Disclaimer: .

Lisabeth and Frances looked at each other. “Tell me you’re kidding.” Lisabeth turned to the man standing at her desk.

“I admit it’s going to be rather difficult, but from everything Toni told me about CTI the one constant seems to be Drake and the willingness, no, make that, eagerness of the employees to rally behind her.” He looked into the eyes of the secretary. “I would think that everyone would do his or her best for the one person they care for so much.”

The two women thought about it. “I think we should move this discussion to Drake’s new office,” Lisabeth said rising. “First we should ask Jane to join us.”

“I’ll touch base with you later,” Frances planned to locate Drake and tell her about Jackie and Toni. What happened to being a police detective? Lieutenants don’t get involved in company politics or the personal business of millionaires. On the other hand not many LT’s meet someone like Drake either. She shook her head as she carried on a conversation with herself sometimes mumbling, causing CTI employees to regard her as, actually they weren’t quite sure how to take this woman who worked for the Dallas Police Department to protect them from each other and themselves. Seemed like she needed some help herself, more than one thought. Okay, okay, geesh now you’re doing a Joe Pesci. Get real. You like Drake. You could spend lots and lots of time with Drake. She touched you. Unfortunately Fran, you didn’t touch her. Toni did. It’s obvious who she cares about.

Yeah, yeah and it’s obvious Toni’s either ambivalent about it or doesn’t have a clue.

I vote for ambivalent.

Yeah, you would. Anything to make yourself believe you might have a chance.

Ahh, shut up.

Lisabeth, Philip and Jane breezed past the desk Dollie had commandeered and entered Toni’s office. “Hey, you can’t go in there,” the startled woman screamed.

“Oh?” Jane looked straight into her eyes. “Pray tell why?”

“Uh, Ms. Ramsden isn’t in yet.”

“We know. And we know where she is. When she calls in, please,” Jane smiled, “put the call through” The door was closed in Dollie’s face leaving her livid.

“When she calls in?” Philip raised an eyebrow.

Lisabeth chuckled. “She’ll worry every time the phone rings that it might be Toni asking why the hell she’s at Jackie’s desk.”

Since Andrew Palmer’s death and the subsequent takeover by Toni Ramsden, CTI executives had been falling over one another trying to get into the good graces of the new President/CEO. It hadn’t turned out well. Toni had a tendency to hold her ideas for the future of the company close to her vest and a penchant for taking her time when deciding which executives would be moved out and which moved into positions suiting their ability and expertise. Whereas Andrew Palmer hired former school chums, Toni Ramsden made it a point to hire no one she had a close relationship with. To the executives of CTI Antoinette Ramsden was an enigma.

Harold Schuster, the President under CEO Palmer, had felt personally maligned when Toni decided she’d serve as both CEO and President until she had a better grasp of the company and it’s direction. Fifty-two year old Schuster blamed it on ‘that time of the month’ for the thirty-eight year old woman.  When she privately raked him over the coals when he submitted a seemingly hastily prepared, graphic overloaded, dubiously worded proposal he blamed it on her inability to understand business in general and the software business in particular. When he  discovered she was the copyright holder of four exceptionally profitable programs he offered his resignation.

“Going to jump ship Harold?”

“Excuse me?” He had expected her to accept it and say ‘good riddance.’

“Just didn’t take you as the cowardly type, that’s all.” She leaned back in her chair and sipped her coffee from her bright red Marine Corp mug.

“I thought you’d be happy to get rid of me?”

“Now what gave you that idea?” He said nothing. “I don’t expect an employee to resign every time I let them know I’m displeased with their work.” She took another sip. “And I was extremely displeased with the proposal you gave me. I wondered if you thought I wouldn’t read it,” she held up her thumb, “wouldn’t understand it,” her forefinger, “or just accept it the way it was.” She held up her middle finger and wriggled the three at him. “Which was it?”

“Andrew never read them. He just allowed me to go ahead with projects as I saw fit.”

“Ahh,” she almost smiled, “well Harold I have a news flash for you. I’m not Andrew. I read everything that crosses my desk and I have a near photographic memory.” She stood and paced, “and if Mr. Palmer were still here he’d probably be talking to you about those projects and decisions because they are loosing CTI big bucks. Not only are we loosing money, we are loosing prestige, and business.” She stopped and turned to him. “Now it is my job to turn this place around. My question at this point is, do I do it with you as a member of the team or not?” She sat and picked up her mug. “I suggest you go home for the rest of the day and think about it. Tomorrow is Wednesday. I’ll expect a decision by ten.” She stood effectively dismissing the man.

