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“What!” he said with mock indignation. “I cannot believe you would suggest that my intentions are anything less than completely honorable!”

“Take it on down the hall, Major,” Captain Darcy said, laughing. “Would you like me to bring you two something to drink?”

“I always said you were the best, Captain. Coffee would be great.”

She playfully threw the wadded-up sheet of paper at him as he turned to leave.

Lieutenant Colonel Ed Stevens was seated behind the desk in his office, leaning back in his chair with his feet up. In his hands was a thick stack of papers, about half of which rested on his lap and the other half, which he’d already read, on his chest.

When Canidy knocked on the doorframe, he saw that the graying forty-four-year-old was deep in thought.

“Still trying to solve the world’s problems, Colonel?” Canidy said.

Stevens’s stonelike face looked up and smiled when he saw Canidy in the doorway.

He put the papers on his desk, then stood up.

“I’ve been expecting you,” he said. “Drop your bags in the corner.”

As Canidy did so, Stevens came out from behind the desk.

They shook hands.

“Great to see you back so soon.”

Canidy shrugged.

“What can I say? When I left, it didn’t look like I’d ever be back. But I found that if one prostrates oneself before the boss, the boss will send one back out to draw enemy fire.” He paused. “Lucky me, huh?”

Stevens shook his head.

“You’re damned good at what you do, Dick. Don’t you forget that.”

They looked each other in the eye a long moment, then Canidy broke the silence.

“Any word from Stan Fine?”

“Only that he’s in Algiers and setting up shop in what he describes as ‘loosely controlled chaos.’”

Canidy grinned.

“Can you get me the details on how to find him there?”

Stevens nodded.

“Done.”

“And give him a heads-up I’m en route?”

“Done.”

There was a knock at the door and Captain Darcy brought in a tray with two china mugs of steaming coffee, a third mug half filled with milk, and a small bowl of sugar. She placed it on the desk.

“Thank you, Helene,” Stevens said.

“Thanks,” Canidy added, picking up one of the mugs.

“You’re welcome, gentlemen,” she said. “Let me know if you need anything else.”