“I’m Lauren. Welcome to the United States.”

Sabin returned with two cups in hand. “Lauren, I just made some tea. Let me get you some.”

“No, thank you. I’d like to freshen up.” She turned to Abby. “So how was your flight, dear?”

“It was…different. When I got on the—”

“I assume you met up with my assistant easily enough at the airport gate?”

“Yes. But we went the opposite direction of everyone else who got off the plane. Was that okay?”

“Diplomatic privilege. Since I’m a member of Congress, my official guests don’t have to go through customs.” She took a step toward the kitchen. “Let me give you a quick tour of the house. We want you to feel comfortable during your brief stay.”

In a few minutes the three of them were walking up the stairs, Lauren leading the way. “I’m just sorry you couldn’t visit under more pleasant circumstances, Abigail. I’m sure you’re eager to get back to the jungle and start over with a new village.”

“Yes, well, I’d like to go back, but there are some things I need to do here first.”

Lauren didn’t seem to be listening. “Here’s where you’ll be sleeping,” she said, pointing to a guest bedroom. It was moderately sized with a bed that sat high off the floor, several pieces of dark wood furniture, and two windows with white shutters. “I wouldn’t open the windows, dear. It doesn’t cool down much in DC in the summer. We’ll get acquainted in the morning. If you want a snack or meal before bedtime, you know where the kitchen is.”

“Right now I need to use the bathroom, if that’s okay.”

Lauren motioned down the hall. “Of course. You do know how to use them, don’t you?”

Lauren was treating her like an idiot, Abby thought. I’ve been out of the jungle more than a week. Of course I know how to use a toilet. She tried not to show her displeasure. “Yes, I believe I do.”

Abby walked down the hall. She overheard Sabin’s voice as she reached the bathroom.

“Don’t you think you’re being a little cold?”

Abby paused at the bathroom door.

“We’ve already discussed this, Sabin,” came Lauren’s response. “We didn’t invite her here. She invited herself. And she’s a potential liability.”

“To you.”

“To both of us, if you care to live the life we’ve been living.”

“Yeah, about the life we’ve been living—”

“Don’t start on that again.”

“You’re so obsessed with your Senate run we hardly see each other anymore.”

“This isn’t the time or place to talk about that, Sabin.”

There was silence. Abby quietly closed the bathroom door behind her. In a few moments she returned to the bedroom. Lauren smiled tautly. “Is there anything else you need tonight?”