by Scalzo, Russ
“Yes, sir. Absolutely,” she said firmly, continuing her gaze as the door closed.
Dante walked in and sat down in one of the senator’s leather chairs. “Would you like a drink? I keep a Deanston Highland single malt scotch whiskey in my desk.”
“Sure, pour me one.” He smirked. Another perk for taking on human form, he thought to himself.
The senator reached for the bottle and held it out proudly. “The Deanston distillery is in Scotland and sits just eight miles from historic Stirling on the banks of the River Teith. The site served as a mill for much of its history until its conversion into a whiskey distillery in 1965. It’s very smooth.” Among other things, Wellsenburg liked to think of himself as a connoisseur of fine whiskey.
“I know the place well,” Dante commented. “At the end of the 13th century, a long war began between the Scots and the English. During the war, Stirling castle changed hands several times. The English invaded in 1296 and captured the castle. However, they were severely defeated at the battle of Stirling Bridge the same year. It was a fine and bloody war as I remember.”
Wellsenburg set two of his favorite rocks glasses on his desk. They were short tumblers used for drinking whiskey. They were rather old school, and he thought them perfect for displaying the color of his favorite scotch. As he went to open the bottle, he stopped for a moment, cocked his head to one side, and gave Dante a puzzled expression. “As you remember? You talk like you were there.”
Dante recovered well, “I read about it somewhere, and you know how I love history.” He shifted his body in the chair and quickly changed the subject, “So I heard through the grapevine that you have put a tail on Bennett and Lederman, when I specifically told you that I would handle it.”
Wellsenburg almost spilled the scotch he was pouring. He was surprised and somewhat embarrassed. He thought he could keep his little investigation secret, at least for the time being.
“Yes, well, I thought it would be best to keep an eye on them. I don’t like surprises and they have been asking too many questions lately.”
Wellsenburg handed Dante his glass of scotch. He took the glass, lifted his right foot, and rested his ankle on his left knee, making himself comfortable. He looked straight at Wellsenburg.
“I have eyes everywhere. I don’t require any assistance from you or anyone else when it comes to covert activity. What if they trace it back to you or see you talking with certain unsavory characters? Have you thought about that? We need to get you into the White House. You do want to be President, don’t you?” Dante put the glass to his lips and, peering at Wellsenburg over the edge of the glass, took a sip.
Wellsenburg felt like a little kid getting a life lecture from his father, and he didn’t appreciate it. He took a hefty swallow of his scotch and put his glass back down on his desk with just enough force to let Dante know he wasn’t pleased with his tone of voice. Dante lifted his eyebrow slightly, a bit surprised, but at the same time delighted at the senator’s moxie.
“I will be the next President of the United States. There is no doubt in my mind about that,” he said with conviction and determination. “You have to understand that sometimes I need to do things my way.”
“I respect that in a man,” he said with a sinister smirk on his face. “Okay, enough bantering. Let’s get down to business. So you had them followed,” he said matter-of-factly. “Tell me what you found out. It might be possible that I missed something. I’m open to enlightenment.”
“Well it seems Lederman has been snooping around the bureau asking questions about a murder case that took place in Blackstone Virginia some thirty years ago. They’re trying to connect me with those murders.”
Dante knew all about the Oslow murders, much more than he cared to say. He couldn’t let Wellsenburg know about his involvement in the murders, especially since he chose to clothe himself in a thirty-nine year old body, so he played along. “The Oslows…” he said in a low tone, a ponderous look on his face. “I recognize that name. They were members in the society. I remember reading about them. Such a tragic story. How are you connected with them?” Dante wanted to see how much Wellsenburg actually knew about that night.
Wellsenburg finished his drink and began to pace from one end of the room to the other, walking between his desk and where Dante was sitting. His voice had a nervous edge to it.
“They introduced me to the society when I was running for the Senate over thirty years ago. They donated a lot of money to my campaign and had a great influence on many different political groups. The Oslows convinced them that I was the right man for the job. I owed them big time. He called me and said he needed to see me as soon as possible. The term he used was extremely urgent. I met with him alone that night and he told me that he and his wife wanted out. He said the society had gone too far and he didn’t like what was going on. He was really scared. I told him not to leave, that it would all work out, but I couldn’t persuade him. The very next night, they were both found dead in their home of unknown causes. I don’t know what happened to them and I didn’t ask any questions. The elections were only a few months away and I didn’t want to ruin my chances of winning the senate seat, so I just kept quiet and moved on. It sounds pretty pathetic, I know. But, I had my future to think about.”
Although it was a long time ago, even the ever-conniving and calculating senator felt a tinge of guilt about it all. It never lasted very long, but this was a little different in that this was the first time he had ever verbalized it to anyone.
Dante sat in his chair, a slight smirk on his face, trying his best to hide his delight. If he wasn’t totally convinced before this, he was now. He knew for certain that he had the right man to do his bidding. He stood to his feet and put his arm on Wellsenburg’s shoulder.
