Wired

by Robert L. Wise

  “Sarah, what's wrong?”

  “They followed me from the office,” Sarah panted. “I'm hiding out here in a telephone booth in the Metro train station near our building. I'm terrified!”

  “Who followed you?”

  “Pemrose and Meacham. They aren't far behind me.”

  “What happened?”

  “Listen, Graham. I found out where the Muslim charity money went. I know who is behind the terrorism.” She caught her breath and stopped for a moment. “I overheard Pemrose talking to Meacham in his office. The money went to Borden Camber Carson. He's the man behind all of these terrorist attacks on this country.”

  “Carson?” Graham was almost speechless. “Borden Camber Carson? You can't be serious.”

  “Yes,” Sarah demanded. “Believe me. I heard Pemrose say that Carson is using fear about the attacks to obtain his objectives.”

  Graham couldn't speak. His knees nearly buckled and his mouth went dry. “Lord help us,” he muttered. “Carson has been behind everything from the San Diego ship attack to the war in my children's school?”

  “Exactly,” Sarah said. “Listen, Graham. Pemrose and Meacham saw me running down the hall. Everything has gotten out of control. I don't know what these men have in mind, but I've got to get out of here before they catch me.”

  “Sarah, have you talked with anyone?”

  “No, only you and I know what I've been doing in Pemrose's office.”

  “Okay,” Graham said slowly, “listen carefully. Let me tell you what I think you can do. As soon as you hang up I'll…”

  “They've seen me,” Sarah blurted out. “Pemrose and Meacham are running this way!”

  “Don't panic, Sarah. I can send some people to protect you. Just don't let them get you out of the booth.”

  “They're here! I can see Meacham's eyes. The man is horrifying.”

  “Listen, Sarah. Don't panic.”

  “I've got to get out of…” Two sharp popping noises cut her off; the sound of breaking glass filled the receiver. “A-a-a-h!” Sarah moaned.

  “Sarah! Can you hear me?” Graham heard the sound of people scurrying, running. Women shouting. “Sarah, are you there?”

  No one answered.

  “SARAH!” Graham shouted. Somebody hung up the phone.

  Jackie rushed to his side. “Graham! What in the world is going on?”

  Speechless, Graham stared at the empty, buzzing sound coming out of his receiver. He slowly hung up the telephone.

  “What's happened?” Jackie demanded.

  “I—I think they just killed Sarah Cates.”

  CHAPTER 54

  GRAHAM AND JACKIE struggled to walk from the kitchen into the living room. With Jackie clutching his arm, Graham stumbled into a large chair and bent over.

  No one noticed the Pecks staggering in. The group gathering in the Pecks' highly decorated living room had shifted into high gear. Since no visitors had been invited, the regulars gabbed openly about their school experiences and what was happening in the news.

  Adah Honi turned around and gasped. “Graham! Your face is white! What happened?” Silence settled over the room.

  Graham opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Jackie huddled next to him like a frightened puppy.

  “Something bad has happened!” Eldad Rafaeli nearly shouted. “What is it?”

  Sweat had formed on Graham's forehead and he looked nauseous. He put his hand over his mouth. Sitting with his head hanging down, he tried to catch his breath, but it didn't come easy.

  “Dad!” Matt broke away from his friends. “What in the world happened?”

  Graham looked around the room, realizing that no one was speaking. He motioned for everyone to sit down. “We are in significant trouble,” he said slowly.

  “Please.” Adah dropped to her knees in front of Graham and Jackie. “Tell us what has happened.”

  Graham looked around again. Mary had come out of her bedroom and was standing at the edge of the living room door listening. He knew she needed to hear everything he had to say. “My secretary has just been killed, assassinated.”

  “What!” Mary darted into the living room. “Not Sarah Cates!”

  “No!” Matt could barely gasp. “It can't be.”

  “Listen to me,” Graham said. “I don't care what you do or do not believe. I am here to tell you the frightening truth. Those portraits you've seen all over the city reveal more than you would have ever thought possible. Borden Carson is not only the Anti-Christ; the man is a blatant murderer!”

