Defenseless by Adrianne Byrd Page A

about cutting his trip short.”
    â€œNever mind that. Was he able to get any information?”
    â€œHe hasn’t checked back in with me.”
    â€œWell, give me a call the minute he has something.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œOkay, thanks.”
    â€œOh, Dwayne?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œMiss Walters has called, looking for you.”
    â€œDid she call from the hospital?”
    â€œNo. She’s at her office downtown. Would you like the number? She has already called here three times.”
    â€œNo, just give me the address. I think I’d like to pay her a visit in person.” Dwayne took down the information and hung up. What in the hell was she doing at work?
    Â 
    Sonya sat uninterested in the proceedings that surrounded her. She kept watching the clock on the wall. Why hadn’t she heard anything by now? She had called Dwayne’s office three times this morning, and still there was nothing.
    The hospital had released her at nine o’clock this morning. She couldn’t take staring at those dull white walls in the hospital. By ten o’clock, she was home and was bored. When she remembered that she had a financial status meeting scheduled for eleven-thirty, she rushed to the office.
    She could tell by the many shocked faces at her office that they didn’t expect her to be in today, especially Sharon. She’d walked into her office to find Sharon’s legs kicked up on her desk and barking orders at her employees. Sonya laughed as Sharon nearly fell out of her chair, trying to get up. Now stuck in this meeting, she prayed that Dwayne would call her soon.
    â€œExcuse me,” she said, getting up from the table in the middle of one of her chief accountant’s speeches. She slipped quietly out of the conference room and rushed down to her office. She ignored the large stacks of paper on her desk as she reached for the phone.
    â€œHamilton, Locke and Associates,” came the familiar chirp from Carmen.
    â€œYes, is Mr. Hamilton in yet?”
    Carmen’s voice lost its merry tune as she replied, “No, Miss Walters, he’s not in. Would you like to leave yet another message?”
    â€œMiss Walters?” Tina interrupted.
    â€œNot now, Tina,” Sonya scolded without turning to look at her secretary. “As for you, Miss Deaton, I think that I’ve had just about enough of your attitude today,” Sonya continued into the phone. “You will either talk to me with the proper respect or—”
    â€œMiss Walters, I’m afraid there is a Mr.—”
    â€œNot now, Tina!” Sonya screamed, turning to face her secretary, but was shocked to see Dwayne towering behind Tina’s five-foot-two frame. Sonya instantly hung up the phone with an angry Carmen shouting on the other end.
    â€œAs I was saying, Miss Walters, there is a Dwayne Hamilton here to see you.”
    â€œI can see that, Tina. Thank you. You may leave now,” Sonya said, going to sit in her chair. She knew her flushed cheeks gave away her embarrassment. “Won’t you please have a seat?” she offered, gesturing to a chair in front of her desk.
    Dwayne took a brief look around her spacious office, nodding his head. “Nice,” he said casually as he took his seat.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI thought you were supposed to stay in the hospital for twenty-four hours?” he asked. His voice held concern.
    Sonya glanced away from his probing eyes. “I was, but I was beginning to feel the walls closing in on me.”
    â€œI see,” Dwayne answered, standing up to walk toward her.
    Sonya’s eyes widened in alarm as his hand reached up to feel her head. She started to pull away, but she felt the firm hold at the back of her neck.
    â€œBe still. I just want to examine your bruise.”
    â€œAre you going to tell me that you’re a doctor as well as a defense lawyer?”
    Dwayne let out a deep chuckle.