The Puzzle Master by Heather Spiva Page A

white crane swooped over him and landed at the edge of the water, a matter of ten yards from him. Marshall had picked up another stone and was getting ready to throw it. It was a throw intended for his dad because he couldn’t make it to the river anymore.
    But he set it back down when the crane looked at him while his lanky, thin legs chopped up and down in the water.
    Marshall took a step toward it. The crane hadn’t even noticed him until then, its white body small but bright like the sun. He wanted to look at it close-up. He walked another step closer, the rocks moving and twisting under his shoes. He didn’t want it to fly away and he didn’t want to twist his ankle, so he had to be careful.
    The crane poked his head into the water, grabbing at something; maybe a fish. Maybe at nothing. Marshall couldn’t tell, but he figured it had to be getting breakfast. A cool breeze floated off the water, and Marshall gently cupped his hand, careful not to disturb the bird, and took some water from the river to place onto his face. The water felt great.
    Breakfast. He forgot about the pancakes. He slowly reached into his pockets. The pancakes were there—smashed, but still good. He broke one in half, and held it out into his hands, extended just enough to get the bird’s attention.
    “Here crane, come here.” The bird faced him, and took a step toward him.
    “Come here, it’s okay,” Marshall prodded. After a minute of slow motion walking, the bird’s beak was at Marshall’s hand, and it scooped up the pancake piece, gulping it down in one bite. Marshall took the other half and ate it too.
    They split the last one, and the crane sensing breakfast was over, flew away just as it had come in.
    And it was quiet once again.

Chapter 7: The River
     
    Marshall was at Luke’s door by four. He made sure to bring the can of spray glue for the puzzles because Iris had asked for it.
    Luke’s was packed. There was a huge crowd of people in there, milling, talking, shopping and browsing. He thought it may have had something to do with the giant sign out front that said “End of Summer Sale –Everything 75% off.” But hoped it was also because the place was just plain special.
    He fought his way to the front desk, practically having to sit on the junk to let people pass, and saw Luke. His cigarette was at the corner of his mouth, the smoke trailing up to the ceiling like a campfire signal. Despite the no-smoking laws in California, Luke still lit up, and not only was no one bothered by it, but no one seemed to care.
    “Hey kid,” Luke said without looking at him. He handed back some cash to a customer. The customer looked happy, like he’d just found gold, and took with him a set of ten speed bikes.
    “Mr. Luke, you got quite a sale going on.” Marshall looked behind him. It looked like church was just getting out. People were everywhere, talking to each other, laughing.
    “Yeah, I do it every year. Never see this place so packed until this weekend, and then it’s quiet once more when Monday rolls around.”
    “That’s always the best time,” Marshall said with a smile.
    Luke grinned at him. “Course it is. That’s ‘ cause you’re the smartest kid around these parts.”
    Marshall looked for Iris and wondered where she was. Why wasn’t she out watching everyone get their treasure? That was half the fun.
    “Iris in the back?” Marshall finally asked. He peeked into the glass cabinet and saw the fishing pole staring back at him like it was pirate’s treasure.
    “She’s waiting for you.” Luke put down his newspaper and watched Marshall through his reading glasses. “Don’t see how you’re gonna get that pole if you never start it though.”
    “Oh, you’ll see. I just got to get her warmed up and everything. We’re probably going to start that puzzle Monday.”
    Luke just grunted and took a drag off his cigarette. Another customer bought a bag full of doorknobs, and it was them two once again, staring at