Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  Chapter Seventeen

  I m sorry, Emory Constantine murmured, bending over Blair, who sat

  at the head table with Cam, Diane, Renée, and a number of notables

  from the scientific and financial world, “but would you mind posing for

  one more round of photos? The president of the Institute

  “No, I dont mind, Blair said with a smile, even though shed been

  photographed with and without her permission more times than she

  cared to count in the last three hours. She was used to the press and had

  expected more than her usual share of at ention after al the events of

  the last few months and the recent announcement of her personal

  plans. Emory it seemed, also garnered a fair amount of media notice,

  so with the two of them sit ing together, the questions and photos had

  been non-stop al evening. “Il be right there.

  As she rose, Cam did also. Out of the corner of her eye, Blair saw

  Paula wending her way through the tables toward her. When Blair fol

  owed Emory onto the stage and joined the smal group waiting there,

  Cam and Paula took up positions of to each side. Randolph Sumter,

  the current president of the Johnson Institute, was middle-aged,

  handsome, and wore his power with subtle arrogance. He didnt try to

  hide his non-philanthropic interest as his gaze swept over Blair during

  their introduction.

  “Ms. Powel , he said in a smooth baritone, “wed love to have you

  tour the

  Institute. I think youl find we are doing some remarkable

  work.

  “Yes, Blair replied with polite reserve. “Ive fol owed Dr. Constantines

  research with interest. You must be very pleased to have her and her

  team on board.

  To his credit, his smile never wavered. “Without a doubt. Please

  remember me to your father. The board was a staunch supporter during

  his last campaign.

  “I certainly wil . Blair took Cams hand. “I dont believe youve met my

  partner, Cameron Roberts.

  Sumter acknowledged Cam perfunctorily, signaled to the

  photographers, and positioned himself between Blair and Emory with a

  hand on each of their backs. Once the obligatory photo shoot was over,

  Blair drew Emory aside.

  “I hope you dont mind, but Im going to slip out a lit le

  early.

  Emory shook her head. “Please, you dont need to explain. She

  glanced at a woman who pointed a camera in their direction. “Theyre

  hungry tonight, arent they?

  “Tonight? Blair laughed. “Im real y glad we got to meet. I thought your

  speech was dynamite. If theres ever anything I can do, just give me a cal

  .

  “Thank you. Emory walked Blair to the far side of the stage where the

  crowd on the floor was thinner. “I might just take you up on that

  someday.

  Blair smiled. “Good. Im

  serious.

  “Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, too, