I stood there for an instant, allowing my eyes to become accustomed to the interior darkness, knowing he would be alone. Unless he ordered one of his men to be there, I seriously doubted any of them would willingly share his presence. I immediately caught the strong smell of liquor engulfing the small enclosure. For it to be this over powering, he must have been drinking heavily for quite some time. I was surprised by his need of liquid comfort at this early of an hour. I expected more of him as a German officer, even given his odious nature.

"You're here early, Dietrich. I didn't expect you to arrive until tomorrow. What caused you to blow your ass over here ahead of your orders?" he asked in a low voice.

I would have recognized his arrogant, smug voice anywhere, even with the slight slur added by the alcohol. I could vaguely see his silhouette near the back of the tent and I stepped closer to his voice. I removed my cover and ran my hand through my hair, giving me a brief second to take the edge off the situation.

My eyes quickly grew accustomed to the dimness. I couldn't help but notice the disarray and condition of the tent. To have said that the place was a pigsty would have been a grave insult to swine. Meyer had never been the neatest man in the world, but now he had allowed the situation to go completely out of hand.

But I asked myself, why should I be surprised?

The condition of his tent echoed what I had seen during various duty postings over the years. The few times I had seen his living quarters it had exceeded what the comments had caused me to imagine.

"You didn't read the radio message, Meyer? It was sent yesterday and acknowledged by one of your men," I said. I was repeating myself over and over again, like I had found myself in a cheap American comedy movie. Wasn't there anyone in this camp who knew what was happening?

Meyer's only reply was to vaguely motion over to a field desk where papers were heaped, in no apparent order. Either the message was in the mess or frankly, he hadn't really cared to actually accept it or even read it.

"We're rather casual here away from the main Wehrmacht," Meyer replied as if reading my mind. "No sense to go through so much trouble when the reason isn't that important. Even if it is the grand announcement of your arrival."

I walked to where he was seated and I looked down at Wilhelm Meyer. His shirt unbuttoned, feet propped on the only other chair in the dingy tent, he had the air of a man who has no respect for others, or himself. On a small camp table within his easy reach were a tall glass and an open bottle of brandy. Not surprisingly, considering the all pervading stench, the bottle was almost empty.

Meyer and I were of equal height, but he was thinner, wirier. His face was still as perpetually gaunt as I remembered and there was a part of me that had always believed his gauntness was caused by a hidden addiction to drugs. The fierce African sun had bleached his blond hair almost white which contrasted starkly against his deeply tanned skin. I had always thought if you looked up the word "Nazi" in the dictionary, you would see Meyer's picture in place of a description.

Meyer's and my paths had crossed several times during our careers. To say that we were on unfriendly terms would have been an understatement. I had had the misfortune to know him for quite some time, dating back to when we had first attended the military academy together. He had believed my father had bought my entrance and that I had not earned the right to attend on my own merits. It was a belief he never let me or anyone else around us forget.

When he had begun to actively pursue my sister, Liesl, after our graduation from the academy, I had cared for him even less. Liesl had instantly disliked him and would have nothing to do with him. Her opinion of him (and mine) was validated when he assaulted her at a party shortly before the War.

Despite that she was already engaged to Ellery, Meyer, in a drunken stupor, had cornered Liesl and had demanded a sexual act. My sister had promptly refused. Angry and defiant at the refusal, Meyer assaulted Liesl, attempting to force himself upon her. She escaped only by practically scratching his eyes out. Her loathing of Meyer was well-known in the social circles afterwards. Liesl would never attend any event if she even vaguely suspected he would be present.

Perhaps for the best, I never knew of the assault until years after it occurred. Liesl only confided it to me after Ellery's death the last time I was home on leave. It was a confidence she had shared with no one else, not to our parents, and definitely not to Ellery. Ellery had died without ever knowing what she had almost experienced from Meyer.

The final blow to Meyer's fragile ego was when I always made rank before him. He could never accept the fact that it was my skill and abilities and not my father's influence which continued to propel my career. Meyer's life always struck him as unlucky and unfair, with others never giving him the opportunities that he deserved. He refused to realize how his shortcomings and limited performance would always hold him back, or, to admit how he alone was responsible for his life.

