The Reluctant Prophet_A Love Story

by Karl Morgan

  "It's definitely not about Ben," Frank said. "You make those decisions."

  "Do you think we did the right thing switching to Doctor Forsyth? I wonder sometimes. Doctor Hampton is a world-renowned physician."

  "As long as Ben is improving, that's all we can hope for, Alice," Frank replied.

  §

  Lake and Forsyth exited the elevator on a basement level in the hospital, accompanied by two Secret Service agents. Lake led them to a small door halfway down the hallway. He inserted a key into the lock and turned it. "Mike and Ted, you two wait outside. I only want the doctor with me."

  "Mr. Vice President, I should at least check the room," Mike replied.

  "It's already clear. Wait outside," Lake barked. He and the doctor walked in and the door locked behind them. Lake turned on the light switch. The room was bare, except for several storage boxes in one corner and the stainless steel gurney in the center. Zeke was strapped down to the gurney with a bag over his head.

  "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Vice President?" Allen asked.

  "I need you to take care of something for me, Allen." Lake led the doctor to the gurney and pulled the bag off Zeke's head. "This man is a convicted mass murderer and is responsible for the attack on the president." He removed the two syringes from his pocket and handed one to Allen. "I order you to carry out the sentence and administer this lethal injection."

  "What? No! This is very irregular, sir," Forsyth said as he backed away. "This isn't the job I signed up for. Who is this man, and why is he gagged anyway?"

  Lake dragged Forsyth to the corner of the room farthest from the door and whispered, "Allen, we both know why you're here. You want a lot of money and you need me to help you overcome some legal issues, right?"

  "But you said I just had to keep the president asleep for a few weeks," Forsyth complained.

  "Well, the price just went up," Lake noted, poking the doctor in the chest with each word. "Listen, if word ever got out about our deal, we're both finished."

  "You're asking me to murder a man I don't even know."

  "The drugs in the syringe are not traceable. There will be no evidence, just another John Doe body in the morgue."

  The doctor was trembling as he said, "Sir, why is there a second syringe?"

  "You just leave that to me, Allen."

  "You're going to assassinate the president, aren't you?"

  "Depending on how things go, that is a definite possibility," Lake admitted.

  "What if I just go tell those agents what you're asking me to do?"

  "Either I'll jab you with the needle myself, or I'll tell them you were trying to kill me. Believe me, they love their job and would have no problem blowing your head off," Lake smiled.

  Forsyth considered his situation and realized he was in a corner. If he wanted to stay out of prison, he had to kill this young man. If he refused, he would die. "Please reconsider, sir."

  "Just do it," Lake growled.

  Forsyth began to walk slowly toward the gurney. He could see the man on the gurney watching him. He did not seem to be frightened or squirming for freedom. Forsyth wondered what he would do in that circumstance, facing his imminent death. He shivered and his hand began to shake.

  "I don't have all day," Lake said. "I have a full schedule after this."

  Forsyth removed the shield from the needle and looked at the man who still showed no emotion. What was he thinking, he wondered. Forsyth took the man's hand. The man squeezed his hand and his eyes smiled back at him. The doctor focused on the man's arm and promised not to look in his face again. The needle slipped into the man's flesh and he pressed the plunger, releasing the poison into the man's bloodstream. He removed the needle and replaced the shield and walked over to the vice president, who was smiling from ear to ear. "Here."

  "Good job, Allen," Lake said. "Go check on Zeke and tell me when he's dead."

  Forsyth looked in disbelief at the vice president. How could any man be so cold and heartless, he wondered. He walked back to the gurney, took Zeke’s wrist and felt for a pulse. There was none. A few tears slid down the doctor's cheeks, and he brushed them away. He realized he had failed to uphold his Hippocratic Oath in the most horrific way. "He's dead, sir."

  "Go ahead and remove the restraints and leave the body here," Lake said. "I'm sure an orderly or janitor will find it later. I'll let you see yourself out." The vice president walked to the door, opened it and walked away with his protective team.

