Someone tapped on the door. At the colonel’s bidding, Emma came into the room holding a folder with a red cover sheet that red SECRET in large block letters. “Colonel Jenkins, here is my full report and the transcript of the interview. I also emailed via SIPRNET, sir, but thought you might want it soonest.”

Colonel Jenkins chuckled. “Interview. That’s a nice word.” He took the folder from her. “How’d you get the transcript so fast?”

“I have a program.” She’d changed out of the hijab into Western-style clothes—khaki pants and a red golf shirt—and had her black hair bound into a tight bun at the base of her neck. She glanced at Rick. “Captain,” she said with a smile, “looking forward to you showing us around Kentucky.”

His eyes widened. “You finally going home?”

“Yes, sir. My assignment ended a month ago. I only stayed for you.”

He couldn’t hold back a grin. “I am not the one you stayed for.”

A dimple appeared at the corner of her mouth. “Touché.”

The colonel finished skimming what she gave him. “Excellent work, Selah. If all goes well, this will prove true and we won’t need your services for this assignment anymore.”

“Thank you, sir.” On her way out of the room, she said to Hanson, “Housewarming party at your house the Saturday after you get back, according to your wife.”

Though his face remained stoic, his voice betrayed his pleasure at hearing the news. “Wonderful! It’s been too long since we’ve all been together.”

“It has. Be safe. I’ll see you all soon.”

The colonel turned to the map on the wall. “How do you want to do this tonight? The objective is capture, not kill. Khalil is too important an intelligence asset, and Washington wants him.”

Rick knew this, but he’d also seen the destruction the man had wreaked on the town. It wouldn’t hurt his feelings if the mission had a little more finality to it.

They discussed strategy and mapped out the plan, then brought the entire team in to go over it.

On their way to the mess hall to eat dinner, Rick walked next to Hanson. “Can I ask you something?”

Hanson glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Of course, sir.”

Rick stopped outside of the mess hall and stepped off the path, leaning against the wall. “How distracted are you about home when you’re here?”

Hanson narrowed his eyes. “There a problem with my performance, sir?”

“Not at all. It’s not about you.” He pondered what to say. “I’ve been distracted during this mission. I don’t relish the thought of this being my new normal.”