was supportive, but he warned her that one good night did not mean that her problems were over. She knew she had a way to go, but she felt better than she had in months.
Frank was still recuperating at home. He thought he might try working half days starting next week. Amanda wanted to move back to her condo, but she was still camped out in her old room because she didn't want Frank to be alone. His left arm was in a sling and he was limping badly. It was hard for him to get around, and cooking was especially difficult with one arm.
A week ago, Amanda had driven to the Y for her first workout since the home invasion. By the time she walked onto the pool deck, several of the swimmers in the Master's program were in the lanes set aside for the team. She was walking to her lane when Toby got out of the water.
'Amanda!'
'Hi.'
'I couldn't believe it when I saw you on TV. Are you okay?'
'Not completely, but I'm getting there. I thought I'd try to get back in my routine.'
'Good idea.' Brooks shook his head. 'It must have been awful for you.'
Amanda didn't answer. She felt uncomfortable talking about the attack on her father's home.
'I actually thought of giving you a ring to see how you were doing,' Toby said. 'I almost called you twice.'
'Why didn't you?'
Toby shrugged. 'I didn't want to hassle you. I figured you probably had enough people calling. I know if something like that happened to me I'd probably want to be by myself.'
Toby hesitated. Then he looked into Amanda's eyes. 'And I don't really know you. We only talked twice for a few seconds.'
Amanda tried to sound calm but her heart was going as fast as it did at the end of a race.
'Next time, I could probably manage at least a minute,' she said.
'How about this weekend?'
'I've got to check with my dad. He's out of the hospital, but he's still recuperating. Can I call you?'
'Yeah.' Toby grinned. 'This'll give me time to figure out how to recruit you for the team.'
'Try bribing me. Dinner at a classy restaurant might do it.'
'I'll check my bribe budget and await your call,' Toby said as he slipped back into the water.
Amanda headed toward a lane. Somewhere during their talk she'd stopped feeling scared.
The maitre d' led Amanda, Toby Brooks, Kate Ross, and Daniel Ames to their table in the back of the packed restaurant. Mephisto's was Portland's latest attempt to replicate New York hip. It was noisy, crowded with trendy dressers, and Amanda figured herself for one of the oldest people in the joint. Toby had suggested the place for their second date, because the food was supposed to be good and the people-watching great.
An anorexic waitress introduced herself as their server and took their drink orders, which had to be shouted over the din.
'If I lose my hearing I'm suing you,' Amanda yelled at Toby. He grinned.
'I'm going to the ladies' room,' Kate shouted in Amanda's ear.
Amanda told Toby where the women were headed and followed Kate's back through the crowd. As they passed the bar, which was three deep, someone touched her arm. Amanda turned and found herself face to face with Jon Dupre.
'You here alone?' he asked.
'No. A date and friends.'
'Point out the table and I'll have a bottle of champagne sent over.'
'That's not necessary.'
'Of course it is. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here, tonight, and able to treat you.'
Dupre's smiled faded and he looked serious. 'You did a great job, Amanda.'
'You really should be thanking Ally.'
'Have you heard anything about where she is?'
'She's in the witness protection program and has a new identity. They won't tell anyone where to find her. The only thing I did hear is that she has custody of Lori Andrews's daughter.'
'That's great. I hope she has a terrific life.'
'She deserves one. You'd still be in jail if it weren't for her. She must have loved you a lot to risk so much for you.'
Dupre looked puzzled for a moment.
'You mean romantically?' he asked.
Amanda nodded.
'You've got that all wrong.'
