silent. But she couldn’t leave it at that. “Did Joe mention when they’d be going back to Varak’s compound?”
Eve shook her head. “Just that they want it to be right. They were frustrated as hell yesterday.” She added soberly, “I don’t like it either, Jill. But I can’t convince him that we have any other option. Joe doesn’t like it that they found that helicopter pad. It would be too easy for Varak to get a helicopter pickup and fly out of there if he took the notion.”
“And that means they probably won’t wait longer than tomorrow or the next day.” Jill forced a smile. “And that’s not long to come up with another solution. But miracles happen, don’t they?” She tilted her head. “Now I should let you get back to work. Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“No. How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t have to wait on me, Jill?”
“It’s no trouble. I don’t have anything else to do now that Joe is here. He’s eliminated my primary job of making sure that you’re safe. He’s so good at it that I feel useless. You don’t really need me any longer.” She lifted her hand as she headed for the door. “If you think of anything you want, give me a call. Till then, I’ll stay out of your way.”
“You’ve made sure never to be in my way,” Eve said quietly. “And no one could ever call you useless.”
“That’s good to hear.” She smiled as she opened the door. “See you later.”
Jill moved quickly down the path and into the jungle several yards from the museum. She wanted complete privacy, and this area had seemed the best way to ensure it.
She sat down beneath a kapok tree and took out her phone. She paused, looking down at it. She could still change her mind. She might be wrong. But she had to go with her instincts. She drew a deep breath, took out the slip of paper with the phone number Gideon had given her when he’d come back from the palace the night before last.
This is how you make a difference.
She hesitated, then dialed the telephone number.
It rang once.
No answer.
It rang again.
Nothing.
On the third ring, it was quickly picked up.
“This is Jill Cassidy, Dalai,” she said quickly. “Is it safe for you to talk? If it isn’t, hang up on me.”
Silence. “Is he dead?” Dalai’s voice was a mere agonized breath of sound. “Gideon said you would only come to help me if he couldn’t. Did I kill him?”
“No,” Jill said quickly. “He’s still alive. Can you talk? Where is Zahra?”
“The British prime minister is here. She took them to the hospital to visit the victims.” She brushed the question aside. “Tell me. Is Gideon hurt?”
“No.” Jill added deliberately, “But he could have been. It was very close.”
Dalai struggled to get control. “Thank God. How I prayed that he would be safe.”
“That’s very kind.” The girl was obviously sincere, but Jill had to harden her heart against the impulse to soften. Difficult to do since all she could think about was how much Dalai must have gone through over the years. “But you still sent him out to that compound.”
“He wanted to go. You all wanted to go. You all knew how evil Varak is. I told you everything I could to help you.”
“We realize that. It wasn’t enough. Though Gideon was still grateful. And he did what he could to protect you before he went into that jungle to go after Varak.” She added, “But that compound was one huge trap. It was a miracle they got out alive.” She paused. “And they’re going to go back if you don’t stop them. Help me to stop them, Dalai.”
Dalai was silent. “You know nothing. How can I do that?” She paused, her voice edged with panic. “Varak has to die, and I cannot do it. Do you think I haven’t thought about it? But when I’m with him, it’s as if he devours me.”
“It’s the fear that devours you,” Jill said. “Do you think I don’t know how that feels?” But she couldn’t be too sympathetic or Dalai wouldn’t take that final step they needed her to take. The girl had come so far against tremendous odds. Just from listening to Gideon about their encounters, Jill could read between the lines. Dalai was clearly a fighter but not a trusting one. She had even been afraid to trust Gideon.