The next morning, the air at Kitsilano Beach was thick with the scent of salt and the sound of crying gulls. The Blueprint arrived at the shoreline wearing her dark sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. In her pocket, she carried a small tape measure and her notebook.
Alfred the Penguin walked beside her, his black shoes clicking on the pavement.
Above them, Agent 00Coo circled in the sky, performing what he called “aerial reconnaissance.”
“Everything looks clear, Blueprint,” 00Coo’s voice crackled over the Coo-municator. “I see three dogs chasing a ball, one ice cream cart, and… wait. We have a problem.”
The Blueprint stopped near a large piece of driftwood. “What is it, 00Coo?”
“High-altitude surveillance has spotted a suspicious character,” the pigeon reported. “Near the large oak tree. It’s a chipmunk and a rabbit, known as the notorious Chippy “Nuts” Moretti and Bunny “The Burrow” Balducci.
The Blueprint looked over at the tree. There they were trying to blend in with a branch, Chippy holding a tiny pair of binoculars. When he saw Ava looking, he quickly hid behind a leaf.
“Don’t worry,” The Blueprint whispered to Alfred. “I know how to handle spies like them.”
She reached into her bag. Instead of a gadget, she pulled out a handful of unsalted peanuts. She walked over to the base of the tree and laid them out in a perfect circle.
“A peace offering?” Alfred asked, impressed.
“A distraction,” The Blueprint corrected with a wink.
While Chippy scrambled down to count his peanuts, The Blueprint quickly measured the distance from the tide line to the secret tunnel entrance. She noted the best spot for the hidden pigeon landing strip and where the grape vault would be buried deep in the cool sand.
“Measurements complete,” she announced, snapping her tape measure shut.
“Excellent work, Blueprint,” 00Coo chirped, landing on her shoulder. “You have the steady hands of a master. Now, let’s get back to the lab. I believe it’s time for a mid-day snack. Perhaps a blueberry? I hear they are good for the memory.”
