Page 11 of A Gathering Storm

“Copy that. I’ll contact the team heading to the airport and let them know they could run into trouble along the way.” While Garrett contacted Sebastian Hofstetter, their contact, Cole placed his arm around Eva’s shoulders. “Things are happening quickly now, and we still don’t have a handle on what Kirkpatrick is trying to pull in Berlin.”

Though Eva was still trying to familiarize herself with the Strike Force’s operation, she was ready to jump in and help in any way. “Let me go over the news broadcast from the peace talks and see what I can find out. You have enough responsibility.”

He turned her to face him. A smile broke out on his handsome face. “I would appreciate that. Grab Sidney and have her help.”

“Sure, I could use the extra set of eyes.” Eva motioned the woman who had been part of the team to help rescue Sadie. She explained what was needed.

“I’d be happy to help out,” Sidney confirmed. Eva liked the former CIA spy right from the start. “Why don’t we find a quiet corner and start monitoring the news.”

Eva turned to Cole. The love she saw in him was more than she deserved. She’d hurt him badly by not telling him about their daughter sooner. Her pride and hurt feelings stood in the way of them sharing their lives, but never again. “I love you,” she said and kissed his cheek.

Eva turned to leave but he caught her hand. When she faced him again, a smile touched his weary face. “I love you, too.”

Her heart soared every time he said those words. She squeezed his hand and followed Sidney to a computer that wasn’t currently in use. Eva brought the machine up and scrolled through the latest news headlines.

“I’m surprised nothing’s been leaked about the attack over Israel,” Sidney voiced Eva’s thoughts aloud.

“Me, too. It doesn’t make sense.” Eva switched to another news station and sat up straighter. “Wait, here’s something.” She pointed to another conference that was about to take place. “That’s coverage from the summit in Germany.”

Eva turned up the volume and they listened. The newscaster was speaking praise for Walton Kirkpatrick. The man could do no wrong in the eyes of the press and many world dignitaries.

“We are minutes away from the summit update as promised from Ambassador Kirkpatrick,” the female announcer practically oozed. “These are very exciting times, indeed. The chance for the world to be united with a single cause of peace is unprecedented.”

“Yes, it is.” Her male counterpart smiled at the camera. “Oh, it looks as if Ambassador Kirkpatrick is coming to the podium now.”

“Yes, he is. I don’t see his protégé, Daniel Pamphili, at his side.”

The male announcer picked up a piece of paper. “We received word earlier from Kirkpatrick’s people that Pamphili was called away on urgent business. Kirkpatrick will be hosting the press conference alone today since the rest of the world leaders are hard at work banging out a plan for peace.”

The two turned toward the podium as the camera focused in on Kirkpatrick who was making his way through the crowd of reporters, shaking hands and smiling as he approached.

Once he was in position, the room quieted. The world awaited news of peace. They craved it after what Legion had put them through. And the world was ripe for the type of evil that Kirkpatrick was about to rain down on them.

???

“Are you sure you want to do this?” her husband asked. Lizzy loved Will so much for watching out for her, but she needed to face the real monster in the room. The man who had taken so much from her. Her father. Martin Collins.

“I’m sure,” Lizzy assured him. Yet she wasn’t. She stood outside the door to her father’s room, her hands shaking on the Bible she held. Pulling in a breath, she reached for the handle, slowly opening the door.

The man lying restrained in bed didn’t possess the same arrogance as the person she’d grown up seeing from time to time.

With Will at her side, she slowly moved to her father’s bed.

He wore a look of surprise on his face as if he couldn’t find the words to speak.

Lizzy placed the Bible on the bed beside him and faced Will. “Can he have one of his hands freed to read it?”

Will nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.” She owed her husband so much. He’d never once given up on her. Even after years of believing she’d been a victim of a serial killer, Will never gave up.

She pivoted back to her father. “I want you to know that I forgive you for what you did to my mother. My aunt. Myself. For all the lies, but I didn’t come here to have a lengthy conversation with you.”

His eyes clung to hers. Each word she spoke appeared to strike like blows, but she couldn’t help it. As a Christian, she was called upon to forgive, and she had, but she wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready to have a relationship with her father. She squared her shoulders. “I came to give you this and to tell you I’m praying for you.”

A hoarse sob escaped. There were surprising tears in her father’s eyes. Never once in all the years she’d known him had she seen him cry. Her heart went out to him. Lizzy stepped inches away and touched his arm. “You should read this, father. It will help you. And maybe someday in the future, we’ll talk again.”

The tears streamed down his face. He was a broken man who had caused so much turmoil in her life and in the world. But he was one of God’s creation, and she believed He would use her father to do good if he were allowed the chance.

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