Jack Kursed Read online

  "I'd like to have a word with you," he said.

  He grabbed her arm and pulled, but she didn't budge. His eyes went wide for a moment, surprised at Victoria's strength. She met his gaze and yanked her arm away.

  "You touch me again," she said with a full smile. "And you'll lose your fingers."

  She watched over Thomas' shoulder as Collins left the bar. She kept her eye on him through the open bar door. Another cab arrived and picked him up outside. His friend left only a few seconds after that. She memorized his car and license plate, in case she needed it later.

  Victoria didn't expect to learn much listening to Collins at a bar. They talked in generalities and vagueness. Still, she fumed at being interrupted. She knew Thomas had been following her, but didn't think he'd approach her.

  "Victoria, is it? Do you mind if I call you Vickie?" Thomas asked.

  "I mind very much."

  "Sorry. Look, would you step outside with me? I just want to talk."

  "I don't like talking to people that follow me."

  "I had to, okay? Look, I don't know anything about you. But that man Jack, I don't trust him. I don't like the idea of a little girl staying with him."

  "But Andrea Simmons, that was okay?"

  "That was a mistake. An honest to goodness mistake. We overlooked the worries of a little kid, like people do every single day-"

  "Jack didn't."

  "Now look here," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  She grabbed his hand with her own and squeezed. Thomas winced at first, stunned by her grip. His surprise turned to agony as bones cracked. His cries of pain drew the bar patrons to their feet. She didn't let go, even as he fell to his knees.

  A man a few seats down, easily a head taller than Victoria, stood upright and marched toward her.

  "Hey, sweet thing, you want to let the man go?"

  She reached out and grabbed his throat. His eyes grew large as she squeezed just enough to get his attention. He grabbed her fingers, but couldn't break her grip. No one else approached the vampire.

  She looked down at Thomas with a glare that would make Jack proud.

  "Listen very carefully. I don't have time for you. My brother doesn't have time for you. He made a phone call, and you lost your job. If I have to make one, you'll lose a lot more. Leave all of us alone. You didn't care about Tiffany before. Don't bother starting now. Pretty please, with sugar on top."

  Thomas managed a nod and something that sounded like okay. She released Thomas' hand and shoved the other man to the floor. After paying for her water she left the bar, aware all eyes were still on her.

  She'd have to make a call or two to trace the license plate in her head. Collins was a piece of some puzzle she had to figure out.

  CHAPTER 9

  Jack parked his truck alongside the fence separating the school playground from the sidewalk. It was close to noon, and children ran around like animals. They chased each other, played games, climbed on various obstacles that looked remarkably dangerous. Two teachers watched the organized chaos, doing their best to keep everything in hand.

  Tiffany sat next to him, sipping a soda they got at the convenience store. It was her idea to stay at Mister Soon's while Jack went to school instead. She refused to look up at him, keeping her eyes low. She looked like a little girl now, and not an afterthought wearing clothes one size too small. A pair of shorts and a blouse she picked out herself. He dressed up as well for the occasion. He used to wear suits all the time when conducting business. Enrolling Tiffany in school didn't call for a suit, but he did pick out a nice pair of slacks and a tan shirt with a black tie.

  "You ready?" he asked.

  "No. I don't want to go to school."

  "Yeah, well, I don't want to be immortal. But life tosses all kinds of things that you don't want."

  "What's immortal?"

  "Don't worry about it. Don't you want to learn all kinds of fun stuff? Make some new friends?"

  "No. I want to go to your house with you."

  "That's not gonna happen. Let's go."

  They walked side by side along the playground, both of them observing. Jack could sense the apprehension in his young guest, and tried not to laugh. He watched the kids playing, and tried to imagine Tiffany right in the thick of them. There was one bully pushing people around in a game of dodge ball, testing his boundaries. The teachers had to yell at him a few times.

  The school's lobby was deserted except for a solitary teacher walking down the hall. The main office was to their right with the door open. They sat and waited patiently to be seen. As the minutes passed Tiffany grew restless, and kicked with her legs.