With a genuine look of concern he said, “Not at all. You did the right thing. They made their decision, and you made yours. You had every right to protect your political future and the future of this great nation. Don’t you worry about Lederman and Bennett. We will convince them that it would be better for them and their loved ones if they were to back off and let this unfortunate incident die. We’ll make sure it stays buried along with the Oslows.” He really meant that he would, but he wanted the senator to feel like he was in charge.
Wellsenburg walked back to his desk and sat down. With one fell swoop, Dante had washed away any feeling of guilt the senator might have been feeling. He thought for a moment, and then looked up at Dante, “You know Bennett has a girl now and I hear they are getting very close.”
Dante grinned, not wanting to address the senator’s comment. He knew all about Emily and had his own ideas on how to handle the situation. “My limo is waiting. We will continue this discussion tomorrow at breakfast. Let’s eat at the hotel restaurant, say at eight o’clock. I have a meeting I must attend tonight, so I want to get checked in and have a few moments to collect my thoughts.”
He began to walk away, then suddenly turned around and glanced back at Wellsenburg. “You better chew on a piece of gum, Senator. You wouldn’t want your staff to think that you drink on the job.”
Dante smiled, opened the door, and walked out closing the door behind him. He felt very good about their little chat. Now it was time to see how the rest of the world was doing.
* * *
Jack and Emily were sitting on Jack’s front porch glider enjoying the gentle evening breeze, when a car came barreling up the long, stone driveway that led to Jack’s front porch steps. Emily lifted her head off Jack’s shoulder. They both recognized the car as Frank’s. They watched as Frank pulled up in front of the house.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Emily said with a concerned look on her face.
Jack laughed. “Nothing probably. That’s just the FBI in him. He loves to make an entrance.”
Frank opened the car door and stepped out. He stood in the driveway with the open car door resting on his backside, then laid his elbows on the roof of his car and rested his chi
n on his hands, just staring at them. “I hope you weren’t making out or something. I would hate myself if I disturbed you two love birds.”
Emily made a face. “We weren’t making out, at least not just then.” She smiled at Jack, and then gave Frank a dirty look. “And there is no something else Frank.”
Frank loved to stir the pot. He couldn’t help himself. It was in his nature. “I stopped by because I think we need to compare notes and catch up on a few things. I would have called, but you never know who’s listening anymore.”
He closed the car door, walked up to the front steps of the porch, and stood there for a moment. The expression on his face changed from glib to serious. Jack realized that this wasn’t just a visit. He sensed he had a bomb to drop. “What is it, Frank?”
Frank looked at Emily, then back at Jack. “Dante Adal is back in D.C. and my source tells me he met with Wellsenburg late this afternoon.”
Jack turned to Emily. He could see that just the mere mention of their names disturbed her. She had hoped to put all the craziness out of her mind for least a few hours, but that was becoming harder and harder to do. She wouldn’t mind having a normal life, but she fell in love with Jack Bennett and no matter what came her way, she was determined to make it the best life she could.
Jack pulled her close, then kissed her on her forehead as if to say don’t worry. He stood up and looked at Frank. “That makes sense somehow, considering what took place here yesterday.”
Frank looked down and noticed the grooves in the porch. They were deep and jagged. “What happened to the porch?” He looked closer, “They look like claw marks.” As the words were coming out of his mouth, he began to visualize the type of creature that would have made them. His face said it all. He was shocked and alarmed. “Are you kidding me? They came after you? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Pull up a chair. We have a lot to talk about.”
Emily stood up, took a deep breath, and looked straight at the both of them, her finger pointed right at Frank. She insisted, “Jack can tell you about yesterday while I go to the bathroom. But I want to hear about this too, so don’t start without me.”
Frank smiled. “Okay, okay. I promise.”
She had heard all about the demons on the porch and the spiritual battle that took place, but as for Dante Adal, part of her wanted to hear all about it while the other part of her would rather not. However, she was part of all this now and she wanted to know what was going on, no matter how disturbing.
Frank gave a look of concern as he watched Emily walk back into the house. He waited a few seconds until she was out of earshot, then asked, “Is she all right?
Jack tilted his head and let out a concerned sigh. “She’s a tough girl, but these are not your run of the mill life problems. I’m concerned that I could be putting her in real danger.”
“I’m afraid I agree,” he said, looking back into the house. “I have some news that confirms your suspicions, but first, tell me what happened here yesterday.”
“I’m not really sure. I mean, obviously by the looks of things, there was a battle on my front porch, but I didn’t see anything. I was lying in bed staring at the ceiling most of the night. I couldn’t sleep. My spirit was restless and I felt a real heaviness and feelings of depression creeping over me in waves trying to pull me down.
“At one point, I felt like I was fighting for my life. Like I was drowning in it all. I got up and began to pace back and forth. I started to cry out to God for help. I knew I was in a battle of some kind, so I finally knelt down by my bed and began to pray like I’ve rarely prayed before.
“I prayed for an hour or so with no real release. I still felt like I had a dark cloud hanging over my head. I couldn’t get rid of it. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere, it lifted.
“I can’t explain it, but it was like God put his hand under me and lifted me up. It gave me a whole new perspective. I could feel my faith getting stronger as my prayers went from crying out for help to praise and worship. It was amazing.
