I tilted my head back and floated in the water, looking up at the house, which was now dark except for a few softly lit windows. What a day this had been! Though it was late, I was glad I had decided to come out here to unwind. Now I could swim some laps, then head back to my room for a good night’s sleep.

Time and worries faded from my comprehension as I swam, and I was grateful. Sometimes I could find the same mind-numbing rhythm in swimming that I always got from rowing. Now I was one with the water—stroke, stroke, breath, stroke, stroke, breath, back and forth, one end to the other, again and again. When I completed my fiftieth lap, I flipped over and slowed my pounding heart rate with a gentle backstroke, five more laps, finally coming to a stop in the shallow end.

I rested near the concrete steps, the back of my head tilting against the cold cement edge of the pool. Though I had never been one for conspicuous consumption, I did have to admit that I had often toyed with the notion of installing a pool at my house. Now as I let my body gently rock and float in the water, my toes just breaking the surface, I wondered what it would cost, exactly, and how long it would take to have one put in.

I was designing the shape and placement in my mind when I saw the final lights click off in the Smythe house, and I realized I should probably go inside. After this warm water, the air was going to feel twice as chilly. I was just bracing myself to stand up and climb out when I saw movement along the side of the house.

My heart skipped a beat as I quickly ducked back down, my chin just above the surface of the water. Looking out across the dark yard, sure enough, there was someone moving from the house diagonally across the lawn. Though I supposed it could’ve been just another late-night swimmer, something about this figure’s movements suggested actions a little more circumspect.

As the person drew nearer, I realized it was Judith, and that she had changed from her earlier business attire into a more casual outfit of black jeans and a dark shirt. I was wondering whether I should call out to her when suddenly she turned toward the back of the property and quickened her pace. I watched her go, trying to remember what was back there. From my earlier walk, I seemed to recall some kind of outbuilding, like a shed or a small barn.

As quietly as possible, I stepped out of the pool, grabbed my towel from a nearby footstool, and wrapped it around me. Silently, I slipped on my shoes, then I quickly padded off after Judith, keeping enough distance so she wouldn’t see me, but still following closely enough behind so I wouldn’t lose sight of her in the dark. Here I am again, I thought, following one of Wendell’s children into the woods. I could only hope I wasn’t being foolish this time, too.