Read Minnie Chase Makes a Mistake for Free Online Page B

.’
    ‘San Francisco is quite a stretch though. You hate travel. You don’t like adventure.’
    ‘It’s a challenge, I’ll admit,’ confessed Minnie, feeling more nervous than she had ever been in her entire life.
    Angie stirred her coffee vigorously and asked, ‘How will you find this Greene?’ 
    ‘People can’t just disappear.’
    ‘Rich people can,’ reasoned Angie. ‘Private jets and desert islands.’
    ‘I’ll play the business card,’ said Minnie. ‘He was passionate about the natural gas business plan. He won’t walk away from a deal like that.’
    ‘I should be there with you. Thelma had Louise.’
    ‘You have, like, a hundred cats and dogs to look after – animals with abandonment issues. You can’t just leave. I have no idea how long this will take.’
    Angie looked genuinely torn. 
    Minnie put down her coffee and reached out to hold Angie’s hand. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘For what?’
    ‘For, well, you know.’
    ‘No, I don’t know.’
    ‘Looking out for me. You’ve always looked out for me.’
    Angie reached over for Minnie’s hand and squeezed. 
    Minnie returned the squeeze and picked up her coffee cup. Angie tucked into her pastry and started people watching. She said suddenly, ‘I can wire you money. Like Jimmy did when Louise needed some.’
    ‘Angie, I’m not on the run,’ said Minnie managing a smile.
    ‘I know. But you never know.’
    ‘Okay, great.’
    Minnie suddenly had a surge of panic and wondered if she could actually do this. 
     
    Minnie wished she could have taken Angie up on her offer to go with her. She would be a brilliant ‘wing man’ to see her through this Greene goose chase. She was going to San Francisco under-confident and ill-prepared.
    Until now, San Francisco had been no more than a movie set for Minnie. Home to cinematic stories such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus – the latter a particular favourite of James George. 
    Real life was going to look drastically different. 
    Angie with her big heart and wild hair was an anchor for Minnie. Angie would weather the storm whereas Minnie would end up flattened under a hurricane-hit house. Opposites attract: Minnie needed a routine and structure in her life while Angie had a more random and volatile nature. She was, however, totally dependable. 
    As they neared the security check point, Angie tried to keep Minnie’s spirits up.
    ‘Don’t go breaking and entering if you find him. There is only one burglar rule that applies across the pond and it involves a shotgun!’
    Minnie put a finger to her lips to shhhh Angie and jerked her head in the direction of security-conscious airport staff. 
    Angie handed Minnie a goody bag for the trip. It consisted of giant-size bag of colourful M&Ms, a copy of Mathematics Logico magazine, a silk eyemask decorated with pink pawprints, a notepad and pen, and a pair of exotic sunglasses. 
    Minnie smiled and thanked her, gripping on to the bag for dear life.
    ‘What else does a modern-girl detective need?’ said Angie cheerfully.
    ‘What would I do without you?’
    ‘Well, I guess we’ll never know. I’ll always be here for you.’
    Minnie nodded, desperately grateful.
    ‘Walk about on the plane!’ instructed Angie, shouting over people’s heads as they weaved their way through the crowds. ‘Don’t drink the coffee! Call me when you get there!’
    It was time to say goodbye. Minnie stopped and wrapped herself around Angie, gripping her tightly. Then she walked backwards, waving to Angie until the very last second. 
    Just as Minnie was about to disappear into the network of security, she heard Angie’s voice boom out like an official airport announcement: ‘Minnie Chase, I predict you’ll find yourself sitting next to a handsome photographer from National Geographic magazine who will tell you about the amazing places he’s been.’
    Minnie looked round one last time. 
    Angie was nodding and smiling, giving her the thumbs up – the