Washington D.C., Georgetown.
In a private club hidden at the end of a dimly lit street, the air in a secluded booth on the second basement level was filled with the smoky aroma of grilled meat and the rich scent of red wine.
Leo sat at the head of the long dining table.
He held a knife and fork, methodically slicing into the ribeye steak on his plate.
Crimson juices oozed from the steak, spreading across the white porcelain plate.
Seated across from him were three Congressmen.
Gary from Wisconsin, Thomas from Michigan, and Matthew from Ohio.
In Congress, all three men were labeled as Progressives and were members of Daniel Sanders's caucus in the House of Representatives.
They weren't exactly core members of the Progressives, but they had heard about yesterday's caucus meeting, which had ended on a sour note.
The steaks in front of the three Congressmen were untouched.
They watched Leo, their gazes wary.
Leo put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin.
