Page 30 of A More Perfect Union

“Nothing.” Rooktapped her fingers on the table. It wasn’t nothing. Had Zoey known she wasgoing to be transferred to the Pentagon a couple of weeks ago, and if so, whyhadn’t she mentioned it?

Zoey read her mind.“I didn’t tell you because I was asked not to mention it at the time.”

“Orders?”

“A good soldieralways obeys them,” Zoey said, a smile playing over her lips.

“And you’re a goodsoldier?”

“So I’m told. Now, doyou have anything else you want to ask me before Dixon gets back?”

Rook was torn betweenformulating a strategy for interviewing the officers that had been mentioned inthe Darcy Agency’s files and taking the opportunity to confront Zoey about theshift in her mood. She settled on a compromise. “I suggest we take up the restof the interviews tomorrow, but you have dinner with me tonight so we canformulate a plan.”

“I don’t think that’sa good idea.”

Zoey was probablyright, but Rook couldn’t resist the urge to spend some time alone with her.“You’re just not thinking it through. This place is all about sucking up. Whatbetter way to show you’re willing to go above and beyond than to work overtimewith the woman hired by the White House to make the military’s problems goaway?” She watched Zoey’s face for a reaction, but she couldn’t get a good readand wondered if they taught stoicism in boot camp or was it advanced officertraining? She resisted asking. Barely.

“I don’t think it’s agood idea for us to talk about any of this at some restaurant.”

Rook started toprotest but quickly changed tactics. “Agreed. We’ll have dinner at my place.”She held up a hand. “Before you say no, you should be aware that my speed dialis set for all the best DC restaurants.”

“Not much of a cook?”

“Let’s just say I’dlike you to live to work another day.”

“Low bar. I mighthave conditions.”

“Name them.” Rook wasprepared to agree to pretty much anything, in part to get out of this buildingand away from Dixon’s watchful gaze. Zoey started to answer, but Dixon chosethat moment to walk back in, his hulking frame casting a shadow over theirconversation.

“He didn’t have therecords, and Colonel Mitchell isn’t available. He said he’d speak to you on hisown terms,” Dixon bellowed. “Told you we should have called before I traipsedall the way over there.” He stood between them, staring daggers at Zoey.

Behind his back, Rookrolled her eyes and watched Zoey struggle to suppress a grin. “I need to getback to my office anyway,” Rook said, stuffing her notepad into her briefcase.“Let’s start up again tomorrow. Major Granger, why don’t you let me know whenand where?”

She didn’t wait foran answer before she started for the door. She’d hoped Zoey had been about totake her up on her offer, but there was no way they could make plans with Dixonin the room. It was probably best this way since she had a ton of work to do.Senator Newman had probably blown up her phone with messages. Powerful peopleweren’t used to her going off grid, and they paid dearly for the privilege ofbeing able to reach her no matter what. She’d agreed not to use her phoneduring the meetings today, but she wouldn’t agree to it in the future. If themilitary had a problem with it, they’d have to talk to the White House.

She was two steps outthe door when she felt a grip on her arm. She turned around and cameface-to-face with Zoey. “What are you doing?”

“I think the moreappropriate question is what areyoudoing?”

Rook jerked her chintoward the corridor. “Heading out. Did you have a change of heart?”

“About?”

Zoey’s expression wasgenuinely curious, and Rook started to think she was losing her game. “Dinner?My place?”

“I came to escort youout of the building. Rules.”

Zoey’s determinedexpression made Rook feel feisty. “It’s your first day. Do you even know theway out?”

“I’m finding my wayaround. Are you scared I’ll get you lost?”

“Maybe I’m scaredyou’ll get us both lost.” Rook felt like they were talking about somethingother than navigating their way through the halls of the Pentagon.

“Only one way to findout.” Zoey didn’t wait for an answer. She took off down the hall, and Rookfollowed. When they reached security, Rook hung back for a moment, unsurewhether she should try to resume their earlier conversation. Zoey saved her thetrouble.

“I only have twoconditions,” she said.

“Let’s hear them,”Rook said, bracing for some huge caveat.

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