Stolen Secrets by Jerry B. Jenkins, Chris Fabry Page A

then Leigh was almost 12 and Kayla was going into first grade.
    “At the last minute, Leigh got a terrible ear infection. She couldn’t fly until she got an antibiotic, so I told Lynn to go ahead with Kayla, and Leigh and I would catch up with them.”
    Sam stood and his chin quivered. “We dropped them off at the airport and went straight to the doctor’s office. In the waiting room everybody was glued to the TV. A plane had gone down.
    “We rushed home, listening to the reports, hoping, praying. And then the news came that it was Lynn and Kayla’s plane. The next day the networks reported that Asim bin Asawe had claimed responsibility for the attack. He called it revenge against the American military.”
    Sam turned to Bryce and me. “That’s why I said I killed your father. He was also on that plane, and the bomb that destroyed it was put there to kill me.”

Chapter 84

    I wanted to hug Sam. I wanted to say something—anything—to make him feel better. I couldn’t imagine how hard it had been to hold in that story so long.
    “When they released the passenger list,” Sam continued, “my name was on it. I got in touch with one of the antiterrorism directors, and he agreed we should let it stand. Leigh and I took on new identities.”
    I looked at Leigh. “What was your name?”
    “Mary.”
    “That’s why my Social Security card doesn’t list income from way back,” Sam said. “All the evidence of my previous life has been wiped away.”
    “Do you ever worry that this Asawe guy is going to find you?” Ashley said.
    Sam nodded. “Remember when the newspaper wanted to interview you about the accident near Gold Town? I couldn’t let them get a picture of us. Something like that could lead Asawe or his people right to our door.”
    I had seen all the terrible things terrorists had done in the past few years. They were so evil it was almost like they weren’t human. I wondered if this was the reason Sam didn’t believe in God.
    “Your parents know you’re okay?” Ashley said.
    Sam nodded. “I couldn’t let them believe I was dead. I’ve stayed away to protect them, but one day I’ll go back.”
    The fire crackled and the wood smell wafted into the room. Pippin and Frodo curled up on the couch at Ashley’s feet.
    A voice broke the silence. “It wasn’t your fault, Sam.” It was Mom. I guess she already knew this story.
    “You didn’t kill anybody—those terrorists did,” Ashley said.
    Sam was near tears.
    I wanted to say something too, but I was scared to talk.

Chapter 85

    Some say twins know what each other is thinking, that we can almost read each other’s minds. I guess that sometimes happens with Bryce and me. But most of the time I have no idea what’s going on in his brain. For instance, I never expected him to say what he said to Sam that night.
    “Can I call you Dad?” Bryce said.
    Sam looked at him. Then Bryce stood, and the two melted into a big hug.
    “You bet,” Sam said. “And I’m proud to call you my son.” He glanced at me. “I’m proud of both of you.”
    Pretty soon all of us, Leigh included, were standing in the middle of the room, arms around each other. Pippin and Frodo jumped at my legs, trying to get in on the act. I don’t know if our real dad or Sam’s wife and other daughter could see us right then, but I hoped they could. And I hoped Sam and Leigh would believe in God someday.
    We were all hugging when Mom gasped.
    Dylan walked in wearing three pairs of socks, my dancing shoes, and a smile. “Wha’s goin’ on?” he said.
    It felt good to laugh.

About the Authors

    JERRY B. JENKINS ( jerryjenkins.com ) is the writer of the Left Behind series. He owns the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, an organization dedicated to mentoring aspiring authors. Former vice president for publishing for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, he also served many years as editor of Moody magazine and is now Moody’s writer-at-large.
    His writing has appeared