Page 2 of A More Perfect Union

Not looking good.Will have another solution ASAP.

Rook started to typea reply, but another commotion distracted her. This time the noise was comingfrom outside the bar, and she spotted a small band of cameramen lunging towarda gate agent across the way with shouted questions. Instinct forced her out ofher chair, but before she could take a step toward the scene playing out acrossthe way, a hand on her arm stilled her progress.

“Please stay. If youmove, they’ll spot me for sure.”

Rook turned at thesound of the strong, sure voice and locked eyes with a tall, slender woman in adress blue uniform. She catalogued her findings: Army officer, commissioned.She took note of the gold leaf on her shoulder and added major to the list ofthings she could file away as knowns. Rook slid back onto the bar stool and motionedfor the major to sit next to her. Rook pointed at the disturbance across theway. “Is that about you?”

The major nodded, buther face remained otherwise stoic. Rook took a moment to assess the situationwhich included running through the list of stories she’d read in thePostandTimesearlier in the day. She didn’t recall any news that would havethe press barreling through the airport looking for a victim, but maybe thiswas breaking news. “Is it chase down the military day and I almost missed it?”She stuck out her hand. “Rook Daniels.”

A hint of a grinshowed in the woman’s deep brown eyes, but her expression remained impassive.“Zoey Granger.”

Rook made a mentalnote that Zoey wasn’t loose with the pleasantries and took it as a challenge toget her to say more.Granger, Granger. She rolled the name over in hermind a few times until the slots fell into place. Major Zoey Granger. US Army.She’d exposed a massive fraud scheme between a group of soldiers and Nine TechInc., one of the nation’s largest defense contractors. The story had dominatedthe news on and off for the past few months, and Rook recalled readingyesterday that Granger would be testifying before the Senate Armed ServicesCommittee this week. She started to acknowledge Zoey’s act of patriotism, butZoey’s guarded manner prompted her to decide against it. “Nice to meet you,Major,” she said, opting for the subtle reference to Zoey’s rank to convey herinside knowledge. She jerked her chin at the reporters across the way. “They’regoing to get restless eventually and start fanning out, especially if they’recertain you were on that plane.”

“How in the world didthey even get past TSA?” Zoey murmured, as if talking to herself.

“Wouldn’t be thefirst time the cable news outlets bought plane tickets to get a scoop. Smallprice to pay for first crack at a big story.” Rook stood. “Come with me.”

Zoey’s eyes narrowed.“Excuse me?”

“You want to get outof here, right?” Rook reached out a hand. “Trust me. I got this.” She cast alook over her shoulder at the gaggle of press who, as she predicted, hadstarted to spread out in search of their prey. Zoey followed her gaze, sighed,and placed her hand in Rook’s, following her to the ladies’ room. Rook glancedunder the stalls and then pulled off her suit jacket. “Here, put this on.”

“I can’t take yourclothes.”

Rook grinned. “Well,that’s moving a little fast, even for me.” She cleared her throat while Zoeyglared. “I was only offering my jacket. The other stuff will have to wait untilour second date.”

“You’re hilarious,”Zoey said, her tone flat.

“I get that all thetime. Now, put it on.”

Rook checked herphone. Right on time, Lacy had texted her own escape route.Get to privateterminal. SkyLight Helo standing by. You’ll be on time.

She typed a quick response.Thx.She shoved her phone back in her pocket and shook her jacket inZoey’s direction. “Come on. We’ve got to get moving.”

Zoey tugged on thejacket, and Rook admired the way it fit over her uniform. It wasn’t a perfectdisguise, but it might work. “Now, let down your hair. Literally. Shake it outand we’ll be ready to go.”

She watched whileZoey looked in the mirror, grimaced, pulled off her beret, and reached a handup to loosen the pins holding her hair in place. When the auburn waves tumbleddown onto Zoey’s shoulder, Rook swallowed a gasp. The major was a stunningbeauty despite the perpetual frown. “Much better. Now plaster a smile on yourface and stay close.”

She didn’t wait foran answer. A quick peek out the door revealed the path was clear for themoment. She motioned for Zoey to follow her and dashed down the hall, away fromthe churning crowds arriving and departing at the cluster of gates.

“Where are we going?”

Rook placed a fingeragainst her lips and kept moving. A turn to the right and then left and thenthey were standing in front of a door that blared Airport Security in big redletters. Rook rapped a hand on the glass, but Zoey started edging away.

“What are you doing?”

Rook ignored thequestion and waved at the short man who appeared on the other side of the door.He shook his head as if resigned and cracked the door. “Daniels, you’re killingme.”

“Sorry, Gary. I’d sayit’s the last time, but…” She raised her shoulders. “If it makes you feel anybetter, you’d be serving your country with this one.” She pointed back towardZoey. “The major here has an important meeting at the Capitol, but there’s acrowd that won’t let her through. If you can get us both to the privateterminal, I’d owe you big time.” While she waited for his answer, she typed aquick text to Lacy.

“I have a big box ofyour IOUs.” He wagged a finger at her. “Watch out. Someday I’m going to cashin. Come on.”

He motioned themforward, and Rook glanced back at Zoey who still looked hesitant about forgingahead. Rook could hardly blame her since essentially they were strangers. She’dgotten used to clients following her instructions over the years, especiallysince she made strict adherence to her directives a condition of employment.She couldn’t help but wonder if Zoey’s decision to obey her instructions wasbecause she followed orders for a living, but her thoughts quickly devolvedinto how sexy Zoey looked in her uniform. The reporters at the gate would’vehad a field day with her.

Not if I can helpit.She started to grabZoey’s hand again, but opted to be more discreet, nodding for Zoey to go withGary through the network of halls off limits to the general public, until theyreached a door leading outside. Gary held it open. “I’ve got to get back, butyou can find your way from here,” he said, pointing at a hangar about a hundredyards away. “Good luck.”

Rook thanked him asthe door closed and checked her phone while Zoey looked at the closed door andthen back at her. “What’s the plan now?” she asked.

“We hike over to thehangar and catch a ride.”

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