Free Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

that.”
    “It gets worse,” David said.
    Mac reached the news of Hattie’s disappearance. He settled back in his chair. “Does he really think―”
    David held up a finger to stall him. “Let me get rid of this while I’m thinking of it.” With a few keystrokes the heavily encrypted file had been trashed. “That she’ll come here? I can’t imagine. I understand she’s ditzy, but how far does she think she’ll get? It’s a miracle she survived this long with all the things Carpathia has tried to get rid of her. She shows her face in New Babylon, she’s history.”
    Mac nodded. “She’s got to be holing up somewhere, waiting to surprise him.”
    “I can’t see her getting close.”
    Mac shook his head. “I know. Your people loaded two sets of metal detectors on the two-one-six last week.”
    “Plan is to use them even for dignitaries. ‘Course, that’s due to a basic distrust of Pete Two, you know.”
    “I know firsthand. Fortunato’s got all ten kings, excuse me, regional international subpotentates―or whatever Saint Nick is allowing them to call themselves this week―primed for that snuffing. It’s almost like he wants them willing to do the deed themselves.”
    “Like those guys would agree on anything,” David said. “How many of ‘em you think are really loyal to Carpathia?”
    Mac shrugged. “More than half. Not more than seven, though. I know three who would usurp given half a chance.”
    “Would they take him out?”
    “In a New Babylon minute. ‘Course, Pete would too.”
    “You think?”
    Mac sat forward and pressed his palms together. “I’ve heard him say it. He rubs Carpathia raw with his brashness, but he pretends to be cooperative. Carpathia makes nice with him all the time, as if they handpicked each other. I’ll tell you what: if Leon doesn’t get rid of Mathews soon, he’s going to have to answer. It’s a directive clear as if it were on paper.”
    David stood and pulled some files from a drawer behind him, then spread them on the desk. “In case anyone’s watching,” he said, and Mac leaned over as if studying them.
    “They’re upside-down, you idiot,” Mac said, controlling his smile.
    “Wouldn’t want to be distracted,” David said.
    “You know what Rayford used to dream out loud?”
    “Tell me.”
    “Crashing on purpose with Carpathia aboard.”
    David straightened and cocked his head. “That’s not even biblical, is it? I mean, if he’s who we think he is, he’s not going to die till the forty-second month, is he? And even then he doesn’t stay dead.”
    “I’m just telling you.”
    “Doesn’t even sound like Captain Steele. He always seemed so even and sensible.”
    “Didn’t mean to spoil your image of him.”
    “Believe me, you didn’t. I can’t deny I’ve fantasized about how I’d do it.”
    Mac stood and headed to the door. “Same here,” he said.

CHAPTER SIX
    Emotional turmoil took as much out of Buck as did physical labor. Often, after toiling all day with Rayford and Floyd in the underground shelter, he had trouble falling asleep. But now he had taken to bed his grief over Floyd, fear of how Hattie could imperil the Tribulation Force, and dread over the strange behavior of his father-in-law. Buck was exhausted beyond measure. Lying next to his damaged but resilient wife, he fought to stay awake and listen to her.
    He and Chloe had so little time to talk anymore, despite spending most of their days in the same house. She lamented not being as involved as she once had, housebound with the baby, slowed by her injuries from the earthquake.
    “But no one else could do what you’re doing with the co-op, babe,” he said. “Imagine the millions who will depend on you for their lives.”
    “But I’m on the periphery,” she said. “I spent most of today comforting you and Daddy and taking care of the baby.”
    “We needed you.”
    “I have needs too, Buck.”
    He draped his arm across her. “Want me to watch Kenny so you