“Tweety?”

Drake didn’t really want to turn around. She’s angry too. Its my fault. Tears again hit the already moist cheeks when she felt a hand take her arm and pull her to the elevator. Frances inserted the key and hit 19. They said nothing as the car rose and the doors spread open. Frances unlocked the door. She settled Drake onto a sofa after removing the dust covering then sat beside her and waited. Finally realizing Drake wasn’t going to say anything Frances decided to get the ball rolling. “Guess you think they’re angry at you, huh?” Drake nodded. “Do you know about Jackie?” Again the mentally challenged woman nodded. “And you, of course, know that wasn’t your fault either.” Drake shrugged her shoulders. Frances placed her hands on the woman’s shoulders and turned her so they were face to face. “Talk to me Tweety.”

“Bout what?”

“About how you feel.”

Drake burst into tears. “I hurt,” she slapped her chest with her hand, “in here and I don’t know why.” Frances pulled the woman into a hug and rubbed her back. “I know Toni hates me.” She sobbed.

“No, no Toni doesn’t hate you. Aren’t you friends?” She felt the woman nod. “Yes, you are friends and I happen to know Toni would be very sad if you weren’t her friend anymore.”

Drake sniffed, “really?”

“Uh huh.” Frances used her thumbs to wipe the tears from the beautiful face. “Now,” she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, “blow your nose we have to talk.”

Drake blew her nose then went to the bathroom. Frances decided to make herself some coffee thinking now she knew who had taken hers the night before. She zapped two cups in the microwave and added instant coffee, Coffeemate and sugar and took them to the living room where she settled both mugs on the coffeetable.

When Drake returned they settled onto the sofa and sipped the brew. Immediately Drake gagged and made a face. “Too strong?”

“Uh huh,” Drake set the mug on the table. “I don’t like it that way.”

“That’s okay,” Frances chuckled. “I find it a bit much myself. I usually have tea.”

“You like tea?”

“Oh yeah. Love the stuff.” She fidgeted a moment then drew her leg onto the couch, her knee on the sofa and her foot hanging over the edge so as not to dirty the furniture. “Drake can I ask you some questions?”

Drake mimicked the detective’s movement on the couch and nodded. “Sure.”

“Who taught you to read?”

“Miss Wilkinson.”

“At Greystone?” Drake nodded.

“I just wondered because to deliver the mail as well as you do you’d have to know how to read.” She watched as Drake shrugged her shoulders. “Did you like Miss Wilkinson?” Again Drake nodded. “Did she teach you other things?” Once again the woman nodded. Okay Frances now try to get her to verbalize. You’re a detective for Pete’s sake. “What did you like best that she taught you.”

“Arithmetic.”

“Really?” Drake nodded. Patience Frances, patience. “Why arithmetic?”

“Cause she brought cookies and would put, like, five on the table. And then tell me to eat two and ask how many were left.”

Clever woman. “And why did you like that so much?”

“Cause I was always hungry. And when arithmetic was over I wasn’t so hungry anymore.”

Yes, I imagine cookies would fill you up. “What cookies did you like best?”

For the first time that day Drake smiled, “Oreos, because we’d have milk to dip them in. And if you take it apart you can lick the icing. I like Oreos.”

“Besides reading and arithmetic, what else did Miss Wilkinson teach you?”

Drake thought a moment, “she showed me how to file. But,” she looked seriously into Frances’ face, “you have to know your abc’s real good to do that.”

“Yes,” a sober faced detective nodded in agreement, “you sure do. Did you like filing?”

“Yes, lots.”

“So you were a filer for a long time?”

Drake shook her head and said quietly, “only until Dr. Rieger came. Then I couldn’t do it anymore.”

“Did he say why?”

Drake shook her head and played with her fingers on her lap, “why did Jackie die?”

Sensitive area? “She was hit by a car.”

“Did Jimmie do it?”

Frances looked at her friend carefully, “why do you ask that?”

Drake shrugged her shoulders, “cause he did it before.”

Good God. “Where you there when he did it?”

Drake nodded. “He said not to tell or they would take him to jail and it was much worse than Greystone.”

“So you didn’t tell.”

Drake nodded her head. “I didn’t want them to take him away.” She looked pleading in the detective’s eyes. “He’s my friend.”

Time to get this friend notion out of her mind. Frances scooted closer to the woman. “Drake is Toni your friend?”

“Yes.”

