“So … a meteor storm?”
“Well, if the Israelis had used an electromagnetic pulse bomb, we’d have heard about it. And there would have been a lot of power outages at ground zero. There weren’t any reported.”
“The Israeli military was caught flat-footed. They’re more geared for border disputes than aerial combat with the Russians.”
Jim felt defensive. “A freak meteor storm that leaves no traces is easier to believe than aliens from outer space.”
Tamara nodded to her right. “Sterling wouldn’t agree with you. You’ve heard his theory, right?”
“I have.” Jim knew from personal experience that Sterling would expound on the threat of aliens for hours on end if given the opportunity. Sterling was the chief conspiracy enthusiast on Charlie Crew. “Okay, so if you don’t think it was aliens or a freak meteor storm or some tactical weapon the Israelis possess that we don’t know about, what do you think it was?”
Silence stretched between them for a moment. During the six months he had known her, Jim had seldom seen Tamara think before making a reply. She always had information quickly at her disposal about any number of topics.
“Do you ever read the Bible?” she asked finally.
Jim felt a little self-conscious. He’d seen the tiny cross that Tamara wore on a delicate necklace around her neck when they’d had dinner, lunch, or breakfast after hours to get better acquainted. He’d gone to church when he was a kid, but he’d gotten away from it and resented anyone who tried to shove religion down his throat.
“Some,” he said. “It’s been a while.”
“Ever study the book of Revelation? Daniel? Ezekiel?”
“No.”
“Ezekiel 38,” she said. “You should take a look at it.”
The conversation felt more and more uncomfortable to Jim. He was beginning to feel sorry he’d asked.
“Ezekiel 38 could be interpreted to describe the Russian attack on Israel,” Tamara went on. “A great army is supposed to descend from the north and attempt to destroy Israel and take her riches. For years, Israel has depended on outside financial help.”
“There are lots of riches there now.”
“Because of Rosenzweig’s formula, yes. At any rate, during the northern army’s attack, when Israel was helpless, God told Ezekiel that He would protect Israel.”
“And you believe that’s what happened?”
“Not,” Tamara stated quietly, “until today.”
“When everyone vanished?”
“Yes.”
Jim considered her answer and the possibility he knew she was only hinting at. “So if God’s hand was in all of the disappearances, where did those people go?”
Tamara looked at him. “Heaven, Jim. They went to heaven.” A mostly beatific expression filled her face, but some uncertainty shone in her dark eyes. There was also more than a little sadness.
Even though he had been expecting her to say exactly that, her words still brought a chill that filled Jim’s heart. “Why them?”
“Because they were the ones who were deserving.”
“Deserving?”
“They believed.” Tamara shook her head. “Didn’t you know some of those people who disappeared from here?”
“Yeah.”
“And what were most of them like?”
“They were good people,” Jim answered. That was one of the first things that came to mind. Of course, he hadn’t known them all, but he’d known quite a few.
“Exactly.”
“But there are other good people who are still here,” Jim pointed out. “You were left behind.”
“Thank you for that, but my faith isn’t as strong as it used to be,”
Tamara admitted. “Or maybe it was never as strong as I thought it was. I don’t know.” She sighed. “My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer.”
“I’m sorry.”
Tamara shook her head. “That’s not the point, Jim. The point is how I reacted to that news. I’m guilty of holding God accountable for my mom’s cancer. I’m not supposed to do that.”
“But a feeling like that is only natural.”
“Maybe. Other people might blame the environment. I blamed God.” Tamara sighed. “I can be mad at God, but I have to understand that the things that happen are for the best. I’m supposed to believe in His love.” She pursed her lips. “Just last week, I had a disagreement with the pastor at my church. I finally told him about Mom’s cancer. He went through the usual spiel, telling me to trust God, that everything was working out according to His plan. I didn’t like what he had to say. It’s the first time we’ve ever had any kind of disagreement.”
“I would have felt the same way.”
“Maybe.” Tamara clicked the trackball again, capturing more information. “But my mom didn’t. She just accepted the doctor’s diagnosis and said that God would figure out what she was supposed to do.”
“You’ve talked about your mom a lot. She sounds like a terrific woman.”
“She is. And she’s important to me.”
“If there’s anything I can do.”
Tamara nodded. “I’m not going to worry about it anymore. At least, I’m going to try not to. Whatever happens, I really feel like it’s in God’s hands.” She glanced around the room. “Just like the people who disappeared here. I think they’re in God’s hands.” She wiped her eyes. “And you know what else?”
“What?”
Tamara’s voice broke, but she recovered. “I think my mom is in God’s hands right now, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“If this is the Rapture, if God has come and taken His church, I know my mom was one of those.”
Tamara’s conviction touched Jim in ways he’d never felt before. For a moment, her emotion embarrassed him. When she discovered that what she suddenly found herself believing wasn’t actually the case, she was going to be hurt deeply. But a quiet unease had threaded through his thoughts, never to be denied again. What if she is right? What if God has come for his people? The thought was terrifying. He felt a cold breeze across the back of his neck. If it was true, then he had been left behind.
“I tried to call home before we were pulled in to fill the vacant posts in here,” Tamara said.
“Was your mom home?” Despite his doubts, Jim found himself drawn to the answer.
“I don’t know. The phone lines aren’t going through right now.”
That stood
