Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

that to me when were standing out here and I cant have you.

“Is that a yes about Colorado?

“Il cal Doris today. I know Tanner and Adrienne wil love to see her

again.

“Good. Cam kissed her. “I might be a

while. “I know. Do what you have to do.

I love you. “Be careful today.

“I wil be. Blair asked the question lurking in the back of her mind.

“Have you learned anything?

“On the surface it looks like the shooter was targeting Emory.

“On the surface?

“Hes on her watch list, but some of these groups have multiple agendas.

Its not a stretch for an anti-fetal research zealot to also be anti-gay.

“So it mightve been us he was after.

“Possibly.

“But?

Cam sighed. “We cant discount the remote possibility that this might be

related to the previous assault on you.

“And

you.

“So our safest course of action, Cam said, “is to assume al three are

probable and investigate accordingly. The local FBI is put ing together

a file on the anti- stem cel research groups, and wel continue to

focus on connections to Matheson.

Blair caressed Cams ribs lightly, wishing fervently that she could heal

them. “What about Valerie?

“If she doesnt contact either Diane or myself, our chances of finding

her are remote. Given enough time, we might, but time is something we

dont have much of. Cam ran her fingers through Blairs hair. “Im

working on something that might draw her in.

“Is

it

classified?

“No, but it does involve

Lucinda.

“Uh-oh. Do I even want to

know?

“Youl find out later. Cam kissed Blairs forehead. After a second she

said, “No questions?

“Il wait for you to tel me about the briefing. Perhaps Il go down to the

marina in a while to see Tanner.

“Take three people Cam grimaced. “Im sure Stark wil take care

of that.

Blair smiled. “I never mind you looking out for me. Stark doesnt have to

know.

“Thanks, baby. Cam kissed her again, then turned and strode briskly

away.

Blair waited until Cam disappeared inside, then continued down the

winding path to the beach. As she turned north, tucking her hands in the

pockets of her windbreaker and walking quickly to keep warm in the

brisk wind, she was peripheral y aware of the two figures shadowing

her. They had been there, of course, the entire time that she and

Cam had stood on the path sharing something so intimate she stil

felt like crying. Those who had watched would of course never

acknowledge in any way what they had witnessed, and during those

moments, she hadnt been aware of anyone except Cam. She stopped and

pul ed out her cel phone and speed-dialed.

A moment later, Cam answered. “Are you al

right?

“Im sorry, I know youre briefing. I just want you to know that Id love to

go to

Colorado

to

get

married.

“Al right, Cam said probingly.

“And?

“And this morning in bed was wonderful, but the only thing

I real y need is for you to look at me like you just did for the rest

of my life.

“You can count on that.

“I love you, Blair said quietly. “Ill see you

later.

Blair closed the phone, slid it into her pocket, and turned her

face up to the rain. It was cold and sharp against her skin and

she felt unbelievably alive.

* * * * *

When Blair let herself into the kitchen forty-five minutes

later,

Diane was waiting for her. She was without makeup, in

loose cotton slacks and a pale blue cotton blouse, and she didnt

look like shed slept at all the night before. Her freshly

washed hair was loose and unstyled. She looked vulnerable

and young, and Blairs heart ached. Diane had final y fal en in

love and instead of being able to immerse herself in the joy of

it, she might lose Valerie and never know why.

“Morning, sweetheart. Blair skimmed her fingers over Dianes

back as she passed behind her. She stopped abruptly when

she felt Diane stiffen. “What is it?

“This. Dianes normally sultry voice was scratchy from

fatigue. She pointed to the newspaper spread out in front of her.

“I dont understand this.

Blair peered over her shoulder and frowned at an article on

the second page. Noted Gallery Owner Assaulted After Gala.

