“You must stick out like a sore thumb,” said Jane.
“Actually, I feel safer here than on the street.”
“I need some time,” said Jane. “Can’t leave any tracks that might piss off your old buddies in Langley.”
“Hurry,” said Mac.
“And you have no idea what this is all about?”
“None,” said Mac, then: “Maybe one thing. The guy said something about a code ofShamun.Shafra al Shamun.My Arabic’s lousy. I didn’t quite get it.”
“‘Shamun’ is ‘Samson,’” said Jane. “Like from the Bible. Samson and Delilah.”
“‘Code of Samson,’” said Mac. “What does that mean? I probably misheard.”
“Let me think about it,” said Jane. “Maybe it will ring a bell. Can you sit tight for an hour?”
“Think so,” said Mac.
“Dad, I need to ask. You have something planned, don’t you?”
“An idea,” said Mac. “Something went down in that restaurant. Ava didn’t just vanish. Someone took her. It’s gotta be on their cameras.”
“You’re going back?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“No, Dad, I wouldn’t,” said Jane. “But I’d send some guy like you. Be careful.”
“Just check on the Saudis,” said Mac. “And, Jane, let me know if you have a show running in Paris.”
“We always have a show running in Paris.”
“You know what I mean,” said Mac. “It could be with our brethren in Tel Aviv.”
“Mossad? Why do you ask?”
“Come on, Jane. You know Ava. This didn’t happen out of the blue.”
“I guess it didn’t.”
“But, Jane, softly.”
“Church mice,” said Jane.
“Church mice,” said Mac. “That’s it for now. Gotta run.”
“Dad,” she said, before he could hang up.
“Yeah, Jaycee.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Chapter 10
Langley, Virginia, United States
