Changed Time

Chapter Nineteen

Since there were no motels in Thorp, we were forced to go back to the motel we stayed in the night before.

The old man was sitting behind the register desk, just as he was this morning, glasses on, book in hand. He looked up at me and he smiled. "Ah, welcome back, son." He put a bookmark in the book and took of his glasses. "Two rooms?"

I nodded. "Yes, please." I took out my wallet. "And I think I'll pay for these."

The old man smiled, the wrinkles around his face lifting into little crescent moons around his lips. He turned around and plucked two keys off of the nails on the wall. He slid them across the counter, and I slid my money.

I shoved my wallet back in my pocket and turned around to leave.

"Son?"

I turned back to him. "Yes?"

"I was looking over that security tape, the one with the men that you and your little friend were looking for. Your cousins." His crescent moons fall from his face. "I think you and your friend should look at it."

I gulped, taking a step back. I nodded, turned around and practically ran out of the office.

Paige was helping unload all of the food Zach and Jessie had bought. I grabbed her wrist and started pulling her away from the Charger.

"Woah, woah! Drew, what is it?" Paige pulled her wrist out of my grip and stopped. I stared at her. "What happened?" She asked reading my eyes.

"Remember the security tape that the old man has? The one of the murderers and that girl. Well, he's got something." I tried to hide my heavy breaths.

Paige shifted uncomfortably. "Uhm. Okay. Why are you freaking out then? Did you already watch it, or something?"

I felt confusion rush over my face for a split second. "What? No. But maybe it isn't a good thing that this guy knows about the murderers. I mean, this could make him a target, Paige, and I'm not sure I'm willing to risk this man's life."

Paige sighed. She reached out and placed her hand on my arm. "Drew. He's already seen it, he's the one showing it to us. And it isn't as if he knows these guys are murderers."

I frowned. "You know as well as I do, he doesn't believe our cousins cover-up."

She looked at me with her soft gray eyes. "It's okay, Drew. The murderers aren't going to know. They aren't even in Thorp. They wouldn't come back here, especially now with the cops looking for them. Also, the old man isn't exactly their type of victim." She rubbed my arm and gave me a smile. "Don't worry."

I wasn't fully convinced, but I nodded anyways. "You're right."

She smiled again, and grabbed my hand. "Let's go see what's on the tapes."

We walked into the motel office again, and the old man nodded a greeting to Paige. "Nice to see you again, miss."

"You too, Walter." Paige smiled.

I gave Paige a questioning look. "How do you know his name?"

Paige opened her mouth, but the old man interrupted.

"My name plate, of course." He reached into the desk and pulled out a dusty old block of wood with words on it. "I had it up this morning, but the old thing is intimidating. Young lady has a good memory."

Walter James

Manager

He smiled at Paige, who shifted her feet again.