" Carry on."

George hopped back into the truck, and as Chloe pulled away and Mac followed, George said, "kooky here. I knew there was something about that old gal I really liked." In amongst the ammunition, Mrs. P. had had Co op people pack bread, cheese, and fruit. "Chloe and Hannah took most of it," George said. "And I'm gonna take most of what's left unless you grab now."

Mac grabbed. And the unlikely convoy rolled west into the night toward their ride home. How long the ruse would hold was the mystery. For now, Mac enjoyed the food and the hope that they had beaten the odds.

Chapter.

THE REPORT from Mac allowed hang to breathe easier for the first time in hours. He checked back in to Carpathia's office, where Akbar was debriefing the big boss.

"We've had a setback, but there's no way this bunch can "

"A setback?

"without going into all the details, sir, the hostage killed one of our people a woman and has escaped. We a.s.sume he's on the run with the three who "

"He killed one of his captors?"

"Yes, Highness. We a.s.sume "

"My kind of a man. Why cannot he be on our side?"

"We a.s.sume, sir, that he is reconnecting with the three who came for him, and we're hoping they will be foolish enough to try to get back to the airport. We have that sealed tight." "Yes, well . . ." Carpathia sounded distracted, as if the rest of the story was not as interesting. "Suhail, how was damage control today?"

"Too early to tell, sir."

"Come, come, I count on you as one who does not try to simply appease me. They heard the pilot's report, and my telling them he was mistaken, that the bombs had missed their targets. Well, what are people saying?"

"I honestly don't know, Excellency. I have spent my entire day between your office and my own, trying to ride herd on this Greece thing."

"Let me tell you this, Suhail: The disc from the plane clearly shoves direct hits and those traitors burning! Whatever is the magic that allows those people to survive simply cannot extend outside that area."

"Begging your pardon, but not that long ago we lost ground troops outside "

"I know that, Suhail! Do you think I do not know that?"

"Apologies, Potentate."

"I want us to find the safe place surrounding that area, where we have not seen our weapons of war swallowed up by the earth, and from which we can stop all traffic in and out. They will need supplies, and we must see that they do not get them."

"Our armed forces have been so decimated, Sir "

"Are you telling me we have no pilots or planes that can cut off supplies to Petra?"

"No, Sir. I'm sure we can do that. Ah, on another matter, sir, our ancient text experts say that the next curse could be that the lakes and rivers of the world fall into the same predicament as the seas."

"Freshwater sources all turn to blood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Impossible! Everyone would die! Even our enemies."

"There are those who believe the Judah ites will be protected, as they have been against our forces recently."

"where will they get their water?"

"The same place they got their protection. Perhaps there is wisdom in negotiating with their leader to have the curses lifted."

"Never! "

"Not to be contrary, sir, but we cannot survive long with this devastation. And if the rivers and lakes do also turn "

"You are not aware of everything, Suhail. I too have supernatural power."

"I have seen it, sir."

"You will see more. Reverend Fortunato is prepared to match the wizardry of the Judah ites blow for blow, and he has designates who can do this around the world. "

"Well, that "

"Now show me what I want to see, Suhail."

"North roadblock, this is Central."

"Roadblock," Mac said. "Go ahead, Central."

"Disposition of suspicious truck?" "Repeat?"

"One of our squads reported that your first stop after they pa.s.sed was a truck."

"Affirmative. Clean."

"Traveling west to east?"

"Affirmative."

"we traced a cell phone to the west side of the city and then east before losing it."

Mac looked at George. "What do they want to hear?"

"You know nothing about that."

Mac transmitted. "Can't help you there."

"Truck proceeded east?"

"Roger that."

"You reported lots of traffic."