Page 35 of Firestorm

“Exactly.” James told Emily what he’d suggested to Sarah. “It’s becoming too dangerous to travel cross county anymore. Especially with Pamphili coming after us with his newfound power.”

“That’s a great idea.” Emily smiled at Sarah. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“Me, too.” Sarah was ready to hit the ground running.

“As soon as I have the okay from the rest of the core team, we’ll get started. You guys will need to have a place to work and computers. Let me see what I can come up with.” James glanced around at the team working hard. “There’s a couple of buildings back behind this one. Ben said they were used for indoor activities when the weather wouldn’t permit the campers to go outside. That should work nicely.”

“Want some help answering the messages?” Emily asked.

“Sure. Sarah, why don’t you help Emily set up? She can use the computer next to yours.”

“Of course.” Sarah logged Emily into the website. “As you can see, there are several thousand messages.”

Emily claimed the seat in front of the computer. “Oh, wow. I’ll start on these now. I’m too keyed up to sleep anyway.”

Sarah felt the same way. As she opened the next message in the queue, another heartbreaking story unfolded, and she wondered what would have happened to her and Blake if they hadn’t known James? They’d been blessed to have someone who could help them. Others would not be so lucky.

Father, show us ways that we can help them through You.

The prayer slipped silently from her lips. She glanced up and noticed James watching her.

He turned in his seat and reached for her hand. “I know it seems impossible, but we’ll do what we can for as long as we can with God’s help.”

She smiled, and he ran his palm across her tears. Sarah clasped his hand in hers. “There’s so much need. And not only the physical threat but the spiritual as well.”

James leaned in closer. “I’ve been thinking about that as well. I’m going to ask Ben to start posting messages on the site. Those who come to the site searching for answers will find God there waiting for them.

Sarah fought back new tears. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

He held her gaze. Something shifted inside his and her heart raced against her chest. They’d been tiptoeing around their feelings for a long time. Now in the midst of the world collapsing around them, she was in love—probably had loved him for a long time—yet neither might be alive to see the rapture. It felt as if there was a noose slowly tightening around all their necks.

“I wish—” he whispered for only her. She understood. Felt the same way. Understood it was the wrong time.

“Me too.” Sarah smiled into his eyes and let him go. She turned back to her computer screen before he had the chance to see the tears in her eyes that were all for him. Focusing on those in need was hard, but she couldn’t be selfish. Sarah pulled up the next message.

Hi, my name is Laura. My husband recently was taken away. I don’t know where he is, and no one will tell me anything. I don’t know what to do. We’ve done nothing wrong.

“James, look at this.” Sarah grabbed his attention. He rolled his chair over to her computer and read the message.

“That’s unbelievable. It sounds just like Blake,” he said. “We need more information. This sort of thing could be happening all across the country, and no one is aware of it. Find out what you can from Laura. We need to post these people’s stories out there to the public.”

Sarah nodded and quickly typed a response while praying Laura was still online. The message had come in the previous day. She waited for a while and was about to move on when Laura responded.

My husband’s name is Don. He is a pastor of our church. He’s been watching the events unfold and believes what your team has mentioned on the website. Don has been preaching about this from the pulpit. Last Sunday, there was a new couple in attendance. We were pleased to have them. They appeared harmless. And then the following Monday, armed men forced their way into our house and dragged Don away. I begged them to tell me where they were taking them, but they refused. As they drove away, I’m pretty sure I saw the same couple from church in the vehicle. I still can’t believe what happened. I’ve spoken to the sheriff, but he doesn’t know anything about what happened. He told me he would check on it, but then when I didn’t hear from him, I called. He said he couldn’t help me. I believe whoever took Don got to him. What should I do?

The need was great. People were desperate and searching for answers. How could they not do everything possible to answer that call?

???

Aiden glanced at the clock on his computer. Almost time for his call, and yet the meeting with Pamphili showed no signs of ending. Pamphili had spent the last hour of the meeting berating the former General Jackson. He’d informed his international police force that General Jackson had been removed from his command. He used the man as an example of what would happen to those who didn’t give a hundred percent to the cause of world peace.

Aiden had expected people to be revolted by the threat. Instead, most smiled and nodded. Appeared enthralled by Pamphili’s charisma and attractive appearance. It was frightening how easily people could be swayed. Several of the US intelligence agents he knew personally through their work were now his disciples. Many of his followers went to church. How were they missing this? Was he wrong about Pamphili?

“Your top priority is to find Strike Force. All other police activity will be handled by the individual countries for the time being. I won’t allow these traitors to continue to jeopardize our vision. If that means working around the clock, then that’s what is required. If you have a problem with that, then you do not belong here, and you should report to me right away.”

A shiver sped between Aiden’s shoulders. He had a feeling if anyone went to Pamphili, they’d suffer the same fate as had happened to General Jackson.

Pamphili’s intense gaze spanned the room, landing on Aiden for longer than he liked before moving on.

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