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Run into Trouble

Run into Trouble

Titel: Run into Trouble Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Alan Cook
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reading the papers, but Running California is generating a lot of great publicity for the state. I was able to convince the powers that be that letting us run over the bridge would be good for the local economy, including the shipyards—both Long Beach and Los Angeles.”
    Drake shook his head. “It’s a shame they didn’t provide a pedestrian walkway when they built the bridge. I said the same thing about Coronado.”
    “If I were in charge, they would have.” Casey was puffing with the uphill climb to the top of the arch. “Say, you are running faster.” He took a look at Drake. “I can’t believe how well you’re doing. No limp, and your face looks almost like the picture of you I saw when we were recruiting. I remember thinking I want this handsome guy to be part of Running California. I figured the photographers would love you.”
    Melody frowned. “Don’t compliment him. He’s conceited enough already.”
    Casey laughed. “I assume that you two have no more doubts about staying in the race.”
    “As long as Tom and Jerry remain in good health, we have about as much chance of winning as I, a non-citizen, have of being elected president.”
    Casey looked around to see where the other runners were. He spoke in a low voice. “That’s why I’m paying you.”
    That triggered something in Drake’s brain. “Why do you care so much whether we stay in the race? If I continue to improve, we’ll probably move up a few places because of problems like Aki’s having, but Melody’s right about our chances of winning.”
    “First, because you’re the only woman in the race.” He nodded at Melody. “We talked to several other women we thought could stick it out, but they weren’t able to commit the time. Second,” indicating Drake, “because you’re a war hero.”
    “That’s bullshit. I’m no more a hero than hundreds of other guys. Why didn’t you pick somebody younger who fought in Vietnam?”
    “Vietnam’s not a popular war. You’re the one we wanted.”
    “One more thing. Putting Melody and me together is too much of a coincidence. How did you know we knew each other?”
    Casey smiled. “Do you know who’s on our Board of Directors?”
    Generals and admirals who had access to top secret information.
     
    CHAPTER 13
    “This road is daft with its patches and rollercoaster ups and downs. It looks as bad as some of our country lanes in the backward areas of England.”
    “This is a slide area. A lot of houses were destroyed here a few years ago. The slide is ongoing. They have to keep rebuilding the road. You can see that the sewer pipes are aboveground.”
    They were running on Palos Verdes Drive South with the dry brown hill of the Palos Verdes Peninsula on the right and a cliff heading down to the water on the left. A few lonely houses remained on the nearby hillside, some held in place with jacks. They ran past the slide into an area called Abalone Cove. A black Porsche was parked in a turnout ahead. A man was leaning against the car, staring out to sea.
    He looked familiar to Drake. “Is that who I think it is?”
    “It’s our old friend, Slick. What shall we do, run past him and then stop?”
    “Sounds good, although I hate to waste the time when we’re doing so well.”
    “We’ll make it short.”
    They were still with the pack of runners and didn’t want their rendezvous to be noticed. Casey had long since left them. They ran fifty yards past the turnout where Melody spoke for the benefit of the other runners.
    “I’ve got something in my shoe.”
    Melody and Drake stopped and let the other runners pass them. They walked back to the turnout where Slick was still looking out to sea as if pining for a shipwrecked lover.
    “Aren’t you a long way from home?”
    Drake’s greeting purposely had an edge to it. After all, Slick hadn’t exactly exhibited much warmth toward them.
    “Good day for a drive.”
    Slick finally turned and looked at them. He was dressed in tight jeans and a colorful sport shirt and was wearing his trademark mirror sunglasses. Drake wondered what Slick’s eyes looked like. He suspected Melody was wondering the same thing. She went for tall, good-looking men.
    Drake took off the pouch and opened it. He pulled out the bag with the envelope and note. It also contained the page with the desk clerk’s fingerprints. He quickly explained the contents of the bag to Slick.
    Melody took a bite of banana. “Have you found any prints on the other

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