The Ninth District - A Thriller

by Douglas Dorow

  “Jack, wake up. Look.”

  Jack jumped out of bed and stared at the screen that Ross was watching.

  “What’s up?”

  A man stood facing the doorway across the hall from them. He was wearing shorts and a polo shirt. His back was to them so Jack couldn’t see what he looked like, but he saw that he was digging in his pocket for something.

  “He stopped in front of the door and just stood there,” Ross said.

  “Tell me what you see him doing.” Jack crossed the room to the door, looked out the peephole, and put his hand on the knob. His other hand held his gun. He watched the man remove the card key from his pocket.

  Jack turned the knob to unlatch the door.

  The man looked at the door, turned, and walked down the hallway.

  “He’s leaving, Jack. The way he’s walking, looks like he may be a little drunk. Stopped at the wrong door.”

  “Keep watching him.” Jack stood at the door and watched the closed door across the hall through the peephole. Two doors between him and his family. He should be in their room watching them, but he couldn’t worry them with the truth and Julie wouldn’t let him otherwise.

  “He went to the stairs, Jack. I bet he was at the right room, but wrong floor.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Have something to eat. It’s probably still warm.”

  Jack sat at the table by the window, helped himself to some pizza, and looked at the scene on the television. His family was sound asleep. Lynn and Willy shared a bed and Julie was sleeping on her stomach on the right side of the bed, her side. His side was empty. The images on the TV next to the bedroom scene scrolled as Ross conducted surveillance.

  “Hey, Junior. Did you watch them get ready for bed?”

  “No, it’s your wife.”

  “It’s OK, I trust you,” Jack said quietly.

  Ross focused on the screen while he answered. “I checked in on them when I thought they should be done. I tried to scan the perimeter outside and the hallways while they were getting ready.”

  Jack sat on the foot of the bed next to Ross and put out his hand for the remote.

  Ross handed it to him and took his turn lying on the bed for a rest. “It’s pretty busy, weekend and all. If you need some help watching the screens, let me know.”

  “Get some sleep, Junior.”

  Ross grabbed a second pillow and used his good arm to fluff it up and place it behind his neck so he could see Jack and the TV. “The kids are wound up. Probably excited to see you tomorrow.”

  “I’m excited to see them too. Get some sleep.”

  Chapter 41

  “Willy’s up. The others are stirring,” Ross said.

  Jack stretched, grabbed his glasses, sat up, and looked at the television.

  “Willy’s always been an early riser. Call room service and get us some breakfast? I’ll take eggs, hashbrowns, and a pot of coffee. I’m going to shave and take a shower.”

  “Let me run in there first?”

  “Sure.” Jack turned on the radio to get some news while he watched his family wake up.

  Jack walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was slicked back. The air smelled like soap. “Looks like they’re having fun.” Willy waved a small American flag as they walked down the hall towards their room. “Happy Fourth of July, Junior.”

  “Today’s a holiday, right?”

  “A holiday? What’s that? Didn’t they cover that at Quantico in new agent training? We don’t get government holidays off.” Jack dressed in shorts, polo shirt, and running shoes. The shirt was untucked to cover the handgun at his waist. “But I’m spending today with my family.” The coffee Jack drank down was lukewarm and he grimaced as he swallowed it. “What are you going to do today for your investigation?”

  “It is a bank holiday, so I’m not talking to any bankers or employees.” Ross yawned. “What time is check out? Maybe I’ll hang here and take a nap.” He lay back on the bed, his good arm propped behind his head, the other arm in the sling across his chest. “Then this afternoon hit the office to look through the files again and tonight I’ll walk down to Nicollet Island and see the fireworks you’ve told me so much about.”

  Jack tossed his duffle bag onto the bed. “Only call me if you really need to. And if you aren’t out of here by eleven you pay the extra day.”

  After stashing his duffle in his car parked down the street from the hotel, Jack made his way back to Julie’s room, waved at the camera for Ross, and knocked on the door. He heard a commotion as the kids ran to the door and argued over who got to open it. Julie told the kids to let her get it. Jack wasn’t sure if it was for safety or if she was looking forward to seeing him too.

