The Deception (2 page)

‘Just that he had to leave and you still hadn’t woken up yet. He wanted me to keep an eye on you, told me how to redo your dressing then said to lock up, hide his key and that he’d try and catch up with us today. I think he wanted to be there when you woke up but he mumbled something about meeting with someone.’ He shrugged.

It just gave her more questions. She already wanted to ask him what would happen now? Did she stay in contact with Marcus? Did she need to lay low? All this churned through her head and yet she still had to go to school. ‘I don’t want to be here today,’ she mumbled.

‘That makes two of us, but I’d rather be here than alone.’ Taylor got out and ran around to help Jaz. Slowly they both headed through the big metal gates to school. Anna, their other best friend, was waiting for them by their usual seat.

‘I hate lying to Anna,’ mumbled Tay.

‘I know.’ The words caught in her throat.

‘Hey, how’s the pulled muscle?’ said Anna when she saw them. Her long strawberry blonde hair was braided down her back and her freckles moved as her large smile erupted. The white shirt and black school tie made Anna look as smart as she was and her extra-long red and black tartan skirt screamed studious.

‘You know, I’ll live. Just another day in my life.’ Jaz turned away to hide her cringe. ‘And Simon already gave me a lecture on skateboarding so you can save that,’ said Jaz.

Anna opened then closed her mouth. ‘I wasn’t,’ she said, but her cheeks flushed. ‘How’re you?’ Anna touched Tay’s arm. He’d been staring blankly towards the school.

He jumped a little. ‘Yeah, fine. Hey, I’ll catch up later at lunch.’ Then he walked away, not even joining his mates. Even with his head down and his shoulders slightly hunched, he still looked strong and athletic, like a basketball player. Taylor’s steps were heavy as he merged with the crowd of school kids, his popular greetings and fist pumps missing from his normal morning routine.

‘What’s up with him? You know, he didn’t even return any of my texts over the weekend.’

Anna reached for Jaz’s arm worriedly. Jaz flinched. ‘Ouch. Watch the gravel rash.’

‘Oh, sorry.’ Anna dropped her hand but leant in closer. ‘Hey, you don’t think something’s up with Tay’s dad, do you?’

That was a better theory than the truth so Jaz went with it. ‘Probably. I don’t think he’s taking it too well. His dad’s been this great cop and to find out he’s being blackmailed? You know Tay, it would be killing him not being able to help his dad.’

‘I know. I think he just needs us around more. I’ve told Ricky that I can’t see him as much as we used to, that you guys need me. He seemed okay about it.’

‘Nice of him.’

‘Yeah, he’s cool. If he wants to see me he’ll just have to sit with us at lunch and realise that Taylor won’t bite. Don’t know why he feels so scared.’

More like threatened, thought Jaz.

The siren went so they made their way to class, Jaz trying to avoid any knocks on her leg. ‘So did you see Marcus over the weekend? Did he come and see you after your stack?’

‘I didn’t tell him. Didn’t want to worry him or make myself look like a dick for face planting in the first place,’ she lied.

Marcus. What did Jaz do about Marcus? He was the guy she was dating but only because he was her mission. His father was suspected of dealing drugs and Jaz had been sent in to find out information. What was awful was that she liked Marcus. A cute, nice, sweet eighteen year old who she suspected knew nothing of his father’s extracurricular activities. And if Ryan wasn’t around she’d seriously be happy dating Marcus, but she had to remember that he was just a mission, that this whole scenario was planned and that there was nothing real about it. Yet her time with Marcus felt genuine. Her head was so confused; nothing seemed easy.

Marcus had been texting her, but what did she reply? What could she possibly say after she’d killed the two guys who’d worked at his father’s warehouse? The same two guys Marcus had introduced her to on their recent visit. Worse is what she found at that warehouse. She’d found the truth; Marcus’s dad Carl Sinclair was in fact dealing drugs. How could she look Carl in the face again? Come to think of it, was her mission even over? Would they make her go back?

‘What about Ryan? Seen him?’

Jaz sighed and felt as if she’d lost the last of her energy. Anna always seemed to know what was on Jaz’s mind. Or maybe she just knew that Jaz had deep feelings for Ryan. Feelings she thought he also returned.

After she was shot he’d told her that he cared; at least, she’s sure she remembered that, but with the pain could she have been delusional? When she’d woken the next day he’d gone. Jaz had been thinking about this Monday ever since.

