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these people? Every night the crowds grew. Now people were shoulder to
shoulder, the stadium full, crowds milling about outside and spilling into
traffic. The news media, admittedly controlled by the Global Community, was
everywhere. Clearly this was
Nicolae's way of monitoring every detail.
The entourage filed into the staging area, where the local committee waited.
Buck was impressed with the authoritative tone Tsion suddenly effected. He
must have felt like the shepherd he was and that the tens of thousands inside
and outside the stadium were his flock. The previous two days he had deferred
to the master of ceremonies and the local committee and merely appeared on
stage and preached when it was his turn. Now he seemed to take charge, at
least of certain details.
Buck, he said, beckoning him with a raise of his chin. As Buck approached,
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Tsion gripped his elbow and pulled him toward the emcee. You know Daniel, of
course.
Buck nodded and shook hands with him. Daniel, listen, Tsion continued, I
want five seats in the reserved section held for my guests. They will include
Dr.
Rosenzweig, two of his staff members, one of their wives, and Buck's wife.
Understood?
Of course.
And I would like Buck cleared to be backstage as usual. He turned to Buck.
Chloe will be all right without you?
More than all right, sir. The question is how will I get along without her.
Tsion was apparently too focused to see the humor. Daniel, I would like Dr.
Rosenzweig recognized in an understated, dignified manner. He has not asked
for this. It is merely a courtesy appropriate to his standing within the
country.
I'll handle it.
After your greeting and welcome, announce the Saturday rally for the local
committee at the Temple Mount, recognize Dr. Rosenzweig, pray, lead in a hymn,
and get me on. No fanfare this time. They know who I am.
But, sir"
Please, Daniel. We are on the front lines here, and it is becoming
increasingly dangerous. We are enemies of the world system and will have many
opportunities to expose them down the road. Making a fuss over me serves no
purpose and merely"
Begging your pardon, Doctor. Mr. Williams, I'm sure you agree that these
people will be eager to express themselves on what may be the last time they
have opportunity to see Dr. Ben-Judah in person. Please let me"
If they respond spontaneously, I will accept it in the spirit offered. But I
want no grand introduction. You should be able to do it without even using my
name. Take that as a personal challenge.
Daniel looked crestfallen. Oh, sir, are you sure?
I know you can handle it.
Rayford, with nothing but water in view, took a call from Floyd Charles.
What's up, Doc? he said.
Never heard that one before, Floyd said. I hate to bother you, but this
seemed important. Hattie's spent a lot of time on the phone with a kid named
Ernie, a friend of Ken's.
I met him.
She apparently happened onto him when she was trying to reach you out there.
Yeah, so?
Well, she'd like to see him.
Does she know he's got to be ten years younger than she is?
So about the same age difference as Buck and your daughter?
Rayford paused. What, you're worried about a relationship? Have you talked to
this kid?
Yeah. He's a believer. Seems nice enough.
He's a mechanical whiz, but him and Hattie? Don't even worry about it. She's
your patient, Floyd, but she's also a grown woman. We don't have any authority
over her.
That's not what I'm worried about, Rayford. She'd like him to come here.
Whoops!
That's what I thought. We don't want him knowing where we are, do we?
No. He's a brother and all, but we don't know who he knows, whether he's
mature
enough to keep his mouth shut, that kind of thing.
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That's what I thought. Just checking.
Don't let her even hint at where we're located.
Gotcha. I might reward her for good behavior and run her out to Palwaukee in
a day or two. She can put a face to a name that way, anyway.
We'll be home before that, Doc. We'll make a picnic of it. The whole
Tribulation
Force, except David and Mac, of course, together at last.
After the group prayed backstage, Tsion stood by himself, head down, eyes
closed.
Buck couldn't decide whether Tsion was more or less nervous than usual. He
kept an eye on Tsion until Daniel walked past him to the podium. Tsion looked
up at
Buck and waved him over.
Stand with me, Cameron, would you? Buck felt honored. He stepped up next to
Tsion in the wings as they watched Daniel welcome the crowd and make his
announcement about Saturday's rally. Most of you will have gone home, but if
you live locally or can make it, please feel free. Remember, however, that
this is just a thank-you to the local committee. He then had Dr. Rosenzweig
stand to warm applause.
How will you get the key? Tsion asked.
I'm not sure yet, but I may simply ask Jacov for it and tell him to ask no
questions.
I believe he will trust me until I can explain.
Tsion nodded. I feel a particular burden tonight, Cameron, he whispered
suddenly. Buck didn't know what to say. When Tsion bowed his head again, Buck
put an arm around his shoulder and was shocked to find the man trembling.
Daniel prayed, then led the singing of Holy, Holy, Holy.
Excellent choice, Tsion murmured, but he did not sing. Buck tried to and
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