8. SAHARA ADVENTURE SERIES — BLOOD IN FRONT OF THE SUN
A young woman, captive in a desert fort, faces her certain death. She is Brigitte Bonnet, a leading figure among the Doelak Arabs, condemned for sedition and bloodshed. Her last night on earth is filled with memories of her power among the Doelak people as their ruler, her sister’s death, and the approaching execution. The tension is palpable as twilight descends upon the desert and the tolling bell signals her end. It is revealed that she is a powerful woman who acted barbarically, yet now sits sobbing with fear, alone in a prison cell.
Teuns Stegmann, a legion soldier, is with his comrades in an Arab café where the execution is being discussed. Tempers flare, particularly those of Fritz Mundt, who regards Bonnet as a witch. Teuns, burdened by guilt for his role in her capture, is reminded by his comrades that the Arabs will seek revenge. The café’s atmosphere is thick with tension and dark shadows as Abdoel Hoessein, an enigmatic merchant, unexpectedly makes an appearance and openly discusses the execution with them.
A night of betrayal unfolds, and by dawn, it is discovered that Bonnet has inexplicably escaped. D’Arlan, the astute captain, suspects internal treachery. Teuns is urgently summoned to the colonel, where he recounts his encounter with Abdoel Hoessein the previous evening. An investigation identifies Wodiak, Antonetti, and Renner as the culprits, and one of the traitors is found murdered. D’Arlan departs with Teuns and other men to confront Hoessein, but they walk into a deadly ambush. Teuns miraculously manages to escape, but the others are captured. What awaits Teuns, and what secrets lie behind Bonnet’s escape?
