Dawn Patrol

61

A steep set of stairs runs down to the beach from the back of Shrink's.

It cuts through a berm of red clay planted with succulent ankle-high ground cover that blossoms red in the spring but now looks silver and glossy under motion-activated lamps set in the ground every twenty feet.

Dan negotiates the stairs with surprising grace for a big man. He holds the pistol in one hand; the other glides along the pipe railing as he calls, “Tammy? I just want to talk with you, baby!”

If she's out there, she doesn't answer.

The night fog is coming in fast, already obscuring the water and the beach. Dan pauses on a landing and listens.

“Tammy!” Dan yells. “There's nothing to be afraid of! We can work this out, girl!”

He waits for an answer, the pistol poised to shoot in the direction of a voice. No response comes, but then he hears footsteps, running down the stairs below him.

Dan chases her down the stairs.

Onto the beach, into the fog.