“Outside of our respective organizations and a few other agencies allied to us, there aren’t many players who could pull off both,” Ranger said.
“Hearts United is one,” Drescher suggested.
She stared at her friend. “You really think that NGO is pulling the strings?”
“I don’t know. I’m not jumping to conclusions here, Sam. I’m just asking questions.”
Ranger crossed her arms. “Hearts United has done real work, with real, positive impact. They installed solar grids in Chad, provided access to clean water across the Sahel—”
“And food aid to Ethiopia,” Drescher interjected. “I know all that, Sam.”
But Ranger wasn’t done. “They’re planning huge infrastructures projects, and they’ve already transformed whole regions—”
Drescher cut her off. “There. You just said it.”
“Said what? I don’t understand.”
“They’ve transformed whole regions,” Drescher said.
“Yes. For the better. C’mon, Nicklas, Hearts United is one of the few organizations that’s actually helping.”
“I’m not saying they aren’t.”
“For God’s sake. Then what are you saying?”
He met her eyes. “Have you looked closely? At the projects themselves?”
“I’ve read the briefs.”
“The briefs. Right,” he said, standing.
She rose with him. “Wait a goddamn second, will you? You just planted a bomb in the room, and now you’re leaving?”
“I have to go back to the embassy. I’m sorry.”
Ranger sighed. “All right. You want me to look closer, I’ll look closer. I owe you that much.”
“And more,” he said, a smile appearing on his lips.
“Yes. And more,” Ranger agreed. “But you need to help me out here. What should I look for exactly?”
“Sam, I don’t want to skew your judgment,” he said.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “If we both reach the same conclusion independently, we’ll know it’s solid. As I said, I’m not jumping to conclusions.”
She knew he was right. “A hint, then?”
Drescher paused at the door. “Kenya,” he said. “Start there. And again, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need our help.”
And with that, he walked out of her office, leaving her staring at the bottle of Advil, wondering if she was going to need a hell of a lot more.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ibiza, Spain
Mia sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on her knees, reading the message she’d received from Operations.
