I looked over to Veronica and said, “All this security for me?”
“No Jack. It is for all the dignitaries coming here and the President. In addition, many of the people coming for The Waldger Group’s meeting are already here and will be attending your Sermon tonight. It’s to keep them safe, not you.”
“Hmm,” I said, “and here I thought it was just for me.” I felt left out.
“You’re on a roll today,” Veronica said.
We walked up to the host at the restaurant and Veronica took charge. “Table for six please,” she said to the hostess, “and I want the one over there against the wall if that’s okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the hostess said, as she grabbed six menus, and said, “Follow me, please.”
As we sat looking at the menus, I could feel the stares from all around the restaurant. I guessed the sunglasses trick was not working. I looked over at Veronica and asked, “Where did Gabriel go?”
“He had to leave,” she said. “He just wanted to make sure you knew he was around.”
Luke, John, and Thomas, almost at the same time, said, “I didn’t see anyone called Gabriel in the meeting. What are you talking about?”
“The messengers; remember I talked about them in my interview in New York,” I answered.
“So what you are telling us Jack,” Thomas said. “Is that you can see him and we cannot?”
“That’s right, Thomas. You are correct.”
“That’s spooky,” Luke said.
I smiled and said, “Maybe someday soon you too will see him Luke, for I am sure you will. So where are we with the planning and how much longer is this meeting going to last with the city?”
“Shouldn’t be much longer Jack,” John said. “They are just going over details. This is a first for them. A lot of what needed to be covered, Luke, the Reverend, and I had already discussed with them earlier in the week. I think you are in there only because they are curious about you. After the insurance thing, I think they may want to hire you.”
This was great, same old story, feast or famine. A few weeks ago, I could not find a job. Now everyone wanted to hire me, I thought. “Glad the meeting is almost over. I really dislike long meetings,” I said aloud.
We all looked up and saw Mark coming over to the table. He took his seat. We exchanged our pleasantries as the server came over. You could see she was very nervous and I knew she wanted to say something. I saw her nametag and said, “Hi Debbie, let me introduce myself. I am Jack South and these are my friends.”
I held out my hand to her and she blushed, shook my hand, and said, “Nice to meet you, Mr. South,” then followed up with, “May I take your orders?”
We all ordered some rolls, coffee, and various juices. Then Mark said, “How was Israel, Jack?”
“It is a beautiful country, if you like desert, rocks, caves, and the local hospitality.”
“I know. I had to track down the President to get him to intervene. I guess the Attorney General had a hard on for you. Uh, excuse me Veronica, he said blushing.”
“It’s okay, Mark. I have heard a whole lot worse. It doesn’t bother me.”
“So are you ready for tonight?” Thomas asked.
“I suppose I should ask you if you are ready. You are the one handling the logistics of everything. All I am doing is talking.”
“I meant for your sermon,” Thomas said.
“Yes it is Thomas, very ready. And later today I would like to meet with you personally to go over it and get your opinion.”
“Sure, I’d be happy to, Jack.”
The server came back over with the coffee and drinks. She was smiling and still blushing all at the same time. I was sure that after she left here today she would tell the story, repeatedly, of how I talked to her and shook her hand. This was one soul we would get, I thought as I smiled.
“Jack,” John said. “I wanted to let you know that we are ready with everything as we discussed, including the slow motion cameras. I still don’t know what they are for.”
“Just keep the cameras on me John. You will eventually know what they are for. And let me add, I won’t say anything more about it.”
“Okay,” John said. “Also, we have scanned the graphics you sent down, and I have one of my engineers that will split the screen when you talk about them.”
“Thanks, John. Did you figure out what they were?”
“No I did not. Looks like Mayan carvings of some sort.”
“They are the handwriting of God. They are what the Israelis wanted from me. They knew I had them and they kept the originals. We just have copies.”
“Can you read them?”
“I did not know I could until they were shown to me under unusual circumstances. Then my brain clicked in, and yes, I could read them.”
“What are they Jack?” Thomas asked.
“They were part of my sermon tonight, but I’m still not sure. I may not use them until my next sermon. It’s still up in the air.”
John then said, “Luke has set up the internet feed in over one-hundred languages for broadcast. We will stream directly to their servers and the delay should only be about fifteen to twenty seconds. This way people who do not have access to TV in their area, for some countries are trying to block it, will be able to participate. We will also have the broadcast available afterwards for people to see. We will keep it up there for a week or so, or keep it up until there are no more hits. They can also log in from mobile smartphones and get the stream from Bearnewsupdate.com. So, I think we have it pretty well covered.” He paused, before continuing to speak, “As I said before, once you start Jack, there will be no commercials. There may be commentary at times, though, sort of like a golf match.”
John paused again to take a sip of juice, then continued. “Just so you all know, I am using my co-anchors, Mary Ann Sinclair and Geraldo Vasquez for this one. They came in this afternoon and we will be having a rehearsal in about an hour or so. Anything I need to know in particular, Jack that you may be doing, like blowing something up, making fire come from the sky, or anything like that?”
