Judy smiled and thought, You, go girl!
When Mrs. Gage finally broke her silence, her deep voice held quiet command.
“Jake, you can either join us or be shut out completely. Your choice. I personally would value your experience and strength of character on our side.”
He raised his voice. “This is ludicrous!”
Mrs. Gage turned to Judy. “Dear, would you care to join me upstairs?”
Judy stood. Jake reached out with his big hand. “Gabrielle, wait.” She merely raised an eyebrow. He heaved a mighty sigh. “You realize you could get in the way and cause more harm than good.”
“Well, we’ll just have to make sure we don’t do that, won’t we, my sweet man.” She was all smiles to him now as she knew she’d won the day. Jake certainly did look defeated. Mrs. Gage glided to him and standing on her tiptoes, placed her manicured hands on either side of his face looking at him for several seconds. The tension fell from him like scales and he grinned. The transformation was unsettling. Judy had a sense of being an intruder on a very intimate moment. Although neither seemed the least bit aware of her presence. Jake bent down to within a breath of Mrs. Gage’s face. A silent communication passed between them. Mrs. Gage heard it loud and clear and smiled.
He added aloud in a soft but commanding voice, “I will protect you with my life but if you do anything to put yourself in harm’s way,” he paused, “I will kill you myself.”
“Yes, dear.”
Jake picked her up and embraced her. Mrs. Gage winked at Judy over his shoulder.
CHAPTER TEN
Kenann and Danny Mac felt their pine box lifted off the floor and carried. They remained quiet and waited to see where they were being taken. Danny Mac heard one of the men say in Arabic to hurry before the Lion wakes up. Danny Mac placed his forefinger across Kenann’s lips to ensure she remained silent. They felt the change in temperature as they were carried off the small Lear jet onto the tarmac. They could hear men talking as they were placed on a flat surface and wheeled for several feet and hoisted onto another conveyor into yet another plane. Once aboard they heard the cargo doors close and seal. They continued their silence. The engines came to life after a few minutes. After becoming airborne they heard the movements of the lid being removed from their coffin like cell. Kenann was dragged from the box as ungraciously as she had been tossed in. The man spoke to Danny Mac in his native tongue and he was allowed to climb out under his own power. Kenann noticed the men took great pains to remain out of arm’s reach of Danny Mac at all times. They motioned for them to proceed toward the front of the plane. The men followed behind them.
They continued forward until they entered the main compartment of the aircraft. The DC9 commercial craft had been converted into a private transport. Danny Mac turned and raised a quizzical eyebrow at their captors. They motioned for him and Kenann to sit on one of the long couches against the wall of the plane. When they sat, Danny Mac wrapped an arm around Kenann pulling her close to his side. She looked up at him in surprise. He leaned close to her ear and whispered. “They think we’re lovers. Play along with me.”
She muttered under her breath, “Thought I was just some dumb kid?”
He pinched her earlobe. Not in the mood to be playful, she ground the spike of her high heel into his instep. He turned her face to his with his free hand. He leaned in and biting her lower lip in what looked to be a loving gesture he glowered at her.
Danny Mac growled in a whisper. “You are safe as long as they think you are my lover. Got it?”
Angelo came through the opening from the cockpit. Kenann felt an imperceptible stiffening of Danny Mac’s muscles - like a large cat watching its prey. Angelo went to the bar and poured a drink. She took the time to observe him further. He was powerfully built. She could tell he was trying to be smooth, but he was too rough edged to pull it off. He turned to them and spoke.
“I’ve been instructed to be a gracious host. Would you care for a drink?”
“No thank you.”
“Could I have a Diet Coke?” Kenann looked at Danny Mac apologetically. “I’m thirsty.” She whispered.
“It’s okay.” Danny Mac smiled at her.
Angelo reached beneath the bar and produced the drink from the small refrigerator.
“Would you like a glass?”
“No, thank you.”
He crossed the body of the plane and handed her the drink sitting down in a chair to their right.
“You see, Danny Boy. I can be quite civilized. And you will soon see that I am a man of great power with the people with whom I work. This time you will answer to me.”
“For whom do you work?”
“You will see. You understand what will happen if you refuse.”
“I know the drill, Angelo. But you and your people also keep in mind, one hair on her head is harmed all bets are off.”
Angelo narrowed his eyes. “Do you dare to threaten me?”
“Nope, just laying the ground rules, pal.”
“You will do what we say. That is all.”
“You were the ones who decided to use Kenann to make me cooperate. I’m just taking it to the next level.”
Angelo stood up abruptly. “Go to sleep. We will not land for several hours and you will be taken directly to my people. You must be ready to receive your instructions.” With that he left them alone.
Angelo knew he needed to find a gun somewhere fast. He chided himself for leaving it back in that hotel room and hoped Katarina did not discover this blunder.
Kenann asked, “Where do you think we are going?”
