Shane had taken part of the day off on Thursday for an appointment. When she came back on Friday, she seemed a little off. When Oliver asked what was wrong, she would just smile and say, "Nothing, Oliver."
Oliver knew it wasn't the truth, but let it go for the moment. He would talk to her at lunch and get her to tell.
The morning went along as usual for the most part, but Oliver would look up at Shane and would catch her just staring absently at her computer.
Growing more concerned, he called Rita over to ask if she knew what was going on. Rita said, "I don't know, she won't say." and that only served to make Oliver grow more concerned.
Fifteen minutes before lunch, Oliver cautiously approached Shane's floating desk.
"Ms McInerney, will you have lunch with me," he asked.
Her response was polite but disappointing, "I can't today, Oliver. Raincheck?"
The phone rang on Oliver's desk, he went to answer it. He grew impatient with the caller. Lester Kimsicle was asking questions, but Oliver paid no attention. His mind was on Shane.
Finally he was able to hang the phone up, but too late, Shane and Rita were gone and Norman and Rita seemed lost.
"Rita, Norman where has Shane gone," Oliver asked.
"I don't know, she just said she was going to lunch." Norman replied.
Oliver grunted. "Would you two like to go to lunch at the grill?"
They walked silently to the Mailbox grill where they picked at the lunch they ordered as they sat wondering what the mystery could be.
"Ms McInerney, you are a puzzle and I'm determined to find out what secret you are hiding," Oliver said not meaning to say it out loud.
Norman said, "Oliver wouldn't it be better to wait until she volenteered the information? She may just need time to think it over."
"Norman, you are very wise, but honestly I don't think I can wait this time."
After lunch the trio came back to the DLO. Shane wasn't there, but there was an envelope on Oliver's desk. Oliver was all that was written on the front.
Oliver sat at his desk, got a letter opener and slit the envelope open.
The note read; Oliver, I know this is last minute, but I really need next week off. Sorry for the short notice.
Shane
Beside himself, Oliver called Norman and Rita over. He let them inspect the note.
Norman said, "Hesitant strokes of the pen. She is distressed about something."
"Oliver, what did you do this time,"
Rita asked, before she could hold it back.
" I didn't do anything, that I know about," Oliver said rubbing his chin.
He then picked up the phone and dialed Shane's number. It went straight to voice mail. "Ms McInerney, as you know, I abhor voice mail." Grinding his teeth he added, "I insist you call me back at once. This is Oliver," he added as an afterthought just before hanging up.
"Now we go back to work until she calls back." Oliver said to his colleagues.
The remainder of the work day was spent watching the clock. The DLO wasn't the happy place it usually is. It was filled with the sound of frustration and the occasional angry grunt from Oliver, or a sad sigh from Rita and Norman.
When the clock finally struck quitting time. They all absently said their goodbyes and hopes for a good weekend.
The Jag seemed to have a mind of its own, it simply refused to go home, instead ot was parking in front of a small house with a yellow rose bush and a porch swing.
Oliver picked up, "the gift" Shane had given him for his last birthday, found his dad's avatar and pushed the button.
"Hello, Oliver," Joe said.
Oliver pulled the phone away from is ear and looked at it questioning if it were really a work of dark magic. He put the phone back to his ear and asked, "how did you know it was me?"
"It has your name at the top, son," Joe laughed. "So, how are you? I'm surprised you aren't with your Ms McInerney. "
"That's why I called, she has taken time off and won't say why. I'm at a loss, dad." Oliver said with a voice full of stress.
"She may have just needed some alone time to think something through Son, you shouldn't get so worked up." Joe told him trying to reassure himself as well as Oliver.
"But, dad, why wouldn't she tell me what is going on?" whined Oliver.
"Son, I'm not an expert on women by any means. If it worries you so much, why don't you use your detective skills and go detect?" Asked Joe.
Now that was the best idea yet. Oliver and his dad said their good byes and they hung up.
"Ok, Ms McInerney, what are you up to," Oliver asked the air.
He got out of the car and walked to the gate, where he heard a noise around the corner. It was Norman lifting Rita up to peek in the window of Shane's bedroom window.
"What are you doing," asked Oliver .
Rita squealed and Norman jumped almost dropping her.
"We knocked but there was no reply, so we thought we would look and see if she was here, but not answerimg." Said Norman
"She's not, " said Rita. "Not here, that is," she amended.
"I think it time to do more than a little sleuthing, we need to go "full on Sherlock Holmes," exclaimed Oliver.