Sam put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “You do look like something the cat just dragged in from the jungle.”
Remi arched a brow at him.
“Assuming,” he added quickly, “the cat had extremely discerning taste.”
“Nice recovery, Fargo,” Remi said as he leaned in for a kiss.
Wendy, Pete, and Lazlo laughed.
* * *
—
An hour later, Sam and Remi carried their lunch trays to the adults’ table, taking a seat across from Okoro and Amal. Amal slid the coffee carafe toward Remi. “I swear, it’s the best you’ve ever tasted.”
Remi poured herself a cup and passed the carafe to Sam. “Nothing like a couple nights in the jungle to remind you of the finer things in life.” She took a sip, savored it a moment, looking at Amal over the rim. “Did you get in touch with Renee?”
“Just before lunch. Wendy lent me her phone.”
“I’m sure she was relieved to hear from you.”
“We didn’t really get to talk. She was in the middle of an interview with a police detective when I called. Something about a break-in at the dig site. She said she’d call back after she picks up Hank from the airport.”
Remi lowered her cup to the table, looking at Sam. “What break-in?”
“Forgot to mention it,” he said as some of the students at the tables started clapping. “I was a bit preoccupied, if you recall.”
They turned to see Maryam, Zara, Jol, Tambara, and Nasha walking in the door. Zara smiled, then lifted Nasha’s hand, holding it up like the winner of a prize fight. “The fifth Musketeer,” she shouted.
The clapping and cheering intensified, even more so when Nasha, clearly overwhelmed by the attention, brushed tears from her eyes.
Sam put his arm around Remi’s shoulders. “Look at that. Our street urchin, all grown up and being recognized as a hero.”
It was a moment before Remi could speak. She cleared her throat and blinked as though something had gotten in her eye. “Please tell me you were able to find out where she came from?”
“That’s the one thing that went right with my trip to Jalingo. Selma’s been working on it. I was hoping that Pete and I could head out there once things settle down. But that’s going to be a while. Before anything else happens, we have to notify every parent of every student . . .”
Remi took a ragged breath. “I wonder how many will pull the girls from the school?”
“You can’t blame them if they do,” he said, feeling Okoro’s gaze on him. He was actually grateful when the lieutenant and half his squad walked in for lunch, disrupting the conversation. Sam invited them to their table. The three soldiers declined, having to return to their posts, but the lieutenant joined them.
Amal rose. “You can have my seat.”
He raised his brows at her. “I don’t usually have that effect on people.”
She laughed. “It’s not you, don’t worry. I volunteered to help Wendy frost a few dozen cupcakes to celebrate the girls’ return.”
“Considering you were one of the returnees, I’m surprised they’re making you work.”
“Trust me,” she said, picking up her tray, “I have an ulterior motive. Dark chocolate frosting. I plan on piling it extra thick on my own cupcake.”
He watched her a moment, smiling, before turning back toward Sam, his expression turning somber. “I’m glad we have a few moments. I’ve been in touch with Taraba State investigators. They’re asking that we extract the bodies . . .” He stopped, looking at Remi, mistaking her emotion over seeing Nasha’s recognition for an aversion to hearing about the dead kidnappers. “My apologies, Mrs. Fargo. I’ll save the more gruesome aspects until after lunch . . . There’s one thing bothering me,” he said to Sam. “You’re isolated up here. How did they know of the school’s existence?”
Sam had wondered the same thing. No doubt their ambush after leaving Jalingo was connected. Beyond that, he wasn’t sure. “It’s possible they found out about the school from one of the locals in Gembu. Pete and Yaro get their supplies there.”
“You should mention that to the investigators. They may find it useful.”
“We appreciate it,” Sam said, glancing at Okoro. “As much as I hate to say it, we may have to rethink keeping the school open. The last thing we want is to endanger the children in our misguided belief that we’re doing the right thing.”
“If I may suggest, Mr. Fargo, wait until all the facts are in,” the lieutenant said. “This school, and more like it, are very much needed in our country.”
“It’s heartbreaking.” Remi’s gaze followed a group of girls as they grabbed a jump rope from a basket by the door, then ran outside. “We were so close to finishing the second dorm to bring in new students. Wendy and Pete have worked so hard. To see it all end like this . . .”
Sam hated the defeat in her voice. He knew she was blaming herself for what happened. And the grim look on Okoro’s face wasn’t helping. Sam could well understand the mix of emotions running through the man after the kidnapping. Clearly, he and Okoro needed to sit down and have a long talk about the school.
The lieutenant, thankfully, changed the subject to the weather, commenting that rain wasn’t expected for at least another week. “A few days of sunshine and hard work,” he said, “you’ll be back on schedule.”
As much as Sam wanted to share his enthusiasm, he couldn’t. Pete and Yaro needed to personally contact each family to inform them about the kidnapping. Most lived in far-flung villages, hours apart. Who knew how many students would be left once the parents were notified. Even if there were any remaining, rain was expected within a week and they’d never get the dorm done in time. “Let’s hope so,” he said as a low rumble emanated from somewhere outside, the sound growing louder by the moment.
Two soldiers raced past the cafeteria door toward the front of the school. Remi looked over at Sam in alarm. “What on earth?”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.
– AFRICAN PROVERB –
Sam and Remi hurried out of the cafeteria, past the girls jumping rope in the courtyard. At the front of the school, they were surprised to find the soldiers directing several military vehicles into the now crowded graveled yard, where the poor chickens clucked and scurried as they sought refuge far from the trucks.
“What’s going on?” Sam asked Pete as he strode across the drive from the office.