SEVENTEEN

Rayford stopped to check in on Zeke, whom he found busy on Chaim's robe. Zeke said, "Got enough material. Thinking about makin' him two."

"You heard what Tsion said about clothes in the safe haven?"

Zeke nodded. "He might want variety though. And I didn't hear Tsion say whether the clothes get dirty."

Rayford shrugged. "I admired your dad, Zeke. You know that?"

Zeke nodded, still working.

"He was courageous, right to the end."

"Didn't surprise me," Zeke said. "I told you he'd do that, didn't I?"

"You had him pegged. I pray we'll all show that kind of courage."

Zeke looked up and shook his head, his eyes distant.

"I wish he hadn't got caught. Bad timing. He coulda done a lot more for the believers. Like I'm gonna do."

"I admire you too, Zeke. We all do."

Zeke nodded again.

"Don't forget to mourn and grieve too, you know. There's nothing wrong with that." "^- "I can't help it. I miss him already."

"I'm just saying, don't pretend-you don't have to look strong to us. We've all suffered terrible losses, and even if the Lord helps us through it, we don't have to like it. The Bible doesn't say we're not to mourn. It just says we're not to mourn the way people do who have no hope. Mourn with all your might, Zeke, because we do have hope. We know we're going to see our loved ones again."

Zeke suddenly stood and thrust out his hand. Rayford shook it. "I don't s'pose I dare go try to get his body."

Rayford shook his head. "The first thing they're going to want is to know your connection. And you know the second thing."

"Whether I want the mark."

"We're crippled with the loss of your dad, Zeke. I don't know what we'd do if we lost you too."

"I just hate to think what they're gonna do with him. I try not to think about… you know… his head being… you know…"

"I know. But no matter what they do with your dad's body, God knows. He has his eye on your father. His soul is in heaven now, and his body will eventually be there too, new and improved. If God can resurrect a cremated body-you now what that means?"

"Burned up, yeah."

"Then he can resurrect anybody. Remember, he created us from the dust of the earth."

"Thanks, Captain Steele. Bad as this is, there's no other place I'd rather have been when I heard about it. I sure love all you guys."

"And we love you, Zeke."

Rayford walked out and shut the door, noticing Tsion just out of sight of the doorway, leaning against the wall, arms folded.

"Excuse me," Dr. Ben-Judah said. "I didn't intend to listen in. I didn't know you were there. You must have had the same idea I did."

"It's all right."

"I'm glad I heard that, Rayford. God has restored you to leadership. You did just what I know the Lord would have wanted you to do, and you did it well."

"Thanks, Tsion. God's been more patient with me than I deserve."

"Isn't that true with all of us?"

They walked back toward the commons. "I spoke with Chloe a few moments ago," Tsion said. "I hope I wasn't out of line."

"You can't be out of line, Doc. You know that. What was it about?"

"I was just checking to see how she was doing with the assignment you gave her. I have a vested interest, you know."

"In the call for planes and pilots? I should say you do! So, save me a conversation. How's it going?"

"She was amused and eager to tell me, actually. She put out the request for brave Commodity Co-op members willing to lend their planes and cars and fuel and time to the cause of Messiah in Jerusalem-and she told them it would be soon. She reports that the response has been overwhelming. The element of danger must make these men and women rally. She says they are more willing to throw caution to the wind for this scheme than they are to make the routine flights that keep the co-op running."

Around the corner Kenny Bruce came chugging, chased by Leah. He appeared lost in the fantasy that he had to elude her, though he loved her hugs and tickles. "Grandpa!" he squealed, reaching for Rayford. But at the last instant he changed course, leaping into the rabbi's arms. "Unca Zone!"

Leah laughed and grabbed for him. "That old man can't save you!" she said, and he buried his head in Tsion's chest.

"Old man?" Tsion said. "Miss Leah, you have wounded me!"

Tsion carried Kenny back to his mother, and Leah lingered. "Rayford, I feel useful here, helping Chloe-who's incredible, by the way. That girl could run any size corporation. And I love helping with that precious child."

"But-?"

"You know what's coming."

He nodded. "I'm still finalizing assignments," he said. "But yours includes getting out of here awhile."

"Oh, thank you, Ray. I don't want to be selfish, and I know Chloe is as antsy as I am."

"She has responsibilities here. More than you do."

"It doesn't seem fair to her."

"But she takes her role seriously, and I think she's resigned to it."

"Well," Leah said, "I can't speak for her, but I would feel trapped."

"Trapped by motherhood?"

Leah smiled. "Spoken like a man. As someone who has been there, let me tell you, at times you need a break. It doesn't have to be long, and you can't wait to get back. But, well-it's not my business. But if you find a place for her outside, even a short assignment, I'll be happy to spell her."

"You can do what she does? Both the co-op and looking after the baby?"

"Sure. It's only the men around here who are incapable of that." Rayford shot her a double take. "I'm kidding, Ray. But tell me, am I going to get to go to Israel?" "You want to be there?"

"I was stuck in Belgium last time. All the good stuff happens in Jerusalem." "The dangerous stuff." "And your point?"

He cocked his head. "Oh, yeah. You live for that stuff."

"I live to serve, Ray. I'm not bragging. It's what I do. It was, even before I became a believer. I want to be valuable to the cause. I'm not even suspicious. No one's out trying to hunt me down. And with that wacky dental appliance in and if I let Zeke touch up the hair, I'm invisible."

"It would take more than that to make you Middle Eastern."

"Maybe this David character can make me GC then. Give me a reason to be over there."

Rayford raised his eyebrows. "Maybe," he said. "You never know."

Buck and Albie stood with the culling squad in the female teens' area. Buck found it hard to believe the conditions were the same as for the men. There were two women guards, but the rest were men. The girls were not as noisy and raucous as the boys, but the makeup of the group was similar. There were tough girls and apparent victims, but all were curious.

Buck scoured the group, and a tall brunet stared back at him. He was convinced they had seen each other's mark at the same time. Her eyes grew wide, and he tried to communicate with his that she must not give him away. As Alex Athenas ran through his explanation, Buck casually moved close to Albie.

"I'd better not push my luck. Think you can get one out of here?"

"Maybe," Albie said. "You're not thinking of trying this in every building, are you?"

"I hate doing nothing."

"Me too, but we're going to get ourselves killed. And what about when there's a bunch of 'em?"

"I can worry about them only one at a time."

Albie sighed. "Where is she?" Buck pointed her out. "Watch and learn, buddy boy," Albie said.

Albie rushed the cage, shouting. Alex fell silent and watched with everyone else as Albie prowled up and back before the wire mesh, eyes on his prey. "You! You from the North American States?"

The girl froze, her eyes darting at Buck, who nodded slightly, and back at Albie. "No," she said, her voice a constricted squeak. "I'm-"

"Don't lie to me, dirt ball! I'd know you anywhere." Albie whirled in a rage that almost convinced Buck. "Alex, get somebody to open this cage." He turned back, pointing at the girl. "Step to the door! Now! Hands behind your head."