Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, as they waited for the ambulance to come for Vera, Mr. Dinello, Mr. Jaquith, the DeLorcas and the teens realized that Mia Duomo had gone missing. Rick and Ward were worried about the beautiful Miss Duomo, after hearing her scream, and decided to go looking for her themselves. Knowing Mr. Dinello would never approve of their going off on their own, the boys crept away and hurried down the staircase from which they heard Mia’s shout. On one of the steps, they found a red leather handbag and concluded that it wasn’t Mia Duomo’s. But, whose was it? Did they open the purse or put it back? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 10: Purse Nurse
By Joseph Crisalli

“Is this Mia Duomo’s?” Ward asked.

“I didn’t notice.” Rick shook his head.

“It can’t be. Miss Duomo was wearing a green dress. My mom always says that because Miss Duomo used to be a model, she makes sure she dresses perfectly. I don’t think a woman would carry a red purse with a bright green dress—especially someone as fashion-conscious as Mia Duomo.” Ward answered.

Rick shrugged. “It just looks like a bag to me. If it’s not Mia Duomo’s, maybe it belongs to whoever made her scream.”

“And whoever left those high-heeled footprints behind.” Ward added.

“There’s only one way to find out.” Rick said. “We have to open it.”

“But, it’s not ours.” Ward’s eyes widened.

“It’s the only way.” Rick shook his head.

“You’re right.” Ward agreed. “Okay, let’s open it.”

“Well, you’re the one holding it,” Rick squinted, “so go ahead and open the thing.”

Ward gulped. He had never opened a woman’s purse before—except his mom’s and only with her permission.

He opened the red bag—the top of which was sealed with two cross-crossing clips—and peered inside.

“What’s in there?” Rick asked.

“Lots of stuff.” Ward answered, amazed at how much could fit in just one handbag.

“Makeup and tissues and keys and a granola bar and…”

“Is there a wallet?” Rick asked.

“Yes.” Ward said reaching into the purse. “There is.”

“Well, take it out and see if there’s any I.D. in it—a driver’s license or a credit card.” Rick rolled his eyes.

Rick held the purse under his arm and was about to open the wallet when a voice stopped him.

“Save yourself the trouble boys.” A woman said.

Ward and Rick turned around. It was the woman they had seen talking with Mia Duomo when the elevator doors opened.

“Just what do you think you’re doing with my purse?” The woman asked.

“We found it.” Ward blushed. “We just wanted to see who it belonged to.”

“It’s mine.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Vivian Crane—the artist. You know, the painter whose work is going to be exhibited next week in the gallery upstairs?”

“Oh.” Ward nodded.

“So, can I have my purse?” Vivian Crane asked.

“Ward, give her the purse.” Rick hissed.

Ward wasn’t too eager to hand over the bag. There was something about Miss Crane that made him not trust her. Perhaps it was the fact that when they first saw her she appeared to be arguing with Miss Duomo. Or, perhaps it was the strange, angry look in her eyes. Maybe it wasn’t even her purse.

“Ward…” Rick repeated.

What should Ward do?

Hand over the purse?
Look at the I.D. to make sure it was really hers.
Ask her to identify something special about the purse?

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