Free Shaken by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

time. I can’t imagine not feeling this ache in my heart.”
    â€œYeah, me too.”
    Judd watched the news reports about the horsemen. Lionel, Sam, and the others gathered around when the ceremony was held in honor of Captain Montgomery (Mac) McCullum and Mr. Abdullah Smith. Leon Fortunato took the stage in front of thousands and explained that the attempt on his life was actually a planned assassination of Nicolae Carpathia.
    â€œHowever, while the gunmen succeeded in destroying the plane and killing four staff personnel, heroic measures by both the pilot and first officer saved my life. The assassins died as a result of the immediate response by Global Community Peacekeeping Forces.”
    Judd noticed a slight smile on Mac’s face as Leon talked.
    â€œIs Abdullah a believer as well?” Mr. Stein asked.
    â€œI think Mac mentioned that he was,” Judd said.
    Fortunato introduced Nicolae Carpathia. “We honor these brave men today. In the face of overwhelming odds and much firepower, these two put their lives on the line for the good of the Global Community. On behalf of the loyal citizens of the Global Community, I thank you.”
    The crowd went wild as Mac and Abdullah stepped forward and shook hands with the potentate. “I present you now with the Golden Circle, the prize for valor, with thanks.” Carpathia stood back, beaming.
    As they watched the coverage, Judd scanned through other news he had missed. He sat up straight when he came upon information about a plane crash. It had been reported some time ago, but it still made him nearly sick to his stomach as he read it aloud.
    â€œ ‘A large private aircraft has crashed off the coast of Portugal. The plane’s lone passenger was Hattie Durham, former personal assistant to Global Community Potentate Nicolae Carpathia. The pilot, Samuel Hanson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of North America, is also presumed dead.’”
    â€œThat’s the Hattie we know, right?” Lionel said. Judd nodded. “I have to talk to Mac about this.”

9
    JUDD dialed Mac’s secure phone later that night.
    Mac answered and said, “Is that you, Rayford?”
    â€œIt’s Judd Thompson, Mr. McCullum.”
    â€œHey, what a surprise! You guys finally make it to Israel?”
    Mac grew silent as Judd explained what had happened to Nada and her family. Judd choked up twice as he recounted the events, but he finally got through it. Telling it to Mac was difficult, but it felt good for someone on the adult Trib Force to know what was going on.
    â€œWell, I’m sure sorry to hear about Nada. She was a good kid. I admired her courage. We need more people like her. I’ll ask Rayford and the others to pray for you and her family.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that, sir.”
    â€œIt must be doubly tough after what happened to that Rudja guy.”
    â€œPavel’s dad?” Judd said. “What happened?”
    â€œI’m sorry. I thought you knew. Something must have gone haywire at the funeral for his son. The GC kept it quiet, but they were hunting him for a couple of days afterward. They finally got a tip from one of his friends. Seems the guy was trying to tell him the truth about God and his friend ratted him out.”
    â€œWhere is Mr. Rudja now?”
    â€œThey arrested him and charged him with rebellious acts against the Global Community. He’s in prison with a life sentence.”
    Judd shook his head. He told Mac about Pavel’s funeral. “You can bet he’s leading even more people to faith inside that prison.”
    â€œYou got that right,” Mac said.
    â€œI called because I have a couple questions. The first is about Hattie Durham. Is it true she died in a plane crash?”
    Mac sighed. “That was a big GC ruse. We think she’s alive. Rayford said Hattie was ticked when she left the States. She’s after Carpathia.”
    â€œShe wants to