men as the ITN camera crew brought the whole scene live into homes across the world. The president had been notified and was watching as the television crew tried to reconstruct during a live broadcast what had just happened. They interviewed anyone who would talk with them and showed the children safe inside the house. America breathed a collective sigh of relief. Those who had been called to pray now knew why and paused to thank God for His gracious protection of the children and for the joy of being called to be a part of what He was doing that morning.
The Secret Service insisted that the president leave for Washington immediately, as they could no longer guarantee his safety in Williams. The president responded firmly and ordered them to stick to the schedule. “I am going nowhere until after the service, and I will speak at the service. You do the best you can, but don’t interrupt the service and don’t unnecessarily inconvenience the mourners. I am not afraid. Don’t be afraid.”
“But, Mr. President,” the chief insisted.
“But nothing,” the president responded. “You go do your job, and if I get killed, blame me. There will be no further discussion on this,” he said insistently.
Janet added gently, “Jeff, it’s alright. We really need to do this.”
“Yes, Mr. President,” the chief responded in surrender and left to organize the impossible.
Still Blind
Across the city behind a small family grocery store, Gloria Morning screamed hysterically as she dropped her garbage bags and ran from the grisly sight which confronted her. There in the large trash receptacle were five headless bodies and five heads. The Williams College students who had sought to house the terrorists but not be involved in the killings had paid the price for fence-sitting.
In Washington, still unaware of events in Williams, Chairman Crow was making his opening statement for the hearings on the dangers of religion and the need to amend the Hate Crimes Act to address the threat caused by religious intolerance. Present and prepared to testify was Williams College professor, Dr. Daniel Thompson, who had been waiting for a stage from which to declare publicly the need to change what he called, “America’s religion-based foreign policy toward Israel” and accept political reality.
Former President Leonard Cox had earlier inked a deal with one of the major networks for an exclusive on his upcoming trip to Syria to discuss the causes of hate with the Sheik in response to his invitation. Majority Leader Howard had called in Harkins constitutional law professor, Dr. Trice, to prepare for the beginning of tomorrow’s judiciary committee hearings on alleged abuses of the government in launching a racially motivated attack on Arab students and faculty members at Harkins.
As aides rushed to pass notes to the participants, decisions were uniformly made to ignore the events in Williams and continue with the hearings. “Don’t be concerned,” Chairman Crow told the majority party members after his introductory comments. “This will be turned to our advantage, but now is not the time to address it and change the focus. The events in Williams this morning are really nothing more than further evidence of the danger of religious fanaticism gone wild. Had the president responded positively to the Sheik’s invitation, this would never have happened. It’s the president’s fault. We have to deal with these people, or the violence will never end.”
Back in Williams, word of the discovery of the five bodies was passed by police radio and picked up by Sally Johnson and Pete Samson at Kingdom Daycare. “That has to be the five we were tipped about,” Samson said. “Let’s go now and search the place. Perhaps we can find evidence to end the threat.”
“We have no search warrant,” Sally reminded him, “but I think we can get one quickly.”
“Who gives a damn!” Samson answered. “We’re not trying to find evidence to prosecute anyone. We are trying to find leads to end the terrorist threat here and now. Look around you. Remember Sunday morning? I am not going to worry about some legal technicality and possibly lose the chance to stop an even greater threat to the memorial service later this afternoon.
“You can come or stay. I’m going now. You cannot fight terrorists with law books.”
And with that, they ran together to a black and white, racing off with the siren blazing.
The President and the Bookseller
Aboard Air Force One, Paul Phillips and the Bookseller were ushered into the traveling office of President Strong. They were greeted by the president, Janet, David Barnes, and Tom Knight, who all stood out of respect for the Bookseller. “Mr. White,” the president said, “thank you for coming.”
“It is my privilege, sir.”
“Have you seen this?” the president asked, pointing to the television set carrying the live ITN broadcast from Kingdom Daycare. “These people will stop at nothing. Thank God those two from the Citizens Militia were there, or all the kids would have been killed. As it was, none of the children were killed, but it was at a high price. One of the Citizens Militia members was killed, and the other seriously wounded. This time at least we have one of the terrorists alive. Perhaps we will be able to learn more about their plans when he is questioned.”
“Who died?” the Bookseller asked.
“It was that woman who was wounded at the Security Fair,” David Barnes answered.
“I guess God answered her prayer,” the Bookseller thought out loud, “and that explains why I was awakened and burdened to pray for the children.”
“I was also awakened,” the president responded. “God was clearly at work in this for His purposes.”
“What did you mean that the woman who was killed had her prayer answered?” Janet asked.
“I really cannot answer that, but it seemed she had some things burdening her heart in my time talking with her in the hospital, and I hope she found peace. I’m sure that we will learn more about that woman in the coming days,” the Bookseller answered. “I watched her fight some great spiritual battles that she ultimately overcame, but I could sense there was some really dark history in her past. When I took her home from the hospital earlier this week, I had the sense she expected to die soon — maybe even wanted to die.”
“I guess we shall see, but I am thankful for her sacrifice,” the president said. “Mr. White, the reason I asked you here was first to thank you on behalf of the country for your faithfulness to share the truth when you had the opportunity. Your statements have been used by the Lord to pierce my heart, and I know they have affected many other hearts both here and around the world.”
“It is not me, it is the Lord,” the Bookseller responded.
“I know that, but you have been available to the Lord so that He could use you, and for that, I thank you. I wish I could tell you all that we face and how right you are to say what you did about the need for God’s protection. I cannot, however, because it would make you even more of a target for the terrorists than before.”
“Mr. President, I may know more than you think,” he said pulling out the last message from the Iranian brothers. “I know that the government is working in Iran through two men who are believers. We have been carrying on an exchange of messages through a CIA carrier that I am sure you must have approved for that purpose. I need to show you their last message.” He handed it to the president, who read for all to hear:
Brother, the days are now much shorter, and God’s protection is essential to prevent
