As I’d said—the best performances of our fucking lives!
Taking a deep breath, I remembered that today was Monday, only three days since Sara had left the Northern Light. A glance at my watch told me it was just after four in the afternoon here in Michigan. With the time difference and the time it took to fly to the Northern Light, we’d land about half an hour after we left Bloomfield Hills. Taking a deep breath of the floral-scented room, I turned, straightened my shoulders, and walked back out into the Michigan sunshine.
My goal was that both Sara and I would make it until Wednesday. Just two more days.
Micah and I were scheduled to fly to Fairbanks on Wednesday for supplies. There was a special distributor that provided the ingredients for the pharmaceuticals. We made the exchange only once a month. I’d been included on those runs since I first came to the Northern Light. Since it was only raw materials, this exchange didn’t require the higher clearance I’d needed to deliver the actual pharmaceuticals. However, due to the sensitivity, it had always been done with two pilots. It was one of the reasons Father Gabriel had insisted I return to work after Sara awoke. When we made it to Fairbanks, I’d buy a burner phone and authorize the raids. It wouldn’t happen immediately, but it would happen.
Sara and I both had to make it a couple of days.
As I walked toward the Cessna, my eyes met Micah’s. He didn’t need to speak. I saw the combination of question and devastation in his expression. Ten minutes ago that look would’ve crushed me, but not now. Pressing my lips into a straight line, I nodded. “I’m sorry I made you wait,” I said, looking around for Father Gabriel.
Micah grabbed my arm and whispered, “Jacob, I-I’m . . .” He didn’t finish. There were no words.
I stood taller. “I’m getting her back. Let’s go, so I can come back. Where is he?”
“In the plane, with Brother Elijah.”
My eyes opened wide. “Is Elijah going to the Northern Light too?”
Micah shrugged. “I don’t know what’s happening, with anything, and I hope you’re right.”
I nodded. His expression told me that he didn’t believe my declaration that I would get Sara back. If I were only Jacob Adams, I wouldn’t believe me either; however, I wasn’t Jacob Adams. I was Agent Jacoby McAlister, and I was fucking doing this.
Step by step I climbed the stairs, ready to get this show started. Standing at the top of the stairs, with the glare of the sunshine behind me, I was waiting for my eyes to adjust when Father Gabriel spoke.
“We’re not off to a good start.”
It wasn’t enough information. Micah wouldn’t know what he meant, but Elijah, sitting across from Father Gabriel, did, and so did I. I saw Elijah’s dark eyes staring in my direction. No longer did they convey the pity I’d seen at the mansion. Father Gabriel was referring to the promise I’d made standing in front of his desk, the promise to be the best pilot and follower he’d ever had. And instead of doing that, I’d made him wait—something I’d never done before.
Of course I’d never been forced to leave my wife locked in a dungeon either.
Exhaling, I held my hands behind my back and spread my stance. “I apologize, Father. As you’ve assured, I no longer have distractions. My devotion is fully with you and The Light.”
He nodded to me and turned to Elijah. “It seems things are under control. I’ll contact you once we’re at the Northern Light. For every minute my call’s delayed, you know what to do.”
I clenched my teeth, but refrained from speaking.
Elijah looked at his watch. “Father, what time did you plan on making that call?”
A smirk came to Father Gabriel’s lips. “I’d planned on leaving here no later than three-thirty. With that schedule I’d be calling by eight.”
Fucking asshole!
“Then we’ll stick with the original plan. It’ll be my pleasure,” Elijah replied.
Yeah, so much for the brotherhood of the Assembly.
The next time I saw Elijah, I hoped it would be in a holding cell. Kool-Aid was too damn good for him. Our eyes connected as he stood, and this time he didn’t look away. Once he made his way down the steps, Micah came aboard, lifted the stairs, and locked the cabin door.
The sound reminded me of the lock Richards had secured and momentarily opened a floodgate of thoughts. As I worked to corral them, Micah spoke.
“Father, is there anything you need before we take off?”