Run into Trouble

which is more than I could say twenty minutes ago.”
    Drake ordered breakfast from the menu. Aki looked uncomfortable, excused himself, and left the table. Casey didn’t say anything. He appeared to be unnaturally subdued. Melody couldn’t think of anything more to say. She thought her point had been proved.
    Drake managed a smile. “Did I walk in on a funeral? If so, I’d like to know who died. Not me. I’ll be fine. I just need a little rest.”
    Casey found his tongue. “You’re right, of course. But you’re in excellent condition, overall. I think if you start slowly and get some more chiropractic treatments, you’ll work your way out of it. To show you my heart’s in the right place, I’ll give you—you and Melody—a thousand dollars just for completing today’s run. Five hundred apiece. Just don’t tell the others.”
    Melody bristled. “It isn’t about money.”
    Drake smiled for the second time. “Maybe it is about money. All right, we accept. A thousand dollars just for today.”
    ***
    “Tell me again why you wanted to continue.”
    Melody sipped water from her canteen and watched Drake as he sat on a rock beside the La Jolla caves and attempted to bend over and touch his feet. He was trying to get the kinks out of his back.
    The sweat on Drake’s face wasn’t just from the warm sun.
    “I can’t remember. Oh yes, I said it was for the money. Well, the money’s nice, but there’s something more. It’s a feeling I have.”
    “Intuition?”
    “Intuition is what women have. But something doesn’t feel quite right. Why is Casey willing to pay us a thousand dollars a day to stay in the run? That’s a lot of money. He wants us really bad.”
    Before flying to San Jose, Casey had upped his monetary offer from a single payment to a thousand dollars a day—payable when they finished the run.
    “Compared to the million dollar prize, a thousand dollars a day isn’t a lot of money. It’s also very clear that he doesn’t want me; he wants you. I’m just your partner. Here to provide you aide and comfort. Although I’m not providing the kind of comfort that Casey probably envisions.”
    “I’m not capable of enjoying it right now, anyway. I saw the article about the opening of the bridge in the San Diego Union this morning. Casey got a lot of publicity for his announcement that he’s a candidate for the Senate. There’s a picture of him with us in the background. I have a feeling he’s going to milk this run for the publicity value.”
    “What gave you the first clue, Sherlock? That’s not a crime, is it?”
    “Not yet. I also keep going back to the accident that wasn’t an accident. Who and why? I don’t have any enemies in the U.S. government that I know of. And it’s a bit late for a foreign government to eliminate me. I’m harmless.”
    “Maybe it’s somebody closer to home. Are any of your mates pissed at you?”
    “I don’t have many mates. One thing I remember—the driver of the truck slowed down just before he hit the taxi. He didn’t hit it as hard as he could have.”
    “He felt sorry for you.”
    Drake struggled to his feet. “Right. Well, if we’re going to finish today’s run—and I use the word ‘run’ loosely—before midnight, we’d better get our bodies moving.”
    ***
    “How far behind the others do you think we are?”
    Melody wondered why Drake cared how far behind they were.
    “We’ve only been doing this for a few hours, so we can’t be more than a few hours behind.”
    “You’re so reassuring. I’m glad we’re partners.”
    “I try to look on the bright side. Hey, that man isn’t wearing any clothes.”
    “This area is called Black’s Beach. It’s clothing optional.”
    “You didn’t warn me about it.”
    “I like to surprise you.”
    “It’s a surprise, all right. But…” Melody looked around as more optional men came into view. “Not necessarily a bad one.”
    “Where are the girls? There are supposed to be girls here.”
    Melody patted Drake on the back. “Aw, poor Drake. No naked birds to ogle. In your body’s present state it’s probably just as well. We don’t want to place any extra strain on it.”
    Drake glared at her. He had already been going slowly and was now moving at what could only be described as at a labored walk.
    “It’s not worth it. I’ve been watching you all day. The money isn’t worth your pain and anguish. Let’s call the whole thing off.” Melody repeated her last sentence,