Meyer was one of those unique individuals you meet once in a lifetime whom one would believe will never die. Far from being as unlucky as he felt, Meyer seemed to have the blessings of the devil himself. I honestly believed that the man could have stepped directly on a land mine and walked away unscathed. It had always galled me that he was still alive, yet other excellent soldiers I had known were sleeping in their graves. To my knowledge, even though he had actively seen combat since the beginning of the war, Meyer had not received so much as a paper cut.

I looked down again at his feet on the chair. Meyer finally seemed to understand my hint. Or, he realized I was not in the mood with which to be trifled. Either way he reluctantly removed his feet from the chair, kicking it aside so I could sit down.

I sat and lit a cigarette, offering him one only due to forced politeness.

He recoiled as if I had offered him poison.

"You know how the Fuhrer feels about smoking," he admonished. "You should give up that filthy habit."

I considered smoking my business and my business alone. It was not Hitler's, and it especially was not Meyer's. Meyer's health dribble was what I would expect from a Hitler Youth, not from an adult seasoned officer. My response was to slowly look at him and blow a prolonged plume of smoke in his direction.

Meyer angrily waved it away after lightly coughing.

"Brandy?" Meyer offered me half-heartedly.

I couldn't stop myself from looking down at my watch to see the early afternoon time.

"No, thank you. It's rather early for me."

"Suit yourself." Meyer shrugged his shoulders. "But don't look down your nose at me, Dietrich. You'll be drinking heavily soon enough, once you get a taste of the commandos. Or should I say, when they get their claws into you." When I said nothing in response, Meyer continued, "Or are you waiting to be alone? So you can indulge in your private stash of Jack Daniels that is your open secret?"

I continued to ignore his comments, not thinking it worth the effort of replying.

"So who did you piss off to be assigned here?" Meyer asked with a petulant voice. "I would think your blue blood family would be able to get you out of this shit-hole assignment."

"Herr Generaloberst Rommel requested me personally for this assignment."

Meyer looked skeptical. "Really?"

"Herr Generaloberst knows I have the background to accomplish the command. Besides, I, and everyone in the Afrika Korps, would hate to delay your impending assignment, Meyer. Perhaps it will be to the Eastern front?"

"Well, Dietrich, if you hitch your destiny to capturing these desert commandos it will be black indeed. I had no success against them in the least."

I merely inclined my head. "We shall see."

"Speaking about destiny, I heard about your success at Jufra. Impressive."

I gave only a short nod to acknowledge his comment. Meyer would be the last soldier in the world that I would want to acknowledge my accomplishments at Jufra.

Of course, he wouldn't let the subject drop.

"You saved not only your own command, but also Walther's. I'll give you your due respect."

"Thank you."

"Speaking about Walther, how is his lovely wife?"

I should have seen it coming. Only Meyer would be able to turn success for Germany into something ugly. "Last that I heard, Margot was well," I replied evenly, refusing to be baited.

"And how long ago was that? You certainly were seen in her company frequently enough before the war, escorting her to various events when Walther was conveniently out of town."

I nodded. What Meyer was saying was true. I had been seen frequently with Margot, and in the absence of her husband. "With Walther's permission, of course."

"Oh, of course! It seems like just yesterday I remember seeing the two of you in the rose garden at Baroness von Stein's gala. You two made such a striking couple, Dietrich. Even given the unfortunate fact that Margot was married to your best friend." Meyer smiled thinly and nodded at the memory. "If one didn't know any better, they would swear it was the two of you married, that Margot was your wife and not Walther's."

I felt my face color. I was glad of the dim light.

Meyer's eyes were as fierce as daggers. He knew he had me. "It's only been the talk of the Wehrmacht, especially when you transferred from Berlin immediately after the gala. Yes, I must admit that it was rather gallant of you to save Walther. Considering what you had riding on the line, hmmm?"

There was no sense denying the truth to myself or Meyer, or anyone else. As discreet as I thought I had been with my thoughts and desires regarding Margot, Meyer must have witnessed the one indiscretion I had with her that night in the rose garden in that final glorious summer before the war began.

Matthias Walther had asked me as a favor to escort Margot to the Baroness' gala. I knew the Baroness personally and it was a great honor to be included on the guest list. It was to be a high society event, a style that I had attended countless times in my life. However, Margot had never had the opportunity and was very excited at the invitation. As luck would have it, Matthias was unexpectedly scheduled for duty out of town the night of the gala. Aware of his wife's excitement and not wanting her to be disappointed, he asked if I would do him the favor of escorting his wife. I had readily accepted and had looked forward to enjoying the event in Margot's charming company, knowing I had the blessing of her husband.