  “Who is it?” Julie asked though the door.

  Your lover, your hero, the man of your dreams, your husband, the father of your children, all flashed through his mind. He settled on, “It’s me, Jack.”

  Julie opened the door. Jack didn’t know what to say. His wife stood there with her hair pulled back, just the way he liked it, sunglasses poked into her hair above her forehead, a golden tan, no makeup except a light coating of lipstick, khaki shorts, and a sleeveless, off-white top.

  “Hi,” he said and stepped forward to give her a kiss. Julie turned her head and Jack kissed her lightly on the cheek. “You look great,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Thanks. You should have called to make sure we were ready.” Julie stepped to the side to let Jack into the room. “Kids, Dad’s here.”

  Both kids charged and grabbed on, one hugging around his waist from each side. “Hey, guys. Did you have fun spending the night here? Did you go down the water slide?”

  “It was so cool, Dad,” Lynn said.

  “Part of the tunnel goes outside,” Willy added. “And we went in the hot tub too.”

  Jack looked around the room. “Smells like sun screen in here. It looks like you’re packed. Let’s get you checked out, haul your stuff to the car, and walk over to Nicollet Island.”

  “Yeah!” the kids yelled in unison and ran to get their bags.

  Chapter 42

  “On the news it said a woman was shot.”

  Jack walked next to Julie across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge. His hands were in his pockets, and he looked straight ahead, watching Willy and Lynn who had run on ahead of them. “I’m sure he was shooting at me. He was waiting for me, targeted me just like he went after Ross, Agent Fruen, with the car crash.”

  “But who was she?”

  “Her name’s Patty Lopez. She’s a TV news reporter. You’ve probably seen her.”

  “And, what was she doing there?”

  “She told me she had some information for me and would only tell me in person. I told her I was busy, but that I was going for a run in the morning. I never thought she’d go for that, but she was outside waiting for me. We were running along the trail down by the river and she got shot.” Jack kept looking straight ahead, telling the story while they walked.

  “Is she OK?”

  “She’s got a hole in her leg. She’ll be OK.”

  Julie reached over and touched Jack’s arm to get his attention and to get him to stop. “How about you?”

  Jack stopped. The kids were up ahead peering through the cement railing of the bridge, looking at the boats on the river. He turned, took off his sunglasses, and looked at Julie.

  “I’m OK.” He thought about telling her about the swim in the river, being shot at while he treaded water by the lock doors. “All I could think about was that if he knew me and where I was he might go after you and the kids too. I couldn’t let that happen.” Jack slid his sunglasses back on, turned, and walked towards the kids.

  Jack stared at Julie’s profile. He wanted to hold her hand, but he didn’t know if he should try to or not. He rubbed his palms together and then wiped them on the front of his shirt. Not yet. Not with sweaty, clammy hands. He felt like a teenager on his first date. Was she jealous of
Patty?

  Things seemed to be getting back to normal, whatever normal was, but he didn’t want to push it. The trip to the Minneapolis Fourth of July celebration on Nicollet Island was one of their traditions since coming to the Twin Cities, so he was glad they were there together as a family again. Leaning on the fence next to Julie, Jack relaxed and looked around. Training and years of experience had driven the habit into his DNA. Wherever he was, he looked around at the people and the surroundings, searching for what didn’t belong, his self-conscious logging anomalies, escape routes, numbers of people. This sometimes caused an itch, a feeling that something wasn’t right, but his conscious couldn’t see what it was. This feeling was constant lately as his brain worked to process clues, details, and feelings as he tried to catch the Governor.

  Jack refocused and watched the kids ride the ponies. Lynn had a look of resignation and a forced smile on her face as they slowly walked by. She had let them know she was too big for pony rides. She stuck her tongue out at Jack as they passed. He feigned he was shot in the heart, bringing his hands up to his chest and lowering his head. Then he stuck his tongue out at her. Willy had a death grip on the saddle horn and a beaming smile on his face as he rode by. Jack gave him a thumbs-up, which Willy couldn’t return without loosening his grip.

