Lusana shook his head. “I sat in the pilot’s cabin on the flight from Africa. Arrangements were made for me to leave the plane after landing and bypass the Dulles terminal.”

“We have laws that frown on illegal entry.”

“I am a citizen. What difference does it make?”

Daggat’s expression softened. He placed his hands on Lusana’s shoulders. “If there is any fuss, my staff will take care of it. You’re here, and that’s all that counts.”

“But why all the subterfuge?” asked Felicia.

“For good reason.” Lusana’s voice was very cold. “My intelligence people have uncovered a sensitive piece of information that can prove highly embarrassing to the South African minority government.”

“That’s a serious charge,” said Daggat.

“It’s a serious threat,” retorted Lusana.

Daggat’s eyes registered a mixture of confusion and curiosity. He nodded toward the living room. “Come in and sit down, General. We have much to talk over.”

“Every time I see you it’s like looking at an old photograph. You never change.”

Felicia returned Loren’s admiring look. “Flattery from another woman is flattery indeed.” She idly stirred the ice in her drink. “It’s amazing how time evaporates. How long has it been-three, maybe four years?”

“The last inaugural ball.”

“I remember,” Felicia said, smiling. “We went to that little dive down by the river afterward and got smashed. You were with a tall, sad-looking dude with spaniel eyes.”

“Congressman Louis Carnady. He was defeated in the next election.”

“Poor Louis.” Felicia lit a cigarette. “My date was Hiram Lusana.”

138 VIXEN 03p>

“I know.”

“We parted company only last month in Africa,” Felicia said as if Loren had not spoken. “I wonder if my life has been one big downer, chasing after every liberal cause that pops on stage, taking up with any stud who promises to save the human race.”

Loren motioned to the waiter to bring them two more drinks. “You can’t blame yourself for believing in people.”

“I haven’t got a hell of a lot to show for it. Every crusade I’ve ever joined, I screwed up.”

“I don’t mean to pry, but did you and Lusana have personal differences, or was it political?”

“Strictly personal,” Felicia said. She felt her chest tighten as Loren circled the bait. “I no longer mattered to him. His only love was his fight. I think at first, deep inside him, there was a feeling for me, but as the struggle expanded and his pressures grew, he became distant. I know now that he had taken all he ever wanted from me. It was as though I was as expendable as one of his soldiers on the battlefield.”

Loren saw the tears start to come to Felicia’s eyes. “How you must hate him.”