“The only thing I know is we are heading east.” Danny Mac tapped his ear as he spoke and Kenann understood his caution about microphones. He leaned in closer and his whisper tickled her ear. “Make sure you hang onto my coat.”
Kenann nodded.
“Let’s get some sleep. We need to be sharp for whatever lies ahead.”
“Have they got any blankets? I’m freezing.” Danny Mac got up to check for something to cover Kenann. Low voices came from the next compartment. His blood ran cold at what he overheard.
* * *
Sunday morning dawned on four weary faces sitting at Danny Mac’s dining room table. Andy, glad they had decided to forgive his part in Kenann and Danny’s current situation, had gladly welcomed the trio back into his information circle. Judy was particularly glad to forgo any attempt on her part to extract information from Andy using her ‘feminine wiles’ as Mrs. Gage called it. Jake had argued against deceiving Andy, but Mrs. Gage had cleverly pointed out they were not lying to him. They were merely keeping their own counsel about a few things.
Judy was back to her remote self where Andy was concerned. He was grateful she conversed with him freely, but he missed their earlier intimacy. They had learned from Andy that Danny Mac and Kenann were flying across the Atlantic overnight. The government had transport on standby along with the tools of Andy’s trade to leave within the hour from the naval base in Memphis. They could monitor the abductors location from the air and alter their course accordingly. Mrs. Gage subtly interrogated Andrew about the suspected destination. He remained convinced based on their current flight pattern that they would land in Alexandria, Egypt.
So be it, Mrs. Gage thought. If I have to chase them across the Sahara, I’ll not stand by and watch two innocent people be used by merciless tyrants. she raged in her mind. Never again.
Andy gathered his electronic and personal belongings and the others helped him carry them to his rented car. He felt awkward - almost like a son leaving his family for the first time to go off to war. But that was ridiculous. Except for Jake these people were strangers to him. Yet, he felt like he had known them and been a part of their lives for years. He tried to turn up the volume on his Irish charm to conceal his feelings to no avail. He shook Jake’s hand, he kissed Mrs. Gage’s but when he turned to Judy, he froze. His glib remark died on his lips. Hers were the saddest eyes he’d ever seen. They appea
red dead and at the very same time alive with yearning. He made himself take her hand, squeeze it and walk away. He had a job to do but if the fates willed it, he would come back and somehow erase that horrid sadness from her eyes.
* * *
Once again Mrs. Gage took command. “We must get busy. There’s much to do.”
Jake interrupted. “First, I must go to church services this morning and help fill in for Danny Mac. The other elders will have to be told something. They can be trusted with basics. It is hard to tell how long we will be away, and someone will need to carry on the work here. You both are free to join me for the early service.”
Mrs. Gage looked at Judy. “I think it would be good, Judy. We need to focus our minds and hearts on our task ahead and what better way than in church.”
“Oh, I can think of a few.” She sighed then relented. “Oh, all right, but they’ll have to put up with me in my scrubs. I’m not going home for a change of clothes.”
“You’ll see every kind of clothing imaginable. Nobody cares what you wear. Give them a chance, honey. They’re good people.”
Judy’s eyes darted to Jake’s face ready to rebuke him with a biting ‘don’t call me honey’ but the tenderness in his eyes stopped her and compelled her to return his smile. “All right, Jake. It’s your show.”
* * *
Jake met with the Elders to explain Danny Mac’s absence. The elders knew all about Danny Mac’s background and former occupation. Jake told them he had been called back into service temporarily (he omitted ‘against his will’). It was decided that the associate minister would fill in during his absence. Jake also told them he would be away for an indefinite period as well. He offered no explanation and these men who respected and trusted him as a brother, asked for none. They wished him God speed, assured him of their prayers and told him if they could help him in any way he need only ask. He was once again overwhelmed by God’s love manifested in His people, the church. He knew these Christian brothers would give their lives for him if called upon as he would for them. He took great confidence and courage in that.
Mrs. Gage and Judy sat near the front. (Mrs. Gage’s choice not Judy’s.) They were welcomed warmly by the people sitting around them. Jake came to sit with them. He put his big arm around Mrs. Gage and squeezed Judy’s shoulder in encouragement. Judy turned to him and smiled over Mrs. Gage’s head. She felt more comfortable that she had anticipated. It had been many years since she darkened the door of a church building. She had been a regular growing up, as well as a leader among her youth group, back in Missouri. But circumstances the summer after her senior year in high school had forever altered her perceptions about men and God. Her mind drifted toward that and she visibly stiffened. Mrs. Gage reached out and took her hand. The cool, soft feel of that supporting hand seemed to diffuse Judy’s tension until she was able to focus on the moment and join in the service that had begun.