I remember little of the event except for Margot's lovely presence. I had spoken with others only when I believed it the absolute necessity of good manners. That had been where my propriety had ended. Apart from a courtesy dance with the Baroness, I had danced only with Margot, not even bothering or wanting to ask a dance from any of the other women. I had held her closer than I knew was appropriate, melding her body into mine, and possessing her entirely if only for that evening. I had suspected others were noticing. Recklessly, I had placed these concerns aside, not caring in the least.

Late into the evening we had stepped outside to cool down from the dancing and without admitting it to myself until much later, to have some privacy from the other guests. I had escorted her to the rose garden, and we had stopped where there was little chance of anyone seeing us. We had been softly chatting about nothing in particular, merely enjoying each other's company. Margot had felt so light on my arm, and her perfume had been intoxicatingly as it had wafted up to me. For those brief magic moments, I felt as if I was the luckiest man alive.

I had noticed that Margot had been silent for a few moments. When I turned to see the cause, I could clearly see the smoldering desire in her eyes and the rising color in her cheeks perfectly accented by the moonlight. I relished the craving that I had forced aside for so long. All my latent passions and longings for her instantly surged to the surface. I was unable to control them. Furthermore, I had no desire to do so.

She took a step towards me. I gathered her in my arms and crushed her tightly to me, feeling her willingness and warmth through the thin silk of her dress. I intertwined my hand in her dark blond hair, gently pulling her head back and exposing her graceful neck. My lips grazed her skin briefly before I began hungrily kissing her waiting lips. I pulled her even closer to me, savoring the feel of her body as it responded to mine, finally claiming what I had desired for an eternity.

Suddenly, I had comprehended what I was doing, not just to the two of us, but also to my best friend and fellow officer Matthias, and to their three children.

My senses returned. I immediately released Margot, and took a step away, my pulse racing as my eyes continued to be locked with hers. I felt a great shame come over me and I was unable to speak any words. I could only curtly shake my head "no" indicating that I now could never follow through on my passion.

Margot again took a step towards me and she started to speak. I gently placed my fingers on her lips to silence her. It was the final time I would ever touch her.

I finally motioned for us to leave. Without offering her my arm, I returned her to the gala. We never spoke a word. After all, what could we possibly say to each other except what was foremost on our minds? I walked slowly with my hands behind my back and it was regrettably soon when we arrived. I was in great emotional pain and yet I wanted our return walk to continue forever since I knew it would never happen again.

Within moments I had arranged for a fellow officer to escort Margot home, claiming a sudden illness on my part. I left immediately afterwards without even giving my regards to the Baroness.

It was the last time I was alone in Margot's company. While I had continued to socialize with the loyal and unsuspecting Matthias, I never visited their house again. It was shortly after the gala that I had volunteered for a remote duty station to prevent any temptation arising from my desires again. I attempted to transfer my emotions and desires to other women over the years, but with no success. I was left feeling unfulfilled and the emotions felt artificial.

Suddenly, Meyer's ruthless voice interrupted my memories, dissipating them into the dirt.

"When we have some more time you'll have to inform me of your family's reaction to your dirty little affair with a fellow officer's wife. I am especially looking forward to hearing your father's thoughts. And to think you were his only son available to carry on your family's honorable military tradition. What a shame…Apparently that doesn't say much about the quality and quantity of honor you possess."

I again felt a deep sense a shame come over me from my inappropriate actions from so long ago.

Neither once of us said anything for a while. I hoped that Meyer would let the matter drop. However, he continued, it was obvious that he wasn't going to allow the conversation to end so painlessly for me.

"I must give you credit for having a fine taste for women. Margot is certainly an intoxicating poison. The next time I return to Germany I do believe I will contact her to provide her a little much needed company." Meyer looked thoughtful. "You know, I wouldn't mind having her on my arm permanently as my wife after the war. If Walther doesn't return. If Walther does happen to survive the war, perhaps she and I can make other arrangements? She certainly seems as though like she's willing and open enough to be with a man who isn't her husband."

Another silence fell, seeming long, but likely only lasting a few seconds.

"What can you tell me about these desert commandos?" I already knew the answer, but it was time for the games with Meyer to cease.

