Pursuit of the Patriarchs

Chapter 32

They returned to the safehouse without running into the adversary or any other fallen. He was planning something just as he always had. Whatever it was, they'd be ready.

The jumbled mess of words was downloaded and running across the screen. They returned to their shifts to wait for God to let them know where the patriarchs were taken by the Templars.

Johnathon came up with an idea about what to do about the videos where more Maggie's had popped up throughout the west. Which was followed by an increase in attacks.

Rather than shutting them down, Johnathon wanted to replace them with a compilation of bombmakers accidently blowing themselves up the way Anna had. Or at least have it go out before the propaganda videos could start.

Considering the positive result Anna's mishap had on fewer attacks, seeing more than one should have an even better result.

Johnathon walked to Jason to speak with him privately about what he wanted. He didn't even know if it was possible, but Jason would be able to tell him. A good spy deferred to experts, rather than making assumptions.

Jason said it'd be difficult, but not impossible. It'd help if he had access to Mr. Burgess' hidden access to the servers being used. He was convinced Mr. Burgess was hiding a great deal online and Johnathon certainly agreed with that assessment. Mr. Burgess wasn't the type of person not to do something to protect himself against the three.

Johnathon was contemplating reaching out to Mr. Burgess. It was just a matter of time until he called, but didn't want to rush him to take action in favor of the three, when one of his burner's rang. The only one who had that number was Mr. Burgess.

He held up his finger to signal for Jason to wait. "I trust you've done your due diligence and researched your wife, Mr. Burgess," Johnathon said with a smile that didn't reach his voice.

There was silence at the other end. Johnathon knew it'd do no good to press him. He'd speak when he was ready.

"I have, Mr. Ritter. I should've seen it," he replied after a slight delay with a false calm in his voice.

He was angry at himself, but wasn't going to share it with him. Or anyone else. His pride wouldn't allow it. But at least he admitted his flaw in trusting her.

"Strong emotions, like love, tend to blind us to what is. Now that you know the truth, Mr. Burgess, what do you plan to do about it?" he asked leaving it in his hands.

He had to make the decision of his own free will. There could be no coercing him to help. If Johnathon tried, he'd push back against him.

"Help you anyway I can, Mr. Ritter," he replied with a tone of certainty.

It was a gift from God. There was no other explanation than God working through him, unless it was a trap. There weren't any warning signs from God telling him Mr. Burgess was anything other than sincere in his desire to help.