Ending of last post:

*****
Cadence nodded in agreement, and then tore open the envelope, her fingers trembling at the seam. Carefully, she pulled out a folded piece of paper, and smoothed it out on the counter next to the plate of cupcakes. All three bent over to look.

"You've got to be kidding me," Cadence said, slapping her hand on her forehead.

*****

The note began in the same unique handwriting that addressed the envelope, and gave Cadence a cold chill that raised the hair on her arms. It seemed to match the commanding voice of Mr. Collins, and she wasn't even sure why it did.

"Sorry to miss you again," it began, "but this time it's my fault. I have gone to check out a lead on the package. If you go next door to the store, Time and Time Again, you can talk to my son, Charles. He will instruct you further in your task. If you choose to take on the challenge, I wish you luck. If you do not, then I will understand that the assignment is out of your comfort zone and that you would be better suited to wait for other types of donations."

Cadence dropped her hand from her forehead and growled in frustration.

"What on Earth is that supposed to mean?" She asked. "What do you two think?"

A mumbling was heard as the girls reread the note, partially to themselves and partially out loud. Finally they looked up puzzled.

"Sounds like a challenge to me," Mia decided.

"Sounds like the run-a-round," Shanice disagreed.

"He's definitely rich," Mia stated, once more expressing the prevalent attitude of her peers.

"I can't argue with you there." Cadence nodded. "But it still leaves us with a difficult choice, and with no chance to quiz Nick about the contents of the package."

They all turned as they heard the door open with an audible pop. Leo strode in with a look of concern on his face, followed closely by Sarah.

"What's going on?" Leo asked.

"I thought you two were on duty," Cadence responded, raising an eyebrow dramatically.

"And I thought Shanice and Mia were supposed to be, too," Leonardo countered. "What's up with that?"

"We were curious," Shanice explained.

"And we were worried when you guys went into a dark store and didn't come back out." Sarah ended the debate.

"And where's this Nick guy?" Leo spoke up. "He's the one who was all demanding we be here on time."

"Apparently called away on some urgent business," Cadence answered. "We got this note telling us to go next door and talk to his son, Charles."

She held the slip of paper up for him and Sarah to see.

"Now that's just wrong," Sarah said with exasperation. "Can't he simply act professional?"

"Doesn't look like it," Mia replied. "He cut out like my Uncle Melvin when the rent's due."

Cadence barely suppressed a smile as she looked around at her students.

"It is getting rather frustrating trying to connect with the man," she finally said.

Leo took the note and read it for himself. A dark look came over his face, and In his usual non verbal way, communicated disapproval with silence.

"Well," Cadence began, "he's the one with the money to give away. I guess that gives him the right to be eccentric."

"Maybe," Mia allowed, "but he's being rude, too, and money doesn't excuse that."

"No, it doesn't," Cadence agreed. "So, do you guys want to walk away now? I'd say this is the time to do it if we are going to."

"Not until we find out what the dude next door has to say." Leo spoke for the group. "I mean, he's this Nick Collin's son. That's closer than you've gotten so far, Miss."

"Okay, then," Cadence agreed, taking the note and sticking it in her purse. "Let's go talk to Charles."