Frantic by Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page B

situation and introduced Lenore and Tolan.
    The truck was nearly empty when Pete suggested they take a break for lunch. He told the kids what had happened on his trip south. Vicki thought it incredible how God had prepared Pete to give the gospel message to people around the country. Each truck stop was a new opportunity.
    While the others ate, Conrad asked Mark and Vicki to join him in the study room. “I know Carl’s supposed to be a believer, but isn’t it kind of dangerous bringing him here?”
    â€œSupposed to be?” Mark said.
    â€œI’m not trying to be difficult,” Conrad said. “I just want to be careful.”
    Mark held up a hand. “I wrestled with the question a long time before I brought him. He’s OK.”
    â€œI don’t like it,” Conrad said. “Even if his mark is real, he’s still GC. If those guys track him here . . .”
    â€œYou were GC before we took you in,” Mark said. “Why shouldn’t—”
    â€œWant to inspect my mark?” someone said behind them. “Go ahead.”
    Vicki turned. Carl stood in the doorway. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious. Here. See if you can rub it off.”
    Conrad shook his head. “It’s OK. I didn’t mean anything—”
    â€œSure you did,” Carl said, walking closer. “What we’re doing is dangerous. If the GC find me, I’m dead meat and you guys would be next.”
    â€œWhich is exactly what I’m saying,” Conrad said. “I know how the GC operate. They could easily drag the truth out of any of us if they caught us.”
    â€œThat’s why I don’t think I should go back there,” Carl said. “There are just too many ways for the GC to—”
    â€œWe can talk about the future later,” Mark said. “The point is, you’re one of us now and you’re here.”
    Carl looked at Vicki. “I want to learn as much as I can as fast as I can.”
    Vicki nodded. “We’ll help you.”

    Lionel was still asleep when Judd awoke. Judd spent the day watching news reports of the locust attack and reading Tsion Ben-Judah’s Web site. He couldn’t wait to hear what had happened to Mr. Stein. He imagined the man riding through dangerous territory and giving the gospel in languages he had never even heard of before.
    Judd wrote an e-mail about his travels and what he had seen in Africa. He sent it to Tsion Ben-Judah and the kids back at the schoolhouse.
    Sam joined Judd and read over his shoulder. When he finished, Sam said, “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to see my father.”
    Judd turned his chair around.
    â€œDon’t try to talk me out of it.”
    Judd scratched his beard. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and was surprised at the extra growth. He had tried growing a beard when he was a sophomore without much success. A few of his friends had laughed and made fun of him, but some of the girls thought he looked cute.
    â€œI don’t want to talk you out of it,” Judd said to Sam. “I think you should go.”
    â€œReally?”
    Judd nodded. “If your dad hasn’t been stung yet, he will be soon. That may give you a chance to talk with him.”
    â€œShouldn’t I try to get to him before he’s stung? He can’t become a believer afterward, can he?”
    â€œFrom what I read, it’s still possible to become a believer after you’re stung—it just won’t take away the pain.”
    Sam sat in thought. Finally he said, “There’s a woman who lives next door to our house. She watches the neighborhood like a hawk but stays inside all the time. Maybe she’ll know.”
    Judd took some change from his pocket and handed it to Sam. “Find a pay phone a few blocks from here and call. We’ll help you get to him.”
    â€œThanks, Judd.” Sam smiled, grabbed the change, and ran out the