“No,” Susan replied. “Prime Minister Kalir automatically takes control of the government upon the incapacitation or ... or dea . .. death .. . of. . .” Suddenly, Susan broke down in tears. She half turned away from Patrick, sobbing uncontrollably. She realized it was the first time she had wept for her husband.

Susan felt strong hands on her shoulders, and she looked up and saw the armored commando holding her—he had set the big, strange-looking gun down on the deck and was holding her as tenderly as his armored hands would allow. She turned toward him and was surprised to see tears unabashedly flowing down his cheeks as well. She clutched his body, wanting more than anything to touch human flesh, and finally reached up to touch his face and his tears.

“My husband was murdered, butchered in a mosque on one of the holiest days in all of Islam,” Susan said through her sobs. “I was beside him until I was pulled away by Zuwayy of Libya and Khalid al-Khan, the chief justice of our supreme court. I know they were in on it together. I know they conspired to kill my husband. Only al-Khan had the authority to switch the guards and get the assassins so close to Kamal. I want to see them both pay for what they’ve done.”

“My ... my brother was killed in the attack on Samah,” she heard him say through his tears. “He sacrificed himself to destroy those missiles. Then ... then when the Libyan warships attacked, we abandoned ship—but my wife stayed behind to launch an attack on the Libyan guided missile frigate.”

“Your wife?” Susan asked incredulously. “You ... you lost your brother and your wife on this mission? My God...”

“I believe my wife is still alive—I don’t know how or why I know, but she is still alive,” Patrick said. “I will search every square inch of Libya until I find her.” He raised his right hand and clenched his armored right hand into a fist. “And I will kill anyone who gets in my way.”

“How... how horrible. How utterly horrible,” Susan breathed. She placed her fingers on his cheek to turn him toward her. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t. I don’t know if I have any authority left in this country—I may be as much of a target here as you are in Libya. General Baris may be appointed as the national security adviser to the new president. If the mullahs take control of the government as we fear, he will not only be dismissed, but probably imprisoned or murdered. But as long as we have any authority left in Egypt, you and your men may stay aboard this vessel. But for your own safety, you should leave as soon as possible. If you need help, just ask.”