Enemy In the Room (48 page)

“By asking him to forgive all that you’ve
done, by believing that his son, Jesus, died as the
once-and-for-all payment for all that you’ve ever done, and by
asking his Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you every day.”

“How do I prepare? When can I do it?”

Kristen smiled. “You don’t have to prepare,
other than be honest. When you want to change and start your life
over, you can ask him.”

“Can I ask now?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then I want to ask.”

“Let’s kneel right here and pray. Just talk
to God and tell him what you’ve done, and tell him that you want a
real relationship with him.”

“Out loud?”

“If you want. Or silently. He’ll hear you
either way.”

Callie knelt with Kristen holding her hand,
closed her eyes, and prayed.

Five minutes and a lifetime later, Callie
wiped her eyes. Kristen reached over and hugged her.

“It’s going to be OK,” Kristen whispered,
stroking her hair. “Now you’re back in God’s arms, and he’ll never
let you go.”

They cried and prayed for a while longer.
Kristen asked out loud for guidance and wisdom for Callie, her
father, and their whole family. Finally Callie smiled, wiped her
tears, and regained her chair. Kristen sat again, too, and looked
at her friend.

“What do I do now?” Callie asked.

Kristen smiled. “You’ve taken care of the
most important decision you’ll ever make. Now you need people. With
God’s help we’ll ask for advice from other believers who will help
you—us—figure out all the stuff you’re dealing with. And then there
are family and friends who really care about you, who know you and
love you and will give you good advice. That’s how you’ll make the
right decisions.”

“You mean
my
family?”

“Yes, Callie. I’m your friend.” She smiled.
“Almost your big sister. But your mom and dad—even your
brother—have known you a lot longer than I have. You need to talk
with them.”

“They would never want me back after all
I’ve done. Those movies will be around forever. How could anyone
love a nineteen-year-old, doped up, pregnant porn actress?”

Kristen squeezed her hand. “Callie, that’s
all
you were thirty minutes ago. You’re still those things,
but now you’re also a child of God. He loves you. I love you. And
your parents love you.”

“No they don’t. They couldn’t. I’ve done too
much bad stuff.”

“Callie, they raised you. And that’s their
grandchild you’re carrying.”

Callie’s eyes widened. “I, uh, hadn’t
thought of that.”

“Look, I can tell you what I think God’s
word says about each of your problems. His is the only permanent
value system that really counts. And how to start getting it inside
you. But your family is also key. So many people have parents who
don’t care about them—like Jane. You’re blessed with a mom and a
dad who love you and want to help you. Don’t turn them away.”

“My mother doesn’t even know. And do you
really think my father will want me back? After all I’ve said to
hurt him—and all I’ve done?”

“Yes, I do. Let’s call him and ask him.”

“Now?”

“Yes. It’s, let’s see—she looked at her
watch—seven in the morning in Moscow. He’s got a big day today.
Let’s call him and wish him a Happy Fourth of July.”

“Now?” Callie was smiling and crying.

“Yes. And then we’ll call and get some seats
on a flight home in the morning. It will be good for you to be back
with your family.”

MONDAY, JULY 4TH

After the horrible video of Omid, David had
finally fallen asleep about three that July 4th morning. He had
asked for a wake-up call at eight, but his phone was ringing, and
when he looked at the clock, it was only seven-fifteen.

Sleepy and angry that the hotel operator had
called too early, he answered with a gruff “Yes?”

“David?”

“Yes?”

“It’s Kristen. Good morning.” She sounded
up-beat and happy.

He sat up. “Kristen. I, uh…where are you?
Why are you calling?”

“I’ve got someone here who wants to talk to
you.”

“What did you say?”

“Daddy?”

“Callie?”

“Oh, Daddy—I—I’m…fine. But I’m so sorry for
all that I’ve done. I don’t think you’ll ever forgive me. Alex. The
movies. Trying to hurt you.” She cried for a moment. “I…I’m
sorry…”

“Callie.” He couldn’t stop the tears forming
in his own eyes. “I’m so glad you called.” He was silent for
several heartbeats. “I’m the one who has to ask for forgiveness,
not you. I’ve been thinking about you all night. I was so lousy to
you. Never enough time to share. Then I forced you to make an
impossible choice. And gave you bad advice. Not much of a father.
Can you ever forgive me?”

