“And you get that dirty work, don’t you, Supreme Commander?”
“I do not consider it dirty work, Pontiff. It is my honor to facilitate His Excellency’s vision.”
“There you go again with that excellency business.”
“Allow me to tell you a personal story I will share with each ambassador during this trip. Indulge me, and you’ll see that the potentate is a deeply spiritual man with a spark of the divine.”
“This I have to hear,” Mathews said, chuckling. “Carpathia as clergy. Now there’s a picture.”
“I pledge that every word is true. It will change forever the way you see our potentate.”
Rayford turned off the surveillance switch. “Leon’s telling Mathews his Lazarus story,” he muttered.
“Oh boy,” Mac said.
The Condor was over the Atlantic in the middle of the night, and Rayford was dozing. The intercom roused him. “When convenient, Captain Steele,” Fortunato said, “I would appreciate a moment.”
“I hate to cater,” Rayford told Mac. “But I’d just as soon get it out of the way.” He depressed the button. “Is now OK?”
Fortunato met him midplane and beckoned him to the rear, far from where Mathews and his two young charges were sleeping. “His Excellency has asked me to approach you on a delicate matter. It is becoming increasingly embarrassing to not be able to produce Rabbi Tsion Ben-Judah of Israel for his followers.”
“Oh?”
“His Excellency knows you to be a man of your word. When you tell us you do not know where Ben-Judah is, we take this at face value. The question then becomes, do you have access to someone who does know where he is?”
“Why?”
“His Excellency is prepared to personally ensure the rabbi’s safety. He will make any threat to the safety of Ben-Judah simply not worth the consequences.”
“So why not put that word out, and see if Ben-Judah comes to you?”
“Too risky. You may think you know how His Excellency views you. However, as the one who knows him best, I know he trusts you. He admires your integrity.”
“And he’s convinced I have access to Ben-Judah.”
“Let’s not play games, Captain Steele. The Global Community is far-reaching now. We know from more sources than just the talkative Dr. Rosenzweig that your son-in-law helped the rabbi escape.”
“Rosenzweig is one of Carpathia’s greatest admirers, more loyal than Nicolae deserves. Didn’t Chaim seek Carpathia’s help in the Ben-Judah matter back when Nicolae first became prominent?”
“We did all we could—”
“That is not true. If you expect me to be a man of my word, don’t insult my intelligence. If my own son-in-law aided in Ben-Judah’s flight from Israel, wouldn’t I have an idea whether he had assistance from the Global Community?”
Fortunato did not respond.
Rayford was careful not to reveal anything he had heard solely through the bugging device. He would never forget when Fortunato had passed on Rosenzweig’s plea for help for his beleaguered friend. Ben-Judah’s family had been massacred and he was in hiding, yet Carpathia had laughed it off and said in so many words that he might turn Ben-Judah over to the zealots.
“Those close to the situation know the truth, Leon. Carpathia’s claim to credit for the well-being of Tsion Ben-Judah is bogus. I have no doubt he could protect the rabbi, and he would have been able to then, but he did not.”
“You may be right, Captain Steele. I do not have personal knowledge of that situation.”
“Leon, you know every detail of everything that goes on.”
It appeared Leon enjoyed hearing that. He didn’t argue it. “Regardless, it would be counterproductive from a public relations standpoint for us to adjust our position now. We are believed to have helped him escape, and we would lose credibility to admit we had nothing to do with that.”
“But since I know,” Rayford said, “am I not allowed some skepticism?”
Leon sat back and steepled his fingers. He exhaled. “All right,” he said. “His Excellency has authorized me to ask what you require in order to grant him this favor.”
“And the favor is?”
“The delivery of Tsion Ben-Judah.”
“To?”
“Israel.”
What Rayford wanted was his wife’s name cleared, but he could not betray Mac’s confidence. “So I’m asked my price now, rather than being required to trade my own daughter?”
It didn’t seem to surprise Fortunato that Rayford had heard about the fiasco in Minneapolis. “That was a mistake in communications,” he said. “You have His Excellency’s personal word that he intended that the wife of one of his employees be reunited with her husband and given the best care.”
Rayford wanted to laugh aloud or spit in Fortunato’s face; he couldn’t decide which. “Let me think about it,” he said.
“How long do you need? There is pressure on His Excellency to do something about Ben-Judah. We will be in the States tomorrow. Can we not make some arrangement?”
“You want me to ferry him back on the Condor with all the ambassadors?”
“Of course not. But as long as we are going to be in that region, it only makes sense that we take care of it now.”
“Assuming Tsion Ben-Judah is there.”
“We believe that if we can locate Cameron Williams, we will have located Tsion Ben-Judah.”
“Then you know more than I do.”
Rayford began to stand, but Fortunato held up a hand. “There is one more thing.”
“Let me guess. Are her initials H. D.?”
“Yes. It is important to His Excellency that the relationship be gracefully severed.”
“Despite what he said to the world?”
