Infringement Read online

  Evan stood over Nurse Foster’s unconscious body, immediately stricken with a pang of remorse and hoping he hadn’t accidentally killed her. “What have I done?” He quickly kneeled down next to her and felt her pulse. She was still alive.

  Evan hung the phone up and lifted Nurse Foster gently onto Declan’s bed. He placed her head softly onto the pillow, turned her so that she was facing away from the door, and pulled the sheet and blanket up so that it covered everything but her head.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m truly, truly sorry.”

  _______________________

  Megan looked back at Declan, who was lying in the backseat of Evan’s car, then looked nervously at her watch, and, finally, turned the ignition and began to back the car out of the parking space.

  “Megan, wait,” Evan called hurrying into the passenger seat.

  “What took you so long?”

  “I had to get extra medications for Declan to take with him. Let’s go, we’ve got to hurry.”

  Megan slammed the car into drive and screamed out of the hospital parking garage. A few minutes later, they were on the highway headed toward the airport, and soon thereafter they were within a few exits of the airport. The drive both flew by and dragged on, as though the airport was hours away.

  Evan saw an exit with a truck stop. “Get off here for a minute.”

  “Why? We don’t have time for a stop, Evan,” Megan responded.

  “Just exit here and go to the truck stop.”

  Declan asked weakly from the backseat, “What do you have in mind?”

  The car pulled into the busy truck stop and parked outside. “I’ll be right back,” Evan said, and he hurried into the truck stop. About a moment later he got back into the car with a roll of duct tape.

  “What’s that for?”

  “Here, give me your phones.”

  Megan handed her smart phone and Declan’s smart phone to Evan. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to send these, and their GPS chips, on a little trip.”

  “That’s brilliant.”

  “Okay, pick me up over by the gas pumps in a minute.”

  Evan got out of the car and walked quickly toward where a large number of semi’s were parked. When he found one that looked like it was getting ready to leave, he walked around to the back, ducked underneath and taped the iPhones to the bottom of the trailer.

  When Evan got back into the car he said, “I’m not sure where that truck is headed, but as long as it doesn’t end up at an airport in D.C. in the next few hours, that should keep anyone who figures out you’re gone busy for a bit.”

  “Let’s go,” Megan responded, and they were off to the airport.

  Chapter 39

  December 26th

  The plane landed without incident at Potomac Airfield shortly after 7:00 p.m. Megan left Declan sleeping safely on the plane with her father’s longtime pilot and trusted friend, Tom Langham, and drove into D.C., to Homeland Security Headquarters. She passed numerous fast moving emergency and military vehicles on the way into the city, a combination of police, various fire departments, Army, and Homeland Security personnel presumably responding to the protests which had been sparked by the passage of the Firearms Protection Act.

  Once Megan had finally made it to Homeland headquarters, she cleared the outer security perimeter, parked in a spot somewhat away from the building, and made her way inside. For the first time, she was struck by the realization that the use of her security card would create a record of her location which could surely be found by anyone who’d be looking for them.

  Unable to turn back, Megan swiped her security card and peered into the retinal scanners. The security doors opened, and she was back inside Homeland, for what would very likely be the last time, she thought. As she entered the elevator and pressed the button for her floor, she calculated that it should take roughly ten minutes to boot up the system, access photos of her and Declan from the database, and create two alias passports. If she could keep her total time in the building under fifteen minutes, everything would likely go as planned.

  _______________________

  Alisa Foster groggily came to with a splitting headache in the pitch black hospital room. It took her a moment to get her bearings and realize she was lying in a bed. Slowly, and with considerable effort, Foster sat up and the throbbing in her temples increased to an almost unbearable degree. She tried to steady herself, then stepped clumsily onto the floor, and reached over to turn on the bedside lamp. The sudden light initially blinded her, shooting a feeling akin to a puncture wound through her head. When the pain finally subsided somewhat, Foster picked up the in room phone.

  A voice answered, “Costello.”

  “He’s gone,” she stated flatly. “Parker and the girl are gone.”

  “When?”

  “I’m not sure. It could have been hours ago.”

  “Where were you?”

  “Incapacitated.”

  “Come again?”

  “I was incapacitated. I got hit by a doctor, or someone saying he was a doctor, and woke up just now in Parker’s bed.”

  “Alright, I’ve got to make a call. You find out who the doctor, or whoever, was that took you out.”

  “I’ve got an idea.”

  “Well, figure it out and be ready to give me a name. I’ll get back to you on your cell shortly.”

  “Okay.”

  _______________________

  “Michelle, it’s me,” Evan said trying to disguise the panic in his voice.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m at the office. Listen, I don’t want to alarm you and I don’t have time to go into detail, but something happened today and you need to take the kids and my mom up to the lake house, right away.”

  “Why? What’s the matter?”

