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Captain Dancy liked Major Canidy as much as—if not more than—she did Captain Fine. And for some of the same reasons—Dick was a bright guy, one who was genuine and caring—as well as for some other reasons—Dick was damned dashing, with a real magnetism that on occasion caused her to lament the differences in their ages.
“You tell me, Major Canidy,” Captain Dancy said in a conspiratorial tone, then added warmly, “It’s nice to have you home safe.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Can whatever it is you need to discuss wait till lunch?” Fine asked.
Canidy thought about it for a second. “Fine, Captain Fine.”
Captain Dancy stood, shaking her head.
“If you two will follow me, please,” she said, and started for the office of the chief of OSS London Station.
David Bruce, holding a coffee cup saucer in one hand and sipping from the cup in his other, was in deep thought looking out one of the tall windows when his office door opened and Captain Dancy announced, “Sir, Captain Fine and Major Canidy are here.”
Bruce, still looking down at the street and sidewalk, said, “Thank you. Send them in, please.”
A moment later, Fine and Canidy said, almost in unison, “Good morning, sir.”
Bruce turned away from the window in time to see Captain Dancy leaving the office and pulling the door closed behind her.
“Good morning,” Bruce replied. He looked them in the eyes for a moment, then said, “Please allow me to say that I am deeply relieved that you both made it back.”
He looked at Canidy and added, “That didn’t always seem to be the case.”
“Thank you, sir,” they replied.
“You certainly deserve some time off after that mission,” Bruce said. “But I’m afraid it’s going to have to wait. The sooner we get going on this, the better.”
Fine and Canidy exchanged glances.
“Get going on what?” Canidy said to Bruce. “We haven’t—”
There was a knock at the door and it swung open.
“Colonel Stevens, sir,” Captain Dancy announced.
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Stevens was standing there behind her, a worn-leather briefcase in each hand.
“Come,” Bruce said almost impatiently.
When Ed Stevens entered, Fine and Canidy came into his view.
“Stan! Dick!” Stevens said.
He put down the briefcases, went to them, and embraced them one at a time, giving each a loud double pat on the back. When he was confident of his voice, he added, “Damn, it’s good to see you guys!”
Lieutenant Colonel Stevens took a step back and composed himself.
“Thanks, Ed,” Canidy said.
“It’s good to be back,” Fine added. “Thank you, Ed.”
Stevens nodded and smiled, then collected the briefcases and turned to Bruce.
“I knew we had these funds in the safe. I’m having them see how much more we can get, and how soon.”
“Funds?” Canidy repeated.
