Hellfire Crusade

Epilogue

Danny was in her office at Westfield, staring at the photograph of the crusader fortress on the rock at Hagadan, when the phone rang. It was Salim Zakir.

"You left without saying farewell, Danica," he chided her.

She didn't know what to say.

"I, er-well, I..."

Zakir interrupted with a hearty chuckle. "The videotape you gave me to hand over to the sheikh was all the evidence Harun needed to confirm our suspicions about his brother. We knew he was plotting something and — thanks to you and, er, your colleague — we were ready to deal with the emergency."

Danny had already seen the story in the newspaper. It did not even rate the front page. The report was buried in the back of the international news section.

"Allied Oil are being given full credit for their assistance in this affair," Zakir told her. "Mr. Patterson is flying over to receive a decoration to show our gratitude."

Danny could imagine that the oil executive would be happily bragging about this at parties for years to come.

"We've also retrieved your Jeep — it's quite an amazing vehicle — and this will, of course, be returned to you in America. Sheikh Harun Zayoud does wonder if he might acquire such a Jeep for himself."

"I'll see what I can do... I shall have to speak to Professor Bolan."

"And when will you be coming to visit us again, Danica?"

"Oh, I'm not sure... one day."

As soon as Zakir hung up, Danny dialed the number Bolan had given her. It rang and rang. No answer. And although she was disappointed, somehow, she was not surprised.