Nowhere to Hide(15)
Tearing her gaze from Cav’s, she told the General, “I don’t want you to be putting money out to protect me. It isn’t right.”
Robert shrugged. “Well, first we need to know if you’re staying or if you would like to be transferred to another charity, Lia. We don’t want to lose you, but we will certainly understand if you want to leave La Fortuna under the circumstances.”
Lia’s mouth tightened, and she felt anger rise within her. “Look, I’m not leaving those children in a lurch, but I do need to know what you’re going to do and when. Are you going to rebuild the school? If you do rebuild…I want to be a part of the process. I know I’m not a teacher, but I do all the other jobs necessary to keep the charity running smoothly there.”
Dilara said, “We’ve already discussed this, Lia. We’re rebuilding the school. We’re not going to let a drug lord dictate to us, but it does mean we change what we do there so that no attack like this ever happens to us or our volunteers again.”
“Then,” Lia said to her, “you’re going to need security guards.”
“We’ve also come to that conclusion,” Robert told her. “And that’s why we’ve hired Cav to be there with you for the duration.”
“Are you sure you want to stay?” Dilara asked Lia gently.
Lia rasped, “Medina is not chasing me off, Dilara. Those children deserve an education. The only way I won’t stay is if you’re not going to rebuild the school.”
“We’re rebuilding,” Robert promised her. “We have plans in the works with a San José construction company to get the school rebuilt in two months.”
Lia clasped her hands, feeling nervous as she now turned to the General. “I know this is none of my business, but what are you going to do about Maria’s and Sophia’s families? They were depending on their salaries to take care of their families’ needs.”
“No worries,” Dilara said. “Robert and I are setting up a fund for each family. They’ll receive a stipend each month. We’re not going to allow their families to fall into abject poverty. Furthermore, our Home Education team is already hard at work to find capable teachers to replace Maria and Sophia.”
“And this time, Lia, we’re hiring three teachers instead of two.” Robert smiled faintly. “We know from Maria’s transmissions to Dilara’s staff that you were pinch-hitting a lot, so we’re going to relieve you fully of those duties so you can focus on what you do best, which is to manage the entire charity here at La Fortuna.”
“That’s fantastic. Then, are you expanding the school?”
The Major took a small manual and slid it over to Lia. “This is the full blueprint for the new school.”
As she read, Lia caressed the manual, giving Robert a grateful look. “This…this is wonderful, Robert. I was so afraid that, after what happened, you’d walk away from the area and these precious children.”
Robert gave her an understanding look. “We might have, Lia, if Dilara and I weren’t so bull-headed about children in the world deserving a good education, whether or not they’re poor.” He sighed. “The world has changed, unfortunately. Some of our charities in third world countries have experienced theft, some of our volunteers were robbed at gunpoint, and now…this.”
Robert looked up at the slide of the charred remains, and then turned to Lia. “This is top secret, but we want you to know that our entire family had a meeting a few days ago. We’re going to create Artemis Security, an internal security company that Tal, our oldest daughter, has agreed to run. She’s still a captain in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan with her sniper unit, but once we get the place built, she’s handing in her commission to come home and take the helm.”
“And,” Dilara said, “Do you know our fraternal twins, Matt and Alexa? Matt is in Delta Force and over in Afghanistan right now. His enlistment runs out next March. He’s agreed to come home and run the KNR (kidnap and ransom), division at Artemis.”
Her eyes shone. “And Alexa, who is an Air Force captain and flies the A-10 Warthog over in Afghanistan, has agreed to take over the Women’s Division at Artemis for us.” Her voice rose with pride. “We’ll have all three of our children home, out of a war zone, and working behind the scenes to give all of our charities worldwide the best security we can provide.”
“Why,” Lia said, clearly impressed, “that’s a wonderful idea, Dilara!”
“Yes,” Robert said gravely. “And you’re the tip of the spear here, Lia. The charity was attacked and we lost good people. Artemis Security is going to be our reaction and answer to this kind of terrorism. We’re invested completely in protecting all our people who work for Delos.”