Page 187 of Promising You

“Jade, don’t start down this path.”

“This group does something with politics. They hand-pick candidates. In the last presidential election, they rigged the voting machines in Ohio and Florida.”

I can’t believe I’ve resorted to repeating Carson’s crazy conspiracy theories, but I have to say something, and shit, maybe he’s right. He was right aboutsomeof the stuff he said. Maybe he’s right about this, too.

“Why would you say something like that?” Arlin’s words are rushed, his tone harsh. “That’s not true.”

“Itistrue. Some reporter proved it. And right before he was going to tell people about it, your group killed him.”

“Stop talking such nonsense. This is not helping—”

“Let me finish.” With my limited sleep, I can’t figure out how I’m making sense of this, but my brain is somehow putting the pieces together. It may be totally wrong, but it’s at least a theory. “You said this group had spent years preparing your son to be president. Now that he’s dead, they have to find someone else. But they don’t have time because it takes years, right? They’ll have to settle for someone they didn’t want, like Kent Gleason. He was at Garret’s house a few weeks ago and Garret’s dad told Kent he’d be president, like it was a done deal. Because itisa done deal, isn’t it? They’ll make it happen.”

“Enough of this. You’re confused and you’ve obviously been reading conspiracy theories spread by some nutcase on the Internet with a blog and an active imagination.”

I ignore him and continue. “This plan they have for Garret has something to do with politics. Something big. Something important.”

As I say it, it hits me.

The reason they want Garret.

The plan.

“They want him to be president.” I say it slowly as I get up off the ground. “They’re preparing him to be president. That’s it isn’t it? You said it takes years to prepare someone. You have to be at least 35 to run, so they have at least 15 years to get Garret ready.”

Arlin is silent and his silence speaks volumes. It’s true. That’s the plan.

The silence continues as I think this through. Back when Arlin told me there was a plan for Garret, he said this plan would be Pearce’s punishment for killing Royce. Arlin said it was something Pearce would never approve of. Pearce wouldn’t approve of it because this group will take over Garret’s life. They’ll control him. He’ll never be free to do what he wants. And he’ll be the freaking president! No way. That can’t be right. I start to come to my senses and realize my conclusion is too insane to be true.

But Arlin is awfully quiet.

“Go ahead,” I say. “Tell me I’m crazy.”

He finally speaks. “You’re not crazy.”

“They really want Garret to be the president of the United States someday? Just to punish his dad?” I realize I’m pacing the sidewalk and stop. “There’s no way they would make a decision like that just to punish someone. I mean, how do they even know Garret would be good at that? They don’t even know him. Shouldn’t they hold interviews or make him take a test or something?”

“They’ve done their research. He meets the criteria. In fact he’s the perfect candidate.”

“Okay, back up a minute.” I start pacing again. “So you’re saying this organization is so powerful they can actually pick who they want to be president? And they can do it years in advance? And somehow make it happen? Why? Just so they can control things?”

“That’s enough. You need to stop—”

I interrupt. “But how do they do it? They have to rig the system somehow, right? Are people in the government in on this? How long has this been going—”

“Stop it! Right now!” Arlin almost yells it. “You can’t ask questions like that. Ever! Not even to me.”

I’m so sick of this don’t-ask-questions rule. I’m sure Arlin will yell at me again but I have to ask him about Garret.

“Why Garret? Why would they pick him? He doesn’t even like politics.”

“I can’t say anymore. You just need to get away from this whole situation.”

“But why would Garret go along with this? Did they threaten to hurt his dad? Or Lilly?”

“I’m getting a car over there and you’re going home.” His tone implies I have no choice, which I refuse to accept.

“I’m not going anywhere. I need to talk to Garret.”

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