“No John,” I said, “but to tell you the truth, I really don’t know what is going to happen,” although I knew full well that Gabriel had said someone was going to try to assassinate me tonight. It seemed strange, but it did not bother me, even if it should. Was my faith growing?
Chapter 121
10:20 AM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, 2nd Floor Meeting Room
“Oh there you are,” Madeline said as we returned from the restaurant. “We were wondering when you would make it back. You are just in time. We are going over the system we designed to get the dignitaries and you, Jack, from the hotel to the stage area or altar.”
“Stage,” I said, “not altar. I do not know how to build an altar or design one. Hasn’t been done for thousands of years.”
“Oh,” Madeline said, “I see. Okay then, the stage. If all of you can come closer, we have it laid out here on the table on this street grid.”
We gathered around, and the Chief of Police, Michael Poploski started describing the intricate system that had been designed. “What we have here are concrete barriers that are stacked one on top of the other, compliments of the Highway Department. It is about nine feet high. It travels from the hotels side entrance you see here,” as he pointed to the drawing, “and crosses Grand Avenue, then Main Street. It then curves to the Memorial itself on to the north building adjacent to where the stage is. The top of the barrier is steel panels, the same ones used on road repairs. It would take a good size explosive to penetrate it. The total distance is about two and a half blocks.”
Wow, I thought. They had done this in less than three days.
He continued, “At the beginning of the tunnel there will be a combination of Secret Service, FBI, and military personnel under the Colonel’s direction. The checkpoints are the same at the other end of the tunnel. In the middle of the tunnel you will again be stopped
for identification before being allowed to continue, as well as at the beginning and the end.”
“At the termination of the Rally, the process will be reversed. This means, Jack, that you will be going first, we assume, and then the dignitaries will follow.”
“Also,” he said, pointing to the stage on the drawing, “This will be surrounded by military personnel, and plain clothes federal types, which include the FBI and Secret Service. They will be there two hours before the seating, which starts at 6:00 p.m. and one hour afterwards. We also have bomb sniffing dogs that will check the area every ten minutes before you and the dignitaries get to the stage as well as during the program.”
“Any questions?”
Veronica asked, “Where are the dignitaries sitting?”
He brought out a folder under the drawing. He had photographs of the south and north sides of the raised stage built into the Memorial. “The news media seats are here on the north side and which includes all the camera crews, along with John Roddenberg’s group and his anchor desk. You may have seen it on his broadcasts the past couple of days. City personnel and others will be seated in this area, including you folks.”
“On the other side is seating for the President and several other dignitaries from all across the globe. Many are the same people who will be here for the meeting on Friday with The Waldger Group. There are one-hundred and forty-five seats there stacked up like sports field seating. Oh, by the way, both sides of the seating here are encased in clear bullet proof glass extending about four feet above the highest tier of the seating, or about thirty feet.”
“The choirs and entertainment will be seated in this corner over here, so they do not block the view of the people on stage and the park. The Philharmonic will be in the opposite corner.”
“Jack,” he looked at me, “The stage drops off to a forty-foot fall overlooking Union Station. So be careful there. I understand you said to do it this way so that the people in the Union Station area and the people in the Park can have an unobstructed view. Am I correct?”
“Yes, that is right, chief. I will be careful.”
“Well, any other questions?” Madeline asked.
“No,” Veronica said. “We have no more questions.
“Well,” Madeline said, “Most of you I will see around 6:30 or so, on the stage.”
Chapter 122
10:50 AM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, Hallway 2nd Floor
As were leaving the conference room, I motioned for Veronica to come over to me. When she was close enough to hear me I said, “Do you think my room is bugged?”
“No Jack, it’s not. We took them out before you checked in. They were there, but we removed them and your room was checked again this morning while we were in the meeting. They checked it after the house cleaners cleaned up. Also, I have a private security guard outside your door, just in case someone decides to get clever.”
“Thanks. Just so you know, I have Thomas stopping by to talk about the sermon. I need a professional opinion about something I read in God’s word.”
John came up to us about the same time and said, “I have a lot to do. We still have the evening news, and then the program itself will start at 6:00; an hour and a half before you begin, Jack. We need to be ready for that. I have a news briefing in about an hour or so, I need to attend. Lots of news today. By the way, Jack, are we still on for the interview after the sermon?”
“Yes, I will be ready for you, but no panels. I am not up to it.”
“Okay Jack, no problem. Oh, by the way, I may have already told you, but the feed is being translated into over one-hundred languages worldwide. We even have Middle Eastern networks broadcasting you live, which surprised me when the request came in. We have two sign language people, and of course subtitles. I do not know if you know it or not, but for the time you are on TV tonight, not any one event nor one person has ever had this many people watching. I find that amazing.”
