“It’s a secure satellite phone with built-in GPS tracking. We can send each other secure text messages and talk to each other. As long as this is on you, I’ll be able to find you no matter where you are.”
“Why do I need this? You’re right here. So am I.”
“I can’t come inside the hospital, and I need a way to reach you, a way to communicate that can’t be hacked or monitored.”
“I might not always be able to answer.”
“If this thing buzzes, answer it. I won’t call if it’s not important. I’ve programmed my number into the phone. Just press the number one.”
“Okay.”
Derek glanced at his watch. “I’m meeting with Farzad over lunch to talk over his security plan. I want to see if he’s got a strategy. Does the hospital have a safe room?”
“Yes. The entrance is behind the refrigerator.” Jenna had looked into the cold, dark space with its wooden stairs when she’d gotten her orientation.
“Good to know. Have you ever run drills?”
“Drills? You mean, like, fire drills?”
“No, I mean ‘shelter-in-place, bullets-are-flying’ kind of drills.”
Was he trying to frighten her? “Not while I’ve been here.”
“That needs to change.”
“Farzad has been good to me—to all the midwives here. Please don’t run roughshod over the poor man.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be diplomatic.”
“Good.”
“I haven’t told him about my military background, by the way, so don’t slip.”
“I’ll be careful.” Jenna turned to go. “Talk to you later.”
He caught her fingers, gave them a squeeze. “Hang in there, Jenna. You saved a life last night.”
For a moment, Jenna stood there, snared by the sympathy in his gaze. “Thanks.”
He released her. “God, your fingers are freezing. Get back inside.”
She turned and keyed in her passcode. She stopped on the other side of the door, leaned back against it, the fingers he’d held seeming to tingle.
Oh, knock it off.
She walked down the hallway and went back to work.
* * *
Derek listenedwhile Farzad explained the hospital’s security protocols, which basically amounted to Farzad and his men standing guard around the compound and checking everyone who arrived seeking medical help for weapons. The bulletproof steel gate remained open during the day but was closed at sunset and remained under guard through the night. Given the situation and the available technology, that was about all Derek could expect of these men.
Derek knew it wasn’t his place to take ownership of the security operation from Farzad. Nor could he word any of his observations like criticism. He was an outsider here, welcome only because they thought he was Jenna’s brother.
Still, he had a job to do.
He chose his words carefully. “Would it help if I set up security cameras? I could set them up down the road in all directions and here on the building. We could put monitors in the barracks that enable you to see what’s happening at any time of the day or night. You would be warned if the militia or the Taliban should come this way.”
“You brought such things with you?”