We stopped at the first food truck we came to, got our coffee, and sat at a park table.

"Very nice dinner, Sybil," Frank said as we all sat.

"Glad you enjoyed it," Sybil replied.

"Did you enjoy it, Nicole?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I did. I always enjoy Sybil's dinner parties. She does know how to entertain."

"I would agree."

Frank's Chief of Staff finally spoke, having remained silent since his you're the boss reply earlier.

"So, tell us about yourself, Ms. Richardson."

"Ms. Richardson - Nicole - is a friend of Sybil and Anthony. She doesn't need to be interrogated, Garrett, while she enjoys her coffee."

"I was just making conversation, sir."

Sybil suddenly jumped up.

"I just remembered. I have to be somewhere this morning. If you all will excuse me-"

I stood up, intending to leave with her.

"Stay, Nicole. You all get to know each other. I will call you later. Must run. Bye, my darlings."

And, just like that, she was gone.

Frank had stood as well.

"God, could she be any more obvious? I am so sorry, Commissioner. And so embarrassed," I said.

"Please, don't be. And as I said last night, it's Frank. Our mutual friend wants us to get to know each other. I see no reason to disappoint her. Do you?"

"No, none at all."

Not sure why none of us noticed the dark cloud hanging over us, but it suddenly opened up and dropped heavy rain on us. The men had on caps; I had only a visor.

"We'd better head to our vehicle, sir," Garrett said.

"Yes, I believe we should. Nicole, are you parked close?"

Making an effort to hold my light jacket over my head, I replied, "I live nearby. I walked."

"Then you must allow us to give you a ride home," Frank said.

"Thank you, but that's not necessary."

"Of course it is. Isn't it, Garrett? How would it look if the police commissioner left a beautiful woman stranded in the rain?"

"Or any woman. It would not fare well for the department, sir. And we're getting wetter as we stand here, discussing it."

"So we are."

Frank put his hand on my arm, leading me in the direction of the official SUV, as we dashed Garrett. The two guards followed behind us.

I was embarrassed to get in the SUV with my soaked clothes and shoes, but the men were as wet as I was. I sat in the back, between Frank and Garrett.

"Nice to have someone sitting between us, Garrett," Frank said. "Nicole smells so much nicer than you."

"Yes, she does," Garrett agreed.

I was suddenly embarrassed that I had dabbed on a bit of perfume after dressing. Who put on perfume to go jogging? I was as obvious as my dear friend Sybil. I was surprised that Frank hadn't taken off running the other direction, instead of being such a gentleman. When we arrived at my brownstone, he stepped out of the SUV and held the door open while I did the same. The rain had stopped. The sun was shining.

"I'm sorry our coffee got rained out, Nicole. But perhaps another time?"

"I would like that, Frank. Thank you for the ride."

"My pleasure," he said, smiling that big smile.


I spent most of Sunday at my computer. The writer's block I had suffered was gone. I had a fantastic idea for a new story; I couldn't type the words fast enough.

I thought of Frank that afternoon, and the dinner he would be having with his family. The Reagans were known for their Sunday family dinners. I wondered if my name would come up, if Jamie would mention seeing us all in the park, and ask about us. I thought of Jamie's young, attractive partner, Eddie Janko. I was confident we had never met before, but I also knew it was entirely possible she recognized my face.

Frank called my cell phone Monday morning. He said he had gotten my number from Sybil, hoped I didn't mind.

I was surprised I hadn't gotten a heads-up from Sybil, but I expected to hear from her soon, wanting full details. She had been pleased to learn he had given me a ride home from the park, but sorry to learn our coffee together had been cut short by the rain.

Frank repeated the same sentiment, saying he was sorry we hadn't gotten to chat longer, he was anxious to get to know me better. He mentioned a new exhibit he was expected to attend Wednesday evening. He admitted that he hated such affairs and knew nothing about art.

"I'm hoping to see you there, Nicole. It would certainly turn a dull evening into a more pleasurable one," he said.

Had the police commissioner just asked me on a non-date date?

"I do have plans to attend. I'll look forward to seeing you there."

That was a lie. I had no plans to attend; I knew nothing about a new art exhibit. But if the commissioner wanted me there, I would be there. I just hoped it wasn't by invitation only. If it was, I was sure Sybil would have no problem coming up with an invitation for me. I logged onto my computer immediately to google search this event.

An invitation was needed to attend the art exhibit opening, but Sybil came through for me.

"Piece of cake, my darling friend," she replied, "but I will expect full details afterward.


I arrived late; I had gotten tied up on the phone with Kerri. She was pleased to learn that I had finally come up with a plot for my next novel and wanted to hear all about it.

I located Frank quickly. He was involved in a conversation with two couples I didn't recognize, so I made my way to the bar for a glass of wine, and walked around for several minutes, pretending to be impressed. I appreciated art as much as anyone, but I had little use for the abstract art that was on display this evening.

"What does it say to you?"

I turned toward the voice. It was Frank.

"Not a thing."

"It says the same to me. Glad you made it. I thought perhaps I had been stood up."

"Stand up the most attractive man in New York City? Never!"

The mayor of New York and his wife soon joined us. It was rumored that this latest mayor and Frank tended to butt heads often. Frank introduced us.

"Have we met before, Ms. Richardson? You look familiar," the mayor's wife asked.

"I don't believe so, ma'am."

"Ms. Richardson is a published writer," Frank said. "Perhaps you've read some of her work."

The mayor's wife studied my face. Her eyes suddenly got big, nervousness - perhaps even fear - apparent in them, at least to me.

"No, I don't believe I have," she replied. She turned to the mayor. "We really must continue. I saw the Belvederes arrive; we must say hello."

I did not doubt that the mayor's wife recognized me, that she had indeed read some of my work. She had read at least one of my romance novels but didn't want her husband, or Frank, to know that she had. I found that amusing. I couldn't wait to tell Sybil; she would find it deliciously amusing.

Once the mayor and his wife had excused themselves, Frank asked, "What is it with everyone thinking you've met?"

It hadn't come up in our conversations what I had published, only that I had. I started to tell Frank that this woman, as well as Officer Janko, must have read at least one of my novels, and recognized me from the photo on the back cover, but doing so would reveal something that at least one of them didn't want to be exposed. It was important that I respect my readers and their privacy. I decided to tell Frank about my novels another time when he would hopefully not make the connection to the mayor's wife. I also decided it would be best for me not to mention it to Sybil.

"I'm sure they recognize me from my Most Wanted poster," I teased.

"I don't think so. That I would recognize."

"Then perhaps from my Missing photo on the back of milk cartons. Do you drink milk, Frank? I bet you do."

Frank laughed. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Try again."

"Then they must have me confused with some beautiful model or actress."

"Now that I believe. You are a beautiful woman, Nicole. And, a beautiful woman with an empty wine glass in her hand. Let's take care of that, shall we?"