Chapter 41: Congressional Office Building

She looked out her office window at the bare frost covered trees. The Potomac Basin was cold and windy, it was a typical winter, but not typical either. It got cold and snowed here. There was a time, in days, in fact, would be the anniversary of it, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the icy Potomac River during a snowstorm. Looking out on the snow and slush she often pondered the question was Washington City of the District of Columbia the northernmost Southern city or the southernmost Northern City.

"Iz, are you zoning out on me?" Kari Johannsson asked from her seat on the sofa.

"Sorry, just looking out at the weather, and thinking about things," Isabella "Izzy," Adams said.

"Well, was it about your performance on Face the Nation?" Kari asked.

Izzy looked at her staffer, advisor, friend, and ex-college roommate. Kari had been with her for a long time, second-longest-serving staff member. Kari was the opposite of Izzy. Izzy was average height, curvy and dark raven-haired, was Kari was tall, slender, and blonde.

"Partially, I'm not really happy about the questions they asked," Izzy said, "Damn it, you would think after all these years, they would treat women seriously, they asked about my looks and not my accomplishments."

"Sex sells, Iz," Another voice said from a nearby chair. That woman was much like Izzy, short and curvy, but with brown hair, compared to Izzy's raven-haired, she was Skye Gregory, and Izzy's longest-serving staff member, and an old friend of Izzy's.

"Yeah but imagine Congressmen Benson Payne being asked about his workout routine," Izzy said.

Kari nodded and turned to look at Skye.

"I get your point," Skye said.

"Well at least you didn't lose your temper," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, "That's a plus," she said.

"Yes, it is," Kari said.

"So, any votes coming up? I need to head back to Tree Hill and pass through the district. I also want to see Sassy and Keni cheer and Brett play," Izzy said, "Plus work on my re-election."

Kari nodded and started looked through the calendar. "Nothing major is coming up, you could probably head down for a four-day weekend," she said.

Izzy nodded, "So, head down Thursday, get to spend time with Nomi and Ellis Friday night and part of the weekend and be back here for Tuesday," she said, "I could do that."

Kari nodded, "Do you want me or Skye to come down with you?" she asked.

"I'd like both of you to come, but if you have a reason not to," Izzy said.

"I can come along," Kari said, "You're Mom loves me."

Izzy laughed, "Yeah, you're her sixth daughter," she said.

"Yeah, Brooke has been more a mother to me than my own mother," Kari said.

"She has the biggest heart," Izzy said.

Kari nodded, "So, Skye, want to come home with us?" she asked.

Skye looked up from her phone, "What Kari?" she asked.

"We are heading back to the district for a four-day weekend. Do you want in?" Kari asked.

Skye nodded, "I would love too, but Izzy I've been getting texts from my sources," she said.

Izzy nodded, "Yeah? What are they telling you?" she asked.

Skye sighed, "It might not be as good news," she said.

"Just spill it, Skye," Kari said.

"The number of pizza deliveries at the Pentagon has started to go up. They are checking on State and The White House, they haven't heard about Langley," Skye said.

Kari sighed, "That's not good news," she said, "Good for Uber Eats, but overall not good."

"It's never good, Kari," Izzy said.

"So, what do you want to do?" Kari asked.

Izzy nodded, "Skye, let's keep monitoring that," she said, "Kari, call Jon's office, let's see if he picked up on that."

"No problem," Skye said.

"What about Keith?" Kari asked.

Izzy nodded, "I know, but it doesn't mean it's that part of the world," she said.

"There's a chance," Kari said.

"There's always a chance," Izzy said, "Call Jon's office."

Kari nodded. Izzy turned back to look outside the window. Her two most loyal staffers were busy working on the phone. Izzy might be a new congresswoman, but she had been deep inside the beltway for a while, having worked for her mentor Senator Jon McMichael. There was a certain way things worked around the halls of power. It was dysfunctional in a way, but there was a method to the madness, the key was always the same, information.

Looking out on the frost-covered trees and the august white Capitol Building. Many times, she had seen the military go on a quiet panic. Sometimes the world would flare up and they'd work late. Nothing would be talked about it, as it would blow over. There were times when it didn't, but as representative of the people, she needed to be vigilant.

It was like it was once said in an old movie, it is always something that brings them to the edge of destruction. It is better for them not to know how often. Once Izzy didn't believe that it was the right thing to do. Now, she thought, it is better for ignorance, as it keeps them from knowing how much on a razor's edge it could be. Keeps the panic down.

"Iz," Kari said.

Izzy turned back to the room, "Yes?" she asked.

"Jon wasn't in his office, they're calling to relaying your message," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, "It was a blip, nothing to worry about," she said.

Kari nodded, unbelieving Izzy. Kari watched as she could see Izzy getting anxious. Keith was overseas, and Kari knew that worried Izzy, a lot. If anything got Izzy anxious it was her husband.

"Why don't we call it a day," Kari said, "It's Sunday, the new session doesn't start until Tuesday."

Izzy nodded, "We'll wait a little bit longer," she said.

