profoundly. But suddenly the hairs rose on the back of his neck. His hands were trembling. The breath left him and he rotated slowly in his chair. There, silhouetted strikingly in the doorway, silent and motionless, stood the slender form and commanding presence of Jeza herself.
Feldman was transfixed. His heart and mind raced wildly. Back-lit before him, she had the aura of an apparition. Feldman could almost feel the waves of energy radiating from her.
“Come with me,” is all she said. And Feldman was up out of his chair, pursuing the quick-paced, earnest young lady as she quietly departed down the hall.
How she eluded the security system and night watchman on her way in, he was unable to fathom. She led him through the exit, down the steps and off into the deserted streets.
He questioned nothing, content to let her dictate the situation, following her closely for over an hour, out of the city, heading due west. Into the bordering desert they trekked, up a steep, winding path, which left Feldman panting, until finally at the top of a tall precipice, she stopped to face the first light of morning, dawning just now behind Cairo below them.
Jeza wasn't even breathing hard, and not a hint of perspiration. She turned to Feldman and, with a faint, appreciative smile, motioned him toward a large smooth stone. Once he'd settled, she sat cross-legged on a similar stone next to him and gazed out over the city in peaceful contemplation.
Feldman couldn't take his eyes from this extraordinary woman. He'd never before been so close to her. At this proximity, the first morning sunbeams catching her face, she was more resplendent than ever. He marveled again at her physical perfection. Not a single blemish, discoloration or wrinkle. Not one. Her features were all as finely chiseled as if by a master sculptor. Her complexion milk-white and lucent Her eyes as clear and deeply sapphire as the retreating night sky.
Gazing at Jeza now in the cool morning stillness, and recalling the bizarre circumstances of her unnatural incubation, he was moved to sympathy for this strange and isolated woman.
Still, she said nothing, and Feldman was determined to wait her out to avoid anything that might disturb this curious relationship. He watched her incisive eyes as they flitted across the Egyptian landscape, taking in the architectural extremes of ancient pyramids and contemporary skyscrapers. And he wondered what was going on in that alien, prefabricated mind of hers.
As if wishing to answer his curiosities, she at last turned to him and presented a sweet comforting smile. “I seek your help,” she said straightforwardly, her eyes invading him, although this time without the vertiginous side effects.
Her gaze was still unsettling. It affected him like a visual truth serum. As if any thought he might have she could instantly read. In the middle of trying to cope with that distraction, yet another odd awareness struck him. She never blinked! At least not that he'd detected. Her gaze was absolutely unfaltering.
He shook all of this off and tried to focus on her unanticipated question. “My help? Umm, certainly. Of course. How can I help you?”
She grew reflective. “It is nearly time for me to leave this place. I must travel far from here for a short while and carry on the Father's work in other lands. Will you assist me?”
Feldman was not sure what she was asking.
“Assist you? How?”
“In arranging transport and lodging and audiences with those I must see.”
“Where do you want to go, when do you want to go there, and with whom do you want to meet?”
“My first journey is to America. In two weeks. To address the assembled religions of the world by the great salt lake.”
Feldman had no idea what she was referring to. “Sure,” he promised, “I can do that, no problem!” He could hardly contain himself. Here was an opportunity for WNN to establish a direct relationship with the most famous, sought-after celebrity on earth. The benefits and the rating points were incalculable.
“I wish to speak with all the representatives of the world religions the last day of their assembly,” she added. “Also, I would ask you to witness and record these events.”
Feldman grinned wide. “Absolutely. I'll make all the arrangements right away. Now, how do I contact you? Where are you staying?’ He was trying to look casual, holding his breath, hoping she'd reveal her hiding place to him.
“I will meet you here at dawn, one week from today to hear of your plans.”
“But what if I should need to reach you in between?’ Feldman gave it one last try.
“I will not see you again until one week from today.” She stated this as a fact, not a decision. “Now I must go.”
“Very well,” Feldman agreed, and they both stood. He extended his hand to her and she took it. Hers was so small in his. So warm, so smooth.
So strong. Feldman tentatively tried to withdraw his hand, but was taken off-guard at her leverage. She held him fast Not threateningly, but to emphasize a point.
“You will return alone?’ she asked.
“Of course.”
She smiled her kind smile once more and released him.
Feldman began his trek down the hillside, fully expecting to find her gone when he turned for a last look. She was.
60
The Vatican Gardens, Rome, Italy 2:15 P.M., Friday, February 18, 2000
A pensive, lonely Alphonse Cardinal Litti sat at the edge of a carved stone bench in the Lourdes Grotto of the Vatican Gardens. At this precise moment, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was meeting with Nicholas VI, presenting their formal
Litti knew his report would not be among its pages. Four days ago he had received a courier-delivered epistle from Nicholas in response to Litti's persistent requests for an audience. In the letter, Nicholas had expressed concern for Litti's health and had commanded a complete physical by the Vatican medical staff, followed by an extended vacation. From the tone, it was obvious Nicholas was aware of Litti's report. And had rejected it.
Neither would the pope grant an audience, nor give his cardinal permission to attend the Mormons’ second convocation, coming up in two weeks.
There was nothing in the formal
The pontiff approved the
From this point forward, the faithful were hereby ordered to discount the teachings and messages of Jeza, and to abstain from further attention to, or acknowledgment of, her words and deeds.
61
WNN regional headquarters, Cairo, Egypt 10:12 A.M., Saturday, February 19, 2000
The news of Feldman's contact with Jeza had the WNN international brass breaking out the champagne and toasting the winsome young man who had single-handedly delivered them at least three “weeks of guaranteed,
