“I didn’t expect anything else of you.”

“Then tell me what I want to know. Are you going to be able to find the coins?”

“No.” She paused. “I’ve already found them.”

He inhaled sharply. “The hell you have.” Then he said, “You wouldn’t be trying any desperation tactics, would you?”

“I am desperate, or I wouldn’t have called you. That doesn’t mean that I’m not telling the truth. I’m going to send you three photos.” She pressed the button on her phone to make the transfer. “Look at them, then we’ll talk.”

“Oh, I intend to look at them…”

She waited.

He came back on the line. “Interesting,” he said cautiously. “But that doesn’t mean I can be sure they’re authentic. And I can’t decipher the script on that scroll.”

“I couldn’t either. But I’ve been informed that in the upper right-hand corner is the name Judas followed by the letters I and S. You’re a powerful man who has been hunting for the Judas coins for years. You have to have contacts who can look at these pictures and tell you whether or not they’re counterfeit. Call them and tell them to get the hell over there right away.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“Don’t consider it, do it,” she said fiercely. “I’ll not have that son of a bitch torturing Eve because you can’t get your act together. And if he kills her, there won’t be a chance in hell of your getting your hands on the Judas coins. I’ll throw it into the ocean before I let you have that pouch.”

“No reason to become so upset. I believe I can accommodate you.”

“No more than an hour, Roland. And while you’re checking up on me, find a way to keep Millet busy and away from Eve.”

“Don’t give me orders, Jane.”

“One hour, Roland.” She hung up.

“You were very tough.” Jock handed her a cup of tea. “I was impressed. Now sit down and relax for a little while. It’s been a roller-coaster night for you. But I think that Roland knows that he’s been in a battle.”

“Only a skirmish.” She sipped the tea and dropped down on the couch. Yes, she would try to relax. It was the intelligent thing to do. Certainly not the easiest thing when her nerves were strung this tight. “But the war has officially begun.”

ROLAND CALLED HER FIFTY-FIVE minutes later. His voice vibrated with excitement. “Where are they?”

“You got a confirmation on the coins?”

“I got a highly probable. The expert I called in said the script appeared to be carbon-based as was common during that period. But it’s not the correct number of coins.”

“Don’t be greedy. I could tell you where the other two coins went.”

“Where?”

“I could tell you. I won’t do it without a cast-iron deal.”

“Where is that pouch?” he asked. “And I’ve been told that writ of sale could disintegrate if care isn’t taken.”

“Safe. Hadar stuffed it in a bottle near the Field of Blood. I couldn’t chance opening it, so I had someone do opaque digital X-rays. It’s now protected in an airtight container. If you want to verify, you’ll have to have your expert do a digital scan when I hand it over. I guarantee it will remain intact if you agree to my terms.”

“You’re not in a position to dictate terms. You’re too vulnerable. Millet has Eve Duncan, which means I have Eve Duncan.”

“Those are my terms. I want Eve freed, and I want both of us to walk away from this nightmare. If you can find a way to rid the earth of Millet, I’d consider it a bonus.”

He was silent for a moment. “And I get the coins and the scroll with no conditions?”

“With no conditions.”

He suddenly chuckled. “Good God, I wonder if Eve Duncan will ever appreciate how valuable her life has turned out to be. You’re willing to give up billions.”

“Her life has a value you can’t even imagine, Roland.”

“I couldn’t be happier that you feel that way. In fact, I’m positively giddy. Do you know how long I’ve searched for those coins?”

“You told me it was years. I don’t give a damn. When can we arrange a trade that doesn’t involve either Eve or me ending up on that slab in the temple?”

“I’ll have to think about ways and means. You may well get your bonus if I can’t figure a way to pluck Eve out of Millet’s hands.”

“You’d better think fast. Millet gave me six hours to agree to his terms. I only have a little over four hours left.” She paused. “Did you call Millet and tell him that Eve’s not to be touched?”

“If I gave him orders, then he’d be certain to do the opposite. I phoned and let him brag a little, then said that you’re obviously an overemotional woman, and if you saw signs of mistreatment, you might blow up and ruin the trade. He can’t afford to have that happen. He’ll back off.”

“You told the truth. I’m very emotional, and I’ll react accordingly. You might remember that when you make your plans on getting Eve out of Millet’s hands.”

“I remember everything about you.” His voice lowered silkily. “You’re an unusual woman. I enjoy emotion. I was disappointed that I had to throw you to Millet to butcher. I much prefer the prospect of getting together with you at some future date. I could show you a few very exciting games.”

“In your dreams.” She hung up before she realized what she had said. Dreams, again. That response had come out of nowhere.

“He’s going to cooperate?” Jock asked.

“He’s telling me that he is. He could go either way. He wants the coins so bad that he can taste it. But if he thinks he can get the pouch without endangering his position within that cult, then he’ll have no compunction about serving me up to Millet.” She added wearily, “I realize we can’t trust him. I just had to have his help with Millet to keep Eve safe while we scramble to help her.”

He smiled. “And are we prepared to scramble?”

“Yes, call Gillem and tell him that I’ll need a helicopter to take me to Damascus.

His smile faded. “You’re going to Caleb?”

She nodded. “That pilot, Faruk, is the key. I have to make sure that Caleb doesn’t break the man before he can unlock the doors to the temple.”

“I’d prefer to go with you.”

“Why? To protect me from Caleb? I thought you were over that.”

“I don’t believe he’d hurt you intentionally. But he’s volatile, and it might happen. I can’t predict what he’s going to do. It makes me uneasy.”

She couldn’t predict Caleb either. “He can get Faruk to tell us about the location and layout of the temple. He may be able to use him to take us in with some of those members he’s supposed to be flying in. That’s worth being a little uneasy.”

“But you don’t want me with you.”

“We’ll need what amounts to an army if we have to attack that temple. Wait until you hear from Venable that they’ve arrived in Damascus, then join them. Millet will have all his top goons there for the Offering.” She smiled. “You’d make a fantastic general, Jock.”

He shook his head. “That’s MacDuff. I’m better at guerrilla tactics. You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.” She did not want to have to referee any conflict between Caleb and Jock. She could handle Caleb better on her own. The intimacy that was growing between them wasn’t easily understood. Not even by me, she thought. She couldn’t afford any interference. Every moment was a challenge. He held a power she had to learn to wield if she was to get through this nightmare.

And, together, they could find a way for her to dream again.

Day Seven

CALEB STROLLED UP TO HER helicopter as it came into the small airport on the outskirts of Damascus, where he’d told her to land. “I’m flattered.” He helped her out of the aircraft. “I only left you a matter of hours ago. You obviously couldn’t wait to be with me again.”

“You’re right,” Jane said dryly. “Waiting for anything isn’t on my agenda at the moment.”

“And you wanted to be here to remind me that I mustn’t follow my natural instincts. You didn’t trust me.” He reached out and gently touched her cheek. “How wise you are, Jane.”