  “Declan was in major trouble and I helped get him out of the hospital and out of town. There could be repercussions and I don’t want to take any chances with you and the kids. Don’t panic, just pack some things, pick up mom, and drive everyone up there tonight. Mom already knows you’re coming and she’ll be ready to go.”

  “Are you in trouble, Evan?”

  “No, I don’t think so. It’s too early to tell, but I don’t want you guys at home if anyone comes looking for me. Plus, things are getting a bit nuts out there right now with the protests and everything. I’ll feel better knowing you all are safely out of town and away from all the chaos.”

  “This is crazy. It feels like everything is falling apart all of a sudden.”

  “Things are a bit crazy, but just stay calm, pray, and get up to the lake house.”

  “When will you be up there?”

  “Hopefully late tonight, tomorrow at the latest. Don’t worry, everything will be fine and I’ll explain more when I see you.”

  “Okay, I’ll get things together and get going.”

  “Good. Go as quickly as you can and I’ll see you all soon. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Be careful.”

  “I will. Like I said, don’t worry. It will all work out. Just move quickly, don’t panic, and avoid downtown at all costs. That’s where the bulk of the protests are and I’ve heard the riot police and Homeland forces are moving in to put them down. Take all the cash we have in the drawer and any cash you have. Grab our passports too, and the kids’ passports. They have some, right?”

  “Yes, we got them before going on that cruise with your mom last year, but why do we need our passports?”

  “Just in case. Please, just take them with you and have my mom bring hers too. I’d also take some food and water, enough to last for two or three weeks, just in case. The lake house is pretty well stocked and mom will have some stuff too, so have her bring whatever you can pack, and plenty of blankets for the cold. Also, leave your phones behind. Don’t take them or you could be tracked to the lake house.”

  “If I don’t have my phone how will I know what’s going on or be able to
reach you. I don’t like that, Evan.”

  “I understand, but you have to leave them behind. With the GPS in the phones, it’s just too easy to locate them. Trust me, I’ll get there as soon as possible. As soon as I think it’s safe.”

  “Okay, but I don’t like this.”

  “Neither do I, but it’s necessary. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you soon. I love you,” he said again and hung up the phone.

  _______________________

  Declan woke up and saw Tom Langham rustling through some papers in one of the seats across from his makeshift bed, while kind of half-watching the muted flat screen TV that was mounted on the cabin wall in front of them. He asked, “Where’s Megan?”

  “She had an errand in D.C. She said she’d be back in an hour or so.”

  “When did she leave?”

  “About forty-five minutes ago, so she should be back soon. How are you feeling?”

  “Decent. I’m Declan Parker.”

  “Tom Langham. I’m Megan’s dad’s personal pilot, and a good friend of her family.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too, son,” Tom replied getting up. “We should be taking off once Megan gets back.”

  “Captain Langham, where are headed anyway?”

  “Please, call me Tom, and we’re heading down to Peru. Flying into Cusco specifically.”

  “What are your thoughts on the chances of me getting my gun through customs down there?”

  “I’d say about zero.”

  “Is there someplace here on the plane you could stash it for me, so I can get it back later? It was my dad’s and I’d prefer not to lose it.”

  “Sure, I have a tucked away place for sensitive type items. I’d be happy to keep it onboard for you. I’ll put it with the Remington Model 700 I keep aboard.”

  Declan pulled the 9mm Glock 19, the Lone Ranger, out of his backpack along with three full clips, and handed them to Tom. “Thanks, I really do appreciate it.”

  “No problem. Just try and make yourself comfortable. I expect Megan will be back soon.”

  “Will do.” Declan looked around the luxe, well equipped cabin. “That shouldn’t be too difficult,” he said to himself. He rummaged through the remaining contents of his backpack, and found some of his clothes, a pair of running shoes and his Bible.

  Declan looked up at the TV and took in the silent images of the riots which had broken out around the country. Fully armed American police, soldiers and Homeland Security troopers clashed with American citizens in scenes even the most pessimistic could not have imagined would ever take place in the United States. Declan watched the blood and carnage fill the HD screen, looked down to the Bible on his lap, and opened randomly to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 21. He read the words: “28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

  The words sat in front of Declan, sinking slowly into his understanding and he thought back to the signs Evan and his mom had talked about so many times: the wars and rumors of wars; the earthquakes; nations rising against nations and brothers against brothers; and the persecution of those who follow and believe in Jesus. “Maybe,” he whispered to himself. “Just maybe.”

  At that moment, Megan stepped back onto the plane with a guy Declan had never seen before.

  “Hey, you’re up,” she said. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m getting better. Who’s this?”

  “Declan Parker, meet Louis Martino.”

  “It’s a pleasure,” Louis offered as Declan nodded.

  “Louis writes for the online ‘Free Voice’. I’ve given him some background info and he’s going to tell your side of the story. By the way, Louis, here’s Declan’s medical charts, which will show that he wasn’t shot by an AR-15, but by a 9mm. I’ll have some more information on the Stanton case for you as well, I just need to go through the files first.”

