Page 18 of A Gathering Storm

Cole exchanged a look with Victor. “You’re kidding? What was the newly appointed international police chief doing in Iowa?”

“I beg your pardon?” Abby asked. Cole quickly filled her in on what had taken place.

“I can’t believe it.” She was silent for a couple of seconds. “This guy is definitely more than just Kirkpatrick’s flunky. My encounter with him was. . . scary.” She explained about the feeling of being in the presence of true evil that wouldn’t go away. “That man is dangerous and, given the opportunity, he’ll stab Kirkpatrick in the back. He definitely had his own agenda.”

Cole’s stomach knotted. They’d wondered after recent events if Kirkpatrick might be the foretold antichrist, but after what Abby just said, he wondered about Pamphili’s future position in world events. “We need you all here as soon as possible.” Cole told them about the First Lady’s condition. “She’s in good hands, and she and the president and Kevin are safe with Michael’s people. We have a lot to discuss, so I need you and our new team members here as soon as possible.”

Abby sighed. “I’m sorry to hear about Susan. But we’re all ready to join you. With God’s grace, we’ll talk to you soon.”

“Roger that, Abby. Stay safe.” Jordyn ended the call.

Cole took Victor and Kinsley aside and voiced his thoughts on the future of Strike Force. “We’re growing fast, and we have people spread around the world. Before the group grows too big, we need to regroup so we can insure everyone’s safety.”

“Let’s talk outside.” Victor indicated the kitchen, and Cole went with him and Kinsley. “What do you have in mind?” the former president asked once they were alone.

“We break teams up into areas and set up a safe location for each of them. For example, we could set up a European location. Appoint several members to find a space to set up for their team and then do the same everywhere else.”

Victor nodded. “I’m impressed. Get with James’s team and see if you can coordinate that as soon as possible. We can’t afford to fly people here. Frankly, we don’t have the space, and our time of traveling to rescue people is running out. We need extra compounds set up immediately because soon we will all be forced into hiding.”

???

One of his men approached, but he waved them off. He didn’t want to speak with anyone. The mission had been a huge disaster all because of Kirkpatrick’s bumbling. His mentor should have put down Strike Force and their anarchy long ago.

“Not now,” he growled.

“But it’s him. He wants to speak with you.” The man was more afraid of Kirkpatrick than he was of him, and he shouldn’t be.

“I said, not now,” The words seethed out through bared teeth.

The man did an about-face and scurried down the aisle while speaking into the phone and glancing over his shoulder. No doubt telling on him to Daddy. Daniel watched the man end the call. Half a beat later, Daniel’s cell phone was ringing.

He ignored the call and shifted his attention to the dark skies outside the plane. That mishap at the airfield was unacceptable. He’d spoken to Walton numerous times about being proactive, not waiting until they were forced to react. Well, it didn’t matter. Soon, it would all be his to command. He hadn’t had to work hard to convince Walton of the need for an international police force or for him to be the one to control it. Walton believed he would be head over the entire world soon enough. Of course, that wouldn’t happen.

Daniel pulled in a breath and motioned to the plane’s steward, who quickly came to assist. “Coffee and something to eat.”

The man nodded and rushed away. It was as if he and the others on the plane realized who held the real power, and it wasn’t Walton.

The message-waiting tone beeped, and he brought the phone to his ear and listened while Walton berated him for not taking his call.

“How did you let them get away, Daniel? We need them. We can’t afford any more embarrassments by Strike Force. The work we’re doing is too valuable.” The message ended and Daniel erased it. He’d call Walton back soon and smooth the matter over. For now, he needed Walton. Whether or not in the future remained to be seen.

The steward brought over piping hot coffee and a sandwich. Daniel stared at it with distaste, and the steward noticed.

“I’m sorry, sir. We’re not equipped to cook anything.”

Daniel dismissed the man with a wave of his hand and sipped his coffee while nibbling the sandwich.

There was much work to be done, and he welcomed the task because the person he answered to would reward him greatly.

???

“Is she going to be okay?” Seth Lancaster asked the man who had been treating his wife when he stepped from the room.

“I believe she will,” Doctor Liam Payne said with a certain amount of confidence. “She needs rest, and she can’t be moved yet.” The doctor had been upfront with Seth from the start.

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