Elizabeth's San Antonio Sleuthing (16 page)

Mr. Anderson placed his hands on either side of his daughter's face, examining her, making sure she was really okay.

“Do I even want to know what just happened here?” he asked.

Elizabeth threw her arms around her father's neck and said, “I love you, Daddy!”

An hour later, the horse trotted along at a slow pace, pulling the eight-passenger carriage through the streets of San Antonio. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson sat facing the front, along with James, Kate, and Biscuit. Elizabeth, Joe, Maria, and Pedro faced the back.

“This is cool,” said Maria. “Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for letting us come along.”

“My pleasure,” said Mr. Anderson. “Any friend of Elizabeth's is a friend of mine.”

“I can't believe there was actually a reward for those guys,” Joe said. “Did you hear the officer say they were wanted for fraud, theft, and vandalism in three states?”

“Yes,” Mr. Anderson answered. “Apparently, they've tried before to start a business and destroy the competition. You'd think by now they'd realize they can't destroy competition by force. You all helped to solve a federal case.”

“Man, Joe.” Pedro shook his head. “I guess you'd better think twice next time, before you try to get a girl's attention by dropping a water balloon on her head!”

Elizabeth gasped. “You said that was an accident, thatyou weren't aiming for me!”

Joe looked embarrassed, and suddenly, so did Elizabeth. Everyone laughed. Kate took pity on her friend and changed the subject. “When we divide the reward money five ways, we each get four hundred dollars. That's a lot of money! What will you guys do with your money?” “Drums!” called Pedro. “Bass guitar!” said Joe.

Maria looked thoughtful. “I may open a savings account. I've always wanted to go to college, and that will be a nice start,” she said.

Elizabeth looked thoughtful. “I'm not sure what I'll do with the money yet. I may use it to go to a piano competition in Nashville. I've always wanted to see Tinsel Town.”

“I won't have any problem spending my money on gadgets,” said Kate.

“Well, whatever you spend your money on,” said Mrs. Anderson, “you've earned it. I'm glad those men are finally behind bars.”

Everyone agreed, and the carriage fell silent for a time as they listened to the clip-clopping of the horse and enjoyed the San Antonio city lights.

The next morning, Elizabeth was putting the finishing touches on her French braid when the phone rang. It was Uncle Dan.

“Congratulations, detective,” he told her.

“Thanks, Uncle Dan. We couldn't have found Biscuit without your help,” she answered. “You really should let us give you part of the money.”

“Oh, I don't know about that. You've got some pretty good sleuthing skills, and I had nothing to do with that. Are you and Kate about ready to come downstairs?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. Why? Did you need me to bring you something?”

“Yes. Bring Biscuit,” he answered, and hung up the phone.

Elizabeth wondered about his cryptic instructions. “Kate, Uncle Dan wants us to bring Biscuit with us.”

“That's strange. We always bring him. Why would he call to tell us that?” Kate questioned.

Elizabeth shrugged. “I don't know, but we need to get going anyway.”

Kate clipped Biscuit's leash to his collar, and he snorted.

“I know you don't like this leash, boy, but I'm not taking any chances.” She gave her dog a hug, scooped him into her arms, and followed Elizabeth out the door.

When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Uncle Dan was waiting for him. Next to him was Captain Lyndel, holding a huge bone in his hand. Tied around the bone was a big, red bow.

“Good morning,” the man greeted. “I wanted to stop by and say thanks for all your help. Because of you, my business will be back on track in no time. I'm sorry Biscuitwas kidnapped in the process.”

Kate set Biscuit on the floor, and the man placed the bone in front of him. They laughed as Biscuit tried, unsuccessfully, to get his tiny jaws around the bone.

“Here are some other treats for him,” the man said, holding out a large gift bag. “There might be a few things in there for you girls, too. Go ahead. Open it.”

The girls thanked the man, and peeked into the bag. Sure enough, along with the squeaky toys and bacon-flavored treats, were a couple of furry pink journals and glittery ink pens. There was also a certificate for each of them, offering free River City Cruise rides for life.

“Cool! Thank you so much!” the girls told the man, and Uncle Dan smiled proudly.

“It's my pleasure, girls. I only wish I could do more for you. You saved my business—you and those friends of yours. Would you give them these for me?” He held out three more certificates.

“Certainly,” Elizabeth said. “I know they'll be excited to have these. Thank you.”

The man tipped his hat and bid them good-bye. Biscuit wagged his tail and barked after the man, then went back to his oversized bone.

“Have I told you I'm proud of you?” Uncle Dan asked Elizabeth.

“The feeling is mutual,” she replied, hugging her favorite uncle.