  After removing all the restraints and the gag, Allen said, "I am so sorry. I don't even know who you are. Wherever you are, I hope you can forgive me." His eyes welled with tears and he said, "Forget I said that. I don't deserve your forgiveness. I only hope God can forgive me someday." He opened the door, turned off the light and walked outside. He closed the door and headed to the closest tavern for a drink.

  §

  The motorcade approached the open gates of the White House. The guards saluted the vice president's limousine as it passed. It pulled to the doors, and Andrew Lake exited and headed directly to the White House briefing room where the press had gathered for a press conference. He walked in with the secretary of defense right behind him. Lake took the podium and said, "Good evening, folks. I am here to make a few comments and answer a number of questions. First, I want you to know that I just came from Walter Reed and saw the president. His doctors are continuing his induced coma but see continued improve¬ment and will review his status every few days."

  "Mr. Vice President, there are reports that the team of physicians helping the president was recently changed. Do you know why that happened?" a reporter asked.

  "Jay, all health decisions for the president are controlled by the First Lady. She did consult with me and others, and I told her she could get better care from another team. But she made the final decision."

  "Sir, are you aware that Congress has issued a subpoena for Doctor Hampton, the original physician in charge?" Jay replied.

  The vice president flinched, but quickly recovered and said, "No, I was not aware of that. The Congress will do what they do, but I think it's wrong for the government to get involved in a family's medical concerns. But I would prefer to focus on our Iranian problem. You are all aware of the interview of the Thompson family that aired this morning. You should be skeptical of such propaganda. I heard their comments about their escape and want you to know they were in custody when that occurred, regardless of what they said. They continue to hide to avoid real questioning. Also, their son, who was being detained in Washington, has now disappeared as well."

  "Sir, is there any evidence that the Thompsons were involved in the attack on Air Force One?" a second reporter asked.

  "Yes, but that evidence is top secret at this time. You will be advised when it is available through FOIA," Andy said.

  "Mr. Vice President, the Thompsons claimed their son was kidnapped twice from federal custody by drug cartels. Is that true?" another reporter asked.

  "No, of course not. It is patently absurd to believe that drug lords or North Koreans have taken over elements of our government. Frankly, it is an insult to those brave women and men to even consider those allegations," Andy growled. He was beginning to sweat heavily and regretted his decision to speak.

  "I meant no disrespect, sir, but I don’t think I mentioned anything about North Korea. Would you care to comment further on that?" the reporter asked.

  Andy was panting for air, trying desperately to calm himself down. He took a long drink of water and looked to Frank for support. The secretary's head was in his hands and he looked at the floor. "I'm sorry for my anger. It's been a difficult day for all of us. We have been dealing with the attack on the president for a long time and the strain is getting to everyone. There is nothing I want more than for Ben to wake up and get back to work." He put his hand over his heart to appear sincere, but he could feel the second syringe in his pocket. "You did this to me, Thompson," he thought. "Please let me say just one more thing tonight.
The Iranians will pay for this and all their years of terror. Now, I'm going back to Walter Reed to talk to Ben. I often sit at his bedside and ask his advice. Every day, I pray he will answer me. Good night." He walked out of the briefing room alone. Frank was still sitting with his head down. Lake murmured, "I don't need you anyway, Frank, you're nothing but a damned coward."

  §

  Zeke sat straight upright and gasped for air. His entire body was stiff and sore. The site where the doctor had jabbed him stung like a bee sting. It was completely dark, except for a sliver of light under the bottom of the door. He tried to stand and almost fell, grasping onto the gurney for support. His knees and ankles creaked and ached. He started toward the door to find a light switch. After a couple of steps, his hair began to stand on end and the room felt full of static. He turned around and thought he could almost make out the event horizon of the portal. Suddenly, a figure appeared to step through the blackness and into the room. A long arc of static shot from the gurney and stung his back. A brilliant flash filled the room for an instant and then was gone. "Bea?" He felt her arms wrapping around his neck and her lips on his. "It worked, Bea, I'm still alive!" She jabbed a needle into his arm. "Ouch! What the hell is that?"

