Page 19 of A More Perfect Union

Rook looked at herantique Rolex. “I have a meeting at five, but you’re welcome to stop by if youcan get here before then.”

“Yeah, it’s not adrop by and see you kind of thing. I’m sending a car for you. I’ll have youback in plenty of time for your meeting.”

Rook wasn’t in themood for cloak-and-dagger even when she wasn’t exhausted, but she resisted theurge to tell Julia no, partly because she was curious and partly because shedidn’t have the energy to argue. Julia wasn’t known for taking no for an answerwhich was precisely why she made a perfect chief of staff. “Fine, but I’mwarning you, I’m tired and grumpy, so be prepared to make this worth my time.”

“If you can be readyin fifteen minutes, I’ll even guarantee you a sandwich. The car will be waitingdownstairs.”

Julia clicked off theline before Rook could respond. She was still holding the phone when Lacy pokedher head in the door. “We’re ordering Thai. You want me to get you something?”

Struck by thecoincidence, Rook shook her head. “Actually, I have to run out for a littlebit.” She hesitated, pondering whether she should mention where she was goingbefore she recalled she didn’t know. Rather than share the vague details shedid know, she glossed over the particulars. “Quick errand and I won’t be long. I’llgrab something while I’m out.” She pulled her jacket off the back of her chairand strode to the door, ignoring Lacy’s curious stare. “See you in a bit.”

The big black SUVwaiting at the curb with the motor running told her what she needed to know. WhateverJulia wanted to see her about was official business. Julia wouldn’t have sentfeds to get her if she’d been asking for a personal favor. While Rook was gladher friend didn’t need her services to get out of a personal jam, she bracedfor the blowback when she turned down the request for help. President Garrettseemed like a nice guy, but the White House was a behemoth, and no way was shegoing to get caught up in a bureaucratic maze.

She had atwenty-minute ride to practice saying no. She spent part of that time markingthe route, and it didn’t take her long to realize the driver, a man of fewwords whose expression she couldn’t make out because he wore dark aviators, waspurposely driving in circles. Whatever Julia wanted, she didn’t want anyone to knowshe’d summoned Rook on official business, which suited her just fine. If wordgot out she was working for the White House, chances were good a lot ofpotential clients would seek help elsewhere figuring she’d be too consumed witha bigger case. Sure, there might be a long run benefit, but she wasn’tinterested in taking the chance.

They were near DupontCircle when the SUV pulled to the curb. “This is your stop,” Mr. Not-Talk-Muchsaid as he reached back and handed her a folded piece of paper. Rook graspedthe note and pushed her door open, waiting until she was on the sidewalk beforereading the contents.

Bookstore. By thetravel guides.

She crammed the notein her pocket and glanced around at the buildings until she spotted thebookstore, silently vowing to end this treasure hunt if Julia wasn’t waitinginside. She nodded to the cashier by the door and wandered through the shelvesas if she were a curious customer. She heard Julia before she saw her.

“Rook Daniels! Oh myGod, it’s good to see you. What have you been up to?”

Rook resisted lookingaround to see if they had an audience because it was pretty clear Julia wasplaying to one. She decided it wouldn’t hurt to play along, a bit. “Nothingspecial. How about you? Oh wait, I forgot, you’re running the world. Guess theygave that most likely to rule the world award to the wrong person in our lawschool class.”

Julia playfullyslapped her arm and then slipped her hand through it. “I’m sorry I didn’t get achance to talk to you at Addison’s party. Do you have time for coffee? I’d loveto catch up.”

Rook recognized theplay-acting for a cover and looked at her watch even though she knew it was arhetorical question. “Sure.”

“Great. They have aplace here.” Julia didn’t wait for a response, instead leading Rook by the armto the back of the store where a few scattered tables and an espresso machineconstituted the cafe portion of the establishment. On a normal day, Rook wouldhave suggested they bag this place and partake at one of the better known coffeeshops this area boasted, but the faster she could hear what Julia wanted, thefaster she could turn her down and get back to her real client.

They ordered at thecounter and took the table closest to the back of the store. Rook caught sightof a tall guy in a navy suit, standing a few feet away and she jerked her chinin his direction. “Do they go everywhere with you?”

“No, thank God. I’dgo insane. Or quit. Probably quit.”

“So are they herebecause I’m a badass?”

“You’re not as badassas you would like people to believe. They’re here because what I want to talkto you about is very sensitive and they can give me a heads up if they thinksomeone might be listening in.”

Rook couldn’t helpit. All the clandestine activity had her mildly curious, but she feignednonchalance. “Gotcha. So, what’s up?”

“What I’m about totell you is top secret. Not classified top secret, but between you and me topsecret. Even if you turn me down flat, which you won’t, I need your word thatwhatever I say won’t go any further than this table.”

Rook raised her righthand. “I solemnly swear not to divulge your secrets.” At the sour look onJulia’s face, a sense of dread flashed through her and she leaned forward andwhispered, “This isn’t about Addison, is it?”

“No. God no,” Julia hissed.“Throw some salt over your shoulder or whatever. I can’t believe you even saidthat.”

Thankful her gutfeeling had been wrong, Rook pressed on. “Then what is it?”

“A group of studentsat McNair got caught with some high dollar escorts at one of their parties.”

Rook scanned hermemory. McNair National Defense University was located on the army base withthe same name at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River.“Isn’t that a grad school? Higher level training for warmongers and the like?”

Julia stuck out hertongue. “Don’t be an ass. It’s a highly regarded master’s program for ‘jointprofessional military education.’”

Rook put up her handsin surrender. “Fine. But I don’t get why a bunch of quote unquote professionalshiring escorts should be on your radar. Unless…Wait, is one of them related tothe president?”

“No. That I couldhandle. I mean, it’s not like he’s ever going to run for anything again. One ofthem is General Bloomfield’s youngest son.”

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