Chapter 4

"Don't get distracted—really take in how beautiful Greenhill Lake is!"

The operator was shouting at me from the boat, but I could barely make out the words anymore.

My phone had gone somewhere. If it weren't for the life vest, I'd already be at the bottom of the lake.

It's a little ridiculous to admit, but I can't really swim.

My mom used to tease me about it.

"When your dad was alive, she could go anywhere she wanted in Greenhill Reservoir. How did you turn out to be such a landlubber?"

She could tease all she liked. I never had any intention of learning.

It was one of the few small pleasures in the arguments between me and my mom.

"No way. You seriously can't swim?"

"That Carmen Finch, honestly. Why drag you out here if you can't swim? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"

The operator kept up her chatter, but her face said otherwise.

I could tell she didn't take any of this seriously.

After thrashing around uselessly for a while, I gave up.

Oddly enough, once I did, I steadied out and floated on the surface.

"Pull me up."

I shouted it at her.

She raised her arm and checked her watch.

"Not even ten minutes yet. We'll talk in ten minutes."

I don't know how much time passed, but I think I'll remember this scene for the rest of my life.

One person sitting pretty on a little boat, still in the mood to make calls and reel in more customers.

While the customer she'd reeled in was soaking in the lake.

"Now I'll give you two choices."

After a few more calls, the operator took up the tow rope, stood at the bow, and called down to me.

"Option one, I throw you this rope and you cruise Greenhill Lake behind the boat. That one's free."

"Option two, I personally take you down into the depths of Greenhill Lake so you can appreciate how magnificent it is."

"That one's a bit pricier. Ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eight!"

Even with my patience, there was no way I could smile at her now.

"I'd love to pick option two. But where's my phone?"

She pointed at my life vest.

"If your phone's waterproof, congratulations—the vest has a strong magnet, so it shouldn't have fallen into the lake."

"And if it isn't, no problem. My payment machine can charge by face scan."

I reached up and patted myself down, and sure enough, there was the phone.

That only made me angrier.

I'd assumed they were making it up as they went. Turns out it was planned from the start.

"Pull me up first, then I'll scan and pay you."

The operator nodded and tossed the rope over without hesitation, as if she wasn't the least bit worried I'd back out.

I gripped the rope and was hauled up beside the boat, and then she reached down with both hands and dragged me straight aboard.

I stood on the little boat, dripping wet, and asked her, half curious.

"You're that strong?"

The operator gave a smug little laugh.

"I'd rather change the subject. I'm a born-and-raised local."

"And on this boat, don't even think about starting anything with me. You can't beat me."

Then, like a magic trick, she pulled a few certificates out from behind her.

"Runner-up, martial arts championship. Asian title belt…"

"You look like a reasonable guy. You wouldn't go looking for trouble, would you?"

That only made me more puzzled.

But she was pushing me to pay, so I took out my phone and scanned again.

"…Payment successful."

At the pleasant chime of money landing, the operator flashed me a grin, two rows of white teeth.

"Thanks. Come again next time."