“Actually, I said it. He did not sanction it.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Believe what you wish. You are aware of the exigencies of public perception. His Excellency is determined not to be embarrassed by Miss Durham. You’ll recall they were introduced by your son-in-law.”
“Whom I had not even met yet,” Rayford said.
“Granted. Her disappearance was a nuisance. It made His Excellency appear incapable of controlling his own household. The earthquake provided a logical explanation for their separation. It is crucial that while out on her own, Miss Durham not do or say anything embarrassing.”
“And so you want me to do what? Tell her to behave?”
“Frankly, Captain, you would not be overstating it to inform her that accidents happen. She cannot remain invisible long. If it becomes necessary to eliminate the risk, we have the ability to effect this with expediency, and in a manner that would not reflect on His Excellency but would allow him to gain sympathy.”
“May I tell you what I just heard you say, so we’re clear?”
“Certainly.”
“You want me to tell Hattie Durham to keep her mouth shut or you’ll kill her and deny it.”
Fortunato appeared stricken. Then he softened and stared at the ceiling. “We are communicating,” he said.
“Rest assured that if I make contact with Miss Durham, I will pass along your threat.”
“I assume you will remind her that repeating that message would constitute cause.”
“Oh, I got it. It’s a blanket threat.”
“You’ll handle both assignments then?”
“You don’t see the irony? I’m to pass along a death threat to Miss Durham yet trust you with protecting Tsion Ben-Judah.”
“Right.”
“Well, it may be correct, but it’s not right.”
Rayford trudged to the cockpit, where he was met with Mac’s knowing look. “You hear that?”
“I heard,” Mac said. “I wish I had recorded it.”
“Who would you play it for?”
“Fellow believers.”
“You’d be preaching to the choir. In the old days, you could take a DVD like that to the authorities. But these are the au
thorities.”
“What’s your price gonna be, Ray?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ben-Judah belongs in Israel. And Carpathia has to ensure his safety, doesn’t he?”
“You heard Fortunato. They can cause an accident and wind up with sympathy.”
“But if he pledges a personal guarantee, Ray, he’ll keep Tsion safe.”
“Don’t forget what Tsion wants to do in Israel. He’s not just going to chat with the two witnesses or look up old friends. He’ll be training as many of the 144,000 evangelists as can get there. He’ll be Nicolae’s worst nightmare.”
“Like I said, what’s your price?”
“What’s the difference? You expect the Antichrist to stand by a deal? I wouldn’t give a nickel for Hattie Durham’s future, whether she toes the line or not. Maybe if I string this out long enough I can learn something from Fortunato about Amanda. I’m telling you, Mac, she’s alive somewhere.”
“If she’s alive, Ray, why no contact? I don’t want to offend you, but is it possible she’s what they say she is?”
CHAPTER 15
Buck was awakened a little after midnight by the chirping of Chloe’s phone downstairs. Though she kept it within arm’s length, it kept ringing. Buck sat up, wondering. He decided her medication must have kicked in, so he hurried down.
Only people most crucial to the Tribulation Force knew the members’ private sat phone numbers. Every incoming call was potentially momentous. Buck couldn’t see the phone in the darkness, and he didn’t want to turn on the light. He followed the sound to the ledge above Chloe. He put a knee carefully on the mattress, trying not to wake her, grabbed the phone, and settled in a chair next to her bed.
“Chloe’s phone,” he whispered.
All he heard was crying. “Hattie?” he tried.
“Buck!” she said.
“Chloe slept through the ring, Hattie. I hate to wake her.”
“Please don’t,” she said through sobs. “I’m sorry to call so late.”
“She really wanted to talk to you, Hattie. Is there anything I can do?”
“Oh, Buck!” she said, and lost control again.
“Hattie, I know you don’t know where we are, but it’s not close enough to help if you’re in danger. Do you need me to call someone?”
“No!”
“Don’t rush, then. I can wait. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you,” she managed.
As Buck waited, his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. For the first time since she had been home, Chloe was not on her left side, keeping weight off the myriad breaks, bruises, strains, sprains, and scrapes of her other side. Every morning she spent half an hour massaging sleeping body parts. He prayed that someday soon she would enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Maybe she was doing that now. But could one really enjoy a sleep so deep that a ringing phone a few feet away would not penetrate? He hoped her body would benefit, and her spirit as well. Chloe lay still, flat on her back, her left arm by her side, her mangled right foot pigeon-toed to the left, her casted arm resting on her stomach.
“Bear with me,” Hattie managed.
“No rush,” Buck said, scratching his head and stretching. He was struck by Chloe in repose. What a gift of God she was, and how grateful he was that she had survived. Her top sheet and blanket were bunched. She often fell asleep uncovered and curled under blankets later.
Buck pressed the back of his hand to her cheek. She felt cool. Still listening for Hattie, Buck pulled the sheet and blanket up to Chloe’s neck, worrying that he might have dragged it across her foot, her most sensitive injury. But she did not move.
