by Joy Ohagwu
“Don’t forget the little fellow in here.” She clutched her belly, and her smile deepened.
Robert leaned over and kissed her belly, then gave a chuckle. “Baby boy, you’ve got an awesome mom!”
She tugged at him. “How do you know it’s a boy?”
His brows lifted. “Because I need a little guy to play soccer with once Ritz gets too girly to play.” They laughed, and then quieted down.
Then a few minutes later, Ritz opened her eyes.
Robert approached the entrance to Mission HQ from two years ago and could hardly believe how things had changed. At least for him, it had. His daughter, who had now woken up at the hospital, had been kidnapped, and God, in His infinite mercy, returned her safely.
He had so much to be grateful for—and more to protect, with a baby on the way—hence his choice to make this very important update, a face-to-face meeting. He rounded the corner to the top-floor conference room where the Director for National Security was waiting. As he entered the room, the man was in there alone. “Captain Towers, good to see you again.”
Robert shook his hand, aware that he looked like a mess. “My pleasure as well, sir. I apologize for my unkempt appearance. I’ve just returned—”
The man cut him off. “I doubt anyone would describe a heroic rescue as ending with an unkempt look. Congratulations on your daughter’s successful rescue. Ritz, I believe her name is? How is she doing?”
Robert exhaled breath that he hadn’t known he was holding. “We thank God for saving her life. She suffered severe dehydration and some frostbite, and she’s shaken up by the experience. However, all things considered, Ritz is doing great. As a dad, I couldn’t be happier. Her kidnapping is one of the reasons I’m here. The man I saw who kidnapped her was a familiar face.”
The director pointed to a chair, and they sat. “Yes, you hinted that over the phone. Where have you seen him before, Captain?”
“Aqua. Aqua, New Mexico, to be precise.”
The Director’s eyebrows lifted, and he jotted something down on a note.
Robert continued, “At first, I didn’t know where I met him, but the moment I recalled, I’m pretty sure he was the security guard who checked my pass at the water tower on my last day there—on the first time in. I would recognize that face and earlobe ring anywhere.”
“Interesting.” The director wrote more.
“What I don’t get is why an operative from Aqua would kidnap my daughter, give a forty-eight-hour ultimatum, and ask for The New Rulebook? Do you have any ideas, because I want to protect my family? I don’t want them endangered.”
The director looked up, with a sharp gaze. “Listen carefully, Captain Towers.” He became silent for a few moments, and Robert waited. “I’m walking a fine line here, but I have a bit of advice for you.”
Robert shifted in his seat. “Okay.”
“Your brother, President Jacobson, has booked a flight to come see you. I suspect I know what he’s coming to you for. I can’t disclose the subject matter, but I can tell you that if you say yes, I can then explain the connections.”
His brother? What did Brett have to do with this?
“His request is simple but has wide-reaching consequences. We will post security around your premises twenty-four-seven. From all indications, the kidnappers lost their leverage, missed their goal, and won’t be coming back. But the only way you will understand things fully is if you say yes and get read-in to the protected details. But if you choose to say no, your safety is still guaranteed. The choice is yours.”
The man wasn’t making any sense. “Say yes? To what?”
The director stood, and so did Robert. “I’ll leave that for you and your family to decide when the time comes. For now, I want you to know it’s been my incredible privilege to work with you, Captain. Please extend my best wishes to your family. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and I will follow up with you regarding your primary suspect’s sighting.”
That was his cue that the meeting was over. They shook hands, and he left the building more confused than when he arrived. Whatever is going on, Lord Jesus, please take control.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“My glory is fresh within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.”- Job 29:20
Ritz opened the door to the garage in her parents’ house and stepped down the three steps to it gingerly, careful not to exert herself as the doctors had ordered. It had been a satisfying experience waking up at home in her own bed, for three days since her dad and his team rescued her.
“Surprise!” rang out, and she stiffened as the lights came on in the garage and applause followed. Her feet paused at the last step, and she gripped the door, ready to run back inside. Then she looked in front of her.
The garage lights glistened off a brand-new Toyota Rav-4 with a red bow on top of it. A new car?
She pressed a hand to her chest as her dad stepped forward and handed her the keys. Her mom came up behind him and gave her a slight nudge forward. “You have a new ride, sweetie. That’s why I had you get dressed up. Come on, let’s go for a ride. I’ll drive because of your feet.”
Ritz sprang into her mom’s arms and hugged her tight, sobbing. Then she hugged her dad. She swiped a tear off her face. “You are the most amazing parents! Thank you!” Her voice choked, and her mom cupped her face and spun to her dad, who was grinning wide.
“Should we tell her?”
Her dad glanced around at his men who surrounded them—Charlie, Mike, Newton, and Randolph—his closest colleagues standing a bit far away. “Hey, why not? They might as well find out now,” he replied.
“Find out what, Mom? You’re not shipping me off to boarding school are you?” Ritz felt her brows draw together.
