Finally, he began driving. The mission had not yet officially started, and Imogen had once again proved her worth.
I listened to the clattering and clunking sounds the old car made as we bumped along the narrow gravel road. I watched indistinguishable rolling hills pass out my window.
“So, Noah…” Imogen fiddled with her thumbs and bit her lip. “If you don’t mind me asking, why was there a sheep in your trunk?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Noah said.
That was a fair question, and a terrible answer.
“You’re suggesting a two-hundred-pound animal climbed into your trunk and pulled the lid shut on itself?” I asked.
“That sounds plausible to me,” Noah said.
Imogen and I shared a look. Clearly there was something off about Noah.
“Are there a lot of sheep around here?” Imogen asked. “It looks like sheep country.”
“And do they often accidentally trap themselves in people’s vehicles?” I asked.
Noah chewed on our questions for a moment before answering, “Nah, no sheep around here.”
Imogen suppressed a grin.
“Must have been our imagination,” I said.
“Must’ve,” Noah said. “To your right, you’ll see grassy hills. Behind them—grassy hills.”
“They are lovely hills,” Imogen said.
“To your left, you’ll see hills—grassyhills,” Noah said.
“This isn’t a real tour,” I said.
“I’m not a real tour guide,” Noah said. “But I’m happy to put the extra miles on the meter, so let’s all pretend.”
“You’re funny,” Imogen said, her uncomfortable smile making its appearance. “In a…depressing way?”
We rode in relative silence for quite some time, with the exception of Noah pointing out the occasional rock or grassy hill. Eventually we made it to the edge of what appeared to be a small town, and I felt a glimmer of hope that Noah might share something of value.
“There’s a B&B over there,” he said, pointing. “And a gas station down that road a ways.”
“Titillating,” I said. According to the internet page for the B&B, it had gone out of business a decade ago.
“This is it.” Noah stopped the car in front of a small tavern.
“That was it?” I asked. “Our tour of the town was a B&B and gas station?”
“Inorog is a boring town with nothing to see,” Noah said.
Helpful.I checked the time on my cellular telephone. Ten fourteen. One hour and forty-six minutes left.
“Thank you for this…” What words were appropriately appreciative given he’d wasted our time showing us nothing? “Delivery to our destination.”
“Sure,” Noah said. “Glad to drive anytime, so long as you’re paying.”
“Of course we will pay, just a moment.” I dug through my bag in search of my wallet.
Imogen touched my wrist. “I already paid with the app.”