They settled into a loose triangle with Nelson on the couch, Caspian in an armchair, and Ranger perched on the edge of the desk.
“So. You two mind telling me what this is really about and why I’m here?” Nelson asked, once everybody was comfortable.
“Caspian told me you were considering leaving Doctors Without Borders? Is that true?” Ranger asked.
“I’m thinking about it. I haven’t made my decision yet.”
“Because of Clara?” Ranger asked.
Caspian’s head snapped in Ranger’s direction. He’d never heard of a Clara. But before he could say anything, Nelson said, “You’re definitely CIA.”
“Who the hell’s Clara?” Caspian asked.
“Should I tell him, or would you prefer to do it?” Nelson said. “’Cause you seem to know a whole lot about me.”
Caspian noted that his brother didn’t sound pissed off. In fact, he seemed to find this conversation amusing.
“No, you do it,” Ranger said.
“Clara’s my girlfriend,” Nelson said. “She’s with the State Department. Legal division. She’s in Nairobi for another six months, then she’s coming back to DC.”
“You have a girlfriend?” Caspian asked, stunned. He’d always thought his brother was going to remain a bachelor his entire life.
“Don’t look so surprised, brother,” Nelson said. “You don’t think I’m worthy of being loved?”
“I didn’t—” Caspian started, but Nelson cut him off.
“Relax, bro, I’m kidding. Anyhow, Clara’s smart, funny, and she drinks the green smoothies I make for her, even though I know she hates them.”
“That’s pure love,” Ranger said.
“Right?”
“And this Clara, she’s the reason you’re thinking about coming back?” Caspian asked.
“She’s the main one. She’s only the second person in years who listens when I talk about what’s broken out there. She doesn’t roll her eyes, doesn’t pat me on the back to say I’m doing a great, honorable job, and that I should just shut my mouth and keep doing what I’m doing. She actually listens.”
“And ... who’s the first person, if you don’t mind me asking?” Ranger inquired.
“Everett Westcott.”
Caspian winced at his brother’s answer. “Okay, so, in your opinion, professional and personal, what do you think is broken in Kenya?”
Nelson sighed heavily.
“More than you want to hear,” he said. “Look, I love the people in Kenya. That’s why I’ve been there for so long. These people, they’re some of the most resilient and kind human beings I’ve ever met. But their government? I mean, half the ministers would sell their grandmothers’ lungs for a payout. The other half already has.”
Caspian exchanged a look with Ranger. There was a quiet moment, then Nelson said, “When you’re caught between trying to treat patients and navigating which regional official expects a bribe to tell you where they hid the oxygen tanks, it kind of wears you down, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it,” Caspian said sympathetically. “You once told me you’d met Westcott a few times, remember that?”
“Of course. I met him a dozen times or so. The man is a force of nature, and he really cares about Africa. He’s one of the good guys, that’s for sure. I have a good working relationship with him, and with everyone at Hearts United for that matter. They talk a lot, but they do carry through. Unlike so many other NGOs, when Hearts United say they’ll fund a project, they do.”
“Did Westcott ever talk to you about his project for the DRC?” Ranger asked.
“As a matter of fact, he did. He has a big one for the Congo River. He loved the DRC and its people. Honestly, it’s as if the DRC is his spiritual homeland.”
“Really? Do you know why?” Caspian asked, intrigued.
