FOUR THOUSAND MILES away, aboard Sun Dancer, Gabriel shared in Isherwood’s gloomy mood, though for very different reasons. After hearing news of Sarah’s hiring he retreated to his outpost at the prow, refusing to acknowledge the congratulations offered him by the rest of his team.

“What’s his problem?” Yaakov asked Lavon. “He actually did it! He’s put an agent inside Jihad Incorporated!”

“Yes,” said Lavon. “And one day he’ll have to get her out again.”

24. Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy

Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy

ZIZI’S SECRET DESTINATION TURNED out to be the French island of Saint-Barthélemy. They arrived the following morning and dropped anchor off Gustavia, the island’s picturesque port and administrative capital. Sarah was finishing her workout when Nadia came into the gym, dressed in a flattering white bikini and sheer white beach dress.

“Why aren’t you ready?” she asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m taking you to Saline Beach—the greatest beach in the world.”

When Sarah hesitated, Nadia touched her arm affectionately. “Listen, Sarah, I know I haven’t been terribly friendly since you arrived, but we’re going to be spending a lot of time together now that you’re working for my father. We might as well be friends.”

Sarah made a show of thought. “I need ten minutes.”

“Five.” Nadia smiled warmly. “What do you expect? I’m my father’s daughter.”

Sarah went up to her cabin, showered quickly, and changed into a bathing suit and a sundress. She dropped a few things into her new beach bag, then went astern. Nadia was already aboard the launch, along with Rafiq al-Kamal and Jafar Sharuki. Jean-Michel was behind the wheel, checking the instrument panel.

“Just us?” Sarah asked as she climbed aboard and settled next to Nadia in the forward compartment.

“Rahimah might join us later,” Nadia said. “But to tell you the truth, I hope she doesn’t. I could use a break from her.”

Jean-Michel eased the boat away from Alexandra’s stern, then increased the throttle and sped away. They raced along the southern side of the island, past the outskirts of Gustavia, then around the Grande Pointe. Two minutes later they entered a small bay guarded at either end by rugged outcroppings of gray-brown volcanic rock. Between the rocks, and beneath a sky of intense luminous blue, lay a sweeping crescent beach. “Welcome to Saline,” Nadia said.

Jean-Michel guided the craft carefully through the gentle breakers and came to a stop a few yards from the shoreline. Rafiq and Sharuki leaped overboard into the shallow water and made their way to the prow. Nadia stood and slipped overboard into Rafiq’s powerful arms. “It’s the best part about having bodyguards,” she said. “You never have to get wet on the way to the beach.”