Free Curse of the Ruins by Gary Paulsen Page A

think I was going to do? Get my bag back, of course.”
    Five officers now surrounded them. The one still holding Katie’s arm said something to the others in Spanish. Then he turned back to the three of them. “You will follow me. All of you are officially under arrest.”

C HAPTER 2
    “We told you.” Sam wearily dropped to the wooden bench on the other side of the police sergeant’s desk. “We were never in Mexico. Check with the airlines. We flew straight to New Mexico, we didn’t cross the border, and we weren’t trying to avoid customs. A thief stole my sister’s bag and we were just trying to get it back.”
    “If you’ll call the Hotel Monterrey and ask for my father, Professor William Crockett, he’ll clear all this up in no time.” Katie leaned on the desk. “He was supposed to meet us atthe airport, but when your men arrested us we never got the chance to find him.”
    The sergeant nodded patiently. “You say your father is a professor of archaeology and that he is currently working in one of the ruins not far from the city?”
    Shala, who was sitting on the bench beside Sam, let out a long breath. “That’s what we told you. Let’s see … is it eleven times so far? My uncle, their father, is expecting us to join him today so that he can take us out to the dig. You’ve searched us and our luggage. We’re obviously not hiding anything. Why not let us go so we can get on with our vacation?”
    A young police officer walked into the room and delivered a piece of paper. The sergeant read it quickly. He placed it on the desk in front of him and folded his hands. “It is true that we found nothing suspicious in your luggage and your papers seem to be in order. But there is one part of your story that does not seem to check out. There is no Professor Crockett registered at the Hotel Monterrey.”
    “What?” Sam jumped up. “Are you sure?Maybe there’s more than one Hotel Monterrey in San Marcos.”
    The sergeant shook his head. “I assure you there is only one. Now.” He stood and walked around the desk. “The question is, what should be done with the three of you?”
    “Well.” Katie put her hands on her hips. “If you were real policemen, you would go get my bag back from that stupid crook and then help us find my dad.”
    Sam elbowed her. “Uh … what my sister means is that there is obviously some kind of weird mix-up going on here and we would really appreciate any help you could give us in locating our father.”
    “Of course. I have my officers inquiring as to his whereabouts even as we speak. We will also check with the federal officials about the ruins you mentioned. In the meantime, since we have no place to keep you other than a jail cell, I have decided to release the three of you—on one condition.”
    “Cool.” Shala stood up. “What is it?”
    “You will remember that you are in New Mexico now. And as guests of our state youwill abide by our laws. If anyone other than a police officer should contact you about this incident you will report it to me at once. Is this understood?”
    “Got it.” Sam pushed the other two toward the door. “Can we get our stuff back now?”
    The sergeant called to an officer and instructed him to take the three to the front desk and give them their belongings. “Enjoy your stay in San Marcos. And contrary to what you may think, I wish you much luck in locating your father.” The sergeant followed them to the door. “Rest assured, we will be in touch.”

C HAPTER 3
    “Now what?” Sam set his suitcase on the cracked sidewalk outside the police station.
    Katie reached for a small, sturdy chain she wore around her neck and pulled out a square leather purse attached to it. She unzipped the pouch, searched through her traveler’s checks and identification papers, and found a worn envelope. “Here’s Dad’s last letter. Look, right here he says he’ll meet us at the airport today and if there are any problems he’ll be staying at