  All smart-alecky smugness left Mary's face and Matt's eyes expanded in consternation. The students looked dismayed and alarmed.

  “Just before she was murdered, my secretary told me that she had discovered Carson was behind all of the terrorism breaking out in this country,” Graham said. “he's using fear to achieve his purposes by terrorizing the people. I'm sure that I am now compromised in my own office.”

  “Look, Mr. Peck,” one of the young men said. “We're prepared to stand with you. What do you need us to do?”

  “Thank you,” Graham replied. “At this moment, I'm not sure, but each of you must remember that electronic surveillance may be used to incriminate you. We are all in danger.”

  “This is what I suspected,” Adah said. “One of the next steps in the Anti-Christ's plan is new believers to persecute. There are other people like us in this world who have now come to see that their hope is Yeshua, the Messiah. While we don't know where many of them are, groups like ours are springing up. They will be the target of Carson, or better, Hassan Rashid.” She turned to Graham. “What will now you do?”

  “I don't know,” Graham said. “It is clear that Carson's people will not hesitate to kill. We must take them extremely seriously. Understand me?”

  “Ya!” Eldad added. “We know how deadly they can be.”

  Graham heard a telephone ringing, but it wasn't the one in the kitchen. “Where is that?”

  “Sounds like your cell phone,” Jackie said.

  Graham leaped up off the couch and darted into the office. His cell phone was still lying on the desk where he had placed it earlier. He stared, terrified to pick it up. After the fourth ring, Graham placed it on his ear.

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Graham, this is Frank Bridges. I'm very disappointed in you. You've failed the test!”

  “What test?

  “The loyalty test,” the mayor said. “For a number of weeks we've been examining you, expecting great things out of a man with your abilities, but unfortunately you haven't been up to the exercise.”

  “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  “I think you do. Our people monitored Sarah Cates's call to you earlier this evening. A few minutes ago Bill Marks played me a tape recording of what was discussed. I believe she said something like. ‘I'm hiding out in a phone booth in the Metro station.’ Something of that order. Does that sound familiar?”

  Graham froze, unsure of how to answer.

  “Mr. Carson told us to check out each of the men in the Inner Circle down to their toenails. I've already done that with the other men. They passed and you were the last on the list. Actually, we've also had our people watching your son Matt extremely closely. Our specialists started checking his e-mail exchanges back around the first of November. We thought maybe he was acting without your knowledge.”

  Graham glanced up at Matthew. The entire New Seekers group had crowded into Graham's office and stood with their eyes glued on him. Graham quickly pulled the small extension wire from the back of the cell phone and pushed it into the side of the home telephone. He pressed the conference call button so everyone could hear.

  “Our close surveillance of Matthew revealed you were aware of his affiliation with this subversive group meeting at your home tonight,” the mayor continued. “Oh yes, Graham. We also know that everyone in your family has sidestepped the security clearance marking on your foreheads. Know a lot, don't we?”

&
nbsp; Graham looked around the room. Everyone appeared as frightened as he felt. “What do you want?” he blurted out. “What's this all about?”

  “We can't have you running around on the loose, Graham. I'm deeply sorry because I like the work you do, but the future is breaking in with new possibilities you haven't even yet considered. I regret the fact that you've become a problem for us… but you have.”

  Graham's mouth was dry, but he felt more than able to speak. “How do you know I'm no longer trustworthy?”

  “Mr. Carson, or I might say Al-sayyid Rashid, first raised the question. He didn't like the look he saw in your eyes. As time has gone by, we've increased surveillance and used people like. Al Meacham and Jack Stratton to study your movements. They've confirmed the suspicions raised by our leader, Al-sayyid Rashid.”

  The bottom fell out of Graham's stomach. He felt as if every wall in his house fallen on him. “So what?” he suddenly snapped. “I'm not afraid of you, Frank. You're a hot air machine.”

