Free More Than Strangers by Tara Quan Page B

me?”
    A penchant for hyperbole was one of Dan’s more aggravating traits. “I wouldn’t call it a relationship. She and I just keep tabs on each other. And I told you as soon as I knew.”
    Dan narrowed his eyes. “You average several dozen messages a day. That’s a lot of tab-keeping. While we’re on the subject, how did the topic of her being in Pakistan never come up?”
    Jason sighed. “It just didn’t. Like I said, we’re not involved.”
    “Sure. Keep saying that and maybe one of us will believe it.” Dan sent the phone flying back. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. She’ll be fine. I know which mall she’s at. There’s only one place here that makes actual burgers. Do you want me to drive?”
    The decision had a number of implications. The chances terrorists were actively following Nulli weren’t high. Since their mission was to incite fear, they tended to target places, not people. It should be a straightforward pickup, but something felt off. Jason had learned a long time ago it was always best to trust his instincts. “I’m assuming GPS works.”
    “To a degree.” His friend didn’t sound very confident.
    “I’ll drive one of the FAVs. Follow me and circle the block once I get there.”
    Dan gave him an inquiring look. “We’re recommending they leave because the city itself is dangerous, not because they’re being targeted for kidnapping. That mall is pretty secure. Don’t you think an entourage is overkill?”
    Jason shrugged the objection away. “When it comes to her, I’d rather play it safe.”
    “In that case,” Dan offered, “you’ll probably want to gear up. The sofa has a pullout drawer at the base. I stashed some weapons in there. Take your pick.”
    * * * *
    Nulli was having a very nice day. After a period of spotty communication, Jason was back to a more regular messaging schedule. It was odd how a few sentences a day did wonders for her mood, but she decided long ago not to overthink what they had. It was working, it was safe, and it was all she had the energy to handle.
    The past week had been crappy. There was no other way to describe it. Graffiti calling for the death of infidels was everywhere. A sense of oppression filled the air, and each time she left the house she felt like she was being followed.
    Religious fanatics were spreading rumors the polio vaccine was a conspiracy to neuter the Muslim population, and too many people believed them. One of the major newspapers claimed Pakistan was under attack by the United States. They printed a retraction, but no one read those. Headlines were what counted.
    With many of her colleagues skipping town, she was handling both their projects and her TB program. The two polio experts were already on the fence about leaving. She couldn’t blame them.
    It was time to get out of Dodge. She hated to admit it, but the bad guys had won. Death threats were piling up, the polio project was at a standstill, and it was only a matter of time before TB tests were incorporated into yet another conspiracy theory. Her very American presence at the volunteer clinics made them bigger targets. The risk-reward equation wasn’t balanced.
    Her team’s presence had been vital to getting the program off the ground, but the project was now settled enough to operate without her constant supervision. It was time to explore safer options. Dubai was an hour and a half flight away. She could suggest that Zahra base the Public Health Partnership there and have the team fly here whenever needed.
    No matter what Nulli decided for the long-term, she needed a break. Things she took for granted—simple things like two-ply toilet paper and a Snickers bar—were as elusive here as the Holy Grail. Every mundane element of her life, from grocery shopping to obtaining safe drinking water, was a small orchestration. The concept of sanitation here was nonexistent. Mosquitoes swarmed her night and day. She couldn’t go five minutes without being assailed by