Chapter 30

We slept the sleep of the dead, awakening before the kids, refreshed and anxious to face the day. Teri held me tightly against her all night, which was sweet. I enjoyed being needed, and captured at the same time.

By the time the children appeared, breakfast was on the table and we dug in like we were starved. I know I was. All through breakfast, Teri would catch my eye, squint just a bit, and smile a sneaky kind of smile. I knew just how she felt and wondered if I was smiling like a jerk.

As soon as the dishes were cleaned up I announced that jet ski time had arrived. While the others got their swim clothes on, I broke out both jet skis. Teri took Timmy, and I took Judy, and we slowly chugged around the houseboat, letting them all get accustomed to the movement. Before long Timmy was urging Teri to go faster, and Judy was hugging me fiercely, while urging me to catch up to them as they zipped across the water.

We rode that way for about half an hour, then changed placed and let the kids drive with us behind them. Judy wasn't too sure and took a long time before she would do more than just barely chug along. Timmy caught on quickly and started running circles around us, cheering Judy on to try harder.

Eventually Judy accidentally nailed the throttle, and when the craft leaped forward, she doubled down and we took off like we'd been shocked.

That was all it took, and Timmy was after us. Seeing her brother chasing, Judy decided to open it up and run for the far shore. We nearly crashed the beach, before I was able to reach around and steer us to safety, using it as an opportunity to give a safe driving lesson.

By lunch time they were both completely thrashed. I guessed rightly that we would tie up the jet skis and find an alternative afternoon activity, or risk having two very sore children come morning. Timmy helped me get both craft up on the built-in launch ramps, and tied securely, while Judy helped Teri with lunch.

Teri decided to grill hamburgers, something both kids cheered about. We used the front deck and ate like it was going out of style. After cleaning the grill, I asked the kids if they wanted to watch a movie, and they immediately took me up on it, confirming my hunch about playing out.

Less than thirty minutes into the DVD both children were sound asleep, giving Teri and me the freedom to use my bed for other activities.

For two days I entertained those children and, whenever possible, snuck off with Teri to engage in a very different form of entertainment. We had a blast, bonding in ways that left the kids with almost no memory of being kidnapped. It worked exactly as I suspected.

Kids are resilient.

Timmy and Judy reveled in the water sports and boating life. I got them trained to safely operate the houseboat, choose our destinations, and let them have fun doing it.

On the third day things changed.

The Judge called. "Kevin. We've arrested seventy-four people in connection with the plot against President Dryden. Several are spilling their guts, like a broken dam, and their information is leading to warrants for the arrest of almost two-hundred more.

"The one thing holding the stories together is something you saw the night John Gray was murdered, but nobody seems to know what you saw that has the brain trust all wrought up. Can you think of anything you haven't told us? Anything at all?"

"I'm sorry, Judge. There's nothing ... I can't think of a single thing that makes any sense ... but I will concentrate on that night, and see if anything shakes loose. I promise." We talked for just another minute, and he had to go, reminding me of my promise.

The call changed things for me, and our houseboat vacation was going to be ruined if I didn't shake it off and forget about whatever Kevin Townsend supposedly knew before I took up residence in his body.

By the sixth day, we were far down the White River, enjoying the scenery, jet ski interludes, and any general form of mayhem we could get ourselves into. Teri spent lots of time working on her tan, as did Judy, which surprised me. Her illness wasn't limiting her in the ways I expected, so I asked Teri about it. "I can't see where Judy is all that sick. Can you give me some hint as to what to look for?"

Teri grew very thoughtful. "When you put it that way, I can see your problem. Teri has under-performing kidneys and liver. She struggles with certain activities, but she's been a lot better since you came along and changed our lifestyle.

"If we'd had to live in the cardboard box much longer, I don't think Judy would have lasted. She was failing fast. But, after you took us to the ranch, she has perked up remarkably.

"Kevin, I'm going to pray that this is her new normal and keep an eye on her. Remember, she's fourteen, almost fifteen. She is built like a ten year old. Her challenges have really hurt her growth and development."

The kids usually played out in the middle of the afternoon, and the sixth day was no different. Fortunately, they were inside, away from view when the shooting started.