Stung (38 page)

Vicki took some food to Lenore. Tolan had a runny nose and a cough, and the woman seemed upset. Vicki looked for some infant medicine but couldn't find any.

She heard a commotion in the study room. When she arrived, everyone was crowded around Conrad. “I did it!” Conrad said when he saw Vicki. “I got it open, and you're not going to believe what's in here.”

Conrad lugged the safe to the computer table. “I took Melinda's advice and worked on the body instead of the lock. There was a little rust in one corner of the bottom. I got a drill bit through—”

“Who cares how you got it open,” Janie said. “Just show us what's inside.”

Conrad flipped the safe upside down and put his hand through the small opening. He pulled out a gold coin. “It's full of them. Has to be worth thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands!”

“We have to call Z,” Vicki said. “If he gives us the okay, we could sell some of them and get the money to Judd and Lionel.”

“Why do we have to call anybody?” Janie said.

“This is Z's property,” Conrad said. “We don't do anything until we've cleared it with him.”

Vicki dialed the number and explained to Z what had happened.

“That's good work,” Z said. “We been lookin' for that box since I was a kid. Never looked in the bell tower.”

“We'd like to sell a few of the coins and get the money to Judd and Lionel to get back to the States,” Vicki said.

“Might take a while to get a buyer,” Z said. “Tell you what I'll do. I'll wire the money to Israel. You find out where to send it and all the details. I'll come pick up the coins on my next run.”

“Do you have any infant medicine?” Vicki said. She explained about Lenore and how it seemed God was bringing them more and more nonbelievers to live with them.

Z laughed. “Sounds like he's throwing a few monkey wrenches into your plans.”

Vicki sighed. “If this is what God wants us to do, we'll do it.”

“I may have some aspirin for the baby,” Z said, “but it might take a few days. Call me if things get worse.”

Judd awoke in the middle of the night, troubled. The temperatures during the day had risen above a hundred degrees. During the night he tossed and turned inside the Land Rover, trying to figure out what to do. Mr. Stein had said he felt God wanted him to stay and train more people.

In the morning, Judd walked with Mr. Stein. Yet another encampment of people stood before them. Hundreds milled about with what was left of their flocks and herds.

“I can't leave,” Mr. Stein said. “I believe God has called me to this.”

“I wouldn't ask you to leave,” Judd said, “but I think I should get back to Lionel and Sam.”

“I understand,” Mr. Stein said, looking at the people. “Isn't this amazing? God has prepared their hearts for his message. It is almost as if I don't need to say anything. They already hunger for God's forgiveness.”

Judd looked up at the cloud that didn't end. God was up to something. He was also working in Judd's life. Judd had grown spiritually as he watched Mr. Stein speak to the new believers. He had seen God work in a way Judd would never dream of, and it had changed him.

But Judd also felt a longing to share his experiences with someone. Even with his friends around, he felt lonely. He wanted to share this experience with someone close.

Judd thought of Nada. She was certainly interested in him. But his thoughts turned to Vicki.
Could anything ever work out between us?
he thought.

Mr. Stein handed Judd the rest of his money. “I will see if Immen can get you to the airport in Bamako. You should be able to get a flight to Israel if the planes haven't been grounded.”

“What about you?” Judd said.

Mr. Stein smiled. “God is looking out for both of us. He will show us where to go and what to do.”

Lionel was excited to hear the news from Vicki that their plane fare could be wired to Israel. Lionel figured it would be safer if the money was wired in Sam's name, so he gave Vicki the information.

“Z says the money should be there Saturday afternoon,” Vicki said.

“Is everybody all right back there?” Lionel asked.

“We had a pretty big scare through the freeze, but everybody's pulling together now. Well, almost everybody.”

“I think I know who you mean,” Lionel said.

“Have you heard from Judd?”

Lionel briefly gave Vicki Judd's report. “I hope we can get back home before the next judgment hits.”

Mark waited in his hotel room. Friday came and went with no sign of Carl's plane. Mark watched the TV coverage of the cloud that had enveloped the earth. It looked as dark as night outside, and he wondered how any plane could get through the inky blackness.

Lionel told Nada about the money they were expecting. She closed her eyes and frowned. “Are all three of you leaving?” she said.

“We hope to take Sam with us if he wants to go,” Lionel said.

As the two talked, Jamal walked in. “Father, I'm going with Lionel to retrieve a wire.”

Jamal looked at Lionel. “She goes nowhere with you.”

Lionel held up both hands. “I didn't ask her, sir.”

Jamal ordered Nada to her room and turned to Lionel. “This is the final warning. If you talk to my daughter again, I will ask you to leave.”

“Understood,” Lionel said. “Can we borrow your car to pick up—”

Jamal shook his head. “It's too dangerous now. I can't let you out with my vehicle.”

Lionel and Sam left through the back entrance and found a bus that ran close to the bank. Before they reached it, Lionel and Sam split up. Lionel sat in an outdoor café across the street and watched.

As the plane touched down in Bamako, Judd thanked Immen and offered to pay him.

“Do not insult me,” Immen said. “Besides, I believe you will need all of that cash to get back to Israel.”

Immen gave Judd the name of another believer he could call on in case he had trouble. Inside the airport Judd discovered that many flights had been cancelled because of the dark cloud. The only airline that offered flights to Israel wouldn't get him there until Monday. Plus, the airfare was more than Mr. Stein had given him.

Judd tried to bargain with the ticket agent, but he wouldn't budge from the listed price.

Great
, Judd thought,
what do I do now?

At the outdoor café, Lionel asked for a glass of water. The waiter scowled and said something in another language. Lionel pointed to a soft drink, and the waiter frowned and took his menu.

Sam entered the bank. Lionel could see him through a row of windows in front. The boy stopped and said something to a security guard, then got in line.
So far so good
, Lionel thought.

As Sam moved forward, Lionel noticed two men in a car scanning the bank with binoculars. As Sam reached the teller the men quickly exited the car and headed for the front door. They didn't wear GC uniforms, but Lionel knew they were probably working with Sam's father.

Lionel stood. He wanted to get Sam's attention, but he couldn't. If Lionel didn't act now, Sam and the money would be gone. He glanced up the street for any other suspicious cars. Nothing.

Lionel crossed the street. Someone behind him shouted. It was the waiter holding a soda. Lionel shrugged and kept moving.

Sam signed something at the teller window and waited for his money. Lionel moved past the two men at the door and reached the security guard. He asked where the men's rest room was, and the man pointed to a hallway.

“There's a couple of suspicious guys out front,” Lionel said. “Looks like they're about to jump somebody. Thought you oughta know.”

The guard thanked Lionel and spoke into a walkie-talkie.

That ought to keep them busy a few minutes
, Lionel thought.

Sam stuffed a wad of cash into a pocket and turned. Lionel called out and motioned for him. Sam looked around nervously, then followed. When they were inside the bathroom, Lionel said, “Give me the money. There are two guys outside waiting for you.”

“My dad,” Sam said, handing over the money.