Page 23 of Tate: Gemini King
“It’s one of the most famous natural sites in our part of New York.”
Cormac doesn’t show even the slightest signs of recognition. He is an unnatural phenomenon.
“We went to Taughannock Falls on a class trip. Every year.”
“I was probably in the gym,” Cormac says, staring at Natasha’s story. “Does she have any sisters?”
“Focus, Cormac. Show me the third picture.”
The third picture shows Natasha somewhere else in the woods. She must be close to Taughannock falls, but I can’t tell where. I check the timestamp. She posted half an hour ago. I smack Cormac’s shoulder.
“We have to get out of here.”
“Why? How are we gonna find her?”
“We’ll find her. We have an idea of where she is and you have access to her social media. We just have to talk to her.”
“Is that legal?”
“Do you care?” I say, trying not to lose my temper. Cormac has never shown any concern about the law before. He comes from a family with members in every branch of the civil service. He’s basically untouchable unless he really fucks up.
“No,” Cormac says, powering his computer down. “Just curious.”
“Let’s move, asshole.”
I drive my truck, although Cormac might have to drive getaway. It doesn’t take us long to get down to Ithaca, especially because I don’t adhere to the speed limit.
“That patch of woods might be the Gorge Trail. We can park at the top and either wait for her or search the trail.”
“What about the gun?” Cormac asks, reaching for the pistol that I have positioned between the driver’s seat and the passenger side.
“You hold the gun. We shouldn’t need it.”
“Yeah,” he says, glancing at the sign to the state park as I drive us into the parking lot. “Pretty sure firearms are illegal here.”
“Then keep it hidden. But if we have to hold Natasha up at gunpoint to get her back… Don’t pussy out.”
“I won’t brother,” Cormac says. “I’ve got you. And I know after this, you’re gonna help me with that money I asked for.”
We’ll see about that. I hop out of the truck and we approach the trailhead together. We look terrifying. Good. I hope we scare the shit out of her.
“Shit,” Cormac says. “She updated her story again.”
It’s another trail picture.
“That tree looks exactly like that one,” Cormac says, pointing to a pine tree in front of us.
“Yes, Cormac. That’s how forests work.”
“I’m saying… This is the same background. Like… really similar.”
“Just keep your hand on the gun.”
We walk in silence. I don’t encourage Cormac to talk because his main interests are sports and gambling on sports or gambling on other shit he shouldn’t be gambling on. I can’t hear much of anything except a red-tailed hawk calling out and then birds singing.
“Really good opportunity to bet on Little League games out in Missouri,” he blurts out after too much quiet.
I can’t relax out here. Not when Natasha could be close. We walk for ten more minutes and I’m kind of freaking the fuck out because I don’t hear a damn thing.