to explain the footage to Luke?"
"He's not going to see it until Williamson is confronted with it."
"Kiera, confronting Williamson will be stressful enough without adding to it. Show the footage to Luke tonight, otherwise he'll feel ambushed." He wanted to say more, but he could tell by the look on her face he didn't need to labour the point. He turned his back on her as he unfastened his helmet from his bike. He didn't want Kiera to see how angry he was. He wanted to shake her, to shout, 'don't you know what you've got here you stupid girl.' He'd seen how much Luke loved her. It had shone from his eyes. He would hate to see that light go out.
Kiera sighed. "I hadn't thought about it, Jack, but you're probably right. I'll show him tonight. Yesterday, I just couldn't think of any other way to deal with it. I had too many other things on my mind."
"Good." Jack went to get on his bike.
Kiera touched his shoulder. "Don't I get a hug before you go?"
He turned, and after he gave her a brief hug, he got on his bike and rode away. He didn't look back.
Chapter 15
Flashback to 2041
"Are you busy, Jack?"
He looked up from his desk. "Brian. How the hell are you?" A wave of shock ran through him. Brian's face appeared thin and drawn, his clothes were dishevelled and he'd aged considerably. Was he ill? Guilt spiked into his consciousness when he realised he hadn't seen him for around six months. Brian was still standing by the door. "Come in Brian, and sit down."
Brian walked over to the chair opposite and flopped into it.
"Are you okay, Brian? You look…" He snapped the case file he'd been reading closed and pushed it out of the way.
"I have a bit of a situation, Jack. I need to ask you a huge favour."
"Oh?" In the past it was usually him asking the favours.
"This is…awkward, Jack, but I better fill you in on the details, so you know all the facts." He leaned forward in his chair.
"I'll assume you haven't heard any of the rumours about me." He gave him a questioning look.
"No."
Brian laid both hands on the desk. He seemed to be struggling to put whatever it was into words.
Jack waited. Brian's expression held a strange mixture of embarrassment and something else he couldn't fathom.
"I've done something incredibly stupid, Jack. It's cost me my marriage, and it's sent my daughter, Kiera, off the rails."
"Bloody hell, Brian. What's happened?"
"I had a short affair with a junior officer. It's over now, but the damage has been done, and now I have to face the consequences." He paused and stared at him.
Jack, shocked to the core, managed to keep his expression neutral. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard. He knew Brian to be an honourable, honest man of integrity. He was the last person he would have expected to have had an affair.
Brian Proud had stepped into his life when he'd been in trouble. He'd been fifteen, and without Brian's help, he probably would have ended up in gaol. At a time when he'd needed a male role model, Brian had been there for him. Although he hadn't seen him for a while, they were still close.
Brian had steered him into the Youth Counselling Program. It had proved invaluable and had given him a totally new perspective on life.
After finishing school he'd needed a part-time job to support himself—and to take some of the load off his mum—while he was doing his digital science course at the University of Western Australia. Brian had persuaded him to do the six months training program necessary to qualify as a youth counsellor. The pay, once he'd qualified, wasn't spectacular, but it fitted his needs as the hours were flexible and allowed him to enrol as a part-time student at uni.
Initially, he'd found it difficult to be emotionally detached but over the years had mastered the art; most of the time. He could now pull on a convincing poker face, even under dire circumstances.
"How can I help?"
"It's Kiera. To cut a long story short, she's not been able to handle the breakup. She's been binge drinking, and last night she and a friend wrote off my car in Kings Park."
"Bloody hell! Is she alright?"
"Yes, but her friend wasn't wearing a seatbelt and got thrown out. She's in a critical condition and is currently on life support in Royal Perth Hospital."
"Bloody hell! How did they get hold of your car?"
"She stole it from out the front of my place."
Brian, anguish etched into his face, looked as though he hadn't slept for weeks.
"She's up before the magistrate tomorrow. Because of my position I've been able to pull a few strings. She's got no priors, and she's a minor, so the lawyer thinks he can get her off. He's going to make a plea of mitigating circumstances and ask that she be placed in counselling to undergo an anger management course."
"Ah, so that's where I come in."
"I know it's a big ask, Jack, but frankly you're the only person that I think might be able to reach her."
"I'll do my best, Brian." He felt privileged Brian trusted him enough to ask him. Although shocked by his disclosures, he owed Brian so much that he certainly wasn't going to judge him. Brian had often talked about Kiera. He doted on his daughter—and his wife for that matter. What could have…?
"I warn you, Jack, she's incredibly angry, and she's struggling with the fact her friend is probably going to die. Kiera was driving."
"Oh God. How soon do you want me to see her, Brian?" Kiera wasn't the only person struggling.
"It all revolves around tomorrow's hearing. If we get a judgement in Kiera's favour, the next day––if you're able."
