Page 13 of A More Perfect Union

“We haven’t,” Zoeysaid. “But we have a friend in common. General David Sharp?”

“Ah, yes. UncleDavid. Well, he’s not really our uncle, but we’ve known him since we were kids.He served with our dad,” Jack said, waving to include Addison in his remarks.

“He’s been a mentorto me throughout my career.”

“You couldn’t find abetter man for the job. Where are you stationed, Major?”

Zoey cleared herthroat before speaking. It was a little thing and easily written off toallergies or the hours she’d spent talking while on the hot seat in the Senate,but Rook had noticed her doing it before and recognized it as a tell. WhateverZoey was about to say wasn’t entirely true. “Most recently Fort Hood after Idetailed back from Bagram, but I won’t get my new orders until next week. You?”

Jack noddedknowingly. “I’ve been detailed with JSOC, but I’m at the Pentagon for a whileriding a desk.” He pulled out a card. “If they drag you back here, look me upand I’ll show you my small part of the Puzzle Palace.”

Zoey studied the cardand placed it in her pocket. Rook watched the entire exchange with a smallmeasure of envy. The tight-knit military club never failed to amaze her. Thesetwo had never met before, but suddenly they were fast friends.

“So here’s whereyou’re all hanging out.” Julia stood in the doorway, shaking her head. “I’vegot a crowd of people screaming for cake and the guest of honor is nowhere insight.”

Addison raised herglass. “Sorry. All my fault. I corrupted this entire group, but I promise we’llbe downstairs in five minutes. But first, a toast.” She motioned for everyoneto fill their glass. “To good friends and family. May we cherish what we havewhile we have it.”

The group called outhear, hears and everyone drank to the toast. As they made their way backdownstairs to the party, Rook sidled up to Zoey. “Having fun?”

“More than Iexpected.” Zoey covered her mouth. “Sorry, that sounded rude.”

Rook laughed. “Not atall. I spend a lot of time at parties, but they aren’t my favorite things.”

“Oh, really. You seemlike a natural.”

“Professionalpartygoer. It’s on my résumé.”

“What are yourfavorite things?”

“Pardon?”

“What kind of thingsdo you like to do?”

Rook pondered thequestion. It wasn’t hard, but she had a difficult time coming up with anything,probably because she hadn’t done anything just for fun in a very long time. “Tobe perfectly honest, I spend most of my time working.”

“Too bad. Yourdriver, George, recommended a nighttime tour of the monuments as one of thebest ways to see DC and I planned to go tomorrow. Any chance you want to joinme? I know it’s probably cheesy to you, but it would be a small thing I coulddo to pay you back for saving me in the airport.”

Rook started todecline. It was cheesy and she kind of hated to admit she’d never done any ofthe usual touristy things in DC. Not on purpose anyway. She didn’t really seethe point. She’d seen parts of the White House and Capitol most tourists nevergot to see—anything else seemed like a waste of time. Besides, she hadabsolutely no interest in developing a relationship with someone in the military.But then again, Zoey was only here temporarily—it wasn’t like they were goingto get involved for anything beyond the short-term.It’s not like you’regoing to war.

“I’d love to joinyou.”

* * *

“I’m sorry I bailedon you back there. You’ll learn soon enough no party in DC is purely aboutpleasure,” Sharp said as they drove away from the party.

“Didn’t take me longto figure that out.” Zoey leaned back against the seat, reflecting on the evening.Her response wasn’t entirely accurate since except for her initial encounterwith Senator Armstrong, she’d spent most of the night in the company of Rookand Addison’s brother Jack who’d regaled them with stories about his sister asa child. Zoey had felt like one of the cool kids for the first time since she’dblown the lid off the Nine Tech scandal.

Earlier in the day,she would’ve sworn it wasn’t important to fit in, but that’s what everyone whofit in said. For a fleeting moment she wondered what her family would think ifshe told them she’d spent the better part of the evening in the company of thechief justice of the Supreme Court and the president’s chief of staff. But sheknew she’d never tell since their response would evoke a tirade about liberaljudges and a president who’d rather help people in foreign countries than hisown citizens. Never mind they were always the first ones in line when there wasa handout to be had, especially her able-bodied brother with his lazy wife whopretended to homeschool the kids to avoid getting a real job. Both of themwould rather tear down the establishment they didn’t really understand than doanything to fix it.

“She’s respected incertain circles, but you’d probably do well to steer clear, especially until youhave a bit more experience with DC politics.”

Zoey looked at thegeneral, hoping he didn’t have a clue she’d zoned out for the last few minutes.She cycled through the faces of the people she’d hung out with at the party,wondering exactly who he was talking about. “Senator Armstrong?”

He laughed. “Thatone’s almost impossible to avoid. She’s got her nose in everything. Mark mywords, you’ll see Armstrong for President commercials popping up next year. Shewon’t rest until she’s at the top of the heap. No, I was talking about RookDaniels.”

With a guilty thoughtabout the date she’d scheduled with Rook the next day, Zoey casually asked, “SoI take it you know her pretty well.”

“I know of her andthat’s enough. Not many people know her well. She’s a chameleon. Worse than alawyer. Her allegiance goes to the highest bidder.”

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