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maneuvers. And that’s the way Luke was with his flying—at least that’s the way he used to be. But all that’s different now, and I don’t like it.”
    â€œWhat sort of change are you talking about?”
    â€œHe seems to have lost his caution is the best way I can put it.” Streak shrugged his beefy shoulders and chewed on his lower lip, his face troubled. “When he sees Germans, he just goes right at them with no hesitation, all guns blazing. He doesn’t think and plan like he used to—he doesn’t even give the signal for the rest of us to follow.”
    â€œThat’s not what I’ve heard about Winslow. He’s always been a careful pilot.”
    â€œThat’s not true anymore, sir. I’m telling you he’s changed. He used to spend a lot of time studying situations, figuring out how to keep his men alive and himself too, of course. But now it’s like he . . .” Streak halted and ran his hand through the stubble of his red hair. “It’s like he just doesn’t care about anything anymore.”
    The colonel slapped both of his hands down on his desk. “He needs to go on leave.”
    â€œHe sure does, Colonel.”
    â€œI’ll see to it.”
    â€œGood! It’s not safe for him to be flying anymore—not until he gets a handle on this thing.”
    Colonel Valdez stood. “We’ll miss his leadership, no question about that.”
    â€œHe can’t lead if he’s dead, sir.”
    â€œYou think it’s that critical?”
    â€œYes, sir, he’s crazier than that Russian Dubrovsky—which I never thought I’d hear myself say. He doesn’t care about anything at all. He’s going to get himself killed, and that’s no lie.”
    â€œAll right, then. Thank you for coming to me, Garrison.”
    ****
    As soon as Luke Winslow walked into Valdez’s office, Valdez saw the changes in the man. Valdez had always liked the tall, rangy American, which was unusual for the colonel, who as a rule did not like Americans. But Valdez had seen in this man an attention to duty. It was obvious Winslow hadn’t come to Spain merely for adventure, but because he truly believed in the Republican cause.
    Winslow had lost a little weight, Valdez thought, but all of them had during these hard days of fighting. There was something different about his mouth and eyes. His mouth seemed tighter, and there was a slight tick in his right eye, revealing a nervousness that had never been a part of Winslow’s makeup. Valdez leaned back and motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Lieutenant.”
    â€œI’d just as soon stand, if you don’t mind, Colonel. I get enough sitting in the cockpit.”
    â€œAs you will.” Valdez tried to think of the best way to approach the matter. He did not know what to say about the death of the man’s fiancée or her family, so he made no attempt. “I’d like you to go on leave, Winslow, starting today.”
    â€œThere’s no need for that, Colonel. Besides, I wouldn’t have anywhere to go.”
    In his other encounters with the man, Luke Winslow had always had a smile on his face, but he was not smiling now. His face was like stone . . . or steel. Luke apparently hadn’t understood that the statement was not merely a suggestion.
    â€œLook, Winslow, there’s no point mincing words. Your men tell me you’re acting crazy up there. You’re not yourself. I want you to take a few days off. Or better yet, go home. This war is lost anyway. We both know it.”
    â€œMaybe not.”
    â€œDon’t be foolish! It’s clear that we can’t hold out much longer.”
    â€œIf you say so, sir.”
    â€œSo take a few days off.”
    â€œI’m not finished here yet, sir. I’d like to stay until the end and do what I came for.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make any sense.