  In ten minutes they were in an office. They ended up meeting the school's principal, Mrs. Galloway, who gave a cursory check to the mountain of paperwork Jack had brought. She was a nice old woman, polite and well-mannered. She shook Tiffany's hand and introduced herself.

  "You're a new foster-parent?" she asked. "Who's your social worker?"

  "I have no idea."

  She flashed him an irritated look before flipping through the papers once again. Jack was getting impatient himself. He knew everything he needed was there.

  "So Tiffany's in...third grade?"

  "I was taught at home," Tiffany announced.

  "There should be an aptitude test in there somewhere," Jack said.

  "If I'm bad, are you gonna put me in the closet?" Tiffany asked.

  Jack noticed the look of horror on the principal's face.

  He leaned his head toward Tiffany and lowered his voice. "No one is gonna hurt you again, okay?"

  Mrs. Galloway's eyes met Jack's, and it was clear she wanted an explanation.

  "Did you watch the news yesterday?" he asked. "Andrea Simmons?"

  She nodded.

  "Tiffany came from that home. I'm watching after her now."

  Mrs. Galloway's hand shook as she covered her mouth, recognition flashing across her face.

  "Tiffany. Tiffany March," she said. "She was in the news a few years ago. Oh my God."

  "I'm right here." Tiffany said with a scowl.

  Jack laughed and patted her on her good shoulder. "Yes, yes she was. This is all a fresh start for her."

  The slight disdain Mrs. Galloway had disappeared. She was much more easy-going as she looked through Tiffany's papers.

  "Her tests are a little low, but we'll try her out in Miss Hernandez's class. The school year's just started, so Tiffany should be able to catch up in no time." Mrs. Galloway looked over Jack's shoulder out into the main office. "Speak of the devil. Miss Hernandez?"

  Jack turned in his chair to see a strikingly beautiful woman. Dark skin, brown eyes, straight black hair. She wore a flower dress that stopped at her knees and showed off some nice curves. The dress had a high neckline, only showing her shoulders and arms, much to Jack's dismay.

  At odds with Miss Hernandez's beauty was the large scar that ran from above her left cheek to her jaw. Her left eye was slightly red as well.

  Jack couldn’t take his eyes off it, and wondered how it happened. An abusive significant other? An accident? Self inflicted?

  "Miss Hernandez, do you have a few minutes?"

  "Sure. I was just finishing lunch."

  "This is Tiffany March and her foster-father Jack Kursed. She’ll be starting in your class tomorrow. Would you mind showing her around?"

  She unleashed a lovely smile. "Certainly."

  Jack and Tiffany stood up, but he was slow in moving. Hernandez locked eyes with him, her smile turning into a frown when she realized what he was staring at.

  "I’m sorry," he finally said. "I was just looking at your scar."

  Mrs. Galloway shifted in her seat as the tension in the room grew. Miss Hernandez looked horrified and subconsciously touched her face. Tiffany tugged on his arm until he glanced down at her.

  "Jack," she said. "That’s not nice."

  "It’s not?" he whispered. "Oops."

  "Right," Miss Hernandez said,
trying to fake a smile. "Well, let’s hit that tour."

  The teacher led them around the school. She showed them the library, cafeteria, gym, auditorium, and computer lab. Jack laughed to himself as they strolled along. It was the first time he’d seen the inside of an official school. When he went to school, it was a single room, and the so-called gym was outside.

  Jack was content not to say a word during the tour, only stealing glances at the lovely teacher here and there. But Miss Hernandez wanted to engage in small talk.

  "So, Mister Kursed-"

  "Jack, please."

  "Okay. Call me Erica. Where are you and Tiffany from?"

  He found it refreshing she didn’t know of Tiffany’s past, but knew that wouldn’t last long.

  "Tiffany’s from right here. I’m from all over the place."

  "Ah. San Diego here. I moved here a few years ago. My parents are from Belize."

  He nodded. That explained her skin tone.

  "I went to Belize on business a while back."