  "It's just a little something to help with the pain and stiffness," she whispered. "God, I was so afraid it wouldn't work."

  "Yeah, your whole world would end in a flash," he replied.

  She kissed him again and said, "No, because I love you and you'd be dead, Zeke." She kissed him again. "You have to realize that I'll never know if the past changes for my time. Once the change takes place, everything is just different."

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to doubt you, Bea," he said, caressing her cheek.

  She took his hand and pulled him to the door and switched the light on. "I hate to keep saying this, but we're running out of time." She pulled two small devices from her pocket and handed them to Zeke. "These will automatically dispense the medication that the president needs."

  "What's in this stuff?" Zeke asked.

  "I swear it will cure all the president's injuries and wake him up. The green one is the cure. The blue one wakes him. Please inject him in that order. You just press the pointy end into his skin. It self-injects with no needles. Do you trust me?" she asked.

  He kissed her. "Yes, I trust you, Bea. If not for you, I'd be dead. But why don't you or your team do this? Why me?"

  "Zeke, you are the key to everything. When you save the president and delay the war, you'll be a national hero. No one else would dare try to kidnap you, and Ben Nelson will become your good friend. You'll be able to help him stop the saber rattling and keep things calm for two hundred years."

  "But then the war comes anyway," Zeke noted.

  "According to my history, yes, the war will come. However, none of this is written in stone. It is possible that mankind will be different than I've read about. Everything that happens from now on is up to each person. You know that now, don't you?" she asked.

  "Yes, Bea, I know that. Do you think my dream of marrying you will ever come true?" Zeke asked.

  She blushed and looked down. "So that was the dream you didn’t want to tell me about! Well that depends on whether you ask me or not, and also the carats of the engagement ring." He looked into her eyes and saw only love. He wanted to ask then and there, but she put her fingers to his lips and said, "Now is definitely not a good time for a proposal, Zeke. There's not much time. Let's go."

  They left the room and hurried up the hallway. She ran past the elevators to the stairwell and opened the door. They headed up several flights of stairs. Zeke stopped to catch his breath, and each time she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along. After another flight, she stopped and motioned for him to be quiet and stay in place. She opened the door and closed it again. She walked up a few steps very slowly and without a sound and then came back. "You wait here," she whispered. She removed a small device from her pocket and headed back up the stairs. Zeke heard the sound of static electricity and she came back to him. "Follow me," she whispered.

  At the next floor, two men were lying on the ground. "Are they dead?" Zeke asked.

  "Just stunned," Bea whispered. "They'll be fine in a half hour." She cracked open the door, looked around, and closed it again. "Take a peek to the right. You'll see two men standing there. That's the president's room that they are guarding." Zeke did as he was told. The room was the fourth on the right. He closed the door. "Okay, you stand here behind the door. I'm going to draw their attention. I'll shoot one and the other will chase me. I'm coming back here and running downstairs. When the agent goes by, you hurry to the room and do the job, got it?"

  "Frankly, I'm scared out of my mind, Bea. Is this the only way?" he asked.

  "To accomplish our goal to wake the president and delay the war, yes, this is our only chance," she whispered. "Put your arms up to block the door when he flies by. I don't want you getting knocked unconscious by it." He complied and stood silently with the two devices in his hands. She kissed him and whispered, "Wish me luck." He smiled back at her.

  The door opened and she strode out into the corridor. Her weapon hand was behind her. "What the hell is going on up here? Where's the party, dudes?" she shouted.

  "I'm sorry, ma'am, but this floor is closed," one of the agents said as he drew his revolver and moved to stop her. "Call for backup, Mark."

  "We've got a situation up here. Please send backup," the other agent said into his microphone.

