Music of Souls

Sarah tucked her feet beneath her. "On top of everything else I received a letter from the SEC today. I'm being investigated."

Jackson pursed his lips. "Yeah, seems about the right timing. Wasn't the last time five or six years ago?"

"About that. I don't know why they just can't leave me alone. I have never done anything illegal. 'Insider Trading' my fannie."

"Sarah, your stock dealings have outperformed the market every year since 1933, of course you're going to be investigated. Just influence the investigators and be done with it. You really should pick some losers once in a while to skirt suspicion."

"Why should I have to deliberately lose money? I'm good at spotting trends, so sue me. You don't pick losing start-ups to invest in, why aren't they after you?"

"Because investing in new companies is entirely different than knowing when to buy and sell a stock. You are a freaking savant when it comes to that. No one should be able to time the market the way you do. They may try to ban you from day trading given the current climate. Then what will you do?"

"I'll deal with that when and if it happens."

"Fine. Don't come whining to me if they blacklist you. You'll have to create a whole new identity again."

Sarah stuck her tongue out as she stood to get more blood. "Want a refill?"

Jackson shook his head with disgust. "I'll pass."

"Why don't you go out and hunt?"

"No way, I'm going to stay here with you and wallow in it. It's fun," he said with a cocky grin.

"Really, I'm all right, and I thought I would take a long bath and give myself a pedicure."

Jackson rose and held her hands. "I have a better idea. Why don't you come with me? We'll kick it up old school. Find a hunky tennis pro for you and a mindless, leggy wench for me. Just what the doctor ordered." He missed the days when they played wingman for each other.

Sarah groaned, "Connor's down there."

"He's not going anywhere, come on, it'll be fun. Pleeeeze?" His fingers were folded in prayer as he cocked his head, and stuck out his lower lip.

"Just go. If you don't feed soon, you'll start getting cranky and I need you happy."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. It will take me at least a couple hours, Go!"

His bloodlust began to build. What an unexpected surprise. "It's three-thirty; I'll be gone two or three hours tops. When I get back, I'll let you beat me at chess, and we'll have a nice quiet evening, okay?"