"Can I help you with that?"

Carol straightened up and looked at the young woman who had spoken. Her dark eyes looked directly into Carol's eyes. Her olive skin was smooth and only slightly creased by a smile that revealed prominent, slightly crooked teeth. Her brunette hair was cut short and curled under like a smooth cap. A slight lisp marked her low pleasant voice.

She spoke again. "I have only one case." She raised a small, cloth-covered overnight case. "I've checked the others because I'm staying over for just one night."

"Thank you," Carol said as the other took the largest of the three cases.

"I'm Diane Collette. What's your name?"

"Carol Wolseley."

"Isn't that a coincidence!" Diane exclaimed. "That was my mother’s name. It’s uncanny, but when I first saw you, I thought of Mother. She had the same gentle expression, the same kind face." she laughed. "I guess that’s why I wanted to help you."

They reached the door just as Diane said, "I hope I can get a hotel room."

Carol said, "I don't think you'll have an easy time of it. There’s a Shriner’s convention in town, and you know …"

"Oh, look!" Diane broke in. "What a crowd waiting for cabs!"

Carol groaned. "I'll probably have to wait for the last one."

"Leave it to me," Diane spoke confidently.

Within moments, she returned with a young man who helped them with the luggage.

"Four sixty-nine Willow Street," Carol said as she settled down in her seat.

"Is there a hotel or motel on the way to your place.

"There are several, but I'm afraid you'll have a hard time getting one because of the convention, and it's late."

Diane sighed, "I'm so tired. I have to leave early tomorrow," She sounded almost tearful and her lisp added to the childlike quality of her complaint.

There was something so compelling about Diane personality that even though everything within her said, "No, No, No', Carol found herself saying. "I can put you up for tonight." She regretted it almost immediately.

"Thank you so much." she sounded so grateful. "I was right about you. You really are kind."

Early the following morning, just about the time Carol awoke from a drugged sleep, a slender young woman walked into the rest room of a restaurant while her companion walked over to a booth. Half of the booths and tables were already taken.

A few minutes later, a fair-complexioned, blond woman walked over to the booth occupied by the cab driver of the night before. She tossed the alligator overnight bag on the seat beside her. she smiled at the man, a smile that revealed perfect teeth.

"I just knew she was a good one!" There was no trace of a lisp. "Quiet understated wealth - that's what I like."

"But you didn't know she lived alone."

"It was likely since no one met her. Anyway, I'm adaptable. I can change course as quickly as I change my wig or my makeup."

Her grey eyes twinkled mischievously. "Order a big breakfast. I’m starving.