by Jerry Belvo
Jeff spoke softly as though not wanting any intruding ears to hear. AWhat are they going to do with them?@
Leaning towards Jeff, Keith spoke softly. AI think their freedom is being negotiated by the French Embassy, but a group of religious extremists are trying to have them beheaded. They yield a lot of power here in Indonesia and have influence in high places of government.@
Just then a ball came over the wall from the courtyard. Jeff reached up to catch it. A young dark-skinned boy hobbled into their private area and Jeff handed the ball back to him. Turning back towards Keith, he asked. AWhat happened to the boy?@
AHe was stung by a jelly fish and had an allergic reaction. We thought he might die, but the healers were able to save him. He is only limping now, but he couldn’t walk several weeks ago.@
AI wish I could help heal the kid,@ Jeff mentioned.
AAre you a healer,@ Keith asked?
AUsed to be,@ he answered. ABut I’m not any more. I lost the ability.@
Keith shook his head. AIt’s a shame. How did it happen?@
AOne day someone came and took the ability from me. I miss it and wish I had it back,@ Jeff sighed.
AI wish you did. We need more healers. The people here used to believe in healers, but now they are persecuted if they are caught practicing their gift,@ he said shaking his head. AI don’t like what is happening here, and think the old ways are still the best. Doctors make so much money now they aren’t interested in doing charitable things. We try to do the best we can, but sometimes that isn’t good enough.@
AI understand.@ Jeff empathized with him. AI would like to take some pictures for my superiors before I leave. I want to have my findings in order so they can make a favorable decision as soon as possible. He took pictures of the facilities with his cell phone, and before he left he stopped in the courtyard where he saw the limping boy playing ball. He knelt in front of him and put his hands on his lame leg. He looked up to the heavens praying silently. >The ultimate control of life lies within your breath, God. Allow your breath to flow through me to heal this young boy=s leg.= To the boy he whispered, AMay God cradle you with His breath, may it flow through every pore in your body, may you be one with Him and bask in His love. Be made whole in His image.@
AThanks Mister,@ the boy smiled at him as Jeff stood up. Keith also thanked him. The native women were in another part of the courtyard playing with the other children unaware of what had transpired. A gardener trimming bushes nearby was watching Jeff and smiled as he left the compound.
Sarina was waiting for him back at the resort. AHow’d it go,@ she asked?
AI think it went very well. The Foundation shouldn’t have any problem giving Mr. Langley a grant. They certainly could use the money. The shacks are in bad shape. I’ll bet rain is coming through the roofs right now.@ Then he told her about the boy.
AWell I certainly hope they will get some help,@ she responded. AWant to go for a swim before dinner?@
ASure. Let=s go,@ he replied.
It was the last night of their vacation. The waves were higher than normal and they were careful not to venture out too far. Apparently a storm was on its way. After dinner they returned to Sarina=s bungalow for a quiet cup of Jasmine tea before turning in for the night. As they lay next to each other they could see the lightning through the window followed by loud claps of thunder.
Curled up in his arms, Sarina said to him, AJeff, all day I have felt a sense of foreboding. It isn’t a good omen to have the night before a flight, and I can’t seem to shake it.@
ADo you think we should change flights,@ he expressed concern?
AI don’t know. If these feelings continue tomorrow maybe we should,@ she responded.
He held her even closer. AI don’t ever want anything bad to happen to you. If you think we should cancel, we will. I’ll go with your decision.@
As he thought about her premonition Jeff=s mood turned somber. AIf something should ever happen to me, promise me you will e-mail Bobby and see Mr. Bell at the Foundation. I, too, have a feeling my life might turn violent one day, and I want them to know what is going on. Will you do that for me?@
ANothing is going to happen to you, big guy,@ she said trying to cheer him up. AYou are just being a worry wart. I suggest you go to sleep so I can get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day.@ She tried to humor him, but she had an uneasy feeling that something terrible was going to happen. She didn’t want to lose the man that had just committed himself to her.
