Tadeas glanced at the schoolteacher who had fallen prey to a button spider during lunchtime yesterday. “Antivenin appears to have done its job. He seemed less restless around three this morning. Vitals are normal. As soon as he wakes up, he can probably go home.”

“And Mireille?”

He shifted a piece of paper on the desk and picked up the chart for the forty-six-year-old woman with pneumonia. “Her fever broke at four this morning. I gave her another dose of acetaminophen. Her IV site was bothering her, so I started a new one in her other hand. She’s due for another dose of antibiotics at ten.”

“Perfect. I’ll release her after that last IV dose and give her tablets to finish her treatment. Go home. I’ll let you know if I need you today.”

“Is Ayo coming in?”

She smiled at his affection for her student. “She is doing house-call rounds in villages today. But she’ll be here around sundown to restock supplies.”

“Okay. I’ll be back at seven.”

“Thanks.”

After he left, she grabbed her stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and two clipboard charts and walked down the row of beds until she reached Lieutenant Osbourne. “Good morning. Nice to see your eyes.”

He sat propped up on pillows. His bloodshot eyes had dark circles under them, and his blond beard barely stood out on his pale face. “Doc.” He gestured at his leg. “Nice work.”

“Well, I’m not a vascular surgeon, so it will need patching up when you get to civilization.” She glanced through his chart. “You refused pain medication?”

He shook his head. “Narcotics tend to alter me.”

“Hmm. That used to happen to my grandmother. Doctors thought she had dementia, then they took her off medication and suddenly she had full use of her faculties.” She set the clipboard on the bed and pulled on some gloves. “I’ve given Captain Norton a medical wish list that includes some intravenous antibiotics. I’m hoping he’s able to secure them for me today. I am giving you pills, but I would feel a lot better if we could do it through IV.”

She lifted the bandage on his thigh and felt along her incision. The skin around it had turned an angry red color and felt hot to the touch. “Did Tadeas feed you?”

“Yeah. He gave me some boiled eggs and some very not bad fried bread.”

“Ah, yes, the woman who cooks for us can do incredible things with wheat and cardamom. It’s like a gift from God.” She replaced the dressing and put a hand on his forehead. “How’s the food sitting?”

He shrugged. “Nothing to complain about. I could use some ibuprofen if you have it.”