One by one, the others trickled into the barracks, separating to do what had to be done for the big game the following morning. Sam was proud of all the members of her team. Earlier, she’d had misgivings about her Rainford predecessors, but all three of them had stepped up to the plate. To date no one had hit a home run, but they were definitely in the game. Big-time.

When the lights finally dimmed and went out entirely, it was just Sam and Slick in the sitting area. Sam could feel her nerves bunching into a knot. She knew what was coming, and she dreaded the conversation. She waited.

Slick’s voice was nervous-sounding, proof that she didn’t want to have this conversation either. “You don’t know everything, Sam. What gives you the right to interfere in my personal life?”

“I’m not, Slick. All I did was remind Eric that you were both headed for trouble. I saw what you two were doing. For God’s sake, you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. If I saw it, so did the others. Maybe this is a lark for you, but it’s serious for Eric. He understood when I talked to him. Why are you making such an issue of it? You can’t break the rules, Slick.”

Slick bit down on her lip. “Why is it okay for you to break them and not me?”

“I assume you’re referring to the PT and DT tests. That was a stupid, knee-jerk reaction on my part. I didn’t break the rules, it was insubordination. There’s a difference. I know there’s something else bothering you, so spit it out. Let’s clear the air.”

“You sure do spend a lot of time with Eric. Do you think I’m stupid, Sam? I hear you when you both go out late at night. I would have followed you, but that damn dog wouldn’t let me out of the compound.”

“We go to the wall, Slick. We’re helping each other. He wants to master that damn wall and rope as much as I do. I failed once, Slick. I don’t want to fail again. I’m assuming Eric feels the same way. Some nights we don’t say a word to each other. We just work out. Why can’t you understand that? I don’t have any feelings for Eric. I am not attracted to him. There’s nothing about him that is greasing my engine. I know he feels the same way. He’s a nice guy, Slick, and he’s perfect for you. Don’t blow it now.”

Slick’s head bobbed up and down. “I guess I’m just insecure. Are you making any progress?”