Chapter IX
2249
Jeremy
Investigation
"Breakfast!" sang the chief's wife to Jeremy. It was the next morning and the open blinds in Jeremy's room let in so much sunlight, it made him very cheerful.
Jeremy came down to a lovely breakfast laid out before him on the table: ham, waffles, pancakes, cereal, bagels, doughnuts, bacon, sausage, milk and orange juice.
"I hope you're hungry." the chief's wife said. "You've got a big day ahead of you."
"Big day ahead of me? How do you mean?"
"He hasn't told ya yet? Jack come in here!"
"Yes, Scarlet!" that was the chief. "Oh, Jeremy. Yer up." the chief's wife was tapping her foot now. "I was gonna tell 'im when 'e got up!" protested the chief. "Anyway, we were talkin' last night an' we decided to find yer lost brother. What'd ya say 'e joined? The marines?" Jeremy nodded. "I'm sure I can pull some strings at work today an' find out where yer brother's camp is. Say, would you like to come?" the chief invited, nodding to Jeremy.
"To work with you?" he asked. "Oh yes!"
The streets that morning were just as up-beat as Jeremy felt: market stalls lined the streets and children's laughter and blitheness lit every dark corner. Jeremy was experiencing a happiness he had not felt since he had run away.
When the pair reached the station, Jeremy was told to wait in the office. It seemed like an eternity before the chief got back.
"Your brother's marine facility," he informed Jeremy. "is in Central County."