Leo walked out of the Mike Mansfield Room.
The air in the hallway was less stale than in the conference room, but it was still heavy with tension.
Daniel Sanders walked at the back of the group.
The old Senator from Vermont walked slowly, his shoulders slumped.
John Murphy followed about five meters behind Sanders, his head bowed, legs moving mechanically.
Leo stood by the door, watching their retreating figures.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.
Sent.
Five meters ahead, Murphy's suit pocket vibrated.
Murphy, a bit sluggishly, took out his phone and lit up the screen.
There were just two short words.
"Turn around."
Murphy stopped in his tracks and spun around.
Leo was standing by a pillar in the hallway, phone in hand, watching him with a calm gaze.
Murphy glanced at Sanders, who was still walking forward, completely unaware of the disruption behind him. His Adam's apple bobbed.
