Run into Trouble

tide, run on Route 1 but watch for cars.
    ***
    “Running on concrete is more jarring to the knees than running on asphalt.”
    Drake made this observation as they wended their way past the many souvenir stands of Venice Beach. Interesting characters of all ages and manner of dress threatened to slow them down, but by going single file, the runners kept up a good pace.
    Melody did a double take at a man juggling several objects, including a whirring chainsaw, and hoped that his arm wouldn’t be amputated in the process.
    “When it’s a choice of concrete or sand, like today, I pick concrete for speed, but, of course, sand is easier on the body, at least for short distances. Because of our new policy of staying with the leaders, when the others are running on concrete, we have to also.”
    They had been within sight of the leaders all day. So had Tom and Jerry, which meant that nobody was gaining on them. Drake felt twinges in his back, a result of their faster pace. He was sure that Fred had set him up with a chiropractor for this afternoon, probably in Pacific Palisades or Santa Monica. Fred had been very good about taking care of his needs. Thinking of Fred reminded him that they hadn’t had a chance to discuss what if anything they should be doing about Fred.
    They passed the Venice Beach crowd and were in a quieter area. The other runners were spread out enough so they could talk without being overheard. Drake voiced his thoughts. “Fred has taken such good care of us that it’s hard to picture him as being part of this intrigue.”
    “Maybe the fact that he’s taking good care of us makes it easier to picture him as a conspirator. If he wants us to win, he should be catering to our every whim. He asked me if I needed a chiropractor, a massage, or anything else. He’s been very solicitous.”
    “He wants to get into your pants.”
    “If so, he’s not acting on it. Ever since the pageant he’s been the soul of politeness and respect.”
    “I’ve tried to think how we could confront him with the letters without all hell breaking loose and Grace getting fired.”
    “It could also endanger my mum. We can’t prove anything. I have a feeling that Grace would not be a reliable witness. She’d cave under threats. Whoever’s behind it, it’s more than just Fred.”
    Drake grabbed a handful of gorp from his pouch and shoved it into his mouth. He pondered while he chewed and swallowed. “Do you think Grace will talk to Fred about our conversation?”
    “I doubt it because she’s afraid of losing her job. However, that fear might make her report things about us to him that don’t implicate her.”
    “Making her a sort of triple agent. We have to be careful what we tell her. We can’t trust anybody.”
    “Just like when we were working together. We should feel right at home.”
    “Now I remember why I left you. It was because wherever you went, trouble followed.”
    “Speak for yourself, John.”
    ***
    Drake’s after-dinner regimen mainly involved getting himself ready for the next day. Since the routine included sleeping a lot, it didn’t give him much time for night life. Up to now he hadn’t felt like doing anything, anyway, but as his body healed, he began to have his old urges. So far he hadn’t acted on them beyond wondering whether it was possible for him to patch up his relationship with Melody.
    He had just emerged from a cold bath and was drying himself briskly with a too-small motel towel, trying to get some warmth back into his body. He couldn’t take a bath right after they finished running because he’d gone to a chiropractor, but he had to admit that Melody was right and the cold helped, even if hot water was a lot more comfortable.
    Sleeping, stretching, chiropractors, cold water. All necessary to keep his aging and damaged body moving. Once they got beyond the populated area of Southern California, daily chiropractic sessions would no longer be an option, so he had to take advantage of that opportunity while he could.
    It wasn’t even nine o’clock, and he didn’t feel like going to bed yet. He pulled on pants and a shirt without much of a plan beyond perhaps wandering over to the room shared by Melody and Grace to see if they wanted to play cards or something. The corridor was empty and everything was quiet. Tired runners weren’t noisy at night, so they didn’t disturb the other guests.
    Drake remembered that Melody’s room was the first one along the hallway. He