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did. When the
Rapture occurred, I immediately knew what had happened. In some ways I was
actually disappointed to find that I had failed my family and that all three
of them had been left behind with me. I would have missed them, as I miss them
now, but it also would have been a blessing to me had any of them seen the
truth and acted upon it before it was too late.
You told me they all became believers shortly after you did.
Tsion stood and paced. Cameron, I do not understand how anyone with any
exposure to the Bible could doubt the meaning of the mass vanishings. Rayford
Steele, with his limited knowledge, knew because of the testimony of his wife.
I, above all people, should have known. And yet you see it all around you.
People are still trying to explain it away. It breaks my heart.
Tsion showed Buck what he was working on. He had nearly completed the first
booklet in what he hoped would be a series from Bruce's writings. He was a
surprisingly adept scholar for a young man, Tsion said. He was not the
linguist that I am, and so I am adding some of that to his work. I think it
makes for a better final product.
I'm sure Bruce would agree, Buck said.
Buck wanted to broach the subject of Tsion's helping the church, remotely of
course, locate a new pastor. How perfect if it could be Tsion! But that was
out of the question. Anyway, Buck did not want anything to interrupt Tsion's
important work.
You know, Tsion, that I will likely be the first to join you here on a
permanent basis.
Cameron, I cannot see you as content to hide out.
It'll drive me crazy, there's no doubt about that. But I have begun to get
careless.
Riskier. It's bound to catch up with me.
You will be able to do what I do on the Internet, Tsion said. I am
communicating with many hundreds already, just by learning a few tricks.
Imagine what you can do with the truth. You can write the way you used to
write, with total objectivity and seriousness. You will not be influenced by
the owner of the paper.
What was that you said about the truth?
You can write the truth, that's all.
Buck sat and began noodling on paper. He drew the cover of a magazine and
called it simply Truth. He was excited.
Look at this. I could design the graphics, write the copy, and disseminate it
on the
Net. According to Donny Moore, it could never be traced back here.
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I don't want to see you forced into self-incarceration, Ben-Judah said. But
I
confess I would enjoy the company.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
RAYFORD was proud of Hattie Durham. From what he could gather in New
Babylon, she had pulled another fast one on Nicolae and his henchman Leon
Fortunato. Apparently she had flown from Milwaukee to Boston, but rather than
taking her connecting flight on to Baghdad, she had stopped somewhere.
Rayford had been out of hearing range, of course, when the meetings with Peter
Mathews were continued at New Babylon headquarters. All he knew was that there
was great consternation around the place, especially among Nicolae and Leon,
that
Hattie had slipped off schedule yet again. Though Nicolae had shown
indifference to her, not knowing where she was made her a loose cannon and a
potential embarrassment.
When word finally arrived that she had a new itinerary, Carpathia himself
asked to see Rayford in private.
The new secretarial staff was in place and operational by the time Rayford
entered
Suite 216 and was granted audience with the potentate.
It is good to see you again, Captain Steele. I fear I have not been as
forthcoming with my thanks for your service as I used to be, before so many
distractions have come about.
Let me get straight to the point. I know that Ms. Durham once worked for you.
In fact, you came to us based on her recommendation. I know also that she has
at times confided in you. Thus, it should come as no surprise to you that
there has been some trouble in paradise, as they say. Let me be frank. The
fact is, I believe Ms. Durham always overestimated the seriousness of our
personal relationship.
Rayford thought back to when Nicolae had seemed to proudly announce that
Hattie was pregnant and that she was wearing his ring. But Rayford knew better
than to try to catch the liar of liars in a lie.
Carpathia continued: Ms. Durham should have realized that in a position such
as the one I hold, there really is no room for a personal life that would
enjoy the commitment required by a marriage and family. She seemed pleased
with the prospect of bearing a child, my child. Thus, I did not discourage
that or encourage some other option. Should she take the pregnancy to term, I
would of course exercise my fiscal responsibility. However, it is unfair for
her to expect me to devote the time that might be available to the normal
father.
My advice to her would be to terminate the pregnancy. However, due to the
fact that this result of our relationship is really her responsibility, I will
leave that decision to her.
Rayford was puzzled and didn't try to hide it. Why was Carpathia telling him
this?
What assignment was going to fall to him? He didn't have long to wait.
I have needs like any other man, Captain Steele. You understand. I would
never commit myself to just one woman, and I certainly made no such commitment
to Ms.
Durham. The fact is that I already have someone else with whom I am enjoying a
relationship. Therefore, you can see my dilemma.
I'm not sure I do, Rayford said.
Well, I have replaced Ms. Durham as my personal assistant. I sense that she
is distraught from that and from what she has to deduce is a relationship that
has soured. I do not see it as souring; I see us both moving on. But, as I
say, as she saw it as more important a commitment than I did, she is thus more
upset and disappointed at the conclusion of it.
I need to ask you about the ring you gave her, Rayford said.
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Oh, that is no problem. I will not be requiring that back. In fact, I always
believed that the stone was much too large to be worn as an engagement ring.
It clearly is decorative. She need not worry about returning that.
Rayford was getting the picture. Carpathia was going to call on him, as
Hattie's old friend and boss, to deliver the news. Why else would he need all
this information?
I will do the right thing by Ms. Durham, Captain Steele. You may be assured
of that. I would not want her to become destitute. I know she is employable,
probably not as a clerical person, but certainly in the aviation industry.
Which has been devastated by the war, as you know, Rayford said.
Yes, but with her seniority and perhaps with some gentle pressure on my
part...
And so you're saying that you will give her some sort of severance or a
stipend or settlement?
Carpathia seemed to brighten. Yes, if that will make it easier for her, I am
happy to do that. I should think you would be, Rayford thought. Captain
Steele, I have an assignment for you
I deduced that.
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