SKI VACATION #24

Cindy was finally off on her dream ski holiday to Switzerland.

She made a call to Lily Lee before she boarded the plane.

“Hello Lily, I wanted to say good-bye to you. It was very hectic at the office

and I didn’t see you there to tell you in person good-bye.”

“Cindy, I’m glad you called. Have a marvelous trip and I hope you meet

a perfectly great looking guy to ski with. I’m so jealous of your trip.

Take care, I’ll miss you. Good-bye, Cindy.”

SOMETIMES LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE BALL.

CINDY CARROLL WAS THROWN A SNOWBALL DREAM.

BARBARA KISKIS

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

SKI VACATION #23

AFTERWARDS AT THE VENICE HOTEL.

After the dance, Sam Houston escorted Cindy Carroll back to her hotel.

James and Lily followed behind them quietly and was planning their next move.

Who travelled with Cindy to Venice?

That is what they needed to know.

Cindy felt comfortable with Sam and invited him for a drink at the hotel bar.

“What are you drinking, Cindy?”

“I’ll just have a cup of fresh coffee.”

Sam ordered two coffees and sat down with Cindy.

He had a few questions to ask of her, but he took his time.

Venice was a beautiful city, and the hotel was a five-star hotel.

He wanted to enjoy the company just the two of them.

James and Lily did not join Cindy and Sam

because Sam was doing better with her than they could.

The clock in the lobby struck 2 a.m.

“Oh, Sam, it’s late. I better to go upstairs. Gene will be worried about me.”

“Gene? Gene who?”

“Gene Clark brought me to Venice. He’s been a life saver

and I’ve been staying with him since the accident.”

Cindy went on to tell Sam about the accident on the polo field.

Sam was getting the picture of her disappearance for all these weeks.

So, Cindy was not kidnapped. She lost her memory.

It was all making sense now.

Cindy got up to go to her room. Sam accompanied her upstairs.

He wanted to meet Gene Clark.

Cindy unlocked the hotel suite and entered along with Sam.

The room was dark.

“Well, that’s strange, I thought Gene would be back by now. What time is it?”

“It’s very late, Cindy.”

Sam did not see any evidence of another person staying in Cindy’s room

when he turned the lights on.

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #22

IT’S SHOWTIME….

The costumes and masks have been chosen and the invitees were arriving

at the Costume Ball.

Cindy Carroll looked small and meek but stunning in a pinky peach dress.

Congressman Jamison is in a party mood, wearing a black costume. Looking very regal.

Lily Lee will outshine them all in her orange costume. No one can hold a candle to her.

Sam Houston was playing it safe and hidden in his costume.

No one knew who anyone was in their secret disguises.

They danced with many different partners and in-between dances they drank champagne.

At midnight, the guest revealed themselves to others. They took off their masks.

Lily Lee spotted Cindy Carroll from across the room and made her way over to her.

“Cindy, Cindy, it’s you. Are you all, right?”

Cindy just stood there and stared back at Lily.

“Sorry, but do I know you?”

Now it was Lily’s turn to stare back at Cindy.

“It’s me your coworker from The Agency. Lily, Lily Lee.”

Congressman Jamison had seen Lily talking with Cindy Carroll

and went over to join them.

Lily grabbed the Congressman’s arm, “She doesn’t know who I am, James.”

James smiled politely at Cindy.

“My dear, don’t you know us?”

“I’m afraid I don’t. Should I know you?”

Sam Houston joined the group.

“What’s the matter. You all look like someone died tonight.”

“I think she did die.”

“Who?” asked Sam.

James answered, “Our friend, Cindy Carroll has seemed to have lost her memory.”

“So, that’s why she was missing.”

“Right, Miss Lee.”

“So, James who bought her to Venice?”

“I think we need to find out.”

Before anyone could answer James’ question,

they announced the last dance for the evening.

Sam extended his hand to Cindy and smiled.

“May I have this dance?”

Cindy smiled back at Sam ad excepted his request.

While dancing Cindy asked, “Do you know me?”

“No, my dear, I do not.”

Cindy looked relieved.

“Thank God, someone who doesn’t know me.”

Sam laughed at her comment as they danced around the room.

James asked Lily to dance with him and she accepted.

As the music played the last dance, a shadow of a person

could be seen in the corner of the ballroom.

“Damn, things are not going as planned.”

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #21

GUESTS ARRIVING FOR MARDI GRAS

The next three guests, Congressman Jamison, Sam Houston and Lily Lee

each arrived separately to Venice.

