Page 107 of Deadly Strain

“No, sir. Our second in command, Leonard, is at the village north of here where the anthrax first appeared, with the other two surviving members of the team.”

“I’ve sent reinforcements up there and ordered anyone healthy to return here. They should be joining you soon enough.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your job is to dog the major’s steps. Never let her out of your sight. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.

“I don’t care if she squawks loud enough to raise the dead, you men go where she goes.”

“She’s that important?” Marshall asked, his own expression sour.

“People with her skills don’t grow on trees. We’ve got less than a dozen specialists like her in the army,” the general said. “But she’s also reckless. You boys keep her out of trouble or I’ll have your asses over a hot fire. Understood?”

“Sir, yes, sir,” they responded together.

“Go,” he ordered.

They went.

Marshall raised a hand, as if to stop them from leaving. “Sergeant, I...” He stopped with a faintly surprised look on his face, as if it were the first time in his life he didn’t know what to say.

Sharp didn’t need to hear the words. “I’ll tell her, sir.”

Marshall’s face turned red, but he met Sharp’s gaze with a steady one of his own. “See that you do.”

Sharp saluted and led his team out into the sunshine.

It looked like a beautiful day. Quiet and peaceful.

He’d learned not to trust either.

The walk to the base infirmary didn’t take long, but Grace was already lying down on a gurney, a doctor and a nurse talking to her while they worked.

The nurse glanced up and saw him and his guys walking their way. She pulled the curtain to block their view.

As if that would stop him.

He flashed a hand signal at his men to stay where they were and ducked around the curtain.

“Out,” the nurse ordered as soon as she caught sight of him.

He looked at Grace.

She rolled her eyes. “He can stay. I have the feeling General Stone ordered him to stick close.”

“You sure?” the doctor said.

“Yeah, he was the first one to patch up my leg. I don’t think the sight of my underwear is going to incite him into unbridled lust.”

Someone outside the curtain coughed.

Sharp grinned, but kept his mouth shut.

“Who’s out there?” she asked.

“Who do you think?”

---