by Mark Goodwin
“And by ‘they,’ are you referring to the Illuminati?”
Everett curled his mouth. “New World Order, whatever you want to call them. ‘They’ are whoever have their finger on the button to bring down the political and financial system, so ‘they’ can replace it with their own global government and global monetary system. Do you know where the military personnel from all of these installations are being sent?”
“No, but I can get into the military’s human resources database and track them over the next few days.”
Everett nodded. “Fantastic. We should meet up every day or so to keep each other briefed on any new developments.”
“Mr. Carroll, you don’t have to make up excuses to see me every day. Just come out and ask me.”
Everett could feel his face getting red. He tried to will himself to not be embarrassed, but it was to no avail. “Really, I just thought . . .”
“I’m kidding!” Courtney released her seatbelt and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. She sat back in her seat and put her seatbelt back on. She put her hand on his leg. “I like you too, Everett.”
His heart pounded. He suddenly felt somewhat lightheaded and took a deep breath. Everett worried that he might lose consciousness while he was driving. He tried to put his focus on the road and the steering wheel, but he knew the physical symptoms were confirmation of what he already knew: he was in love.
Since Jones had no family, no procession was planned. Everett drove straight to the cemetery. The drizzling rain had stopped, but it was still cloudy. The dampness brought out the familiar smell of the fall leaves decomposing and completing the circle of life. The smell had always evoked a feeling of melancholy for Everett, and it seemed to suit the occasion so well.
The gravesite was a simple headstone. There was no grave, as Jones had been cremated. The urn was secured in a niche within the headstone.
Ken and Lisa arrived minutes later.
“Hey, thanks for coming out,” Everett said.
“No problem. There aren’t many people here,” Ken replied.
“Yeah, well I guess that’s what you can expect when your job description is to live your life unnoticed.”
Ken asked, “So what’s the name on the headstone?”
“It’s blank except for the masonic square and compass.”
Ken’s mouth hung open. “Really? They’re going to bury him with no name on the headstone?”
Everett said, “I think the engraver just hasn’t gotten to it yet. I’m sure they’ll put a name on it.”
Ken crossed his arms. “So we’ll never know what his real name is.”
Lisa said, “I wonder if he’ll get a star on the wall at Langley.”
Everett shook his head. “That’s only if you’re killed in action.”
Ken stood close to Everett and spoke low. “Did you find out if all the rumors about Jones were true?”
Everett looked around. All of the other six attendees were men who wore sunglasses and long overcoats. While the weather certainly warranted an overcoat, it was odd how everyone looked so uniform. And the sunglasses were certainly not needed on such a dreary day. He whispered to Ken, “Why don’t we talk about that later.”
One of the men said a short eulogy. He praised Agent Jones for his faithful service, explaining that he had worked with Jones without mentioning any specifics of where, when, in what capacity, or for how long. Everett felt sorry for the man, as he seemed to be sincerely sorrowful over the loss of John Jones. He wondered if the man wished he could more freely express his grief.
After the funeral, one of the other attendees walked over to Everett and Ken. “Mr. Carroll, Mr. Gordon, were you gentlemen close to Mr. Jones?”
“He was a good boss. We felt we should pay our respects. What’s your name?” Everett offered his hand to the man.
The man shook Everett’s hand. “I worked with Mr. Jones on a project for some time. It was nice to meet you. Perhaps I’ll see you gentlemen around.” The man walked away without giving his name.
Ken looked at Everett. “On that note, I’m out of here.”
Everett caught him by the arm. “Why don’t we all meet for lunch at the old diner right before you get to Ashburn?”
“Right before Town Center?”
“That’s the one.”
“See you there in a bit.” Ken took Lisa’s hand and headed for his car.
At the diner, Everett laid out the information that Jones had shared with him to Ken and Lisa while they ate. He focused on the fundamental problems that would create the collapse and tried to gloss over most of the conspiracy information. He explained what the world would look like in a very short time, delicately laying out the predictions made by Agent Jones that had already come to pass.
Lisa seemed to accept that the information was true more quickly than Ken. She kept looking at him for answers, but he appeared to have trouble digesting what he was being told.
Ken had finished less than half of his plate when he set down his fork in frustration. “So what are you saying? The whole country is going to look like Mad Max by Christmas.”
Courtney said, “More like Hunger Games than Mad Max. Big Brother type of totalitarian dystopia, you know?” She had a way with words.
“So what are we supposed to do?” Ken was clearly in a huff.
Everett calmly explained the course of action that he had begun. “If you and Lisa want to follow suit, we have a place where we can all lay low until this blows over. But everyone has to be all-in.”
Ken put his hand in the air. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Do you know where we work? If this is a government-controlled thing, we’ll be taken care of. They need us. Whatever they have to do to make sure we’re okay, they’ll do it.”
Courtney stepped in. “If it’s like Jones said, it’s not the American government. Besides, you don’t even work at Langley; you’re probably considered non-essential personnel. Don’t think anyone gives two cents about your tail at the Company. Look at Jones. That man gave his life to the Company, and if we hadn’t attended his funeral, there would have been six people there. Six! And one of them was probably just a spook assigned to see who came.”