Before he fell asleep he wondered what it would be like to be a missionary. He later dreamed he was with Keith helping the children. He really missed helping to heal others, and felt compassionate for those who needed help. He had gotten his degree in sociology to help communities in peaceful ways. Being a healer would be a step in that direction if he ever got his abilities back.
*
On the way to the airport Sarina clarified her premonition. AThat feeling I had last night wasn’t about the flight home, it was about this island paradise. Something is going to happen here, something unpleasant, and the sooner we take off the better I will feel.” Pulling up in front of the airport they unloaded their luggage. A sky cap stacked it on his cart and followed them into the terminal. They waited fifteen minutes in line before stepping up to the counter. The agent took their tickets and passports, reviewed them, and paused a moment then looked up and nodded his head to someone behind them.
Almost instantly they were surrounded by officials. AMr. Martin,@ a policeman spoke in broken English. ACome this way please.@ The other two men took Jeff by the arms and ushered him into an adjoining room. Jeff hollered to Sarina, ACall the Foundation. I love you, Honey,@ and he was gone.
The agent put Jeff=s papers aside and stamped Sarina=s giving them back to her. AHere, you are free to board.@
ANot without Jeff, I can’t board the flight without him,@ she literally screamed to the agent. AWhat are they going to do with him,@ she said shaking?
AThey want to question him,@ the agent replied gently in broken English, trying to calm her. AI’m sure they will put him on a later flight.@
She wanted to scream, and put up such a fuss they would have to release him or arrest her too. >These people must think he is a criminal,= she thought. The agent had checked in their luggage, and she felt she had to leave, but Jeff=s computer case was still sitting on the counter. She would have to take it back with her. Important papers were inside. She would give them to Mr. Bell at the Foundation as soon as possible. Surely he would know what to do. She wondered if Jeff knew this was going to happen. She sat alone, crying softly as an elderly gentlemen approached. AAre you Mrs. Martin,@ he asked?
Sarina looked up in surprise. Who would think they were married, and who did she know here in Bali? AWho are you,@ she asked?
AI’m Keith Langley, from the mission. Jeff was out to see me.@
AYes, he told me about you,@ she replied.
AI saw what happened. I was afraid it would, and wanted to warn him, but I was too late.@
AYes, you were too late,@ she affirmed.
AJeff gave a blessing to a boy at the mission which healed his leg.@
Sarina looked at him surprised. AJeff lost his ability to heal people.@
AMaybe not,” he answered. Within a half hour the boy was playing with the other kids as though there was nothing wrong with him.@
AWhat are they going to do with him,@ she inquired?
AThey will probably take him to Jakarta and put him with the other healers,@ he replied.
AThere are others,@ she asked?
“Yes, two healers from France were arrested a few weeks ago after they had been to the mission,” he said.
AWhat do I do now?@ Sarina asked discouraged, not knowing where to turn.
AWhen you get back to the States you make as much noise as possible. Call th
e press. Get publicity. Call your congressman. Something has to happen diplomatically if you are going to get him released. I’m sorry this happened, and wish you good luck,@ he said as he turned to walk away. Shortly they announced the flight, and she gathered up their carry-on bags and Jeff’s computer then got in line to board the plane. Her premonition was right. Something terrible did happen. They should have stayed away from the airport. Better still, they should have canceled their vacation when her Grandpa got sick.
She took the window seat on the plane. After the plane took off she began writing everything she could remember about the incident in her notebook. All of a sudden she sat upright, her eyes lighting up. >Jeff healed the boy. He is getting his powers back. He could teleport himself out of that jail,= she thought. >But, he doesn’t know.= She sat there bewildered wondering if it was possible to get word to him, finally sitting back in her seat. >What=s the use?= After a few minutes her face lit up again. More determined she thought, >I want everyone on the planet know what happened. I’ll even come back and get him out myself if I have to. They just better not hurt him.=
Chapter 14
Sarina’s mother was waiting in the baggage claim area at the Denver International Airport when she arrived. ASarina, you look great! Did you two have a good time@ her Mom asked?
