Testing The Limits by Harper Cole

close to Amjad's place. No doubt I'd left enough evidence, here and there, for the cops to soon track me down.
    For the moment, though, I just wanted to be with Jas. We pieced together what had happened, sharing notes on what was said and what was done.
    She was adamant that Amjad was working alone. "He just wanted to protect me," she said.
    "He wanted to take you, and that is different," I said. The way the man had betrayed me made me feel sick. What price loyalty? "And I still feel my father's influence in this, somehow." In my father's eyes, I was the betrayer, the disloyal one. Did he feel this sick about me?
    "I dunno." She sighed, deeply. I drew her close to my side, and squeezed.
    "I promise you, Jas, I won't abandon you like that again."
    "Hey, it wasn't your fault. You're not like my keeper or anything…"
    "No, I don't mean that. Before. When you wanted me to stay that night and I went, even though I could see that you needed me. Shit, here I go again … apologizing."
    "Again? Pretty sure you didn't ever apologize to me before."
    "Okay, so maybe I haven't. But I am, now. I am sorry. It won't happen again." I kissed the top of her head. She wouldn't accept this straight away, and I didn't expect her to. I just needed another chance, that was all. One more chance to prove myself.
    She nestled into me, and I took that as a good sign. My adrenaline was abating, now.
    Tomorrow, the police would be knocking on my door, for sure. I had no idea what I'd say, not yet. My father could have kept them from me, but he wasn't here. And I didn't want his help.
    Though it looked like I needed it.
    My ruminations were interrupted by the ringing of Jas's phone. She twisted away from me to check out the caller ID.
    "Carlee!" she said in surprise, and got to her feet as she answered.
    I'd heard of Carlee, her old friend from the States. I watched as she began to pace the room. Her face was not the one of someone enjoying a casual chat with a close pal.
    "No, last time I spoke with my mom, we argued and she hung up on me. She didn't believe Angie had stolen from me. No…"
    More pacing, more worried listening.
    "Who?" Jasmine said sharply, and her eyes met mine. I sat up straighter. "A Brit? What's his name?"
    I wished I could hear the other side of the conversation. Jasmine was now shaking her head.
    "No answer, nothing? No name? Okay so did you see him, at all? Can you describe him? Aww shit. Aww shit. "
    She was staring at me now, wide-eyed.
    "Yeah, yeah, sure. No, don't worry. You did the right thing. Thank you so much for calling me. Yeah. You too."
    She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at me in horror.
    "I know where your father is."
     
    * * * *
     
    I knew why she had to fly home. I made some phone calls - I still had some influence, my own influence, untainted by my father - and booked her onto a transatlantic flight. It would be leaving in the small hours, but I couldn't get her to take any sleep. She packed some carry-on hand baggage, and then we got a taxi to take us to the airport. I didn't want to go and find my car.
    "She's a true friend. God, I don't deserve her," she muttered as we left the City behind. The dawn light was already spreading pinkness over the sky but it was cold, out, at this time. She assured me she didn't need many clothes; they had proper summers in her state, apparently.
    "I wish I could come with you," I said as we were dropped off. She resolutely took the handle of her bag, and this time I didn't force the issue. It was important that she maintained her feeling of independence and confidence. Now was not the time for me to stamp all over that.
    Nicole, I thought, you'd be proud of me at last.
    "It's okay. I just need to talk to my mom, and repay Carlee - somehow - and see my sister, too. And check out this guy. I dunno. Maybe it isn't your father."
    She faced me in the concourse. Even at this time in the morning, people bustled past. I took her arms. "It is. We both know that. As soon