Her mom shook her head. “Ritz, honey, you’re going to be a big sister. I’m pregnant!” she announced as more rounds of cheers erupted. Ritz dove into her arms again and stayed there.
“Wow! Congratulations!” Uncle Charlie hugged her mom first then fist bumped with her dad. So did the other guys. “When did you find out?” he asked.
“After Ritz was kidnapped, a few days ago. I fell sick and had to be taken down to see a doctor.” Her mom ran a gentle hand over her belly. “We thought I might’ve eaten something I was allergic to, but turns out, I was five weeks pregnant.”
Her mom chuckled. “Well, pregnant at forty-something wasn’t in my plans, but I trust God and His timing. We waited for so long.”
“You’re in your early forties, if I might clarify,” her dad argued.
Her mom smiled and her voice broke. “And we’re truly happy to be pregnant again.”
Her dad kissed her mom and curved a hand around her shoulder. “Yes, we are. And we are so thankful to have colleagues-turned-friends like you. Mostly, I think of you guys as our extended family, and if my family needs help, I know you’ll be there to support them.”
Ritz bloomed with joy. She was going to be a big sister! Of course, Christiana would be the first to hear the good news next time she went to see her. She had visited Christiana last night at the hospital when she heard her friend had woken up.
Ritz was so grateful to God. She and her parents had immediately gone to Christiana’s hospital room in a neighboring hospital. Christiana revealed to them that the kidnapper hit her car slightly from behind after a traffic light turned green, causing her car to slide toward the alley. She’d thought it was an innocent accident, considering the ice on the road. Then as he parked his van further up and came to her car, he’d asked about Ritz and where she lived. When Christiana wouldn’t say it, he attacked her and hit her. She managed to roll up the window high enough and lock the car before she passed out, and that was all she recalled. She had first spotted the attacker at the Coffee Shack, where she’d stopped for coffee. She didn’t know he was following her and was a dangerous man. She thanked Ritz’s dad for helping to get her an ambulance.
She told Ritz that the exciting news she was coming to share with her was
that she had gotten a full scholarship for a pre-Med program, and subsequently, a medical degree, at the University of Maryland. She was on her way to show her the offer letter when she got attacked. Ritz and her parents congratulated Christiana, and Ritz was very happy for her friend.
Ritz had also learned Lori’s mom was the Silver Stone Water Management Authority chairwoman and Lori had now returned safely home too.
Christiana’s mom, who was also in the room, thanked Ritz’s parents, especially when she learned they had put their bankcard on file to cover Christiana’s medical bills. Ritz now knew what to do with her previous car since she had a new one. With her parents’ blessing, she would gift it to Christiana after she was discharged. For now, Ritz basked in the new freedom only God could’ve given her.
Still in the garage, Robert turned as Newton patted his shoulder. “Congratulations on the coming baby, Captain. You and your wife deserve every good news. You’re an incredible leader for starters. And we are the men we are today because of you. So, thank you for teaching us to be elite professionals and even better men at home.”
A limousine pulled up outside, and its back door opened. Robert was going to close the garage doors after Ruby and Ritz took the new ride out for a spin and he’d planned to spend some guys’ time with his men watching a game on TV. So, who was their visitor?
They all turned. President Brett Jacobson stepped out and walked to the group. Robert gritted his teeth. He recalled what the DNS had said about his brother visiting him, but he hadn’t expected it to happen this soon. To begin with, he owed his brother a serious apology not having called him since his return, even though he meant to. But he hadn’t caught his breath yet. He walked toward the man, and they shared a brief hug.
Brett Jacobson neared the inside of the garage, and Ritz darted forward to hug him, burying her face in his shirt. “Uncle Brett! It’s so good to see you.”
He offered her a big smile. “And it’s good to see you home safe and sound despite the circumstances you endured, Ritzie pie. I’ve never been more happy to see you. You’re a brave girl, kiddo.” He released her and turned to Robert.
Robert held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I should have called you. I can explain.”
President Jacobson perched on a stool by the wall near the steps and settled an elbow on his thigh. “No need. I’m here to explain since reaching you by phone wasn’t feasible.”
Robert blinked. “Explain what?”
Silence reigned for a couple of moments. Then the man with graying hair spun his green gaze toward his brother, his expression grown serious. “I believe I know why Ritz was kidnapped.” The other men stopped and turned toward him. “Let’s take this inside.”
Robert led the way, after waving to the officer assigned to patrol their property, shutting down the garage door and locking it.
Whatever President Jacobson had in mind, he wanted full focus to listen.
President Brett Jacobson eyed the audience before him. Men he’d interacted with a couple of times for nearly two decades sat in front of him. They were some of Robert’s best men, and it was a good idea to have them here to hear him out. What bothered him, though, was how they might react to his news.
“Robby, do you have the package I sent through Charlie for you?”
Robert nodded. “Yes, one moment, let me grab it from our home office upstairs.”
He climbed the steps two at a time and descended a few moments later. Clutching the package, he sat down. “Here it is.”
