Thomas rubbed his head. “Okay. Do you need me there?”
“No, sir. He says nothing you can do now. Just wanted to keep you informed. Sorry to disturb your sleep. Oh, sir, since you’re awake now, turn on the TV. You aren’t going to believe what’s happening in Jerusalem.”
“Will do, Rodney. See you in the morning.”
“Was that about me?” Tori asked.
Thomas attempted to rise but fell back down. Maybe he’d overdone it a bit with the whiskey. Leaping to her feet, Tori headed toward him, but he raised a palm. “I’m okay. And yes, that was about you, and they don’t suspect me.” Standing, he got his bearings and stumbled back inside.
“TV on,” he said and the wall beside the kitchen transformed into a giant screen.
A reporter, covered in dust, stood before a crumbled building as scenes flashed of ruptured streets, collapsed structures, and dead bodies. “Again, a major earthquake has just struck the city of Jerusalem. Scientists are saying it may have been well over a nine on the Richter scale.”
Police sirens, along with screams and shouts could be heard in the background as the man continued. “Initial estimates are that at least ten percent of the city has been destroyed and thousands have been killed.”
Shock speared through Thomas's veins, slicing away the effects of his drinks. He turned to find Tori standing beside him. “How did you know?”
Before she could answer, the scene switched to a woman standing in front of Walter Reed National Military Hospital in D.C. Tears streamed down the poor lady’s face as she attempted to speak. Finally gathering herself, she took a deep breath. “Premier Immu Aali is dead.”
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:19-20
Chapter 6
Tom, this is Sergeant Kyle Cruz.” Regent Landry entered Thomas's office without knocking as usual, a young man quick on his heels.
Gathering what remained of his brain behind the incessant pounding, Thomas stood to attention. The quick action nearly made him puke. Yes, he’d drunk too much. He knew that now as much as he’d known it last night when Tori had yawned, said goodnight, lay down on the couch, and promptly fallen asleep. No amount of jostling or jiggling could rouse her so he could show her to one of the bedrooms. How the woman could fall asleep so quickly and so soundly after her terrifying night was beyond him. But then again, she’d always been that way. Even as kids, nothing stressed her out, at least not to the point of missing sleep. Thomas, on the other hand, well, let’s just say, he couldn’t be more different. Still, it had given him a chance to watch her sleep while he powered down coffee that morning—the rise and fall of her chest, her long lashes spread over her cheeks, her light snoring, and the way she muttered and moved her lips as if she were carrying on a conversation. Knowing Tori, she probably was.
He’d hated to leave her, but he had to go to work, both to dispel any suspicion and to help his colleagues deal with the loss of one of the world’s greatest leaders. Thomas still couldn’t believe that Aali had been assassinated. When things settled, he’d no doubt accompany Regent Landry overseas to meetings of the World Council where they would decide who would take Premier Aali’s place. But for now, the world needed to mourn.
And Thomas needed to make sure no one suspected him of Tori’s escape while he reversed her brainwashing.
“Tom!” Regent Landry barked. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, sir.” He hated it when the man called him Tom. He especially hated that look of censure in his beady dark eyes whenever Thomas didn’t live up to expectations. So much like his father—too much. With his outrageously expensive suit, slicked back salt and pepper hair, and perfectly trimmed beard, Landry always appeared ready for a photo shoot for Gray Foxes magazine—if there was such a thing. “I…I…Sorry, I’m a bit distracted today.”
At first Landry frowned, but then he sighed and nodded. “I suppose we all are. Tragic. Just tragic what happened.” He exchanged a glance with the young man, Kyle, was it? “Nevertheless,” he continued, “I’m putting Sergeant Cruz in charge of the Tori Griffin debacle. Hard to believe that one of our own helped her escape, but there’s no other explanation.”
Thomas swallowed, studying the young man. Clean-shaven with a mop of black curly hair and a strong physique, the man couldn’t be twenty-five. Maybe that was a good thing.Inexperience.
“Sergeant Cruz is an up-and-coming star in Global Reformation Security. In just three years, he’s risen from a low-level guard to the head of security for all global reformation camps in the Florida region.” Landry fingered his perfectly trimmed gray beard. “He’s also become one of our best liaisons between the Tall Whites and our security forces.”
A sour taste bubbled up in Thomas's throat. Tall Whites? Thomas had only seen the alien creatures twice, only spoken to one once, and that had been enough to send uncontrollable shivers—not entirely unpleasant—throughout his body. Yes, they had helped mankind immensely—arrived at just the right time before war hawks nuked the planet, slowed global warming, brought incredible new technology, and brokered a global peace. But in light of whatever spell they seemed to cast on others, Thomas wanted nothing to do with them. Still, they possessed great power, and that meant anyone connected with them had great power, perhaps even otherworldly power.
Landry patted Cruz on the back. “He’s responsible for catching six escaped prisoners this past year alone. I have no doubt he’ll get to the bottom of what happened and catch Ms. Griffin.”
“You can bet on that, Regent Landry,” the boy said with more authority than Thomas would have expected.
Six? Of course Thomas had heard about the escapes and that some wonder guard had captured them. Butthiskid?
He cleared the lump of dread in his throat, attempting a normal tone. “What is the secret to your success, sergeant?”
The boy’s lips quirked to the side as a flash of pride beamed across his eyes. He shrugged. “Hard work and wits, sir. After my sister slipped through my hands, I became more determined than ever to make up for that mistake.”
Sister? Brows raised, Thomas glanced between Cruz and Landry.
“You remember Nyla Cruz?” Landry asked.