Sarina held her smile only a moment before her face changed expressions. AMom, I’m so glad to see you and to be home.@ She threw her arms around her Mother as a sob welled up in her throat.
AWhat is wrong dear? Where is Jeff,@ she asked? AHas something happened to him?@ Her mom braced herself for the worst.
Tearfully she replied, AMom, they arrested him as we were boarding the plane to come home.@ Tears were now running down her cheeks. AThere was nothing I could do. They just took him away.@
Her Mom led her to a chair and suggested they sit down. ANow, tell me all about it.@
She told her the story of Jeff=s trip to the mission, the healing, and the missionary coming to the airport to warn him. ABut he arrived too late, Mom. They had already taken him, and to make matters worse, Jeff doesn’t know that he has regained his power to heal. He could probably teleport himself out of the jail if he knew he had his abilities back.@
AFirst, we need to contact Jeff’s parents. They will be worried. Tomorrow we will call the Bell Foundation, the embassy and maybe even Amnesty International. Better still, we could go there and meet with them personally. Tell them what happened.@ Her mom was so organized.
AWhat about television? Isn’t it newsworthy? Shouldn’t we get as much publicity as possible,@ Sarina asked?
AWait until after you talk to Mr. Bell,@ her Mom replied. AJeff is his employee. Let’s see what he wants to do.@
At home her mom suggested. AYour Dad’s asleep, let’s not wake him.
She called Jeff=s parents immediately. They had already gone to bed. Mrs. Martin took the news very hard, and put her husband on the line. They had tried to protect Jeff from undue harm when he was young, but now that he was older there was little more they could do. Sarina assured them she would do everything in her power to get their son home.
Her Mom brewed some tea and offered a cup to her noticing she was crying. ADon’t worry, Honey, Jeff’s going to be alright. We’ll do everything we can to make sure he gets back safely.@
AThanks Mom, I needed to hear that,@ Sarina responded giving her a hug.
ABy the way, your Grandfather is doing fine. Right after the operation he started to improve, and by the end of the week he was home. He has been here twice for dinner and acts like he has a secret he wants to tell us but won’t let on what it is.@
She had been so upset over the incident that she had forgotten all about Grandpa. AMom, I’m sorry. I forgot all about him, but I think I know his secret.@
AYou do? What have you been keeping from me?@
AApparently Grandpa planned this trip to get Jeff and me together romantically. He thinks he’s a match maker,” Sarina responded.
AWell, did it work,@ her Mom asked? She smiled and nodded her head.
ALike a charm.@
AThat old geezer, no wonder he wouldn’t tell us why he was so happy. He probably arranged the whole thing. I wonder if he didn’t fake his heart attack just to be taken out of the picture.@ Mom paused a moment, then said. AHe wanted you two to go alone, knowing how romantic Bali was. You’ll have to call him tomorrow. He’s probably on pins and needles wanting to know,@ she mused.
Sarina stayed up late that night organizing her notes so they would be in order when she met with Mr. Bell the next morning. At eight o=clock sharp she entered the Foundation Building and walked up to the receptionist. AI=m here to see Mr. Bell,@ she told the receptionist.
ADo you have an appointment,@ the receptionist inquired?
ANo, but I must see him right away. It’s about Jeff Martin.@
AJeff isn’t here, he’s in Bali on business,@ the receptionist commented.
AYes, he’s still in Bali. That’s why I am here,@ she replied.
AWait a minute.@ The receptionist pushed a button on the intercom. Thelma, Mr. Bell has a visitor in the lobby.@ There was a pause. AIt’s about Jeff. She says it=s important.@ Looking up at Sarina she said. ASomeone will be with you in a moment. Have a seat over there,@ she pointed towards a chair.
Momentarily Thelma was in the lobby and took her to Mr. Bell=s office. She showed her in and left, closing the door behind her.