She scanned the completely fictitious account of an assault,

presumed to be a robbery, that occurred just outside the Boston

Ritz Carlton the previous evening fol owing a fundraiser for a

noted research institute. The only thing in the article that

resembled reality in the slightest was the fact that the victim,

Diane Bleeker, was actual y the owner of a trendy Manhattan

gallery.

“Is this how things are done in your world? Diane lifted her

pain- fil ed and accusing eyes. “Are these kinds of lies necessary?

I have friends, col eagues, family who will be concerned and

what ifyou know that Valerie will probably see this. Someone

should have told me.

“I dont have any idea how Blair remembered a snippet of

her conversation with Cam less than an hour ago. Cam had

said she

might have an idea about reaching Valerie. She had also said

that Lucinda was involved, and this press manipulation had

Lucindas fingerprints all over it. Blair straightened, her mouth

tightening. “Im not sure what this is about, but Im going to find

out.

Grabbing the newspaper, she marched toward the dining

room, now the security operations center, where she had last

seen Paula and Mac. Mac was at the computer, studying what

looked to be a floor plan. He swiveled on his chair to face her,

his brows knitting.

“Wheres Paula?

“She went back upstairs to bed. Macs expression was polite

but guarded. “Is there something I can help you with?

“How about this? Do you know anything about this? She

extended the newspaper. From Macs quick glance, she knew that he

was aware of the article.

“Ah, that might be something you want to ask the commander, he

replied, obviously framing his reply careful y.

“Shes in a briefing. Why dont you explain it

to me?

Mac regarded her with mute appeal. “Im afraid I cant. Im

sorry.

“Al right. Of course not. Blair turned and walked away. When she heard

Mac rise she looked back over her shoulder. “Stay here, Mac. Im not

going any further than Cams of ice. God, its not like theres anywhere to

go .

He grinned cautiously. “Ive never known that to stop you. Respectful

y, Ms. Powel .

She narrowed her eyes, then laughed. “Maybe its time to rotate out my

security

team if you know me that

wel .

“It does take a long time to train the new ones, he said with a

straight face.

“I suppose you have a point. Blair felt some of her anger ease. “Il see

you later

Mac.

“Maam.

By the time she reached the guesthouse, her fury had abated enough that

when Cam walked into the living room in response to her arrival, she

managed to ask calmly, “Can I talk to you for a minute?

Cams gaze dropped to the newspaper she held tightly clenched in hand.

“Ah. She slid her hands into the pockets of her black chinos. “I see that

Lucinda is even more ef icient than I anticipated. The article is in

there?

“Your

doing?

“Mostly. Lucinda made the necessary phone cal s to the papers. Cam

shook her head. “Even with the White House behind it, I didnt expect

to see anything until this evening.

“Lucinda doesnt waste time or

words.

“Apparentl

y.

“Damn it, Cam. Diane doesnt understand this kind of thing. You

should have told her, or let me tel her.

Cam gestured to the sofa. “Lets sit down for a

minute.

“I dont want to sit, I want an explanation. I told Luce I wouldnt

use my friendship with Diane like this. I didnt think I needed to tel you!

“Just give me a minute and Il explain. Cam sat

down.

“Fine. Blair fol owed, but sat far enough away that they werent

touching. “Youre using this to lure Valerie, arent you?

“Not entirely. Its a good cover story to explain al the of icial activity

around the hotel last night. It keeps your name and Emorys out of the

paper. And, yes, Cam said with a sigh, “it might draw Valerie out into

the open. You can be sure shes scanning news sources for any available

intel.

“Why didnt you tel me about this

earlier?

“Other than the obvious reason being that I was

preoccupied? Blair smiled faintly. “Other than that.

Cam rubbed her eyes. “I didnt think wed see any activity around this

until later in the day. Diane was stil asleep, and she met Blairs intent

gaze. “I didnt want her trying to contact Valerie and tel ing her it was

fabricated.

“Jesus, Cam. Shes my best friend and shes hurting so much over this.

How do you think shes going to feel if Valerie isI dont know, trapped,

because of her?

