Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

“I think I like your reasoning, Blair

  whispered.

  “And I think we need to finish this conversation in

  private.

  Blair nibbled on Cams neck, then bit her. “See, its not so dif icult for us

  to come to an agreement.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Saturda

  y

  Y oure not ready for field duty, Paula said. Renée clipped her Sig Sauer

  to the waistband of her flaring black silk pants, set ling the pistol at the

  middle of her back. Then she pul ed a dark green, notched col ared

  jacket on over her black

  shel and closed it loosely with a wide belt. She checked first that the lie

  of the jacket was smooth, concealing her holstered weapon, and then

  that she could draw unencumbered by any snag in her clothing. Satisfied

  that the short jacket covered her weapon but wasnt going to interfere

  with it, she checked her makeup in the mirror over the dresser.

  After slipping into black heels, high enough for a formal event but low

  enough to run in, she walked over to sit next to Paula on the sofa in their

  hotel room.

  “Im Dianes escort. Its not exactly field

  duty.

  “Youre split ing hairs. Just because youre wearing a fancy outfit, Paula

  said, smoothing her hand up and down Renées thigh, “doesnt

  mean youre not providing protection.

  “I know, sweetie. Renée caught Paulas hand and held it. “And I

  promise if al the standing around starts to get to me, Il signal for help.

  But I can handle this. Real y.

  Paula sighed. “Im not doubting you. Im just a lit le

  worried.

  “Of

  what?

  “Has it occurred to you that were al operating of the radar ever since

  we left

  Washington

  ?

  “You mean because were not reporting to some desk jockey who doesnt

  know what it is that we do half the time anyway?

  Paula laughed. “Yeah, I think thats what I

  mean.

  “Sweetie, were on Cameron Robertss radar. Il take her being in charge

  over some SAC or deputy director Ive never seen and whos never had

  my back in a firefight. What about you?

  “Yeah,

  me

  too.

  Renée slipped her arm around Paulas waist and turned her lovers face

  toward hers with one finger on her chin. “Im real y okay. You know

  that, right?

  “You stil looked tired, Paula said, adding quickly, “ but , I can tel youre

  feeling better.

  “Oh yeah? Renée kissed her lightly on the lips.

  “How? Paula grinned. “Youre sleeping better.

  Renée kissed her again, a lit le more firmly. “Is

  that al ?

  “Youre walking bet er. No

  cane.

  “Mmm-hmm, Renée said, trailing a line of kisses along the edge of

  Paulas jaw.

  “Honey, Paula said just a lit le breathlessly. “Wel mess your

  makeup.

  “Oh, like I care, Renée

  whispered.

  “You know I cant have sex before a big game. Paula eased away. “It

  saps my strength and makes my brain sluggish.

  Laughing, Savard skimmed her hand inside Paulas jacket and over her

  breasts. “Are you afraid youl forget al the big plays and run toward

  the wrong end zone?

  Paula jumped up and backed away. “No fair touching when youre just

  teasing. You know I get excited.

  Renées eyes glit ered. “Do you

  now?

  “Renée, Paula said, hearing her own voice rise with a combination of

  excitement and nerves. “Im leaving now. Im going to Wozinskis room

  for the briefing. She held out her arm, palm facing forward. “ Dont get

  up.

  “I know the schedule. Youre not briefing for an hour,

  Chief.

  “I want to review everything by myself,

  first.

  Renée smiled. “Okay sweetie. I know youve got a lot on your mind. She

  rose and kissed Paula on the cheek. “But when were back here tonight,

  Im going to show you just how much Ive recovered.

  “Il look forward to a demonstration. Be careful

  tonight.

  “You

  too,

  sweetie.

  * * * * *

  Cam tapped on the hotel room door, feeling like an interloper. Stark,

  in a smartly tailored navy blue suit and white shirt, answered.

  “Do you mind if I sit in on your briefing,

  Chief?

  “No, come on

  in.

  When Stark stepped aside, Cam nodded her thanks and entered the

  dimly lit suite. The drapes over the windows were closed and the

  overhead lights turned of , leaving only the scat ered table lamps for il

  umination. The ef ect was oddly intimate. Cam strode directly to one

  of the empty chairs grouped around the cof ee table in the seating area,

  nodding to Mac, Wozinski, and Hara as she sat down. Stark returned to

  the chair in the center of the group.

  “We were just reviewing the exit routes,

  Commander.

  “Go ahead, Cam said. “Sorry to

  interrupt.

  “No problem, Stark said quickly and handed Cam a printout. “The

  timetable, shift assignments, and agent placements are al outlined there.

  Cam glanced at it briefly. It was thorough and complete, as she

  anticipated it would be. It wasnt the things they planned for that

  concerned her. It was the threat of the unanticipated that had her

  pacing in the suite across the hal until Blair had strongly suggested that

  she ask to sit in on the pre-departure briefing. So now Cam found

  herself in the awkward position of being an observer.

