Read Online Greenhaus Part 1: A Storm Brews by Bryan Reckelhoff - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bryan Reckelhoff
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right now. Me and your father both had similar suspicions and good reasons for why we had them. The main reason for me was the Sustainability Charts, specifically the false demand it creates. For your father, it was the amount of waste around the ‘Haus.”
“ Waste? The Sustainability Charts? We are a zero waste city. The Sustainability Charts show we are at maximum capacity for population and all demand is being met. Been that way for decades. What proof do you have to back this up?” asked Jacob, stunned and offended by the accusations against a system he believed to be perfect.
“ Just a hunch, same as your father had, but add a lifetime of observations to that hunch in my case.” Realizing the last comment could be seen as insensitive Jasper quickly apologized, “Sorry…what I meant was…that…”
Jacob stopped his apology with a simple ha nd gesture, waving it off as unnecessary before Jasper continued, “As you walk through the ‘Haus, look at all the extra things we don’t need, things that are superfluous to the simple life detailed by our Founding Fathers. The Gardens you lived above, for example, or the other rec areas throughout the ‘Haus. It is a waste of space that could be better utilized into growing farms or residences, further expanding the population. But people are distracted by their beauty and forget that these extraneous amenities are a direct violation of the Constitution and the mottos that hang above all our doors. These things are placed there because they are hiding something. We aren’t sure who, whether it’s Planning, Recycling, the Rangers or the higher ups in Engineering or another department, but your father firmly believed this. I think he stumbled on to something in Newer Orleans, in fact I’d bet my life on it. Sadly, he made the same wager and he never got the chance to tell me, but I think he was going to, we were supposed to meet privately, to discuss something, when… well… you know, the harness.” Jasper’s voice trailed off and he did not finish his thought right away.
Jacob did not like talking about his father ’s death so he kept quiet also; hoping Jasper would lead the conversation down a more pleasant road and away from this conspiracy talk, something more amusing in nature, like the talk about the glassmen from just moments earlier. Jasper shifted moods again, looking around nervously, as if he knew someone was watching him and said, “Jacob, what I am about to tell you can never be repeated to your mother, or anyone else for that matter. I don’t believe your father’s harness broke, I think it was cut intentionally,” he paused slightly after stating something Jacob always believed and leaned closer before finishing. “And I’m not a hundred percent certain that he was wearing it when it was cut.”
Suddenly the man who had to be coaxed into speaking for the last five years would not shut up. Jasper dropped a bombshell that shattered Jacob’s world. The announcement was somewhat ironic to Jacob as it both confirmed his worst suspicion, that foul play was involved with his father’s death, and also gave some credence to his greatest wish, one he wished for during his nightly prayer, that his father was somehow still alive.
For the next three hours as they attached rod after rod, Jacob hoped Jasper would tell him everything he had been holding in all these years since Harvard ’s death. All the information Harvard and Jasper shared and the things they had seen, as well as what else Jasper knew about his father’s disappearance. Jacob had a million questions to ask.
Jasper had already shared some things he and Harvard had sworn to secrecy and Jacob couldn ’t wait to hear the rest. They could talk through lunch, all the way to the end of their shift. Jacob was excited that something had changed in Jasper. All of Jacob’s questions likely would have been answered if not for the rude interruption, a loud buzzing alarm that could not be
“ Waste? The Sustainability Charts? We are a zero waste city. The Sustainability Charts show we are at maximum capacity for population and all demand is being met. Been that way for decades. What proof do you have to back this up?” asked Jacob, stunned and offended by the accusations against a system he believed to be perfect.
“ Just a hunch, same as your father had, but add a lifetime of observations to that hunch in my case.” Realizing the last comment could be seen as insensitive Jasper quickly apologized, “Sorry…what I meant was…that…”
Jacob stopped his apology with a simple ha nd gesture, waving it off as unnecessary before Jasper continued, “As you walk through the ‘Haus, look at all the extra things we don’t need, things that are superfluous to the simple life detailed by our Founding Fathers. The Gardens you lived above, for example, or the other rec areas throughout the ‘Haus. It is a waste of space that could be better utilized into growing farms or residences, further expanding the population. But people are distracted by their beauty and forget that these extraneous amenities are a direct violation of the Constitution and the mottos that hang above all our doors. These things are placed there because they are hiding something. We aren’t sure who, whether it’s Planning, Recycling, the Rangers or the higher ups in Engineering or another department, but your father firmly believed this. I think he stumbled on to something in Newer Orleans, in fact I’d bet my life on it. Sadly, he made the same wager and he never got the chance to tell me, but I think he was going to, we were supposed to meet privately, to discuss something, when… well… you know, the harness.” Jasper’s voice trailed off and he did not finish his thought right away.
Jacob did not like talking about his father ’s death so he kept quiet also; hoping Jasper would lead the conversation down a more pleasant road and away from this conspiracy talk, something more amusing in nature, like the talk about the glassmen from just moments earlier. Jasper shifted moods again, looking around nervously, as if he knew someone was watching him and said, “Jacob, what I am about to tell you can never be repeated to your mother, or anyone else for that matter. I don’t believe your father’s harness broke, I think it was cut intentionally,” he paused slightly after stating something Jacob always believed and leaned closer before finishing. “And I’m not a hundred percent certain that he was wearing it when it was cut.”
Suddenly the man who had to be coaxed into speaking for the last five years would not shut up. Jasper dropped a bombshell that shattered Jacob’s world. The announcement was somewhat ironic to Jacob as it both confirmed his worst suspicion, that foul play was involved with his father’s death, and also gave some credence to his greatest wish, one he wished for during his nightly prayer, that his father was somehow still alive.
For the next three hours as they attached rod after rod, Jacob hoped Jasper would tell him everything he had been holding in all these years since Harvard ’s death. All the information Harvard and Jasper shared and the things they had seen, as well as what else Jasper knew about his father’s disappearance. Jacob had a million questions to ask.
Jasper had already shared some things he and Harvard had sworn to secrecy and Jacob couldn ’t wait to hear the rest. They could talk through lunch, all the way to the end of their shift. Jacob was excited that something had changed in Jasper. All of Jacob’s questions likely would have been answered if not for the rude interruption, a loud buzzing alarm that could not be
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