Run into Trouble

have written my mum in Rotherfield.”
    “How long have you been in the U.S.?”
    Melody sat on the edge of the bed beside Drake and appeared to deflate, like a balloon.
    “Two years. Our little island became too small for me. I knew where too many bodies were buried, literally and figuratively. So I came to the land of the free and the home of the brave. I may even become a citizen someday.”
    “Where are you living?”
    “Denver. Running at high altitude is great conditioning for running at sea level. I’m working at a Jack LaLanne health club as a fitness instructor and running the occasional marathon, when I can find one that accepts women. What about you? Tell me your recent history in two sentences or less.”
    Nonstop physical activity. That sounded like the Melody he knew. If anybody were in shape for this race, she was.
    “I resigned four years ago. I’ve been living with my sister and brother-in-law in Idyllwild, which is about a hundred miles from here. It’s also in the mountains, a mile high, same as Denver. I’ve been selling real estate and working out. I ran Boston last spring.”
    “Fancy that. We’re both running marathons. I’m planning to run Boston next year. We might have run into each other, sometime, if you’ll excuse the little joke. Except for your face, you look fit. Well, I guess the first thing we have to decide is whether we’re going to quit while we’re behind or have a go at this.”
    “What did they tell you about the collision?”
    “That it was an accident. Your taxi was rear-ended, I believe.”
    “It was no accident. The truck driver hit us deliberately.”
    Melody caught her breath. “What else do you have to tell me?”
    “Actually, that’s it. I haven’t had any contact with the agency for four years. I don’t know why anybody would want to eliminate me. I doubt that any of our Russian friends care about me any longer. I don’t want to expose you to any more danger. The one thing I was happy about when I left you was that you would be safe. You were, weren’t you?”
    “I didn’t suffer any physical repercussions, if that’s what you mean. Only emotional. I was reassigned. But we were in it together, Drake. We were both professionals. I knew what I was doing.”
    “Okay, but this is different. You’re a civilian now.”
    Melody turned and looked into his bloodshot eyes with her green ones. When she did that, Drake was sure she could penetrate his brain and his very soul. Slowly her expression changed, and a smile lit up her face.
    “To tell you the truth, life has been a bit boring since you left. The year I spent with you was a lot of things, but it was never dull. I don’t know what chance we have of winning the million, but it might be a lovely adventure.”
    “Then the first thing we have to do is get me in shape to run.”
    Melody’s manner became brisk. “Tell me about your injuries. I assume your nose won’t be a problem, except that it may spoil your pretty-boy looks if it ends up misshapen. That may be a good thing. I won’t be tempted to shag you.”
    “I have a few minor cuts, as you can see. Other than that, I have a bruise on my chest…”
    Melody began unbuttoning his shirt. When Drake protested, she said, “I’m a certified fitness instructor. Hold still. I’m not going to rape you.”
    She pronounced his chest satisfactory. He told her about his back.
    “Take off your belt and lie on the bed on your stomach.”
    That was easier said than done because the act of lying down was painful to Drake. When he finally got comfortable, she pulled his shirt up and examined his back. She also pulled his pants down a little. His back hurt when she touched it.
    “I prescribe an ice pack. You can put ice cubes in a towel. I’ll get you some. Have you got any aspirin?”
    “The doctor gave me morphine, but I flushed it down the toilet.”
    “That sounds like you. I’ll get you some aspirin. That won’t kill you.”
    “There’s something bothering me.” Drake laboriously rolled over onto his back. “You and I being matched for this race is far too great a coincidence.”
    “I was thinking the same thing. Giganticorp knows a lot more about us than is good. What we did together was top secret. Especially what we did when we were off duty.”
    Drake smiled at the thought. “We need to keep our eyes open.”
    “And our mouths zipped. Loose lips sink ships.”
    “Seriously.”
    “Seriously. Of course you’re right. You were