Close Quarters

by Lucy Monroe

  She shook her head, suspicious moisture making her eyes glisten.

  “She’s a friend, not my wife,” Roman explained.

  Mbari gave him a strange look and then turned back to Tanya. “Maybe you wash the black stuff off your face, show you pretty. He might pay many cows for you.”

  She choked out a laugh. “In America, wives are not bought with cows.”

  “What buy them then?”

  Tanya was silent for several beats before saying, “Love.”

  Mbari shook his head as if he could not believe such naïveté.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Fleur gave final instructions for the day to the interns before going to find the director. When she entered the dining hall, there were a couple of Sympa-Med employees in one corner, playing a game of mancala.

  Though, if they were there for any reason other than to listen in on the director’s discussion with their fellow workers, she would rebraid Johari’s entire mass of curls every morning for a month. The Marine privates were at a table a little closer to the director, playing a card game and snacking on a plate of flat bread.

  The director was alone, so Fleur approached him. “How has your day gone, sir?”

  The man rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, his gray head shaking. “Tiring, Dr. Andikan, very tiring.”

  She respected the fact he had come to find answers, but she doubted he’d had much luck. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Has the schedule for the interviews changed?” he asked. “I thought I was doing medical staff tomorrow.”

  “Nothing has changed, but there was something I wanted to discuss with you.”

  The director’s eyes narrowed. “What is that?”

  “It’s a delicate matter.”

  If anything, the man’s expression sharpened. “Is this personal?”

  “In fact, I do have something personal to discuss, but the issue I wanted to raise is related more to Sympa-Med, or rather someone who works with the organization.”

  “Who?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “That sounds mysterious.”

  Fleur sighed and leaned forward. “It is. A mystery, I mean.”

  “What is that?”

  “You heard about the almost strip search of Tanya Ruston, I assume.”

  “I did.”

  “I found the circumstances”—she paused for effect—“questionable.”

  “In what way?”

  “The security guard argued against the search, but made no move to actually stop it.”

  “You would expect something different?”

  “In fact, I would. Roman Chernichenko made a call on his sat-phone, but our vehicles are all equipped with short-wave radios. The driver could have reported the incident in progress, but he didn’t.”

  “Perhaps he feared for his own safety.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I have always found you to be an eminently practical woman, Dr. Andikan. I assume there is more to your concern than this incident.”

  “Yes, in fact. When Miss Ruston returned from her last traveling clinic, she had to miss the final stop.”

  “I am aware.”

  “Yes, of course, but your insistence that she make the trip to Tikikima surprised me somewhat.”

  “My insistence?” he asked.

  “The e-mails came from your office.”

  “And these e-mails, they demanded Miss Ruston return to Tikikima before the next circuit of the traveling clinic?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I see.”

  “You didn’t instruct that they be sent?”

  “No. I did not.”

  Well, there was confirmation that his assistant was part of the espionage. “Miss Ruston has always found the inclusion of that village inefficient, considering it is near a stationary clinic.”

  “It is? That information was not included in the data used to determine this compound’s traveling clinic itinerary.”

  “That is disturbing, if you do not mind my saying so, director.”

  “I agree.” He sighed, as if not just tired, but exhausted. “I noticed that some of our medical workers have been given transceivers rather than GPS locator chips.”

  “You found that significant?”

  “I did. The chips were almost twice the cost of the ones we used for the other medical workers.”

  “So, these chips aren’t just being used in workers from this compound?” That meant this espionage ring was bigger than she was sure Ben was expecting.

  Then again, maybe not. Her secret agent man was brilliant at his job.

  “No.”

  “Why did you begin your investigation here? That is what you are doing with these interviews, isn’t it?”

  “It is. I had hoped to identify outside influences manipulating the situation, or, in the best case scenario, to be wrong about the significance of the different chips. I had hoped it was simply a matter of one of our board of directors trying to engage in a little nepotism.”

  “But you have ruled out that possibility?”

  “I hadn’t entirely when I came, but I have now.”

  “Because of what has been going on with Tanya.”

  “That and the inordinate interest one of the members of the board has shown in the itineraries of our traveling clinics.”

  She named the board member she had heard was having an affair with the director’s personal assistant.

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  “It’s a matter of logic. If you didn’t send those e-mails demanding Miss Ruston go to Tikikima, then your PA did. She’s rumored to be in a liaison with that board member.”

  “He’s a married man.”

  Fleur shrugged.

  The director shook his head. “I am a Frenchman, but that does not mean I approve of infidelity. And there is a definite conflict of interest in having office staff involved with a board member.”

  “I notice she’s not participating in your interviews.”

  “I sent her and George to Harare with Mr. Ibeamaka to glad-hand the local government officials,” he said, naming the other man who had traveled in their party.

  “No wonder Ibeamaka has not returned as he threatened.”

  “I take it you are not fond of him.”

  “He’s a supercilious toad who thinks I would make an ideal traditional wife.”

