Intense quietness settled over the Peck household. Jackie hurried toward the television set and even Mary listened intently.
The face of Frank Bridges filled the screen. “After careful consultation with my advisers both here and in Israel, I must condemn the weak response of the president of the United States,” Bridges began. “He has not grasped how potentially dangerous this latest round of terrorist attacks is. Washington cannot sit idly by and allow another Jewish-Arab war to explode in our faces.”
Graham’s eyes narrowed. What was Bridges attempting to do? He knew Bridges’ style like the back of his hand.
“We must have a stronger hand at the wheel,” Bridges continued. “The United States can no longer allow tragedies to unfold and make only vague condemnations. If the president doesn’t have the ability to respond forcefully, then we need to look to other sources for direction and purpose.”
“Bridges is attacking the president,” Graham said out loud. “That’s what this nonsense is about.”
“What do you mean?” Adah asked.
“Bridges didn’t come up with this statement on his own,” Graham said. “You’re hearing Camber Carson’s words rolling out of the mayor’s mouth. Other reasons exist for this attack.”
“You think Bridges is really after the president for some other reason?” Matt asked.
“If Carson is pushing him, you’ll hear Bridges sounding like a cross between George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt,” Graham said. “Don’t worry. Carson’s people know how to build a castle on top of a foundation of confusion. Bridges isn’t about to let this opportunity to create chaos pass.”
“What does that mean for us?” Jackie asked.
“It’s all the more reason for us to get out of seclusion and find out what the wider world is thinking. We need to take a trip into Rhinelander.”
CHAPTER 12
MONTHS OF LIVING in close quarters had pushed the family into a new experience of relationships. In the past, the Pecks had lived at such a fast pace, they seldom saw one another long enough to develop any depth of conversation. Jeff and George lived in their own children’s world. Having become a high and mighty teenager, Mary tried to avoid the family. But their emotional distances dissolved when they were only a few feet from each other day and night.
Graham had gained a more personal respect for his children and found their opinions to be better than he expected. Even rebellious Mary often had insightful ideas that added to the drift of conversation. She had been forced to talk more directly to her parents even with her hesitancies and resentments.
All in all, the long sequestered time in the trees had produced good results. Jackie’s rapidly developing spiritual life had increased Graham’s already significant respect for his wife. Adah and Eldad’s teaching had helped deepen their relationship, and their time together had become more meaningful. While the threat of discovery hung over their heads, Graham had to conclude the last few months had been one of the richest times in his life.
The little boys kept their noses pressed against the windows while the exuberant Peck family zoomed down the highway toward Rhinelander. The trip was virtually their first outing in seven months beyond a narrow five-mile ring around their cabin. While Rhinelander wasn’t a city, they still felt as though a world tour had begun.
After a slow drive through Rhinelander, the family got out of the car and walked down the town’s main street. No one appeared to pay attention to them.
“I wish Eldad had come with us,” little Jeff said. “I like him.”
“He likes you, too,” Adah said. “But Eldad wants to make sure no one finds us. He is an excellent soldier.”
“Really?” Matt said. “A genuine soldier?”
“You see,” Adah began, “in Israel, every person must learn to shoot a gun and know how to protect themselves. Attacks could happen at any moment.”
“How horrible. Obviously the country needs relief to ease people’s fears,” Jackie said.
“You must remember how urgent the problem is,” Adah said. “We have spent decades worrying about a war exploding at any moment. Eldad learned to be a soldier after he emigrated from Russia. He is a clever man.”
“I still wish he’d come with us,” Jeff said.
“Hey!” Jackie pointed to a local restaurant. “We haven’t eaten in a joint like that since we left Chicago. Let’s do it.”
“You’re on!” Graham said. “How about a big piece of pie?”
A worn red sign across the large plate-glass window advertised “Betty’s Café.” Delicious smells floated out the front door and sweetened the thoroughly used appearance of the old place. Through the window they could see some people sitting inside. The family picked up their pace and hurried in. A few customers were seated across the restaurant, with one woman by herself in a corner reading a menu. The Pecks found a table and sat down.
“Feels excellent to me,” Matt said. “Not like Northwestern University, but maybe even better!”
“See,” Graham said. “I told you that getting out of the cabin would be good for us.”
“I’m hungry,” George announced and grabbed a menu out of Mary’s hands.
“Give me that!” Mary whacked him with her hand.
“Stop it!” Graham demanded. “Have you children forgotten how to act in public?”
Mary leered at George and took back the menu. “No!” she answered insolently. “My brother’s a jerk.”
“Both of you straighten up,” Graham demanded.
“Look,” Adah said quietly. “Notice that woman over there in the corner booth.”
“Why?” Jackie asked.
“She’s different from the rest of the people,” Adah said. “The woman appears more self-contained, happier. Her face looks far more relaxed and at ease.”
“Why do you think she’s unusual?” Matt asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” Adah said. “We must observe her further.”
The waitress took the woman’s order and then came over to write down the Peck family’s wishes. Dressed with an apron around her waist, the distant waitress seemed almost insolent, but the family took her in stride. Ten minutes later the waitress brought out the order of the woman in the booth.
