Run into Trouble

inland, as well. One of the reasons I like the U.S. is your strong private property laws, since property rights are mandatory for a free country.”
    “Unfortunately, we’ve also got something called eminent domain, which weakens the laws. If Casey can convince us that we’re being attacked and land grabs are necessary for our defense, he might get away with it.”

    CHAPTER 26
    Today’s run goes from San Simeon to Gorda on Route 1. You’ll leave San Luis Obispo County and enter Monterey County. The hardest part of the run is two hills after the county line that rise to over 700 feet. Then you’ll dip down close to sea level before climbing to Gorda at 300 feet. Traffic gets lighter as you head north, but be careful, especially since it’s Sunday.
    ***
    “Did you listen to Casey’s speech last night?” Melody addressed the question to Tom.
    They were running in a pack again, at least for the moment. She suspected this would come to an abrupt halt later in the day when they started climbing the hills. The hills would separate, as she liked to think, the men from the women—or at least most of the men from one woman. The men would not fare well.
    “Speech?” Tom was drawing a blank.
    Drake raised his voice to include all the runners within earshot. “Did anyone listen to Casey’s speech last night or read about it in this morning’s paper?”
    Apparently not, judging from the lack of response. Drake gave up and turned to Melody. “What we have here is a bunch of political apathetics.”
    “Unfortunately, what they don’t know can hurt them.”
    Melody and Drake had obtained a San Francisco newspaper that spoke about the controversy Casey had caused by divulging information the president had repressed. The article mentioned that people in the administration were calling for Casey’s scalp, saying that he had released classified information, but there was no proof given that it was actually classified.
    The other side said that when America’s security was at stake, people had a right to know everything. Some members of Congress praised Casey for making the information public. There were calls for an attack on the USSR. An editorial seemed generally favorable to Casey’s idea for the creation of a buffer of land between the people and the ocean but said exceptions should be made for populated areas like San Francisco.
    “What have we learned about our target?” Drake meant Casey, and kept his voice down so that the other runners wouldn’t hear their conversation.
    “He is ambitious, like Caesar was supposed to be—only I don’t hear a Marc Antony taking his side and denying it.”
    “He isn’t afraid of infringing on the rights of the populace, using national security as an excuse.”
    “Ever the excuse of those who would wield the power.”
    “You and I risked our lives fighting against this kind of tyranny. It looks like we’re back in the business again.”
    ***
    Gorda didn’t have much of anything, including motels and restaurants. It did have, as Drake noticed, probably the highest gasoline prices in the country. He and Melody ate dinner with Fred and his new assistant, Charles.
    Fred was beaming as they sat down at their table in the small, homey restaurant.
    “Congratulations, you two. You’re now in fourth place. Are you ready to take a shot at the lead?”
    “Sure,” Melody said. “I’m spending the evening casting spells on Tom, Jerry, Phil, and Brian to slow them down. It’s a good thing I’m a witch.”
    “You gained a few minutes on both teams today.”
    Drake made a face. “At the rate we’re gaining on them, we’ll catch them in a month or so. But, unfortunately, we’re almost out of time.”
    Charles spoke to Melody. “When I drove past you today on that first big hill, you were running away from the men. How do you do it?” His expression was a mixture of awe and admiration.
    Melody didn’t mind having male admirers, and if they were younger, that was all right too. Maybe she should sample some of that young stuff. After all, Drake had. She gave Charles her best smile.
    “I tie their shoelaces together, but I leave enough play so that they don’t notice it.”
    Drake didn’t mind Melody having male admirers, but did she have to smile at Charles like that? They were here for a purpose. It was time to get to work.
    He looked at Fred. “What did you think about Casey’s speech last night?”
    “I liked it. He said the things that had to be said. The