“What a night!” Melanie complained. At the base of the stairs, she managed to yank her arm free. Irritably, she started up.

Kevin waited for Candace to precede him, then followed the women up to the ground floor. They emerged into an office used by the Equatoguinean soldiers that were constantly seen lounging in front of the town hall. There were four of them present.

With the base manager, the head of security, and the chief of the Moroccan guards in the building, the soldiers were a good deal more attentive than usual. All four were standing in their interpretation of attention, with their assault rifles over their shoulders. When Kevin and the women appeared, their expressions suggested they were confused.

Melanie gave them the finger as Kevin herded her and Candace out the door into the parking lot.

“Please, Melanie,” Kevin begged. “Don’t provoke them!”

Whether the soldiers did not understand the meaning of Melanie’s gesture or were bewildered by the anomalous circumstances, Kevin didn’t know. One way or the other, they didn’t come flying out after them as Kevin feared they might.

They got to the car. Kevin opened the passenger-side door. Candace climbed in eagerly. But not Melanie. She turned to Kevin with her eyes blazing in the dim light.

“Give me the keys,” she demanded.

“What?” Kevin asked, even though he’d heard her.

“I said give me the keys,” Melanie repeated.

Confused by this unexpected request but not wishing to incite her more than she already was, Kevin handed her the car keys. Melanie immediately went around to the other side of the car and got in behind the wheel. Kevin climbed into the passenger seat. He didn’t care who drove as long as they got themselves out of there.

Melanie started the car, spun the tires, and drove out of the parking lot.

“Jeez, Melanie,” Kevin said. “Slow down!”

“I’m pissed,” Melanie said.

“As if I couldn’t tell,” Kevin said.

“I’m not going home just yet,” Melanie said. “But I’d be happy to take you guys home if you want.”

“Where do you want to go?” Kevin asked. “It’s almost midnight.”

“I’m going out to the animal center,” Melanie said. “I’m not going to tolerate being treated like this without finding out what the hell is going on.”

“What’s at the animal center?” Kevin asked.

“The keys to that goddamned bridge,” Melanie said. “I want one, because for me this affair has gone beyond curiosity.”

“Maybe we should stop and talk about this,” Kevin suggested.

Melanie jammed on the brakes, bringing them to a lurching stop. Both Kevin and Candace had to push themselves back into their respective seats.

“I’m going to the animal center,” Melanie repeated. “You guys can either come along or I’ll drop you off. It’s your call.”

“Why tonight?” Kevin asked.

“One, because I’m really ticked off right now,” Melanie said. “And two, because they wouldn’t suspect it. Obviously, they intend for us to go home and quake in our beds. That’s why we were so mistreated. But you know something, that’s not my style.”