Nestled among the cluster of casual bars and restaurants at the end of Cocoa Beach Pier, the place pulsed with NASA and Cape employees who’d planted themselves around long wooden tables laden with draft beer and popcorn. Along the back wall, the Public Affairs department joined their spouses and dates, toasting their own victory and enjoying a private celebration of the news they had received. But Jessica wasn’t celebrating like she should. On the contrary, the news from L.A. and her impending trip home had both filled her with dread instead of glee. The day before, she’d had her long-awaited conversation with Tony Palermo and made a little, but not enough, progress. He seemed bewildered by her belief that Carla Drake had been aware of the NASA rumors and was way too defensive of his golden girl. He only agreed to look into the matter and urged Jessica to consider the Emerging Technologies position. Escaping to Boston at least eliminated the task of telling Deke that Sydney Lynn Lancaster had agreed to have him escort her to the premiere of Lost Hero.