"Ah, changing the subject from Margot? Alright, I'll go along with your little indiscreet secret. We both know the truth, as does everyone else. Back to the commandos, then. What is it you want to know about them, Dietrich?"

"Their operations, their methods, who they are, what you done have to capture them, how they have impacted you escorting columns... Anything and everything you have on them which can be of use."

"You know as much as I do." Meyer gave a bitter laugh. "It won't take long for me to provide you the little information that I do have: Four men in two Jeeps, everywhere and nowhere at once."

I nodded. "What else? What are their methods? Their strategies?"

"If I didn't know any better, I would swear the entire Allied war in North Africa will be won by these four men. Their methods are different each time. Always unique, always one step ahead of us."

For once, Meyer had my interest. I leaned forward. "Who commands them?"

"I have no idea who leads them or even who they are, except that they are Americans. Or, at least I'm assuming that they are Americans due to the Jeeps they use."

My attention increased at his last comment. The United States had not been in the war long and yet apparently the Americans were already making their presence known here in North Africa.

"Americans?"

"Yes, either that or the British are using their equipment and uniforms. Although both sides are using whatever equipment and material they can scrounge up given the supply situation."

"And why hasn't this desert commando problem already been handled, Meyer? Have you captured or killed any of them?" I asked, trying again to gain any useful information from him.

"What do you think, Dietrich? If I had ever captured even one of them, the entire Afrika Korps would have heard about it and I would have received one of your pretty little trinkets." Meyer gestured with frustration towards the breast of my uniform.

Despite my dislike for Meyer, I began to feel for him at the difficulties that the commandos were causing and his inability to put a stop to their operations. I nodded and lit another cigarette, waiting for him to continue.

"If I had captured even one of them, I would have staked him out on the desert and watched him expire as I was enjoying a cold beer. I would have filmed the episode so I could savor it again and again in the future!"

I could feel a look of disgust appearing on my face. Apparently, he found it quite comical. It didn't stop him from continuing.

Meyer leaned forward, his voice low and his eyes shrewd. "I was so desperate to stop them I even poisoned the water at some unknown water hole I believed they were tapping."

I was shocked at the admission. "I never would have expected that. Even from you, Meyer."

"This is where we are different, Dietrich. I will do anything necessary to win and ensure the continuation of the Third Reich. That includes fighting dirty and killing them in any possible way."

I felt nothing but more disgust at his words. Contaminating a precious water source in the desert was an action that could not only impact the commandos, but all of those that would need it in the future. "Killing them in combat, yes, but poisoning them as if they were vermin?"

"But that's the point, Dietrich!" Meyer gave a harsh laugh, throwing his arms up as if I had said the most amusing thing. Then, his face became deadly serious. "These commandos are a group of vermin. They need to be exterminated. If not one way, then in another."

I could not agree with him. What he was saying went against everything that I believed that a soldier should be.

Meyer seemed to scoff at my naiveté. "Mark my words, Dietrich. You'll find going up against these commandos is not what you've experienced with the British. With neat little battle plans drawn up and where during every battle everyone acts like gentlemen bowling a cricket match."

"It amazes me, Meyer, that even you could fight in such a way. It is without honor."

"You speak to me of honor? As if your skirts were as neatly starched as a nun's?" Meyer's eyes never left my face and he made a sharp sound that may have been a laugh. "Why don't you share a few of the less desirable actions that you've committed during the war, Dietrich? Perhaps when you were in France? Or, perhaps, what led to your accomplishments here in the desert?"

I stiffened at the gall that Meyer had to question my honor.

"What nothing more to share? Not how you were willing to condemn your men to death at Jufra just so you could win a medal? Or, what about the little incident back at the academy where you had no honor to admit what you had done? Why don't you start praying to that God of yours for forgiveness? Confess your sins to those black clothed priests and kneel in servitude. There will be many still alive who will remember your name long into the future," Meyer said pointedly.

"Perhaps, but not in the same way they will remember your name." I knew there was nothing for me from which to hide, nor did I fear the threat of being accused of any war crimes. I completely ignored his insinuating comments on Jufra. My conscious was clear from my orders and actions on that day.

To continue the current conversation would have done nothing but give credibility to Meyer's accusations. I changed the subject, returning back to the true matter at hand. "Where are the unit records?" I dreaded the answer, already knowing what it would be.

"The unit documents, communiqués, all over there," he said with a flourish of his wrist towards the paper strewn desk.

