CHAPTER 2

Frank Hardy watched his brother Joe with some amusement. Tomorrow was the start of spring break; he and Joe would be going on a trip with Chet and Biff Hooper. Chet had won a free all-expenses-paid trip to San Antonio, Texas. Googling San Antonio, Chet had found that the start of spring break would also be the start of Fiesta. Chet explained that the Fiesta celebration was how Texas commemorated its independence from Mexico.

Joe was very excited about the trip, especially since Vanessa and her mother would be in San Diego during vacation. He had not been looking forward to a week without Vanessa. Frank was also glad to be going, for Callie and her parents were visiting relatives in Nevada. Although happy with the distraction, Frank also had a bad feeling about the trip.

Joe had been haphazardly packing his carry-on bag, trying to decide if he should pack his blue jeans or his khaki dress pants. Holding up both to Frank, he posed the question: "Hey Frank, do you think I'll need the jeans or the khakis? You know, in case we go to a nice restaurant or something."

Getting no response, Joe glanced over at Frank, letting out an exasperated sigh when he saw the look of concentration on his brother's face.

"Frank, don't tell me you still think this is some kind of trick that Gray is pulling."

"Sorry Joe, I can't help it. It just seems too coincidental. And you know I don't believe in coincidence!"

Joe sat down on his bed, thinking he should give his brother a chance to explain his feelings. "Okay, tell me why you feel this way."

"For one thing, why doesn't Chet remember entering this contest?"

"You know Chet, ever since he won that free meal at Pritos' he's been entering a lot of these things. He said so himself."

"True enough, but Joe, don't you remember what Gray told us?"

"Not really, remind me."

It was Frank's turn to let out an exasperated sigh. "Joe, San Antonio is where the research center is, Carolyn was being held at."

"Ah crap! You're right. Should we tell Chet and not go?"

Frank shook his head; "No, I want to see if Gray will show up."

"And if he does?"

"Then we corner him and get some answers from him."

"How 'bout if I pound him, and then we ask questions?!" Joe said with a smile.

"Ask first, then you can pound to your heart's content," Frank laughed.

"Yes! Okay, now the important question: jeans or khakis?"

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Leaving Bayport at nine in the morning, the boys finally arrived in San Antonio at 3:28 p.m. The thirty-minute stopover in Houston had turned into an hour delay.

Fenton Hardy had been able to arrange a rental car in Frank's name. Joe had hopes for the Mustang convertible, but Frank had gotten a Chrysler Pacifica mini-van. Seeing the disappointment in Joe's face, Frank had to laugh.

"Joe, we'd be more comfortable in the van," he said.

"Maybe, but we'd look a lot cooler in the Mustang," Joe replied.

"He's got you there, Frank," Biff commented.

Frank rolled his eyes heavenward as he put his bag in the van. "Chet let me have a look at that map."

Chet handed the map over to Frank. Joe stood beside his brother; Chet and Biff were shedding the light jackets they had worn. The weather in Bayport had been cool; the temperature had been in the mid-50s.

"I can't believe how warm it is!" Chet exclaimed.

"Warm and sunny! I hope someone brought some suntan lotion," said Biff.

Chet and Biff got into the backseat as Joe and Frank got in the front. As Frank drove, Joe read the directions on the map. Chet was reading some information he had downloaded.

"Hey, tomorrow night is the River parade. They have an actual parade on the river. How cool is that!"

"How do you have a parade on the river?" Biff asked.

"They use the river barges. See, they have tours on the barges the rest of the year, and during Fiesta they decorate the barges for the parade."

"What's this?" Biff placed his finger on the paper. "What's a…a cas….cascarone?"

"I don't know," Chet shrugged. "But we'll soon find out. I bet it tastes delicious."

Biff, Frank and Joe laughed, it was good to see Chet happy and smiling again.

.. ..

He watched them as they drove away. No need to follow them, a tracking device had already been installed in their vehicle. He took out his cell phone.

"The prey has landed."

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With a gasp of fright, Carolyn sat up in her bed. Breathing rapidly and shaking in fear, she jumped when she heard something scratching at her bedroom window. She let out a relieved sigh when she realized it was a tree branch. She could now hear the wind blowing. Getting out of bed, she walked over to her window. The moon shone brightly: not a cloud in the sky.

Why did she feel so frightened? What had caused her to wake up in fear? She had been dreaming…but it hadn't been one of her memory dreams. A smile came to her lips. She had been dreaming of…Chet! Her eyes flew open. Chet was in trouble.

As she stood shaking in fright, Carolyn could hear Mary Twofeathers' voice.

"This spirit has no soul….Be careful of this spirit…he will use the warriors to get to you."

Checking the time, Carolyn knew she had to wait a few more hours before she could call Chet. She knew it would be dangerous, but she had to know. Carolyn had to know that he was all right.

**END OF CHAPTER**

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.