Douglas Dorow - The Ninth District

At the far end of the bridge, the driver stopped and told them about the restoration of the area mill buildings into upscale condos and the creation of the Mill City Museum. She pointed out the millraces and tunnels below the end of the bridge. Jack looked up at the condos and noted the people on the balconies partying and waiting for the pyrotechnic displays to begin. He thought his view would be better in the grass; the price was right and the company was better. He gave Julie’s hand a squeeze.

“Dad, can you believe there are tunnels under here?”

Lynn tapped Jack’s arm to get his attention. He looked at her. “What, sweetie?”

“The driver said there were old tunnels under the ground here from when they used water power to do work at the mills that used to be here. It would be so cool to go down in them.”

“I don’t think that’s part of the tour today.”

“They used to give tours in boats, a long time ago. That’s what she said.”

“We’ll stick to the trolley.” Jack’s mind drifted as the trolley continued on its route up the hill past the new condo development. The driver talked about the restoration of the Milwaukee Depot and the development of the hotel and indoor ice-skating rink that was open year round.

Jack thought again about his family, being with them, holding Julie’s hand. He looked over at Julie and studied her profile until she looked over at him. He smiled and leaned over. “Are you having a good time, Jules?” Before she could answer, Willy interrupted.

“Dad, Dad, I told you it was going to rain. Look.” The windshield wipers squeaked back and forth to remove a few drops from the trolley windshield.

“Well, I hope it’s just a sprinkle.” Jack turned back to Julie to get her response. The trolley started over the Hennepin Avenue Bridge to return them to Nicollet Island.

Lynn spun in her seat. “Dad, did you hear that?”

“Yeah, I know, it’s raining.”

“No, she said the Federal Reserve has never been robbed. Is that right?”

“What’s the Federal Reserve?” Willy asked.

“It’s that building back there at the end of the bridge. It’s like the bank for banks.” Jack looked back at Lynn. “What did you say?”

“The driver said that building was the Ninth District Federal Reserve and that the Federal Reserve had never been robbed.”

Jack looked back through the windows at the Federal Reserve; the color from the lights blurred by the rain running down the glass. That had to be it.

“You guys are so smart.” He cupped Lynn’s face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Ross.

“Junior, I think I know what he’s after.”

“Jack, I was just going to call you. We figured who Sandy was with at Sheiks and on the boat. He’s a…”

Lightning flashed and thunder drowned out Ross’ voice. Sheets of rain pounded the windows and roof of the trolley like a snare drum. “Can you repeat that?” Jack asked. “It’s storming out here and I couldn’t hear you.”

“We figured out who Sandy was with at Sheiks and out on Lake Minnetonka. It was a developer who lives in The Riverview condos by St. Anthony Main.”

“I’m right there.” Jack thought about the developer who had been complaining about the dead body found in the river when he was out on his run and ran into Patty.

“I know. That’s why I was going to call you. Even though you said not to call. I’m heading over there now.”

“I’ll meet you at the street entrance. Hurry up.”

The trolley pulled to a stop in front of the Nicollet Island Inn, completing its loop. The driver spoke over the loud speaker. “Well folks, I hope you enjoyed the tour. Happy Fourth of July. Sorry about the weather. If you want to wait on the bus for a while, feel free.”

Jack jumped up. “I have to get off.”

“Jack, what are you doing?” Julie asked.

“I have to go, Jules.” Jack sat back down and leaned over to speak quietly so others on the trolley wouldn’t hear him. “That was Ross. The agent I’m working with. They’re going to search a condo near here that they think belongs to the Governor. I have to be there.”

Julie turned away and looked out the window of the trolley.

“Come on, Julie. I have to go. This guy’s killed a couple of people and I think he tried to kill me.”

“I know. Just go, Jack.”

“Julie, look at me.” Julie turned and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “You don’t know how much I’ve been looking forward to spending the day with you guys.” Jack took a deep breath and braced himself. “But I have to go.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry.” Jack slid out of the seat and bent down by the kids. “Guys, I have to go catch a bad guy so I can’t spend the rest of the day with you. I feel real bad about it. I hope it stops raining so you can see the fireworks.” He kissed his right hand, then his left and put one on each of their heads. “I had a great day. I’ll see you later. Watch your mom for me. And take care of the dog.”

Jack got off the trolley, the rain immediately attacking him. He saw a police officer sitting in a cruiser and asked him to keep an eye on his family until somebody from the FBI office came. Jack took off at a jog to meet Ross at the apartment building.

Puddles were forming in depressions in the streets and sidewalks. Water ran down the gutters into the sewers on its way to the Mississippi River. People were huddled in the buildings and under eaves waiting for the storm to pass. Jack splashed through the puddles, his feet squishing in his waterlogged shoes.

Rain pushed the people from the balcony back into the condominium. The Governor made sure the servers kept moving about the rooms serving the hors d’oeuvres and that the bartenders poured the drinks.

“It’s a great view.” The Governor handed two glasses of wine to a couple standing at the window. “If the rain stops we’ll have a great view of the fireworks in a few hours.” He pointed out some of the landmarks to the couple and talked about the development of restaurants and stores that made the location more desirable. “No, questions on the property? Enjoy the evening.”

The couple left the Governor to his view. He looked over the river and Nicollet Island where people were soaked and looking for shelter from the rain. He thought about his crew underground and looked towards the Federal Reserve. He was excited. He felt like a young boy at Christmas waiting for Santa. A few hours and he would be at the end of his journey. A caravan of cars, and a panel truck with a police escort crossing the Hennepin Avenue bridge caught his attention.

“Sir, could we see a couple of the other units that aren’t quite so expensive?”

The Governor tried to watch where the cars were going, but was pulled back into the party and the sale of the condos. He smiled and answered their questions while he sat with them in the living room where he showed them condo layouts, pictures, and price ranges.

As he was talking with them about financing options, his mobile phone rang. The Governor’s pulse quickened and he excused himself to take the call when the caller identified herself as an employee of the security system for his condo and said that the alarm had been triggered. The Governor stepped to the window and looked across the river. The rain-streaked glass obscured his view. He opened the patio door and stepped outside. He looked and saw that the lights were on in his home.

He didn’t know how they had found him, but he knew he needed to leave. It wouldn’t take them long to search for him at the party. They may already be coming for him. He checked his watch. There was still time to execute the plan. He was so close to the end. The Governor hurried to the elevator and took it to the basement parking garage.