It unfortunately was the answer that I had expected. What a complete mess, I thought. I ran my hand through my hair again. Not only was it necessary for me to bring the unit into fighting readiness, I would also need to clean up the dreaded paperwork. All of this could not be accomplished overnight.

I would consider the abilities of the unit Leutnant to have his assume the paperwork. This would delegate part of my burden.

"Where have the commandos been spotted? Have their areas of operation been charted?" I asked, seeking again to get some useable information before I was finally rid of Meyer.

Meyer shrugged his shoulders before answering.

"Go ask Hoffman, your new Leutnant. I assigned this undertaking to him."

I knew he was lying, throwing poor Hoffman to the wolves in the process. I wasn't going to let it drop so easily.

"Are you saying that as his commanding officer, you are unaware of your order's status? It is your ultimate responsibility to see that your orders are carried out." I paused to allow this to sink in before I continued my attack on him.

"Why hasn't this been addressed, Meyer?" I persisted, unable to resist twisting the knife. "What is the status of the charting, Meyer? Surely, you are able to provide at least this much?"

His eyes quickly narrowed and I could see the color rise to his face even beneath the deep tan.

With a regrettable satisfaction, I was glad to see that I was finally getting to Meyer as he had attempted to get to me. I delivered what I believed would be the final blow. "As an experienced officer in the German Wehrmacht I would have expected much more from you, Meyer."

"Go fuck yourself and your Goddamn charting, Dietrich!" he yelled, his voice hoarse.

I knew I would receive nothing more from him at this point, not that I had received much information from him previously. It was useless to press him further. Even if Meyer had any useful information I doubted he would have provided it to me. It would be up to me to gather the information necessary for us to succeed.

We sat there for a few minutes in a heavy silence, each of us not willing to give way to the other.

It was he who finally spoke.

"I won't hold our past or any hard feelings against you," Meyer said lightly almost companionable. It was a stark contrast to his tone just a few moments prior. "You can share my tent tonight, Dietrich. I'd hate for you to miss the opportunity of spending the night with my company."

I frowned. There was nothing that appealed to me less than spending a night in Meyer's company.

"We can catch up on old times, have a friendly chat. Since you said a storm was arising, I don't think it prudent for me to leave at this time, do you?"

I said nothing allowing my silence to be my answer. I very much wanted to encourage Meyer to take his chances against the wrath of Mother Nature. It was likely that he would fare far better against the elements than he would with me if he continued down the same path.

"Don't worry, Dietrich. I'll depart tomorrow afternoon, gladly leaving you to your fate."

"Speaking of fate, what is your next assignment, Meyer?"

"I haven't been informed yet. Whatever it may be, I'm looking forward to leaving the prissy English and the arrogant Americans behind. Hopefully, I'll be ordered to the Eastern Front where I can use my skills against the Bolsheviks. They at least can fight like men."

As much as I wanted to point out to Meyer that he would likely be outmatched by anyone that could fight like a man, I held my tongue. I was sick of our Meyer, and sick of our exchange. The sounds of the coming storm underlined the fact that I would not be rid of him soon. With a sigh, I pulled my chair away from him and turned my attention to the chaos of paper on the desk. It would be best if I left him to his nasty thoughts and his bottle. At least tackling the filing would be productive, which was much more than I could say about the near hour that I had wasted conversing with him.

"We can start our little chat now, if you'd like. Tell me, Dietrich, how is your family?"

"My family is of no concern of yours, Meyer." I squinted, trying to make out the smudged writing on a half completed form. It looked like something had been spilled on it. I took a small sniff of it. Brandy, no doubt.

"Is Liesl still a spitfire?" Meyer pressed.

"If you mean, does my sister still have good taste in men, then the answer is yes."

"I heard about Ellery, and that you were there for his death."

"That is true, yes."

"I find it absolutely amazing how gossip travels through the Wehrmacht," Meyer marveled. "Ironic, though, that you were unable to save Ellery like you did Walther. If anything I would have thought it would be the other way around."

"There was nothing I could do for Ellery." It was the truth. I had realized long ago that I could not cheat fate or her prophesies, no matter how I tried. Ellery's death would always be a part of me, God rest his soul. I despised the bastard for bringing Ellery and my sister into this conversation.

"Too bad you couldn't also save Ellery for your sister's sake. But her situation isn't too bad, is it? Liesl can always have the pride of explaining that her fiancée was killed in combat."

