Page 63 of A More Perfect Union

Rook’s hand shook asshe reached for the file. “Is this what I think it is?”

“It’s the full reportregarding your brother’s death. I’m warning you that shit may hit the fan whenthe news comes out because a certain pro athlete who left a lucrative NBAcontract to enlist was involved. Of course, there’s also a chance no one elsewill think to request it.” She placed her hand over Rook’s. “I’m truly sorrythat the circumstances were kept from you.”

“Why now?” Rookpaused, trying to figure out what was bugging her. “And how did you know?”

“You can thankColonel Granger. She contacted me specifically to ask.”

“I would thank her,but I don’t know where she is.” Rook had considered several times using Eric’sskills to find out, but a stubborn part of her said that if Zoey had wanted herto know she would’ve told her, and at this point a text or phone call seemed sohollow and possibly pointless if Zoey was already overseas.

She’d even gone sofar as to have George drive her to Zoey’s house in Vienna. When Zoey didn’tanswer, she’d peered through the front window only to see stacks of boxessitting in a room with no furniture. Clearly, Zoey had already deployed or shewas getting ready to, and either way, she’d moved on.

“She’s at McNair,”Julia said.

“What?” Rook wascertain she’d misunderstood.

“She took a teachingposition at the college. She started this week.”

Rook reeled at thenews. Zoey was working in DC, not at a base overseas. A permanent job onlymiles away. “Okay then.”

“What’s that supposedto mean?”

“I don’t know.”

“A minute ago when Isaid she was at McNair, your whole face lit up, but now you look like someonestole a client from you,” Julia said. “I thought you liked this one.”

“Like doesn’t beginto cover it.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

What was the problem?Rook circled through all the possible responses. Zoey hated the work she did.Zoey was still in the military. There was more, but most rang hollow. “She toldme she loved me, but then she took it back.” Not entirely true, but close.

Julia sighed. “Yousound like a twelve-year-old. What did you do when she told you? Did you say itback?”

Rook started toexplain that when Zoey said it, she’d been in the middle of a high stresssituation, that by the time she received the text she was no longer sure Zoeystill meant the words.

But if she lovedZoey, why hadn’t she taken the time to tell her how she felt? She’d had plentyof opportunities during the days after Sharp had been arrested. She could’vesaid the words at the reception when she’d asked Zoey to stay.

Julia was right. Shewas acting like a child—insecure about admitting her feelings until she knewthey’d be returned. When Zoey had made it clear she was leaving, Rook hadcrawled back into her comfortable world of no personal commitments. But itwasn’t comfortable anymore, and it never would be again now that she’d had aglimpse of what could be. If she’d had the courage to tell Zoey the depth ofher feelings, would Zoey have given them a chance?

There was only oneway to find out. Rook grabbed the file from Julia’s desk and headed for thedoor. “I’ll let you know what I decide,” she called out as she left, but shealready knew exactly what she had planned, and for the first time in her life,it had nothing to do with work.

* * *

Zoey reminded theclass about the reading assignment and dismissed them exactly on the hour. Whenthe last student left the room, she sat behind her desk and drank in the quiet,finding she liked it much more than she could have ever imagined.

The professorship hadbeen General Bloomfield’s suggestion after he politely denied her request for adeployment. “You’ve done your part,” he’d said, echoing the words Rook hadspoken at the reception after her promotion ceremony. “Now share what you’velearned with other officers.”

He’d insisted, andshe’d agreed. The fact was, the idea of going back to a base—even oneoverseas—after her face had been in every paper and cable news channel wasdistasteful. And there was no way she was working in the Pentagon again. Herearly career dreams of moving up the ranks were the product of naiveté, andshe’d been clueless about the collateral consequences advancement would have onher psyche.

So now she taught thelogistics she’d learned in the field, along with ethics, to officers at a warcollege. They’d go on to apply the lessons she’d learned and she would have thespace and time to explore having a personal life. Once she got over RookDaniels—not an easy feat since Rook’s face showed up in the news almost daily.She’d considered calling several times, but nothing had really changed.Classroom or not, she was still a soldier and Rook still thrived on the kind ofpublic controversy Zoey struggled to avoid.

“You look good behindthat desk.”

Zoey stared at thedoorway, unable to believe her eyes. “I was just thinking about you.” Thehonest words tumbled out.

Rook stepped into theroom. “Word is you’ve abandoned the front lines for the classroom.”

“It’s true. I mighthave been strong-armed a little, but I’m kind of liking it.”

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