I got on the computer and played a quick game of hearts. That's my tension reliever. I had bad luck and ate the queen of spades a couple of times, but then I shot the moon and beat the three computer-generated players, as I usually do. All in less than five minutes.

I checked my email and then shut down the computer. I picked up my phone again and punched in the number my father had given me for Arrow, wondering about the origin of her name.

"Arrow speaking."

The voice was louder than Esther's, more businesslike.

"Hi, this is Karl Patterson."

"You sound like your father."

She spoke rapidly and with assurance.

"We're supposed to get together."

"How about the Norms on PCH in half-an-hour?"

"Uh…I guess that would be all right."

"Do you need 45 minutes?"

"No…no; half an hour's fine. How will I know you."

"Don't worry, I'll know you."

***

Half an hour didn't give me much time. I didn't feel the need to wear my one and only suit, but I did put on a decent pair of slacks and a sport shirt. And shoes. You can't go to business meetings barefoot. I grabbed a yellow lined pad and the gold Cross pen I had found on the beach. As I was about to descend the stairs for the fourth time that morning I heard a splash through my open window.

I went to the window and my suspicions were confirmed. Jacie was taking her morning swim. And she didn't wear a swimsuit. She was oblivious to the morning coolness-and to me. I had to pass the swimming pool to get to the garage. I was trapped in my own house. I hesitated, not wanting to be late, then thought, what the hell. If she didn't care why should I?

At least she never bothered to check whether I was home before taking her swim. I always felt guilty watching her from my window, probably because she was married to my father. But I watched her anyway.