by Liam Fialkov
“I see,” Michael said. “And is there a menu?”
“No,” McPherson said, as Michael appeared baffled. “Helen will bring us the dishes that were ordered by her customers today. Trust me, it’s gonna be good.”
Helen came in and brought them freshly made lemonade. “Your food will be ready in about ten minutes,” she said.
“Take your time,” McPherson said, “we’re in no hurry, and we got plenty to discuss.”
“We do?” Michael asked. Michael watched McPherson and was surprised to see the change in his facial expression. McPherson, who appeared amused and friendly while talking to Helen, now looked very serious.
“Michael,” McPherson opened, “taking the walk allowed me to reflect and reexamine this whole situation. I must tell you that it does not look good. Actually, it’s quite explosive.” McPherson poured himself some lemonade and took a sip. “As I told you,” he continued, “up until today I followed an unknown entity that was messing with people by shutting the country down every now and then, but I didn’t know what the purpose of it all was. But now, things have changed. If it is Charles Bishop, and I’m quite certain it is, then we are facing a formidable opponent: one who is very sophisticated, has limitless amount of money, and apparently, has grown to become a religious fanatic. Those zealous scare me the most, because they are motivated by fervor and not by reason, and they think they got nothing to lose.”
“So why won’t you just approach the authorities and alert them to the situation?” Michael stated what he thought was the obvious.
“And tell them what!?” McPherson said. “That I have a gut feeling by which a known American hero is dangerous? Look at his image. He is in a wheelchair after sacrificing his life for the country, a devout Christian, he donates boatloads of money to charities, and he probably has local politicians as well as the media in his pockets.”
Helen brought their lunch, and quickly exited the room, understanding that her guests have important matters to discuss, and they need privacy.
***
They ate in silence.
“The food here is incredible,” Michael commented after they finished eating.
“I thought you’d like it,” McPherson said.
Michael took a sip of lemonade. “So, what are you suggesting?”
“Michael, this is a serious situation, and I’m reluctant to ask you for a small sacrifice.”
“What is it? Michael asked. He remembered that in the past, McPherson asked him to spy on his employer. What could it be this time? He had an ominous feeling.
“Michael,” McPherson said, “I know how precious your family is to you…”
“What are you saying!?”
“Look,” McPherson said. “As you are right now, you can’t approach and infiltrate the cult, and look believable. Not with your sweet loving wife and daughter and secured job. All I’m asking is that you’ll create the appearance of trouble in paradise, and temporarily move to another place…”
“But Stewart…” Michael was stunned. “I’d have to think about it.”
“I’m afraid time is a luxury we don’t have.” McPherson said. “Let me put it this way: world war II was probably the most horrible event in the history of mankind. It caused unimaginable pain and suffering to the world, with millions of people killed and murdered. Let’s say that we’re in 1938, and you have the opportunity to prevent the war from ever starting. Wouldn’t you do it?”
Michael took a deep breath and sighed. “It is not 1938” he said, “it’s a different world now.”
“How different?” McPherson argued. “Let me draw a realistic scenario for you. From my investigation of Bishop, and from what I gather of his involvement with the cult that’s obsessed with the prophecies that occupied Newton, I fear that they are going to try to resurrect the temple of Solomon.”
“So?” Michael suddenly felt exhausted, realizing that the man he considered as his mentor, has come up with a plan to which he couldn’t refuse, even though he wished he’d never gotten into it in the first place.
“Look, Michael,” McPherson explained patiently, “don’t you see that the only place where they could build the temple would be on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem? Where it stood two thousand years ago, otherwise they would not be fulfilling the prophecy. And by the way, I have no idea how they plan to erect such a complicated structure.
“The Temple Mount?” Michael gazed at McPherson trying to comprehend the meaning of his words.
“Right now, as far as I know,” McPherson continued, “The place is taken.”
“Taken?” Michael had a hard time following, sensing that the decision was already made.
“Yes,” McPherson confirmed. “There’s a big rock over there. The Jews and the Christians believe it is the foundation rock which is located at the navel point of the world. On that rock, so they believe, Abraham intended to sacrifice Isaac.”
“I read about it,” Michael said. “Today there is a mosque over there.”
“It is called The Dome of the Rock, McPherson said. “It is not really a mosque but still, it is a beautiful structure and it’s considered to be the third most holy place for Islam.”
“So?”
“If they want to rebuild the temple, we have to take into account that they will blow up the dome of the rock…” McPherson uttered.
“Just blow it up, ha?” Michael was bewildered. “Stewart,” he said, “I’m afraid there’s some truth to what you’re saying, on their internet site, I’ve seen some discussion of explosives and bringing down large structures.”
“And then, I’ll tell you what will happen.” McPherson said somberly. “There will be an utter outrage throughout the Muslim world. Leading religious leaders will call for a holy war. Jihad, as they call it. It will unify the Muslims all over. Sunni and Shia, extremist and moderates, they will see it as their duty to come and liberate their sacred land.”