“Can I come home?”

“Come home? Of course!” He stood up by the
bed.

“I can? You won’t be mad about all that I’ve
done?”

“No! I’ll hug you and love you and be so
glad to see you! When are you coming?”

“I’m not sure. Kristen and I were just
talking. Maybe like tomorrow.”

“Great! I can’t wait.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“I want you to know something and be
thinking about it.”

“OK.”

“I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll
just tell you. I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” He sat down again. There was a
moment of silence. “Are you all right otherwise?”

“Yes, I am. But, Dad. My friend Jane is
dead.”

“Jane? Oh, no. How?”

“Drugs.”

“I’m very sorry. Are you sure that you’re
all right?”

“Yes, except for being pregnant. Alex wants
me to have an abortion, but Kristen doesn’t. She wants me to talk
about it with you and mom.”

“Kristen’s right. Callie, we love you and
want you home with us. The sooner the better. Even with Alex.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m not sure about him now.”

“OK. But we’ll talk about everything when
you’re home again.”

“Oh, thank you, Daddy.”

He paused, as Kristen’s words over many
months gave him new thoughts. “Callie, will you forgive me?”

There was another pause. “Yes, I will. If
you’ll forgive me, and we can start over.”

“Yes. I do. I promise. In fact, I’ll try to
be home when you get there.”

“From Moscow?”

“Yes.”

“Extreme!”

He laughed, and she laughed in return.
“Callie, let me speak to Kristen for a minute.”

“Sure.”

“David?”

“Kristen. What a wonderful surprise—and
gift! Thank you.”

“David, she means it. All of it. You can
start over with her. God—and I mean God, not Allah or anyone
else—has done an amazing thing in Callie these last two days. And
Elizabeth told us about Rob and the wreck. Now Callie is coming
home with her own joys and challenges. What do you feel about all
this?”

David was silent, his eyes closed. Then he
spoke. “Kristen, the common denominators in both of their lives are
me and USNet. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”

“You’re partly right. David, the
real
common denominator is the lack of any value system. You haven’t had
one, so your kids don’t have one. Do you see that?”

“Yes, I do. And I’m tired of it. I want to
change. I even prayed for God’s help with Rob.”

“He always listens. We’ve talked about it
before, David. And we’ll talk again when you get home. I think
you’ll see a change in Callie. Are you ready for that?”

“I’m at the end of my rope, Kristen. I give
up. No more plans by David Sawyer on his own. But I’m afraid it’s
too late.”

“Never. Think about me. Anyway, USNet has
been pushing all of that stuff at everyone in our country. Callie
tells me that she and Jane—the younger ones—were going to Mexico to
register for the movie business. Did you know that?”

He paused. “I’m sorry to say that I
did.”

“David!” There was real despair in her
voice. “You knew and said nothing?”

He spoke more quietly. “I just found
out.”

“David, they’re using Mexico just to get
around the laws that Knox promised to support. How can you work for
a company that poisons our country, threatens your own children,
and then lies to you, me, the President and the whole nation?”

You don’t know the half of it.

He felt a chill and shook involuntarily. “I
just…I don’t know. But now that Callie is coming home and wants to
start over, it’s like nothing else matters except getting right
with Elizabeth and our children. And I guess with God, if you can
help me understand what that means.” He stood up again.

“Yes.”

“Kristen, I’m going to quit. Maybe I’ll do
it here, away from the office. I think it’ll be easier, and I need
to get home.”

“You mean, today? In Moscow? And come
home?”

“Yes. Today. Now. If Knox is going to lie
about everything, I want out of his company.”

“Great!” He could hear her smile. “And we
can talk again about working together. I’m glad we called!”

He laughed. “Glad? I’m ecstatic that you
called. I feel like a new man.” Then he paused and turned serious.
“But there is also some terrible news. I didn’t have a chance to
tell you when you put Callie on, but the police in Iran just killed
my cousin Omid. They—somehow—sent me a link to watch a video of his
execution.”

