McBride and Swanson slipped quietly into the water and inflated their B-7 flotation devices. Cynthia couldn’t imagine the strength it took for them to stay afloat and then to swim with their weapons and all their equipment. It took a lot of willpower for her to keep from cautioning about hippos, crocodiles, or snakes like the banded water cobra. These men knew their environment and their jobs. They didn’t need her paranoia.

She checked on her patients. Sanders hadn’t moved. She carefully maneuvered her way over and crouched by him. When she put her fingers on his neck, his eyes opened.

“Hey, Doc. We’re going to have to quit meeting like this,” he whispered.

“I can think of more ideal surroundings.” His skin felt good. No fever. Pulse rate steady. “If all of my patients could take my treatment like you have, I’d crack ribs open more often.”

His lips twitched. “Don’t make me laugh, darlin’. I have a feeling it would hurt like a—” His smile faded a little. “It would hurt a lot.”

She smiled and nodded. “Understood.”

As she turned away, Captain Norton caught her eye. She gave him a thumbs-up and went to the opposite end of the boat. Ozzy had his head back, using the side of the boat like a pillow. When she touched his neck, he didn’t move.

She knew how much he must hurt even with the opiates. He’d probably fallen asleep as a defense against the pain. She admired his resolve, and the fact that he’d taken the drugs for the sake of his team and not himself.

His skin felt warm, his pulse thready. She wanted to check his leg but didn’t want to undress him out here in front of everyone or expose the wound to potentially virulent microbes. Just a few more hours and she would have access to medical equipment and a sterile environment.

The rocking of the boat made her gasp, and she jerked around, only to see McBride and Swanson climbing in. She put a hand on her chest to steady herself. She hadn’t even seen them arrive, they moved so stealthily.

McBride used his olive-green bandanna to wipe his face. “Bridge is covered. Four that we could see. No way we can get by in the daylight. Not quietly, at least.”

A muscle ticked in Captain Norton’s jaw. “We don’t have a lot of options.”

“We could take them out,” Fisher said. “Jerry Maguire and Pot Pie can flank them and set up.”

Peña shrugged. “Sure. Only we have zero intel. How many more where we can’t see?” He sighed. “We’re sitting ducks in this cricket.”