4
The clock on the dashboard read 4:55 PM. He estimated he had traveled less than a mile in the past two hours. In the distance, he saw signs for an upcoming exit. Squeezing the Mercedes over to the shoulder, he made his way onto the exit ramp just as the first thunderclap shuddered through the air. As best he could tell from the map, the exit would lead him to an unmarked road heading west that would eventually take him to Route 32. He would slice across the rural farmlands of Maryland and Pennsylvania and then back to Philadelphia from the west side of the city. It would add miles to the trip and would take him out of his way, but that was better than sitting in traffic. Besides, it wasn’t like there was somebody waiting for him at home. With Elaine gone on another weekend business trip, their condominium would be quiet and empty. The thunderstorm hit with violent force as Ryan searched for road signs through the rainsoaked windshield. Coming to an intersection, he turned right following what he thought was Route 32. He continued on a winding two-lane road for about twenty minutes until the rain gradually stopped. The road narrowed, winding through rolling hills dotted with grazing cows. Low on the horizon, sunlight streamed through the clouds painting the fields in a green iridescent glow. He turned off the air conditioning and opened the windows. The air was cool and fresh with the rain, smelling of earth and wet grass. Ryan relaxed his grip on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. It was good to be out of the city. Elaine loved downtown Philadelphia with its trendy restaurants; theaters, crowds and activities, but he missed the quiet solitude of the country. It finally dawned on Ryan that he was lost. In the distance, he could see the outline of a small town resting on a hill. A sign welcomed him to Middleton, Maryland, Founded 1826, Population 16,285. The name of the town was vaguely familiar. Old maple and oak trees lined the road into Middleton, partially obscuring stately old homes, many with wraparound porches, white wicker furniture, swings, and green striped awnings. At the