Elizabeth's San Antonio Sleuthing by Renae Brumbaugh Page B

God to help us find Biscuit, and to keep him safe. Now, we just have to trust God to do that. Remember Mark 11:24, ‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’ “
    Kate nodded. “I know. I want to believe. But in this case, that’s easier said than done.”
    â€œI know what you mean,” said Elizabeth. “I guess if faith in God were easy, more people would believe.”
    â€œI wish I’d left that tracking device on his collar!” Kate said. “If only I hadn’t taken it off when I got here!”
    The elevator doors opened into the lobby, where Uncle Dan was waiting. After a quick show-and-tell of the gadgets, they headed toward the mall. Instead of the usual way, however, Uncle Dan led them through a tiny door inthe side of one of the buildings.
    â€œWhere are we going?” asked Elizabeth.
    â€œWe’re still going to the mall,” Uncle Dan answered. “But if Biscuit was truly taken, the kidnappers wouldn’t have him right out in the open. There are dozens of these passageways between the mall and the Riverwalk, and few people even know about them. They were built so store owners would have a back way in and out of their stores, but they are hardly used.” He pointed to a series of doors along the side of the passageway. “These rooms are mostly used for storage, and each one has a door on the other side leading to one of the stores. Most of the store owners prefer to go through the mall, and get to their storage rooms from there.”
    â€œI don’t blame them,” said Elizabeth. “There’s something creepy about this…I wouldn’t want to walk through here every day, either.”
    â€œI think we need to search these passageways,” said Uncle Dan. “I think it’s the only way that guy could have escaped unseen. I don’t know where all the entrances are; most were built to blend in with the landscape of the Riverwalk. They’re difficult to see, if you don’t already know where they are.”
    â€œWow,” whispered Kate. “It’s like we’ve just walked into a spy movie. Only it’s real.”
    Uncle Dan stopped his wheelchair, turning to face them. “Elizabeth, you have your cell phone, right?”
    Elizabeth nodded.
    â€œYou two go on into the mall, and see what you can find. Remember, you’re not looking for Biscuit, though if you find him, that’s great. You’re looking for doors to these tunnels. Look around, ask around, see what you can find out. Call me as soon as you know something.”
    â€œWhat then?” asked Elizabeth.
    Uncle Dan pulled out a long telescope-looking device. “This is a peephole reverser. It allows you to look the other way through a peephole in a door, so you can see what’s going on inside the room. We have to use these sometimes in the hotel rooms, if we think someone is in danger. If you can find the doors, even if they are locked, we can look inside. As long as there is a peephole, that is.”
    The girls’ eyes grew round. “Cool!” Elizabeth said.
    â€œWhy don’t you do the honors?” Uncle Dan handed Elizabeth the device and gestured to the doors. Kate was too short to reach the peephole, and Uncle Dan was out of reach, as well.
    Elizabeth went from door to door, looking inside the rooms. Most of the rooms were dark, but a couple of them revealed only stacks of cardboard boxes. One had toys and stuffed animals on shelves, and she knew that was the toy store. Before long, she had looked through all the doors. No Biscuit in sight.
    â€œDo you want me to keep this?” Elizabeth asked her uncle.
    â€œNo. If you’re caught with it, you’ll have a hard time explaining. Thieves use these to check out the places they want to rob.” Uncle Dan returned the device to his duffel bag and said, “Remember,