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“Neither do I,” Frangie says, but grins as she adds, “but if it comes to it I’ll take the extra pay”

“Nah, I can’t,” Rio says “I don’t want thatthat responsibility You two don’t get it The sergeant is thethe” She shrugs helplessly

“The one who leads his people into the valley of the shadow of death,” Frangie says, earning a snort from Rio

The car runs along the base of the cliffs, white chalk rising abruptly to their left, the English Channel on their right

“Driver?” Rainy says suddenly “Can you pull over? I want to look”

They cli in the cold They stand side by side, looking out across the water, three young soldiers in their best uniforms, newly adorned with the Silver Star

“France is over there about twenty miles or so,” Rainy says “In a feeeks orto land on some beach over there”

They stare soarette She’s landed on beaches in North Africa, in Sicily, and on the mainland of Italy This time will be worse This ti in earnest This time it will be to the death

Rainy says, “Soet hurt, and they’ll need a medic”

Frangie nods “Too few medics, too many hurt boys”

“Well, they’ll have one with a Silver Star,” Rainy says, and claps a hand on Frangie’s shoulder

“I guess they will,” Frangie says with a sigh

“But will they have sergeants?” Rainy ht in front of Rio “When they found ured out that I was safe, you knohat kept going through my head, Richlin?”

Rio shakes her head

“I am not some wild-eyed patriot,” Rainy says softly “When I started out I trusted in orders I trusted my superiors Well, I don’t trust so much anymore, but evenbeforeeven before, I don’t think anyone would ever have mistaken me as a sentimental person or an uncritical person”