  She was on the verge of get ing up and leaving when Stark pushed the

  papers aside and said, “Is there something in particular you

  wanted to review, Commander?

  Cam cleared her throat. “First of al , I just wanted everyone to be clear

  that Im here because Blair threw me out, not because Stark needs any

  help.

  Stark smiled and the other agents

  laughed.

  “Wel , Cam continued. “Im definitely more use over here than across

  the hal right now. She addressed Stark. “I dont suppose metal detectors

  are feasible, considering that the reception is in the open mezzanine?

  “We could insist that everyone use one escalator and one bank of

  elevators, but I think wed get a major logjam as a result. That kind of

  chaos sometimes makes it easier to overlook things.

  “I tend to agree. Plus, Cam said with a sigh, “it rather defeats the

  purpose of having Blair make a public appearance if we ramp up the

  security measures to the point where its obvious were worried.

  “Im not worried, Commander, Stark said steadily. “As far as Im

  concerned, every time Egret makes a public appearance, we have to

  assume she is a target. Thats the only way to do the job.

  After a moment of complete silence, Cam said, “Youre absolutely right,

  Chief. She glanced at the others. “Perimeter coverage?

  “I get to sit this one out in the surveil ance van, Mac said, unrol ing a

  schematic

  and spreading it out facing Cam. He pointed to a red X with a circle

  aroun
d it. “Here. The other vehicle wil be at the south entrance. He

  pointed to a blue X. “Here. One of Tanners men wil drive that vehicle.

  He then opened another schematic of the bal room. “Exitshere, here,

  here, and here. Also covered by Tanners people.

  “Are we using the local field agents? Cam

  asked.

  “No, Stark said. “I decided that Tanners team has just as much

  experience, maybe more. And were already used to working with them.

  “Good cal , Cam murmured. She was as certain as she could be that the

  local Secret Service agents were not compromised, but they also werent

  as likely to fit seamlessly into their current team as Tanners security

  personnel were. Under the circumstances, she would have made the

  same decision.

  “Savard wil be with Diane, Cam said. “We have to assume Diane is a

  potential target as wel . She glanced at Stark. “But Savard stil has

  mobility issues. Shel be fine at close range, but youre going to need

  mobile backup for her.

  Stark never changed expression. “Already taken

  care of.

  “Did anything turn up in the doctors background? Cam asked, referring

  to the keynote speaker. “Threats, angry protesters, anything that

  might spil over tonight?

  Stark nodded to Mac, who opened a file folder. “Emory Constantine.

  Shes thirty-one years old, has been at the Johnson Institute for five

  years, and received a sizable federal grant matched by the Institute two

  years ago. Has a bunch of recent publications and is considered one of

  the front runners in stem cel research in the world.

  “Young for that, Cam

  observed.

  “Apparently she was one of the few to see the writing on the wal before

  anyone else. She did a lot of the preliminary work while she was stil an

  undergraduate. A case of good timing and, from what Ive been able to

  find out, a lot of brains.

  “Personal

  life?

  “Not much there. Lives in Beacon Hil in the family residence with her

  mother, divorced, no children.

  “Threat

  assessment?

  Hara spoke up. “There have been right-to-life protesters at the last

  three seminars where Constantine has been a headliner. This guy,

  she passed out photographs, “was arrested at the last one for physical y

  threatening her as she left the podium. Alexander Frenkel. Theres a

  restraining order on him now. If he shows up within five hundred feet of

  her, he goes to jail.

  “Everyone has his picture, Stark said. “Hes not registered at the hotel,

  at least not under that name.

  “These four, Hara went on, fanning out another set of images like playing

  cards, “have been observed at two out of the last three locations where

  Constantine made a public appearance.

  Cam

  frowned.

  “Af

  iliations?

  “Three belong to dif erent groups, but the fourth doesnt appear to

  have any group connections at al , Hara replied. “Two are fetal rights

  activists, one is a pro-lifer, and the loner is an unknown commodity.

  “Whos providing this intel igence? Cam

  asked.

  “Local FBI, Mac said. “Theyve kept a file on the doctor since another

  stem cel researcherJames Bennet was at acked in a car park a year

  ago. The injuries kept him in the hospital for two months.

  “Did the victim have any relationship to

  Constantine?

  “None other than the fact that they knew each other professional y, Mac

  said. Stark said, “We anticipate the usual demonstrators tonight. Wel

  bring Egret in

  through the side entrance, because the protesters wil most likely be out

  front

  where theyl get more press coverage. The hotel can legal y bar

  them from

  entering, so once were inside, shel be in the clear from the majority

  of the

  organized

  dissenters.

  “What do you have on local anti-gay factions? Cam

  asked.

  “A few religious groups, but theyre mostly involved with debates

  over the church recognizing gay priests and performing same-sex

  marriages, Stark answered.

