Run into Trouble by Alan Cook

there’s one thing. Sometimes
I have to get up at night to run errands for Fred. I might disturb
you.”
    It was Melody’s turn to smile. “As long as
the errands don’t involve him feeling you up, you won’t bother me.
I sleep like a stone.”
    Grace looked from one of them to the other.
“You’re such good people.”
    “Don’t let it get around,” Drake said with
mock concern. “You might ruin our reputations.” He saw the waitress
approaching with their plates. “Something smells delicious. Let’s
eat.”

    CHAPTER 12
    Today’s run is being split into two
parts. All of it is on hard surface. Start on 2 nd Street and head west into Long Beach. Jog left on
Livingston Drive. Jog right on Ocean Boulevard. Follow Ocean west
along the beach. Although you are permitted to run this section on
beach paths, Ocean is more direct, and if you stay on the left or
beach side of the street, you shouldn’t have a problem with cross
traffic. You will be able to see the Queen Mary at her permanent
dock. Continue on Ocean through downtown Long Beach and across the
Gerald Desmond Bridge to Terminal Island. On Terminal Island, Ocean
changes to Seaside Avenue. Stop at the entrance to the Vincent
Thomas Bridge where your time will be recorded.
    The Vincent Thomas Bridge is normally not
open to foot traffic, but we have received a special dispensation
to have it open it for 30 minutes from 10 to 10:30 a.m. All runners
must cross the bridge during this time period. Your time will start
again when the bridge opens for us. After crossing the bridge, head
south (left). Jog west to Pacific Avenue or Gaffey Street and
continue heading south. It is also okay to run on the smaller
streets until you get to 25 th Street.
Turn right (west) on 25 th . You must
be on 25 th Street when you cross
Western Avenue. 25 th Street becomes
Palos Verdes Drive South. Circumnavigate the fabulous Palos Verdes
Peninsula on Palos Verdes Drive South and Palos Verdes Drive West.
You will pass Marineland of the Pacific with its orcas, dolphins,
and seals. Palos Verdes Drive West becomes Palos Verdes Drive North
near Malaga Cove. Jog left on Palos Verdes Boulevard and follow it
to Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach where the run
ends.
    ***
    Drake was surprised at how well he was
adapting to running almost every day. He was controlling his back
pain with chiropractic sessions, lots of stretching, and baths that
Melody had talked him into taking when they stayed at a motel that
had bathtubs in the rooms. Being English, Melody was used to taking
hot baths, but she said that for running, a cool bath was better
than a hot bath—in fact, the colder the better.
    It took Drake a while to become convinced of
that, but he found that in fact a cold bath after running was good
not only for his back, but also his legs and feet.
    When the wakeup call came at 6 a.m., he felt
chipper enough to wish the caller a good morning.
    “Mr. Drake?”
    “Yes.” He was surprised that the desk clerk
was still on the line.
    “I have an envelope for you at the
desk.”
    Drake suddenly felt as cold as if he were
taking one of those baths.
    “Don’t touch it. I’ll be right there.”
    He pulled on some clothes and raced out to
the front desk, surprising the meek-looking man with glasses who,
he was certain, hadn’t expected him so fast.
    “Show me where the envelope is, but don’t
touch it.”
    The man looked scared. “I’ve—I’ve already
touched it, I’m afraid.”
    “That’s okay. I…I think it’s a prank. I
don’t want a dragon to pop out at you.”
    Slightly mollified, the clerk pointed to the
envelope, which was sitting on a table on his side of the counter.
He opened the door for Drake, who took a handkerchief out of his
pocket, stepped behind the counter, and carefully picked up the
envelope by its corner. He smiled at the clerk.
    “I have this friend who likes to play
practical jokes.”
    With his free hand, Drake reached into
another pocket and pulled out his