He consulted his appointment book. "I've got lectures at uni all day Thursday, but I could do a late appointment at five. Would that suit?"
A wave of relief spilled over Brian's face. "That would be great, Jack. Thanks, I owe you."
"We're friends, Brian, you don't owe me anything."
Brian got up to leave, but when he reached the door he paused and turned around. "For Christ's sake don't let on it was me that organised this, Jack. She's in payback mode, if she knows I've been involved she'll refuse to co-operate. She's refusing to speak to me at the moment."
"Sure. No problem, Brian."
He could see the pain behind Brian's eyes as he turned away and went out the door. Stunned, he sat and allowed his thoughts to trickle around until they finally congealed. He was going to have his work cut out with this one.
Chapter 16
Flashback to 2041
God, she looks like a real piece of work, Jack thought, eyeing Kiera Proud as she plonked down opposite him. She'd sauntered in late and unapologetic. Dressed entirely in black apart from her jacket, accessorised with matching jack boots and a satchel, she'd not uttered one single word since she'd come through the door, and now she sat contemplating her hands.
Jack pretended to be looking through her file. He'd had his approach all mapped out, but it went out of the window as soon as she had walked in.
One side of her head was completely shaved while the other was covered with long, bright pink hair. She'd topped that off with a tight-fitting purple jacket, which, after settling in the chair, she'd proceeded to slowly unzip in a slow and provocative manner. He'd found it slightly unnerving. She was exquisite, in spite of the hair. A strong attraction pulled on him like a magnetic field. For all her punk bravado, she exhibited a delicate, sensitive, calm poise.
He cleared his throat, and she looked up. She locked eyes filled with pain and anger on him.
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee, Kiera?"
"No, thank you."
He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. At least she was going to be polite. He'd half expected a language filled rant followed by her storming out.
Without taking his eyes off her, he said, "This is just an information gathering session, Kiera, so we can get to know one another."
Her sullen expression didn't change, but at least she hadn't looked away.
"We need to figure out a program that will suit you. How about we start with you telling me what your expectations are and how I can best help you?"
She gathered herself up before answering him. "Isn't that your job?"
"We endeavour to work closely with our clients so we can effectively fulfil their needs."
"That's just bullshit jargon."
At last, a reaction. "Okay, to put it more simply, I can't help you if I don't know what you need or want."
"I don't want to be here, and this isn't what I need." She stood up.
"Sit down. You're here by order of the Magistrate's Court. You might not want to be here, but from what I've read on your file you certainly need to be. Now please, sit down." He sighed, got up from his desk, walked around and stood in front of her chair.
She gave him a look filled with venom. "Don't try and push me around by standing over me."
"Okay." He crouched down in front of her. "Is that better?"
A brief flutter of surprise flitted across her face before she pulled it back into a sullen mask.
"Kiera, I've seen your charge sheet. By some miracle, your lawyer managed to get your charges suspended, but it's conditional on you working with me to try and sort out some of your problems. If you refuse, they'll charge you with stealing a vehicle, driving without a license, dangerous driving and possibly manslaughter. Do you understand?"
"I'm not stupid." Her eyes lasered into him as though she was hoping he'd vanish in a puff of light.
He held both palms out. "Okay, let's take this down a notch. I noticed you're on an advanced scholarship and you're just six months into a degree in digital science. I'm only six months short of completing mine and I've won a scholarship to start a PhD next year." He caught another flicker of interest before a defiant mask reinstalled itself on her face.
She began a slow clap. "I'm supposed to be impressed, am I?"
He stayed put and ignored her comment. "How are you finding the course?"
This time, the surprise stayed on her face. "It's zing… It's okay."
Progress. "What are you hoping to specialise in, Kiera?" He already knew, it was mentioned in her file. It was clear she was exceptionally intelligent, had an excellent grasp of the subject, and a unique and intuitive way of looking at things. He intended to make sure she didn't throw her chance at a brilliant career away. Bloody hell, he'd do somersaults and backflips if that's what it took.
She hesitated. "I'm not sure."
Jack knew she was fudging. According to her file she was dead set on specialising in AI, which was also his passion. His legs were beginning to cramp, so he stood up and went back to his chair.
"The AI lecturers are bloody brilliant." He spied the beginnings of a smile on Kiera's mouth. "Dr Peter Bronstein is doing a six months stint as a lecturer next year."
Instantly, Kiera's face lit with enthusiasm. "Wow! He's brilliant."
Gotcha. Progress at last. Jack grinned inwardly.
"I noted your attendance at lectures and submission of assignments has fallen right off in the last month. I suggest you defer the rest of this year's course until next year, Kiera. Then, when we've sorted your problems out, you can recommence. That way, you won't lose your scholarship." He paused and waited for a response.
Kiera smiled. "You're a persistent little bastard, aren't you?"
