I awoke to the sound of the noon whistle, then proceeded to get out of my chair and go to the car. I drove downtown to the area McDuncans. Fast food, friendly service, and outrageously long lines. I pulled up to the drive through and met another school friend. “Kate? Is it really you?” I asked.

“Yes. But do I know you?”

“It’s me, Adam Schofield. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. I’ve been promoted to manager of this branch.”

“Wow! Have you seen Matt or Noelle lately?”

“No, can’t say that I have.”

“Well if you do, could you give me a call?” I said handing her my only business card.

“Sure.” I thanked her, got my order, and drove away. I went to the park, where I exited my car and went to a park bench. I sat down and ate my lunch while watching the clouds roll by. In a matter of moments it began to rain. I dashed for my car and finished eating inside. I tried to start the car, but I realized that I was out of gas. I looked in my wallet and found a twenty dollar bill. Getting out I walked through the rain to the nearest gas station, a mile away. I got inside, and saw it was one o’clock. I got some gas and returned to my car, where I filled the tank as much as I could.

I drove to the gas station and continued to fill it up. I went inside to pay, and I asked the person, “Did a Horizon with the license plate 588-HQZ stop by here yesterday?”

“Let me think. Yes, it did. It had two people riding in it, a fella and a lady.”

“Thanks.” I said leaving. I went outside and noticed an oil slick pattern on the ground. It had been formed by the rain. It went clear to road and continued. I got in my car and followed the slicks until I came to a house. It was a tall building in the suburbs. I looked for a car, but could find only a garage. When I tried to get into the garage, someone found me and frightened me away with a shot gun.

It was about two, so I decided to return to the office. I kept working. Dusting, sweeping. Finally, everything was in place. I sold all the things that were in the closet to an antique dealer, keeping only what was genuinely valuable. The papers I put in the closet. With the money from the antiques I bought an electric fan, which I installed, and the room was finished. There were two phones, one in each room, but they were inoperative. I sat down and thought, whom can I get for a secretary? I looked at my watch and saw that it was three. I went outside, got into my car, and headed for the Museum.

Tricia was outside waiting. She got in and said, “With all the nerve!” She looked irritated.

“What?”

“That creep had enough nerve to fire me, just because I was taken hostage while standing near the palette. He said that if a man had been there, the culprit wouldn’t have gotten away! With all the nerve.”

“He may have a point.”