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“Disappointed?” Kendra asked.
“Well, it was kind of exciting while it lasted. I’ve never been a man of mystery before. Not that I’m not grateful.”
“You’ll have to be content with going back to work,” Kendra said. “We need you more than ever.”
“Yeah.” Trey pulled off his hat and sunglasses. “And Ireallywant to get this guy.”
***
Long Beach Swim Center
Southern California Regional Swim Meet
“This place is already mobbed.” Kendra’s gaze skimmed over the crowded, noisy sports center before turning to Tricia. “Lynch isn’t going to like this.”
Tricia shrugged. “Between the media and the audience, it’s always like this on meet days. It’s a university, the swimmers would be disappointed if they didn’t have their hour in the sun. You told me Lynch has been here since dawn checking security. He’s not going to let anything happen to me.” She shook her head as she studied Kendra’s face. “Stop worrying. For Pete’s sake, I want you to enjoy watching me be a star. All the time we’ve been together you’ve done nothing but take care of me and giveme support as if I were a half-wit kid. That wasn’t really me.” She added ruefully, “The star isn’t, either, but maybe you’ll be able to find something you can respect in between.”
“I’ve always respected you, Tricia,” Kendra said. “Respected and liked you and considered you my friend.” She suddenly grinned. “And I always knew the star was hiding somewhere beneath, but it was kind of her not to try to intimidate me. I promise I’ll be properly full of respect and adulation if the star peeks out today.”
“‘If’?” Tricia repeated. “A little confidence, please.” She gave Kendra a quick hug. “Now go find a front-row seat and watch me show off for you.” She broke away from her and ran toward her coach standing by the locker room door.
Kendra hesitated, watching Tricia with her teammates and coach all looking alike in their blue swimsuits, slim bodies, and glowing health and vitality. Yet even at this distance she could tell that Tricia was distinctive, the way she moved, her grace…
Then Tricia was suddenly looking across the center at Kendra. She took a step away from her teammates, lifted her thumb, and jerked it toward the audience seats.
Kendra broke into laughter. Yes, definitely distinctive, she thought, as she moved toward the front row of the seats where Tricia had told her to sit. Evidently, she was designated audience and not guardian or caregiver today and Tricia was making sure that she knew it.
***
Two Hours Later
“Having a good time?” Lynch asked as he stopped by Kendra’s chair. “I was keeping an eye on you, and I saw you on your feet a couple times.”
“More than a couple,” Kendra said. “And I wasn’t alone. Tricia had everyone on their feet cheering during that last heat. Were you watching?”
“I admit I couldn’t resist after she broke that record,” Lynch said. “That should make the evening news. I was proud of her.”
“Me too.” Kendra could still feel that coursing excitement. “She said she was going to show off for me. She certainly did. I had no idea she was that fast. You’ve been watching her every day. I guess you knew how good she was.”
“I talked to her coach, and she said Tricia was going to set more than one record at the Olympics this year. I guess today was a preview.”
“If she gets the opportunity. I told you how upset she was the other evening.”
“Maybe after she got this chance of being in the limelight, she might be willing to devote herself to her practice and forget about Milo for a while.”
“I don’t think so.”
He shrugged. “Neither do I. But I’m looking for a bright side.” He grinned. “And I believe we have one on the horizon. I just heard from Ripley, one of my contacts I’ve had combing the used-car lots in the city, and he thinks he’s located a Cadillac Milo turned in for a new model.” He added, “And the Walmart store across the highway that managed to get a photo when he turned the car over to the dealer.”
Kendra tensed. “You’re saying we have a photo of Milo?”
“Three.” He held up his fingers. “Or so Ripley tells me. He’s something of an overachiever. He promises to text them to me within the next hour or so.”
“Good,” Kendra said. “Because the minute we get our hands on his photo we’ll broadcast it to the entire world. It’s what we’ve been waiting for.”
“And as soon as he realizes we have it, he might disappear into the hands of the best plastic surgeon available,” Lynch said. “We’d better make hay while the sun shines and find him before he returns to anonymity.”
Kendra checked her watch. “This can’t last much longer. There’s one more heat and then the medal awards.”
