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The Dalai Laan to walk toward the Cessna, then stopped and turned around “I will pray for your father and for you,” he said quietly, “and pray this all works out”

Overholt simply smiled as the Dalai Lama turned and walked over to the steps, then climbed into the Cessna for the rest of his journey As soon as he was seated, the Dalai Lama turned to one of his assistants

“As soon as we arrive in Little Lhasa, I will need the trunk containing the Golden Buddha docuht to my office”

The assistant scribbled notes on a small pad

“Then I will need to seewith my physical shell”

“As ordered, Your Holiness,” the aide said, “I shall do”

The pilot started the engine on the Cessna and ran through his checks Fourtoward a runway, and a few minutes after that he was airborne Overholt stood on the tarround and ht The Caravan was just a speck against the backdrop of the white cloud cover before he turned to the pilot of the Falcon

“Mind if I catch a ride back to Santa Monica with you?” he asked

“We’re going that way anyway, sir,” the pilot said “Might as well tag along”

OVERHOLT had a quality that was often overlooked in successful spies He could sleep anywhere By the time the jet stopped for fuel in Taiwan, the several hours of sleep had renewed his vigor As the plane was being fueled, he walked a distance away and unfolded his portable telephone, then dialed a number from memory

Bouncing off a satellite, the signal arrived in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, then was redirected toward the ultinal was scrambled and untraceable and there was no way to deter party was actually located The voice answered with an extension number

“2524”

“Juan,” he said quietly, “this is Langston”

“Qué pasa, ao,” Cabrillo said

“Everything still looks good,” Overholt said “How is your crew co?”