Elizabeth sat across from little Annie at Bible Camp, helping the kids with their craft projects. She was so glad that James had befriended the lonely girl. While some of the other children seemed alarmed about Annie's large birthmark, James didn't seem to notice. He shared his crayons and complimented Annie's picture. Without warning, Elizabeth hugged her brother from behind, placing a kiss on top of his head.

“Hey, cut that out!” he fussed, wiping the place where she had kissed him. She laughed, then looked up to see Mr. Adams walking toward them. His timing was perfect. Annie's mother would be here any minute to pick up her daughter.

“Hello, Elizabeth! I believe you had someone for me to meet,” he said with a smile.

“Yes, sir. I'll introduce you to everyone.” Quickly she named each child sitting at the table, ending with, “And this is Annie.”

The man knelt in front of Annie, who hid her face with her curls. “Hello, Annie. It's very nice to meet you.”

Annie's mother appeared, and Elizabeth waved to her. “Hello, Mrs. Lopez. I'd like you to meet Mr. Adams. He represents the local Kiwanis Club, and I think he wants to talk to you about something.”

The man stood and smiled at the woman.

“That's quite a little girl you have,” he told the woman. “I understand she needs surgery. Our organization would like to help. It may take us a while to raise the money we need, but we'd like to take care of the surgery, if that's all right with you.”

The woman looked confused, then relieved, and then joyful as she listened to Mr. Adams. Elizabeth went to find Kate, who was packing sound equipment.

“It's going to happen. Annie's really going to get the surgery she needs!” Elizabeth told her.

“Yeah, I saw them talking. That's great. And you, know, I've been thinking… “ Kate paused.

“Yes?” Elizabeth probed, wondering if Kate was thinking the same thing she'd been thinking.

“I just…”

“Yeah?” Elizabeth leaned forward in anticipation.

Kate pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Instead of buying gadgets, I think I want to give my reward money to Annie, for her surgery.”

Elizabeth threw her arms around her friend, nearly knocking Kate over.

“Whoa, there. Easy, girl.” Kate laughed. “You're almost as bad as Biscuit!”

“I wanted to do the same thing, but I didn't want you to feel bad, or feel like you had to give your money!” Elizabeth told her.

Kate nodded. “It would be fun to go a little gadget crazy. But I don't
need
any more gadgets. I have more than I can play with now. And Dad will keep giving me what his students invent. Annie
needs
that surgery. I think that's what I'm going to do with my money.”

“And I don't
need
to go to that piano competition,” said Elizabeth.

“Hey, where's the music?” called a voice from the shadows. It was Joe, followed by Pedro and Maria. Joe was holding a brand-new guitar case.

“Yeah, I came to hear a concert!” Maria added.

Elizabeth smiled. It looked like her new musician friend had gotten his wish. “Wow, look at you! Is that a new guitar?”

Joe grinned with pride. “It's used, but it's top of the line.” He set the case down, opened it, and pulled out a beautiful guitar. Elizabeth fingered the notches, admiring the workmanship.

“I told my new boss about the reward money. He was impressed that I helped solve a crime and offered to let me take this now. He said I can pay him whenever the reward check comes in.”

“So, play something!” Elizabeth urged him, and the boy began to strum the strings.

Pausing, he looked at Elizabeth, then Kate, then back at Elizabeth. “You know, I've really enjoyed the last few days. And it's more than just making new friends and getting to buy a guitar. I think it's…it's…” He struggled for the right words.

“I think it's God,” Elizabeth whispered.

“Yeah, that's it. I've never known people who were so excited about God. I think I want to know more about Him. I'm going to start going to church, and start reading the Bible my mom gave me.”

“Me, too,” Maria and Pedro chimed.

Elizabeth noticed Gary working on the soundboard nearby. He winked at her.

“Why don't you give us another concert,” Gary said. “Pedro, why don't you play the drums? Then, after the concert, I'd like to spend some time with you guys.”

Elizabeth smiled, and her heart seemed to dance as she and her new friends began playing. She looked at Kate, who gave her a thumbs-up. She knew exactly what her friend was thinking:
God is good
.

6 cups masa flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup corn oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large chickens (you can use store-bought rotisserie chickens)
2 ½ (12 ounce) jars green salsa or tomatillo sauce 25 to 30 corn husks

1. Soak the corn husks in warm water until they're soft.

2. Using a mixer, blend the masa flour, corn oil, salt, baking powder, and the chicken broth to obtain a consistent mixture without lumps.

3. Shred the chicken and marinate in the green salsa or tomatillo sauce.

4. Spread the flour mixture evenly over corn husks, then spread a spoonful of the chicken on top of the flour (masa).

5. Fold sides of the corn husk to center over the masa so that they overlap. Fold the empty part of the husk under to make a seamed package.

6. Place the tamales in a steamer and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, checking every 20 minutes. When the tamale separates easily from the corn husk, it is ready.

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