“And me. Am I your friend?” Drake nodded. “Was Jackie your friend?” Once again Drake nodded. “Now Drake,” the detective lifted the woman’s chin to face her, “have Jackie or Toni or I ever hit you?”

“No,” Drake almost shouted.

“Okay, just calm down.” She waited as the younger woman settled down. “Drake did Jimmie hit you?”

Drake nodded, “lots of times.”

“And did you ever hit him or any of your friends?”

“No,” she jumped to her feet and held her fisted hands at her sides, “no I never hit my friends. I like my friends.” She  yelled through gritted teeth.

“Yes,” Frances immediately rose and approached the woman, “that’s right. We don’t hit our friends. And our friends shouldn’t hit us.” She held the much taller woman’s still clenched hands, “Drake, Jimmie is not your friend. If he was he wouldn’t hit you.” Frances could see the pain and confusion in the woman’s face. “Tweety,” she spoke softly pulling the woman back onto the couch, “we don’t ask friends to lie for us or not tell the truth. When we do something wrong we don’t ask our friends to not say anything. Do you understand?”

No Jimmie is my friend. He hit me because I was bad. He wants me to be good. Frances watched as Drake’s face showed her battle within herself and knew she was deciding Jimmie’s fate for her heart. “I . . . guess if Ji . . .Jimmie was really my friend . . . he wouldn’t have . . . hurt Jackie.” Drake reached for the detective and squeezed her hard to herself and sobbed deep gut wrenching cries of pain and guilt.

Frances could only hold her and rub her back murmuring words of understanding, love and acceptance. The detective swore to herself when her beeper went off. “Excuse me Tweety, I have to check this out. She got the number from the pager and dialed it on her cell phone. “Francis,” the woman smiled at the younger woman sitting beside her and winked, “yes. Good can you have them meet me in Jane Clarke’s office? That would be fine, thank you.” The detective stood and held her hand out to Drake, “come on kiddo, you’re gonna meet some friends of mine.” She wiped the tears from Drake's cheeks with her thumbs.

On the way to the 14th floor both women examined their shoes very closely until Drake spoke up. “Frances?”

“Hmmm?”

“Is there a place where I can talk to God?” She looked at the smaller woman standing beside her. “I mean, like an official God place?”

“An official God place?” Holy shit. What’s a lapsed Catholic supposed to tell her now? “Uh, well Tweety there are lots of official God places. Churches, synagogues, mosques, chapels, temples, lots of them.”

“Oh.”

“But you know, you can talk to God anytime. Wherever you are.”

“Yeah, but I want to make sure He hears me.”

“Oh, Tweety God will hear you. God hears everyone.”

“How will I know?”

The door slid open and the women stepped from the car. “Look Tweety,” Frances pulled her toward Jane’s office.
Later I’ll take you to a Cathedral. That’s the biggest God place I know about in the city. Okay?”

“Really?”

“Yes, come on I want you to meet some friends.”

“Hi Jane.” Drake flipped her hand up in greeting, turned and saw a familiar face and hugged Carter. “Hi Bennie can I ride in the police car again?”

Carter stepped back blushing. “Uh,”

Kelly was signing her name to several documents and stood to watch the flustered officer. “Can I come too Bennie?” She saw the lieutenant out of the corner of her eye and stiffened.

“You done with them Jane?”

“Yes Frances. Here are their badges.”

The detective pointed at Kelly, Carter, Delgado and Graham, “follow me.” She grabbed Drake’s hand, “you too.” The conference room was empty, “you four take a seat in there,” she pointed to the room, “I’ll be right back.” She turned to
Drake, “Tweety I want you to stay here.”

“But I have to finish the mail.”

Frances looked at the cart still loaded with deliveries, “okay, but don’t leave this floor.”

“But . . .”

“Just don’t leave the 14th floor. Please Tweety?”

“Okay I’ll just deliver the mail and stay on this floor.”

Frances smiled and squeezed the woman’s arms, “thank you.” She disappeared into the conference room and closed the door. “You all have your employee badges?” She saw the four nods in the affirmative, “good.” She took a chair,
“Bright got away. It’s possible he may be after Drake Palmer for some reason. It is our job to,” she held up her thumb, “first, protect her and,” she held up her index finger, “two, catch the slimy piece of shit before he does any more harm.
There are five of us, so for the next few days we’ll each take a shift. She goes nowhere without one of us as her shadow.” She looked at each one individually, “and I mean no where.” The others nodded.

“Bathroom?” Graham shrugged his shoulders.