  Declan asked, “Where did you get Stanton files?”

  “I downloaded Homeland’s files on the incident. I just haven’t had a chance to see what’s there yet.”

  “Oh, I’ve gotta get a look at those, Neary,” replied Louis.

  “I’ll have a flash drive for you before you get off the plane. Now, babe, are you up for talking?”

  “Sure.”

  “Good. I’ll tell Tom we’re ready to roll and let you two get started. Louis, we can drop you in Miami or Dallas. What’s your preference?”

  “Let’s go with Dallas. I’m actually going to catch a flight out to Israel sometime tomorrow, but I want to get a line on what’s happening with the gun protests first. Things are heating up here and really getting crazy in the Middle East quickly too. It’s almost like there’s just too much to cover.”

  “If anyone can, it’s you. Dallas it is then,” Megan said as she headed for the cockpit.

  “So, Declan,” Louis asked, “Where should we begin?”

  Declan sat up a bit more and thought for a second. “Hmm… Where do I start?”

  PART II

  “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.”

  Isaiah 46:10-11

  Chapter 40

  Kevin Cameron sat impatiently in his vehicle, the heater blasting a nearly tropical warmth all around him, watching the house. The lights were on in all but two rooms and he could occasionally see the silhouetted movement of a person, likely a woman, inside. To lessen the monotony, he had the radio on, listening to the news reports about the various protests which had devolved into small scale riots and clashes between citizens and militarized law enforcement units in most of the larger cities around the country.

  The silhouette’s movement on the first floor caught his attention again, then, for the first time, the front door opened and Kevin watched Michelle Parker walk outside into the cold carrying two small travel bags, one hot pink and the other red and navy blue. She loaded the travel bags into the back of a large silver Denali SUV parked in the driveway, and headed back inside, only to return a few minutes later with two black rolling suitcases, which she also loaded with some difficulty into the rear of the SUV.

  “Looks like someone’s taking a trip,” he said to himself.

  A few moments later, Michelle came out of the house again carrying three large reusable shopping bags, and again with three more and, finally, with what appeared to be a pile of blankets or bed sheets, as Kevin watched her from his car.

  A voice came across his radio, “Cameron, give me an update.”

  Kevin slowly picked up the radio from the passenger seat as the impatient voice spoke again, “Cameron, where are you? What’s happening there?”

  “Calm down, Costello. I’m right here.”

  “What’s the story? Any movement?”

  “No, nothing yet. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

  “Alright.”

  _______________________

  Michelle moved frantically through the house, unable to focus her attention on any one thing for more than a minute or two. A purple reusable Whole Foods shopping bag rustled back and forth in her nervous shaking hands as she began throwing in anything that looked like it might be beneficial to have at the lake house.

  A flashlight in the kitchen drawer, AAA batteries, C batteries, boxes of mac and cheese for the kids, a half full jar of creamy peanut butter, what was left of the bread. She began to fill up the bag with whatever random provisions her scattered mind could focus on. Band-Aids, she thought suddenly, and rushed from the kitchen to the upstairs master bathroom. As she searched for Band-Aids, she found and threw a bar of soap into the bag, then the kids’ toothbrushes, then sunscreen, and, finally, the box of Band-Aids which had brought her to the master bathroom in the first place.

  A
s she turned from the bathroom closet, Michelle caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and stopped in her tracks, trying to recognize the pale, harried, panicked eyes looking back at her. Suddenly, she broke down and fell to the floor in tears, unsure exactly why, except for an unshakable foreboding about what lay ahead.

  _______________________

  “A margarita, rocks with salt, please,” Louis Martino said to the waitress in the airport lounge. “And is it too late to get something from the kitchen?”

  “No, what would you like?”

  “How about a burger and fries, well done.”

  “No problem.”

  Louis took his notes out of his bag and looked them over for the third time since getting through security at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. His eyes rolled with excited ease through Declan’s entire story, a story which, in all fairness, would practically write itself. The angle was clear, and entirely in opposition to what the mainstream media had been reporting about David Stanton.

  “Here’s your rita,” the waitress said. “The food should be out in a few minutes.”

  “Thank you.”

  After taking a sip of his drink, Louis pulled out his iPhone and checked his texts to find one from his co-editor, Alyssa Chambers, which read, “Where R U?” Louis quickly texted back, “DFW, on my way to Jerusalem. Flight leaves in 2 hours,” and hit send. He took another sip of his margarita, savoring the salty sour flavor, and thought about how best to open the article on Declan and, more importantly, when to break it.

  A text came back from Alyssa, “Riots in DC, downtown Dallas too, and lots of other places.”

  Louis replied simply, “Riots? Seriously?”

  Less than thirty seconds later, “Seriously. Homeland & police moving in with military gear. Looks like Ferguson. Clashes with citizens. Reports of gunfire. Can you get downtown to cover? I’m covering DC.”