Jack decided to start his day with a run downtown. After changing into his gear at the YMCA, he ran down Nicollet Mall, the main street through downtown Minneapolis, about twelve blocks to the Mississippi River. The morning was already hot and sticky, the sun peaking between the office buildings as it rose. He weaved through the pre-caffeinated crowd heading into work, dodging the groups of young men in suits, accountants or attorneys, he guessed, and the odd street people as they moved between prime sitting locations on the mall and the bus stops. Smokers stood outside the buildings getting their morning fix of nicotine. He tried to focus on his running path through the crowd so he wouldn’t run into a light-post, a tree or a bus, but his attention drifted as he approached the groups of young females wearing less than they did during a Minnesota winter. Summer was his favorite season since he moved to the Twin Cities.
As he passed the IDS Crystal Court, he flipped a thumbs-up to the man sitting on the stool on the sidewalk singing God Bless America, a patriotic tune for the upcoming Fourth of July and one that might trigger an increase in tips.
Deep in thought, Jack kept running, his breathing regular, and his pace constant. He ran across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, past the Pillsbury flourmill buildings, past the Stone Arch Bridge.
Exhaustion and dehydration brought his thoughts back to focus on his own immediate condition. He was still moving at the same pace, but it was getting harder and he was thirsty. He started thinking about pushing himself to finish the run and hooking up with Junior to plan their day.
Passing the Guthrie Theater above the lock and dam, he was trying to remember where a drinking fountain was when he came upon a group of people and patrol cars at the top of the bank overlooking the old mill ruins. He stopped to look over the scene, standing with the rest of the gawkers.
“Hey, Miller.”
Jack looked to his left for a familiar face, but the glint of the rising sun reflecting off a squad car windshield blinded him.
“I hardly recognized you in your running gear.”
Squinting, Jack stepped to his left and put out a hand to block the glare and to find a face to put with the voice. Searching, he found the face that was looking his way.
“Hey, Patty, there you are. You blinding me on purpose?”
“It’s just my sunny disposition. Come on over.”
Jack walked around the street sign wrapped with the yellow crime scene tape and over to the car. “You have any water with you? I’m dying.”
“Sure, in the van. And the AC’s on too; want to sit inside?”
“No, I don’t want to get your seats all sweaty, but the water would be great.”
Patty came back with a bottle of spring water and handed it to Jack. “Here you go, courtesy of yours truly. It’s car temperature.”
He took the water bottle, unscrewed the top, and chugged the cold water. It ran from his chin and down his chest. Pulling the water bottle from his lips, he raised it and poured some over his head. “Thanks, I really needed that.”
“No problem, just remember who you got it from.”
Jack held the cold bottle of water against his neck and nodded towards the police tape. “So what’s going on over here that’s important enough to drag you out on a hot day like today away from breakfast in the air-conditioned bistro?”
“Screw you, Miller. Give me back my water.”
Jack laughed and held the bottle out and away from her. “Very eloquent. I always said you had a way with words. Really, what’s going on?”
“Pay any attention to the news?” Patty walked towards the edge of the bank to the yellow tape keeping the public away from the scene and looked down to the river’s edge. Jack followed.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Well, a body was found down along the river bank. Just past the old mill ruins down there.” Patty pointed down towards the park along the riverbank. “It had to have been there a while. We haven’t heard how long yet.”
“Somebody fall into the river?”
“Yeah, something like that. Well, they strung some crime scene tape to keep the strollers and joggers out, hoping to be done before the people came out to start their day. Didn’t make it. The ambulance was here to get the body and the detectives are still looking around. Somebody called it into the station and I got a text to get out here.”
Jack looked down at the activity below and took another swig from the water bottle.
“There was a guy here giving the uniforms a hard time. He’s the developer of these condos here in these old warehouse buildings. It’s a big part of the rejuvenation of this area. He threatened to call the mayor.”
Patty was on a roll, so Jack just took another drink and looked at the buildings behind them. The condos in this development were going to have a draw as the river front development continued. The view was great. The Guthrie Theater right here and the new Twins outdoor ballpark a short walk away.
Patty continued on. “Well, mister dog walker, developer has his undies in a bundle. Wonders when the tape is coming down. He’s got some big open house planned for the night of the Fourth to showcase the condos. Wants to show off the views, treat the potential buyers to the balcony view of the fireworks across the river and sell some units.” The frustration was showing in her voice. “There’s a dead guy down here, maybe foul play, and he doesn’t care. He has to sell some units. I’d love to tell the story about that.”
“Well I’m glad you’re here; you saved my life. Doesn’t sound like a federal case so I think I’ll finish my run and get back to work.” Jack handed her the empty bottle. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Patty grabbed the bottle, but didn’t pull it away. She stared into his eyes in a way that made him blink. “I heard you might be looking for a running partner. I like to run in the morning.”
Jack thought he caught her meaning. “I kind of like running alone right now.”
“Well, if you’re looking for company or another bottle of water, let me know.”
Jack didn’t know how to respond. Nobody had seriously hit on him in a long time and seeing other women hadn’t even entered his mind. He let go of the bottle, mumbled, “Thanks, good luck with this mess,” and turned to head off down River Road to complete his run. His legs were a little stiff from the stop that had let the lactic acid build up in his muscles, and had left his brain spinning from Patty’s offer.