Handcuffed

Masquerades

It wasn’t before ten o’clock the next morning that Shirley surfaced.  She was hoping to get something to eat before her outing, but there was as much food as there were people around and the kitchen doors were locked.  She turned to leave, thinking of her grumbling stomach, when Mori’s voice came over the PA.  “I’ll be with you in a minute, Shirley.”

Shirley waited for him to come through the kitchen doors, and was invited to follow him back to the Moran family dining room table.  Ms. Barker was sitting there looking tired and teary eyed, as well as The Dean, and Professor Moran. 

“We are awaiting word from the police, if they found Mr. Ryde,” The Dean greeted her solemnly.  “His hostess, while she was up with her baby at three o’clock AM, got nervous when found his bedroom door open and he wasn’t in the room.  She called the police then and called me this morning.  I have not told the police about the late night excursion the two of you had.  They surprisingly found on their own that he had used a personal calling card from the payphone he called you from, Shirley.  They are searching that area now, though they have not come up with anything.  As you said last night there is a lot of trampled snow, so they cannot follow his tracks.”

“So it wasn’t a practical joke,” Shirley reacted slumping into a chair and putting her head down.  She rubbed her eyes without pity, giving them a red look, while forcing tears to her eyes.  “Oh, how can I ever forgive myself?” she berated herself out loud.  “I came for breakfast and now I don’t even have an appetite.”

“Now now,” The Dean comforted her, “you explained yourself to me last night and you can’t blame yourself for assuming it was a joke.  In the meantime, have something to eat and go on with your day.  His hostess will call me as soon as she has any information, and you will be told as soon as I hear from her.”

Mori brought her a hot soup, a steaming cocoa, with a roll and butter and sat down next to her.  “Do you feel up to our skiing trip?” he whispered in her ear.

“Not really,” Shirley groaned, “but if I don’t do something to get this off my mind I will never live a happy day again.  I better go on the trip whether I feel up to it or not.”

“That’s the spirit,” Mori exclaimed patting her on the back, and getting a stern look from his father.

It was after eleven when Shirley accompanied Mori from her dressing room where she had left her outfit for dancing, into the car all bundled up.

“I feel bad for you,” Shirley started the conversation after ten minutes of silence, “because you probably feel like you are going to have a hard time this date, keeping me upbeat.  I will try to put it out of my mind and enjoy life.”

“That’s my girl,” Mori said all excited as they pulled onto the highway.    He suddenly frowned.  “Why do I get the feeling that jalopy is following us?”

“I can’t see who is driving,” Shirley said, half turned in her seat to try to see whom Mori was talking about.  “Whomever is driving has their entire face covered.  Judging by the looks of that wreck, I wonder if there is heat in that car.  Why would anyone follow us anyway?  I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Can you make out the license plate, just in case we decided to check it up?”

Shirley looked back again.  “No, it is mostly covered with snow.”

Mori slowed down and let the car pass them.  A closer look at the driver didn’t help.  “The windows are frosted and the plate in the back is also snow covered.  He could get a ticket for that,” Mori fumed.

There was no sign of the jalopy when they got to their destination.  This was not the first time Shirley had gone skiing, so she needed no help, and Mori also felt comfortable taking the more advanced route.  The first run was exhilarating, and it was great for her nerves.  She wasn’t surprised to see how well Mori handled the skis.  They were just about to get into the next lift, when the strangest thing happened.