Read Online Harvesting Ashwood Minnesota 2037 by Cynthia Kraack - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Cynthia Kraack
Tags: United States, Fiction, Suspense, Fantasy, Thrillers, Genetic engineering, Terrorism, Dystopia, Children, Minnesota, Great Depression, economic collapse, Birthmothers, Birthparents
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What about his partner?” Tonight’s dinner arrangements popped up in my mind as I tried to accept a dual betrayal.
“He’ll be arrested at the same time. We’ll secure their quarters while the arrests take place.” Lao extended a hand toward me, an odd gesture for this self-contained man. He turned his palm up as he spoke. “If I may be the bearer of possible good news?”
“Please, Lao, please share something to rescue this day.” I wondered if he knew my day began with the Smithson situation and realized how dazed I felt that on top of David’s assignment.
“You know Terrell and I have remained friends throughout his travels with the DOE?” Lao never hurried his words.
“And?”
“And, because he’s completed his last years of DOE projects, I took the liberty of asking him about his interest in returning to Ashwood as a privately employed manager.”
“Lao, if you tell me he said yes, I may have to dance with you under these trees.”
Wrapping one arm across his middle and the other behind his back, Lao bowed then straightened up, opening his arms as if for a waltz. His smile challenged the sun’s brightness.
“Oh, my God.” I let the words fly into the quiet while I hugged a surprised Lao. “When is he available?”
“He’s on his way here from Baltimore and arrives around ten tonight.” Andre, who never knew Ashwood’s best cook and my closest confidant, saw me grin like a crazy woman as Lao talked. “If you want to prep him about Ashwood, he can be in your office as early as tomorrow morning.”
“Should I pick him up at the jet port?”
“Anne, I think you and your family have enough going on tonight.” Lao’s voice gentled. “Be with them. Tomorrow will be an easier day.”
Chapter Eight
Theft, embezzlement, and bribery made up the bulk of estate crimes. From day laborers carrying food out under their clothes to complicated transfers of funds to private accounts, the authorities demanded immediate involvement in dealing with the accused. Local officials claimed jurisdiction over simple theft of less than five thousand dollars. State officials enforced all weapon-related issues. Fund transfers and embezzlement fell under federal control because most estates were still managed by government employees. Tight management of information about these crimes was notorious. Big government had nurtured an astounding amount of employee misbehavior.
My first night at Ashwood, Bureau authorities arrested my predecessor for stealing from the estate. On a farm where production was bountiful, child workers with the thin faces of hunger ate dinner of white fish with a small serving of vegetables night after night. Maybe greed brought Jeremiah and his partner to the same fate as Ashwood’s first matron, led out in handcuffs surrounded by officials in dark-blue clothing.
Some government employees, like all the other intellectual class including David, were paid handsome incomes and lived like the upper middle class in assigned housing. Members of a slim middle class, if they were lucky, might raise their family in a two-bedroom apartment or a shared house. A small sliver of government employees lived exceptionally well. For many, jobs like those on the management team of an estate were the best this country had to offer—good pay, free housing, food, medical care, and education for their children. Military life offered the same benefits if a family was willing to accept the risks.
Unlike long-standing family farms, Ashwood existed in a quasi-government status managed by people I hired but staffed almost entirely by workers and laborers assigned through the Bureau of Human Capital Management. Jeremiah was the last senior manager I accepted on assignment from the Bureau. As I signed papers authorizing Jeremiah’s release to the authorities, I was reminded of my trust in individuals paid by Hartford, Ltd.
Thanks to Sarah supervising the kitchen following Jeremiah’s arrest,
“He’ll be arrested at the same time. We’ll secure their quarters while the arrests take place.” Lao extended a hand toward me, an odd gesture for this self-contained man. He turned his palm up as he spoke. “If I may be the bearer of possible good news?”
“Please, Lao, please share something to rescue this day.” I wondered if he knew my day began with the Smithson situation and realized how dazed I felt that on top of David’s assignment.
“You know Terrell and I have remained friends throughout his travels with the DOE?” Lao never hurried his words.
“And?”
“And, because he’s completed his last years of DOE projects, I took the liberty of asking him about his interest in returning to Ashwood as a privately employed manager.”
“Lao, if you tell me he said yes, I may have to dance with you under these trees.”
Wrapping one arm across his middle and the other behind his back, Lao bowed then straightened up, opening his arms as if for a waltz. His smile challenged the sun’s brightness.
“Oh, my God.” I let the words fly into the quiet while I hugged a surprised Lao. “When is he available?”
“He’s on his way here from Baltimore and arrives around ten tonight.” Andre, who never knew Ashwood’s best cook and my closest confidant, saw me grin like a crazy woman as Lao talked. “If you want to prep him about Ashwood, he can be in your office as early as tomorrow morning.”
“Should I pick him up at the jet port?”
“Anne, I think you and your family have enough going on tonight.” Lao’s voice gentled. “Be with them. Tomorrow will be an easier day.”
Chapter Eight
Theft, embezzlement, and bribery made up the bulk of estate crimes. From day laborers carrying food out under their clothes to complicated transfers of funds to private accounts, the authorities demanded immediate involvement in dealing with the accused. Local officials claimed jurisdiction over simple theft of less than five thousand dollars. State officials enforced all weapon-related issues. Fund transfers and embezzlement fell under federal control because most estates were still managed by government employees. Tight management of information about these crimes was notorious. Big government had nurtured an astounding amount of employee misbehavior.
My first night at Ashwood, Bureau authorities arrested my predecessor for stealing from the estate. On a farm where production was bountiful, child workers with the thin faces of hunger ate dinner of white fish with a small serving of vegetables night after night. Maybe greed brought Jeremiah and his partner to the same fate as Ashwood’s first matron, led out in handcuffs surrounded by officials in dark-blue clothing.
Some government employees, like all the other intellectual class including David, were paid handsome incomes and lived like the upper middle class in assigned housing. Members of a slim middle class, if they were lucky, might raise their family in a two-bedroom apartment or a shared house. A small sliver of government employees lived exceptionally well. For many, jobs like those on the management team of an estate were the best this country had to offer—good pay, free housing, food, medical care, and education for their children. Military life offered the same benefits if a family was willing to accept the risks.
Unlike long-standing family farms, Ashwood existed in a quasi-government status managed by people I hired but staffed almost entirely by workers and laborers assigned through the Bureau of Human Capital Management. Jeremiah was the last senior manager I accepted on assignment from the Bureau. As I signed papers authorizing Jeremiah’s release to the authorities, I was reminded of my trust in individuals paid by Hartford, Ltd.
Thanks to Sarah supervising the kitchen following Jeremiah’s arrest,
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