“I don’t know, but it’s a possibility. I could ask Shields to do a threat assessment if you want.”
Kristi shook her head. “No need for that. The best thing I can do for my parents is to go back to the US. I don’t want to worry them any more than I already have.”
Malik knew her well enough to understand this was hard for her. Kristi wasn’t the kind of person who gave up when the going got rough. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right decision.”
She looked up at him, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You’re biased. You didn’t think I should come here in the first place.”
“That wasn’t bias. That was experience talking.” He’d seen shit here that would sicken her, shit he’d keep to himself—for her sake.
They arrived at the hotel, and NPF officers escorted them up to their suite, where they found David talking on the phone and Obi sulking on the sofa.
Kristi sat beside the boy. “What’s wrong?”
“He is sending me away.” Obi clearly wasn’t happy.
“What do you mean, buddy?” Malik felt for the boy. He didn’t know the kid’s full story, but a life of suffering had given him the eyes of an old man.
David ended his call and answered Malik’s question. “I am taking him to live with my sister. She is a schoolteacher and lives here in Kaduna with her husband and three children. She can teach you to read and write, Obi. You will have a home with a mother and a father. That’s better than living in an orphanage. Wouldn’t you like to go to school and spend your days playing with other boys?”
Obi didn’t look convinced.
Kristi sat down beside him. “It’s okay to be scared. New things are always scary. But you are brave, Obi. I know how brave you are. If you can survive in a bandit camp, you can go to school and meet a new family. This won’t be nearly as scary as that.”
While Kristi spoke with Obi, Malik turned to David. “You’re doing a good thing in finding a home for him.”
“He cannot live with me, but he is a good boy. I don’t want him to end up on the streets or turning to banditry himself.”
No, they didn’t want that.
Malik glanced over at the sofa, where Kristi was checking the kid’s burns.
Then her head snapped up, a look of realization on her face. “Obi, can you go get the ointment the doctor gave you?”
The boy stood and walked toward David’s room.
Kristi stood and walked over to David. “Who are the Sky Kings?”
David frowned. “Where did you hear about them?”
“It was something Obi said when I first treated his burns in the camp. He said Jidda was the only one who answered to the Sky Kings—or something like that. I saw a poster in the police station with those words on it, but I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it before. It just came back to me.”
“Pack your things—now. We must get you out of Kaduna as soon as possible.” David stood, strode to his room, calling someone on his phone, his voice drifting back to them. “Get the helicopter ready. We’ll be there within the hour—two adults.”
Kristi looked up at Malik through wide eyes. “What’s happening? Who are the Sky Kings?”
“I don’t know.” Malik typed a quick message to Shields asking for every bit of intel she could gather on them. “But I’m going to find out.”
10
Kristi followed Malik into his room. “What’s happening?”
“I’m not sure, but if David says it’s time to go, we go. He’ll fill us in when he’s able.” Malik picked up his duffel bag, fished around inside, and pulled out a small box. He opened the box, took something out, and walked over to her. “This is a GPS tag. Keep it hidden on your body somewhere. If we are separated for any reason, this will enable Cobra to track you. Donottake it off.”
His words scared her. “Do you think that will happen?”
“I’m just doing everything I can to protect you.”
“Thanks.” Kristi took the strange little patch. It looked like a computer chip with a sticky adhesive side. She peeled off the adhesive and stuck the chip inside her bra.