  Jack snuck another glance at Julie. She had a smile on her face, a look of comfort. She looked at him with the smile still on her face, winked, and then reached over and squeezed his hand and released the grip before her gaze returned to the kids and the ponies.

  The smile on Jack’s face broadened as he turned from Julie to the kids. He wanted more than a hand squeeze, but that would do for now. Things were getting better. It wasn’t his imagination. Everybody was smiling. This was a great day.

  When the ride was over, the kids ran over to where Jack and Julie were standing by the fence. “Can we go do face painting next?” asked Lynn. “I want a unicorn on one cheek and FBI on the other.”

  “Me too. I want FBI painted on my cheek,” Willy said.

  Jack picked up Willy and looked him in the eye. “They can’t paint that on just anybody, can they?”

  Willy frowned. “Can you show them your badge?”

  Jack gave him a quick hug and laughed. “I’ll show them my badge just to make sure they copy it and get it right. Maybe I’ll get one too. Let’s go. You guys lead the way.”

  Jack put Willy down and the kids took off running. Julie took off after them. “Last one there’s paying, Jack.” He looked up at the sky hoping that the great day would continue and end with the fireworks before they went their separate ways.

  “Please don’t rain,” he pleaded skyward before he ran after his family.

  After face painting, cotton candy, hot dogs, lemonade, and balloon animals, they sat in the shade of the old oak trees and looked across the Mississippi River at the skyline of downtown Minneapolis. An old blues tune wafted through the air as a band played on the patio of one of the restaurants behind them.

  Jack rubbed his belly and lay back in the grass. “I don’t know about you guys, but I couldn’t eat another bite. Where do you guys put it?”

  The kids each lay next to him and looked at the sky. “I’m saving room for popcorn,” Lynn said.

  “I’m looking for animals in the clouds,” Julie said. “I see a cow’s head.”

  Jack joined in and gazed up at the sky. Another thing the family used to do on picnics on sunny afternoons. “I think it might be the other end of the cow.”

  “Jack.”

  The kids giggled.

  Lynn pointed to the west. “Those big white clouds are called Thunder Heads.”

  Jack looked where she was pointing, past the skyscrapers downtown. “Really? How did you get so smart, Junior Agent Miller?”

  “We learned it at the Science Museum this week.” Lynn rolled over and looked at Jack. “They’re really called cumulonimbus. It means they’re big cumulus clouds with rain in them. Maybe hail.”

  “Forget the FBI.” Jack looked at Julie. “This one could be a meteorologist on The Weather Channel.” He looked at Lynn. “Let’s hope you’re wrong because I want a clear, dry night for the fireworks.”

  “I think it’s going to rain, Dad,” she said.

  “Well, Junior Weatherperson. I guess we’ll find out later. I’d be more worried if you predicted a nice evening since the weather people always seem to predict the opposite of what happens.” Jack propped himself up on one elbow. “How about we take the trolley ride next?

  “Can’t we get some ice cream cones first?” Lynn asked.

  “Me too,” Willy added. “Then we’ll go ride the trolley with you.”

  Jack looked at Julie and she shrugged. He dug in his pocket and handed four ones to Lynn. “Hold hands. One scoop each and come right back. Mom and I will wait here for you.”

  Lynn grabbed the money. “Thanks, Dad. Let’s go, Willy.” They both took off running for the ice cream stand.

  “Hold hands!” Jack yelled after them. He watched as they grabbed each other’s hand and slowed to a fast walk to their destination. Julie reached over and covered his hand in the grass. He pulled it away at first, not sure what was touching his hand, but when he saw it was her, he smiled and put it back where it was. “I didn’t mean you had to hold my hand, but you can if you want to.” Jack said.

  “Thanks for arranging this today. We needed this. All of us.”

  Jack snuck a glimpse at the kids waiting their turn in line. “How are they doing?”

