Page 109 of Airborne
God. Chad didn’t need to understand why He did things. If Chad comprehended it all, then God wouldn’t be God.
Order. God created order organization. Only perfection could accomplish such a feat.
Redemption. Chad couldn’t save himself when the world around him crumbled.
Jesus Christ. He had to be the true Son of God. Who else could take the world’s sins upon Himself?
Forgiveness. Chad had given up on forgiving himself for all the wrongs he’d done.
Reality. Life as he’d lived it never satisfied him. It pushed him to be more, do more, be responsible for everything.
Chad balled his hand into a fist. The thought of one more breath on his own made him want to die now. But Chad wanted to live... with purpose. He made his decision for Christ, one birthed in desperation, humility, and a need for a Savior.
Chad was a new man, reborn into the family of God. Strange how the decision for Christ filled him with a rare and satisfying peace... and on a Monday morning before coffee. He’d written a ton of God questions in his notebook. Yet neither Jordan, Heather, nor Javier had time for a fledgling Christian who had stubborn as his middle name. Their skills were needed to end the virus madness.
Heather and their son needed protection, and not the kind Chad could provide. If he refused Powell’s demands, Heather faced a perilous future or death. Removing himself from her life kept her and their son alive. Conceding to Powell also made him look like a liar and even guilty of the accusations.
The answer lay within his love for her and his new faith.
He’d call Powell before noon and agree to his terms.
He flipped open the lid on his laptop and contacted Doctors Without Borders for a list of permanent positions overseas. Within an hour, Chad had a job offer in Uganda. He thanked the director and accepted the position. He’d leave for Kampala, Uganda, in one week.
Javier brought lunch to Chad’s apartment at 11:15, his usual manner of opening a discussion. The two sat at the kitchen counter, drank coffee, and ate deli sandwiches while Chad contemplated what he’d say.
“Have you processed the lecture?” Javier said.
“That might take a while.” Chad stated his and God’s newfound relationship.
“Congratulations.” Javier grinned. “The wife and I have prayed for you. How can I help? Comments?”
Chad was clueless about how God answered prayer. Lightning bolts? Supernatural texts? But Javier had stepped into his life unexpectedly, and the two had developed an unusual friendship. Trembling, he buried his face in his hands.
“I assume this is about Powell’s demand for you to leave the country. It’s the reason for my visit.” He pointed at the clock on the microwave. “You have twenty minutes before his call. Tell me where you stand.”
“I have no choice.” Chad explained his and Heather’s discussion about a possible reconciliation. “Now I’ve broken her trust by telling you.”
Javier waved away the comment. “You’ve come a long way since we first met.”
“So have you.”
“I deserve that.”
“I take the real jerk award. Anyway, I accepted a job offer in Uganda. I plan to book a flight after I talk to Powell, and I wantto leave in a week. I’m thinking it will satisfy him.” Chad studied Javier. “Since you and other agents are aware of Powell’s demands, is there a plan?”
Javier wadded the paper remains of his lunch and stuffed them into the deli bag. “Tell Powell what you’ve done. Book your flight. Give him the info about the job and request he keep his end of the bargain.”
“Catch him off guard in hopes he makes a mistake?”
“Right. We anticipate he’ll make arrangements to have you killed wherever you land. He’s gone to a lot of trouble to destroy you.”
“I’d considered the possibility of walking into a death trap.”
“We’re working our end of the case in ways I can’t share.”
“From what I’ve experienced and learned, Thomas Powell has spun cycles with this. The why baffles me. Online sources list his IQ at a genius level, making him capable of putting an intricate plan into place.”
“True.” Javier stared out the small kitchen window. “Powell’s personality and motives are unraveling. Sit tight. The FBI will handle protection.”
