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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, singing it to the tune of the song with the same name.
    “You always were the sensible one. All right, we’ll tell Fred as soon as we get to our motel, or wherever we’re staying tonight. We’ll leave Casey alone to play whatever game he’s playing.”
    ***
    Although Fred wasn’t wearing a tie, he still looked like a businessman with his pressed pants, expensive shoes, and sweater worn over a white shirt. Because the day was too warm for the sweater, his face was red and wet, and he mopped it with a large handkerchief. Casey had done the same thing. Were plus-size handkerchiefs standard issue at Giganticorp? Fred drove Drake, Melody, and a young woman they hadn’t seen before to their motel near the campus of the University of California at San Diego.
    The woman, who was dressed more casually than Fred, in shorts and a Running California shirt, had met Drake and Melody on the beach where the day’s run officially ended. She clicked her stopwatch as they came up to her and introduced herself as Grace Harbison, a Giganticorp employee. She must be one of the race officials mentioned in the written briefing they had received that morning concerning the day’s route. She called Drake Mr. Drake.
    She led them up a steep hill from the beach. Grace and Melody climbed it effortlessly, or so it seemed to Drake, but it almost did him in and increased his resolve to quit the race. After they had registered at the motel, Fred escorted them to