Lisa grabbed Ken’s arm. “Honey, we have to do something.”
Ken put his arms on the table and sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”
Everett reached across the table and patted him on the hand. “Take tonight and think about it. You and Lisa talk it over tomorrow after work. Thursday night, we’ll all go out and discuss it as a group. If you decide, the four of us will develop a plan. Friday after work, we’ll start acquiring some supplies. Saturday, we’ll take you two out to the place I mentioned.”
“Thanks. I believe you. I appreciate what you’re trying to do.” Ken looked over at Lisa. “We’ll talk it over, but we’re probably on board.”
Lisa looked at Ken and nodded in agreement, and then looked at Courtney with worried eyes.
Courtney reached across the table and took Lisa’s hand. “We can get through anything together, as long as we have a plan.”
CHAPTER 24
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.
Revelation 12:12
The day of Noah’s trial finally came. The anxiety had kept him up most of the night, and there was no going to sleep at that point. He got out of bed at 4:45 AM, well before the alarm clock was set to go off. Noah closed the door so Cassie could sleep a little longer. He went to the kitchen and debated whether to have regular coffee of decaf. “I’m already nervous enough; the caffeine won’t help. But my body is so tired, it could use a little pick-me-up.” Noah decided on mixing the two and having half-caff. He stuck two pieces of bread in the toaster. “I’ll let this get nice and dark. Maybe it will help with the acid in my stomach.”
Sox wandered into the kitchen. Noah bent down to stro
ke the cat. “I bet you’re trying to figure out why I’m up so early.” Noah put a scoop of cat food in the bowl for Sox, then retrieved a jar of strawberry jelly for his toast. Once the coffee and toast were ready, he sat down at the table with his Bible. He opened it to Isaiah chapter twenty-six. When he came to verse three, he read it aloud. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Noah sat quietly and thought about that verse for a while. Gradually, a sense of peace came over him. He considered how temporal it all was. The trial would soon be over. He hoped he wouldn’t get any jail time, even if he was found guilty. But even if he did, it would pass. In comparison to the grand scheme of eternity, his entire life seemed short. Noah muttered to himself, “This ain’t heaven. I guess it’s not supposed to be.”
Noah finished his coffee and kept reading. Soon, he was feeling much better. Maybe I’ll make another pot of coffee. Cassie will be up soon. She’ll want a cup, he thought.
Hours later, they were ready to leave. The first stop was to drop Lacy off at the Rays’ house; next they were scheduled to meet Leo at the café across the street from the courthouse at 8:30 AM.
They parked a few blocks away so they could avoid the commotion. As he approached the scene, Noah saw the news trucks and reporters from the local stations in the adjacent parking lot. A handful of supporters, as well as some protestors, were out in front of the courthouse with various signs. The gathering wasn’t quite the circus that the Scopes Monkey Trial had been in 1925, but Noah’s trial was still the main event in Sevierville on this particular day. Many of the supporters were from his church or folks in the community. As he looked over the crowd from the other side of the street, he recognized none of the protestors.
Cassie asked, “Do you think they had to ship in some atheists from New York to call for your head on a platter?”
Noah chuckled. “No, I’m sure those people are from Knoxville. Probably from UT.”
Leo walked into the café. “You ready to go?”
Noah nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be. I’ve got God on my side, and the best lawyer in Tennessee.”
Cassie added, “And a supportive wife.”
Noah kissed her cheek. “That, too.”
They left the café and made their way toward the courthouse. Leo stopped to give a short comment to the press. “Through today’s proceedings, we think the jury will gain vivid insight into what’s happening to our God-given rights that are no longer being defended but rather assaulted by a rogue government. We trust that they’ll find these charges to be unconstitutional and, therefore, nullify them. Thank you.”
Noah smiled at the cameras, but he let Leo do the talking. He and Cassie gave a brief wave as they followed Leo into court.
The court was brought to order, and the trial began with the bailiff’s announcement. “All rise for the Honorable Judge Harriet Flynn.”
Everyone stood while the judge made her way to the bench. The prosecution and the defense took turns delivering their opening statements. Afterwards, the lead prosecutor, Nathan Williams, called his first witness, Katie Snyder.
He opened with a short question. “Ms. Snyder, were you a student in Mr. Parker’s biology class?”
“Yes.”
“And have you heard Mr. Parker mention creation or intelligent design during class hours and in the context of the materials you were studying?”
“Yes, but . . .”
Williams cut her off. “A simple yes answer is sufficient. Mr. Cobb, your witness.”
Leo took the floor. “Katie, did Mr. Parker ever try to convert you to his religion or tell you that the theory of evolution is unfounded?”
“No, sir.”
Leo continued. “He never told you that you’d go to hell for believing that we descended from monkeys? He never marked your tests wrong for answers that reflected what you’d been taught about the origins of life?”
