A mask of innocence *On hold*

A mask of innocence~ 9

I knew who took it. It was painfully obvious that the man in the black mask had slopped it away from me when I wasn't looking. I knew I'd never be so careless as to let the pouch drop. And he'd effectively cleared himself from doubt by presenting the pouch to me as if I'd lost it.

I was torn between anger and fear. Not only did I lose my prize, but someone was on to me.

Tommy's forehead clinched in concern when I told him the story.

"This is serious,Cam, you could go to jail for stealing, and if someone already knows what you're doing, it's only a matter of time before the police slow up at the door."

"Think about it, Tommy, if this man wanted me in jail I'd already be there. It's been a week since the ball and no one has stepped forth, so I think we can conclude that he won't. I just need to figure out who this man is."

"That's unlikely, since he was wearing a mask just like you and everyone else."

I nodded absently, only half-listening to his words. Tommy was right: he was wearing a mask like everyone else but he had to have gotten it somewhere, it might've even been the same shop that I'd gotten mine from.

I cut Tommy off from whatever speech he was making.

"I've got to go! I think I know how to find it out!"