  "Really?" Erica said, her eyes lighting up. Her enthusiasm reminded him of Tiffany. "I’ve always wanted to go there."

  "Don’t. It’s a shit-hole."

  Tiffany giggled. Erica looked at them both with hurt eyes.

  "Wow. Thank you for insulting my parents’ home."

  "You’re welcome. I just saved you a hefty airfare."

  The final stop of the tour was her classroom. Jack stole another peek at Erica’s form as she led them through the doors. Tiffany caught him, and he simply smiled and shrugged. The girl laughed, and Erica turned to look at them. Jack playfully gave his house-guest a hip bump.

  The classroom was empty, as the children were still outside enjoying recess. At first glance it looked like a normal classroom, but Jack noticed the projector hanging from the ceiling and a laptop on Erica’s desk. Chalkboards had long ago worn out their welcome, and a dry-erase board hung on the wall.

  "Not bad," Jack said. "When I was a kid, there were thirty of us in a room half this size. Cars hadn’t even been invented yet."

  Tiffany laughed. "You’re not that old."

  "I think that about covers our wonderful little school," Erica said. "Do you have any questions? Tiffany? Jack?"

  Tiffany moved from one desk to the next, just having fun. Jack leaned a little closer to ask a question he knew might not be comfortable.

  "I’ve got one. The cafeteria food here. Is it bad?"

  Erica said nothing, but the slight change in her expression told him all he needed to know. She opened her mouth, but Jack spoke first.

  "Say no more. Tiffany will bring her own lunch."

  Tiffany stopped jumping around and stood next to Jack’s side.

  "Did you say lunch? Can we eat? I’m starving."

  "I cooked you a king’s breakfast this morning. Bacon, eggs, pancakes-"

  "I’m still starving."

  He laughed, and looked into Erica’s eyes. Her left eye seemed a little redder than before.

  "It’s been a pleasure, Erica."

  She held up a hand before they could turn to leave.

  "There’s just one more thing," she said. "My scar-"

  Jack tried to speak, but Erica got her words out first.

  "I'd just turned twenty-one, my first night out at a club." She spoke as if she’d told the story a hundred times, like it was a standard part of the tour. "A fight broke out near me and my friends. A guy swung a bottle, but whoever he was aiming for ducked and hit me instead. A face-full of stitches, bloody eye. It used to look a lot worse, actually."

  Jack looked down at Tiffany, who met his gaze. He felt like his ears had just been violated. It was impossible to unhear what she said. Her scar piqued his curiosity for a moment, but that was all. He didn't want to know her history, didn't care in the least. As long as she was a good teacher, her scar could have been caused by a werewolf. It was all the same to him.

  "We...didn't ask about your scar."

  "Yeah, but you were thinking it. I tell all the parents and students. It's just one less awkward thing in the way. Saves you both an uncomfortable talk, gives the kids on the playground one less thing to gossip about, that sort of thing."

  He looked her up and down, storing away details in his mind.

  "Well, I can't see your thighs because of the dress, but your calves are very nice. Ass, chest..." He flashed a thumbs-up. "Impressive. You've got that dark complexion, beautiful. Gorgeous hair, great smile. The jury is still out on your personality, but you seem pleasant enough. And the scar with the bit of red in your eye, believe it or not, ties it all together. It's an interesting contrast, makes you one hell of a sexy woman. I'm sure you don't have any problems getting noticed by the fellas just from your looks alone."

  Erica's jaw hung open, and it took a few seconds for her to find words.

  "That...might be the most inappropriate thing anyone has ever said to me."

  "Then you don't get out enough," he countered, and looked down at Tiffany. "What did I say?"

  Tiffany simply beamed at her hero before her brow wrinkled. She brought her hand to her chin, deep in thought, looking adorable.

  "I don't know. It was too many words. But I think you called her pretty."

  "Yeah, I thought so, too," he said, and shrugged.

  "I don't get involved with my students' parents."

  "I wasn't asking you out, just being honest. But whatever. It was nice meeting you. See you tomorrow morning."

