The Second Coming by John Dalmas

It was hardly compelling—a theory of convenience. But the bureau was swamped with cases, and no one was clamoring for an arrest on this one. They gave it a low priority, and it faded from sight.

59

Charles Milton, discussion

PBS, May 24

Milton: . . . When I read the letters pages, I can hardly believe the rancor and intolerance in some of them. But some others show a lot of tolerance, even wisdom. It’s as if there are two different tendencies in the world at the same time. The latter toward growth, the evolution of humankind, and the former digging in its heels to prevent it.

Dove: That is a perceptive statement. But the coming manifestations—the Infinite Soul incarnate, accompanied by a violent geophysical manifestation—will greatly strengthen the movement toward spiritual growth. Even while triggering a brief explosion of violence. Let me repeat that: even while triggering a brief explosion of violence. It will pass.

But the Infinite Soul is not coming to “rescue” humankind. It will only facilitate and strengthen our own efforts. Or to rephrase that: “God” will not “save” humankind. That’s up to us. God will help, but the responsibility is ours.

Milton: You’ve been asked this question before, and you’ve never really answered it. Now, yes or no: Do you believe you are the person who will receive the Infinite Soul or whatever you call it, and be the next avatar? The Second Coming?

Dove: You will answer that for yourself when the time comes.

It was only the third all-staff briefing since Lee had been with Millennium. The first had been to announce reductions in pay. The second had followed the missile attack. She no longer fretted about RIFs, but she did wonder what this one was for.

It was Art Knowles who stepped before them in the small auditorium. “Good morning,” he said. “This will be short. Dove wants me to update you on the Spokane affair.

“The man who was shot to death was a defrocked Jesuit priest and ex-IRA terrorist named Thomas Corkery. He’d been indicted in both England and Ireland for several shootings and bombings, and was one of the IRA people covered by the amnesty that made the Dublin Agreement possible.

“He has since been tied to the Montreal-based ‘Catholic Soldiers in America,’ the organization responsible for the assassination attempt on Pope John XXIV. Lor Lu is confident that Corkery was also the man who planted the bomb in the Unitarian Church in Boston.

“More recently, Corkery had been posing as a Father Thomas Glynn. It won’t comfort you to know that he spent twenty days here this spring as our guest, supposedly doing research on Dove’s theology.” He paused, allowing time for the information to sink in. “His motive for the assassination attempt is anyone’s guess. Meanwhile, Dove has agreed to new clearance procedures, to avoid anything like it happening again.”

Once more Knowles paused. “The upside of the situation is that while Corkery had twice gained proximity to Dove, Dove is still alive and well, while the late Mr. Corkery is no doubt reviewing his most recent life even as I speak.”

Again Knowles paused. Lee’s eyes were round. That man was here! she thought. The realization shook her. She’d seen him herself, she was sure, a short man with thin red hair and a clerical collar.

“The lead suspect in Corkery’s murder is even more of an enigma,” Knowles went on. “The evidence on him is considerable, but apparently not conclusive. His name is Luther Koskela, an ex-Ranger and mercenary, one of those who trained Stephen Ogunsanwo’s Nigerian guard. Lor Lu is confident that Koskela is also the missing ‘fifth man’ of the mercenary group that tried to reach the Cote last fall. The recruiter of the infiltrators, one John Sullivan, known as ‘Sarge,’ was a veteran of the Lagos Rescue, and like Koskela, had trained Ogunsanwo’s guard. They must have known one another well.

“Also, Koskela has two uncles in federal prison for criminal conspiracy, and for financing terrorist acts. That much we have from federal authorities. Lor Lu tells me that Koskela had been at the ballpark to assassinate Dove, but saw Corkery draw his pistol, and shot him instead. He states unequivocally that Koskela has no further designs on Dove’s life.

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