The Last Heroes (Men at War 1)

Canidy wondered idly what had become of Cynthia now that Chesty Whittaker was dead and the house obviously under the control of Colonel Donovan. Obviously, she would no longer be living in the garage apartment.

A silver-haired black man Canidy did not recognize opened the door, greeted Baker by name, then led the way to the library.

‘‘If you’ll just wait here, gentlemen, someone will be with you in a minute.’’

The furnishings were unchanged, so Canidy decided it would be worth chancing that whiskey would still be kept where it formerly had been. He opened the antique credenza. And when Baker saw what he was doing, his eyes went up, but he said nothing. There was whiskey and several bottles of soda inside.

‘‘Scotch and soda?’’ Canidy asked.

Baker nodded. Canidy made the drinks, then sat down in one of the leather-upholstered chairs by the fireplace.

Cynthia Chenowith came into the room a few minutes later. She was wearing a house robe, and sleep was in her eyes.

‘‘Hello, Canidy,’’ she said. ‘‘Welcome home. I see you found the whiskey.’’

‘‘Hello, Cynthia,’’ Canidy said. ‘‘How are you?’’

He was really surprised to see her.

She gave him her hand. It was soft and warm, and her breasts moved unrestrained under the housecoat. She was a very good-looking female. It would be nice to get her out of that housecoat.

Jimmy has told me he loves her, he realized. Only a prick would try to jump his best friend’s lady love. Ergo, that makes me a genuine prick.

He glanced at Baker and saw on his face that he, too, admired Cynthia Chenowith’s unrestrained bosom and other physical charms.

‘‘You don’t seem very surprised to see me,’’ she said.

‘‘Nothing much surprises me anymore,’’ Canidy said.

‘‘We didn’t know when you were coming,’’ Cynthia said to Baker. ‘‘The last we heard was that you were in Lisbon.’’

‘‘We?’’ Canidy asked. ‘‘Are you involved in whatever this is?’’

‘‘Mrs. Whittaker has turned the house over to the colonel for the duration,’’ Cynthia said.

‘‘That wasn’t what I asked,’’ Canidy said.

‘‘I know it wasn’t,’’ she said. She looked at Baker. ‘‘Well, I expect you’re tired. He’s here. You can go home.’’

‘‘Yeah, Eldon,’’ Canidy said. ‘‘Take a walk. The lady and I want to be alone.’’

Neither Cynthia nor Baker seemed amused.

‘‘Is the captain going to be available in the morning?’’ Baker asked.

‘‘After nine,’’ Cynthia said.

‘‘I’ll be here then,’’ Baker said. ‘‘Is there a car?’’

‘‘Yes. You need a ride?’’

‘‘Please,’’ he said.

‘‘I think the driver’s in the kitchen,’’ Cynthia said.

‘‘Then I will head for home,’’ Baker said. ‘‘Good night, Canidy. Good night, Cynthia.’’

‘‘Good night, good night,’’ Canidy said cheerfully. ‘‘Finally parting with you, Eldon, is such sweet sorrow.’’