  In the blink of an eye, Bea's hand came from behind her and a flash of light shot forth, striking the approaching agent in the chest. He crumpled and fell to the ground. "Officer down, I'm in pursuit," the other agent said as he drew his revolver and took chase. Bea had already started to run and pushed through the door and headed downstairs. She was pounding her feet to help the agent know where she was. The door slammed open onto Zeke's arms. The agent stood for a fraction of second, inches away from Zeke on the other side of the door. When he heard her footfall, he started flying down the stairs. Zeke hurried around the door and down the hallway, stepping carefully over the fallen agent. He turned the knob, expecting other agents to shoot him when he entered. Gathering his courage, he opened the door and stepped in.

  President Nelson lay quietly in the bed. Doctor Forsyth stood at the foot of the bed. "What is the meaning of this?" the doctor shouted and moved toward Zeke and then froze when he recognized Zeke's face. His lips moved for a moment before he could articulate any words. Finally, he said, "You, but you're dead." The doctor fainted and fell to the floor.

  Zeke knew more agents would arrive any second. He pressed the green device on the president's exposed arm and said, "Sir, this will help you. People have come from the future to make sure you survive." A small light flashed for a few seconds and then turned off. He took the blue device and did the same.

  The door flew open and Vice President Lake and two more agents rushed into the room. The light was still flashing. "Get that assassin!" Lake shouted. Zeke could feel them on him. The light stopped flashing and they threw Zeke to the floor. "Cuff that bastard and let me see his face!" Lake screamed. They pulled Zeke to his feet and turned him to face Lake. The vice president stumbled, but caught himself on a chair. "This isn't possible," he groaned. "You're dead! I saw Forsyth inject you myself.”

  "I’m not quite dead yet, Mr. Vice President," Zeke growled.

  "He's killed the doctor too," Lake moaned, pointing to the other man on the floor, who as if on cue began to stir and groan.

  "We'll take care of this man, sir," one of the agents said.

  Alice Nelson, Frank Albright, and Tony Marshall came into the room with three other Secret Service agents. "What's going on?" Marshall asked.

  "This man administered something to the president," the agent said. "The doctor apparently fainted."

  "Don't you see," Lake said in a dazed voice. "Zeke Thompson has poisoned the president. You have to let me help him." He pulled the other syringe fro
m his jacket. This will cure him, I guarantee it."

  "Don't do it!" Zeke shouted. "That's the poison."

  "He's right," Tony said. "The vice president asked me to administer that to Zeke this morning."

  "You're a goddamned liar, Marshall! How dare you say that?" Andy screamed, his face contorted in anger.

  "No, enough is enough," Doctor Forsyth said from the floor. "I administered that shot to that young man only hours ago. He was dead, I swear it."

  "I want Forsyth and Marshall arrested!" Lake screamed again. "This is an Iranian plot!"

  "Just shut up, Andy," said a voice behind them. They all turned to see President Nelson sitting upright in the bed. "I want the vice president and secretary of defense kept under house arrest, pending a full investigation. Andy, one thing Doctor Forsyth told Frank today was true. I remember everyone who came to visit me and everything they said. Also, release Mr. Thompson. He is a hero, not the villain." He moved his legs over the side of the bed as everyone except Zeke, Tony, and Alice were led out of the room.

  "Darling, the doctor said your arms and legs were broken," Alice said. "You should stay in bed."

  He kissed her and replied, "I'm feeling fantastic." He stood up and stretched to ease the ache out of his joints. "So, your name is Zeke, Zeke Thompson?"

  "Yes, Mr. President," he replied.

  "You said people came from the future to save me. You have to know that's hard to believe, son," Ben replied.

  "Sir, I've been through too many things in the last weeks to believe, but here I am. Whether they came from the future or not, at least it all worked out."

  Alice Nelson hugged Zeke and kissed his cheek. "This is truly a miracle, Zeke. Thank you and thank your friends."

  "Mr. President, I think Andy had the FBI holding Zeke's sister and tracking down his parents. Perhaps you should make them stand down," Tony suggested.

  "I can't wait to hear the story behind this!" Ben exclaimed. "I'll call Carl after you two leave." He stepped up to Zeke and put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Thank you for healing me, Zeke. I owe you my life. I would be honored if you would come to the White House for lunch tomorrow, just you and me. We have lots to talk about."