Elizabeth's San Antonio Sleuthing Read Online Free Page A

“What’s wrong?”
    â€œOh, another riverboat just died. Let me tell you what happened to us this morning.”
    The two girls walked toward one of the stone bridges while Elizabeth relayed the story.
    â€œMaybe we should use a different riverboat company, if we ride at all. I’m not sure I want to end up in a dead boat!” Kate responded.
    â€œMaybe,” Elizabeth said. “I just think it’s strange. My family has been to this Riverwalk many times, and we ride the boats every time. This has never happened before. Now, all of a sudden, riverboats are dying all over the place!”
    Another boat puttered by, this one from Santa Anna Tours. The girls watched as the new boat moved past the stalled boat without even offering help. This time, they could hear its captain make a joke about the stalled boat, and the passengers laughed.
    â€œI guess you folks chose the right boat to ride,” said the captain of the working boat.
    Biscuit pulled away from Elizabeth and barked. A bird had landed just feet from him, and was pecking on a tortilla chip someone had dropped. With one last look at the boats, the girls tugged on Biscuit’s leash and headed in the opposite direction.
    â€œCome on,” said Kate. “I’m starved.”
    â€œOkay! Let’s go over this bridge. The restaurant on the other side serves the best tortilla chips and salsa you’ve ever tast—”
    Elizabeth stopped short as they reached the top of the stone bridge. A group of teenagers stood there, pointing and laughing at the stalled boat, and shouting things in Spanish.
    And right in the middle of them was the boy with the red cap.

Kate and Elizabeth on Duty!
    â€œCome with me,” Elizabeth said, grabbing Kate’s arm and dragging the girl behind her.
    â€œWhoa, what’s the rush?” Kate asked, doing her best to keep up.
    The group hushed as Elizabeth, Kate, and Biscuit appeared, but barely gave them room to pass. One of them smiled at Biscuit, who barked in return.
    â€œEasy, little guy. I’m not going to hurt you,” the boy said.
    Elizabeth kept moving. She wanted to stay close, but she wasn’t ready to talk to her suspects yet. As soon as the girls and Biscuit were descending the stairs on the other side, the group started talking again. Biscuit resisted Kate’s lead and continued barking at the group.
    â€œBiscuit, cut that out!” she scolded. Finally, the little dog obeyed.
    Elizabeth led Kate to a nearby café and found an empty table. The waiter immediately placed a basket of tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa in front of them. “Cool!” said Kate. “Now that’s what I call service! Now, do you want to tell me what that was about?”
    Elizabeth leaned forward and motioned toward the group, which was still standing on the bridge. “I haven’t told you about the water balloon.” Over chips and salsa, she explained the whole story to her friend.
    â€œAha! A mystery to solve. Never fear, Elizabeth, my dear. I have everything we could possibly need to catch those guys. And when they’re caught, we’ll throw the book at them!”
    Elizabeth giggled at Kate’s enthusiasm.
Yep. Those guys don’t know what they’re in for
, she thought.
    They continued munching and chatting about their plans.
    â€œGary wants me to help with the Bible club every day. I told him you’d probably want to help, too.”
    â€œThat sounds like fun. What will you be doing?” Elizabeth asked, keeping an eye on the group, which had now moved to a café on the other side of the bridge. She had a clear view of them from her spot.
    â€œIt’s supposed to be right here on the Riverwalk somewhere. Something about a little church in a plaza or something? We’re going to do a Bible club for kids and hopefully draw in some of the locals. Apparently, a lot of kids hang out at the Riverwalk, and we’re going to