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to live with the constant danger from thieves, human traffickers and the violence always on the verge of erupting in some of the places their traveling clinic took them.
    â€œI find it hard to believe you spend any time at all in a lab.” It didn’t make sense for a scientist to be called in on a protection detail. Nor did his attitude about and knowledge of security protocols coincide with that of a man who worked as a scientist, even part-time.
    Roman shrugged. “It pleases my family to believe that is where I spend my time.”
    So, at least her new sister-in-law hadn’t lied to Tanya. Unfortunately, for their family anyway, Roman was clearly lying to the other Chernichenkos.
    â€œDo any of your siblings know what you really do?”
    â€œMyk.”
    â€œHe’s the only one?” she asked as they walked by the hut that housed the rest of Mabu’s staff and his office.
    â€œYes, and I would prefer it stay that way.”
    She pointed out the security hut before asking, “Is that why you didn’t tell Elle you were going to be seeing me?”
    â€œWhat is that building?” he asked, pointing to one of the larger structures in the compound. Once again he was asking a question rather than answering hers.
    That could get really annoying after a while. “Do you always ignore questions you don’t want to answer?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThat’s rude.”
    â€œYes.”
    And clearly he didn’t care.
    â€œAll right then. This building was the original clinic. We now use it as sort of a long-stay building for people who cannot make it to the hospital in Harare, but who absolutely require supervised care.”
    â€œIs there anyone in there now?”
    â€œThe better question would be if it is ever empty. Most of the beds are full, which is pretty common despite Sympa-Med’s policy on the matter.” Which wasn’t all that tolerant of long-term treatment of the locals. “It’s less crowded than last week when we had a local village chieftain staying with his entourage.”
    â€œHe couldn’t go to Harare?”
    â€œMore like he refused.”
    â€œWhat was wrong with him?”
    â€œMigraines. He feared he had a brain tumor, but it turned out he was allergic to expensive French cologne a trader had given as a thank-you gift for being allowed to peddle his wares in the village.”
    â€œI bet he doesn’t get that opportunity again.”
    â€œIf he shows up in the village again, he’ll be lucky to leave with his life.”
    â€œHarsh justice.” Roman gave her a cynical smile. “The government doesn’t mention that in their tourism brochures.”
    â€œThey do their best to keep information about the rampant human trafficking going on in Zimbabwe out of the media as well, but it’s a big and growing problem in this part of Africa despite what P.R. people for tourism want you to believe.”
    â€œI’m surprised you’d be willing to work in such a risky location.”
    Sympa-Med took measures to protect their employees, but it wasn’t something she was supposed to talk about. “Medical workers aren’t as at risk as the tens of thousands of displaced and poverty-stricken Zimbabweans.”
    â€œBeing less at risk is not the same as not being at risk at all.”
    â€œSome things are worth it.”
    â€œThings like?”
    â€œHelping people who need it.”
    â€œThere are plenty of people who need help in the U.S.”
    â€œYes, there are, but there are also a lot more people trained to do the helping back home.”
    â€œSo, you’re here because you think the Zimbabweans need you more than anyone back in the States?”
    â€œThere’s that, and then there’s having half a world between me and my parents.”
    â€œOuch.”
    It was her turn to shrug. “They’re not bad people. They just define success and happiness