“If Kelly or myself are on we go in with her. If one of you guys, you wait outside. The bathrooms have a single ingress and egress. Should be no problem especially since Bright is a male. Additionally I’ve had security beefed up here.” She tapped the table with the point of her index finger. “Anyone entering the building without an employee badge will be escorted everywhere. Graham take the first shift, Kelly second, followed by Carter then Delgado. I’ll take the night shift. There’s an apartment on the 19th floor. Carter and Delgado when your finished for the day I want you to hit a grocery store and pick up stuff for the kitchen.” She pulled her wallet from her inside jacket pocket and tossed three hundred dollar bills on the table. Any questions?” Everyone shook his or her head. “All right you have pictures of Bright. Carter and Delgado I want you to make sure everyone at the reception desk, in security, building maintenance and the areas where there is the possibility of easy access into the building to be given a copy. We’ll be sending one to each employee via inter office mail later today. Any questions, any problems beep me or get me on my cell phone.” She nodded her head dismissing them.

Kelly, Delgado and Carter immediately left the floor leaving Graham and the lieutenant looking for the tall, mentally challenged woman. “Shit.” Frances nodded to her left, “you take that end I’ll take this one.” The two searched the floor twice. “Damn I told her . . .” Frances chuckled when she saw Drake exit a restroom. She rubbed the bridge of her nose with forefinger and thumb and smiled, “sometimes Graham I think I’m loosing it.”

He chuckled. “No problem LT. Most already have by the time they get to your position.”

The woman rolled her eyes as she approached Drake. “Tweety this is Rodney and he’s a police officer.”

Drake smiled and flipped her arm to the elbow in greeting, “hi.”

“Rodney is assigned to, uh, . . .” Shit. You didn’t really think this out Fran. So what you going to tell her? The truth? Oh yeah that would go over well. Drake your friend Jimmie, who is really not your friend, may try to kill you.

Drake nodded her head, “I guess you want to make sure nothing bad happens to me now, huh?”

Drake quietly walked into the hospital room dreading what she’d find. Did they hurt her? Is she going to die? God don’t let her die. Please don’t let her die, too. Tears stung the tall woman’s eyes as she pulled a chair beside the bed. She looks so little in that bed.

The dark haired woman turned when a large black woman entered the room and bustled to the other side of the bed. Drake watched at the woman removed an empty plastic bag from a hook that hung from the ceiling and replaced it with a full one. “What’s that?” She whispered.

“Saline,” the stout black woman smiled. “This is to make sure she gets enough fluid in her system so she doesn’t dehydrate.”

“Dehydrate?”

“Uh,” the nurse had been briefed by the police officer who waited outside the door on Drake, “your body has water and blood and all kinds of fluids. If you loose some, like people do in surgery, we have to give them more so they’ll stay healthy.” That sounds lame Daisy ole girl.

“Oh,” Drake nodded and thought a moment. “Like we have to drink water? And if Toni is sleeping she can’t drink water so you put it inside her?”

Daisy smiled, “exactly.”

“Will she be all right?”

“Oh yes honey. She’ll be just fine.” the large black woman patted the Drake’s hand. “She’s quite a handful though. I’m gonna have my work cut out for me when she wakes up.”

“‘Quite a handful’?”

“She’s got a mind of her own. And she wants her way.”

Drake smiled nodding, “yeah she’s like that.” She turned to the nurse who still held her hand, “and sometimes she yells at you, but she really doesn’t mean it.”

“Well honey, she had some pretty bad headaches because of the tumor. Maybe that’s why she yelled?”

Drake thought about that. “Then she didn’t do it on purpose?”

“No honey. Headaches as bad as your friend had can make a person miserable.” The big, black woman smiled, “I’m sure it was the pain talking and not her.” She patted Drake’s hand, “well I’ve got to get back to work. Your friend will be just fine.” Daisy patted Drake on the shoulder. “my name is Daisy. I’m her nurse. If you need anything just ask me. Okay?” She quietly left the room.

Drake moved closer to the bed and stroked Toni’s arm. “You’re gonna be okay. And you won’t have the bad aches in your head anymore. I . . .I’m glad you’re not dead.” Tears slid down the tall woman’s face. “I don’t want anyone to die anymore.”

Toni heard the voice followed by soft sobs and forced her eyes open. What’s Drake doing here? She listened as the younger woman talked.

