“I’ll tell you in about thirty minutes,” I reply. Seeing the confusion on his face, I smile and say, “I need to run by the church where the funeral was held last Saturday. I told her to meet us there. But I don’t know if she’ll be joining us. Will we be picking up Kinsley on the way, or is he meeting us at the plane?”
“Neither,” Bruce responds. “He’s very ill. I don’t think it was food poisoning. He’s too sick to travel. You probably knew that, though.”
I swallow hard. What does Bruce know? The plan is teetering on disaster.
“You saw how sick he was yesterday. There was no way he was going to fly today. He did make me promise to take very good care of you and the lady with you. That’s my plan,” he says.
I breathe a huge sigh of relief. “That’s terrible,” I exclaim. “Is he in a hospital?”
“No sir,” Bruce answers. “Mr. McKee only uses a personal doctor. He doesn’t go to hospitals.”
“What about Bishop?” I ask. “Kinsley mentioned that Bishop was also feeling ill.”
“I’m not sure. Bishop is a very private person. Last I heard from Mr. McKee, Bishop was in worse shape than he was.”
“Strange,” I say.
“Very.”
We drive to the church, and I pause a moment at the car before going in.
“Everything okay, Dr. Fields?” Bruce asks.
“Please call me Tom,” I say. “I’m not sure what I’m going to find when I walk through those doors.”
I don’t see Stacie’s car in the parking lot, but that’s a good thing. I told her that if she did come, she should be discrete. What I don’t know is if she’ll be here. I’m not sure what scares me most—that she is here or that she isn’t.
“I’m sorry. What was that?” Bruce asks.
“Nothing. Everything is fine. Please wait here. I’ll be back shortly,” I say.
I grab my briefcase and check my pocket for the thirtieth time to ensure the flash drive is still there. I open the first set of doors that lead into the foyer. Nobody is there, but I hear talking in the sanctuary, so I round the corner to the opening.
Standing in the aisle are Allison, James, and Stacie. They see me, and I stop for a moment, unable to move. Afraid of the future. Stacie doesn’t hesitate, though. She runs to me, puts her hands on my face and kisses me. Not a peck on the lips as before, but a long kiss. I wrap my free arm around her, and she feels unlike any woman I have ever held. I don’t want to let go, but she stops and steps back.
“I’m so happy that you’re okay,” she says.
I smile, and then we both look over at Allison and James.
James says, “We introduced ourselves a few moments ago. Although, your reception was a bit nicer than ours.”
The two federal agents approach Stacie and me. I hand him the briefcase and the flash drive. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be rid of these,” I say. “Hopefully, nobody will be looking for them anymore. At least, they won’t be looking for them among my possessions.”
“We hear that McKee and Bishop are ill. Sudden, isn’t it? There’s even speculation they might die. That would definitely be convenient for you two,” James says. “I don’t suppose you know anything about that.”
Before I can say anything, the door opens behind me. We all turn to see Bruce walking toward us. I do what I should have done at the shooting: I step in front of Stacie to protect her. Then I notice James step toward Bruce.
James throws open his arms and gives Bruce a hug.
“It’s good to see you, James,” Bruce says.
“Likewise, Bruce,” James responds.
“You know each other?” I ask. “How?”
“Bruce and I go way back. We started in the FBI together. Heck. He stole my first girlfriend,” James says.
Bruce responds, “I saw her first. What can I say? She wanted a taller man.”
Allison extends her hand to Bruce. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Bruce. We appreciate all you’ve been doing. I’ve also enjoyed hearing some of James’s stories about your adventures.”
“I’m sure it’s like fishing stories,” Bruce says. “The adventures get bigger with each passing year.”
“Well, how did you leave it with Kinsley?” James asks.
“The boss told me to take care of Dr. Fields and his companion. I promised him I would. I’m not one to break promises,” Bruce says.
James turns to me. “It’s up to you now, Thomas. We can put you into witness protection. Bruce can tell the Principal that he found you dead, and we can make the story work. We’ll relocate you, and you’ll most likely live out your days in peace. Or you can work for us. The last thing the rest of the Principal knows is that Kinsley was supporting you fully. You’ll be welcomed in New York. If you choose that path, though, I can’t promise you anything but danger.”
