Picking Fights by Ren Boyle

Author:Ren Boyle [Boyle, Ren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Flower Press
Published: 2023-05-01T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Martha was in her office, checking in on the Connecticut Citizens for Traditional Values. She didn’t participate much, just enough to not seem suspicious while she observed and it had been a while since she’d posted. She quickly made some vaguely positive comments on a post about survivalism.

The CCTV had come to her attention last year, when they’d boosted the libertarian candidate who’d won a weird special election in Farmingvale. A board member had died not long before the November election, and they’d had to hold a special election a few weeks after the big one, on a cold and rainy Tuesday when not many people remembered it was happening, and fewer people showed up.

For the past few months, the CCTV had been choosing different libraries to pick on, trying to get events shut down or books banned. They’d been particularly targeting LGBTQ titles and events. Martha had a feeling they’d be coming for her branch sooner or later. But so far, nothing rumbled.

The most recent posts over the last few days featured their usual complaints about vaccinations and “wokeness”. No libraries or book banning mentioned. No events planned. It was still quiet. Too quiet.

She clicked to put her computer to sleep and leaned back, stretching and twisting to loosen her back. There was nothing she could do about them right now. She had a ton of her plate today, paperwork that was backed up and a town board meeting next week to prepare for. Normal rubber stamping budget stuff, but she had to be there and at least sound prepared. But first, it was almost time for today’s toddler group. She’d better make sure Jess was ready to go and they had coverage for the circulation desk.

Martha opened the door of her small office then stopped, not quite believing what she was seeing. There, mere feet in front of her at the circulation desk, stood Bull Poitiers. His bulk was bent over to Mrs. Marshall, as if listening carefully to the soliloquy she was giving. Everything about his posture and manner indicated his deference to her, except his eyes, which darted around the library, as if searching for someone.

Searching for her? Because he wanted to see her or was hoping to avoid her?

In any case, she had to go remind Jess about toddler group. Jess was currently helping Mrs. Marshall. The picture book and props she needed sat to her right on the circulation desk. Another staff member was behind the desk, tidying the returns cart. It was a very slow Wednesday afternoon. Toddler group wasn’t for another ten minutes.

Still. Better safe than sorry. She slowly walked the thirty feet to the circulation desk.

“Ah, Martha!” Mrs. Marshall was smiling wider than Martha had ever seen. Bull’s head snapped up.

Jess smiled. “Just who we were looking for!” It was surely Martha’s imagination that Jess had on her evil smile. But it was hard to look at Jess when Bull was right there. His eyes were red and she needed to know why.

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