Katie Snyder snickered. “No. All he said was that there are some scientists who think the universe and life were made by a higher being, like God. We never knew what his religion was. He never told us what he thought. I don’t see what the big deal is.”
Leo smiled at the young girl. “Thank you, Ms. Snyder. That will be all for today.”
Next, Williams called another one of Noah’s students, Allen Kramer. His line of questioning was the same as for Katie. Leo’s cross-examination was also similar.
Williams continued to call student after student with the same questions.
After the fourteenth of these, the judge said, “Mr. Williams, I think you’ve established what Mr. Parker said to his students. Unless diminishing the patience of the court is part of your overall strategy, might I recommend that we move along?”
Williams stood confidently with his hands behind his back. “Absolutely, Your Honor. Since the jury is well aware of the Community Core criminal code, I trust that it’s been established that Noah Parker is in violation of those statues. I have no further witnesses.”
Leo took the floor. “The defense calls Doctor Robert Carlton.”
Bob Carlton made his way to the stand.
Leo asked, “Professor Carlton, can you tell us what degree you hold and where you’re employed?”
“I hold a PhD in Anthropology, which I teach at the University of Tennessee.”
Leo nodded. “Does Anthropology fall under social sciences or biology?”
Carlton crossed his legs. “It looks to both biological and social sciences. It’s a sort of melting pot for humanities and natural science.”
Leo looked at the jury. “So it would be fair to say that you are an expert in both physical and social science, particularly when it comes to the human condition.”
Carlton crossed his hands and placed them on his knee. “The University of Tennessee would seem to agree with that statement, at least for the past twenty-three years.”
Leo looked at the jury again as he asked the next question. “Professor, is it your opinion that man descended from apes, monkeys, or some other form of primate?”
Williams stood up. “Objection, Your Honor. While the press has been diligent in reminding us of the similarities between this case and the famous Scopes Monkey Trial, this is not 1925, and evolution is not on trial. We have a law on the books that clearly states that it is a criminal violation to mention creationism or intelligent design in a public classroom.”
Judge Flynn thought for a moment. “I’ll allow the questioning, but please keep your questioning on topic, Mr. Cobb. Professor, you may answer the question.”
Carlton sat back in his chair. “I hope this doesn’t come as a shock to the defense, but while I don’t think we have sufficient proof for evolution, neither do we have conclusive scientific evidence to prove intelligent design. So to answer your question, no, I don’t think we descended from apes, but I’m also not a creationist.”
Leo faked a look of surprise. “Oh? Then how do you suppose we came to be?”
Carlton sat smugly. “One can’t be sure, but evolution is riddled with holes. Charles Darwin himself said that if his theory was true, we should find a multitude of transitional forms in the fossil layer. These transitional forms simply do not exist. If Mr. Darwin was alive today, I’m not so sure he would be nearly so married to his theory as the rest of the scientific community.
“Another very obvious problem we encounter with the fossil record is that the deeper we dig, the more species we encounter. We find the fossils of all of the existing creatures we have now: cats, dogs, fish, birds, as well as those that have gone extinct – Megalodon, T-rex, the dodo bird. If everything evolved from a single cell organism, we should have a fossil record that resembles an inverted pyramid. As we dig deeper, we should find fewer and fewer species. What we have in actuality is an upright pyramid that becomes narrower as we approach the surface.
“A major hurdle in proving the theory of evolution is the concept of irreducible complexity.”
Leo asked,
“Could you briefly explain that for us?”
“Think about a car. If such a machine were to evolve from nothing, why would the engine evolve unless there was a transmission? How would any of it come into being unless there was first a gas tank? Without the sum of its parts, the entire thing is useless. We’ve all had car trouble. Take away one tiny wire in the ignition system, and you’re left with a thirty-thousand-dollar CD player. Biological systems are much more complex than an automobile. Translate what I said about the car into any number of systems in the human body. Did we develop our mouth first or our stomach? If it was the mouth, what good would it have done without the stomach? If the stomach was first, why did it evolve when there was no way of getting food into it?
“Mr. Cobb, the scientific community doesn’t have a logical answer for your question at this time. There is no way to know where we came from. Millennia ago, people thought the sun was eaten by a great dragon each time they saw an eclipse. It’s part of what we do: whatever we don’t understand, we create an explanation for. I think science pushes us to look for answers, but when there is no answer, it is best to acknowledge that we don’t know. There is nothing more detrimental to the pursuit of truth than this wild goose chase of evolution that has consumed a great amount of valuable resources.”
Leo said, “You mentioned the complexity of the automobile. Is complexity evidence of a designer, in your opinion?”
Carlton made an exaggerated nod. “This is certainly one of the arguments from the intelligent design camp. Complexity does imply that there was a designer, but, unlike the automobile, I can’t book a flight and schedule a tour of the factory where humans were made. As a scientist, I don’t recognize the theory of intelligent design any more than the theory of evolution. Last week, when the University of Tennessee Volunteers won their football game against the Kentucky Wildcats, many accredited the win to divine intervention. That may very well be, but scientifically, it’s impossible to prove.”