The Regime: Evil Advances by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page A

assignments I ever had, and I don’t wish to revisit it.”
    “I need you again, Reiche.”
    “Please, no. Emil Tismaneanu has extensive security, not unlike yourself.”
    “I will defeat Emil politically. But an example needs to be made of Ion.”
    “Ion? Surely you can’t be serious.”
    “Think, man. I can live with disloyalty to a certain degree. A man wants to move on, finds a better deal, does not want to face me, all right. That proves he is independent, has his own mind. Maybe someday I hire him back. But if you think that is the extent of what Ion did to me, you are a
prostovan
with such
naivitate
that I must question your intelligence. Ion is a traitor, Reiche. If I were to let him get away with costing me a hundred-million-dollar deal, my reputation would be worthless. I would be seen as a weakling, easily trampled upon.”
    “And yet if something happens to Ion, you will become the immediate suspect.”
    “I was not suspected in the deaths of my fathers.”
    “You were just past childhood, and that was a very expensive, very professional job. And, as I say, one I do not wish to revisit.”
    “We
are
revisiting it, Reiche. Ion will be dealt with in such a way that it will be clearly an accident. No one will even suspect me. You will make it happen.”

    Reiche moved away, staring into the distance. “If it is done so well, how will that protect your reputation? A man who has seemingly done you wrong is befallen by an unfortunate accident. It will be seen as a coincidence, karma at best.”
    “Those who need to know will know. Or at least they will wonder. This might even discourage Emil from running against me.”
    Irene could not have been more stunned if her mother-in-law had told her she had been a contortionist in a former life. After a couple of typical episodes of forgetting where she was or which way to turn to get back to her room, she asked what time lunch was.
    “We just came from there, Mom,” Irene said. “You enjoyed the coleslaw, remember?”
    “Oh yes! That was today?”
    It had been ten minutes before.
    “Mom, do you ever pray?”
    “Why, yes, of course I do. I pray every day. I am a Christian, you know.”
    I know you think you are, Irene wanted to say. But the woman was fragile.
    “I worry so about my husband. I don’t think he really knows the Lord.”
    “You don’t?” Irene said.
    “Not like I do, no. My son either.”
    “How so?”

    “You have to have Jesus in your heart,” she said, sounding so much like a little girl that Irene was taken aback.
    “And how do you get Jesus in your heart?”
    “Not physically, you know,” the old woman said. “It’s just an expression.”
    “I understand.”
    “I found it in the Bible. Our church never talked about it. That we’re all sinners and separated from God. That Jesus died for our sins. I mean, we heard that a lot, but it seemed to refer to the whole world. He did die for the whole world, but you have to receive Him for yourself. I have a favorite verse.”
    “You do?”
    “Oh, what’s the reference again?”
    “I don’t know, Mom. What is it?”
    “I like when you call me Mom. I’m not your mother, am I?”
    “You’re my mother-in-law.”
    “You’re Rayford’s wife. I was at your wedding.”
    “You sure were.”
    “When are you going to give us grandchildren?”
    Irene pulled out pictures and reminded her of Chloe and Raymie.
    “Of course, I remember.”
    “And your favorite verse? What is it?”
    “I can’t remember the address.”
    Irene had never heard that term for a Bible reference. “Just tell me the words then.”
    ” ‘As many as received Him, to them He gave the right

    to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.’ I believe in His name, Chloe.”
    “I’m Irene.”
    “I believe in His name, Irene.”
    Irene could barely speak. What a gift this was!
    “Everybody stops after Romans 3:23,” Mrs. Steele said, astonishing Irene anew.
    “So that address you