With a grin she said, “That would’ve been something to see.”

His face turned serious again. “I understand the psychology. I know I have to go through the stages of grief over losing my leg. I’m edging out of disbelief and pushing toward anger. You might want to just let me be for a little while.”

The curtain moved, and she glanced up as Rick peeked his head around. “You up to visitors?” he asked.

“No, sir.”

“Okay.” He looked at Cynthia. She could see the worry in the edges of his green eyes. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

She chuckled. “Big spender. The DFAC coffee is free.”

“That mean you’re buying?” His face remained poised, stoic. He would have made a great vaudeville straight man.

“Not like you’re likely to let me go anywhere besides here or the hotel,” she said.

“Don’t judge me based on the limitations of my environment.”

Ozzy scowled. “Why don’t you make your environment somewhere I’m not? Some of us have major surgery to recover from.”

Rick held the curtain aside for Cynthia. “Want anything special from the DFAC?” he asked Ozzy. “I could bring you something sweet. They might have key lime pie.”

“No.” Ozzy closed his eyes, then said, “A leg would be good.”

“If only I could.” He let the curtain swing shut. On their way out of the bay, he stopped at Bill’s bed. “Want anything from the DFAC?”

He shook his head. “Nurse already smuggled me in a bowl of bread pudding.”

Rick chuckled. “Took you less than twenty-four hours to get them eating out of your hand.”

“Southern charm, brother. You should try it sometime.” He winked at Cynthia. “Ain’t that right, Doc?”

Heat flooded her cheeks, and she followed Rick to the dining facility. Soon, they each had a cup of coffee. She studied Rick’s face, trying to imagine what he looked like without the beard. He took a sip of coffee, then looked up, catching her staring.

“What?” he asked, running his hand along his beard. “Did I get crumbs in my beard?”

“I had a really good time last night,” she blurted out. She paused and took a sip of the hot drink. When she spoke again, she slowed down a little. “Thank you for joining me.”

“I did too. It was nice to get to know you better.”

She toyed with her watch strap. “What’s next for you?”

“Next?” He shook his head. “We aren’t done here.”

“No?”

“Our mission is to eradicate Chukuwereije and his organization. Unless the higher-ups have changed the plan, it’s still what we’re doing here.”