“Look at that!” Graham said under his breath.
“I can’t believe my eyes,” Jackie answered. “It looks like that lady is praying before she eats.”
“She is!” Matt said. “I can’t even remember the last time I saw someone praying in public.”
The woman opened her eyes, picked up a fork, and started eating without any awareness that the family across the room was studying her as if she were a science project.
“This is no accident,” Adah concluded. “I think we’ve found a new Christian!”
“We’ve got to make contact,” Graham whispered urgently.
“We certainly can’t say anything in here,” Jackie said and glanced around the room. “Who knows what these local residents are into?”
“We have not come here by mistake,” Adah said. “This is God’s timing.”
“But I don’t know how we can talk to her without getting ourselves in trouble,” Graham concluded. “We’ll have to think about it carefully.”
CHAPTER 13
GRAHAM STUDIED the unusual woman, who wore a dark blue dress, as she walked over to pay her bill. He definitely wanted to talk to her. When the insolent waitress responded in a harsh and abrupt manner, the woman kept smiling and wished her a good day. The waitress looked surprised and went back to hauling out the food. The woman in the blue dress left.
“We’ve got to follow her,” Matt said.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Graham answered quietly. “We can stay behind her some distance and watch where she goes.”
“I’ll leave right now while you pay our bill,” Matt said. He slid out of the seat and took off.
“You think Matthew will get in trouble?” little Jeff asked in his most serious six-year-old vo
ice.
“Who’s going to nab him?” Mary retorted. “The boogeyman?”
“Mary,” Jackie said, “we don’t need you making smart remarks every time someone speaks.”
Mary rolled her eyes.
“I’ll go over and stand by the counter,” Graham said. “That’ll hurry the waitress up with our bill.” He got up and walked across the restaurant. No one looked at him. In fact, no one was talking to anybody else. The family’s chatter prevented him from realizing how silent the place actually was.
The waitress came out of the kitchen and saw him standing by the front counter. A disgusted look crossed her face, but she came over to the cash register. “You folks in a rush?”
Graham forced a smile. “No, just enjoying your town.”
“Rhinelander? You got to be kidding.”
“Looks nice to me.”
“Humph!” The waitress snorted. “Okay, you owe the amount written on the check.” She shoved the paper tab across the top of the counter.
“I imagine you get lots of tourists through here.” Graham dug in his pocket for the plastic card he used for money.
“Did once upon a time,” the waitress said. “Nowdays people are too frightened to venture this far north very often. Mostly just the locals eat here.”
“I see.” Graham pushed the plastic card forward. “Did you watch the news last night?”
“No!” the waitress growled. “I got enough trouble without piling on that nonsense.” She looked suspiciously at Graham. “What are you people anyway? The Gallup pollsters?”
Graham didn’t like the look in her eye. The waitress’s face had a mean twist, and he didn’t want to start any problems. “Just asking.”
The woman looked at him with a mind-your-own-business glance and ran his card through the machine. She didn’t say anything and handed back the card.
Graham pulled his cap down lower on his forehead and walked away. Obviously conversation wasn’t big around this café. He walked outside to wait for the family.
“Wow!” Jackie said as she came out the front door. “I could hear that waitress clear over in our booth. Was she the poster child for the local Halloween event?”
“People don’t seem too friendly,” Adah added.
“Interesting,” Graham said. “The town looks pleasant enough, but there seems to be significant distance between everyone.”
“We better hurry to catch Matt,” George urged and grabbed Jeff’s hand.
“You’re right!” Graham started walking quickly across the street. The family followed with Mary bringing up the rear, dragging her feet.
At the end of the next block Matt stood on the corner, waving and pointing to his left. He disappeared down the adjacent street.
“Got to hurry,” Graham said.
“Hurry?” Mary groused. “We already look like morons chasing some woman we don’t even know.”
Jackie grabbed her arm. “What did I tell you back in that restaurant?”
“I’m just saying that we’re out here on a wild-goose chase and this woman may—”
“Enough!” Jackie cut her off. “Keep up with us.” She took the boys’ hands and picked up her stride, leaving Mary behind her.
“Matthew has stopped,” Adah said. “The woman is gone.”
Graham could see his son standing quietly by a large tree in front of a plain brown house. Trying to look casual, Graham slowed to a more leisurely pace as he walked up to Matthew.
“Where’d she go?” Graham asked.
“The woman walked in the front door of that brown house directly behind me,” Matthew said. “I don’t think she even noticed me.”
“Hmm.” Graham looked at the house. “We know she’s inside, but do I dare knock on the door?”
Jackie came hustling up with the two boys in hand. “What do we do next?”
Graham glanced at the house and then at the family. “I’m trying to decide if I dare walk up and knock on the door.”
“See how she answers,” Adah suggested. “I don’t think you can know what to say until you hear her voice. If she’s like the waitress, simply ask for someone’s address.”
“This is crazy,” Mary complained. “She’ll call the cops.”
