Page 16 of Jeremy
Unfoldinga reusable cloth grocery bag, I browse through the produce, picking up a fewitems while keeping her in my sight. She notices me when I pay for my items,and approaches me with a wide smile.
“Hi,do you have a second to speak with me?”
“Sure.”I grin at her. “What can I do for you?”
“Actually,I’m hoping to do something for you.” She glances down at the bag in my hand.“Why do you use reusable bags?”
Aftermy research, I know what she wants to hear. Under all the anti-consumerismblather, the group is really a bunch of environmentalists. I have nothingagainst caring for the environment. I recycle and try to do my part, but thesepeople are a group of psychos turned domestic terrorists.
“Plasticis terrible for the environment. Why would I want to add to it?”
“Exactly,”she agrees with a smile. Her eyes travel down to my watch. I thought it was anice touch. Not many people wear watches anymore. Not with a phone in theirpocket that can give them the time.
Shepeeks into my grocery bag. “The corn is good from here, but the supercenterdown the street has it a lot cheaper, you know, same for most of the food theysell here.”
“Thanks,but I prefer fresh food. I keep my own garden in the summer, but worms got tomost of it this year. Besides, those supercenters kill small businesses. Not tomention filling the ocean with those awful plastic bags.”
Shiveringa bit, she asks, “Do you think I could borrow your phone for a second? I needto call my ride.”
Shakingmy head, I gesture to the man collecting the money for the market. “I’m sorry.I don’t have a phone. Never saw the point. I’m sure they would let you usetheirs though.”
Thelook on her face is like she’s struck gold. “Sir!” She hands me a flyer as Istart to walk away. “I belong to a little group that helps spread awareness ofthe dangers consumerism causes to the planet. You wouldn’t believe the amountof toxins and debris all those phones add to the earth.”
Scoffing,I shake my head. “Considering people line up to get the newest one every timeit comes out, even though the one they have works perfectly fine, yeah, Iwould. What a waste.”
Grinning,she sticks out her hand. “I’m Kelly.”
“Jeremy.”My hand swallows hers.
“Youshould come to one of our meetings, Jeremy. We could use all the help we canget.”
Tomass murder people in a shopping mall? Fucking assholes. I somehow keep mytemper in check, force a smile, and glance down at the paper in my hand. “It’sin the evening?”
Shepoints to the paper. “Yes, at this address. We’ll have a speaker and then abonfire where we all just hang out and discuss our ideas.”
“Soundsgood.” I give her a smile that has never failed to work for me. “Will you bethere?”
Ablush climbs her cheeks. “Yes, I’m always there.”
“I’llcheck it out then. Have a good day, Kelly.”
“Niceto meet you, Jeremy.”
Thatwas easier than I expected it to be. Of course, they’re recruiting. After threeof their leaders shot and killed twenty-two people in an Indianapolis Mall afew months ago, quite a few of their followers abandoned them.
You’dthink it would be hard to track a group who don’t believe in spending money ontechnology or anything they consider unnecessary, but like most cults, therules don’t apply to all of them. Underneath, it’s about the same two thingsall cults are truly interested in. Money and power. Control over theirbrainwashed followers.
Iwas able to find financial information on the dead gunmen that the authoritiesmissed. Millions of dollars they’ve taken from their followers and collected bypretending to be an environmental charity. Apparently, no one had access to itbut them, since it has sat in accounts, untouched since their deaths. I’m notsure what I want to do with the information yet, so I’ve just been monitoringthe accounts.
Thelittle bonfire party slash brainwashing attempt is weeks away, so I have timeto think through my strategy.
#
Aknock at the door pulls me away from my work. I know it’s not the guys thistime since I’ve been keeping in touch with them. I haven’t drank since thatcatastrophic night with Melissa. I’m surprised to see an older lady staringback at me through the peephole. I’ve seen her next door lately, so maybe she’sliving there.
WhenI open the door, she walks in uninvited and glares at me. Great. I’ve found away to piss off females without even leaving the house.
“Comeon in,” I scoff.
