She had cut her hair even shorter to look like a boy.
“Where did you guys go?” Ryan said.
“Wisconsin,” Darrion said.
“We have a” Mrs. Stahley interrupted her daughter.
“We can’t tell you exactly where our cottage is. It’s not safe for you to know. But we had to find out if you and Judd made it back OK.”
“You came all that way for us?” Ryan said.
“Taylor Graham is not our friend,” Mrs. Stahley said.
“He’s been with us so long, I can’t imagine him being disloyal to us, but now I think he’s working solely for the Global Community.”
“What tipped you off?” Ryan said.
“My husband’s E-mail is still on the Global Community list,” she said.
“He received a coded message that saysTayloris cooperating. He’s trying to find Judd, and in turn, trying to find me. “
Vicki put her hand on Mrs. Stahley’s shoulder.
“Judd should be hearing this,” Mrs. Stahley said.
“Where is he?”
“Maybe he’s back talking with Rayford or Buck,” Ryan said.
“I’ll go get him.”
“No, you stay here,” Vicki said.
“I’ll look.”
“I don’t have much time,” Mrs. Stahley said.
“I know the GCare looking for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were somewhere in that crowd this morning.”
“But I have to get back to them,” Judd said.
“If you let the others know where you are, you’ll put them in as much danger asyou’re in,” Taylor Graham said.
“You can’t do that. I’ll get a message to them for you.”
Something felt wrong. If Graham was working for the GC, it would make sense that he would want to find the other kids.
They might lead him to Mrs. Stahley. But Graham could be telling the truth. What he said next sent a shiver down Judd’s spine.
“There’s also a report that your friend, Buck Williams, has Tsion Ben-Judah with him,” Graham said.
“Is that true?”
Rayford Steele told Vicki he hadn’t seen Judd all morning.
Vicki ran to the parking lot and spotted Buck and Chloe getting into their car. Before she could reach them. Buck’s co-worker, Verna Zee, arrived.
Vicki knew from her talks with Verna at Loretta’s house that the woman did not believe in Christ. Vicki also knew that Buck was nervous about Verna and her knowledge of what he believed. She stood a few feet away and listened as Verna said, “I recognized Tsion Ben-Judah!”
“I’m sorry?” Buck said.
“He’s going to be in deep trouble when the Global Community peacekeeping forces find out where he is. Don’t you know he’s wanted all over the world? Buck, you’re in as much trouble as he is, and I’m tired of pretending I have no idea what you’re up to.”
“Verna, we have to go somewhere and talk about this,” Buck said.
“I can’t keep your secret forever. Buck,” Verna said.
“Do all these people believe Nicolae Carpathia is the Antichrist?”
“I can’t speak for everyone,” Buck said.
“Verna, I took a huge risk in helping you out the other night and letting you stay at Loretta’s home.”
“You sure did. And you may regret it for the rest of your life.”
Vicki turned and slowly walked back to the church. She heard Verna threaten Buck. If Verna told her superiors about Buck’s beliefs, he could lose his job or even his life. She would talk with Chloe after the funeral and find out what happened.
If Judd was reluctant to give information about his friends, he was even more hesitant to talk about Tsion Ben-Judah.
Judd knew the Global Community would stop at nothing to silence this man who had caused such a stir around the world.
“Why are you asking about him?” Judd said.
“I have to know what I’m up against,” Graham said.
“I don’t think the GChave put you and this Williams guy together yet, but if they do, it could be bad news for everybody.”
Judd silently prayed. He had acted so quickly in talking with this stranger. Now if he said the wrong thing, not only could Judd endanger his friends but the adult Trib