Page 12 of A More Perfect Union

“You say that likeit’s a bad thing.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’tmean anything by it. I suppose I just wondered why anyone would go to all thetrouble to become a lawyer, but not go into the profession.”

Rook smiled, but Zoeyread a note of frustration behind the expression. “Oh, I did. And I do. Mypractice isn’t…traditional.” She narrowed her eyes. “I wasn’t aware you knewanything about me other than my skill at getting through airports undetected.”

“And you are veryskilled at that. If you learned that in law school, I’m quite impressed.”

“I was very involvedin extracurricular activities.”

“I’m trying not toread too much into that.”

“Then I must befailing at my job.” Rook looked at a spot over Zoey’s shoulder. “Have you metthe guest of honor yet?”

Zoey followed hergaze and saw Addison Riley entering through two French doors that appeared tolead to a back deck. “No, but that’s okay. I don’t want to bother her. I’m surethere are a ton of people here who want to pay their respects.”

“You say that likeit’s a funeral.” Rook crooked her arm. “Come on, I’ll introduce you. We cansave her from the politicos posing as guests so they can try and backdoor alltheir issues.”

Zoey stared at thecrooked arm and shot a glance over at Sharp who was still getting an earfulfrom Connie Armstrong. Something told her following Rook would be dangerous,but their interaction was nothing more than harmless flirting. Surely she couldhandle that on her own. She ignored the arm, but nodded. “Lead the way.”

* * *

Rook shouldered herway through the crowd, acutely conscious of Zoey right behind her. Two times inas many weeks, she’d swooned over this woman in uniform. Something about Zoeyintrigued her, and she was going to find out what it was if she had to spendthe rest of the night at her side.

They were a couple offeet from the chief justice, but the group around Addison was like a wall withthe outer edges ebbing and flowing, but never giving way. Rook reached back andgrabbed Zoey’s hand and raised her other one as she waved to Addison. Addisonwaved back and murmured excuses to the throng surrounding her as she edgedtoward Rook and Zoey.

“I need a stiff drinkand a quiet place. Get me there, and I’ll owe you for life,” Addison whisperedonce she was standing next to them.

“I’d be stupid torefuse that deal.” Rook noted Addison’s questioning look in Zoey’s direction,but she didn’t pause to make introductions. “Point the way to the quiet place,and I’ll get drinks.”

“Up those stairs.”Addison pointed toward the sweeping balcony, and the three of them climbed awayfrom the growing crowd. Zoey reached for the banister and Rook instantly missedthe warmth of her touch. She followed Addison’s directions, down the hall,around the corner to a large wooden door that led to a beautiful library. Thewalls were lined with shelves, floor to ceiling, and filled with books and artobjects. Rook was impressed, but Zoey appeared to be captivated. She walkedover to one of the shelves and traced the spine of a volume of EmilyDickinson’s poetry that Rook bet was a collector’s edition.

“I’m amazed everytime I walk in here,” Addison said. “Feel free to look around.”

Zoey jerked her handback and came to attention. “My apologies, ma’am. I have a small bookcollection, but this…”

Addison wagged afinger at Rook. “Look at you bringing a woman with great taste to my party. Anda soldier no less. I knew you had it in you.”

Rook shot a look atZoey to gauge her reaction to Addison’s mistaken assumption and caught hershaking her head. “Madam Chief Justice, I’d like you to meet Major ZoeyGranger, soon to be Lieutenant Colonel if the rumors are true. As much as I’dbe flattered to claim her as my date, she is here as General Sharp’s guest.”

Addison reached out ahand. “Nice to meet you, Major soon to be Lieutenant Colonel.”

“The pleasure is allmine,” Zoey said. “And I’m afraid it would be a bit premature to believe anysuch rumors.”

“Well, any friend ofDavid Sharp’s is a friend of mine.”

Rook watched theexchange. Connie Armstrong had filled her in on the promotion request that hadbeen filed by Sharp. She had no doubt it was true, but now she wondered if Zoeyhad known about it. She didn’t look surprised at the pronouncement, but she didlook slightly embarrassed.Stop overanalyzing and enjoy the evening.“Well, premature or not, I say we celebrate. Shall I go get us some freshdrinks?”

“Or we could justfind the bottle of ancient Scotch Julia keeps hidden up here,” Addison said,opening a cabinet door and pushing her way through the contents. “Somebody getthe door before we get caught pilfering through her stash.”

“I can do you onebetter,” Rook said, spying the bottle with the red bow she’d handed to Julia atthe door. She picked it up and handed it to Addison. “Happy birthday.”

“Hey, sis, are youbailing on your own party already?”

A tall, handsome manwho bore an unmistakable resemblance to the chief justice stood in the doorway.“You must be Jack Riley,” Rook said, noticing Zoey perk up at the mention ofhis name.

“That’s me.” Hewalked in the room, his hand outstretched. Rook returned the firm handshakewith one of her own. “Rook Daniels, nice to meet you.” She pointed at Zoey.“And this is Major Zoey Granger, a fellow soldier. Any chance you two know eachother?”

“I don’t believewe’ve met,” Jack said.

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