Oath of Honor

arm to take in the hallway. “As you can see, four exam rooms, a fully

stocked treatment room, and the admitting office over here.”

Wes followed the lieutenant from room to room, noting the

treatment room with state-of-the-art monitors, instruments, anesthesia

carts, and OR table. Enough to perform emergency surgery. “Are we

approved for general anesthesia here?”

“Yes, ma’am. One person on every shift is anesthesia certified. We

can handle any medical or surgical emergency that comes our way.”

After they completed the circuit of the clinic area, Jennifer took

Wes to a conference room that doubled as a lounge and poured them

both steaming cups of coffee from a large stainless-steel urn.

“Thanks.” Wes pulled out a chair at the long wooden table and

Jennifer sat opposite her. “What’s the protocol for evacuation?”

“If we needed to transport the president, Marine One would fly

him to Bethesda. We also use George Washington and Howard.”

“I want to review the protocols for medical and surgical

emergencies. Are they available on a hard drive?”

“On the computer in Dr. O’Shaughnessy’s—sorry, in your

office.”

Wes nodded. “I haven’t had the official tour—is that down here

too?”“No.” Jennifer colored. “Sorry. That’s in the West Wing.”

“Then I’ll find it tomorrow.”

Wes rose, disposed of her coffee cup, and picked up her coat. “I

appreciate the introduction. How do I reach everyone to schedule a

meeting?”

“All of our pagers, phone numbers, and addresses will be in your

office. If there’s anything you need, I’d be happy to help you.”

“I appreciate that, Lieutenant. I’m sure you have more important

duties.”

“The unit is my duty, ma’am. I’m happy to help.”

“Thanks.”

Jennifer held her gaze, her dark eyes warmer than they had been

earlier. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

• 92 •

Oath Of hOnOr

“Well,” Wes said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jennifer saluted.

Wes returned the salute. “We can dispense with the formalities

among ourselves, Lieutenant.”

“Very good. Good night, Captain.”

“Good night.”

Wes followed the course she had taken with Evyn back to the

exit. The night was dark, cold, and snowy. Buttoning her overcoat, she

wondered briefly if Evyn was somewhere cursing the stormy weather.

Wes didn’t mind the snow—especially as it was falling. The pristine

coating of white made the world look somehow innocent and hopeful,

as if every possibility existed just around the corner. She walked toward

Pennsylvania Avenue to find a cab, snowflakes melting on her face.

An unfamiliar ache centered in her chest, different from the occasional

bouts of restless uncertainty she usually shrugged off with work or a

workout. Tonight the storm’s beauty stirred a surge of melancholy, a

wish for something she couldn’t define. Uncertainty was a strange and

disquieting sensation. She’d always been able to see exactly what the

future held for her. She waved a cab down and jogged toward the idling

vehicle, determined to throw off the odd mood.

Once inside, she gave him her hotel address and checked her

phone. One message.

“Hey, Wes. It’s Emory. Are you in DC? Call me.”

Wes braced her feet as the cab slid around a corner, and punched

in Emory’s number. “Hello, Em? It’s Wes.”

“Hey. Where are you?”

“Right now, in a cab headed to my hotel in DC.”

“You got there just in time for the storm.” Emory laughed. “Listen,

Dana is there now on assignment and I’m coming down soon. Let’s get

together.”

“I’m not sure what my schedule is yet—”

“Aren’t you the boss? Make sure you’re off.”

Wes laughed. “I think that might be a title in name only.

Apparently, I have some on-the-job training to do first.”

“Really? What’s that about?”

“Just routine stuff.”

“Huh, top-secret stuff, right?” Emory laughed again.

“You got it.”

• 93 •

RADCLYfFE

“Well, I want to see you. It’s been way too long.” A moment of

silence, then, “I realized the other day how much I’ve missed you.”

Wes’s throat tightened. “Me too. I’ll do my best to make it

happen.”

“I’ll text you the when and where, when I confirm with Dana. I

thought we’d do dinner and try this great jazz club I read about. Bring

a date if—”

“If you don’t mind a third wheel, I think I’ll be stag.”

“Dana knows quite a few single women in DC.”

“Uh, no. I’m fine.”

Emory sighed. “You’re sure?”

“Very.”

“Let me know if you change your mind. It’s never too late for a

little romance.”

“For now I’ve got all I can handle with this new assignment. But

I’ll do my best to see you when you’re here.”

“Make it so, Captain Masters. See you soon.”

“’Bye, Em.”

Wes slid her phone back into her pocket and turned to watch

the storm outside. The streets held only cabs and official-looking

government vehicles—black stretch limos, SUVs, and Town Cars

bearing emblems and flags of various embassies. She thought about

what Emory had said about Dana. Emory had found love, but as much

as she and Emory had shared, they were fundamentally different.

Emory was brilliant—brilliant and driven—but she also came from an