On Wednesday of that week, Jemimah concluded her meeting with the personnel department. Hired as a forensic investigator for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, she would spend much of her time not only working cases assigned to the main office but the Cerrillos substation as well. Her duties included profiling, conducting interviews, assisting in active investigations and resurrecting cold cases. Her skills on the shooting range needed to be honed. And after the fiasco with Tim McCabe, she decided to audit classes on CPR. The sheriff suggested she include seminars on police procedures and crime scene protocol.
As she strolled out of the complex toward her vehicle, Lieutenant Romero tapped his horn. She looked up and frowned. Keeping tabs on her again? He drove up next to her, reached over and pushed open the passenger door of his SUV.
“Hop in,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to buy you lunch to celebrate your new appointment.”
“Sorry, Rick, my day is filled with meetings and interviews. I’m trying to put together another forensic seminar, this time in Albuquerque.”
“Oh for god’s sake, Jem,” he said with exasperation. “You have to eat somewhere sometime. There’s a great new place just opened up on Alameda Road. I think it’s early enough we can beat the lunch crowd.”
“All right, you sold me.” Jemimah smiled, climbed into the passenger seat, and clipped the seat belt on. “I only had coffee for breakfast.” Who was she trying to convince? Herself or him?
Rick parked next to the curb in front of the building, got out and opened her door. The restaurant was busy, but they were seated quickly. The hostess led them to a corner booth.
“This is nice,” Jemimah said.
Hanging from the ceiling were colorfully painted bicycle wheels of various sizes. She was looking up at them trying to make the connection.
“The name of the place is Xyclo. They specialize in Vietnamese cooking. The name refers to the three wheeled bicycles used to transport passengers around Asian cities,” Romero said.
“Interesting,” she said.
“I’m glad we have this chance to catch up. I’ve wanted to ask you out to dinner.”
“Out, as in date?”
He smiled. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Does the hierarchy frown on inter-departmental dating? I haven’t read the five-hundred page employee handbook.”
“Only with subordinates,” he said. “I think we’re on an equal plane here.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said.
“Is that a yes?”
“No, it’s a no. I think we’re treading water, Lieutenant. I’m still annoyed with you for—”
“For what? My persistence in wanting you?”
“Among other things.” She waved away the waiter who had come to take their order.
“What other things? That I might just treat you like a woman for a change?”
“More like a sex object. I don’t appreciate going around town with you sporting me like a trophy.”
“Sounds like you’re a bit caught up in yourself, Doctor.”
“Give me a call when you grow up to be a big boy. Anyway, Lieutenant Rick. Thanks for lunch.” She tossed her napkin on the table and headed for the door. Romero motioned the waiter to bring him a drink.