missed his boss.
Ann Farris was a different story. The five-foot, seven inch-tall divorcee had always been close to Hood and had hated to see him leave. Hood knew that she cared for him, though no one could have told that just by looking at her. The thirty-four-year-old woman had developed the perfect poker face for reporters. No question, no revelation, no announcement made her jump. But to Hood, her large, dark-rust eyes were more articulate than any speech-maker or television moderator he had ever heard. And right now, her eyes were telling Hood that she was happy, sad, and surprised all at once.
Ann walked toward the desk. She was dressed in what she called her 'uniform,' a black pantsuit and white blouse with a pearl necklace. Her brown hair was shoulder length and held back from her face with a pair of clips. Hood's office was stripped of his personal touches.
He hadn't had time to put the photographs and mementos back. Yet after the struggles with Sharon and the coldness of his hotel room, Ann's arrival suddenly made this place seem like home.
'Mike just told me,' she said.
'Told you what?'
'About Sharon,' Ann replied.
'About your coming back. Paul, are you all right?'
'I'm a little banged up, but I'll be okay.'
Ann stopped in front of the desk. Was it only just ten days ago that she had stood there while I packed? Hood thought. It seemed so much longer. Why did pain stretch time while happiness made it feel so short?
'What can I do, Paul?' Ann asked.
'How are Sharon and the kids?'
'We're all reeling. Liz is helping Harleigh, Sharon and I are pretty civil, and Alexander is Alexander. He's okay.' Hood dragged a hand through his wavy black hair.
'As for what you can do, I just realized we're going to have to send out a press release about my return.'
'I know.' She smiled.
'A head's-up would have been a big help.'
'I'm sorry,' Hood said.
'That's all right,' Ann replied.
'You had other things on your mind. I'll write something up and show it to you.'
Ann looked down at him, her shoulder-length brown hair framing her angular features. Hood had always felt the sexual tension between them. Hell, he thought.
Everyone around them did. Bob Herbert and Lowell Coffey used to tease Hood about it. Hood's unwillingness to give in to that tension had always kept Ann at a distance. But he could feel that distance closing.
'I know you have a lot to do,' Ann said, 'but if you need anything, I'm here. If you want to talk or don't want to be by yourself, don't be shy. We go back quite a few years.'
'Thanks,' Hood said.
Ann's eyes held him for a long moment.
'I'm sorry for what you and your family are going through, Paul.
But you've done an amazing job here, and I'm glad you're back.'
'It's good to be back,' Paul admitted.
'I think that frustrated me more than anything else.'
'What did?' she asked.
'Not being able to finish the work I started,' he said.
'It may sound corny, but the teamwork of exceptional men and women built this nation. Op-Center is a part of that tradition. We have a great team here doing important work, and I hated leaving that.'
Ann continued to look at him. She seemed to want to say something more but didn't. She stepped back from the desk.
'Well, I've got to get to work on the press release,' she said.
'Do you want me to say anything about the situation with Sharon?'
'No,' Hood said.
'If anyone wants to know, tell them.
Otherwise, just say I had a change of heart.'
'That's going to make you sound wishy-washy,' she said.
'What the Washington Post thinks isn't going to affect my job performance,' he said.
'Maybe not now,' Ann said.
'But it might if you ever decide to run for public office again.'
Hood looked at her.
