His spider sense was tingling as he moved around outside of the cabin. He had the feeling he was being watched. Having learned, to his cost, that ignoring the feeling could prove detrimental, Jamie kept watch. Randomly stopping to look at the scenery, while actually scanning his surroundings. He didn't spot anyone. The nearest neighbor was over half a mile away on the shore of a small lake. Try as he might he couldn't recall her name. She and his mother had been casual friends when they vacationed here. His father loved to fish at the lake. He rarely caught anything.
Back to the ever present, present. There was a library of plastic in his wallet. Cards he hadn't used, due to them being traceable. There were things he needed like bedding and food. More gasoline for the generator would be a good idea. To at least replenish that which he might use. With a little over $1500 in cash he had to think of ways to pick up more. Living here would be cheap, but he wouldn't last long without capital. After checking on the list he'd been bequeathed by his dad, Jamie worked out the nearest stash was in Nashville Tennessee. Over 600 miles away. Popping over there didn't seem to be a good idea right now. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he had the idea crossing a state line would get him in trouble with the federal authorities. The FBI would then take an interest in him.
During his walk, he came up with the germ of an idea. Stoneville was a small town less than twenty minutes drive away. he'd passed through it on the way. It had a Starbucks of course. He could use their internet. This combined with a VPN would keep him incognito for a considerable time. The cards might have been blocked, this would be a way to find out. Dale had told him about Bitcoin and the other virtual currencies back in college. Had set him up with an account on a cryptocurrency exchange. One which Jamie had never used. It was possible he'd be able to buy Bitcoin, which he could exchange for cash later.
It was something to do. With a final look round, to see if anyone was there, he set off into town. Arriving at a quiet time between lunch and dinner the Starbucks was pretty deserted. He was able to get a corner table there. Feeling his way through the complexities of the exchange took a lot longer than he'd imagined. By the time he was at the business end of the process, the place was filling up. All of the business charge cards were refused. Luckily he'd realized he should check them out first. He did so by attempting to order goods and deliveries online. His own personal accounts were fine. Plus another Dale had set up as a joint business account. Jamie took half of that one eventually buying up almost 50K's worth of the Bitcoins. The college fund was now empty. Along with his checking and savings accounts.
With that done, he had time to pick up a tent, some camping gear and a decent sleeping bag. There was bedding at the cabin, but the sleeping bag would mean he wouldn't have to dirty it. Ready meals would have to do. They'd done alright so far, Jamie couldn't cook anything beyond the basics, although he did make a tasty stew. It was his go to dish whenever people came round. Not that he entertained regularly. He chuckled to himself as he loaded everything into the trunk. What if all this was completely unnecessary? No one was looking for him. He wasn't in any trouble beyond a slapped wrist. It would be an amusing tale he could tell. A wake up call which prevented him sleepwalking through the rest of his life. That's how he'd spin it.
The guns in the store reminded him there had been some at the cabin. A bolt action rifle, a .38 pistol and a smaller .25 he'd used to take pot shots at critters in the woods. When he wasn't gunning down dangerous trees. Was he in that kind of trouble? Not unless someone other than law enforcement was after him. The chances of that were slim to none. He'd take a look in the gun cabinet when he got back.
As he unpacked the car he heard the distinctive sound of a gun being cocked. His whole world lurched. Time slowed to a standstill. Turning very slowly, Jamie squinted into the evening sun. A dark, indistinctive, figure stood with a rifle casually pointed in his general direction. As his eyes fought the dazzle, he shaded them. Again at a snails pace. It was a woman, that much he was sure of. Recognition flooded him. The scare had kicked his memory into high gear. It was Mrs Draeger, the next door neighbor who lived on the lake. She seemed a lot younger than he remembered. Although to his child self any adult was old. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled back into a rough ponytail.
"I'm not dangerous, Mrs Draeger. It's Jamie. Jamie Livingston. Do you remember me?"
