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.
'Yes, I spoke with Ulama al-Khan just now. We greeted each other with warmth and relief that neither was very seriously injured from the attack. He explained his objection in the National Assembly to me very well, which I fully accept. His concern was that new elections not be clouded with any constitutional challenges during our nation's most critical time. I assured him that I will do what's best for Egypt and myself.
'Yes, of course, my husband's murderers should be hunted down, but only to be brought to justice, not retribu-
tion. This should be a time of healing, not revenge. I'm sure that's what my husband would have wanted, and I know that's what Dr. Kalir and Ulama al-Khan want too.
'Yes, with the help and support of my friends in the National Democratic Party and the people of Egypt, I am a candidate for president of Egypt. Of course, my doctors will have to give their blessing as well-I am strong and determined, but I'm not foolish enough to think I know more than my doctors.
'I suffered some damage in my left eye and some burns, but I'm feeling all right, kwaysa ilhamdu lillah, shukran. Thank you.
'Yes, I believe I can work with Ulama al-Khan in a National Democratic Party-led government. The Ulama and I share many of the same beliefs: that Egypt can and must be the spiritual, moral, and philosophical leader of the Arab world and show by example the power and courage of the Arab people. My husband believed strongly in this, and I shall continue to work to make this idea a reality.
'No, I have absolutely no intentions of leaving Egypt except for brief visits abroad or in some capacity with the government.
'Yes, I still hold dual nationalities-I can't change my place of birth. But out of respect for my husband and to his countrymen, and reflecting the love I have for all Egyptians, I'm staying. I have no plans to reside in the United States or anywhere else but Misr, insha'allah. Sabah el kher. Shukran. Thank you all.'
General Baris and Captain Shafik escorted Susan out of the National Assembly building into a waiting car. 'I think it went pretty well, don't you, Ahmad?' she asked.
'The interview was fine,' Baris replied. 'But this is a dangerous game you're playing, Sekhmet. Men like Khan do little all day but dream up ways to defeat, humiliate, or eliminate their political opponents. Unless you want to reduce yourself to their scum-sucking level, stay away from political intrigue.'
'I have no illusions of this-Khan wants to see me dead,' Susan said. 'Khan failed to do the job before, so he will ensure it's done now.'
'And you somehow believe these American commandos will help you?' Baris asked. 'I must tell you, Sekhmet, I think it is dangerous to have those men in Egypt. We know nothing about them. The American government obviously knew nothing about them except to tell us that they are not part of the American government whatsoever. They are privateers, former military men who now work for whoever pays them.'
'Then they can work for us,' Susan said. 'We have no military behind us now. These men are skilled enough to take one of our warships-they can do a lot of harm to alKhan's men, possibly even to the Libyans as well.'
'To what end? Do you expect them to kill al-Khan or invade Libya for you?' Baris asked. 'That's a fantasy, Sekhmet. They have obviously been paid by a very wealthy individual, company, or conglomerate to perform a task. If they don't do the assigned task, they won't get paid. As soon as they've rested and gathered some intelligence information, they'll be gone-leaving you with whatever chaos they've created. I don't think you want that.'
'What I want, General, is for Egypt to be free from murdering scum like al-Khan or terrorists like Zuwayy,' Susan said bitterly. 'I sense something in McLanahan. He is in great pain, yes-losing both his brother and his wife in so short a time must be devastating for him. If he has a child, it must make the pain even greater. But there is something else about him. I sense another conflict within him.'
'He is certainly not like the others,' Baris agreed. 'I would guess he is a trained soldier, but not necessarily a commando. And he knew of your background-specifically, he mentioned your Air Force background, with definite pride in his voice. If I had to guess, I would say he is a former American air force officer, perhaps even a highranking officer.'
'So if he is not a commando, perhaps he's out of his element,' Susan surmised. 'Maybe he doesn't waat to be where he is, fighting for money instead of for his country.' Susan turned to Amina Shafik. 'Any information on McLanahan's background, Amina?'
'No, Madame,' Shafik responded. 'It's very unusual. My contact in the American Air Attache's office at the American embassy in Cairo has no record of a Patrick McLanahan in the American military. Their records go back about five years.'
'Can we search any farther back?'
'Not from the Air Attache's office,' Shafik replied. 'For that, we would need help from the Mukharbarat el- Aama.'
'The General Intelligence Staff is still loyal to me-I can get that information,' General Baris said. 'But it may take some time. Should we trust this McLanahan and his men until we find out who and what they are?'
'Should we? No-I should trust no one,' Susan said. 'But will we trust them? Yes-for now. Be sure they have all the information they need-every map, every photograph, every piece of data. Make sure they have access to any base, every unit, and every weapon system.'
Baris shook his head, then half-turned in his seat to look directly into Susan's eyes. 'Listen to me, Sekhmet: Your life is in incredible danger here,' he said. 'I know you want to carry on your husband's work and avenge his death, but is running for president worth risking your life?'
'What do you suggest I do, General? Run?'
'In the United States, we have a chance to rebuild our power. We can wait for al-Khan's government to implode. The people will welcome you as a conquering hero then. You would be proclaimed president.'
'But what about the people that I would be leaving behind?' Susan asked. 'They'd be at the mercy of al-Khan and through him, Jadallah Zuwayy. I won't abandon the people of Egypt to save myself.'
'The people of Egypt will survive-we have for thousands of years,' Baris said. 'I can trace my own ancestry back seventeen hundred years, Sekhmet. A dozen different empires, dictators, and religious oligarchies have occupied our nation. We Egyptians have an annoying way of surviving men like al-Khan.'
'That doesn't mean the innocent should suffer because the next despot or conqueror feels it's time to move