“As far as I know,” Michael said, “the Jews were there before there was ever a religion called Islam.” Although Michael was raised a Christian, he was familiar with some Jewish practices as his father in law was half Jewish.”
“That’s completely irrelevant.” McPherson seemed annoyed. “You think they care who was there first? They will come from extremist strongholds such as Iran, the Taliban, Hamas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, you name it. And also, from more moderate places like Turkey, Pakistan, which don’t forget, possesses nuclear capability, and of course from neighboring Arab countries. All these forces will have one goal in mind: to destroy the Jewish state that they will hold responsible for the action. Now, Israel probably has the strongest army in the middle east, with superior air force, but how long will they be able to hold?
“At some point Israel will desperately ask for assistance from the United States and its NATO allies, and they will have a hard time standing by, allowing another holocaust. If the US will intervene, how long will it be before the Russians enter the theater? If the US won’t intervene, well, let’s not forget that Israel also possesses nuclear power. Do you get the picture? And don’t think for a minute that our comfortable life here in the US will continue unaffected because it won’t. We will probably be subject to economic hardships stemming from increased oil prices, and I didn’t even mention terrorism. At some point, there will be those in the Muslim world that will call for revenge against Christians, because they will figure out that a Christian group blew up their holy shrine and not the Jews. The result could easily be a total war, a catastrophe, what the New Testament call Armageddon. It’s quite likely that this is exactly what Bishop want because Armageddon, according to the book of revelation will be followed by the second coming of Christ.
“OK Stewart, I get the picture,” Michael conceded, and checked the time in his cell phone.
“Michael,” McPherson said, still looking somber. “It’s not just your family that I’m asking you to separate from.”
“Who else?” Michael asked in a weary tone of voice.
“How will we communicate?”
“There will be someone who will meet you every now and then, and transfer messages between us. You should even erase my name from your phone book.”
Chapter 13
“Come, let me buy you lunch,” McPherson said.
“They stepped out of the building into a warm summer day.
“I hope you don’t mind walking,” McPherson said.
“Not at all,” Michael replied, thinking that recently he hardly took the time to exercise.
The journalist led the way and Michael followed half a step behind him. McPherson walk was brisk and Michael was gasping, finding it hard to keep the pace. The old man is in better shape than me, Michael realized that he let McPherson’s age and appearance mislead him into thinking that the journalist has gotten old.
They walked in silence for about Twenty minutes, when McPherson suddenly turned left into a small one-way street alley.
“I like taking walks,” McPherson said smiling, as Michael was trying to regain his breath. “It allows me time to think and get my plans in order.”
He then entered what looked like a small deli.
“Stewart!” happy to see him, the chubby old lady behind the counter was wearing an apron and her hair was wrapped with a handkerchief.
“You could have called, then I would prepare your favorites.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Helen,” McPherson said, “everything that you make is my favorite.”
“And who is the handsome young man?” Helen inquired.
“That’s Michael, of course,” McPherson replied. “Michael is the closest thing I would ever get to having a protégé.”
“Nice to meet you,” Michael nodded at Helen’s direction.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Helen said, “Stewart, you know where’s your table. Why don’t you take Michael over there?”
McPherson led Michael passed a curtain, to where there was a very small dining area with just three tables. No one else was there, so they had the place to themselves.
“How can anybody find this place?” Michael wondered.
“They don’t,” McPherson replied, “Helen’s business is mainly in catering. The restaurant area is for special customers.”
“I see,” Michael said. “And is there a menu?”
“No,” McPherson said, as Michael appeared baffled. “Helen will bring us the dishes that were ordered by her customers today. Trust me, it’s gonna be good.”
Helen came in and brought them freshly made lemonade. “Your food will be ready in about ten minutes,” she said.
“Take your time,” McPherson said, “we’re in no hurry, and we got plenty to discuss.”
“We do?” Michael asked. Michael watched McPherson and was surprised to see the change in his facial expression. McPherson, who appeared amused and friendly while talking to Helen, now looked very serious.
“Michael,” McPherson opened, “taking the walk allowed me to reflect and reexamine this whole situation. I must tell you that it does not look good. Actually, it’s quite explosive.” McPherson poured himself some lemonade and took a sip. “As I told you,” he continued, “up until today I followed an unknown entity that was messing with people by shutting the country down every now and then, but I didn’t know what the purpose of it all was. But now, things have changed. If it is Charles Bishop, and I’m quite certain it is, then we are facing a formidable opponent: one who is very sophisticated, has limitless amount of money, and apparently, has grown to become a religious fanatic. Those zealous scare me the most, because they are motivated by fervor and not by reason, and they think they got nothing to lose.”
“So why won’t you just approach the authorities and alert them to the situation?” Michael stated what he thought was the obvious.
“And tell them what!?” McPherson said. “That I have a gut feeling by which a known American hero is dangerous? Look at his image. He is in a wheelchair after sacrificing his life for the country, a devout Christian, he donates boatloads of money to charities, and he probably has local politicians as well as the media in his pockets.”
