“Not really,” Addis said.

“Call me later if you need to. And if you find anything hard … take it to another commission member.”

Palmer laughed and straightened his tie.

“Just kidding. If you come up with something solid, I’ll be there for you. But it has to be solid. Feel free to use the phone if you need to. And help yourself.” He left the office.

“Thank you, Senator,” Addis said to no one. “Thank you very much.”

Addis exited the rear of the Capitol and walked through the plaza. He felt the heat rising from the asphalt and looked toward the sky. No clouds today. He saw the Statue of Freedom—a woman wearing flowing draperies, her hand resting on the hilt of a sword—atop the Capitol dome. She faced east, out of the city, not toward the Mall, not toward the White House—as if she were considering an escape from the capital city, perhaps peering toward a place of refuge in the distinctly nonfederal and dilapidated neighborhoods beyond Capitol Hill. Addis wondered why he had never noticed this before.

40 - George Washington University Hospital June 30

40

George Washington University Hospital June 30

“I ain’t never been in no hospital before,” Anjean Jameson said, as the automatic doors swept shut behind him.

“No way,” Willie Jameson said.

“Fuckin’ word,” Anjean said loudly.

Several attendants at the reception desk looked up at Anjean and his two companions. Anjean was wearing a shiny black bandana tied tightly around his head. A gold chain hung around his neck. His black nylon pullover and black nylon sweatpants rustled with each movement.

“Shut the fuck up,” Starrell said in a low voice. “Act like you fuckin’ know where we’re going.”

The three men walked past the reception desk.

“Where are we going?” Willie whispered to Starrell.

“Like you fuckin’ know where we’re going,” Starrell repeated. He was wearing his wraparound sunglasses and carrying a beat-up knapsack. Willie was toting a plastic bag full of clothes.

They entered an elevator.

“What floor?” Willie asked.

“Any one, like you fuckin’ know where we’re going,” Starrell said and punched a button.

“Like fuckin’ Superfly,” Anjean said.

“Man,” Willie said. “He was a dealer. This trip’s more like Shaft. And what you mean you ain’t never been in a hospital?”

“What I said,” Anjean replied.

The elevator stopped at the fourth floor, and the doors opened.

“Get out,” Starrell said.

He turned right and the two brothers followed. They passed three pregnant women in hospital gowns.

“Look, man,” Anjean said. “This here’s for bitches about to pop.” He laughed. “Don’t think your man’s around here, Twayne. Not unless there’s something you ain’t tellin’ us.”

Starrell said nothing. He saw a door marked exit and opened it. The three took the stairs up a floor. There was not much activity in the hall. Starrell spotted a men’s room, and the young men entered it.