The storm continued east, the rain nothing but a light drizzle by the time the helicopter touched down just outside the gates. Once they were on the ground, Sam and Remi hung back while Wendy hugged each girl, then directed them toward the office, where an army medic stood waiting to triage their injuries.
Nasha took one look at the man as he started to unwind the dirty bandage around Maryam’s arm and darted back toward Remi. “I don’t want to go in there.”
Remi crouched down in front of her. “You need that cut on your leg looked at and a clean bandage.”
Amal held out her hand. “I’ll go with you.”
Nasha turned a suspicious glance toward the office, then looked up at Amal. “You promise you’ll stay with me?”
“Promise.”
She took Amal’s hand and the two walked off, while Wendy hustled the uninjured girls toward the dorm to get cleaned up. When she saw Remi, she gave her mud-stained clothes a thorough once-over. “I’ll wait for that hug until after you’ve showered.”
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.”