"Look, you obviously have an exceptional intellect." A lot like mine, actually, he thought to himself. "I'd hate to see you throw away the chance of a brilliant, exciting career. So, how about we work together, to get you back on track. Do you mind me calling you Kiera?" He raised his eyebrows.
"It's a bit late now––Jack," she chortled. "In answer to your questions, yes, and no."
#
Jack groaned inwardly. Kiera had arrived late again and had lapsed back to the sullen silence she'd fronted him with yesterday. He noticed the red eyes and the puffy face. Perhaps, direct confrontation might work––what did he have to lose by trying it?
"Tell me what's wrong, Kiera?"
As her eyes met his, he could see her lips trembling.
"I can't do this." She screwed up her eyes, but it didn't stop the tears from leaking out.
"Can't do what, Kiera?" His stomach tightened into a knot. He had to figure out a way to help her.
She lost it and started to sob. "This! I can't sit here and pretend everything is normal. I just can't."
Jack took a deep breath, struggling to maintain neutrality. Perhaps it was because she was Brian's daughter. It was all he could do not to leap up and put his arms around her––to hold her until she stopped crying. Totally inappropriate, but he had to do something. He got up and went to crouch in front of her. He reached out and took her hand in both of his.
"Kiera, whatever we talk about here is between us, so please, tell me what's wrong. Tell me how I can help."
There was an unexpected flash of anger in her eyes. She pulled her hand free and shouted, "You can bring people back from the dead, can you?"
Realisation struck him. Her friend, the one on life support––oh God. "Has your friend died, Kiera?" He experienced a surge of anger. Why hadn't anybody told him?
"They turned off her life support, this morning. They––they wouldn't let me see her. They wouldn't let me say goodbye." Her whole body shook as her sobs turned into howls.
He pushed himself up off the floor and went to stand behind her chair. He reached out and rubbed her arm with one hand. "I'm so sorry, Kiera." He continued to comfort her until her sobbing subsided. He crouched in front of her again, and her tear-filled eyes locked onto his.
"Do you want to talk about it, or would you like to me to run you home? I've got time."
"Talk."
"Okay, how about I fix us both a cup of tea?" He stood up.
"Thanks, Jack, that would be good." Kiera grabbed a tissue from the box on his desk and began to wipe her eyes.
#
He spent an hour and a half with her. She talked about her friend, Lisa; how they'd met; how she'd been seduced into the binge drinking; and their numerous drunken exploits; and how they just seemed to egg one another on. She'd managed to keep a lid on it until her father's affair. It was only then it had got totally out of hand. She talked a lot about guilt, the fact she'd been driving and felt ultimately responsible for her friend's death.
Jack tried to get her to talk about her father—without success. He decided it would have to wait until another time. She wouldn't let him take her home but did allow him to drop her off at the trans-station. He squeezed her in for another appointment for the following Monday.
She got off his bike and popped the helmet in the storage compartment. "Thanks, Jack." She hesitated. "You've been really helpful. You're––easy to talk to––kind, and so open."
Jack merely nodded, but inside his helmet he could feel himself
grinning from ear to ear. Careful Jack, his inner voice began, and what exactly did she mean by open?
"See you, Monday. I'll make sure I'm on time." She gave him a wave and was gone.
He sat for a moment while he gathered his thoughts. Here he was at twenty-four years old, on the cusp of his chosen career in advanced digital science, worrying about his client. In six months' time, his difficulty with remaining emotionally detached was hardly going to be an issue, was it?
But although the session had been emotionally draining, it had also left him with a sense of elation. He and Kiera had finally connected.
Chapter 17
Flashback to 2041
True to her word, Kiera had arrived right on time. They had quite a lot to discuss, but first he had to get her to talk about her father in order to determine which programs best suited her needs.
"Right Kiera, I've got a lot of things to discuss with you, but––" He hesitated.
She smiled at him. "But what, Jack?"
"To enable you to move on, it's essential we talk about your father."
Her smile vanished, displaced by a look of annoyance. "Not that again, Jack. I don't want to go there."
They sat eyeing one another.
"It's necessary, Kiera for two reasons." He held up a finger. "Reason one, I need to know what, and the extent of your problem with your dad is in order to determine which program to put you into."
Kiera shook her head and went to speak, but he held up two fingers this time and said, "Reason two, the fact you're avoiding talking about it means it's a significant issue for you. It has to be dealt with, Kiera."
She crossed her arms.
He'd have to go to his Plan B. It was a risk, and he'd never done it before, but he had to do it.
"Okay, Kiera." He took a deep breath before beginning. "You're not alone in having father issues. What I'm about to tell you is strictly between you and me. I've never discussed this with anyone other than my mother and my aunt."
That got her attention, she leaned forward and fixed her eyes on him.
"I'm taking a big risk trusting you, Kiera. Do I have your word that it doesn't leave this room?"
Upload Page 9