Run into Trouble

prevent running on the beach through La Jolla. Use the cliff path whenever possible. Otherwise, run on the adjacent streets. North of La Jolla run on the beach. A race official will record the time of each team where the run ends on the sand at Torrey Pines Beach. Please obey all traffic laws when running in populated areas. Race officials will observe the runners at various checkpoints and provide water. Runners taking shortcuts will be penalized by having time added. Any runners not covering the entire distance will be disqualified. Fred Rathbun has final judgment on penalties.
    ***
    When Drake tried to get out of bed the next morning, he knew he was in trouble. He couldn’t even sit up because of the pain in his back. He had spent most of the night in one position, not daring to move. He lay still for several more minutes, wondering whether he could lie there until his back got better. At least he wasn’t in pain when he didn’t move. The pressure on his bladder banished that thought.
    He knew that if he could roll over onto his side, there would be less pull on his back when he sat up. He finally managed that because he had no choice, but the pain almost overwhelmed him. He rested for another minute and made it to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. He grabbed the aspirin bottle from the nightstand and swallowed several of the white pills without benefit of water, ignoring the acidic taste.
    He wondered whether he could lift his legs high enough to pull on his pants.
    ***
    Several of the other runners were already eating breakfast at the Hotel del Coronado’s outdoor Boardwalk Café overlooking the blue ocean when Melody arrived there. Drake wasn’t among them. The air was still cool, but the sun was bright. It would get warm—perhaps too warm for marathon runners. It was a good thing they were running near the water where the temperature was always significantly cooler.
    She sat down at a table next to a slightly built man named Aki—she thought he might be Japanese—and ordered a light breakfast.
    Aki grinned at her. “Good day for running. I hope it doesn’t get too hot.”
    “I hope not.”
    The heat was the least of her worries, of which the major one was Drake’s fitness to continue. He had retired early last night, complaining of pain and fatigue. Million dollars or no million dollars, there was no point in torturing him. If they didn’t have a chance, why not pack it in?
    “Good morning, Melody. Morning, Aki.”
    Casey had a big smile on his face as he sat down beside Melody. He was wearing a conservative business suit with a tie this morning—Melody had to admit that he looked like a businessman—and radiated good humor.
    Melody studied his bright red tie. “I take it you’re not going to run today.”
    “Nope. Gotta get back to work.”
    “Where’s your office?”
    “Giganticorp’s headquarters is in San Jose. I’ll grab one of the shuttle flights that tool up and down the coast all day. They’re also going to make it easy for me to keep tabs on how you’re doing.”
    He ordered coffee from a hovering waitress, glanced at the menu, and then turned to Melody.
    “What do you hear from your teammate this morning?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Well, I’m sure he’ll be down in a few minutes. He looked strong yesterday. He appears to be recovering remarkably fast.”
    Casey was either a cockeyed optimist or trying to convince himself of Drake’s good health.
    Melody drank her orange juice while she contemplated a reply. Did she dare challenge the mighty Casey—CEO and self-proclaimed senatorial candidate?
    “I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to continue. He might injure himself permanently.”
    When Casey didn’t immediately say anything, Melody turned to look at him. The intensity in his blue eyes told her that he was fighting to hold back an outburst. He took a deep breath and a sip of coffee.
    “He has to continue. He can’t quit now, not at the start. A lot of time and expense has been put into Running California. He has no choice.”
    “Doesn’t he?”
    Melody and Casey turned around and saw Drake who had come up behind them silently. Part of his expression was covered by the bandage, but his lips were set in a grim line, and an unusual scowl creased his smooth forehead. He wasn’t dressed in running clothes. He sat down laboriously in the seat next to Casey.
    Melody broke the silence. “How do you feel?”
    “Don’t ask. At least I’m up and walking,