Chapter 32
Maggie Valley, NC
THEY DISCUSSED THE pros and cons of the house on the ridge all the way back down the mountain. In fact, they didn’t stop doing so until Mickey turned off the main highway and began the rather steep ascent up Fie Top Road. When they were perhaps a mile past George and Mike’s driveway, he stopped the car at a somewhat rusty gate.
“I think this is it,” Mickey said. “I hope we have the key to that gate.”
“I’m already looking for it.” Chris was pawing through the contents of the large manila envelope. “And here it is.”
“Are you sure?”
“The tag says ‘gate key’, Mick. It doesn’t get much surer than that.”
“Well, now that you have it, why don’t you use it?”
“Patience, Mick. Patience.”
Chris exited the car, went to the chain that held the gate closed, and fumbl
