A hot iron burned in Nola's chest. What did they do to goodwill ambassadors who turned into badwill ambassadors? Images from spy movies flashed in her head. Black-suited men with expressionless faces behind dark sunglasses would force her into their car and deliver her to Ambassador Ashford, Mauriello, and Wade to fulfill their geo-political agendas. They would take Lulu from her and make sure this time she would never be found. Governments did that, even democratic ones.

“Shhhhhh,” she whispered to Lulu, but she knew that they had spotted her. She was a worm wiggling from a bird’s beak.

Inside the limousine, someone on the passenger side struggled with the door, while on the driver’s side, the door opened. A head emerged above the car roofline. To Nola's consternation, she recognized Daniel.

He straightened. His slim figure rounded the car as he moved to assist the other person. Nola pressed against the tree trunk. Daniel moved with his now familiar, disarming ease. His head was trained in her direction, but with the streetlights playing on his face, she was unable to see his eyes. He was no friend, but was he a foe? Would he be the next one to betray her?

The passenger door finally opened, and out popped Dr. Ming-Ji Liang.

With a mixture of relief and disbelief, Nola looked from one to the other. “What’s he doing here?” she asked Ming-Ji.

“We have dinner when you call,” the woman replied, pointing to the cell phone hooked onto the belt of her cotton pants. She bent to the whimpering, struggling Lulu and untied the sling. “You up little one? Not sleeping no more?”

Released, Lulu calmed down. “Lulululululululu,” she said.

Daniel clucked, and Lulu clucked in return. He turned to Nola. “Come on. You must be tired.” He reached his hand out to her. It was warm and strong and reassuring, and she felt it scorching hers with its newness. It was the first time their skins had touched. But this man had mocked her mission to this country; he had called her “China doll.” He worked for the embassy, and his job was to see that she fulfill her temporary diplomatic mission.

She released his hand, fighting the urge to press it to her cheek. “Where are we going?”

“We must get you settled somewhere.” He opened the back door.

All she wanted was to hide from the hostile world, but she made no move. “Where?”

“Get in.” Ming-Ji slid into the back with Lulu in her arms and removed her glasses to salvage them from the curious little fingers. “Not Hotel Intercontinental, but comfortable for tonight.”

Nola shouldered her bag and followed. Lulu babbled while the doctor’s hands checked the reflexes of her legs, toes, knees and elbows, then pressed on her stomach and took her pulse.

“Is she okay?” Nola asked. “Any side effects?”

“Healthy.” Ming-Ji spoke into Lulu's palm as the baby grabbed her mouth.