“Maybe she won’t hate me now. God?” Drake looked up just as Toni closed her eyes, “Can you hear me? Frances said you can hear me no matter where I was. She’s nice. She’s my friend too. And so is Toni. Please make her all better.” She absently stroked Toni’s arm. “And don’t put Sylvester in Hell. I’m being real good.”

Holy shit. A single tear escaped from the corner of Toni’s eye and rolled down to her ear.

“Toni? Are you awake now?”

The patient opened her eyes and looked into the tear stained face of concern. Yes. I’m awake. Why are you crying Drake?

“Does your head hurt?”

Toni slowly shook her head. She felt the woman’s hand in her right one and gave it a slight squeeze. “Are you angry at me?” Oh God Drake don’t think that. As forcefully as she could the executive shook her head. “How come you won’t talk to me then?” Toni’s eyes clouded with tears and she tried to make the words she had in her mind form around her tongue. But the two, mind and tongue, would not work together. Tears slid down her cheeks and onto her pillow and the bandage wrapped around her head.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. I know I musta been bad again cause you got hurt.” She stood sniffling and holding back her own tears, “I’ll go and leave you alone.” Drake quickly left the room and a frustrated woman who began to cry in earnest.

It was late. Frances was tired as she drove to the hospital to relieve Graham. It was after 10 and the detective had just been able to spare a few minutes for a quick snack. She parked the unmarked under a bright light in the nearly deserted lot and secured the vehicle.

“Graham,” he answered the cell phone. “No LT we’re in the cafeteria.” He stood and walked away from the table he shared with Drake to get some privacy but keeping his eyes on her the whole time, “she came outta the room crying.” He listened, “no . . . not a thing LT . . . okay.”

Frances located Graham while she was still on the phone with the officer. “Hey,” she smiled at his surprise. “Thanks for staying late.”

“No problem.”

“You got tomorrow off, right?” He nodded. “See you Thursday morning then. Thanks,” she turned toward Drake, “any idea what happened?”

“Not a one.”

“Night Graham, see you Thursday.” She approached Drake at the table and sat beside her. “Hi.” She noticed the cup in the younger woman’s hands, “how’s the coffee?”

“Not coffee. It’s tea.”

“Really? I didn’t know you liked tea Tweety,”

“I don’t think I do.” She looked at the detective beside her, “it tastes yucky.”

“May I taste,” Drake nodded and Frances took a sip and almost gagged. “Yulch,” she coughed and the younger woman began patting her on the back.

“You okay Frances?”

“Yeah. She looked at the contents of the cup, “no wonder you don’t like it.” She stood, “come on and I’ll show you how to make tea the right way.”

Drake sipped the new concoction and smiled, “I like tea this way Frances. It’s really good,” she took another sip.

“Did you see Toni?”

Drake’s jaw hardened and she nodded.

“What happened?”

She shook her head. I won’t cry. I won’t cry like a little baby. I won’t. “Sh . . . she won’t talk to me.”

“Tweety, Toni can’t talk.” The detective tried to be as gentle as she could with the news she knew would be devastating to the woman beside her. She squeezed her shoulder, “she’s had a stroke and can’t move her right side. She can hear you and see you, but right now she just can’t talk to you.” Frances placed her hands on the woman’s arms and turned her to face her.

Drake slowly nodded. “Will she be like me?”

“Like you?”

“Not smart anymore.”

Okay enough with this smart business. “Tweety you are smart. You just take longer to learn things, that’s all. That does not mean you are not smart. Do you understand?”

The dark haired woman nodded slowly. “So will Toni be like me? Slow?”

“I really don’t know Tweety.” She stroked the woman’s forearm, “would you like to go see Toni now?”

The women softly entered the room and saw Toni asleep. Drake lifted a chair and quietly set it beside the bed and sat. Carefully she slipped Toni’s small hand into her own much larger one and leaned back into the chair closing her eyes. The detective sat in the second chair against the wall at the foot of the bed and leaned her head against the wall sliding into a more comfortable position. Soon a duo of snores chased away the eerie quiet of the room.

Eyelids fluttered open revealing green eyes exploring the sleeping duo on the chairs. She felt the hand wrapped around her own and for a moment reveled in the warmth of it. Toni chuckled to herself as her eyes went from one sleeping woman to the other. Xena and Gabrielle. Yeah. The dynamic duo for the new century. Of course which would be Xena and which Gabrielle. She wondered what time it was and glanced at the dark night beyond the window. Although her scalp was tender and a little painful the executive felt good. Okay people I’m ready to go home now. Toni closed her eyes wondering if sleep would come again, but it didn’t. She looked around the room noting the bag of saline off to her right. The gray-blue light of dawn slowly replaced the black.

