Chapter 46

Tory, refreshed from her shower, dressed casually in light colored slacks, a button-front shirt, and a light jacket. She kissed her mom good-bye, grabbed her camera, and went out the door. She backed her mother's car out of the driveway and started down the steep and winding road into the small town of Hickoryville nearby, population approximately fifteen thousand on a good day.

She looked at the surrounding green and lush, kudsu-covered landscape along the way, noticing two new housing developments, actually gated communities, in different stages of construction just outside of town. It's a good thing Mom and Dad bought the extra acreage when they built their house or they would be crowded with neighbors.

Tory parked the car in front of the small one-teller bank building and went inside. There was one other customer ahead of her, so she waited patiently in line. The tall, well-toned woman with long, dark hair was talking to the teller.