  The director laughed with true amusement and Fleur found herself smiling.

  “I take it he is not the reason you wished to discuss something personal.”

  “No, he is not.”

  “Mr. Vincent, the State Department official auditing the mines?”

  “He’s only auditing one mine and yes.”

  “Ah, I suspected something from the rather protective stance he took at mealtime.”

  “I will be joining him in America with Johari as soon as visas can be arranged.”

  “Are you sure that is what you want? You’ve dedicated your life to healing the sick.”

  “I can be a doctor in America too.”

  “True.” He sighed, clearly accepting that she meant to move on from Sympa-Med. “Do you have a recommendation to fill your position?”

  “I would recommend Tanya Ruston.”

  “But she is not a doctor. Do you think she would be open to attending medical school at Sympa-Med’s expense?”

  Fleur found herself smiling. “The woman hates school with a passion.”

  “That is unfortunate.”

  “For Sympa-Med, yes.”

  “Point taken.” He rubbed his eyes again. “Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. I’m still not sure what all this means, but it’s not going to be good for Sympa-Med.”

  “I’m sorry,” Fleur said with genuine sadness.

  “Have you noticed any other odd behavior in the security personnel?” he asked, as if it was an afterthought.

  “Not really, no.”

  He nodded. “A couple behaved v
ery strangely during their interviews. I cannot decide if that is because they were nervous talking to me, or if it indicates a need to hide something.”

  “The unemployment rate is over eighty percent,” she said, giving the men the benefit of the doubt.

  “There is that. We do a good thing here.”

  “In more ways than one, yes, we do.”

  “Is it naïve of me to hope greedy people aren’t going to screw that up?”

  “To hope? No.”

  “But you’re worried too, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” She saw no reason to deny it. If the espionage ring was linked to Sympa-Med, donations were going to plummet and along with them the budget for the legitimate and necessary work the organization did.

  Tanya and Mbari were starting to make dinner from the stores they had gotten at the village the day before while the men put up the tents and secured the area. Mbari kept turning to watch Kadin as he worked on the first tent.

  Tanya smiled and gently nudged him. “Go help Kadin. I’ve got this.”

  The boy looked at her, his expression agonized. “Roman told me help with food.”

  “He won’t mind. Trust me.”

  Kadin called, “Come on over here, Mbari. I could use your help.”

  “I have never put up a tent.”

  “I will teach you how.”

  Neil arrived with another load of wood for the fire a few minutes later. “Will this do for cooking?”

  “Sure. I’m not making a feast and we didn’t get meat because we don’t have a cooler. The cornmeal will take the longest to cook.”

  “So, Roman’s keeping the kid.”

  “He said so.” She still couldn’t quite believe it. “How is he going to arrange Mbari’s move to the States?”

  “Our boss has a lot of clout in high places. As soon as Face and Ben identify the real culprits for the espionage, the General will get the kill order on you rescinded and we can come in.”

  “Your boss is a General?” Somehow, she’d gotten the impression that the Atrati were not connected officially to the military.

  “Retired. Still acts like brass though, at least the smart kind. He’ll get the wheels spinning on Mbari’s adoption.”

  “Adoption. Wow. I never would have expected Roman to adopt a child.”

  “I don’t think he planned on it either, but sometimes you just gotta swing the bat when life throws you a curve ball.”

  “That’s a good attitude to take.”

  “Yeah. Roman helped me see it that way when I didn’t make it into the SEALs.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “Nope, but the Atrati wanted me anyway. I’ve been on Roman’s team since I joined.”

  “You make it sound like military.”

  “More like paramilitary, but yeah. Technically, we’re mercenaries, but most of our funding comes from Washington.”

  “And no one even knows you exist.”

  “Wouldn’t be very effective if they did.”

  “I suppose.” Roman had said this wasn’t a Hollywood movie, but it was pretty intriguing to say the least. “So, how can a man who will use a woman sexually to get answers be the same guy who will adopt an orphaned Bantu boy?” she asked before she even realized the question was lurking in her thoughts.

  “He puts the assignment ahead of personal considerations.”

  “He told me that.”

  Neil started peeling bananas to add to the cornmeal. “With you, that attitude is all bullshit.”

  “What?” Her head jerked up and she stared at the blond soldier.

  He met her gaze with a serious look of his own. “Listen, I heard him tell you he would have had sex with you no matter what, right?”

  “So he said.”

  “He wasn’t lying. He reacts to you like I’ve never seen him react before. He was looking for excuses to break his own cardinal rule about no recreational sex while on a job.”

  “I don’t consider sex a recreational sport.”

  “No, I don’t imagine you do.”

  “He told me it wasn’t casual.”

  “Did it feel casual to you?”

  “No.” Anything but. “Only…”

  “Nothing. Listen, Tanna, I don’t know what your past experience with sex is, but I’ll tell you that as long as I’ve known Roman, no woman has gotten to him like you do.”

