"We have heard that. Still - do you know how long ago he was seen in Massaua?" (She had not, in fact, heard the first part of that.)

"A few days ago. It was when Eskander was collecting the payroll from the Banco d'Italia."

"Wow, that's a stroke of luck. I suppose we'd better go see if we can catch him before he moves on."

"I think he might have been about to move on to some dig? You should talk to Eskander."

"We'd like to, thank you. Can you point us in the right direction?"

He pokes his head out the window and says to the nearest woman, "Jahzara! Get me Eskander."

A few minutes later, Eskander has appeared. He fingers his cross necklace.

"Hello! We heard that you'd happened to see Bartolo Acuna in Massaua a couple days ago? Is that right?"

"Yes, ma'am." (He glances at Federico before saying anything else.)

Obviously his employees are going to seek his approval before having any opinions. This is how black people.

"Did you speak to him? Do you have any idea whether he's likely to still be there?"

"Ma'am, he said he was going to Adua. As part of a critical government mission." Eskander says this with a truly remarkable level of sincerity.

She notes that down. "Thank you, that's very helpful. Did he say anything else about it?"

"No, ma'am."

"I see. Well, at least we know where to look now. Thank you very much. Do you know what he was doing in Massaua?"

Eskander touches his cross necklace. "I imagine that whatever he's doing is vitally important for the glory of Italy." Sarcasm? What sarcasm? There is no sarcasm here.

Of course there isn't.

Of course not. Black people are too stupid for sarcasm.

"I imagine, given everything, it is some sort of archeological dig."

She is not quite capable of not smiling. "I'm sure. Thank you very much, Eskander. I suppose in that case we should all go to Adua?"

"All right, but first you must have dinner with me. I would be fascinated to hear about your adventures. It gets very lonely as the only European in Mersa Fatma."

Mmmm must we though.

May as well get free food if it's not going to delay them.

It looks like Adua is about three days' bike ride away, so they're definitely not getting there today no matter what.

Zoe is enthusiastically in favor of a Real Meal Cooked In a Kitchen. Eaten at a Table while sitting in a Chair.