  “They’re doing fine. And I’m doing better.” Julie squeezed his hand again. “You and I need to talk about us. What happens after today.”

  Chapter 43

  The Governor walked among the crowd on Nicollet Island. He wore a Twins baseball hat, sunglasses, and a grey tank top, smiling and nodding at the curious children who approached him and asked if they could pet Vince. While Vince absorbed the affection, the Governor scanned the crowd and kept an eye on Jack and his family.

  The atmosphere of music, food, and games was intoxicating. Agent Miller seemed to be relaxed. He smiled and laughed as he played with his kids. The Governor also caught him staring at his wife when she wasn’t looking. His family was keeping him busy as they explored the activities so the Governor felt a little safer and confident that his plans would move forward. He still wanted to create a distraction for Agent Miller, to show him that he was still in control of events.

  Two Minneapolis police officers were walking towards the Governor, scanning the crowd. The Governor felt exposed, standing in the open alone except for his dog. He turned and walked forty feet to the end of the concessions line without looking back. Vince stood patiently at his side, panting in the afternoon heat. The Governor gently scratched the top of Vince’s head as he plotted the path of the officers in his mind, trying to figure out when they would pass and he could feel comfortable to turn around and watch Agent Miller and his family again. He counted down five, four, three…

  “Hey, mister. What’s your dog’s name?”

  The Governor’s back and arm muscles twitched at the surprise. A burst of adrenaline shot into his system as it responded to the fight or flight reaction. He looked back into the eyes of a young boy. In an instant, he recognized him, Agent Miller’s son. He quickly looked around, his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses, to make sure that Jack wasn’t standing next to him. He calmed himself as he saw Jack sitting in the grass talking to his wife.

  “This is Vince. Would you like to pet him? He loves kids.”

  “Yes, thanks.” Willy squatted in front of Vince and held his big head between his hands, digging his small fingers behind the ears. Vince leaned into Willy and groaned.

  Lynn leaned over and scratched Vince’s back. “We really like dogs. We’re trying to talk our parents into letting us have one.”

  The concession line moved towards the window as the next person in line was helped. The Governor took a step towards the window, a hand on Vince’s leash, leavi
ng him to the kids’ petting. “Are you two going to get something to eat here?”

  “We’re each getting an ice cream cone,” Willy answered.

  “Well, Vince seems to like you. Could I ask you to do me a favor? Could you hold him while you wait in line and keep my place while I run to the bathroom? I’ll be back before you get up to the window.”

  “Sure,” Lynn answered.

  The Governor stole a look towards Jack, who remained sitting on the grass with his wife. He handed the end of the leash to Lynn with instruction to keep a hold of it until he got back. Then the Governor kneeled next to Willy and patted Vince. “Be a good boy, Vince. I’ll be right back.” He turned to Willy, “Keep an eye on him for me. He likes you.”

  The Governor got up and walked around the corner of the building towards the restrooms without looking back.

  “Where are the kids?” Jack looked over at the concession line where they had been standing in line. He couldn’t see them. He jumped up and ran towards the concession booth without waiting for an answer to his question.

  “What?” Julie asked, her voice trailing off behind him.

  Jack looked left and right. He didn’t see them. He pushed through the line, mumbling “excuse me.” They weren’t in line. Could the Governor have found them here, taken his kids? God help me, he thought. He stood in front of the concession stand where he had last seen them. “Lynn, Willy?” he yelled.

  “Hey, Dad.” Willy rounded the corner of the building, his face covered with blue ice cream from his nose to his chin. Lynn rounded the corner next.

  Relieved, Jack walked to them while he scanned the area behind them and then looked to his left and right. “Where did you go? I got worried.” Then he noticed the dog that Lynn was leading on a leash. “And who’s this?”

  “Can we keep him?” Willy asked. “He’s a great dog.”

  Lynn started to explain to Jack what happened. “This guy asked us to watch his dog while he went to the bathroom and he didn’t come back, so we went looking for him.”