She seemed to be asleep, and after a few silent moments Phule started to leave.
“Hi, Captain.”
“Hello, Tiffany,” he said, forcing a smile as he turned back.
“I don’t suppose you know anyone who’s casting for The Mummy’s Bride, do you?”
The actress’s hand came up to touch her bandages.
“I … I don’t know what to say, Tiffany,” Phule stammered.” `I’m sorry’ doesn’t start to express what I’m feeling.”
“Sorry about what?” Tiffany said, raising herself slightly on her pillow. “You warned us it might be dangerous when you gave us that first briefing, and you gave us a chance to back out then. If anything, it’s our fault, because we went against your set procedures. We were the ones who decided to play soldier on our own, going outside the hotel and not bringing one of your regular troops along.”
The commander shook his head.
“I never imagined it would come to this,” he said. “If I had, I never would have-“
“Listen to me, Captain,” the actress interrupted. “It’s our fault, not yours. Okay? If I don’t blame you, don’t go blaming yourself. I never should have let Doc talk me into tagging along.”
“I’m sure Doc didn’t think that-“
“Hey! I’m not trying to hang this on Doc, either,” Tiffany said hurriedly. “I’ve been making my own decisions for a long time and living with the consequences, good or bad. I’m a big girl now, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed, all right,” Phule said, smiling in spite of himself. “Don’t think that I’m totally insensitive or blind. It’s just that running this outfit is taking a lot more of my time and attention than I had expected, and I really can’t afford any distractions right now.”