Into the Storm by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Page A

Community Weekly article that spells out the great earthquake that’s coming. You could use some of his material, too.”
    “What do you mean I should?” Vicki said.
    “You’re not going to be part of it?”
    “I’ve made up my mind,” Lionel said.

    “It tears me up to say this, but I’m going to call the guy and tell him I’ll go.”
    Judd was angry. He didn’t know why he was being held. If the Global Community wanted to question him, they could have done it at any time. But here he was, alone, separated from his friends.
    “Let’s say I believe you,” Judd said.
    “Let’s say you are keeping me here for my own good. What happens then?”
    “We work together,”Taylorsaid.
    “We find Mrs. Stahley and Darrion and figure out where those documents are.”
    “Can you get a message to my friends?” Judd said.
    “I can send an E-mail right now,” Graham said.
    Graham plugged in an incredibly lightweight computer and turned it on.
    A window opened with a video display of news.
    Graham was about to open his E-mail program when Judd stopped him.
    “Look at that,” Judd said.
    On the screen was a news anchorwoman with a graphic of Maxwell Stahley behind her. Graham turned up the audio as the anchor introduced a reporter.
    “We’re live at police headquarters,” the reporter said, “where only moments ago a dramatic arrest was made in the Maxwell Stahley murder case.”
    Judd was horrified to see video footage of Mrs. Stahley being led away from a hotel parking lot.
    “She was dressed as an old woman,” the reporter continued, “but someone at the hotel recognized her from news reports, and police took Louise Stanley into custody.”
    The video footage ended, and the reporter was shown outside police headquarters.
    “Authorities tell us the woman will remain here overnight,then she’ll be handed over to the Global Community early tomorrow morning.”
    Taylor Graham cursed and slammed his hand against the desk.
    “There goes our chance to find those documents,” he said.
    Judd stood and took the key card from his pocket. He knew Graham was telling the truth now. He slid the key card into the slot, and the safe rose from beneath the floor.
    “I know where the documents are,” Judd said.
    “Now all we have to do is figure out the combination.”

    Lionel put his suitcase down in the foyer of Bruce’s house.
    It was late. No one seemed to want to look at him. Lionel shook hands with some and hugged others.
    Vicki was in tears.
    “Do you know where he is?” Lionel said.
    “Bruce’s room,” Vicki managed.
    Lionel found Ryan staring out Bruce’s window.
    “I’m sorry for snapping at you,” Lionel said.
    “Yeah, it’s OK,” Ryan said flatly.
    “I didn’t mean what I said either.”
    “I don’t hold it against you,” Lionel said.
    “We’re all pretty raw right now.”
    “So you’re giving up?” Ryan said.
    Lionel frowned. He didn’t want to get into it with Ryan again. If things had to end, he wanted them to end well.
    “I don’t think you’re rid of me yet,” Lionel said.
    “A couple of years and I’ll be on my own.”
    “A couple of yearsis a long time when there’s only five left altogether,” Ryan said.
    “I don’t know why this has happened,” Lionel said.
    “I keep thinking maybe there’s somebody down South who needs to hear the truth. My going might be the only way they’ll hear it.”
    Ryan turned.
    “I’m sorry ... about everything,” he said.
    “We had some good fights,” Lionel said.
    Ryan smiled.
    Lionel saw a van pull into the driveway. Nathan Sebring got out.
    Lionel shook hands with Ryan.
    “Call me,” Ryan said.

    “You bet,” Lionel said.
    As Lionel grabbed his suitcase, Darrion came out of her room, crying.
    “They’ve arrested my mother,” she said. The others came to comfort her.
    As he got in the car, Lionel looked back at the house. The kids were standing outside. He had been through so much with these friends. He allowed a thought