Ellsworth thought for a moment. “Officer Loh, your vessel has the crew now. You might want to decide which of those men actually fired at your sampan. That would make a strong case for Singapore having the right to arrest and try those individuals.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ellsworth,” she said. “I will communicate that to the lieutenant in charge.”

Ellsworth turned his back on the reporters as he made the call to the prime minister. Loh went to use the telephone in one of the waiting sedans. While they did that, Herbert excused himself. He wanted to have a minute with the pilot. He wheeled himself over to the helicopter cockpit. The pilot jumped out. The man seemed glad to see Herbert.

“I just wanted to thank you for all your help,” Herbert said, extending his hand.

“Thank you for the adventure, sir,” the pilot said.

“You know, I’m ashamed to admit this, but I don’t even know your name,” Herbert admitted.

The pilot grinned. The grin stayed there for several seconds. Herbert was puzzled.

“Did I miss something?” Herbert asked.

“No, sir,” the pilot said. “Actually, my name is Bob Herbert.”

The intelligence chief grinned. “You’re joking.”

“Swear on the Bishop Barker. Only my family pronounces it Erbert,” the pilot told him. “I may have to change that, though,” he added as he saluted Herbert. “It’s been a rare honor, sir.”

Herbert returned the salute, then shook his head with disbelief. He turned to rejoin the others.

Civilization might be in jeopardy, and rats like Darling helped make the world a hell. But that exchange made Herbert feel as though he could fix those problems single-handedly. Men like Pilot Bob Herbert gave him a reason to keep slugging. They also gave him hope.

By God, this war is far from lost, Herbert thought, as he made his way to the waiting sedan.

SEVENTY-EIGHT - Darwin, Australia Sunday, 7:13 A.M.

SEVENTY-EIGHT

Darwin, Australia Sunday, 7:13 A.M.

Herbert and his team were shuttled to Jelbart’s office, where more reporters were waiting. The three sedans entered the building through an underground garage. They rode a freight elevator to Jelbart’s floor. Loh had the feeling, for a moment, that she was on an aircraft carrier. She felt at home and in charge. It was nice. Herbert was such a dynamic character. He had taken command of this mission and not let go. At first Loh thought it was the same kind of male arrogance she had always encountered among soldiers and intelligence personnel. Then she discovered that ego and testosterone had nothing to do with it. Herbert took charge for one reason only.

He knew what he was doing.

There was something exciting and refreshing about that. For that reason alone she was sorry to see this brief operation end.