“Hattie, are you there?”
“Buck, I got word tonight that I lost my mother and my sisters in the earthquake.”
“Oh, Hattie, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s such a waste,” she said. “When L.A. and San Francisco were bombed, Nicolae and I were still close. He warned me they should leave the area and swore me to secrecy. His intelligence people feared a militia attack, and he was right.”
Buck said nothing. Rayford had told him he had heard Carpathia himself, through the Condor 216’s bugging device, give the order for the bombing of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“Hattie, where are you calling from?”
“I told you in the e-mail,” she said.
“I know, but you’re not using their phones, are you?”
“No! That’s why I’m calling so late. I had to wait until I could sneak outside.”
“And the news about your family. How did that get to you?”
“I had to let the authorities in Santa Monica know where they could reach me. I gave them my private number and the number of the clinic here.”
“I’m sorry to say this at such a difficult time for you, Hattie, but that was not a good idea.”
“I didn’t have a choice. It took a long time to get through to Santa Monica, and when I finally did, my family was unaccounted for. I had to leave numbers. I’ve been worried sick.”
“You’ve probably led the GC right to you.”
“I don’t care anymore.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I don’t want to go back to Nicolae, but I want him to take responsibility for our child. I have no job, no income, and now no family.”
“We care about you and love you, Hattie. Don’t forget that.”
She broke down again.
“Hattie, have you considered that the news about your family may be untrue?”
“What?”
“I wouldn’t put it past the GC. Once they knew where you were, they may have just wanted to give you a reason to stay there. If you think your family is gone, there’s no reason for you to go to California.”
“But I told Nicolae my family had moved here after the bombings out there.”
“It wouldn’t have taken him long to discover that was untrue.”
“Why would he want me to stay here?”
“Maybe he assumes that the longer you’re there, the more likely you are to have an abortion.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I don’t see any options, Buck. I can’t raise a child in a world like this with my prospects.”
“I don’t want to make you feel worse, Hattie, but I don’t think you’re safe there.”
“What are you saying?”
Buck wished Chloe would rouse and help him talk to Hattie. He had an idea, but he’d rather consult her first.
“Hattie, I know these people. They would much rather have you out of the picture than deal with you.”
“I’m nobody from nowhere. I can’t hurt him.”
“Something happening to you could engender tremendous sympathy for him. More than anything, he wants attention, and he doesn’t care whether that comes as fear, respect, admiration, or pity.”
“I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll have an abortion before I’ll let him hurt me or my child.”
“You’re not making sense. You would kill your child so he can’t?”
“You sound like Rayford now.”
“We happen to agree on this,” Buck said. “Please don’t do that. At the very least get somewhere where you’re not in danger and can think this through.”
“I have nowhere to go!”
“If I came and got you, would you come here with us?”
Silence.
“Chloe needs you. We could use help with her. And she could be good for you during your pregnancy. She’s pregnant too.”
“Really? Oh, Buck, I couldn’t burden you. I’d feel so obliged, so in the way.”
“Hey, this was my idea.”
“I don’t see how it would work.”
“Hattie, tell me where you are. I’ll come and get you by noon tomorrow.”
“You mean noon today?”
Buck looked at the clock. “I guess I do.”
“Shouldn’t you run this by Chloe?”
“I
don’t dare bother her. If there’s a problem, I’ll get back to you. Otherwise, be ready to go.”
No response.
“Hattie?”
“I’m still here, Buck. I was just thinking. Remember when we met?”
“Of course. It was a rather momentous day.”
“On Rayford’s 747 the night of the disappearances.”
“The Rapture,” Buck said.
“If you say so. Look what we’ve been through since then.”
“I’ll call you when we’re within an hour of you,” Buck said.
“I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“Who said anything about that?”
Buck put the phone away, straightened Chloe’s covers, and knelt to kiss her. She still seemed cold. He went to get her a blanket but stopped midstride. Was she too still? Was she breathing? He rushed back and put his ear to her nose. He couldn’t tell. He ran his thumb and forefinger under her jaw to check her pulse. Before he could detect anything, she pulled away. She was alive. He slipped to his knees. “Thank you, God!”
Chloe mumbled something. He took her hand in both of his. “What, sweetie? What do you need?”
She appeared to be trying to open her eyes. “Buck?” she said.
“It’s me.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I just got off the phone with Hattie. Go back to sleep.”
“I’m cold.”
“I’ll get you a blanket.”
“I wanted to talk to Hattie. What did she say?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
“Mm-hm.”
Buck found a coverlet and spread it over her. “OK?” he said.
She did not respond. When he began to tiptoe away, she said something. He turned back. “What, hon?”
“Hattie.”
“In the morning,” he said.
“Hattie has my bunny.”
Buck smiled. “Your bunny?”
“My blanket.”
“OK.”
“Thanks for my blanket.”
Buck wondered if she would remember any of this.
Mac was in the cockpit and Rayford asleep in his quarters when his personal phone rang. It was Buck.