Chapter 12

Trisha walked with her head pounding and carried a tote bag on her shoulder. Tanya, her assistant a tall, black, slender woman studied her, as moved her beige blouse back and forth. They walked to the hospital entrance from the parking lot.

"Warm?" Trisha asked.

"It's so hot. My grandma warned me about the weather and other things."

"Racism." She glanced at her friend.

"My mother had a fit I wanted to live here."

"My father wasn't too happy, either." She smiled.

"Well, my parents blamed your influence."

She held the door for her friend. "I should tell your parents the stunts you pulled up north."

They entered the building and blasted by the cold air flowing from the vents.

Tanya turned around. "You better not..."

"Honey pie, you're no angel." Trisha waved her finger.

Both women laughed.

"We had our adventures," Tanya stated.

Trisha spotted Forbes, Captain Skinner, and Jamison near the vending machine. She was reminded the seriousness of the case. Jamison stood in his uniform outlined his muscular physique.

Tanya took a step closer. "You had an episode last night?"

"I did." She yanked Tanya to the side away from the main hallway. "What am I doing here?"

Trisha's emotions raced through her.

"You're here to help a girl. How nasty was it?"

"I had a nightmare about Frank's father and among other crazy dreams. I can't put his son in danger."

"You and I both know he would want you to help this girl. And find a man too." Tanya paused. "You need a hot date with a sexy man."

Chief Forbes stood and cleared his throat. "Ladies, is everything fine?"

"Good morning, Chief. I was in need of reassurance." She paused. "This is my assistant and good friend, Tanya Jackson."

Tanya stepped forward and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"I think I need to travel up north. You both are fine-looking ladies," he said, eying Tanya.

Trisha made a graceful exit allowing them to chat, she headed to Skinner and Jamison.

Skinner tipped his hat to her. "Good morning, Trisha."

"Good morning."

"You feeling alright?" Jamison asked.

"Tired. I'll be fine." She grinned.

"Good to hear." Jamison winked.

"Did I miss something?" Skinner pointed his finger at them.

"She has agreed to join me for dinner tonight," Jamison said.

"Trisha, he can be a handful."

"Captain, aren't most men?" she asked with a playful smile.

Skinner laughed. "Lonnie J, you met your match." He tipped his hat to her. "If you excuse me." He left them.

"You want a cup of coffee?"

"I don't drink coffee, Lonnie. Soda would be wonderful."

"Sure." He reached into his pocket to dig for his change. "What kind of Coke you want?"

Trisha spotted a Dr. Pepper, and Jamison put his change in the machine.

"A Dr. Pepper would be lovely," she said.

The can rolled inside of the machine. He bent down to grab the soda as she admired the view.

Lonnie opened the can of soda leaning against the machine. "Are you sure you're feeling up to our date tonight?" He gave her the soda.

She glanced into his blue-greenish eyes. "Our date will be a lovely distraction from the seriousness that's flooded into our lives." She grinned.

"I agree. I wanted to be sure you're feeling up to it." He brushed back a few loose strands of her hair out of her eyes." Remember, I always have more fun with dark-haired beauties like yourself."

She stood holding his gaze. "I'm not sure if you can handle me." She giggled.

Lonnie stepped closer to her; he slid the tip of his index finger from her forehead, to her outer earlobe reaching her neck. "I enjoy a challenge," he whispered in her ear as a fiery sensation flooded through her tingling skin, she stood, trying retained her composure as he walked away from her.

Tanya returned, grinning at her. "Do you need a cold shower? He's your type. Tall, easy on the eyes, and confident."

She stared at her friend. "I'm just fine. Thank you."

"If you play your cards right, you might have a nice roll in the hay with him. For a white man, he s smoking hot."

"Maybe. But we have a client we need to speak with," she said.