Helen brought their lunch, and quickly exited the room, understanding that her guests have important matters to discuss, and they need privacy.
***
They ate in silence.
“The food here is incredible,” Michael commented after they finished eating.
“I thought you’d like it,” McPherson said.
Michael took a sip of lemonade. “So, what are you suggesting?”
“Michael, this is a serious situation, and I’m reluctant to ask you for a small sacrifice.”
“What is it? Michael asked. He remembered that in the past, McPherson asked him to spy on his employer. What could it be this time? He had an ominous feeling.
“Michael,” McPherson said, “I know how precious your family is to you…”
“What are you saying!?”
“Look,” McPherson said. “As you are right now, you can’t approach and infiltrate the cult, and look believable. Not with your sweet loving wife and daughter and secured job. All I’m asking is that you’ll create the appearance of trouble in paradise, and temporarily move to another place…”
“But Stewart…” Michael was stunned. “I’d have to think about it.”
“I’m afraid time is a luxury we don’t have.” McPherson said. “Let me put it this way: world war II was probably the most horrible event in the history of mankind. It caused unimaginable pain and suffering to the world, with millions of people killed and murdered. Let’s say that we’re in 1938, and you have the opportunity to prevent the war from ever starting. Wouldn’t you do it?”
Michael took a deep breath and sighed. “It is not 1938” he said, “it’s a different world now.”
“How different?” McPherson argued. “Let me draw a realistic scenario for you. From my investigation of Bishop, and from what I gather of his involvement with the cult that’s obsessed with the prophecies that occupied Newton, I fear that they are going to try to resurrect the temple of Solomon.”
“So?” Michael suddenly felt exhausted, realizing that the man he considered as his mentor, has come up with a plan to which he couldn’t refuse, even though he wished he’d never gotten into it in the first place.
“Look, Michael,” McPherson explained patiently, “don’t you see that the only place where they could build the temple would be on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem? Where it stood two thousand years ago, otherwise they would not be fulfilling the prophecy. And by the way, I have no idea how they plan to erect such a complicated structure.
“The Temple Mount?” Michael gazed at McPherson trying to comprehend the meaning of his words.
“Right now, as far as I know,” McPherson continued, “The place is taken.”
“Taken?” Michael had a hard time following, sensing that the decision was already made.
“Yes,” McPherson confirmed. “There’s a big rock over there. The Jews and the Christians believe it is the foundation rock which is located at the navel point of the world. On that rock, so they believe, Abraham intended to sacrifice Isaac.”
“I read about it,” Michael said. “Today there is a mosque over there.”
“It is called The Dome of the Rock, McPherson said. “It is not really a mosque but still, it is a beautiful structure and it’s considered to be the third most holy place for Islam.”
“So?”
“If they want to rebuild the temple, we have to take into account that they will blow up the dome of the rock…” McPherson uttered.
“Just blow it up, ha?” Michael was bewildered. “Stewart,” he said, “I’m afraid there’s some truth to what you’re saying, on their internet site, I’ve seen some discussion of explosives and bringing down large structures.”
“And then, I’ll tell you what will happen.” McPherson said som
berly. “There will be an utter outrage throughout the Muslim world. Leading religious leaders will call for a holy war. Jihad, as they call it. It will unify the Muslims all over. Sunni and Shia, extremist and moderates, they will see it as their duty to come and liberate their sacred land.”
“As far as I know,” Michael said, “the Jews were there before there was ever a religion called Islam.” Although Michael was raised a Christian, he was familiar with some Jewish practices as his father in law was half Jewish.”
“That’s completely irrelevant.” McPherson seemed annoyed. “You think they care who was there first? They will come from extremist strongholds such as Iran, the Taliban, Hamas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, you name it. And also, from more moderate places like Turkey, Pakistan, which don’t forget, possesses nuclear capability, and of course from neighboring Arab countries. All these forces will have one goal in mind: to destroy the Jewish state that they will hold responsible for the action. Now, Israel probably has the strongest army in the middle east, with superior air force, but how long will they be able to hold?
“At some point Israel will desperately ask for assistance from the United States and its NATO allies, and they will have a hard time standing by, allowing another holocaust. If the US will intervene, how long will it be before the Russians enter the theater? If the US won’t intervene, well, let’s not forget that Israel also possesses nuclear power. Do you get the picture? And don’t think for a minute that our comfortable life here in the US will continue unaffected because it won’t. We will probably be subject to economic hardships stemming from increased oil prices, and I didn’t even mention terrorism. At some point, there will be those in the Muslim world that will call for revenge against Christians, because they will figure out that a Christian group blew up their holy shrine and not the Jews. The result could easily be a total war, a catastrophe, what the New Testament call Armageddon. It’s quite likely that this is exactly what Bishop want because Armageddon, according to the book of revelation will be followed by the second coming of Christ.
