Page 16 of A Gathering Storm

“We can’t leave the rest of our team behind.” She’d been commissioned to bring the president to Idaho. Leaving without him equaled failure.

“As soon as the First Lady is able to travel, my men will bring them to the compound. Until then, we can’t afford to wait around.”

It would have to do. Abby turned to the man who held her heart. Brookes had slumped against the door, his strength depleted from the beating. She did a quick check of his injured side. Despite what he’d been through, the bandage was holding.

Taking his hand in hers, she squeezed it. The smile on his face was for her alone. More than anything she wanted to be his wife, but with the world closing in around them, would any of them survive long enough to have a happy ending?

???

“It breaks my heart to have to report to you today that some people we trusted to protect us are behind the recent brutal attacks over the skies of Israel.”

Eva sat up straighter as Kirkpatrick brought up the subject that had been deliberately kept hidden until now.

“Did I hear him correctly?” She turned to Sidney who appeared as shocked as Eva.

“You did. This is bad.”

Eva rose and glanced around the room filled with Strike Force members until she spotted Cole. She caught his attention and motioned him over.

“What’s wrong?” Cole asked when he was close enough to be heard.

She pointed to the screen. “Kirkpatrick just mentioned what happened over Israel.” Her attention returned to the screen while Cole pulled up a chair beside.

“As I’ve said,” Kirkpatrick continued speaking. “There was an attack recently involving our dear friends in Israel. But I assure you my intelligence team has been hard at work to bring the people responsible for the attacks to justice. And I’m sad to say the attack came at the command of President Seth Lancaster and was brought about by Strike Force.”

Cole called the rest of the team over to watch. “Even though this isn’t a surprise, I still can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

Eva reached for his hand.

“Strike Force has been spreading lies about me and the men and women here who are promoting peace. We have all been fooled by those that we trusted. But no more.”

Questions flew around the room. Kirkpatrick lifted his hand. “Please, I understand this is upsetting, but I assure you we and the peace team have everything under control.” He waited for his surroundings to quiet.

“How many people were killed?” one reporter shouted.

Kirkpatrick peered at the man. “There were numerous deaths, but the peace team is working diligently to bring those responsible to justice. And it is because we cannot let something like this happen ever again that I am pleased to announce the peace accord has been fruitful. We’ve put together a team of men and women from all countries who will make up the newly formed international police force to ensure the world remains safe for everyone. Even our men and women in Israel.”

“Unbelievable,” Sidney murmured as she watched the nightmare unfold.

The press conference exploded with applause. Kirkpatrick donned his kindly grandfather smile and waited for silence to continue.

“You are our savior,” a man yelled, and Kirkpatrick quickly shook his head.

“No, I am just one who wishes to see peace in this world.” Many in the crowd stood and clapped. Kirkpatrick’s expression turned solemn, and soon the applause died away. “We will have many different levels of police and intelligence working under the international police force. I’m pleased to announce that the man who will control this force is Daniel Pamphili.”

Pamphili’s photo appeared on the screen behind Kirkpatrick.

“Where is Pamphili?” Kaid asked. “You’d think he’d want to be present for an announcement such as this, especially when it involves him.”

“Good question.” Cole kept his attention on the screen.

“I’m happy to report Daniel is already busy at work meeting with various police officials across the country, starting in the United States. The country that I love so much is in great distress.” Kirkpatrick shook his head and practically tsked. “It is a country without a leader, and there is no person in the position of vice president. But fear not,” Kirkpatrick said with a warm smile. “I have been in touch with those members of the house and senate as well as the judicial leaders to rectify the situation. In the meantime, rest assured that we as the peace team are working for each of you, and we will not tire until those who are responsible for creating chaos in our world are stopped.”

He stepped from the podium and headed toward the exit door without answering any of the questions lobbed at him.

Once he’d vanished, the room was silent for a long time before people slowly rose. Murmured. Talked among themselves. Eventually the station returned to the two anchor people.

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