Susan hefted the cane. It was just an oaken cane, but now al-Khan could see that the crook was larger, its tip was menacingly pointed, and the shaft had decorative inlays in it that obviously served to help grip the cane in defensive situations. “A skill taught by some friends from Nevada. Weapons—and fighters—are all around you, Khan.”

“Are you insane, woman?” he breathed. “Are you gloating? Look at what you have done! You’re a madwoman! Or are you trying to live up to your ridiculous nickname, Sekhmet the Goddess of the Hunt?”

“I want you to know that you and I are enemies, Khan,” Susan said, her voice low but hard as the oak in her cane. “I know you set up the assassination of my husband, and I know you are using your terror network to force any opposition into hiding or into silence. I know you are being funded by Zuwayy of Libya, and I know if you gain the presidency, that you will move to join the Muslim Brotherhood and force Egypt to join an alliance of terror that will cut off all Western aid and strangle our country. I will do everything in my power to stop you.” Several security officers ran up to the growing crowd just then. Both General Baris and al-Khan barked orders at them, but the chief justice of the Supreme Judiciary’s voice, authority, status, and perceived threat were far more powerful than Baris’s, and Salaam and Baris were roughly led away.

They were met outside by dozens of reporters and cameras, and the security guards slinked away as Susan and Ahmad approached them. “That was not very wise, Susan,” Baris said under his breath. “Khan needs only the slightest excuse to have you arrested, deported—or killed.”

“I wanted to let him know that we’re not done fighting,” Susan said resolutely. “Beating up his bodyguards will be nothing compared to what I’m going to do to him on election day.” She stepped over to the reporters and bank of microphones and started answering questions:

“Yes, I attended my husband’s memorial service,” Susan responded to the first question. “Upon the advice of my husband’s national security adviser, General Ahmad Baris, I attended in secret. I was also present at his interment in the family cemetery at Giza. It is a credit to General Baris and his staff that you did not know I was there. After the mourners left, I was able to perform the burial ritual.” She held up her left hand, showing a large man’s ring on her middle finger as well as her engagement ring on her ring finger. “I have Kamal’s wedding ring, and he now has mine. I also placed topazes on his eyes, so he will not be blinded by the suns of heaven when he crosses over.