Playing Detective

Several more days passed and the truce was still in place, although Otto kept hinting at taking down the rope and sheets in the downstairs rooms. He'd reach up and wrap his fists around the rope lines and hang there with sad puppy-dog eyes, teasing Iva unmercifully.

He also came and went at odd hours, Iva assumed that meant he was taking advantage of the various shades of light and shadow for photography. But honestly, how many shots of the largest bridge can you take before your magazine readers were sick of them?

She grew more and more suspicious, especially after the phone call from Mayor Sean so Iva decided to follow the incognito Mr. Bergmann on Monday morning when he left for his meeting with the mayor, although he never said that's where he was going.

Sure enough, she spotted him entering the city offices before heading to the Fry Truck. It was a busy tourist day. Summer was in full swing by now and the weather was perfect. Tourists trampled the scenery and left their trash all over the grass every three hours. Despite several trash bins conveniently located.

Later that night, Otto didn't breathe a word about his meeting, despite a hundred hints from Iva. He merely looked at her with indulgence as if she was an annoying child.

"One day," she vowed getting ready for bed that night. "I will learn what you're hiding."

One day an Asian tourist missed the bus because he'd climbed up on top of the bridge to take pictures. When he spotted the bus roaring up the sloping road out of town, he scrambled down, but was too

late. This meant that he pestered every single business along the river, asking questions about when the next bus would arrive, and if there be room on it for him. He also wanted to know where the mayor's office was located.

Iva told him, "Get in line for that one,

buddy."

"There's a line to make an appointment with the mayor?"

Iva gave him a wan smile. "It was a metaphoric statement. You can hang out at some of the shops along Main to pass the time. "

He nodded vigorously. "I will do that. I'm tired of eating fries."

Iva grimaced at his less than tactful nature and waved him along while she and her mother chopped more potatoes.

Once the bridge area was clean again, Vancouver became a pristine historical site once more, as if it remained untouched and unsoiled year-round with no effort.

TWO DAYS LATER, Lina showed up with news about Otto Bergmann. "Since I have more freedom than you do."

"You think?" Iva asked, feeling cooped up and antsy with nervous energy. It was getting claustrophobic being in the fry shack day in and day out.

"Do you want me to keep sleuthing on Otto or not?"