‘No, he’s off on another job.’ Jaz said ‘job’ with meaning and Anna nodded understandingly.

‘I see. So no love from either one.’

At that moment a ‘bang’ rang out down the corridor, causing Jaz to slam back against the lockers. Who would be firing a gun at school, she tried to rationalise, while her heart was in her throat. Her eyes darted up and down the corridor.

‘Jaz?’ said Anna, who hadn’t moved at all.

Why was she not ducking? Come to think of it, why was no one running around screaming? Taking in the scene before her Jaz, realised that it wasn’t a fired gun but a dropped folder on the cement floor that had made the noise.

‘You okay?’

‘Yeah, just lost my balance,’ said Jaz, hiding the truth of her fearful reaction. She was on tenterhooks and wondered if Tay felt the same. The nightmare of that night was not done with her yet. Just how long would she have to wait until it was forgotten? On the bright side, she was no longer having the nightmares about the man she’d witnessed die in Pakistan. One horror had surpassed another.

Nonetheless, today at school her reaction had caused a few students to glance her way with objectionable looks. Well, no more than usual.

The worst came from her nemesis, Minka. She was with her crowd, the rich, pretty and arrogant. She laughed with them before narrowing her eyes at Jaz. Minka noticed the crutches and Jaz’s facial bruises; a smile grew on her plump red lips. Minka was probably planning some retort for later, which normally would have made Jaz angry, but now she felt nothing for Minka. Now that she’d seen and met people ten times worse than her, Jaz finally realised that the bullying in school, the social standings and crap that went with it, was nothing. It was just five miniscule years of your life compared to what was outside. After what Jaz had seen, nothing Minka could do would ever hurt her ever again.

Chapter 2

Taylor sat waiting for her on the school steps. His whole body screamed out his internal struggle; shoulders hunched, lack of interest in anything, even his hair wasn’t styled. It was as if the real Taylor had taken a vacation, leaving a deadpan clone in his place. She missed her happy-go-lucky best friend.

‘Hey,’ she said, sitting down beside him in an unladylike cascade of legs and crutches. Kids ran past, called out to friends and seemed oblivious to them. Jaz put her arm around Tay and hugged him close. ‘How’re you going?’

He turned to her; blank glassy eyes searched her face. His lips moved but nothing came out. Instead, he shrugged.

It was bad enough the things Jaz was dealing with mentally, what made it worse was knowing Taylor was going through the same thing and she couldn’t do a damn thing to help him. What could she say?
Sorry we killed a guy. It was self-defence. She’ll be right, mate.
Jaz rested her head on his shoulder. Maybe there were no words to fix this.

‘I’m here,’ said Anna in song. She stepped down and stood in front of them. ‘You guys okay?’

They both faked smiles and nodded. ‘Yep, glad school is over,’ said Tay.

Anna’s eyes narrowed but she didn’t press them. ‘So, what shall we do? Wanna fire some rounds at the range?’ she said eagerly.

‘No,’ said Tay quickly, before clearing his throat. ‘Um, no, I was actually thinking of heading to The Ring. See if Ryan was about. I want to know if he’s got any info on my dad.’

Jaz thought his recovery was well done. She knew damn well why he didn’t want to go to the range. Probably the same reason Jaz had freaked when she heard that noise and assumed it was a gunshot. They were both still on edge. ‘Cool. Sounds like a plan. I wanted to head there too and see Pax,’ said Jaz.

‘Well, let’s get moving, Skater Girl.’ Anna held out her hand so Jaz could get up.

They made their way to Tay’s Mustang; Anna was still trying to convince her parents she needed a car. They were a little old school so if they did let her get one it would probably be something small and safe. Jaz’d only just got her own, but with her sore leg she couldn’t drive her beautiful black Jeep Wrangler.

‘Hey, is that your stalker guy?’ said Anna quietly, without drawing any attention to where she was looking.

Jaz spotted the man in dark glasses on the opposite side of the road. He was leaning back against the black SUV and smoking. It was him alright. Her stomach tightened. ‘Damn, I should have noticed.’ Jaz should have spotted him, not Anna. This is what she did best, she was the one who spotted him in the beginning and worked out he was following Taylor.

Tay tensed beside her. It’s not every day you were followed by a man from a gang who was blackmailing your father for information. Jaz let out a nervous giggle. Her friends looked at her strangely. ‘Sorry. I think I’m going a little crazy.’ And she laughed again. Life was just a little crazy. Taylor must have felt the same as he joined in. It was a laugh or cry feeling and now was not the time to cry. But the release was just the same.