  “So, he wants me.”

  “He’s possessive of you. You have to have noticed. He practically shits bricks when Kadin gets within spitting distance of you.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Only it wasn’t. She’d noticed.

  “They got into a fight, would have torn up our quarters if I hadn’t moved the furniture double-time.”

  “Why would they fight over me?”

  “Kadin didn’t want Roman having sex with you and Roman figured that meant Kadin wanted you himself.”

  “What a couple of knuckleheads.” But it warmed her heart to think of Kadin’s trying to protect her the way Beau would have done. She wasn’t sure what she felt about Roman’s sexual jealousy.

  She was pretty sure she liked it, not another banner moment for her responses. “So, you’re saying that I’m special to Roman?”

  “He risked his career to keep you safe.”

  “He said something about that, but I don’t understand. It sounds like your boss approved Roman getting me out of Sympa-Med’s compound.”

  “Unofficially. Officially, if we’re caught before the kill order is rescinded, political pressure could be brought to bear and Roman could be kicked out of the Atrati. We guarantee our clients a certain amount of loyalty, especially Uncle Sam.”

  “You and Kadin could lose your jobs too.”

  “He’ll take the fall for us, say he ordered us to do what we did.”

  “You won’t let him take the blame though.”

  “Nah, but he thinks we would. The man’s a serious control freak. He thinks he can tell the rest of the world what to do and they’ll listen.”

  “Arrogant.”

  “You think so?”

  “You don’t?”

  “We like to call it ‘fully justified confidence’.” Neil winked.

  She laughed. “I should have known.”

  “Should have known what?” Roman’s voice came from behind her.

  She spun to face him, surging to her feet from her crouch beside the fire. “That Neil agrees with you on the definition of arrogance.”

  Roman’s features tightened. “Talking over my faults?”

  “Don’t be a drama queen, Geronimo. It’s not all about you. Didn’t your mama tell you as much?”

  “Not lately.”

  “I bet.” Tanya gave him a teasing smile. “I imagine she acts thrilled to see you when she gets the chance.”

  “She does that.”

  “Maybe now that you’re taking on Mbari, you’ll see her more.”

  “It’s inevitable.”

  “You’re an amazing man, Roman.”

  “You think so?” His tone was about ten times more serious than hers.

  And just like that, the atmosphere around them changed, went deep and meaningful.

  “You going to sleep in Mbari’s tent tonight?” she asked.

  Roman’s brows rose. “You going to fuss if I say no?”

  “Maybe.” She looked down at her nails, as if they had a full manicure instead of ragged cuticles and blunt tips. “Maybe not.”

  “It looks like he and Kadin are making friends.”

  “Yeah, I suppose they are.”

  “So, maybe or maybe not?”

  “Probably not,” she answered, knowing what the real question was. Did she object to his sharing her tent?

  Whether it was his actions with the kidnapped children and Mbari, the things Roman had said, the claims Neil had made or simply the love that refused to be denied inside her, but she was prepared to share a tent without argument. Maybe more than simply share. Heck, who was she kidding? Definitely mo
re.

  At least this time she could be sure he didn’t have ulterior motives for making love.

  Ben didn’t wait for Fleur to come back to the chalet, but started heading toward the dining hall as soon as her conversation with the director wrapped up.

  He met her outside the medical hut. “You told him.”

  “You look pleased, so you must be talking about me informing him that I will not be continuing as compound administrator.”

  He took her hand, lacing their fingers. “Yes, that.”

  “The sooner Sympa-Med is made aware of my imminent departure, the better.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Departure?”

  “Imminent.”

  “I do not know how long the paperwork will take to obtain, but I am ready to move as soon as it has cleared proper channels.”

  “I work under the aegis of the State Department. We can clear proper channels in record time.”

  “Nothing would make me happier.” And he could tell she meant it.

  He wanted to kiss her right there, but knew she was shy about public displays. The fact she’d allowed him to hold her hand was pretty amazing as it was.

  “You’ve got that look.”

  “The one that says ‘I want to kiss you’?”

  “Is that what it means? All I know is I’ve never had anyone look at me so tenderly. I believe I fell in love with that expression even as I fell for you.”

  “I’ll have to make sure I look at you like this often then. I don’t want you falling out of love.”

  “I do not think that can happen. Not for us. We are too aware of what a miracle it is we have found each other.”

  “You are right. I hope you can forgive me.” But he could not hold back from kissing her right then.

  She didn’t even ask what for, just tipped her head to make the caress of his mouth against hers easier. He didn’t let it get hot and heavy; he just needed the connection.

  “You are so precious,” he said as he moved up to place a kiss on her forehead.

  “I feel the same about you. You are an uncommon man.”

  “For you.”

  “For me.”

  Drew and Rachel were waiting in the hut when Ben and Fleur returned.

  “We’ve got to try to keep Sympa-Med’s name out of the espionage case,” Rachel said as soon as the door shut behind Ben.