Sam nodded. “Sounds like your views are clear on the issue.”
Manchester swigged the remainder of his beer and motioned to a waiter to bring two more. Remi ordered a soda.
To their surprise when their drinks arrived as promised, champagne was also served. But the mood was tense as more tourists arrived and were seated, their collective worry palpable even across the room. Manchester toasted and then fixed Sam with a stern stare.
“I hate to seem like an ungracious host, but perhaps the Solomons aren’t an ideal place for you until this all dies down.” He shifted his eyes to Remi, his gaze changing from steely to admiring. “I’d hate for such a lovely couple to be caught in any escalation.”
“We keep hearing that, but it’s a little late now. We’ve flown halfway around the world to help our friend. It’s an important project for him, and for us,” Sam replied.
Manchester ignored Sam’s comment. “And you’re only a few short hours’ flight from more hospitable lands. I hear the restaurants in Sydney are spectacular this season.”
“That’s not our style,” Remi said firmly. “We don’t turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble.”
“Of course not. I’m speaking as a concerned friend. And this may all blow over. But if it escalates, you won’t want to be around. Half the town burned in the last big one. The opportunists and predators come out when they think they’re anonymous in the mob, and almost nothing’s off limits once that dam breaks. It’s the ugly side of human nature we see when things get out of control — one that’s best viewed from a safe distance.”
“Your point’s well taken.” Remi held her glass aloft. “To level heads and better times.”
“Hear! Hear!” Manchester said, but the broad smile on his face never reached his eyes.
CHAPTER 20
Sam and Remi listened to the news on the radio as they ate breakfast before driving out to the bay. There had been small outbursts in the slums on the town periphery, but no large-scale unrest. Advisories were still in effect, and travelers were warned to expect delays due to roadblocks, but it seemed that tempers had cooled overnight as the reality of the murders had set in. The Prime Minister had issued a statement condemning the slayings, dozens of off-duty police were called into service, and international censure was swift and absolute. The rebels had been officially pronounced a terrorist organization and the administration declared that it would not negotiate with terrorists under any circumstance.
The lobby thronged with a crush of foreigners checking out, anxious to leave the island before the other shoe dropped. Sam and Remi elbowed through the crowd and found a table in the restaurant.
“Looks like the exodus has begun in earnest,” Remi said after ordering.
“I don’t blame them. We’re here for a reason. If we were tourists, how appealing would getting stuck in the middle of a civil war be?”
“Sounds like our last couple of vacations.”
“Oh, come on. Other than the shooting and being run off the road, it hasn’t been that bad.”
“I think you said that out of order. Besides, you forgot the crocodile.”
“Technically, it didn’t come for us, so I left it off the list.”
The rental van was where they’d left it, and they noted that there were now three security guards in the parking lot instead of one. All had their batons out and were doing their best to look menacing. Other than a few stragglers loitering across the street, the area looked calm, and only a few cars were on the road.
“Let’s stop at the hospital on our way out of town,” Remi said. “I want to talk to Dr. Vanya. I read her presentation last night. It’s pretty well thought out. I think we should plan on adding her to our donation list.”
“You’re the boss. She’ll be over the moon at the news,” Sam said.
“I admire what she’s doing. It’s a thankless job, and obviously she could be working anywhere else and making far more money.”
“True. But I get the sense that for her it’s about making a difference, not money.”
“Which is why we should support her clinics.”
“You’ll get no argument out of me,” Sam agreed, and then his eyes narrowed as he stared at the hospital street. Groups of islanders, some with machetes, roamed the sidewalk, watching menacingly as the van passed, and he could feel Remi tense beside him as he picked up speed. “You sure you don’t want to just keep going to the boat?” he asked. “We can see the doctor some other time.”
“We’re here now. I’d prefer it in broad daylight. Morning’s got to be safer than evening.”
They arrived at the hospital and parked close to the main entrance, reassured to see that there was a security guard standing at the driveway. Only a few other vehicles were parked in the lot, one of them Dr. Vanya’s SUV. They nodded to the nervous guard and entered the hospital, the heat in the interior already stifling.
A tall islander, wearing a white lab coat, a stethoscope draped over his shoulder, glanced up from where he was standing behind the reception counter when they entered.
“Yes? May I help you?” he asked.
“We’d like to see Dr. Vanya,” Remi said.
“I’m Dr. Berry. What seems to be the problem?”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” Sam said. “No problem. More of a social call.”
“I see. She’s in her office. Just a second.”
Dr. Berry called into the back of the building and moments later Dr. Vanya appeared, a folder in hand. She smiled when she saw Sam and Remi.
“Well, isn’t this a delightful surprise. What brings you here? All’s well, I trust?” she said as Remi shook her hand.
“Everything’s fine. We wanted to stop by to see how Benji is doing and talk to you a little more about your project.”
“I just looked in on him. He’s asleep. Had a rough night, with a fever. We’re pumping more antibiotics into him to try to stave off infection.”
Remi said, “I reviewed your presentation and I have to say it is impressive. We discussed it and we’ve agreed to match your sponsorship commitments and make up any shortfalls. So, congratulations. You’re fully funded!”
Vanya’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? That’s wonderful news. Thank you. Thank you so much…”
Sam smiled. “It’s a worthy cause, and, God knows, the island looks like it can use some help.”
Vanya’s face darkened. “Yes, well, I haven’t considered the effect these most recent events will have on my corporate sponsors. Big pharmaceutical companies can be skittish if there’s even a hint of controversy. I’d hate for them to pull out because of the rash actions of a few zealots, but there’s not much I can do about it other than hope for the best.”
“Do you really think they’d pull out?” Remi asked.
“No way of knowing. But I’ll say this — if there’s rioting, keeping them committed will be a hard sell. Many will view it as the population destroying its own home, like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, and will be unwilling to do anything that seems like it’s rewarding that behavior.”
“But surely they would be discriminating enough to appreciate that the actions of an unruly segment don’t reflect an entire island’s—”
“The problem is, we’re small potatoes. For most of these companies, we’re no more than an afterthought. It’s all too easy for them to do nothing if there’s even a hint of controversy. We saw that the last time around with the promised foreign aid — too little, too late.” Dr. Vanya shook her head. “Based on history, I’d have to say it doesn’t look positive.”
“Well, we’re committed,” Remi said.