That was when the door opened, and a young woman poked her head in. "Ma'am, Senator McMichael is here to see you," she said.

Kari made a face, "Here? Wow must be slumming," she said.

"Kari, be nice," Izzy said, she turned towards the door, "Kenina, please show the Senator in."

"Yes Ma'am," Kenina said, and closed the door.

Skye got up and went to the sofa. Izzy straightened out her desk. The door opened and Kenina re-appeared, "Senator McMichael, Ma'am," she said.

Senator Jon McMichael entered the room. He was tall and blonde-haired which was starting to finally show it's grey. Izzy, Skye, and Kari all stood up as he crossed the room.

Izzy offered her hand, "Welcome Senator, what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked.

McMichael took her hand and shook it. He smiled, "I got a message you wanted to speak to me," he said.

"Please have a seat, Senator," Izzy said, "That will be all Kenina."

"Yes Ma'am," Kenina said and left the room closing the door behind her. Senator McMichael sat down, and Izzy took her seat.

What's up, Izzy?" Senator McMichael asked, "This is not about your appearance on Face the Nation is it?"

"No not that, it was a disaster, all they wanted to do is talk about my looks," Izzy said.

"Well you tried your best to steer it towards the topic," McMichael said.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't excepting Frost/Nixon," Izzy said.

"Why do I have a feeling you would love to have that type of interview?" McMichael asked.

"Maybe," Izzy said.

"So, what did you want to chat about?" McMichael asked.

"It was nothing, hopefully, but my sources are reporting there is a noticeable uptick in pizza deliveries to the Pentagon," Izzy said.

McMichael nodded, "That's pretty thin, Izzy," he said.

"Jon, I know, I have the ears and eyes out for other buildings too," Izzy said, "It was just meant to be a heads up."

Senator McMichael nodded, "Thanks, it could be anything, but those border tensions are increasing, who knows," he said.

Izzy nodded, "Well, let's hope they don't set it off," she said.

The Senator nodded, "Well, hopefully, they don't kick anything off," he said.

Izzy looked at him, "I'd agree with you there," she said.

McMichael nodded and looked at the sofa. He noted Kari was paying attention. Skye was looking at her smartphone.

"What's with Bones and Spock?" McMichael asked.

"They are trustworthy, you should know that, Jon. They've been with me since the beginning," Izzy said.

"The Ones closest to us are the ones we should watch the closest," McMichael said.

Izzy looked at him, "Been reading The Prince again or just paranoid?" she asked.

"Power, Izzy, that's something people want, lust after, and are envious of. They want your power," McMichael said.

Izzy nodded, "Seneca Jon," she said.

"Power Corrupts," McMichael said, "True."

"Excuse me," Skye said.

Izzy and Senator McMichael turned to look at Skye. Skye lowered her phone.

"Yes, Skye?" Izzy asked.

"It's not pizza but Thai at State," Skye said.

"That's a Non-sequitur," McMichael said.

"It's spiking?" Izzy asked.

Skye nodded, "Up about thirty percent," she said.

Senator McMichael nodded, "I see," he said and stood up, "I'm going to head over to my office and make a few calls."

Izzy nodded, "Okay, keep me informed," she said.

McMichael nodded, "I'll see what I can do, now go home, it's Sunday, and talk to your kids," he said.

"I still have a few things to do," Izzy said.

"Izzy, talk to your kids, don't let them become like mine," McMichael said.

"I'll take it under advisement," Izzy said.

"With that, I'll take my leave," McMichael said and left.

A few minutes after Senator McMichael left Kari looked at Izzy.

"He's still bitter about how his kids turned out?" Kari asked.

"Wouldn't you?" Skye asked.

"Not with his daughters, or Andrew," Kari said.

"Amy is a disappointment to him in her own way," Izzy said.

"So, are we hanging around?" Kari asked.

Izzy shook her head, "If we can get this done from home, let's do that," she said.

Skye shook her head, "I can get stuff on my phone," she said.

Izzy nodded, "Good, tell Kenina she can go home after she gets a car for us," she said.

"Sure," Kari said and went out to the outer office.

Skye looked at Izzy and tilted her head. "I'm sure Keith is alright," she said.

Izzy looked at Skye, "What makes you say that?" she asked.

Skye smiled, "Not only will I say it, but I'm also confident that you were thinking if Keith was safe," she said.

"Really Skye?" Izzy said, "You're always well…" Izzy sighed, "Damn it, Skye, how are you always right?"

Skye's smile grew bigger, "Simple, I've pretty much been there from the beginning of Keith and Izzy," she said, "Oh! Sorry, Kizzy."

Izzy shook her head, "Yeah, you have been," she said.

The office door opened, and Kari stepped through the door. "So, what I miss?" Kari asked.

"Izzy was worried about, Keith," Skye said.

"Kari nodded, "Oh Okay," she said.

"Hey that was an anti-climactic response," Izzy said.

"Well because it should be expected, anyways Kenina has left and the car is ready," Kari said.

Izzy nodded, "Let's go," she said and grabbed her work, putting it into her briefcase. She looked at her two friends and staffers as they left the office.