“So do I John. So do I.”
“Well, gotta go,” he said as he left.
Luke, Mark, and Thomas were still in the hall. Veronica and I walked over to them. I said to Mark, “Well you got to come anyway. That is great. I am glad you are here. In addition, Luke, you people are doing a great job out there for me, considering you have only had three and a half days. We have achieved our goals. I want to thank you so much.”
“After listening to you over the past few days, Jack, I have to tell you, my firm and I are proud to be a part of your ministry. We look forward to the continuation of our agreement. I have read a lot of prophecy, I have a lot of faith, and I believe you are who you say you are. So, if you need anything at all, even if you’re broke, I will be there for you.”
I held out my hand and said, “Friends, Luke.”
He shook it and said, “Friends. Listen, I have to go. I will catch you all later.”
“Later, Luke.”
I turned to Thomas and asked, “I know you have a lot on your plate and I’d asked earlier, but I wanted to know if you could come to my room in a bit and discuss something with me? I really need your help. We can order up lunch in the room.”
“Sure I can Jack, just say when.”
I looked at my watch and said, “Give me an hour. I am in Suite 2401.”
“I will be there.”
I said goodbye to everyone and got on the elevator to get back to my room.
Chapter 123
11:20 AM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - The Waldger Group Suites
“Mr. Waldger?” the door was open a crack as the security guard on the other side called to him.
“Yes, what can I help you with?”
“There are two priests here to see you. They say they have an appointment.”
Aafre got up from the makeshift desk in his suite and walked over to the doorway as his aide ushered in the guests. He was pleased the two had made it on time. “Cardinal Richital, what a pleasure,” Aafre said as he looked behind him, knowing very well who was with him. He said, “Bishop…very pleased to finally meet you in person, after all these years. Please come in.”
They entered the suite and he offered them a place to sit. “Bishop, we were worried that you might not make it in time for the Rally and our meeting tomorrow, which, as you know, is very important.”
“Thank you, Aafre. Do you mind if I call you by your first name?”
“No, no not at all, we are all friends here. Was the trip coming here okay? I knew of the flooding in your area. I was concerned you might not make it.”
“No, we left North Africa early Tuesday morning, making a stop In Rome to see the Pontiff, and then picking up the item we discussed. In addition, the Pontiff knew we were coming here. He wanted to see us first. He is not doing well and could not make the trip himself, but had asked us to keep him up to date. He will be watching on TV, I am sure. We left there right after the meeting at the Vatican. We boarded a commercial jet to New York, then a private one provided by you which took us directly here; which we are grateful for.”
“You are more than welcome. We have much to do in the next few days and so much to plan together. Moreover, you Cardinal, you look well. I hope, like the Bishop, you have found things acceptable, yes?”
“Definitely Aafre, everything is going well and all things are in place, as we have discussed.”
“Well, good. I knew that we could count on you. Now Bishop, you know that tonight we will get to see the Hebrew God’s Witness give a sermon. I am so curious to see what he says and hear your opinion.”
“I think he is a very dangerous man and needs to be carefully watched,” the Bishop replied. “If possible, he needs to be controlled before there is no world left for us. His agenda seems strange. Why kill all these people? It does not make sense to me. That is not the God I know and the God our church teaches.”
“I agree, Bishop. I so much agree.”
“Would you mind, Aafre,” the Bishop asked, “if I use your facil
ities? It has been such a long trip and we have yet to go to our suites.”
“Oh yes, please do.”
When he left, Aafre looked at Cardinal Richital and said, “He is very imposing, isn’t he?’
“Yes, Aafre. He will do as we want and he understands the power he is to receive to battle these witnesses. And like me, he is so much looking forward to tonight.”
“Yes Cardinal, we are all looking forward to tonight. And I assume the item he referred to is the item we had discussed?”
“Yes Aafre, he has the item and has the power to use it. We picked it up from the Vatican’s secure archives.”
“Good Cardinal, very good. So now, we will see and hear the lies from Jack and maybe even some fireworks. One never knows, do they?” as he laughed aloud.
Chapter 124
11:35 AM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, Jack South’s Suite
I heard the knock at the door and I thought to myself, it is too early for Mark, but maybe he got confused. I opened the door and the security guard was there. He said, “Mr. South, this is FBI agent Rankill, he has something for you. I checked his credentials and he is okay.”
Agent Rankill stepped up to the door. He had a package that looked like a tube about seven feet long. “What is this I asked?”
“It was delivered to the hotel awhile ago, addressed to you sir. We took delivery and ran it through one of our luggage screeners. We then had the dogs check it for explosives. It seems to be okay. I brought it up personally, because we are not using hotel staff on these floors, for security reasons.”
“Thanks agent, uh?”
“Rankill sir, Agent Phillip Rankill at your service.”
“Well, thanks Agent Rankill. Again, I do appreciate it,” I took the package from him and closed the door.