Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Howard turned to Richard. “Think we can take on Sterling?”

Richard looked directly at the old man. Howard was very intimidated by his directness, and took a few steps back. “I’m impressed, Mr. Beck, but you need soldiers to fight a war. None of this will do any good if you don’t have the manpower to use it.”

Howard smiled. “Leave that to me. Mr. Dupree, I’m offering you the chance to utilize everything you see here, as well as my personal assistance in finding your daughter. The only thing I ask for in return is your help building this army into a fighting force that can restore democracy to this country.”

Richard took time to consider what he could accomplish with the resources in front of him before responding. “Mr. Beck, I’m definitely interested, but I have a lot of questions that need answers before I agree to anything.”

“Exactly the answer I’d hoped for. Cautious and reserved. I’m certain I can convince you to join the fight. I look forward to some one-on-one time with you.” Turning his attention to Max, Howard asked, “Mr. Harris, are you and Miss Reid ready to help restore law and order? We can use good people like you to lead this fight. Mr. Harris, you graduated from the academy at the top of your class and had a stellar career in front of you. I hope you’ve been able to work through your issues and are ready to show all of us your true potential.”

Max was almost in tears. “Mr. Beck, I’m overwhelmed by this. I don’t know what to say.”

“Honey, all you have to do is say yes; it’s that simple.” Elizabeth held Max’s hand and squeezed it tight.

Max extended his hand to Howard, who took it, despite his discomfort. Howard had not shaken another man’s hand in decades.

Howard turned to his family. “I know I don’t have to ask, but I hope all of you are on board.”

Marshall Beck didn’t hesitate and grabbed his father in a tearful embrace. “Dad, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, you know that.”

Howard hadn’t hugged his son since he was a child. If shaking hands made Howard uncomfortable, hugging someone was even more difficult. Howard fought the urge to push his son out of his personal space and focused on the emotion that he’d struggled with all of his life — love. Howard began to weep; the tears exploded out of his eyes, startling him. “I’ve always loved you, son, always. I made so many mistakes with you, and I’m sorry. I was angry with you for not being more like me. You’ve always been your mother’s son. You are so much like her, full of passion and life. She worked with me every single day to try to be a good father to you. She was so patient. The only thing I ever wanted was for you to be your own man, to make something of yourself without my help. I know you always hated me for that. You thought I was denying you your birthright. I hope that you understand now that I only wanted you to step out from underneath my shadow and shine on your own.”

Marshall Beck didn’t let his father go, hugging him even tighter. “I love you so much, Dad. I finally understand what you were doing, and it worked. I built a life for myself, one that I hope you’re proud of.”

“I am, son, I am.” Howard withdrew from his son’s embrace, saying, “We have work to do, and I’m counting on you. Are you ready?”

“I’m a Beck! I’m ready for anything.”

Richard Dupree rode the elevator to the top floor and stepped out, unsure where he was going. He walked a few paces to his right, returned to the elevator door, and walked a few paces to his left.”

“Sir, can I be of assistance?”

Richard was not one to be caught off guard. He spun around and looked to find no one there.

“Sir, may I help you with something?” spoke a proper, British voice.

“Who is that?” said Richard.

“My name is Hal; I believe we have met before. The last time you encountered me I had taken control of a robot.”

Richard smiled and shook his head. “Yes, of course. I was trying to find the dormitory wing.”

“Sir, follow the corridor to your right and take the first right into the next hallway. You should not have any trouble finding the dormitory wing at that point.”

“Thank you, Hal. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, sir.”

Richard followed the directions given to him by the A.I. and found the dormitory wing. Once there, he encountered the elderly man who had been looking after his son.

“Morris, I’m glad to see you.”

Morris shook his hand. “Me, too. My wife and I have been talking to your son. I have some news to share with you that might be upsetting at first, but you’ll quickly see the good in it.”

“He doesn’t remember me, does he?”

Morris slowly took Richard’s hands into his, “Son, I’ve been a pastor for over forty years. I’ve counseled many families facing loss and heartache. Whatever happened to that boy when he was little, he has no memory of it at all. I’ve seen it many times before with children. The good Lord knows what their innocent minds can handle. Whatever happened to him, the Lord saw fit to keep it from him.” Richard hung his head in misery and fought back tears. Morris squeezed his hands to get his attention. “Now son, the good Lord brought the two of us together for a reason. If you made mistakes and want to repent, the Father will hear your prayers.”

Tears ran down Richard’s face as he smiled up at Morris. “You don’t understand. You got it all wrong. My tears are tears of joy. I get a chance to start over fresh with Timothy. The memories that are blocked from his mind are of me killing a horrible man who was hurting him. I was protecting him; I saved him. I know I made a horrible mistake that took him from me and caused him to forget me. If I could do it all over again, things would be different. I would never do anything that would drive him away from me.”

“Richard, I’ve been asking him about his father. He doesn’t remember your face, can’t describe you. He does have memories of the love you had for him — a love you still have for him today.”

“Is he ready to know the truth?”

“I think that if we take it slow and do it together, he will understand. The boy trusts me. He’s considered me his grandfather for many years. And my son, he, he…” Morris fell to his knees and cried out in agony. “What my son did to you, what he did to your daughter! I beg your forgiveness! I beg Almighty God that He grant you a kind heart, that…”

“Morris! Please! Stand up! You have nothing to apologize for!” Richard helped the pastor to his feet. “I have nothing but gratitude in my heart for you. My children’s mother probably exposed them to all kinds of horrible things, things that did little to raise them up to be good people. I’m sure you and your wife have done more good in their lives than she ever did. You will always have my thanks for that. We don’t ever need to mention your son again.”

“Richard, you’re a kind and wise man, and my wife and I are blessed to know you.”

“I’d like see my son, if you think he’s ready.”

“Yes, I won’t stop you from raising your boy, but I truly think he needs time. Let him get to know you and develop a relationship with him before you tell him that you’re his father. He needs time.”

“Sir, I’ll be with my son. We have all the time in the world.”

Max led Elizabeth by the hand to their room in the dormitory wing. It was basically a very nice hotel room, complete with a bathroom and kitchenette. Max didn’t care about the kitchen or the bathroom; the only thing on his mind was the bed.

Elizabeth clawed at his shirt and kissed his neck. Max gently took her hands and placed them at her sides. He planted tender kisses on her lips…her cheeks…her hair. Lovingly holding her face in his trembling hands, Max gently closed her eyelids with kisses before leading her over to the bed. Locking eyes with Elizabeth, Max began to take off his clothes. As she began unbuttoning her shirt, Max shook his head. He had waited so long for this moment and wanted the pleasure of undressing her himself. Wearing nothing but a smile, Max moved toward the bed, his bulging erection a testament to his feelings for Elizabeth. Her eyes widened and her pulse soared at the sight of him.