“Before I give you an answer, we still have a problem. Paige. I need your help. She’s packed and awaiting our arrival this morning at her apartment. You told me she was primarily working with Kinsley and Bishop. What if she knows more of the Principal?” I ask.
“Packed and ready to go, you say?” James asks.
“Yes. She is a loose end to our plan. Our hope, my hope is that you can somehow handle Paige,” I say.
James responds, “First, I don’t want to know anything about any plan. Let’s be clear there. Second, if she’s all packed up, then it’s the least we can do to send her on a trip. We’ll take care of Paige, regardless of what you decide to do.”
I grab Stacie and we walk several aisles away from them. “Stacie, tell me what you want. Do we have a chance at a life together?” I ask, searching her eyes. “I understand if you can’t live a life with me, but this is my one chance to ask you. Will you marry me?”
“What happened when you were dragged off from the parking lot?” Stacie asks. “Was it who you thought it was? How did you come out alive?”
I tell her the full story, including my prayer. When I finish, she pats my leg and says, “Stay here a minute. I’ll be right back.”
She returns with a man carrying a Bible. I recognize him as one of the pastors at the church. They stop at the first row of seats, and Stacie beckons me with her finger. I start to move forward, and she waves her arm to the entire group. With everyone looking around, we approach her.
When we get there, she simply says, “This is Pastor Rick. Pastor Rick and I were in youth group together. Although this is definitely not how I planned it, I’m thrilled that Pastor Rick is going to perform the service.”
Allison is the only one who seems to understand what Stacie is saying, for a big grin shines on her face.
“You do want to marry me, right, Thomas?” Stacie asks, drawing me close. “And you have professed your faith, correct?”
“Yes, and I have,” I say thinking selfishly that this Christian thing is working out for me.
“Unless all of these federal agents can find a reason that we shouldn’t be married, then let’s be married,” she laughingly says.
“Okay,” I say with a grin that extends from ear to ear.
“That’s what you have to say? Okay?” Stacie laughs.
“That’s about it,” I say. “I’m too happy to say anything else.”
I don’t remember much of the service save for holding Stacie’s hand the entire time. I was not going to let go of it. I just know that the ceremony was perfect.
James interrupts the happiness, though. “We still need a decision from you . . . well, from the two of you now.”
Stacie speaks first. “Bruce, can you sell them on the idea of our getting married, or will Tom’s cover be blown?”
Bruce crinkles his brow and looks at James. They seem to speak with their eyes, because no words are spoken. Finally, he says, “I think we can make it work. They’re expecting Thomas to arrive with a woman in New York. To our knowledge, other than Kinsley and Bishop, no one knows who the woman is. It will make quite a story that you eloped prior t
o the trip.”
“What happens if Kinsley and Bishop return?” Allison asks.
Bruce answers, “I think we all know that’s not going to happen.”
Stacie looks at me and says, “Well, I’ve never been one for the dull life. I believe God placed us here for a reason. He often chooses the least likely person to do his work. Looks like he chose two of them this time. If you’re ready for this, so am I.”
I stare at her for a moment, reflecting on the fact that I don’t want to lose her. How could I say yes to going to New York and working undercover when I know that puts her at risk? Then I think about Mike. I think about all of the people who were at his funeral. The lives he touched. The lives he impacted. I think about Therese and the boys, and I know what I must do.
“Saddle up. Looks like we’re going to New York,” I say.
About the Author
Byron J. Smih makes his home in a small town in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Carla, and their quadruplets, Meredith, Bethany, Henry, and Sydney. Their family moved up from Texas over nine years ago when he started a new career at Microsoft. Their family loves the Pacific Northwest, but Texas remains in their hearts.
Growing up in the Hill Country of Texas, Byron loved playing sports and hiking. It was at an early age that he discovered he enjoyed writing, so he spent much time writing about his experiences.
Byron earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the Honors College at the University of Houston. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, where he met Carla.
Byron and his family are active in their local church, where Byron serves as an elder. He spends much of his time with his family, whether it is coaching Little League baseball or flag football, or watching his girls play soccer or dance. Teaching kids life lessons through the canvas of sports is incredibly rewarding for him. He stays active, spending as much time outdoors as the Pacific Northwest weather allows.
Byron-Smith.com
InsideLucifersWar.com
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
About the Author
Inside Lucifer's War Page 23