“I understand you postponed the start of the race just for me.”

“Yes, but it’s not a problem. We’ll start tomorrow morning at Border Field State Park and still be here in time to cross the Coronado Bridge in conjunction with its grand opening tomorrow afternoon.”

“I take it there’ll be publicity.”

“Lots of press and brouhaha. Yup.”

Drake had to phrase this carefully. “I have a concern. The accident…may not have been an accident.”

“I get your drift. You’re under my protection. As long as you’re part of Running California, you have nothing to fear.”

Big words. Confident words, but, somehow, Drake almost believed them.

“I’m not really going to be in shape to run tomorrow.”

“That’s all right. The first day is ceremonial. Everybody will run together in a group and be given the same time. It doesn’t matter how fast you go.”

Drake hadn’t gathered that from the information about the race. He guessed that the Golden Rule came into play here-he who owns the gold makes the rules.

“May I ask you one more question?”

“Anything.”

“Why are you doing this? Not just the race, itself, but the million dollar prize. I’m sure you could have offered much less-”

“We think big at Giganticorp. This will be great publicity for the company and for the state of California. And for the runners. I know that in the past you’ve avoided the spotlight, but you might get to like it.”

Drake wondered. “I almost forgot. Who’s my partner?”

“Wait here.”

Casey gave Drake an enigmatic smile and left the room.

***

“You look terrible.”

Drake stumbled backward from the doorway. His headache suddenly doubled in intensity. He would recognize that face and musical English accent anywhere, even though the words were far from musical. It was Melody. Or her ghost.