  “Oh, far from it, Graham. Let me tell you how efficient I am. I don't believe you ever met one of the agents who works for me. You might even have liked Max, Max Andrews. Nice efficient man. Good with a gun. Know the name?” Bridges chuckled. “No, of course you don't. But I think you know his daughter. You don't have one of your members there tonight. Jennifer Andrews hasn't shown up. Right?”

  Graham looked at the fear emanating from Matthew's eyes and didn't answer Bridges.

  “Jennifer Andrews works for us. Let me tell you where she is, Graham. Jennifer is out in front with our men who have surrounded your house. She's been our main source of information on your son. Matthew. Jennifer knows your family and the New Seekers group quite well.”

  Matt's mouth dropped. Several members of the group groaned and Adah slumped.

  “What's that noise?” Bridges barked. “You got people listening in?”

  “What if I've got the press here taking every word of your accusation down?” Graham pushed back. “For the record, I've got a reporter listening. You think you scare me?”

  “I should, Peck,” the mayor growled. “Don't try to bluff me. We're the people who sent that bum over to kill your mother to test your response. Then we took care of him. You're next!” Bridges hung up.

  Graham nearly toppled out of his chair. Once again his rationality had been nearly kicked out the back door of his mind. “They killed my mother!” he screamed.

  CHAPTER 55

  ADAH PUT HER INDEX FINGER to her lips to silence everyone. She pushed the students out of the way and immediately flipped the room's light switch, killing all light in the office. Cautiously, she pulled the curtain back and peered out the window.

  “They're outside,” Adah said. “I can see across the street the shape of men.”

  Matt edged next to her. For several moments he watched silently. “Lord help us!” He pointed. “See to the left? That shape? It's a woman. It's Jennifer. She is with them!” He staggered back from the window.

  “They killed my mother!” Graham growled. “And now we're surrounded,” Graham said. “I'm not even sure what to do next, but they are not going to attack us and get away with it. This time we're going to take charge.”

  “They will particularly be looking for Eldad and me,” Adah said. “I'm sure their henchmen will be after anyone who is Jewish. Rashid would order that approach.”

  “Listen to me,” Jackie cut in. “I think the students should make a break for it out the back door before these thugs hit us. I've got an idea where we can hide our family and you two.” She pointed at Adah and Eldad. “Matt will have to stay with us. He can't possibly return to the university.”

  “you're right, Mom,” Matthew said. “They've been watching me, and Jennifer knows too much for me to return.”

  “Don't touch any of the lights,” Graham said. “you students run for it. After you're gone Jackie will tell us what she has in mind. We've got few choices left.”

  “Stop!” Adah demanded. “I will pray first. Then you will run.” Everyone froze in place. Graham nodded his head.

  “Blessed art thou, O Lord God of the Universe. Put your hand of protection on these students. Keep them from harm and keep the evil ones from attacking us. In the name of Yeshua. Amen.”

  “Listen,” Matt said. “Don't go out the back door. Leave through the garage. Crawl low along the hedges then cut straight through the neighbor's yard directly behind us. Once you get around their house, start running and don't stop until you reach the Metro train station. God bless you.”

  The students stealthily slipped into the kitchen and then through the garage. Jackie shut the door behind them and locked it. The family had gathered behind her in the morning room.

  “Where do we go?” Eldad asked.

  Jackie looked sheepish. “Graham, I never told you about this because, well, I just didn't, but there's an unexpected hiding place upstairs off the corner bathroom.”

  “The bathroom? But where?”

  “When we had to repair the frozen water pipes upstairs last winter, the workmen made a hole through the back of the dirty clothes hamper that's built into the wall. They put down some boards behind it in the attic to make a sub-floor. Instead of sealing it back up, they placed a piece of plywood over the back. Once the plywood is pulled away, anyone could crawl on their hands and knees into the hamper and slide through the hole. Everything will look normal. The entry will allow us to hide in that space at the end of the roof line.”

