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Chinese man waved the first cop over and then pointed at Cedric and at the man on the ground. The cop walked back over to Cedric.
    “We have a witness who says he saw you fornicating with the guy by the bushes.”
    “What?”
    “He says he saw you kiss him repeatedly and then reach between his legs and fondle him.”
    Cedric ran his fingers through his hair. This can’t be happening. “I was trying to save his life,” he said, louder than he had anticipated.
    “Hey, there’s no need to yell. Now, I’m not a medical expert, but I’m smart enough to know you can’t save a man’s life by jacking him off.”
    Over a thousand good cops in San Jose and Cedric got one with an attitude.
    The unconscious man was awake again and talking to the other cop. Cedric jumped up.
    “Ask him.” Cedric pointed to the man. “He’ll tell you. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “Calm down, sir.”
    “It’s true,” the man said, approaching Cedric. “He was trying to help me. I passed out. I tend to do that often.”
    The cop looked over the guy from head to toe. “Have you been drinking?”
    “No,” said the man.   “I have a medical condition. Please, nothing happened here, I promise you. Please let this kind man go.”
    The cop glanced over to his partner who was just getting off the phone.
    “Dispatch confirmed he called 9-1-1, but was cut off.”
    The other cop just shrugged his shoulders. “Okay then.” He turned toward the chronic fainter. “You should consider wearing a medical ID bracelet so people are aware of your condition.”
    “I can’t,” said the man. “I’m allergic to metals.”
    “They come in plastic. Get one.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Cedric ran his fingers through his hair as the cops walked away. “I need a vacation.”
    “Sorry you had to go through that,” said the man as he and Cedric watched the two police cars drive away. “But thanks, I appreciate you being so kind, helping a stranger.”
    “You’re welcome.” Cedric held out his hand. “I’m Cedric Johnson.”
    “Owen Fitzpatrick.”
    Cedric eyed the tennis bag. “You’ve got a lot of rackets there.”
    Owen laughed. “I guess you could say I’m a tennis enthusiast. Some people say I have a racket obsession and that wouldn’t be far from the truth. You play?”
    “Used to. I played on the varsity team in high school. After that, not so much. Don’t even think I have a racket anymore.”
    Owen pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to Cedric. “I could always use another playing partner. Give me a call if you ever want to hit the ball around. You can borrow one of my rackets.”
    Cedric shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to stink up the court.”
    “Hey, don’t let the rackets fool you, I’m not that good. If you change your mind … no pressure.”
    “Sounds good. I’m curious, have you ever passed out playing tennis?”
    Owen laughed. “Surprisingly, no. And I hope I never do.”
    They said their goodbyes and Cedric turned to walk back home, since he now lacked the motivation to continue the run. Although, truthfully, he should get back anyway, since he had a long list of things to accomplish for the day
    As he walked with Tofu, about a football field’s length in front of him, he noticed a woman crossing the street, wearing a turquoise blouse, just like the one Ellie wore.
    Was that her? It sure as hell seemed like it.
    Funny, Cedric had the sudden urge to run again.  
    He flew down the sidewalk with Tofu matching his speed stride for stride, like a champion show dog. He arrived at the corner where he saw her standing and—
    “Crap,” he said, looking around.
    She’d disappeared somewhere between the Starbucks and the library. Cedric let out a deep breath and looked in both directions again.
    He had his opportunity and he blew it.

Chapter Four
    Ellie recalled her date’s profile as she waited in the lobby of the restaurant. Chuck “The Buck” was a recent transplant from Tyler, Texas, and a