[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
in the
Weekly. When he covers all the various theories and talks about what people
think, it comes out that there's a big faction who believes that Nicolae might
be the
Antichrist.
I've heard that, Rayford said.
So you could call him Antichrist, or A.C. for short, she said.
That's not funny, he said.
I know, she said. I'm sorry. I don't go in for all that cosmic war between
good and evil stuff anyway. I wouldn't know if a person was the Antichrist if
he was staring me in the face.
He's probably stared you in the face more than anyone else over the last
couple of years, Rayford thought.
Anyway, Hattie, I think you should ask for lack of a better title Global
Community Grand Potentate Nicolae Carpathia if it's still all right that you
take a brief trip home. I'm taking a Saturday morning flight that will arrive
nonstop in
Milwaukee at about noon Chicago time the same day. From what I understand,
there's room in the big house of a woman from our church. You could stay with
us.
I couldn't do that, Rayford. My mother is in Denver. They haven't suffered
any damage yet, have they?
Not as far as I know. I'm sure we could book you through to Denver. Rayford
was disappointed. Here was a chance to have some influence on Hattie, but
there would be no getting her to the Chicago area.
I'm not going to ask Nicolae, she said.
You don't want to go?
Oh, I want to go. And I will go. I'm just going to leave word that I'm gone.
That's what he said last time I checked with him. He told me I was an adult
and should make these decisions for myself. He's got more important things on
his mind.
Maybe I'll see you on the flight to Milwaukee. In fact, unless you hear
otherwise from me, why don't you assume my driver will pick you up Saturday
morning. You think it would be all right with Amanda if we sat together?
I hope you're not being facetious, Rayford said, because if you really
wanted to talk, I'd let her know in advance.
Wow, I don't remember your first wife being so possessive.
She would have been if she'd known what kind of a man I was.
Or what kind of a woman I was.
Well, maybe
You go ahead and check with your wife, Rayford. If I have to sit by myself,
I'll understand. Who knows? Maybe we can sit across the aisle from each
other.
Rayford smiled tolerantly. He hoped for at least that.
CHAPTER TEN
BUCK followed a strong urge to take his bag when he left the King David that
night. In it was his small dictation machine, his sub-notebook computer (which
Page 71
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
would soon be replaced by the mother of all computers), his camera, that great
cell phone, his toiletries, and two changes of clothing.
He left his key at the front desk and took a cab to the Wailing Wall, asking
the cabbie if he spoke English. The driver held up his thumb and forefinger an
inch apart and smiled apologetically.
How far to Galilee? Buck said.
The cabbie took his foot off the accelerator. You go to Galilee? Wailing Wall
in
Jerusalem.
Buck waved him on. I know. Wailing Wall now. Galilee later.
The cabbie headed for the Wailing Wall. Galilee now Lake Tiberius, he said.
About 120 kilometers.
Hardly anyone was at the Wailing Wall or even in the entire temple mount area
at this time of the night. The newly rebuilt temple was illuminated
magnificently and looked like something in a three-dimensional picture show.
It seemed to hover on the horizon. Bruce had taught Buck that one day
Carpathia would sit in that new temple and proclaim himself God. The
journalist in Buck wanted to be there when that happened.
Buck did not at first see the two witnesses. A small group of sailors strolled
past the wrought-iron fence at the end of the Wall where the witnesses usually
stood and preached. The sailors chatted in English and one pointed. I think
that's them, right over there, he said. The others turned and stared. Buck
followed their gaze past the fence and to a stone building. The two mysterious
figures sat with their backs against it, feet tucked under them, chins resting
on their knees. They were motionless, appearing to sleep. The sailors gawked
and tiptoed closer. They never got within a hundred feet of the fence,
apparently having heard enough stories. They weren't going to rouse the two,
the way they might do to animals at the zoo for sport. These were more than
animals. These were dangerous beings who had been known to toast people who
trifled with them. Buck did not want to draw attention to himself by boldly
approaching the fence. He waited until the sailors got bored and moved on.
As soon as the young men were out of the area, Eli and Moishe raised their
heads and looked directly at Buck. He was drawn to them. He walked directly to
the fence.
The witnesses rose and stood about twenty feet from Buck. I need
clarification,
Buck whispered. Can I know more about my friend's location?
He who has ears
I know that, Buck said, but I
You would dare interrupt the servants of the Most High God? Eli said.
Forgive me, Buck said. He wanted to explain himself but decided to remain
silent.
Moishe spoke. You must first communicate with one who loves you.
Buck waited for more. The witnesses stood there, silent. He held out both
hands in puzzlement. He felt a vibration in his shoulder bag and realized his
cell phone was buzzing. Now what was he supposed to do? If he wasn't to
interrupt the servants of the Most High God, did he dare take a call while
conversing with them? He felt a fool. He moved away from the fence and grabbed
the phone, clicked it open, and said, This is Buck.
Buck! It's Chloe! It's about midnight there, right?
Right, Chloe, but right now I'm
Buck, were you sleeping?
No, I'm up and I'm
Buck, just tell me you're not at the King David.
Well, I'm staying there, but
But you're not there right now, right?
No, I'm at
Honey, I don't know how to tell you this, but I just have this feeling that
Page 72
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
you should not be in that hotel tonight. In fact, I just have a premonition
that you shouldn't be in Jerusalem overnight. I don't know about tomorrow, and
I don't know about premonitions and all that, but the feeling is so strong
Chloe, I'm gonna need to call you back, OK?
Chloe hesitated. Well, OK, but you can't take the time to talk to me for a
moment when
Chloe, I won't stay at the King David tonight, and I won't stay in Jerusalem
overnight, OK?
That makes me feel better, Buck, but I'd still like to talk
I'll call you back, hon, OK?
Buck didn't know what he thought about this new level of what Bruce had
referred to as walking in the spirit. The witnesses had implied he would
find who he was looking for in Galilee, which didn't really exist anymore. The
Sea of Galilee was now Lake Tiberius. His dream, if he could put any stock in
that, implied he should
go to Egypt for some reason. Now the witnesses wanted him to use his ears to
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]