CHAPTER 5

At a stopover at St. Paul, Minnesota, Carolyn thought she spotted an Assassin. She saw the man leaning against the pillar watching the passengers disembark the plane. Walking as calmly as she could, Carolyn walked past the man. Standing just behind him, she bent down to tie her shoe.

The dark-haired man glanced down at the photo; so far no one coming off the plane resembled the girl in the photo. With a tired sigh, he placed his hand down at his side, offering Carolyn a chance to see the photo. Glad that Mary Twofeathers had taken the precautions that she had, Carolyn stood up and left to catch her connecting flight. She had to be careful; if there was one Assassin, there would be another.

Although she didn't recognize anyone, she knew someone was watching out for her. Carolyn sat quietly, holding her satchel close in case she had to make a quick getaway.

"Excuse me, have you seen this girl?"

Carolyn looked up to find herself staring at a man and a woman. They appeared to be in their mid-40s. They had the same photo as the Assassin.

"No, I'm sorry I haven't. Who is she?"

"Our daughter, she ran away from home," the woman sobbed as she dabbed at her eyes.

"How terrible. I hope you find her."

The man gave Carolyn a sad smile as he escorted his "wife" away. They stopped to ask a couple if they had seen their "daughter."

Carolyn breathed a little easier when she heard the boarding announcement. As she found her seat, Carolyn now knew to expect to see more Assassins waiting for her.

It was just past seven p.m. when Carolyn finally arrived in San Antonio. Exhausted from her long flight, Carolyn hoped that she would find Chet soon. She knew, from speaking with Mrs. Morton, that Chet was staying at the Sheraton Hotel located in the downtown area. Not wanting to use what little money she had, Carolyn found that she could take a bus into town.

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Following Samantha, Frank, Joe, Chet and Biff slowly made their way through the crowd. They were in a small section of town called La Villita where the "Night In Old San Antonio" was being held. Everywhere they looked there were different food booths representing the different cultures that lived in Texas.

"You've got to try this!" Chet said as he took another bite of his gordito, a fried corn tortilla in the shape of a pita bread stuffed with spicy ground meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese and guacamole.

"What I want to know," Biff said: "is where are those cascarone we read about? I'd like to try one."

Joe glanced over at Samantha when he heard her giggle. Whispering in Joe's ear, she led him away from his friends. A few minutes later they came back.

"Here Biff, I found your cascarone!" Joe laughed as he smashed a colored egg filled with confetti onto Biff's head.

Chet almost choked on his gordito he was laughing so hard. Frank was busy trying to keep Joe from smashing an egg on his head.

"Now I know why I kept seeing people with confetti in their hair." Frank said as he moved away from his brother.

"I'll get you yet, my pretty!" Joe cackled as Frank once again escaped his grasp.

"Yeah, you can try. We should be heading back to the hotel. I promised Mom we'd check in, and I don't want to call too late."

"It's only going on eight o'clock Frank."

"I know Joe, but remember, we're in Central time. Mom is Eastern, an hour ahead of us."

"That's right, I forgot. Come on, guys."

Samantha took hold of Chet's arm and pouted. "You two guys don't have to leave, do you?"

"Sorry Sam," Chet replied. "I promised my folks I'd check in too."

"So did I," Biff said.

"Oh well, I guess I'll just try and have some fun on my own! I'll see you guys tomorrow!"

Smiling and waving goodbye, she watched the four boys leave. When they were out of sight, the smile left her face. She walked over to a refreshment stand.

"I couldn't get the kid to stay behind."

"Don't worry, they'll get them on the way to the hotel."

**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.