Seeds of Humanity

By Monica Brooks

Academic-turned-private investigator; Seeds of Humanity follows Zarah Beames-Sheridan as she begins her journey into the unknown when a special government task force, assembled to investigate various religious groups suspected of fraudulent practices, elicits her help to infiltrate and uncover information surrounding the elusive and eclectic assortment of friends known as the Tea Society. The team of five federal agents and Zarah focus their attention on discovering the whereabouts of the matriarch and patriarch of the group; Vera and Mickey Bernard. Her further commitments to the secret society have her questioning the very authority that she promised to uphold. How will Zarah resolve her inner conflict in order to make sense of the astronomical situation in which she finds herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monica Brooks
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310004308

Book preview

Seeds of Humanity

Copyright 2013 Monica Brooks

Published by John Murphy at Smashwords

Cover provided by Forest Wander Nature Photography

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter One

About Monica Brooks

Other books by Monica Brooks

Connect with Monica Brooks

Acknowledgements

To my fabulous family! My daughters, Navah and Alana, my husband, John. Thanks ever so much for believing in me and pushing me to the finish line. And to my furry ones Skippy and Coco, the best dogs a girl could have. I love you all very much.

The Salt of the Earth

Little did Zarah realize that the night had only begun. It would turn out to be the night she finally met the legendary Vera and Mickey Bernard. She had been promised the meeting would be soon. The couple had been out of the country for all of the seven months since she became involved with the group. Although she didn’t think so, Zarah was prepared for the experience. She never actually saw a picture of Mickey or Vera. She knew that they were somewhere in their mid-seventies. But, by the way the Society members all talked about them, she expected them to look like rock stars or royalty. Or maybe a couple of hippie gurus, in rose colored sunglasses, tossing flower petals as they walked into the room.

Zarah knew from her very first visit that she was scheduled for a formal meeting with the Bernards. It was a prerequisite for becoming an actual member of the Tea Society. Vincenzo Braun, the member who greeted her that very first night at the door was the one who briefed her on those procedures. Later, Zarah discovered that Vincenzo was a sort of private secretary to Vera and Mickey. He was second-in- charge to the Bernards.

Vincenzo had told her that the Bernards would be away for a few months. Although he didn’t give her an exact date, she was inclined to believe that the meeting would be sooner than it actually was.

More than half a year later, Zarah would finally meet Vera and Mickey. And if all went well, she would learn vital secrets about this lively, like-minded, yet eclectic troupe, collectively known as the Tea Society. She had been diligent in her mission. She had attended every meeting during the past seven months. Zarah gathered and recorded every bit of information she could from the other members. She also snooped around as much of the Bernards’ house as she could without looking suspicious. She discovered hidden microphones. She was not able to get safely to the basement. But she knew that once she met the Bernards, she would surely be privy.

But unbeknownst to Zarah, something had changed her during those months before she would meet the Bernards. Her mission had somewhat changed. She was still undercover, and she was still working with the team. But she was also becoming a real part of the Tea Society. She even brought her husband and children to meet the members one night. That was something she never would have considered when she took on the assignment. But after spending time with these people all those months, Zarah was beginning to feel a bond with them that she would not have thought possible in the first weeks of her investigation. The feeling was more than basic human bonding. Something was happening that was difficult for her to put into words. It was difficult to explain to herself, let alone explain to the five federal agents who were waiting for a scathing report on the group—that is, until she met Vera and Mickey

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Would You Like a Cup? An Interrogation

What can you tell me about the Bernards and the ‘Tea Society’?

What do you want to know about Vera and Mickey? And why should I tell you? They haven‘t done anything wrong.

Uh, well, ma’am, we…

Look, am I under arrest or what? I am here because you asked me to answer some questions about what happened the night of the unlawful raid on the Bernards’ home, o.k.?. Not to incriminate friends!

No, ma’am, you’re not under arrest, Agent Murphy replied solemnly, but the police raided the Bernard residence last night because there has been substantial reason to believe there is illegal activity on the premises. Some neighbors believe they’ve seen suspicious activity going on. Now, if you choose not to comply with our requests, you may be subject to a subpoena and will be required to answer these and other questions under oath.

Agent Murphy casually walked across the windowless room to the coffee maker. As she sat in an aluminum chair, Vivie Preskin’s wide-open eyes followed him, her mouth slightly agape. As if she were waiting for him to pull a weapon on her. He reached for the steaming pot and then turned to Vivie. She was sitting on the opposite side of the ancient, steel-gray desk with its scratches and other battle scars displayed in proud defiance. Would you like a cup? Agent Murphy offered the stoic Ms. Preskin.

No thanks. Something tells me it wouldn’t be any good.

Oh, on the contrary, Ms. Preskin. The agency is known for great coffee.

Well, in that case…I’ll have a cup.

Agent Murphy set the coffee pot back on its warming plate and plucked two Styrofoam cups from the stack on the counter. He poured the coffee and absently offered, Cream and sugar or black…? He handed Vivie a cup, then took a sip of his own as he settled in to the chair behind his desk.

Vivie asked, These ‘neighbors.’ Did they call the police? Were they looking through the windows? I don’t understand.

No, started Agent Murphy. The police were in the neighborhood…

Oh, I see, Vivie interjected, They were looking for trouble.

They were making inquiries, Agent Murphy replied. Now, Ms. Preskin. How long have you known the Bernards?

What is it you really want to know, Mr. Murphy? It’s a social club, nothing more than a small gathering of individuals who like each other’s company. What’s criminal about that? I mean, there’s nothing clandestine going on.

Agent Murphy, eyes steadily gazing upon Vivie, replied, Many times, the biggest crime rings can be found hiding right in the open. The Bernards have secrets they probably hid from you and the rest of the members. We have reason to believe that this social club business is some kind of front for illegal activity that you are not even aware of. Or maybe you are aware.

Vivie’s calm expression turned incredulous. That sounds like an accusation to me! An affront to my character and to the characters of my friends in the Society, Mr.…Agent…Murphy! Her words came out loud and