“No, she won’t!” George shot back. “You always expect the worst.”
“Children!” Jackie warned.
“Let’s see what happens,” Graham said. “You all stand here in plain sight, and I’ll go knock on the door.”
“Be careful, Graham!” Jackie said.
With hesitant steps, Graham walked to the front door. He took a deep breath and knocked. Nothing happened. He knocked again. Suddenly the door swung open.
“Yes?” the woman in the blue dress said. “Can I help you?”
CHAPTER 14
MAYOR FRANK BRIDGES paced impatiently around his office. Al Meachem should have returned by this time, and Bridges demanded punctuality. Connie Reeves came in.
“Where’s Meachem?” Bridges snapped.
“Don’t know,” Connie answered. “Nobody’s here but us, Frankie. You don’t have to sound like you’re tearing heads off today, especially mine.”
“I told that jerk to get back here with the doctor from the nanotechology lab twenty minutes ago. It’s not that far to drive from Urbana. I don’t like delays.”
“Indeed!” Connie kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry, honey. Meachem will be here any minute.”
“He better be!” Bridges snapped.
“Your wife called,” Connie said, “but I said you were out.”
The back door to the inner offices opened and the sound of men walking echoed down the hall. “That’s Meachem,” Connie said.
Bridges glared at the door, but the footsteps on the thick carpet were clearly coming toward his office.
Al Meachem walked in with a tall man behind him, wearing a black goatee and with his hair combed straight back. Bill Marks brought up the rear. “Sorry about the delay,” Meachem said. “A truck overturned on Interstate 57.”
Bridges ignored the comment. “You must be Dr. Paul Gillette, the head of the Microfabrication Research Laboratory.” He extended his hand.
“Y—yes,” Dr. Gillette said hesitantly. “I wasn’t aware that you knew about our facilities.” He glanced fearfully at Meachem. “I didn’t expect your men to show up like they did or force me to come with them.”
“Please forgive the intrusion,” Bridges said warmly. “Many things are happening right now that are highly classified, but I can assure you that I am completely aware of your research.” He motioned toward a chair. “Please sit down.”
Gillette watched Meachem with a nervous look on his face, but the scientist sat down.
“I understand that Dr. Allen Newton recently died,” the mayor began.
Gillette looked surprised. “His death was most unexpected.”
“And deeply disappointing,” Bridges said. “We all admired the bold research Newton was doing.”
Gillette appeared to be totally uncertain of what to say next. “I wasn’t aware the larger community knew of Allen’s demise.”
“They don’t!” Bridges continued. “If you’ll remember, Chicago was the first city in the country to use his nanorobots for security purposes. We applied them to people’s foreheads. Consequently, I have followed everything Newton did.”
“I see.” Dr. Gillette rubbed his chin nervously and repeated himself. “I see.”
“Good!” Bridges forced a smile. “We want you to continue the work Newton was doing with swarm intelligence. We have an immediate need for this application of the nanorobots.”
“Swarm intelligence has the highest possible security rating.” Gillette’s eyes widened. “How could you know about these experiments?”
Bridges kept smiling, but his voice turned hard. “I know everything that is happening in your facility, and I also have the right to ask questions as well as request applications. Are we clear?”
Dr. Gillette gla
nced at Meachem again, and then looked at the mayor with uncertainty. “I haven’t received authorization for such an inquiry,” he said hesitantly.
Bridges reached across his desk and picked up a letter. “You’ll find this document from the official responsible for your federal funding fully covers your questions.” He shoved it into Gillette’s hands. “Correct?”
Paul Gillette read the document carefully. Finally, he puckered his lip and nodded his head slowly. “I—I suppose it does.”
“Good!” Bridges answered enthusiastically. “I want you to develop immediately a use for flying nanorobots that will have the capacity to identify a group of six persons. I intend for these devices to help me locate some . . . ah . . . escapees.”
Gillette sank back in the chair. “I’m not sure I understand exactly what you intend.”
“It’s my understanding that Newton’s work was creating a new approach where individual robots would come together and become interactive.” Bridges smiled again. “You know what I mean, Paul. These tiny machines would coalesce and form, oh, let’s say, a multifaceted lens, with the capacity to transmit their sightings back to our computers. I want to find six people together who don’t have security markings on their foreheads. These nanorobots can accomplish that purpose.”
Gillette pulled at his necktie. “Sir, you must understand that these devices are far from perfected. Sometimes they ah . . . spin . . . out of control.”
“I don’t care,” Bridges snapped. “I want this product to operate in the way I have described.”
“Please realize, our research can’t respond to demands. We must work on a schedule.” Gillette swallowed hard. “You see, Dr. Newton was killed while working on one of these experiments.”
“You don’t understand,” Bridges said in a cold, calculating manner. “I can cut your funding off in a second!” He snapped his fingers. “You want the research lab in Urbana to be history?”
Dr. Gillette looked around the room at the solemn men, standing with arms crossed and staring with cold eyes. “Of course not,” he answered.
“Then I’d suggest you get after the application I described,” Bridges said. “Am I clear?”
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