"Liesl was very proud of Ellery's service." The Nazi rhetoric of the glory of death in combat was in reality cold comfort, but I wasn't about to debate that with Meyer.

"I'm sure that she was, but I doubt those thoughts will keep her warm at night in a cold bed. Alone. On the positive side, I'll still accept her. She can always have me." There was an unsavory gleam in Meyer's eye for which I did not care.

The idea disgusted me, as it would no doubt disgust Liesl.

"My sister isn't that desperate. She would not have you then, or now, for that matter."

"With a war on, there's going to be a shortage of available men for all these desperate women just begging for some nighttime entertainment. And life will be hard for a woman alone. I'm sure that Liesl's nose won't be so high in the air after the war."

"Liesl can take care of herself, and has for years. War or no war. And I am sure that she would find being unmarried preferable to being wed to someone that she neither liked nor respected."

"Well, as you already know, I'm not the marrying type. So things chould work out just right. Morals will be different in the future. As you know, the Party isn't encouraging marriage. Just breeding. Your sister would make a wonderful mother. I would hope that the children inherit my blond hair and not your family's dark, non-Aryan locks."

I could take no more of his nonsense. I started to rise from chair at the continued insults towards my sister. I knew that Meyer was baiting me, repaying me in kind for calling into question his abilities as an officer. He wanted a reaction, and that was all. We both knew all too well that nothing would ever happen between Liesl and him. Taking a breath and resolving to be the better man, I forced myself to sit back down.

"My father and I would never allow her to be with the likes of you," I said, forcing any emotion from my voice.

"Given the fact your father is old and will probably be dead soon, and the strong likelihood you'll be killed by the commandos, there's nothing to stop me from obtaining what I want. As you well know, I've always wanted Liesl. And I'm more than patient to wait."

"You will be waiting a long time." As if I needed any more motivation to best the commandos, Meyer had just given me another.

Meyer leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. "Just think, Dietrich! Me living in your luxurious ancestral home, spending all that money your family has stashed away in Swiss banks, making lots of little Meyers with your sister…"

"It would be wise of you to cease your line of conversation now, Meyer, before you have a 'little incident' at the hands of my Arab friends when you leave here tomorrow, an unfortunate disappearance that's never quite resolved," I said with deadly calm, my voice not rising in the least. "And if you ever touch my sister again, I will take care of you myself personally, slowly, and over several days."

I looked him directly in the eye. Meyer must have seen the deadly intent there because he stopped baiting me. We sat there staring at each other for several minutes. I had nothing more to say to him.

It was he who finally broke the silence in a hoarse voice.

"I hate everything your family stands for, Dietrich. Your fucking honor and outdated ideals, neither of which are relevant in a modern Germany. And I most especially hate you, Dietrich."

Even though the statement was hardly shocking, I blinked at the cold ire that was behind it.

"I truly believe you are even worse than your old-school father, Dietrich, if that is even possible. Men like you are the reason that Germany is losing the war. I'm looking forward to the day when all you Dietrichs receive your comeuppance and are dead and completely forgotten. If it's the last thing I witness, it will be for you to receive what you so richly deserve," he said with a clenched jaw, his voice barely above a whisper.

"That is a day you will never witness, Meyer, not in this lifetime or in any other," I said with a clear, strong voice. "It is because of Nazis like you, Meyer, that Germany is losing the war. You and your ilk will destroy the country that all so many good men over history have died to save. And there will be no comeuppance for you and your kind, only suffering for us all as a result of your abhorrent actions."

I looked at Meyer and Meyer looked at me. There seemed to be nothing more for me to say and certainly nothing more that I wanted to hear from him. I nodded to signal the end of the meeting, rose from my chair and started to leave.

I stopped at the tent flaps and I paused before stepping out of the tent to replace my cover.

"I will now meet the men of my command, Meyer. I will return here later this evening only to sleep. I expect you to leave at first light tomorrow. I am not willing to endanger the lives of the other innocent men to be rid of you from my area of command, so if there is a storm, you leave alone. Do I make myself clear?" I hadn't bothered to face him as I spoke. There was no answer from Meyer, but I hadn't expected one, except perhaps, a knife between my shoulder blades. I nodded. "Good. I knew you would agree with me."

I then left, walking into the brilliant sunshine leaving Meyer and all of the fetidness that seemed to cling to him behind.