The Disappearance of Paige Turner: A Novella by Bart J. Gilbertson

Author:Bart J. Gilbertson [Gilbertson, Bart J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-10T22:00:00+00:00

Part VI

Being Selfish

Theodore arrived within 45 minutes, as promised. Paige had already checked out of her room and was waiting in the lobby with her things when he called. After a few pleasantries, she added her things to his in the back of the X-Terra, and they were off.

Theodore looked at his watch. "It's about 9:30 now, so we should hopefully be hitting our destination right around lunch time. From here, it should be roughly 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and possible road work."

"About 1 o'clock or so then?"

"That would be my guess."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to swing through a drive-thru somewhere on the way out then. I haven't had any breakfast yet."

Theodore smiled. "Right behind your seat is a cooler. I've loaded us up with muffins, sandwiches, fruit and drinks. Help yourself."

Paige turned and found the cooler. She opened it and sifted through its contents and emerged with a blueberry muffin, a banana, and a bottle of water.

"Perfect. Thank you!"

"One thing I've learned in my travels, is that it pays to be prepared."

Paige peeled her banana and took a bite. "So, what's the plan of action?"

"In the glove box is a Google Maps printout of the route we'll be taking."

Paige opened the glove box and pulled out the papers. She looked them over. He'd made marks of his own along the route he'd chosen.

"Wow. You've got it all mapped out pretty good," Paige said.

"Like I said. Prepared." Theodore let out a little laugh. "I thought we'd take the Parkway north until we hit 55 and then head west through Poughkeepsie, cross the Hudson, continue west until we got to 87, and then head north again. Just outside of Saugerties, we'll fork off on to 32 which will take us into the heart of the Catskills."

"I see that." Paige followed what he was saying on the printed map. "Wouldn't it just be easier to pull up Google Maps on your phone and use the GPS?"

"I suppose you could try it, but without a final destination to punch in, it might make it difficult. Besides, the signal strength in the mountains might be weak or break up. That's why I decided on printing the route out instead."

"This little "X" you have marked on the map here, is that where Arkdown Watch is?"

"No. That is where we need to try and find the way in to Arkdown Watch. Have you ever been to the Catskills before?"

Paige glanced up at him. "Just once. I went with some friends from college a few years ago to Windham to do some skiing."

"Oh, we won't be too far from there. Our missing town should be somewhere southeast of Windham in the forest, if I remember correctly. Are you a skiier?"

"Not really. I like to try, though."

"That's one thing I never really go into."

"It can be an expensive hobby, that's for sure."

The rest of the morning passed by uneventfully. They exchanged small talk for most of the way, taking in the scenery for the rest.

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