He grinned as if her question amused him. “You’ve met Shields, right? She contacted Bram, had a little chat, and here I am.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.” She should have known. She’d have to thank Elizabeth later. “Come and sit down.”
They settled themselves on her sofa, Shanti’s pulse still racing. “I can’t believe you’re here. This is the best surprise ever.”
That made him smile. “Sorry it took me so long. I had some shit to figure out.”
He took her hand, rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, his brow furrowed with concern, his gaze moving to the faint, yellow bruise on her cheek. “How are you feeling? I heard you’re on medical leave.”
“I’m better now that I’m resting and not on the computer all day. I still get headaches, but they’re not as bad. My leg is healing, and I’m getting around just fine.”
“Congratulations on the arrest warrant. That’s an amazing accomplishment. I heard the British journalists were freed the day the warrant came out.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, but, apart from the journalists’ release, the reaction has been super disappointing.”
“Why do you say that? The bastard is an outlaw now.”
“Myanmar won’t take him into custody. As long as he stays in his country, he’s untouchable. I wanted to do something to help the Rohingya find justice, but all I was able to do was get that warrant. Bram says it sends a message, but it’s not much of a message if Naing is free to keep killing. I had wanted to do more than that, to put him behind bars so the world would see that no one escapes justice.”
“The ICC can’t just go get him?”
She shook her head. “Myanmar isn’t a signatory to the Rome Statute, so the court doesn’t have the authority to take him into custody.”
“Damn. You know, I had that bastard in my sites at the monastery. He was there in the courtyard, and I had a clear shot. I should have taken it.”
“No, it’s better than you didn’t. His country would have rallied around him, and he would have been a martyr. Now, he’s an international pariah.”
“Bram told Shields you’ve had nightmares.”
Good grief! What else had they talked about?
“They’re always the same. We’re in a tunnel, like the ones beneath the monastery. You disappear, and I’m alone. It’s dark, and I can’t get out. I panic and… Then I wake up. Post-traumatic stress, I guess.”
He nodded. “Sounds like it.”
“The organization is connecting me with a therapist.”
“Good. Go. Take care of it.”
“Are you still on vacation? I thought you had to go back to work today.”
It was the first of October, wasn’t it?
His gaze met hers, his blue eyes warm. “I quit.”
She gaped at him. “You … youquit?”
“I’m done, Shanti. I did my part, and I’m done. No more fighting or killing.”
Shanti couldn’t say why, but the news put a lump in her throat. “You really quit?”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s time for me to do something else. I’ve got a good amount of money in savings. I’m going to sell my condo.”
Hope kindled behind Shanti’s breastbone. “What do you plan to do?”
“I want to use my GI benefits, go to college, get a degree.”
“That’s wonderful. Do you know what you want to study?”