Joseph Bell was busy reviewing files when Sarina entered. He closed the folder he’d been working on and rose to greet her. AGood morning,@ he said in a pleasant voice. AYou are here about Jeff Martin? Has something happened to him?@
AHe’s been arrested.@ She said telling him the story about the arrest and missionary who befriended her at the airport after they took Jeff away. When finished, she waited for him to respond.
He was deep in thought, but finally spoke. AWe must get him back as quickly as possible. We don’t want to embarrass the Indonesian government, but we must let them know we mean business. This could trigger an international crisis.@ He spoke into the intercom. AThelma, will you have Helen come up here?@
Shortly the door opened and two women came in. To Thelma he said, AI want you to call a press conference as soon as possible. We need to act quickly. Have it held here in the lobby downstairs. Then call the embassy. We have an employee being detained in a foreign country, and want him brought home safely.@
When Thelma left the room he turned to Helen and said, ATake Sarina downstairs to your office. She has Jeff=s proposal from the Mission in Bali. Go over it with her, and make out a full report so that we’ll be able to let the press know what has transpired. We need to have our facts right before the reporters get here.@
AWill that be all Mr. Bell,@ Helen asked?
AFor now,@ he replied. Then to Sarina he softened his voice. AHow are you holding up? Is there anything you need?@ She had kept her composure up to that point, but lost it and began crying. AIt’s okay to cry. You have been through a lot.@ He handed her a box of tissues from the credenza behind him. AHelen, will you show Miss Roberts to the ladies room? She may want to freshen up before the reporters get here.@
Within an hour the lobby overflowed with reporters and cameramen. Every TV station and newspaper seemed to be represented.
The press conference went well and Sarina was home in time to watch the report on 12 o=clock news. Her Mom joined her in the den when the reporter began talking about Jeff.
AA Denver native was arrested and charged with espionage by the Indonesian authorities when he tried to leave the country. Jeff Martin was waiting to board a flight back to the states with his friend, Sarina Roberts, when he was stopped by authorities and taken into custody. The State Department is working towards his immediate release. Mr. Bell, at the Claudia Bell Foundation stated his employee was working on a grant proposal
for a Mission in Bali before his arrest.”
AI thought they would be more in depth than that,@ Sarina remarked when the newscast was over. AThey hardly covered anything. Espionage is such a broad term. It could mean anything.@
ABe careful what you say. Don’t be too critical of the State Department. You may know the truth, but the powers that be will broadcast what they want. By the way, grandpa called several times this morning asking for you. I didn’t tell him anything except that you were out.@
AOkay Mom, I’ll call him now.@ Still thinking the report wasn’t sufficient to inform the public of what had really happened, she decided to call her Grandpa. When she reached for the phone it began to ring. It was a reporter wanting a full exclusive on her story. She told him she had no further comment at this time. Then she called her Grandpa, told him of Jeff=s arrest, and was in tears when she finally hung up. AMom, I hated to tell him. He was so counting on seeing us together.@
The phone rang again. This time it was Jeff=s mom. She told Sarina she had watched the news, and knowing the State Department would be handling his case made her feel better. Sarina empathized with her and said she would visit her in a few days.
To her mom she said. ADid I tell you the AIA accosted Jeff again at the airport when we left Denver? I wonder if they had anything to do with his arrest.@ If Jeff=s life continued this way, she wondered what it would be like living with him in the future.
AWhen the government is involved anything is possible, but for your sake I hope it blows over soon,@ Sarina=s mom responded.
The door bell rang, and when Mrs. Roberts answered it, reporters wanted an exclusive story from Sarina. She told them her daughter was sleeping and would contact them if they wanted to leave their business card.
AThanks Mom,@ she replied. She did need to rest. The two of them ate a light lunch and she lay down for a long nap. She felt she had done all she could.
*
The following day Jim Brown, Chief of Intelligence for the AIA in Washington went to Denver to see the local agents, Jones and Cleaver. He thanked them for making time for him and congratulated them on their superb intelligence gathering.