  “None of them with a history of

  violence? “No.

  “The press will be all over her tonight, and were not going to

  keep them out of the banquet. Its a fundraiser, and Im sure

  the PR people from the institute will want reporters present.

  Cam shook her head. “Its going to be a long night.

  “Theres one other issue, Commander, Stark said.

  Cam gave her a questioning look.

  “You were targeted this week, so we have to assume youre at

  risk. Wozinski will cover y

  “No, Cam said flatly. “I appreciate it, Chief, but dont

  pull someone off Blairs detail for me. I dont need it.

  “With respect

  Cam stood. “Im official y refusing, Stark. You already have two to

  coverBlair as the primary and Diane as the secondary. You

  dont have the people to cover anyone else. Are we clear?

  “Yes maam, Stark said tightly.

  “Thank you.

  * * * * *

  “You ready for this? Blair asked Diane, who sat across from her in

  the rear of the limo. Renée Savard sat next to her and anyone

  who didnt know better would think they made an amazing

  looking couple. Diane, slightly tal er and more wil owy than Renée,

  wore a fitted cobalt blue evening gown with a halter tie and

  keyhole openings in the bodice. Renées jacket and pants

  were equal y elegant. It was obvious to Blair that Renée

  walked just slightly ahead of Diane and scanned the

  surroundings with every step. Blair noticed the subtle

  surveil ance because Cam always did the same thing.

  Now Diane peered through the bul etproof, one-way glass as

  the armored limo, courtesy of the Boston Secret Service

  office, slowed at the side entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. “There

  are fewer press here than for one of your gallery openings.

  She smiled at Blair, but her eyes were sad. “I was hoping to get

  a chance to plug your next show.

  Blair laughed, appreciating Dianes fortitude. She hoped that

  the evening would at least provide a diversion for her for a few

  hours.

  She settled her hand onto Cams thigh, absently running

  her fingertips along the seam of the silk tuxedo pants. “Most of

  them are probably out front, dont you think?

  “Yes, Cam said. “But it wont take long for them to figure out where

  we are.

  “Wel , then, Blair pushed the door open as the limo stopped at the curb,

  “lets make them run for it.

  With a muf led oath, Cam jumped out and surreptitiously grasped Blairs

  hand. “God damn it, Blair, wait.

  Stark barreled out of the front and rushed to Blairs opposite side.

  Renée and

  Diane moved up behind them with Hara fol

  owing.

  “Sorry, darling, Blair said lightly, hooking her arm through Cams.

  “Weve got cameras on the left and people waving signs of to the right.

  “I see them, Cam mut ered, keeping her expression
neutral as Blair

  smiled briefly in the direction of the photographers.

  When several cal ed out questions to Blair, she waved but didnt

  answer, pretending she hadnt heard them. She pointedly ignored those

  cal ing on God or whatever other powers they believed in to punish her

  for her sinful ways.

  “Lovely, Diane said from close

  behind.

  Cam reached for the hotel door and found Stark there before

  her.

  “Go ahead please, Stark said. “The escalators to the mezzanine are

  directly to your right.

  Cam hesitated for just a second, then moved through with Blair by

  her side.

  “Youre just my date, remember? Blair

  murmured.

  “Sorry,

  Cam

  mut ered.

  “Dont

  be.

  Blair and Cam joined the crowd on the mezzanine and a moment later, a

  smal , compact brunet e in a black evening dress approached. Even in

  heels, she was of average height, but her dynamic expression and

  confident carriage made her presence seem larger.

  “Ms. Powel . She extended her hand. “Im so honored that you could

  come this evening. Im Emory Constantine.

  “Dr. Constantine, Blair said, taking the researchers hand. “Thank

  you. My partner, Cameron Roberts, and my good friends Diane

  Bleeker and Renée Savard.

  “Agent Roberts, a pleasure. Emory Constantine shook hands with Cam,

  then indicated the open doors to the banquet hal behind her. “Please,

  wont al of you join me at my table.

  “Thank you, Blair said. “Wed love

  to.

  “You should burn in hel , a male voice shouted from across the

  foyer. “The

  Bible says you are an

  abomination.

  Cam instinctively stepped between Blair and the direction of the voice

  just as

  Stark did the same. Stark slid a hand under her

  jacket.

  “Wozinski has him, she murmured just loud enough for Cam

  to hear.

  “Good. Keeping between Blair and that side of the hal way, Cam took

  Blairs hand and said, “Were clear. Lets go inside.

  Blair met Emory Constantines concerned gaze. “Im sorry for the

  disruption.

  Emory smiled faintly. “I was about to say the same thing to you, Ms.

  Powel . I

  have a number of fairly vocal

  opponents.

  “Then we have quite a bit in common, Blair

  said.

  Emorys gaze flickered briefly to Cam and then to Diane and Renée.

  Then she grinned, her dark eyes sparkling. “It seems that we do.