Anna watched them both. ‘You two go smoke something while I wasn’t looking?’ she asked as they got in the car.

‘No, maybe just tired. We’ve had some late nights,’ said Jaz, as her outburst of laughter died down.

‘Riiiiight.’ Anna leant back and put her seatbelt on as Taylor started the car.

He smiled and Jaz could see some of the tension had left him. ‘Just had to let out some of the crazy,’ he added, before flooring it out of the school car park.

Neither of them bothered to look in the mirrors for the guy in the black SUV. They knew he’d be following and there was nothing they could do about it. Ryan had suggested they just pretend they didn’t know he was there, and that soon they would use that to their advantage. How, Jaz wasn’t too sure. But knowing Ryan, he’d have a plan. He always did.

They left their posh school area, drove past million dollar houses and headed towards the cheaper side of the suburb. It wasn’t a nice area, a place where you never went out after dark alone. Jaz had made that mistake once, was attacked by a gang and if it hadn’t been for Ryan, well, she probably wouldn’t be here today. Automatically Jaz glanced at the small scar on her arm, made by a knife and stitched up by Ryan. Her first war wound. Strangely, it gave her strength, as if to say ‘I made it out alive’. Like a badge of honour, it reminded her of her own determination and might.

‘Do you think he’ll be here?’ asked Anna.

‘I hope so. He said he’d try and see us today,’ said Tay as he pulled up next to The Ring.

Jaz got out, careful not to trip over the cracked and uneven street. Weeds grew through the gaps, adding to the unmaintained look of the area. The Ring was her second home, had been since she was two. It was a large shed-like building, the sign was faded and the white door was peeling. The front of the business had big glass windows and she could see bodies moving inside.

‘Looks like Bags is busy,’ said Anna, as she opened the door.

Sweat and the smell of leather greeted them. Inside a tall bulky guy with short hair but plenty of muscle was taking a class of six. Bags looked like a bouncer or a man you’d run from, when really he was the sweetest guy who loved writing prose. He was part of The Ring family, along with Tick and Niles; they were always using the gym or running classes.

‘Now uppercuts,’ said Bags to his group who were paired off and taking turns to hit into pads. ‘Hey, guys.’ He gave them a big wave and came over to give Jaz and Anna a hug. ‘What happened to you, Jaz? I’m away for a few days and come back to this?’ he teased.

‘She thought she could skateboard,’ said Anna, rolling her eyes.

Bags laughed, his pecs moving under his singlet with each chuckle. ‘You let a skateboard bring you down. Gee, Jaz.’ He shook his head as he stepped back to his class, giving them a smile before he turned his attention. ‘Right, now change to left cross, right jab, left elbow.’

Jaz began to scan the rest of the gym. No one was near the mats or the boxing ring, or the speedballs. Maybe Ryan had left her a note in the change room again?

‘Do you think he’s been here?’ asked Tay.

‘I’ll see if Pax is home,’ said Anna, and headed to the office. Tay followed while Jaz made her way to the change room. It was a big communal change room with showers. Jaz had her own private one at the end with a lock, which other girls could use, but they didn’t get many. Those that came for a lesson would rather go home to shower.

She opened the door of her cubicle and checked the back for a note. Nothing, the door was bare. Her body sagged against the wall. She hated this feeling, missing Ryan. Not being able to see him when she wanted.

‘Thinking of taking a shower?’

Jaz jumped at the voice and turned around. ‘No. Do I need to?’

Tay was grinning at her. ‘Sometimes you can be an open book, Jaz. Ryan’s here, he’s in the office with Pax.’ He went to turn but paused. ‘Oh, you might want to hide that delight on your face,’ he teased.

Jaz reached out and hit his arm, but he was right. She had been grinning like a fool. Ryan had that effect on her. And she was finding it hard to take steady steps to the office and not sprint in there like she was in a three-legged race.

Tay opened the office door for her. No one could see inside the office as it had a two-way mirror, but it allowed Pax to keep an eye on stuff in the gym and it came in handy when you were talking spy stuff.

Jaz could smell Ryan before she could see him. There was something strong and masculine about his scent, mixed in with woody earthy tones. Luckily she had crutches to hold herself up. Pax sat in one chair, Ryan the other, and Anna was sitting on the computer desk by Ryan and admiring the view.