Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed Read Online Free PDF Page A

would sooner believe Jesus was the Messiah than that Nicolae is his enemy. That is simply not the man I know.”
    “I have the energy and the enthusiasm tonight, Doctor. Please.”
    “Well,” Chaim said, smiling, “I do not. I will make a deal with you, however. You grant Nicolae a place on the program during your opening night, and I will give you my full attention on these matters at a later date.”
    Rosenzweig sat back, appearing pleased with his suggestion. Tsion, clearly frustrated, looked at Buck, then at Chloe. He shrugged. “I do not know,” he said. “I just do not know. Frankly, Doctor, I could wish that a dear, old friend like you would listen to the heart of an admirer without condition.”
    Rosenzweig stood and stepped to the window, where he peered through a sliver between the curtains. “Nicolae has provided the armed guards that ensure you will not suffer the way your family did and that you will not again be chased from your homeland. All I ask is that you treat the most powerful man in the world with the deference he deserves. If you choose not to, I will be disappointed. But I will not make this a condition of eventually letting you try to persuade me of your position.”
    Tsion stood and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. He turned his back to Buck and the others. “Well, thank you for that,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I shall have to pray about what to do about Carpathia’s request.”
    Buck couldn’t imagine how Carpathia could show his face at such a meeting or what response he might get from the assembled. Why would Carpathia subject himself to it?
    “Tsion,” Chaim said, “I must get back to the potentate with a response tonight. I said I would.”
    “Chaim, I will not have an answer until I have prayed about it. If Mr. Fortunato insists―”
    “It is not his insistence, Tsion. I gave my word.”
    “I do not have an answer.”
    “All I can tell him is that you are praying about it?”
    “Exactly.”
    “Tsion, who do you think secured Kollek Stadium for you?”
    “I do not know.”
    “Nicolae! Do you think my countrymen would have offered it? You have aligned yourself with the two at the Wailing Wall who have cursed our country, your country! They have boasted of causing the drought that has crippled us. They turn water into blood, bring plagues upon us. It is rumored they will appear at the stadium themselves!”
    “I can only hope,” Tsion said.
    The men turned to face each other, both with hands spread. “My dear Tsion,” Chaim said, “you see what we have come to? If Nicolae is bold enough to address a stadium full of his enemies, he must be admired.”
    “I will pray,” Tsion said. “That is all I can say.”
    As they went off to bed, Buck heard Chaim on the phone with Fortunato. “Leon, I am sorry. . . .”

    Late in the afternoon in Illinois, Rayford was awakened by footsteps on the stairs. The door opened. “You awake, Ray?” Rayford sat up, staring, squinting against the light. “Should I get the doc? Hattie’s wakin’ up.”
    “Does she need anything?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Then let him sleep. She seems OK?”
    “She’s trying to talk.”
    “Tell her I’m coming down.”
    Rayford staggered to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. His heart raced. He hurried stiff-legged down the stairs to find Ken gently giving Hattie a drink of water.
    “Captain Steele!” she rasped, eyes wide. She beckoned him close. “Could you excuse us?” she asked Ken. As he stepped away she reached for Rayford. “Nicolae wants me dead. He poisoned me. He can reach anywhere.”
    “How do you know, Hattie? How do you know he poisoned you?”
    “I knew he would.” Her voice was weak and thin. She gasped for air as she spoke. “He poisoned your friend Bruce Barnes.”
    Rayford sat back. “You know this?”
    “He bragged about it. Told me it was a time-released thing. Bruce would get sicker and sicker, and if all went according to