Chapter 126

“Hey, it works,” Tonio protested, getting amused nods of agreement from his friends. 5

Van and Gene decided to take Friday for themselves and explore the area around the barn and beyond. Thus, a couple of hours after they started out, they were wandering through a small town several miles from where they’d begun. When they passed a diner, Van saw a TV through the window. He would have ignored it if his and Gene’s photos weren’t on the screen behind the anchorwoman.

He pointed it out to Gene and they drifted in through the window, arriving in time to hear the woman say, “With the arrest of James Oliver for their murder, the police have officially closed the case. According to Gene Norton’s parents, there will be a combined memorial service for the men a week from today in Mr. Norton’s hometown.”

“How do you rate?” Van asked, shaking his head.

“You know my folks. It’s their way or the highway.”