had been hard on them over the years and she rarely saw eye to eye with them, but without them, none of this could have ever been possible. And she respected them greatly for that…especially David.
She knew that Roberts would kill them without hesitation. He was the kind of man built for killing, and after the years of training he’d received at LightTech, she imagined he was long overdue to draw blood. She couldn’t let that happen, but she also had to make sure the blood spilled wasn’t her own.
Sally pressed the final button on the watch; she finalized the changes she had swiftly made to Roberts’s landing zone, placing him ten miles outside his intended target area. The plan was to give him a hike, and hopefully give David a little more time. Beep, beep. Sally froze. She didn’t expect the watch to make any kind of confirmation noise. Roberts squinted at her and she could have sworn his hand moved toward his knife. Sally worked hard not to panic in the following seconds. She knew that even the oddest change in facial expression might draw suspicion. Sally felt a deadweight pulling down on her shoulders. Would her attempts to slow Captain Roberts be found out? Sally glanced at the watch as casually as she could manage.
Thank God! Sally’s tense muscles relaxed. “Top of the hour, gentlemen.”
Sally handed the watch to Roberts. It was 3:00 p.m.
Roberts slipped the disguised watch onto his wrist and glanced at the face. “How’s this doohickey work?” he asked, causing Sally to roll her eyes.
George and his assistant Jake looked at each other with a tinge of embarrassment. All the years of training and education and Roberts was still a simple-minded buffoon. Sally saw the exchange and attempted not to smile.
“Push this button once to go back to the prearranged time and place. This has already been programmed,” explained Sally, as she pointed to the appropriate buttons. “Push the same button twice to come back. That’s it; even a seven year old could work the watch.” Sally was pushing it, and she knew it.
Roberts checked his weapon quickly, making no attempt to hide his angry glare at Sally, as he walked to the center of the room and turned around. “Be back in a minute.”
Captain Roberts pushed a button on the watch and waited to be transported back in time. Nothing happened. “It’s the other button, the one above that,” Sally said, her smirk impossible to hide.
Roberts pushed the correct button and a blue pulse of light began to flash in front of him. Sally, George and Jake backed quickly out of the room and watched through the glass as Captain Roberts exploded back in time to kill their best and brightest.
Sally turned to George and asked, “So what’s our backup plan if Roberts fails?”
“He won’t fail,” said George with feigned confidence.
“Nonetheless, I’m sure you have a backup plan. What is it?”
George motioned to Jake to explain. Jake stepped forward and said with forced casualness, “We’ve developed a series of miniature robots that can-”
“Robots? Cut the crap and tell me the truth.” Sally didn’t feel like being jerked around.
“No joke,” Jake said, as he pushed his glasses further onto his nose. “The I-Fly 100 robotic insect series. Each is equipped to deliver a lethal sting that will mimic an allergic reaction. We’ve tested it on several employees already.”
Sally was aghast.
“Not to worry, Sally,” George added, “We have an antidote. No one died during the testing.”
“The robots are designed to fly, look and act like common pests. They have built in facial recognition software and can operate for seven days using micro fuel cells and solar power.”
“How quickly does the poison act?” Sally asked, her stomach knotting.
“Depends on the target,” George said with pride. “If healthy, it could take up to two days.”
“And you have these all ready to go?” Sally asked.
“Three of them, yes,” George said, “You don’t have a problem with this, do you?”
Sally was testing her facial control today. “Of course not. I just want to be kept informed from now on.”
“Naturally,” George said.
“You said you had three. One for David, one for Tom, who is the third for?” asked Sally.
“Captain Roberts, of course. Should he fail to return, his life is subject to termination as well,” Jake explained with a smirk that said, “Well, duh.”
Sally wished she could punch the little brownnose, but instead said, “You’ll let me know when your robots are ready to be sent back?”
“I promise,” George said with a toothy grin.
“Good,” Sally said, wishing she had something more stinging to say. She pivoted expertly on her heels and strode away.
Jake looked at George and asked, “Think she’s still with us?”
“Sally’s a team player, Jake, always has been,” George said.
Jake watched Sally walk away.
George stretched his neck and then said with a smile, “Besides, if Sally becomes a problem, there’s always robot number four.” Jake smiled.
The laughter from Lazarus’s home could be heard clear to the walls of Bethany. The past four hours since their arrival had been filled with storytelling, camaraderie and fine dining. The seating was a bit awkward, lounging around a short table from which people would scoop food with unleavened bread. It wasn’t Peggy’s, but Martha could cook like no other woman in ancient Israel-Tom was sure of that. He was smitten with their hosts. Lazarus was strong as an ox and as funny as a cat in water. Martha was an amazing host, never stopping to eat, drink or talk. The woman was a machine. And Mary…sweet Mary. Every time Tom’s eyes met with hers, even for the briefest moment, his stomach would turn over. Tom hoped their stay at the home would last longer than most stops.
Half the group, including Tom, Jesus, Matthew, Peter, Judas, Lazarus and Mary sat in one room together, while the rest of the disciples dined in a room across the hall. David had gone outside more then an hour ago and had yet to return. Tom wondered if David had returned to the future again without telling him. Whatever the reason for David’s disappearance, Tom wouldn’t let it distract him from the incredible time he was having.
Martha buzzed between the rooms and through the corner of her eyes saw Mary laughing flirtatiously with Tom. “Having fun?” Martha asked her with a steely glare.
Jesus looked up at Martha and his smile faded slightly. Trouble was brewing. “What troubles you, Martha?” Jesus asked, as though clueless.
“Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?” Martha asked.
Jesus smiled pleasantly, “Martha…you’re worried about so many things, but only one thing is needed.”
Martha puts her hands on her hips, waiting to hear what Jesus had to say. “Mary has chosen what is important and we won’t take that from her.”
Martha’s lips pursed tightly and her eyebrows sank.
“I only mean that my disciples are grown men. Let them tend to their own preparations and join us. We’ve hardly seen you,” Jesus said with a genuine smile.
Martha softened a little. Jesus was getting through. “Stop this foolishness and join us, Martha!” piped in Lazarus.
Martha lost any pleasantness and shouted, “I will not!”
But before Martha could retreat, Lazarus took her by the wrist. “We’ll see about that!”
With a strong tug, Lazarus pulled Martha down onto his lap and began tickling her. The room erupted with laughter, while a furious Martha squirmed and screamed in anger, “Let go of me! Lazarus! You stop…HA! Right now! HA HA! Ahhh ha ha ha!”
Lazarus’s tickling worked magic and Martha’s anger became undone. Tom watched the entire event unfold as though he were watching a brilliant movie. His own family had been as dysfunctional as they come. He was never close to his parents and his brother was a moronic bully. The only person he was proud to call family had been snatched from him. Tom caught Mary’s eyes as thoughts of Megan entered his thoughts. He was consumed with guilt. The single reason for him being here, in the home of Lazarus, sharing dinner with friends and staring at a