At their hotel, they each received the same note that Cindy received.

But with a different signature at the end of the note.

“Thank you accepting my invitation to the Costume Ball this evening.

Be sure wear a costume and a mask.

Have a fun time dancing.

All will be revealed at Midnight.

A Friend.”

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #20

MARDI GRAS WAS IN FULL SWING, VENICE, ITALY

Cindy Carroll arrived in Venice and was accompanied by Gene Clark, even though

he was not an invited guest.

Checking into the hotel, the manager handed Cindy a note.

“Thank you accepting my invitation to the Costume Ball this evening.

Be sure wear a costume and a mask.

Have a fun time dancing.

All will be revealed at Midnight.

A Secret Admirer.”

Cindy folded the note and stuck it in her handbag.

Details, Details.

She only had a few hours to find a costume and mask.

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #19

INVITATION #4

Lily Lee had just returned to her office at The Agency from her lunch date with her fiancé.

She was in an excellent mood until she opened her mail.

“What?” Lily yelled.

“What kind of joke is this? Venice? Mardi Gras Ball?”

Lily’s assistant, Melody, ran into her office.

“What’s wrong, boss?”

“Look at this invitation.”

Melody picked up the invite and read it.

“Looks like you are going to celebrate Carnival in Venice. How exciting.”

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #18

INVITATON #2 & #3

Sam Houston just happened to be in Washington DC

so he called Congressman Jamison to join him for a drink.

The bar that evening was crowded as usually but Sam got a table near he back of the bar.

Sam waved James over to his table.

“Busy day, Congressman?”

“Hi Sam and yes it was. Did you order me a Scotch?”

“Yes, sir.”

The guys talked as their drank and during the second round of drinks,

Sam pulled out an invitation.

“Have you seen this, James?”

“Got mine this afternoon.”

“Who is it from and what’s happening?”

“Sam, I’m not sure but I noticed two hand written initals on the bottom of the invitation.”

“Here, let me see that.”

Checking it closer, Sam reread the invite.

“C.C.”

“What does it mean?”

James replied, “I believe they are a person’s initials.”

“OK, but who is C.C.”

“Cindy Carroll. She’s been missing from THE AGENCY

for four weeks now. No one knows where she is.”

“So, she is inviting us to a Mardi Gras Dance in Venice?”

“Not directly, someone is luring us to Venice.”

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #17

AN INVITATION

Cindy Carroll was sifting through the daily mail knowing 

that each envelope wouldn’t have her name of it. 

It just gave her something to do during the afternoon.

This batch of mail was different, there was a large printed envelope

with her name printed on it.

She stared at it for a few seconds before she carefully opened it,

An invitation to a MARDI GRA Costume Ball in Venice.

How strange she thought. 

Who would invite her to a Ball in Venice?

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #16

MEANWHILE BACK IN WASHINGTON DC…

It’s been three weeks and there has been growing concern over Cindy Carroll’s disappearance.

The Agency sent alerts to agents working in Switzerland.

Where was Miss Carroll?

She was due back from her ski holiday three weeks ago.

Lily Lee, her coworker at The Agency, decided to make a few calls in hopes to locate Cindy.

“Hello James?”

“Good morning, Miss Lee.”

“You don’t have to be so formal, James.”

“I’m busy. What’s up?”

“It’s our friend, Cindy Carroll, she’s missing. She left for a ski vacation

and then just disappeared.”

“Why call me? There are other agents out there that could find her. You know Congress is in session.

What do you want me to do?”

“Well, that’s not a nice attitude.”

“Look, Lily, I lost my good mood attitude when you broke up with me. Remember?”

“Yes, I remembered you lied to me. Sorry to have called and bothered you about

a missing person. Goodbye.”

Lily disconnected her phone call to Congressman Jamison.

She was angry.

(To be continued)

SKI VACATION #15

COUNTRY LIFE

Cindy was feeling good and enjoying her new life in the French countryside.

Gene was there to lend Cindy a hand. He was enjoying his new role of caretaker.

Cindy’s past was just that, the past. She still couldn’t remember her life before.

The doctors told her it might months before her memory would come back to her, if ever. 

Gene and Cindy roamed the countryside together, exploring the nearby villages during the day

stopping to have their morning coffee in small cafes along the way.

Gene was getting attached to having Cindy around. Since he was retired from his post

at British Intelligence, his days were free to enjoy this distraction.

He knew he should contact someone about the whereabouts of Miss Carroll,

but he decided to wait and see how things played out.

(To be continued)