Mrs. Gage sang with a surprisingly mellow alto voice. Judy was surprised to hear herself hitting the high notes so easily after being so long out of practice. Jake’s deep base added a rich quality to the trio. The sweet music they made had people looking their way in admiration although some of the teenage boys had noticed Judy long before. Even weary from lack of sleep and dressed in hospital scrubs, she was beautiful woman. Her hair pulled into a ponytail framed a finely boned face. Her large blue eyes and well-formed lips could easily have graced the cover of Cosmopolitan or Vogue. She disdained her beauty and rejected any efforts to draw attention to it and was usually oblivious when others noticed her.
When it came time for the lesson, Jake stood and approached the platform. He still wore his tuxedo from the night before. The tie was gone and the collar open, but he made a handsome picture standing before them. He explained to the congregation that Danny Mac had been called away suddenly on business. Since it was such short notice, he would deliver the morning’s lesson and then would turn the pulpit over to the associate pastor for future sermons.
Jake sighed deeply and looked out over the crowd with deep affection. He knew these people - their joys and struggles - their sins and their triumphs and he loved them. He wasn’t sure how long it would be until he was with them again, so he left them with the words of John the Apostle of love quoting from 1st John.
‘“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
“We love because he loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God’ yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”‘ Jake closed the Bible in front of him.
“These words of the Apostle John penned two thousand years ago still reverberate to us today. And God’s love and salvation are as fresh now as then. I pray that everyone who hears my voice will ensure their peace with God by accepting his salvation through grace and have their sins washed away in the waters of baptism. Baptism that symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Church, I love you. Please come if we can help you in any way.” The congregation stood to sing the song, inviting anyone who had a need to come to the front and let it be known. A young woman and an old man stepped into the aisle at different points in the hall and walked up to the front seat. Another elder joined Jake and they began speaking quietly with each of the people individually. After a few minutes the other elder stood and announced that the young lady whom he identified as Mary wished to be baptized into Christ. She stood and confessed Jesus as her Savior and was led away with some of the ladies to prepare for her baptism. Jake stood and related that the older gentleman, Chester, came asking for the prayers of the church and to be restored to their fellowship. Jake offered the prayer for the repentant man.
Following this, Mary entered the baptistery and was lowered into the water by the Associate minister. He seemed a little nervous with the task as he proclaimed to the audience “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” before lowering her back to immerse her in the water. As she rose joyously from the water, he seemed to find his confidence as his voice burst out in a song of praise.
Jake felt Judy’s eyes on him. He smiled at her warmly and uttered a silent prayer she would allow Jesus to heal whatever had broken her heart.
* * *
Danny Mac came back to Kenann carrying a blanket and pillow. She reached for them and stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t give me that. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Sit down and tell Auntie Kenann all about it.” She patted the seat beside her and grinned.
He looked at her a moment and matched her grin. “How can you be so chipper? Our situation is less than ideal.”
“Oh, I’ve been in worse.”
He arched a beautiful black brow.
“Oh okay, maybe I haven’t. But Granny always taught me to play the hand I’m dealt. I’m just not sure I know the rules to this game.”
“I used to know them but I’m a bit rusty. I’m not exactly the same man anymore.”
“So, use what you’ve got, which is the best of both worlds. Didn’t Jesus
say to be as cunning as a serpent and as harmless as a dove?” She grew uncomfortable at the way he looked at her so intently.
“How did you get to be so wise?”
“Oh, I’m great at advising everyone else. It’s me I have problems with.”
“So, what’s your problem?”
“You.”
It was out before she realized she’d said it aloud. His eyes widened slightly and then she laughed if maybe a bit nervously.
“This is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into, Ollie.” The tension of the moment passed. He pushed her forehead back with his palm in their now familiar gesture.
“You’d better get some sleep.” He took her pillow and propped it against his leg. “Here, lie down and cover up.”
“What about you?”
“I can sleep sitting up. No problem.”
“Well if you’re sure. I don’t want to be a wimp but I kind of hate to be too far away from you.”
“That’s fine.” She curled up under the blanket and laid her head on the pillow propped on his leg. He laid a hand on her shoulder and she covered his with hers. They both felt comforted.
He thought about Kenann’s advice from God’s word ‘Be as cunning as a serpent and harmless as a dove’. It gave him renewed courage and he prayed, ‘Lord, have you brought me here for a reason? Is there something you need me to do? I want to be in your will, Father. Do you want me to use what I’ve learned from my former life to accomplish that will? Show me. Lord. I need you desperately. Mixing these old ways and my new life in you is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do.”
His mind returned to what he had overheard a few minutes ago. The men were taking their orders from Katerina. Hearing her name catapulted him back to a dark time in his life. He let his head fall back as memories and sensations flooded over him. If this plane was rushing him toward an encounter with Katerina Troika, he was in bigger trouble than he had thought.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Mrs. Gage lightly touched Jake’s arm as the three of them walked across the street to Danny Mac and Kenann’s house to continue planning.
Once, a Long Time Ago Page 7