“Oh David, I’m so sorry.”

“Besides everything else, I’ve got to find
out if his wife Goli is still alive, and help her.”

“Yes. I’ll pray for her, their family, and
you, ‘til you’re home safely—and beyond. Here’s Callie.”

“Dad, are you coming home today?”

“I’m not sure, dear. It’s still early here,
and maybe I can get a flight. I’ll try. But I’ll definitely be home
in a few days. Listen, why don’t you call Mom and tell her that
we’re both coming home? She’ll be very happy. I love you. And thank
you. Take care of that baby.”

“What? Oh, yes. I will. And I love you, too.
Come home soon.”

David hung up and almost laughed. He went
into the bathroom and washed his face.
I’d better think through
exactly how and when to tell Trevor. Let’s see if I can get a
flight.

He returned and found the phone book, looked
under Airlines, and called, not expecting anyone to be there so
early in the morning, but was pleasantly surprised.

The lady on the other end was helpful but
told him, “I’m sorry Mr. Sawyer. For today to New York there are no
business class seats remaining, only coach.”

“I’ll sit in someone’s lap. I don’t care
where I sit; just put me on the plane. And thanks!”

“Fine. And your connection is set. Please be
at Sheremetevo Airport by one to adjust your ticket and check
in.”

“Great. And thank you. You’ve already made
my day, and it’s early!”

So I’ll have to tell Knox this morning and
then head to the airport. We’re supposed to have breakfast with
Peter at 8:30. I’ll tell him right after that. Gotta pack! But let
me try this first… God, I think you’re there, and I’m going to try
to know you more, so let me start by thanking you now for Callie
and for Rob’s safety. I want to change, too, and I’ll try to do a
better job of this from now on. I’m going to need some guidance and
help this morning.

Victor Mustafin remained on duty in the
corporate jet throughout the short summer night, napping in one of
the passenger seats just behind the command console area.

A little after eight, as planned, he
received a video call from Simon North. He moved over to the swivel
chair in front of the console. “Good morning, Simon.”

“Good morning. This is the day we’ve been
waiting for. I’m not sure where you’re from, but I guess as a Brit
I should wish you a Happy Fourth of July.”

“Thanks. This one really will be
our
independence day.”

“Well said. We’ve received word from our
team that the missile is fully operational. They’re awaiting word
from us to prepare for launch.”

David’s stomach was churning as he came down
the lift and walked into the dining room. Knox, Kamali and
Goncharov were already seated and having orange juice. Like David,
they were dressed in business suits.

David greeted them, sat down, and in a few
minutes they were sampling the large buffet. Back at their table
the conversation turned to the unusual events of the day ahead of
them.

As the waiter poured more coffee, Knox said,
“David and Peter, I’ve got copies here for you of the talk I plan
to give at the reception. I’d like you to review it and give me
your comments.”

Knox handed each of them a page of notes,
and David glanced at the paragraphs. He quickly scanned the parts
about acting responsibly to restrict adult entertainment to adults
and about the great future for family entertainment on the
internet. He felt his anger rising and suddenly hoped that he
wasn’t turning red.

“Thank you,” Peter said. “If I have any
suggestions I’ll make them on the paper and leave it at the front
desk. What time is your luncheon at the embassy?”

“Noon,” Knox replied. “But we have to be
there thirty minutes early.”

“The same at our headquarters this
afternoon.”

They continued their conversation through
breakfast, and forty minutes later, as they were standing to leave,
David smiled and said, “Trevor, can I see you for a few
minutes?”

“Why, of course. But now?”

“Yes, if I could. Up in your room.”

Knox frowned slightly but nodded. “Fine.” He
looked to Kamali. “Can Akbar join us?”

“I guess so.”

“Good.”

After planning with Peter to meet again at
four for the drive to the new offices, the three men rode the
elevator up to Knox’s floor in silence.

Knox had a suite on the top floor. They
entered the living room, which had two sofas, two desks, a
television inside an armoire, and several chairs. Knox’s laptop was
open on one of the desks, and there were several papers next to it.
“Have a seat,” Knox said, indicating the sofa with two chairs in
front of it.