Somebody took it and the coat

"Ah, you checked a green suitcase and a puffy coat?"

"Yes, exactly!" Candace exclaimed, thankful for the help she would get.

"Hmmm, it should be here - everything's been scanned and they should have been at the front of the cargo hold. You sure you don't see them at Carousel 8?"

"No."

"Hmmm, let me talk to another employee. Sandra, could you come to Lost Baggage?" the attendant called into the radio.

After a few minutes, Sandra came to the desk while the attendant asked her questions.

"You were on Flight 442, right?"

"Yes, and I supervised the unloading of all checked luggage onto the carousel."

"Was anything missing or delayed?"

"No, not at all."

"Did you happen to see a green suitcase and puffy coat by any chance?"

"Yes, actually. After a couple of minutes someone came and took them."

"Well, this lady over here," gestured the attendant to the scantily-clad Candace, "says that those were her items."

"Oh my," Sandra drank in the sight of Candace, "were you the lady from the bathroom?"

"Y-yes," Candace stammered, "I was the last one off the plane."

"Oh, that's a real shame," Sandra consoled, "someone with a backpack just took your things and rolled them out of the airport. Did you have anything inside the bag that could identify you?"

"No," Candace looked down at the floor, "just toiletries, and ... and ..." she couldn't bear the thought of what was happening as her voice lowered, "clothes."

"Oh, well hopefully whoever took your stuff will look at the tags and return everything to the airline. In the meantime, we're not liable for any lost, damaged, or stolen bags. I have to get on my next flight, glad I could help!" she said as she slapped Candace's back, dislodging the loose blazer and making it fall to the ground, leaving Candace nude once more. She hunched over yet again before the attendant told her to make way for new customers.

In a daze, Candace had the sense to pick up her backpack and blazer, but not to put the latter back on. Donning the backpack and holding the blazer, she considered her options. She felt that she could buy some clothes from the airport! Whatever its corniness, an "I ❤️ Des Moines" T-shirt and sweatpants, and hopefully underwear, were better than what she was wearing right now. The only problem was that the baggage carousel was landside, and all the gift shops were airside. Hopefully, she could cross through security once more without a valid boarding pass to get some clothes.