  “You're kidding!” Graham blinked, trying to get the picture straight in his mind.

  “No, it will be tight but we can all hide in there until these thugs leave.”

  “Look,” Adah urged, “explain it later. Let's get up there and crawl through that hamper.”

  Graham looked at Mary. Her eyes were the size of quarters and she looked terrified. “We don't have any choice, Mary. Let's go!”

  The family dashed up the steps to the second story without anyone turning on any lights and ran for the back bathroom. George and Jeff frantically clung to the hands of their father and mother. From somewhere behind their house, they heard the sound of gunshots exploding.

  “Oh, Lord, save them,” Adah prayed aloud as she followed the family.

  CHAPTER 56

  GUNSHOTS RANG through the cold, winter night, but the Pecks only hurried faster to get into the dark upstairs bathroom. Falling on her knees, Jackie started pulling dirty clothes out of the built-in hamper nailed to the wall. With the door wide open, she jerked out the piece of painted of painted plywood at the back of the clothes catcher. Light pouring in through the window from the street lamp cast dim shadows and gave the family enough illumination to see what they were doing.

  “Okay,” Jackie said. “Adah and Eldad crawl in first. Be careful that you don't slip. We'll send the children in next, and Graham can bring up the rear.”

  Without saying a word, the two Israeli immigrants dropped to their knees and started inching through the narrow hole in the wall at the back of the hamper.

  “It's tight,” Eldad groaned.

  “Don't stop!” Adah insisted. “Time is running out.”

  “You children must remember not to make a sound,” Graham said sternly. “Our lives are at stake.”

  Jeff whimpered, but George nodded mechanically. The distant, disjointed look had returned to his eyes. Mary shook, and Matt put his arm around her.

  “We're going to be okay,” Matthew reassured Mary. “Just don't make any noise, and watch your step. We don't want anyone falling through the ceiling and landing downstairs.”

  The little boys quickly crawled through the hole, and Mary had no problem, but it took Matthew longer. The slope of the roof hung just above their heads.

  The sound of someone pounding on the front door echoed through the house. “Open up!” a man's voice demanded off in the distance. “We'll break in!”

  “Hurry,” Graham helped Jackie. “They're coming.”

  Jackie darted into the h
ole but her blouse caught on something. “I can't move forward!” she squealed. “I'm hooked on a nail or something sticking out of the door.” She pushed and a ripping noise followed.

  “Don't move!” Graham whispered. “Let me feel along the side.”

  The crashing sound of the front door breaking open shook the house. “Find em!” Jake Pemrose demanded far down below in the living room.

  Graham felt a clamp where the door's hook fit and pulled Jackie's blouse loose. “Got it. Get in there!”

  Gathering all the dirty clothing lying on the floor into the hamper, Graham started backing in. He could hear the footsteps of the men rushing through the house. At any moment, they would come up the stairs and start searching the bedrooms. After one last check that no clothing had fallen out on the floor, Graham pulled the hamper door shut, and started adjusting the plywood from the backside to make sure the hole in the wall was covered.

  “They're not downstairs,” a man shouted. “Check the bedrooms!” The sound of shoes pounding on the staircase became louder.

  Graham fumbled with the plywood. It wasn't fitting back like it should. He could hear a man running toward the bathroom.

  “The bedrooms are empty!” Al Meacham shouted. “I'll check the bathrooms.”

  Graham heard the click of a round being loaded into a gun's chamber. Meacham couldn't be ten feet away from the bathroom door. Suddenly the plywood settled into place. Graham held to the back of the board, making sure nothing slipped.

  No one moved. Graham could not see the shapes of the family behind him, but he didn't stir. The sound of the hamper door suddenly opening chilled him, but then the door slammed again.

  “Where'd they go?” Pemrose's voice penetrated through the wall.

  “The family's got to be in here somewhere,” Jennifer Andrews's voice drifted in. “People don't disappear.”

  “I don't know,” Meacham said. “They don't seem to be anywhere around the house. Maybe they ran with those students.”