“I did, sir. And the earrings. And the watch. And the pearls. And the bangle.”

“The bangle is my favorite.”

“Mine, too, sir, but the gifts were completely unnecessary. As is this invitation. I’m afraid I can’t accept.”

“You insult me, Sarah.”

“It’s not my intention, sir. As much as I would love to spend a few days in the sun, I’m afraid I can’t go jetting off at a moment’s notice.”

“It’s not a moment’s notice. If you look carefully at the tickets, you see that you have three days until your departure.”

“I can’t go jetting off three days from now either. I have business to attend to here at the gallery.”

“I’m sure Julian can spare you for a few days. You just made him a great deal of money.”

“This is true.”

“So how about it, Sarah? Will you come?”

“I’m afraid the answer is no, sir.”

“You should know one thing about me, Sarah, and that is I never take no for an answer.”

“I just don’t think it would be appropriate, sir.”

“Appropriate? I think you’ve misinterpreted my motives.”

“What are your motives, sir?”

“I’d like you to come to work for me.”

“As what, sir?”

“I never discuss such matters over the phone, Sarah. Will you come?”

She allowed ten seconds to elapse before she gave him her answer.

“Brilliant,” he said. “One of my men will accompany you. He’ll collect you at your flat at eight A.M. Monday morning.”

“I’m perfectly capable of traveling alone, Mr. al-Bakari.”

“I’m sure you are, but it will be easier if one of my security men comes with you. I’ll see you Monday evening.”

And then he rang off. As Sarah replaced the receiver, she realized he hadn’t asked for her address.

GABRIEL WAS breaking down his studio at the Surrey safe house when Lavon came pounding up the stairs, holding a printout of the message that had just arrived from the neviot team in Mason’s Yard. “Zizi’s made his move,” he said, handing the printout to Gabriel. “He wants to see her right away.”

Gabriel read the message, then looked up at Lavon. “Shit,” he murmured. “We’re going to need a boat.”

THEY HAD a champagne supper to celebrate, complete with a place setting for Sarah, the one member of the team who could not join them. The next morning Lavon drove Gabriel to Heathrow Airport, and by four-thirty that afternoon he was enjoying the view of the sunset from a CIA safe flat on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Adrian Carter was wearing chinos, a cotton pullover, and penny loafers with no socks. He handed Gabriel a glass of lemonade and a photograph of a very large boat.