Trina decided to test her new theory about Jade's interest in Tori while she had the chance. She'd need an edge to control Jade if the guys at the center tried to act tough and pissed her off. Jade was dangerous when pissed. The goth had developed an almost cowardly reaction to potential fight situations, but a little research on Gary's part had shown a series of would be tough guys who'd assumed that Jade wouldn't fight back. Trina suspected Jade's fake tough reputation was hiding her real abilities. Trina wanted to know why, but figured she'd find out once she had a little leverage.
Trina was making preparations for her talk with Jade. She wanted everything to go smoothly. By the time Jade got there, they would have both gone over each students more carefully and decided on how they would approach training them. Jade was also calling Stan to get advice and recommendations. They wanted to be ready by next week. Except for her lack of useful social skills, Jade would probably be ready by tomorrow. The goth was good at getting things done.
Trina made a mental list of what she wanted to accomplish tonight. First, she wanted to establish a good working relationship with Jade. They were both competitive, and if they got in each others way, it would hurt the schools reputation, as well as her own. Second, she wanted to confirm that Jade had a thing for Tori. Since the younger girl's best asset was her ass, Jade would have to get her sister to bend over at some point and watch Jade's reaction. Fortunately, while Tori was smart, she could be manipulated. Trina just had to make sure to sound sincere. Finally, she wanted to get started on her own training. Jade was good. Trina could learn a lot from the budding serial killer.
Wanting to confirm a hunch, Trina then called Cat. Trina just wanted to check out what Jade had told her friends, and Beck wasn't likely to tell her anything yet. Cat was easy to manipulate, so Trina decided to try her first.
"Hi HI" Cat answered the phone.
"Cat, Trina here. I have a question. Has Jade ever used the name Mandy Walker?" Trina hoped the simple girl could help her.
"No, I've never herd her use that name. Who's Mandy Walker supposed to be?" Cat replied. That's when she heard a commotion over the phone. Cats new roommate was talking fast, and Trina doubted Cat would get it. "K K, I have to go now. Sam thinks Mandy might be this fighter chick who hurts people professionally. Bye"
Trina was no closer to finding out. Since her sister had the bad habit of leaving it around sometimes, she borrowed Tori's phone and called Beck. She knew she'd have to do this quickly, before he hung up. As soon as he answered, she spoke, praying Jade wasn't at her ex's place. "Did you know Jade fought professionally?" Trina said, amazed she spaced her words at all.
"Trina? Is this some kind of prank? Jade's scarey, but no fighter." he said. Trina hoped he wouldn't hang up.
"Then who's Mandy Walker?" She shot back.
"No one, and never mention that name around Jade. Seriously, that is not someone to compare her to." Beck sounded worried.
"I was just asking because Mandy will be my one on one instructor for the next year, and I wanted to know..." Trina started, but Beck hung up. A short time later, as she was taking the phone back to her sister, he called her back.
"Hello?" She said.
"Okay, Jade is Mandy, but that's a sore subject to bring up. She doesn't talk about that. Ever. Does Jade know she's going to be training you?" he asked.
"Yep, talked to her already. Just wondering who knew." Trina said.
"Who knew what?" Tori asked. "Is that my phone?"
"Just me. Andre suspects, but doesn't know. I think Sikowitz suspects too. Jade doesn't want us to know about that. I think she doesn't want to be reminded what she did to Fitzsimins." Beck said. Trina didn't ask.
"I got to return Tori's phone. I'll talk to you later." Trina said. After she hung up, she handed Tori back her phone.
"And why were you using my phone?" Tori asked.
"Beck keeps hanging up on me. I needed to ask him a question." Trina said.
"About what?" Tori asked.
"Jade's a second degree black belt at my Dojo. I drew her as my trainer for the next year." Trina said, sounding casual. "She's also taking over for Stan at the community center."
"Stan's leaving? I like him. He's nicer than some of the guys Dad works with. I swear, he and Gary should never have taken police liaison duty. They work with some nutjobs. And their on the anti-gang task-force." Tori said. She wasn't into the martial arts, preferring more 'girly' activities. Beyond the self defense classes her father made her take, she was fairly untrained, and had lousy instincts. Trina had seen her lose to a twelve year old just a few weeks earlier. But where the younger lacked combat skills, she was great with her people skills. As sheltered as she was, Trina wished Tori was working with her. It would be safer.
"Tori, I'm going to need a favor from you. Don't ask why, just do it. I think my stalker is back, and I'm going to need a distraction to help catch him." Trina knew it was a lie, but it was a believable lie, so Tori would fall for it.
"Wait, Jade's a black belt? I thought you said you liked this style because it's good for hurting people. How much could Jade hurt me?" Tori asked.
"Normally I'd say a lot, except I don't think she can. She has a block that keep her from using the techniques on people. I know of one example for sure." Trina said. It was another lie, but this one was based on what she thought was true.
"Just to be safe, I think I'll give her a lot of space. At least until I'm sure." Tori said.
"Okay, after tonight you do that." Trina said, smiling.
"She's coming here, isn't she." Tori looked worried.
"Just for a soak in the hot tub, to discuss her classes at the community center." Trina said. "I'll still need your help. Jade would be too obvious."
"Okay, but only if you guarantee my safety." Tori was nervous. Trina just enjoyed the moment, then explained what she wanted her sister to do.
:}
I have nothing to add except review. The next chapter is from Jade's POV.