He stayed on his feet and stared at the wall. Then he turned slowly and his eyes came back in focus. “Call Gossard and set up a meeting with his Africa Section staff, and tell him I’d like another look at the Operation Wild Rose folder.”

“You’ve changed your mind? There may be something to it after all?” He didn’t answer immediately. “Maybe, just maybe.” “Anything else?”

“Yes, ask the ID department to send up whatever they have on Admiral James Sandecker and a Dirk Pitt.” “Aren’t they with NUMA?” Jarvis nodded.

Barbara gave him a questioning look. “Surely you don’t think there is a connection.”

“Too early to tell,” said Jarvis thoughtfully. “You might say that I’m picking up loose threads to see if they run to the same spool.”

48

Frederick Daggat and Felicia Collins were waiting in the limousine when Loren came through the portico of the Capitol. They watched as she gracefully skipped down the steps, her cinnamon curls trailing in a light breeze. She wore a persimmon pantsuit with double-buttoned blazer and vest. A long gray silk scarf curled around her neck. Her briefcase was covered with the same material as the suit.

Daggat’s chauffeur opened the door for her. She slipped beside Felicia as Daggat gallantly took one of the jump seats. “You look lovely,

No Return Ticket I 197

Loren,” Daggat said familiarly-too familiarly. “It was obvious the minds of my male colleagues were elsewhere when you stood up on the House floor in that outfit.”

“Being a woman has its advantages during debate,” she said coolly. “You look stylish, Felicia.”

A strange look flashed over Felicia’s face. The last thing she expected from Loren was a compliment. She smoothed the skirt of her creamy white jersey dress and avoided Loren’s eyes.

“It’s good of you to see us,” she said quietly.

“Did I have a choice?” Loren’s face was a mask of resentment. “I’m afraid to ask what you demand of me this time.”

Daggat raised the window behind the chauffeur. “The vote comes up tomorrow on whether or not to grant aid to the African Army of Revolution.”

“So you two poked your heads above the slime to see if I was still in the fold,” Loren said bitterly.

“You refuse to understand,” said Felicia. “There is nothing personal in this. Frederick and I do not stand to gain financially. Our only reward is the advancement of our race.”

Loren stared at her. “So you sink to blackmail to further your great moral cause.”