“Hold on to it for now,” President Jacobson said. “Ritz was kidnapped as leverage.”
“Yes. They said for The New Rulebook,” Robert replied. “I didn’t believe it, but I had no alternate theory.”
“You were right to suspect such straightforwardly stated motive. They did want The New Rulebook, but not to use it. See, the prosperity and progress my administration brought to the country was not something the opposing political party wanted to highlight. So, in order to taint my record, they wanted to unveil news about The New Rulebook and put things in bad light. Very bad light.”
“Why would they do that? You’re no longer President.” Robert frowned.
President Jacobson laced his fingers together. This was the moment of truth.
“I don’t trust electronic forms much, so in that envelope,” he pointed to it, “are paper nomination forms for you to complete.”
Charlie shifted in his seat in their living room. “Nomination? For what?”
Ruby and Robert exchanged glances. “Ritz, you mind going into the kitchen for a bit, please?” Ruby asked.
Ritz glanced at them after a brief moment then stood. “Sure.” She walked off.
“Nomination for what?” Ruby echoed Charlie’s question.
“I’m nominating Robert to our party for President.”
Gasps echoed around the room. “PTA President or…” Newton drawled out, eyes rounded in shock.
“No, Newton. I’m asking Robert to run for President of these United States. I completed his information. All he has to do is verify it and sign the nomination forms to make it official.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him.”- Daniel 2:22
Silence settled around the room so well that Robert could hear Ruby breathing beside him.
Was this what the DNS was referring to? He knew Brett was about to ask Robert to run for President? How on earth did he know? Scratch that thought. He was the DNS.
“You’re kidding, Brett?” Robert finally said. “I mean, what happens to my men if I even thought of accepting this proposition, which is far-fetched at the moment?”
President Jacobson straightened, leaving no doubt over the commanding presence of his mere stature—something that had helped get him elected. “I’ve watched you over the years, Robby, and seen how you’ve raised quality leadership at the SSPD. These men and women have become an elite corps of police professionals, bar none. They’re respectful of every citizen, protect every life and property without discrimination, and yet, maintain the rule of law. They are the best in the country if you ask me.”
President Jacobson sure sounded convincing, as though he meant every word. Like he’d made this choice after thinking about it for a long time. “You are the right choice, and I know it in my gut. Any of these men are capable of handling your SSPD duties without question, and you know I’m right.”
Robert remained silent.
Randolph stepped forward. “While we’re thinking here, I’m connecting the dots. Whoever searched your office, and we do have a suspect in custody—a cleaner with an all-access pass—must’ve been searching for this package. That’s the only valuable thing they could’ve been seeking in your office, and they couldn’t find it. We just didn’t know the envelope contained something important, but they must’ve known.”
“They wanted to ruin the idea of you as the former President’s brother running for President by tarnishing his legacy and casting a dark cloud over yours before a race even began. Smart political move.” Charlie bobbed an affirming nod.
But other possible reasons were forming in Robert’s mind, which made the next call he’d make to the DNS, only more expedient.
On second thought, he spun to Charlie. “I might need to send you with a message to Pete Zendel soon.”
Charlie nodded again. “Sure, Captain. I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Good.” But he had another question for President Jacobson. “Why would they take Ritz then and give us forty-eight hours?” Robert asked, still not sure what to say to all this. Being the SSPD captain was one thing, running for President was an entirely different story.
“Short answer—time factor. Today is our deadline for nomination. That’s why I’m thinking they gave you the forty-eight-hour deadline for Ritz. Now that she’s home safe, if you accept and we submit the nomination forms, I will have this faxed over first, and then have it hand-deli
vered by Ruby’s service before the close of business today to our party HQ. That’s why I was trying to reach you. There are more details, but I can’t say more, especially regarding connections to why Ritz was kidnapped, without divulging our political party’s proprietary information, and perhaps, federally classified information. So what do you say?”
Robert spun to Ruby, and she shrugged. She smiled at him without saying a word. He knew right then that she had something to say, but preferred to have the conversation in private. So, he took her hand and turned to President Jacobson. “Thank you very much for this offer. However, we have never made a choice without seeking the Lord’s guidance first. This is a lot to jump into. Mind if we get back to you in, say, an hour?”
President Jacobson was silent. Then he nodded. “Fine. But let an hour be an hour.” He stood. “Meanwhile, I’m going to go chat with my beautiful niece and hear how she’s doing. We’ll be in the kitchen when you’re both ready.”
Robert followed Ruby upstairs to their bedroom. They shut the door, and Ruby leaned against it. He spun to find her watching him.
“Hey, honey.” She leaned off it and inched closer, smiling. “Or should I call you, Mr. Presidential candidate?”
She curled an arm around his midsection. “I see the worry in your eyes, Robert. The concern that being a presidential candidate may not be a smooth road if you chose to walk it.”
When she patted the bed, he sank into it. Then she cradled his head and kissed his forehead. “I love you, Robert, and I’m your wife, but I won’t stand in your way. Whatever God leads us to do about this, we’ll do.”