  The bell had rung, signaling the end of lunch. Jack wanted to escape before there were screaming children everywhere. He gestured to Tiffany, and she followed him to the door.

  "Wait, Jack?"

  He turned and looked at Erica. She was struggling with herself, opening her mouth a few times in a false start to say something.

  "You...my scar, you really don't think...nothing. Nevermind."

  "Okay. Goodbye."

  They managed to get through the front door before the mass of children left the playground and filled up their classes. Jack breathed a sigh of relief as they headed for his truck. Tiffany tried to hold his hand, which he allowed for nearly five seconds before pulling it away.

  "What do you think?" he asked her. "Are you gonna do okay here?"

  "I don't want to go to school," she said.

  "I would, if I were in your place. Your teacher...damn. If I had her when I was your age, I'd pay attention to every word she said."

  "She's pretty," Tiffany said. "But Victoria's prettier."

  "What drug are you on?"

  She giggled. "I don't eat any drugs."

  "Yes, and it will always stay that way, too."

  "What about if I have to go to the hospital? They give you drugs at the hospital."

  "I know, smartass."

  "Can we eat lunch?"

  He smiled. Jack was doing that a lot now, just smiling around the child.

  "Lunch, it is."

  *****

  Jack worked over the stove, making another large breakfast. Cooking was a nice way to kill a lot of time in the morning. The sun slowly rose as he dipped some bread into an egg and milk mixture for French toast. The sun greeting his garden was a beautiful sight. He'd seen countless sunrises and sunsets in his time.

  Tiffany slowly walked down the stairs, taking one step at a time. Her hair was a mess, her pajamas twisted. Despite her appearance, he was impressed. He thought he'd have to shout at her to wake up, or throw water on her, like in the movies.

  "First day of school," he said, placing the bread in a skillet. "Are you excited?"

  "I don't want to go to school."

  "We should tattoo that on your head."

  "I don't want a tattoo."

  "Do you want some French toast and sausage?"

  "Yes!"

  Jack smiled. He was glad it took just a little food to get her enthusiasm going again.

  The ride to school was quiet. Tiffany looked nice, finally like a pretty little girl. Her face was full of color, her hair straigh
t and clean. There was no way he was going to do anything besides brush her hair for her, but it looked okay. She had a Spongebob backpack slung over her good shoulder.

  Jack examined the playground as he parked outside the school. Some children went directly inside, while others played. Mothers were littered about the schoolyard, talking and gossiping. Two teachers watched over everyone, one of whom happened to be the lovely Erica. She covered up her legs with slacks, but was attractive enough to make slacks and a simple long-sleeved shirt look good.

  He frowned as he circled around the truck and opened the door for Tiffany. If at any time during his two-hundred-year life someone told him he would watch over a little kid, he would never have believed it.

  "Hey!" Erica shouted. She was yelling at the same bully Jack spotted yesterday. "Robert! Knock it off. Don't make me have to call your mother again."

  "Ooh. I like it when she yells," Jack said, leaning down to talk to Tiffany. "I want you to stay away from Robert, okay?"

  "Okay."

  They walked through a gap in the fence and crossed the playground. Jack was aware of the looks the both of them were getting. The mothers were staring and whispering about how incredible he was. The children all turned their attention to the new girl, and Jack could feel Tiffany tensing up next to him.

  They approached the only person they knew. Erica.

  "Morning," he said. "I present to you, Tiffany March."

  Erica's eyes lit up, and Jack saw recognition in them as Tiffany's full name hit her ears. He almost regretted saying her last name, but Erica would find out eventually about Tiffany's past.

  "Tiffany March?"

  "Yes. Take good care of her."

  "I will," she said, kneeling down to talk to Tiffany. "We're gonna learn, and have a lot of fun."

  Jack was stunned when a tear ran down her cheek. She looked up at him, her eyes turning glassy. Her hands trembled slightly.

  "I don't want to go to school," she said for the fiftieth time.

  "Why not?" he asked, kneeling next to Erica. He was more curious than concerned. "What's wrong?"

  "If I don't do good in school, you'll get rid of me."