The executive heard the footsteps and turned to see Daisy bustle into the room. “Oh, you have two now.” She spoke softly so she wouldn’t wake the visitors.  “The younger one was here at 6 yesterday. The other must have come after I got off shift.” She replaced the empty saline bag and took Toni’s vitals. “My name is Daisy and I’m your nurse for the day shift. Now, I realize you can’t communicate right now, so were gonna set up a system. I’ll ask only yes and no questions and you answer yes with one blink of your eyes and no with two. Can you do that?”

Big whoop. Toni closed her eyes once.

“Good,” Daisy patted the woman’s shoulder, “we’re gonna get along just fine.”

Obviously if all I can do is blink my eyes. Uh, excuse me Daisy? Toni tried to speak and gibberish came out. But immediately Daisy turned to her.

“Do you want something?”

Duh, of course I do. She blinked once.

“Toni are you right handed?”

What the heck does that have to do with anything? She blinked once.

“Just wanted to know if you could handle writing messages. But you still have problems with your right side.” Daisy reached over the bed and moved the dark bangs from Drake’s eyes. “Do you think you can write with your left hand?”

My left hand is currently occupied, but hey I’ll give it a shot. She blinked once.

“Good. Would you like to wait until your friend wakes up?”

Now you’re talking Daisy ole girl. One blink. This feels good.

Daisy chuckled as she quietly left the room.

Toni watched Drake sleep, her head laying on her arm resting beside the executive’s thigh, her eyes moving rapidly behind closed lids. What are your dreaming Drake? Do you have good dreams or bad dreams? Do you like your life? Do you wonder about the future? Do you care about the future? Are you lonely Drake? Do you know what loneliness is? She looked at the ceiling then closed her eyes.

“Are you sleeping Toni?” Drake stroked the fair arm and slightly squeezed a small hand. She stood and leaned over the bed and placed a gentle kiss on Toni’s cheek. “I like you Toni. I like you a whole lot.”

Toni felt something on her cheek and heard a soft low voice beside her. It’s Tweety. She listened to the words that seemed to float to her.

“I’m sorry you got hurt. Frances said it wasn’t my fault, that it wasn’t cause I was bad. I . . . I don’t know though. She said you can’t talk and that you might have to learn how to do stuff all over again. But I hope you won’t be like me, Toni. I don’t want you to be slow like me.”

Toni heard soft sobs, oh shit. 

“Hey, Tweety,” Frances stood beside the dark haired woman, “what’s wrong?”

Drake sniffled and looked up at her friend, “I don’t want Toni to be like me.”

“Hey,” Frances pulled her chair to her and sat beside Drake. “Honey, Toni will get the best care there is. And it’s really too early to be thinking sad things since we don’t really know how the surgery went or how she’s doing.” She wrapped her arm around the broad shoulders, “but she’s alive and we get to spend lots more time with her as our friend.”

Drake nodded, “yeah we do.” She looked into the executive’s face and stroked her cheek, “she’s so pretty.”

“Yeah. She is.” Frances agreed as she rubbed the larger woman’s back.

“I love her.”

“What?”

“I love Toni.” Drake smiled as she ran her fingers over the patient’s forehead.

Holy shit. Does she know what love is? How the hell can she love me? ME? Think Toi. Have you given her any signals? Hell no.

Frances spoke softly, “what makes you think you love Toni, Tweety?”

Yeah, what makes you think you love me?

“Sylvester told me that when my stomach feels funny and I want to be around someone all the time that that means I’m in love. And then I should ask that person what I should do with CTI.”

Great going Palmer, you jerk.

“And you feel that way about Toni?”

Drake nodded, “yeah. Sometimes my stomach feels so funny I think I’m going to be sick. And then when I see Toni, well, I feel so . . . so good. More than good. It’s like having cake and ice cream, no, better.  Better even than playing with my trains.”

Frances nodded. Good God. I’ve got a love sick Amazon on my hands.

You’re just upset because it’s not you she feels that way about. Be honest Fran.

Okay, okay. Yes. That’s true. Now drop it.

Toni couldn’t believe her ears. Oh good heavens. Cake and ice cream? I’m better than cake and ice cream? And her trains? She loves those trai . . .  Oh hell.

Frances turned as the door swung open and Daisy walked into the room all business. “Okay ladies, Ms. Ramsden is about to get breakfast so now would be a good time to leave and get some for yourselves,” she looked at Toni whose green eyes glistened with unshed tears. “After breakfast Ms. Ramsden will have her bath, then some exercise. After that Dr. Bain will be in.”

