The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (booksvooks txt) 📕

Jamie was first to react. “Oh Garret, you didn’t do these things to us. I’m sure you didn’t know what this man was capable of.”

“I should have known. I should have known better.”

“Oh, bless your heart.”

I looked up at Jamie and a small smile creased my face. “Fonda says that to me all the time.”

She raised her arms and spread them wide, “Come and give me a hug. We love you and that’s all you need to know.”

I walked between their beds and turned toward Jamie and reached down to give her a hug. We embraced like a mother and son, then I stood and turned toward Chad. He had a tear rolling down his cheek and reached for my hand. I grabbed it, as if to shake it, and he pulled me down and embraced me as well. Did they really forgive me for my stupidity? I knew they were good people and Christians, but were they full of that much compassion?

Only time would answer those questions.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

“We’re going to need some clothes to wear when we leave the hospital”, stated Jamie.

“I can go back to the Inn and have Pat, or one of the staff let me into your cottage. Anything special you’d like me to bring for you?”

“Just some capris and a top, some sandals, and some under things”, Jamie requested with a sly grin.

“A pair of shorts or pants and a polo shirt and some shoes for me.”

“Are you going to go commando, or should I grab some under things for you too?”

With a chuckle, Chad said, “Yeah, maybe I should wear some under things.”

Special Agent Presley had some matters he needed to discuss with the Wilhites, so I excused myself to conduct this simple mission. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. I’m so glad you are both going to be okay.”

While I was gone, Presley provided the Wilhites with some of the details of what was taking place with the investigation into their abduction. He showed them the photos taken from inside the Kahului Airport and the Wilhites confirmed those were the men that had been part of the three-man team they had interacted with. Chad was confident the bigger man, traveling as Duane Scruggs, was their leader. He had the only laptop and was in communication with someone else who was giving him direction. The other two men called him Smith.

The second man in the photograph taken at the American Airlines ticket counter was called Johnson. They couldn’t tell Presley much more about that man. Maybe they would get lucky and get a hit on some of the fingerprints that had been lifted from the shack.

Jamie cringed when she looked at a photo of the third man, know as Jones. His real name was Archibald Patterson, traveling as Daniel Imhoff. He was now deceased. He had drunk himself into a coma and combined with the food he had eaten, was not able to survive the internal damage he had done. Jamie didn’t ‘bless his heart’.

That was what they knew about the Three Stooges.

Next, Presley presented what they knew about Conrad Bishop, the reputed leader of this debacle. The couple listened to the Special Agent go through his history and looked at the last photo they had of Conrad. The Wilhites exhibited very little emotion. It appeared that their compassion would not extend to Conrad and his Three Stooges.

Chad and Jamie were emotionally spent after the update Special Agent Presley provided. Chad had a few questions about the PacAsian Star and the diversion plan. It had been decided to not provide any of the details, outside of the FBI, in order to protect the Wilhites and to reduce the risk of leaks to the press or to anyone who might have evil intentions.

The last thing that was shared with Chad and Jamie was that until after March 6, they were officially missing. They were presumed to have fled the country, or were victims of a fire, just outside of Hana, that destroyed a small house.

For the first time, Chad erupted, “What are you talking about? Our children, they will be devastated!”

“We’ve got that covered. We have agents that will meet with each of your children, including your daughter in Europe. They will be told the truth, that you are safe and under our protection. This is for your protection. We are working on a plan to apprehend the remaining three members of this crew.”

“Can we call them and explain this, situation, to them?”

“No. We don’t feel like it’s secure. These people were able to hack into your company and personal computers to gain knowledge. Telephones are much less secure than computers.”

Resigned to their fate for the next ten days, they laid back in their beds and closed their eyes. Presley presumed they were praying for patience and strength to get through the rest of this ordeal.

While Chad and Jamie lie there with their eyes closed, I walked back into their suite.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

“What’s the matter? Are they okay?” I asked Presley the second I entered the suite.

“They are absorbing the plan I just explained to them.”

“What plan is that?”

“The same one that you are going to be a part of. For the next ten days, you are presumed missing or dead.”

“What?” I asked in a tone that was more fiery than it should have been.

My outburst brough Chad and Jamie back to the here and now. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“We weren’t asleep dear, we were praying for strength, and patience.”

Presley then proceeded to explain that I, along with the Wilhites, would be reported as missing or presumed dead in a fire outside of Hana. Yes, Fonda would be informed of the truth and provided with around the clock protection. This was a ruse being created, by the FBI, to convince Conrad that they had succeeded in their plot.

After a quiet dinner tonight