World War III

Roberts gestured with his head. “That way.”

“Mind if I buy one for our new recruit? I won’t tell him any secrets.”

“No, go ahead.” To Caffey he said, “We’ve had our talk, haven’t we, Colonel?”

“Yes, sir.”

Kate slung an arm inside Caffey’s and led him to the wet bar. She dropped ice into a pair of glasses.

“Still bourbon straight up?”

“Yeah.” He glanced around for eavesdroppers. “I didn’t know you were here.”

She continued making the drinks. “I’ve known for a week. I figured sooner or later we’d bump into each other again.” She handed him his bourbon. “Drink to old times, Ma — God, I’ll have to get that right — Colonel?”

He took a long sip. “You still make them too strong.”

“You haven’t changed, either. Still tough as nails and twice as mean.”

“And older.”

“Any wiser!” She took a long swallow of her drink. “How do I look? Tough, mean or old?”

“Taller,” Caffey said. He smiled. “You look good, Katie. Very good.”

“Where’s Nancy?”

A captain moved in to pour two scotch and waters. He made some slurred comment about drinking while the moon was full and laughed to himself. When he was gone Kate’s expression had not changed.

“Is it a sore subject?”

“What?” Caffey said. He tried not looking at her.

“Mrs. Caffey.”

“She’s not coming this trip,” he said finally. “She doesn’t have a sealskin coat.” He glanced at her and tried to shrug it off but it didn’t work.

“Trouble?”

Caffey sighed into his glass. “It isn’t important. Okay?”

“Whatever you say, Colonel.” She put her glass down and waved at someone across the room. “Listen, Jake, I’m going to be social for about”—she glanced at her watch—”ten minutes. Then I’m going to get a headache or something and leave this boring little shindig. I have a jeep upstairs. If you want to talk or just ride in measured silence, it’s up to you.”

“Look, you don’t have—”

“Ten minutes.” She got up to leave. “Unless you have a better offer.”

Caffey shook his head. “Six years hasn’t dampened your determination. Do you ever not get what you want?”

“Once every six years or so.”

“Where’re we going?”

She smiled. “Backward.”

It was colder when he came out, even with some drinks in him, than when he went in, Caffey thought, as he trod out into the bitter night’s stillness. He glanced around, keeping the parka hood drawn tight, and was momentarily blinded by the headlights of the jeep.

“C’mon, get in!” Kate yelled from inside the canvas cab as the four-wheeled vehicle pulled up beside him.

Caffey pulled back the door flap and hopped in. “Jesus! I never knew such cold!”

She shifted into gear and the jeep lurched forward. Over the roar of the engine, she said, “Patience, Colonel. I’ll unfreeze you soon enough.”

“Determined, promoted and randy. That’s a dangerous combination, Major. Don’t you have a stud up here?”

“Got shipped to Meteorological Research in Seattle last month,” she said, keeping her eyes on the road.

She nearly had to yell to be heard above the engine. “Just as well, though. He slept too much.” She glanced over at him. “You still good in bed?”

The jeep hit a bump that jarred Caffey’s teeth. His head bounced against the canvas top.

“I didn’t hear you, Jake.”

“I didn’t say any—”

“What?”

“Yes,” he yelled. “And better!”

She gave him a knowing look. “We’ll see.”

Her place was exactly the same as his only reversed. It wasn’t particularly feminine, but nothing was in the army. They shed their parkas at the door and embraced in a long kiss in the center of the living room. For some inexplicable reason, Caffey felt enormously guilty. Just like the last time.

Kate slid away from him slowly. She rested her head against his chest. “Should we put a log in the fireplace and talk or go directly to bed and talk afterward?”

“You don’t expect much, do you?”

“After six years?” She looked up at him. “You didn’t even call.”

“What, and tell you I was going home to Nancy? That would have made it easier for us, wouldn’t it?”

“I loved you.”

“And I had a seven-year-old daughter. Losing you was the price for keeping her. The choice wasn’t even close.”

She pulled away from him and moved to the wood bin. “The log-in-the-fire option was my second preference, actually.”

“Look, maybe I should just go. This isn’t the best time for me to be digging up old memories.”

“Digging up?” Kate’s eyes flashed. “I didn’t get a chance the last time! Nancy made all the decisions for us. Well, she isn’t here, Colonel! We can play out this match head-to-head!”

“Goddamnit, Kate, I don’t want to fight you!”

“Then we’d better settle things now! I’m willing to forget six years. That’s one hell of a fucking commitment! What are you willing to do?”

For several moments he only stared at her. She was on the verge of tears, he knew her well enough to see that, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to cry in front of him. Not now, not yet.

Of the thousand things he wanted to say to her, to share with her, to feel with her, it was ultimately what he had to do that made him move. It wasn’t necessary that he say anything. All he had to do was leave.