“Can I stay?” Drake looked into the woman’s face pleading with her eyes.

“Honey, you really want to watch me wash up your friend?”

Drake quickly shook her head. “Good, cause I don’t think your friend wants an audience and I know I don’t. Why don’t you two just go home and rest up? You can come back this afternoon. After you’ve rested and had a good lunch. Huh?”

Frances stood and settled her chair against the wall.

“No,” Drake nearly shouted. “What if she needs something?”

“Honey, that’s why I’m here.”

“No.” Drake folded her arms in defiance. “You aren’t here all the time. I can be here all the time when you’re not here.”

Frances gently pulled at Drake’s arm, “let’s go get something to eat.”

“No.” She pulled her arm from Frances’ hand and stayed in the chair.

Daisy turned to her patient. “Ms. Ramsden do you want your friend to stay?”

Great. I’m the patient. I just had brain surgery and you want me to be the one to tell Drake to leave? You got to be kidding lady.  Toni blinked.

Daisy thought she would win the argument and was actually surprised at the woman’s decision. She shrugged her shoulders. “Okay. Just do me a favor and try to stay out of my way. Oh,” she turned to Frances, “are you Lieutenant Francis?” The officer nodded. “There’s a woman named Kelly out there for you.” She jerked her chin to the door.

“Thank you,” Frances looked at Drake and Toni for a second then left the room.

“Hi Kelly,” she brushed her fingers through her hair.

“You okay LT?”

“Yeah. Just tired.” She briefed the officer and quickly returned to the room. “Tweety,” she bent over and whispered in
the woman’s ear, “I have to go now. Officer Kelly is outside. She’ll come in later to keep you and Toni company.” She squeezed the woman’s biceps, “and remember not to go anywhere without Kelly.”

“Is this patronizing me again?”

Frances chuckled, “no Tweety, this is protecting you.” She added at the last moment, “and Toni.” She kissed the younger woman on the cheek, “I’ll see you tonight,” and left.

Dr. Bain insisted Toni begin physical therapy immediately. The incision on her scalp was healing well and the sooner the executive get into a regular and, hopefully exhaustive, program the sooner healing both emotionally and physically could really begin.

Toni was not a good patient. On a scale from one to ten, ten being best, Daisy rated her a minus 9. Although she still could not speak Toni was more than eloquent in letting her desires be known. Her left arm got quite the workout from throwing various items against the wall, mostly her meals.

Drake had been present for the entire four days that had gone by and was beginning to look drawn and tired. Both Toni and Frances noticed it and Daisy finally put her foot down.

“You either go home now,” she yelled at the woman, “and take care of yourself or I’m going to get Dr. Bain to put you in the room next door.” She put her fists on her hips, “and Honey, if I do that you won’t get to come visit your friend cause I’ll tie you down.” She waited a moment giving Drake time to think. “Now what’s it going to be?”

The young woman looked from Toni to Daisy then settled her eyes to the floor. “Are you angry with me Daisy?”

“Damn straight I am. Now what you gonna do?”

“If I go home will you stop being angry with me?” Drake couldn’t bring herself to look at the woman.

Daisy enveloped Drake in comforting arms. “Yes Honey, I will.” She squeezed the dark haired younger woman and rocked her from side to side, “I just want you to take care of yourself. If you don’t, how you gonna help your friend when she needs you?”

Drake thought about it and brightened. “Yeah. I’m gonna have to help, huh?”

“You bet. Now you go home, take a shower and sleep. Eat good and I don’t want to see you till day after tomorrow.”

“But . . .?”

“Sunday,” Daisy said firmly. “Not before then or I’ll get angry again.” She smiled and released Drake.

“Okay,” Drake smiled as well, “day after tomorrow. Sunday.” She turned to Toni who actually had her mouth open in
surprise. “I’ll see you day after tomorrow, Toni. Sunday.” She said, “is that okay?”

Toni smiled crookedly and nodded then glanced at Daisy who looked quite satisfied with herself.

After Drake left with Delgado Daisy turned to Toni. “Now you.”

Uh oh.

“You been acting like some prima donna here. Throwing things, pouting, turning away from your friend. Do you know she comes out and cries her heart out to me thinking you hate her?”

Toni’s eyes widened. Oh shit.

“Well she does. And then she comes back here and your sleepin and she holds your hand and rubs your arm and talks to you the whole night long.”

