She turned on the kitchen light and squinted until her eyes adjusted. Maybe some chamomile tea would help her get sleepy. What she really needed was to force herself not to nap during the day. The one she’d taken on the way home from the airport had given her a second wind.
She set her laptop on the kitchen butcher block and went to put a kettle of water on the gas stove. If sleep wasn’t happening then work was. She needed to be prepared for tomorrow. The last thing she wanted was for the lawyers overseeing the case to call up Levy and ask him why he’d sent them someone clueless. She pulled up a stool and flipped open her computer.
“A bit late for work.”
She startled but immediately relaxed when her dad put his hands on her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She closed her eyes briefly and took it in. Moments like this, his love felt unconditional. Earlier, he’d wrapped her in a bear hug that she never wanted to leave. There was no mistaking he loved her. But that only made it more hurtful when he was critical. She closed her laptop. Maybe just tonight, this first night, she could avoid a serious conversation with him.
“Couldn’t sleep,” she said. “But you should be. I hope I didn’t make too much noise.”
“Nah.” He padded over to the fridge and pulled out a wrapped sandwich. He held it up for her to see, then unwrapped it. “I tell you, I’m spoiled. Made and waiting for me.”
“A sandwich at this hour?”
“Peanut butter and honey. My go-to late-night snack. You want one? It’ll help you sleep. I can’t sleep if I’m hungry.”
“No, thanks. I ate so much at dinner. Hunger isn’t my problem.”
As much as he’d eaten, she couldn’t imagine why he’d be hungry, but then again, his work was quite physical.
“You look great, Mads.” He took a bite. “Tired, but great. They treating you well at that firm? Good health-care coverage? They’re not bumming off their worst cases on you, are they?”
So much for the warm fuzzies.
“I’m happy there, Dad, and yes, I’m covered. I did read the fine print when I signed on with them. It’s a habit they teach in law school.” The kettle began whistling and she hurried to turn off the stove so it wouldn’t wake anyone.
“I don’t doubt it. Good habit, too. So is carrying pepper spray, or better yet, not leaving work alone after dark.”
“Dad, I’m twenty-six. I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry.”
“You work in Philadelphia. Big cities have crime problems. Predators lurk in parking lots after dark. If you leave the building every night at the same time, they’ll catch on to your pattern.”
“I know. You went over every safety tactic when I left for college, and I haven’t forgotten the self-defense moves you taught me, either. Luckily, I haven’t had to use them. Do you want a mug of tea with that?” she asked as she poured water on some loose chamomile, dried from the garden.
“No, I’ll grab some milk in a sec.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
“Thanks. Did you hear that Chad got promoted? Lance corporal.”
“Mom didn’t mention that. Just that he was okay.”
“Yep. He’s okay. More than okay. He’s working his way up.”
“That’s good.” Chad had always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. No doubt he’d command a unit someday. Obviously, their dad was proud.
“Ryan and Philip are both at the top of their classes, too. Smart boys.”
“It’s so good to see them. I can’t get over how tall they are.”
“So what’s this case you’re here for? If I have any contacts who can help, let me know.”
He had to ask. She set a glass of milk next to him, then cradled her mug of tea as she sat down. Might as well put it out there and deal with the backlash.
“I’ll be stopping by our sister office tomorrow to meet with the barristers, but I’ll also need to spend time in some of the villages. I’m thinking of staying at Busara or Camp Jamba Walker and taking day trips to talk to the village elders and leaders. I’ll be looking into the hardships some of the farmers are experiencing and getting testimony in their defense.”
“Defense of what?” Ben took his last bite of sandwich and brushed the crumbs off his hands.
“A proposal was submitted that calls for harsher punishments against Masai farmers who kill elephants. We intend to have it thrown out.”
His brow furrowed and he cocked his head.
“On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that they’re already enduring hardship and the fines proposed are beyond anything they could afford. The prison terms would prevent families from being able to keep up with their farms or generate income to feed their children and survive.”
“What are you doing, Mads?” He got up, shaking his head, and dumped the last sip of his milk in the sink. “Of all cases, why would you take this on?”
“What do you mean? Why would I fight for human rights? That seems like a no-brainer to me.”
“What about animal rights? You know what goes on out there. Half of your family works to fight poaching. You lived here. You know this. That proposal is needed to discourage native tribes from aiding and abetting. Busara is about elephant rescue. You plan to stay there and expect them to take you around so you can fight this?”
“This isn’t about poachers. We’re not trying to encourage elephant killing. You know I wouldn’t do that. This is about protecting the only land the tribes have left. It’s about protecting their livelihood.”
Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, then rubbed the back of his neck. This was going about as well as she’d expected. Every ounce of confidence she’d been mustering up for tomorrow sank to her feet. Why did conversations with him always leave her feeling confused and plain bad? She put down her steaming mug and gathered her laptop. Even if she didn’t sleep, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling would be better than arguing.
“Maddie, you need to tell them you can’t work on this case.”
“I can’t do that and you don’t get to make that call. My future depends on me helping to win this. This is what I do.”
“What about conflict of interest?”
“I don’t understand. There’s no conflict of interest, especially not if we win.” The only conflict is between the two of us right now.
“Maddie. I’ve personally seen that proposal, and I support it. It was submitted by a wildlife advocacy group and has the backing of Busara and other rescue groups around the national parks. I have no doubt it’ll get passed.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because Haki helped put it together. He, of all men, won’t stand by and watch you tear it apart.”
MADDIE ARRANGED IT so she could fly out west to Camp Busara with Pippa, Jack and Mac midday, after reporting to the law office that morning. Her dad had promised to stay out of it and not call Haki with a briefing. She wanted the chance to talk to him in person. If he’d worked on the proposal, then all she had to do was get through to him. Haki was a listener. He’d hear her out.
The aerial view of Busara, nestled on a plateau with the river valley to one side and grasslands to the