“When I came outside, I realized what was going on. From the evidence, all I can figure is that while I was praying, God must have sent an angel down to do battle with the forces of evil that were trying to destroy my faith and crush my spirit. When I saw these marks, I knew right away just like you did, that God had delivered me from some evil attack.”
Frank was spellbound. Even though he had been with Jack on several occasions and had seen things that few had ever witnessed, hearing Jack’s story reminded him that he would never get used to the sensation of awe and amazement that was now his new life.
“I can’t,” Frank stopped and shook his head in disbelief. “Jack, what the heck is going on with you? Nobody has the experiences you do. I don’t know what to say. I feel like I’m Neo and I’ve been in the Matrix all this time, not realizing that there was a whole other world out there. What did Emily think when you told her?”
“It freaked her out a little, but she is pretty cool. I keep thinking she’s going to stand up one day and say I love you, but have a nice life and walk out of here. And by the way, I’m sure I’m not the only one this is happening to. The days are becoming more and more supernatural as we approach the coming of the Lord.”
“You’ve got a good one there. Emily is a keeper for sure. I guess I was right about her, huh?” he remarked with a measure of pride. “I don’t know anyone else who would hang with you through all this, except maybe for me, but don’t get any ideas. I don’t love you.”
“Although I am greatly disappointed, I’ll get over it,” he played along.
“I’m getting a bottle of water. You guys want one?” Emily shouted from the kitchen.
“Yeah, sure! Bring a couple out here. Oh, and could you turn on the porch light, please? It’s getting dark out here.”
Frank stood to his feet and looked around. “Maybe it’s just the FBI in me, but I don’t think we should put ourselves on display by sitting out here with the light on.”
Emily came out and handed them their bottles of water. She could tell something was up. “What’s going on?”
“Frank thinks it’s a better idea for us to talk inside,” Jack explained.
Emily’s face went blank then turned to concern. She knew it wasn’t the night that they were afraid of. A feeling of uneasiness slowly crept over her.
Frank saw the look on her face and quickly made an effort to downplay it, “Don’t worry. There is no reason to suspect anything. I just don’t feel comfortable in the spotlight.”
Jack put his arm around Emily. “It’s just a precaution. We just need to be wise about things, that’s all.”
With that, they turned and walked through the living room and into the kitchen. It was a good-sized kitchen with a counter big enough for four with a six-foot, dark oak table off to the side. Kitchens, for some reason, always seemed a great place to hang out. They each pulled up a chair and got comfortable around the table.
“So what did you find out?” Jack started.
“Well, I had dinner with Jeff Callaport the other night after we got back from Hardon’s Inn. He read me a secret police report that was never officially filed, detailing a meeting between Mr. Oslow and Senator Wellsenburg the night before the Oslows were found dead.”
Jack shook his head. “I knew he was involved in this somehow.”
Frank paused for a moment. He didn’t want Jack to jump to any conclusions. “Involved for sure, but from what I heard, I don’t think he had anything to do with their deaths. I mean, from what Jeff read me, it sounded like he knew who was threatening them and who might have been involved, but that’s it.”
“Well, that alone would keep him out of the White House, and who knows what else he has done over the past thirty plus years?”
A little confused, Emily fixed her eyes on Frank. “Are you saying Senator Wellsenburg had these people killed?”
Jack quickly interjected, “No, honey. All Frank is saying is that he probably knew what
was going on.”
“Listen,” Frank said cautiously, “we have to be careful. This is a very powerful man and if he finds out we have proof that will incriminate him or retie him to this case, he will stop at nothing to shut us all up. He has people everywhere. People that will do anything he asks.”
“Where did Jeff get this report?”
“Somebody literally left it at his door step. Think about it, even then, he had the influence to make that report disappear.”
“Yeah,” Jack said, sitting back in his seat, “and I know who is opening the doors for him.”
Emily’s face became anxious, then nervous. She glanced at both of them. “You mean Dante Adal?”
Jack reached out, took her hand, and held it. “Are you sure you want to listen to all this stuff?”
Emily pulled her hand back quickly. “Yes, Jack. I need to know. You said it yourself; you can’t expect me to walk around in the dark. I’m not happy about it, but it’s real and I love you and I want to stand with you, and if I’m going to do that I need to be kept in the loop.”
Jack reached out and removed a tiny hair off her face. “I’m sorry. You constantly amaze me. I love you too. We’ll get through this together.”
Frank took a long drink from his water bottle and sat back in his chair. “Since the three of us are sitting around talking openly about this stuff, I need to know more about this spiritual realm - demons, angels, princes. Even though I have seen more than I care to remember, I still don’t fully understand this spiritual world we’re dealing with.”
Emily agreed. “I’m with Frank on this, Jack. We have had a few nice talks, but I would like to know more too.”
“Okay, I think that’s a good idea. I’m not an expert, but the Bible is, so let’s take a look.” Jack got up and picked his Bible up off the counter and sat back down. This was a deep subject and he knew it couldn’t be covered in a few minutes or even in one session, but he was more than happy to share what the Lord had showed him.
“It’s hard to know where to start, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning. In Ezekiel Chapter 28, the Lord talks about the origins of evil and Lucifer’s rebellion. I’ll read it to you.