Page 48 of Vanish From Sight

“Did you get him out of debt?”

“What?”

“Debt. Was Ray in debt?”

“He borrowed some money from me but he’s paying it back each month. Look, Noah, he’ll probably show up. Tanya thinks the sky is falling every single damn day. I’ve told him countless times to leave her, but for whatever reason, he keeps going back. She’s a troubled individual.”

Noah thought that was fresh coming from him.

“Whatever. Listen, do you know any bars he frequents, places he might go?”

“Did you check to see if his bow was at home?”

“No.”

“Well then, he’s probably gone bow hunting. You don’t need a wallet for that. He has a spot he frequents up in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. Check the Haystack Mountain Trailhead. If his truck’s not there, I don’t know. But, Noah…”

Noah hung up; he knew he was just going to get into it with him. Noah made a beeline for the trailhead, his mind focused only on the worst possible outcome. As the last rays of the sun began to set and streetlights flickered on, Noah’s search continued. He drove out on Route 86 to Haystack Mountain Trailhead but the pull-off area was empty.

He did a U-turn in the road and headed back into town, calling his father back again. “Anywhere else?”

“Um. I’m not sure.”

“Dad. Think.”

“Well, there’s Luke and your mother’s grave, or one of the other trailheads heading up to Whiteface Mountain. He’s been known to park there.”

His father didn’t have a clue. He was just throwing out ideasas they came to his mind. In some ways he was fortunate that Hugh could remember anything with all the talk of him having early Alzheimer’s. He’d yet to see it but then again, he hadn’t been around him long enough.

Somehow, Noah remained composed. Years of working in law enforcement had shown him that despite urgency and anxiety, a cool head prevailed. He couldn’t let his emotions cloud his judgment or deter him.

After checking the cemetery, the search seemed fruitless. Noah drove out of High Peaks heading toward Whiteface Mountain. He scanned the trailhead parking for Connery Pond, Shadow Rock Pool, Owen Pond and Coopers Pond Trailhead.

Nothing.

He was going to try one more up near Wilmington Notch Campground when he passed High Falls Gorge parking lot and caught sight of his brother’s black Ford truck.

Noah slammed on the brakes, fishtailing. He veered into the lot and brought the Bronco up beside the 4 x 4. The cab was empty. He got out and called out his name, but got no reply. The wind howled in his ears.

Fearing the worst, Noah hurried into the 22-acre park along a trail which gave access to the waterfalls. His heart pounded in his chest as the rush of water grew louder. With each step, his mind was filled with terrifying thoughts of what might have happened.

As he rounded the final bend of the trail, Noah reached the steel bridge that arched over one of four waterfalls cascading over rock into a deep crevice carved thousands of years earlier. It was one of the Adirondacks’ most breathtaking year-round attractions, drawing in thousands each year.

Tonight, however, it was barren, empty, cold and dark.

“Ray!” he yelled, his eyes scanning the river.

His mind raced with possibilities of what might havehappened. Had he gone deep into the forest, seeking solitude to hunt? Was he injured and unable to respond, or worse — fallen into the crevice?

The sound of rushing water echoed through the park, reminding Noah of the dangerous beauty. Taking out a flashlight, he scanned his surroundings, moving along the trail, searching for any signs of life.

That’s when his heart skipped a beat.

There, lying motionless against the rocks further downstream, he spotted a figure. He immediately recognized the brown leather jacket and the white insignia.

Without a second thought, Noah raced toward him, clambering down the rocks as quickly as he could. The water was icy cold and the rocks slick, but he pushed himself on, driven by the sight of his brother lying there.

“Ray!”