“How about we rest up and give me some time to digest what we’ve eaten before we eat anymore. We’ll do the loop on the trolley, learn some things, and come back to find a nice place in the grass where the trees aren’t in the way so we can see the action and go Ooh, Aaah, for the show.” He looked at the kids. “And we’ll find a place to buy some popcorn.”
“Do we have to, Dad?” Lynn asked.
Jack got up and put a hand out to help Julie up. “Yep, let’s go. I’d race you there, but I think I’d puke if I ran.”
The kids got up from the grass. Vince stood up wagging his tail. Julie let Jack pull her up and she didn’t pull her hand from his. Jack started walking back towards the Nicollet Island Inn holding Julie’s hand. The kids each took one of their parent’s free hands, Lynn held Vince’s leash, and they walked to the trolley.
The trolley, or bus made to look like an old-time trolley, waited for riders in front of the Nicollet Island Inn. Jack and Julie sat in one seat together and the kids sat in front of them with Vince in the aisle. The kids fought for the window seat before agreeing to take turns. Once they were settled into their seats, the driver of the trolley started off the tour explaining that they were going to do a loop of the Mississippi Mile. Along the way, she planned to point out some things and give highlights of the history and development along the river. When she reminded them they needed to remain seated during the tour, Jack gave the kids a little tap on the shoulder to reinforce the announcement.
The trolley left the parking lot of the Nicollet Island Inn, turned right, and bounced along the old brick streets in front of St. Anthony Main. The driver pointed out the entrance to the Historical Society’s door where walking tours of the area were offered, talked a little about the buildings, and continued on. Next, they drove by the old Pillsbury flourmill buildings with the bulging walls and the windows white from years of flour dust caked on them. Just a few minutes into the tour and the kids were getting antsy already.
The next landmark was the one the kids liked. The trolley was the only motorized vehicle allowed on the Stone Arch Bridge, which snaked its way across the river. The rest of the traffic on the bridge was people on bike or foot. Midway across the bridge, the driver stopped and told them about the building of the bridge by James J. Hill and the importance the river and the falls played in the development of Minneapolis along the Mississippi at this point. This was where the falls were. Outside of the trolley, people were lined up along the railing at the edge of the bridge, looking out at the falls and the lock and dam on the west side of the river to watch the boats and barges be lowered as they traveled past the falls and continued down the river. Jack and the kids had visited the bridge many times on bike rides and had stood at the railing trying to guess what was in the barges or where the boats were going.
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.