“No, but I know where I can buy them.” In truth, he’d left gear and supplies, including security cameras and monitors, in Mazar-e-Sharif. He just needed to get them.
Farzad considered his offer. “Security cameras would give us an advantage.”
“Your men would be prepared.” Derek moved onto the next thing. “Jenna told me the hospital has a safe room for the women. Have you ever asked them to practice evacuating?”
Farzad’s expression told Derek he thought this was a bad idea. “No, no. It would frighten them. Besides, the hospital is rarely empty. The women know what to do. If they hear gunfire, they are to hide.”
So, wait for bullets to fly, and then duck and run.
That didn’t feel like much of a plan to Derek, but he didn’t say so.
“If you approve, I will drive into the city to get the security cameras.”
Farzad sipped his tea. “I will send one of my men with you to help.”
Derek didn’t like that idea, but he couldn’t refuse the offer. “How about Hamzad? He seems strong and capable.”
Farzad lowered his voice. “Not Hamzad. He is the eyes and ears of The Lion.”
Interesting.
“I will send Dawar with you. He is a good boy, and he loves Americans.”
“I thank you for your hospitality and your help—and for keeping my sister safe.”
Ten minutes later, Derek headed off, driving on snowy, rutted roads toward Mazar-e-Sharif with Dawar in the passenger seat. The kid was thrilled and had lots of questions about the vehicle. He was also an open book, telling Derek all about his life.
He was the only son of a widowed mother and took care of her and his four sisters. His father had been killed by a car bomb set by the Taliban. Dawar was grateful for this job, as it kept him close to home and paid enough for him to keep everyone fed and clothed. He hoped to find a husband for his older sister soon because she was sixteen and old enough now to marry. That would give him one less mouth to feed.
“How many sisters do you have?” Dawar asked.
“Just Jenna.”
“Why is she not married?”
Derek could only guess. “It takes many years of training to become a midwife. She is happy working.”
“She would rather work than have a husband and children of her own?”
Derek saw the confusion on Dawar’s face. “In our country, women choose their husbands. She hasn’t yet met a man she wants to marry.”
“Does she still live in her father’s house?”
“No.”
“But who takes care of her?”
“She has her own home and takes care of herself.” Derek glanced over at Dawar again. “Is there a reason you ask so many questions about my sister?”
Dawar’s face flushed red.
Yeah, that’s what Derek thought. Dawar had surely never spoken with her, and he’d never seen her without her headscarf. And yet the kid had a crush on her.
She was a beautiful woman, so that didn’t surprise Derek.
What surprised him was the inexplicable urge he felt to tell Dawar to stay the hell away from her.
4