Toni raised her brows, actually only one would go up.

“Wonderin how I know? Lilly your night nurse tells me. That girl leaves your side just to go to the bathroom. She doesn’t eat unless someone is thoughtful enough to bring her something. She sleeps only when she’s so exhausted she can’t keep her eyes open any more.” She moved closer to the bed and Toni, “now starting when she comes back you are going to treat her with more respect.” She put her hand on her hips and tilted her head, “you understand me?”

Toni swallowed and nodded. Loud and clear. Why do I feel like I should be at attention saluting?

Minutes later a petite blonde entered pushing an empty wheelchair. “Ready for PT Ms. Ramsden?” Sherry Shoe was a cute little thing. For someone just past five feet and around a hundred pounds she had more energy and strength in those little hands of hers than was reasonable for any human to have. Of course spending most of her days working on the muscles of patients who had lost the ability to control them developed that strength. She and Daisy assisted Toni into the chair and the young woman whistled as she wheeled her charge to the elevator for the ride to the physical therapy room where they would spend the next hour.

The session had been grueling. Toni’s muscles ached, which seemed a good sign. At least she felt them. She had tried to walk using the parallel bars for support but her right arm refused to comply with her wishes it hold her up. So Sherry had spent the last twenty minutes working to get more movement from Toni’s right hand and arm. Toni was pleased that Sherry was pleased they had made some headway.

Delgado searched the apartment on 19 quickly to assure himself no one had decided to hide in wait for his charge. “I’ll just be outside the door Drake.” He nodded to he woman and closed the apartment door behind him then called in to inform the office where he was. He settled in one of the wing chairs and pulled a Len Deighton novel from his back pocket.

Drake was more tired than she was hungry and decided to brush her teeth and go to bed. She could shower later, she figured. It will wake me up. Within seconds after getting under the covers the young woman was asleep.

Okay Jimmie, now what? The Cavanaugh woman’s out of the way. Now to get Drake. With CTI in my pocket everything will be okay. He chuckled to himself. Boy, will they be shocked when I get the company. And legally to boot! He pushed the buttons on the cell phone and lifted it to his ear, “Drake Palmer please.” He listened, “hospital?”

Evan answered the phone, “Drake Palmer please.”

He answered even before he thought, “she’s at the hospital, Bayl. . . who is this?”

Jimmie hung up. “Baylor?” Why would she be there? She’d better not be hurt. I need her. She’s the key to the money. Shit. He turned the ignition and headed toward the hospital in south Dallas. Shit. Shit Shit. He banged the steering wheel. Maybe Cavanaugh isn’t dead? But the paper had the obit. That could have been placed by the cops. Damn. I should have made sure. Damn. Damn. He hit the steering wheel again with his fist. Calm down Jimmie. She ain’t goin anywhere. Just think this through. Maybe someone else is in the hospital and she’s visiting. Someone from CTI. Bradley, the little shit. Yeah or one of those secretaries. Just wait. Your time will come. He pulled over, made a U-turn, and started to plan his next move.

Evan looked at the phone after the quick hangup and wondered who it may have been looking for Drake. His eyes hit the picture on the bulletin board over the timeclock and he slowly shook his head. “Damn.”

Frances wiped the grunge from her left eye, “when did he call?”

Evan looked at his watch, “bout ten minutes ago, uh, 3:30, 3:35. Somewhere in there.”

“Thanks for letting me know Mr. Judson.”

“I’m really sorry Detective Francis. I told him she was at Baylor before I even thought.”

“Don’t worry about it Mr. Judson. He has no idea who she’s seeing. At least now I know I was right in getting protection for her.” She thought quickly, “you did just fine. Matter of fact I think this might work more for us than against us.”

“Uh, well, okay.”

“Besides, Drake isn’t at the hospital right now. So even if he went looking for her she’s not there to be found.”

Even chuckled in relief. “Thank God. Well, got to get back to work. Thanks.”

Okay Fran, so Bright is looking for Drake. What does he hope to accomplish? Kill her? Why? What does she know? Does she know anything? Or is it just lust, ownership of a beautiful prize? More movies? Wants his star back? How much dough could that get him? Money? Money. CTI. Could he want control of CTI? For what purpose? Or is it just the money? Half a billion bucks is not money, it’s obscene. And some people would kill for that. He has killed, and maybe even for that. So where does that put Drake? And his plans for Drake? She fixed herself some tea in the small kitchen and sat quietly sipping as she got more comfortable on her couch.