She moved into the clearing surrounding the cabin, and out of direct line with the sun. Now he had a better view she was quite attractive. What he knew of her and his mother told him she had to be in her forties at least. She looked at least ten years younger. Exactly as she had when he came here at 13.
"My eyesight may be fading, but my brain still works." She responded tersely. Then her tone and body language softened. "You'll have to excuse me. I'm not used to visitors. When people come to stay here I tend to stay out of the way until they're gone. Then I clean up the place for your mom. How is she, by the way?"
"She sounded fine when I spoke to her the day before yesterday." Now that they were reacquainted he returned to unloading. The rifle barrel was still swaying about in line with him. "Does she let you know when the cabin has been let?"
"There's an agency takes care of all that. Place is only occupied for a couple of months a year. What brings you here after all this time?"
I'm fleeing a potential shit storm didn't feel like being a suitable response.
"I'm revisiting my childhood." He'd made it sound like a question.
Mrs Draeger chuckled.
"Bullshit. You're on the run or lying low. Did you break up with a girl or screw the wrong guy's wife?"
That was incredibly astute of her. Either that, or he was a hopeless liar. What did he have to lose? It wasn't likely she was part of the potential conspiracy against him. There he went over exaggerating the situation.
"It's a long story. One I don't know a lot about, if I'm honest. I could be in the shit. I'm pretty sure I've got an ex-fiance though. So you were partly right."
She laughed huskily, holding the rifle by the barrel resting the butt on the ground.
"Thought as much. Folks don't come here for any other purpose but to get away from somewhere else. Least that's why I'm here. Do you want to talk about it? I'm a good listener."
Again, what did he have to lose. He could do with a sounding board if nothing else. The chances were she'd not see anyone for the next six months.
"Thank you for the offer Mrs Draeger. I may well take you up on that."
"Now you're all growed up you can call me Liz. I shall call you Jamie."
"What did you used to call me when I was a kid? I bet it was nothing good."
This time she laughed. It was a weak joke, but she'd been up here a long time.
"Nah. You were okay for a kid. Stayed out of my way most of the time. Grew into a fine looking young man I must say."
She brushed at her hair. He smiled at her.
"Are you flirting with me?"
"I hope I am, but it's a been a long time. Is it making you uncomfortable?"
"Part of me thinks it should. I'm not though. You're a good looking woman."
"For my age you mean."
"For any age. Now I'm wishing my hormones had kicked in when I used to come here. Then I could have spied on you."
"You wouldn't have seen much of any interest."
He grunted his disagreement.
"You don't know much about adolescent boys. I'd have lusted after you, like I did every great looking teacher and neighbor. So what did you come here to hide from? Or is that another long story?"
Liz shrugged, smoothing down her shirt and jeans.
"No. I worked in banking. Saw the way things were headed back in 2006. Lending money we didn't have, to people who couldn't afford to pay it back. First they ignored me when I spoke up. Then they black balled me. Moved me sideways into a dead end position, where I was out of the way. Put the word out so no one would take me on. So I cashed in and dropped out."
"I think there's a bit more to it than that, but you were honest with me. So I'll take you up on your invitation."
She became coy.
"What invitation was that?"
"The one where you offered to hear my tale of woe. I'll give you the full tour of my disastrous working career. Maybe you can explain it, because I can't." He paused, she looked uncertain. Also a little intrigued. What with, he couldn't discern. "If you have anything else on offer I'd be a fool not to take you up on that as well."
"Aren't I a bit old for you?" There was an edge to her voice.
She thought he was simply pandering to her.
"Not from where I'm standing. Listen I have spent the last few months flying all over the world, banging beautiful women of all ages from legal upwards. Besides I figure you could teach me a thing or three. Believe me I could do with some schooling. So is the offer still open?"
Liz swivelled around on the spot. Walked away towards her home.
"I'll sleep on it. Let you know tomorrow."