The Invitation(48)
“Is your knowledge of twentieth century history as extensive?”
“Yes”
“That’s incredible. You have tremendous intellectual depth, Mr.
President.”
“Knowledge and morality, the two greatest forces that drive mankind onward. As Immanuel Kant said, ‘The starry vault above, and the moral law within.’”
“Sir, I know you intend to stay here today, but I wish you’d reconsider.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Allen.”
“Why are you doing this, Sir?”
“I have to. It’s for a greater good. What time is it?”
“It’s 7:35, Sir.”
“You need to eat breakfast, Allen.”
“I had something earlier, Sir. What about you?”
“I’m fine. My wife was up most of the night. I’m glad she’s getting some rest.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Today I will sit with her, and thank her for all the help she’s given to me through the years. Are you married, Allen?”
“Yes, Sir, I am.”
“Too many men lose the habit of expressing affection to their wives. We tend to look past those things that are closest to us.”
“I guess that’s true, Sir.”
“Take all things with gratitude, Allen.”
“I try, Sir. Mr. President, I must ask you to allow a security detail to stay with you for your protection.”
“No, I think you, and I have it covered, Allen. We don’t need any more company. So I’m afraid I can’t allow that to happen. Things must unfold as they will. It’s predetermined.”
“What do you mean, Sir?”
“Have patience. This will all be over soon. Actually, we will have company tonight. The Vice President will be with us. He’s a good man, Vice President Conner.”
“Yes, Sir, he is.”
“Tonight he plays the part for which he was chosen. Allen I’m going to check on my wife. Why don’t you get some rest, and come back later today, if you’d like.”
“If… that's what you want me to do Sir.”
“Get some rest Allen, when they debrief you, tell them they have no power to change what will happen, and tell them not to worry. When this is over all that we love will be preserved. I want to thank you for your good company. It was good of you to sit with me.”
“It’s my duty, Sir, and my pleasure.”
“Mine too, Allen. I’ll see you later today.”
“Yes, Sir, I’ll be here.”
“Good.”
Listening to his Commander in Chief, Allen finds his words and tone unsettling, almost fatalistic, as if knowing he would soon be leaving this world, and as the President rises to check on his wife, Secret Service agent Allen Forbes watches him walk away, and apprehensively wonders what the coming day will bring.
Several hours later, Todd Keniston is packing some things for an unexpected trip to Miami. Receiving a telephone call earlier, he has been told that a critical top secret mission will be assigned to him when he gets there. CIA Director Paul Stuart will in person brief him when he arrives, and the operation will take place immediately. Mr. Keniston has been told that he needs to bring with him only a few personal items for an overnight stay, and that everything he needs will be provided. He has been told that the operation pertains to the strange phenomenon that’s being seen across the globe by millions, and that a hidden, sinister aspect of it has been uncovered. Everything will be explained when he gets to Miami.
In one sense he’s glad to have a reason to leave. The painful memories that come with living in the empty house that use to be his family’s home are far more difficult to bear than he thought. As he’s getting ready to leave, he sees the mail truck approaching as usual. A thread of hope remains that his wife will change her mind and come back. The mail man’s gesture signals that something requires his signature. The registered letter has an unfamiliar return address. As he opens the envelope, Todd Keniston feels his heart sink. His wife has filed for divorce, and has engaged an attorney to handle her case. Without reading any more, he bitterly tears the letter into pieces. A slow, simmering anger builds inside him as he gets in his car and starts out for Miami.
A few hours later, in southern Florida, at a secret government air strip, a private jet touches down. Four men get out, and walk across the tarmac to the vehicle waiting for them. Three of them are ex-military personnel with special operations experience. One of the men is wearing gloves and carrying a black rectangular case. The fourth man is CIA Director Paul Stuart. The fifth and last member of this team is expected later. His name is Todd Keniston.