Guy was down in the exercise room enjoying a long, slow workout session. He liked his privacy. Their facility wasn’t one of those with the big picture windows where everyone could always see both in and out; that was way too much distraction, for his taste. A few other residents had come in and out that evening but other than nodding to them, he’d just kept at it, and left on his earphones. He didn’t feel much like talking tonight. Carrie was entertaining—a girls’ night in—and he’d decided to make himself scarce. She and the ladies could do very well without him. He also wished to avoid being set up with one of her friends, whether she really intended or not for that to happen. They neither of them ever openly discussed it. Lee also was on her own about whether to join the party. Usually when she’d had enough of adults, she pleaded homework and went to her room. It was Sunday night, so it would be easy for her to make the excuse.
The big moon of a clock on the wall advised him that, at quarter to nine, it was still too early to go back upstairs; perhaps a swim would kill some time. He always carried both towel and trunks in his gym bag. He could change into his swim gear in the Mens room connecting the lobby and the pool, then afterward rinse off there, and go on up. It then occurred to him that he might wheel the big portable TV set into the pool area. He thought it would just about reach. It was positioned in that central alcove in the corridor so it could be moved around as needed in the lobby or meeting room, or in this case, as he wanted. He saw no reason not to move it; no little kids racing and tripping over the cord, at this time of night. He could watch a show while taking an easy trawl through the pool. It might be quite relaxing. He preferred watching sports involving a goal at either end, the back and forth action.
In the corridor, he was surprised to see an extension cord already trailing along the floor and under the pool room door. He heard voices from inside. Perhaps somebody else had the same idea. Curious, he pushed open the door. The TV was there alright, apparently tuned to a cooking demonstration. There was also a man, floating face down near the center of the pool. Guy dropped his bag. It landed on his foot. Cursing, he hobbled over to the edge. He couldn’t see who it was, couldn’t see the face. Galvanized, he rushed over to the rescue equipment, yanking off his t-shirt as he went.
As Gertie was finally beginning to unwind in the whirlpool, Bert was getting angrier by the moment. He hadn’t spent all this money for a penthouse for his daughter to be attacked by a low-life. He wanted to find out who it was, get him thrown out of the association. They could drum somebody out for inappropriate behavior, he knew, and what could be worse than this sort?
“Gertie?,” he said gently through the bathroom door, “you alright, then?”
“Sure, I’ll be fine, thanks.”
“Well then, I think I’ll just go down for my nightly stretch. I won’t be long. I’m leaving Pocano here, with you.”
“Alright, but lock the door!”
“Will do.” He even double checked it on the way out, muttering, “Poor kid,” and then, “Bastard.”
Tonight, he had no intention of taking that stretch. He went straight to the pool. Maybe the guy was still there and he could see who it was. As he approached the door, he heard the TV, just as Gertie had said; strange place for it to be. The first thing he saw was Guy Karon. No, it couldn’t be him! Anyway, Gertie knew Guy.
As he began to take in the scene before him, he had the impression of a classical painting depicting an ancient mariner floundering above the depths. Karon, bare-chested, seemed alternately paddling and beating at a man who was face down in the water, steering him along by use of a long white pole that he gripped, muscles bulging, with a bunch of swaying gray cloth. Guy looked up, wild-eyed.
“Oh God, Steinhardt, help me.” Bert was wary and stood his ground.
“What are you doing?” Bert managed to ask, above the racket of the TV playing an ad for beer. Guy, short-winded, gasped his reply.
“Found him…didn’t grab the ring…trying to see who…get him to the side…might still be alive.”
It was becoming a little clearer to Bert that Guy was not murdering this man, that the man was apparently already a corpse, or well on his way to being one. He certainly looked like every picture of a drowned person he’d ever seen. As Bert also wanted to know exactly who was in the water, he went over, knelt down, and lowered his face as Guy maneuvered the body a little closer.
“Who is it…can you see?”
“Not one of ours, I’m pretty sure. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s someone else. You get down and look.” Guy set down the rescue pole, leaned over, and watched as the body gently bobbed in the still rippling water.
“What?? It’s the Mangold kid, isn’t it?”
“That would be my guess. Asshole.” He was about to mention that Gertie had been assaulted just a few minutes before, in all likelihood by this man—witness the beer cans in the water—but he stopped himself. I’ll keep Gertie out of this, he reasoned.
“What in the name of Hades was he doing here?” Guy disgustedly pitched the pole into the water. “This is the last thing we need. There will be all hell to pay over this.” Pulling the gray t-shirt back over his head, he warned. “Fingerprints. Keep your hands in your pockets.” All Bert could feel in his pockets was some loose change.
“Mercenary jerk.” Bert pronounced over the dead man, and flipped a few coins into the water. “Not wanted on the voyage.”
“You paying his fare then, Bert?”
“We have to keep quiet about this, Guy. Does anyone know you’ve been in here?”
“No, I’ve been alone since I left the work-out room. Haven’t seen anyone. You?”
“No, I’m just down taking a breather before I turn in. The usual.”
“Then, I agree. Not a word to anyone. Let’s just go up.”
“What about the TV? Think I should put it back?”
“Definitely not. Too risky. Besides, it’ll give the kid something to do.” Bert scoffed, changing the TV to a travel channel. “Maybe he’ll get the idea, and go away.” Sensing some private joke, Guy didn’t inquire.
“Let’s get out of here.”