“Blair, Cam said gently, “Valerie is in real trouble out there. The best

thing for her is for us to be able to protect her. If she surfaces because

shes worried that something might happen to Diane, or that something

has happened to her, shel be bet er of .

“Can

I

tel

Diane?

“Its going to put you in the middle. I hate to do

that.

“Im already in it. Theres no middle ground left,

Cam.

Cam moved along the sofa so she was closer to Blair, but did not

touch her.

“Can you tel her part of it, and leave out anything about Valerie

for now?

“Shes not nave, Camshe might ask me about Valerie. What shal I tel her

to do if Valerie cal s?

“Tel her to talk to her as long as she

can.

“Youre tapping Dianes phone? Blair asked

incredulously.

“Were tracing it back through her cel ular provider. Its not perfect, but it

gives us a starting place. Cam placed her hand flat on the sofa

between them. “Im sorry, Blair. It has to be done.

Blair was silent for a moment, then took Cams hand and cradled it in

her lap between both of hers. “This must be hard for you.

“Inot as hard as it is for you. I wish I could change

that.

Blair shook her head. “No. One of the things I love about you is how

clear you are about the right and wrong of things. About what should be

done, no matter the cost. But theres nothing clear about any of this, is

there?

“Nothing has been clear to me since the moment I saw one of my own

agents standing outside your door pointing a gun at your heart, Cam

said bit erly. “I dont even know how to begin to think about that.

It was so very rare for Cam to voice her pain and disil usionment that

Blair had to struggle not to pul her into her arms. Instead, she leaned

close and kissed Cams cheek. “Il talk to Diane. It wil be okay.

“Im

sorry.

“No. You shouldnt be. Not for doing what must be done. Blair rose.

“You wil be careful with Valerie, wont you?

Cam stood. “Shes a victim in this too. Im sure

of it.

“I trust your judgment. I do. Blair skimmed her fingers along Cams

jaw. “But youre the one thing in my life I cant do without.

“Il

remember

that.

Blair smiled gently. “See that you

do.

Chapter Twenty

C am tilted her chair back and scrubbed her face. A glance at her

watch confirmed what she already knew. It was late, almost 9 p.m.

Felicia and Savard looked just as exhausted as she felt, but neither had

complained despite twelve hours of nonstop work at the computers. The

rest of the guest house was dark, the only light coming from the

computer monitors and a few muted lamps. She appreciated why so

many government buildings had so few windowsthe less intrusion

from the outside world, the easier it was to become lost in the work to

the exclusion of everything else. Even the important people in your life.

“Where

are

we?

Savard deferred to Felicia, who had the most expertise in terms of

computer investigation. Felicia shrugged.

“Between the files at Quantico Ive been able to access and our own

scans of Mathesons academy records, we have solid IDs on al four of

the gunmen at the Aerie. We have names for the faces now and were

digging deeper.

“What does that give us in terms of Mathesons connection to the

Company and

Valeries

handler?

Felicia shook her head. “Nothing yet. These men were al too young

to be contemporaries of anyone who might have recruited Valerie.

Savard said, “If Valerie was recruited as a teenager, then were probably

looking at someone Mathesons age as her handler. She spread her hands

in frustration. “He could be anyone.

“We have to work from the assumption that Valeries handler

and Matheson are tied together. It may turn out that theyre

not, but thats a more probable scenario than postulating

that Valeries contact within the Company reported the plans

for the raid on Mathesons compound to someone e l s e who

then relayed the message to Matheson. Cam stood up and

walked to the window, rol ing her shoulders and trying to work

out some of the stiffness from the previous weeks injuries and the

tension of poring through files all day. The first floor of the

main house was alight, and she wondered what Blair was

doing. “I dont believe in coincidences. The only person outside

of our team who knew about the raid was Valerie. She reported

to her handler and Matheson was tipped off. A plus B equals C.