Page 37 of A More Perfect Union

“Speaking ofofficial, I hear congratulations are in order on your upcoming promotion.” Rookwatched Zoey’s eyebrows rise and added, “Senator Armstrong told me the requestis sailing through.”

“She seems like thekind of person that knows a little bit about everything that’s going on in thiscity.”

“More than a littlebit and more than just this city. Connie Armstrong is a bulldog. Nothing getspast her. She’s a good person, though, and if she’s on your side, there’s nostronger ally.”

“Good to know.” Zoeyswallowed a taste of the beer. “This is really good. I have high expectationsnow about your choice in burgers.”

A knock on the doorcut off Rook’s reply. She tipped the delivery guy and walked back in holdingtwo bags. “Shakeburgers and fries from Shake Shack. Simple, but tasty.”

“Winningendorsement.” Zoey grinned and set her beer down. “Tell me where the platesare, and I’ll get us set up.” She pointed. “Kitchen table okay?”

“Perfect.” Rook setthe bags on the counter and started pulling out the burgers and fries. “Thecity’s full of well-known burger joints, but I’m a big fan of this one.”

“Me too.”

“Oh, you’ve beenthere before?” Rook supposed it was silly to think she was introducing Zoey tosomething new. “I was hoping I would be your first introduction to the Shack.”

“You’re a reallyclose second. Margaret Sharp took me to the one at Pentagon City when we werehouse hunting, and I’ve been jonesing for another burger ever since.”

“Allow me to feedyour addiction.” Rook portioned out the food and helped Zoey carry the platesand their beer glasses to the table. For the next few minutes they dug into thefood like hungry wolves, and Rook realized she hadn’t eaten anything since ahalf a sandwich grabbed during a working lunch, hours ago. A third of the waythrough her burger, she felt fortified enough to ask Zoey if she was enjoyingher food.

“It might even bebetter than the first time, which doesn’t bode well for my waistline.”

Rook let her gazeroam over Zoey’s figure, taking special note of her trim hips and taperedwaist. “I think you’re a few hundred burgers shy of an intervention.” Shehanded her the bag. “And you should eat more of these fries before I finishthem off.” Zoey reached into the bag and pulled several fries. Rook watched hersigh with pleasure as they crossed her lips. She needed to change the subjectquickly or be in danger of trying to kiss those lips. “So, you’ve known GeneralSharp and his family for a long time?”

“Is that more gossipor do you already know the answer?”

“It’s partly what Ihear and partly what I’ve observed.” Rook wasn’t lying. She’d asked Eric toconduct a simple online search for information about Zoey, and Sharp had comeup in her past on several occasions. It was clear he’d taken a personalinterest in her career, which explained why he elected to reassign her to thePentagon.

“He was my firstCO—commanding officer.”

“I know what COmeans,” Rook said, letting a slight chiding tone creep into her voice.

Zoey shrugged. “Somepeople don’t, and I have a tendency to forget not everyone speaks Army. But Iguess it was silly to assume you wouldn’t know the lingo. I mean why else wouldthe White House have hired you for this job if you weren’t familiar with themilitary?”

“I think theyprobably hired me despite my familiarity with the military.” Rook cocked herhead. “I’m actually a little surprised Sharp didn’t mention anything to youabout my past encounters with the Pentagon.” The look on Zoey’s face told hermaybe she should have kept her mouth shut.

“Encounters?”

“More like run-ins.The brass probably has more colorful words to characterize their interactionswith me. Let’s just say I don’t have a lot of fans in your new workplace.” Thepainful memory of the last time she’d had to interact with the folks at thePentagon punched her in the gut, and she cast about for a way to keep hercomposure. She pointed at Zoey’s plate. “Can I get that out of the way foryou?” Zoey nodded, and she took both their plates and hurried back to thekitchen, anxious to put some distance between the painful subject and thisopportunity to get to know Zoey better. She took her time, scraping the fewremains from their dinner into the garbage, taking long, slow breaths to calmher anger and remind herself that Zoey might wear a uniform but that didn’tmake her an enemy.

“Are you okay?”

Rook dropped a platein the sink, instantly feeling stupid for being startled at the sound of Zoey’svoice. If anything, her tone was soothing, but Rook couldn’t seem to keep herown from being clipped and stark. “I’m good.”

“Right.” Zoey brushedclose and picked the plate up out of the sink. She didn’t move away, insteadshe lifted the faucet handle, carefully rinsed the plate, and stacked it in thedishwasher. “You know, if we’re going to work together, it might help for us toclear the air.”

Zoey’s tone waslight, but Rook shied from the portent. If only clearing the air was as simpleas she implied. “I think you know it’s a little more complicated than that.”She wagged a finger between them. “It’s no secret I’m attracted to you, right?”Zoey nodded slowly. “I never would have acted on that if I’d known we weregoing to be working together and I should’ve never acted on it in the firstplace since I knew from the get-go you’re so gung ho about your job.”

“I get the workingtogether part and I completely agree, but I don’t get what you have against theArmy.”

“Army, Navy,Marines—you’re all the same. Closing ranks to protect your own. Don’t mistakeanything that your Pentagon buddies may have told you. They’re cooperating nowbecause the White House is watching, but if we look away for just a second,they’ll be back to their old tricks.” Rook delivered the proclamation with firein her voice, and Zoey backed away from her like she was recoiling from asnake. For a second Rook wondered if she’d gone too far, but she couldn’t helpadding, “Why in the hell did I agree to take this case?”

“Maybe you shouldn’thave,” Zoey fired back. “Why don’t you go back to your more important work andleave the men and women who risk their lives for you to their own devices?”

“Oh, plenty of yourisk your lives, but the danger is closer than you think. You of all peopleshould know you have to watch your back.”

“Is that a threat?”

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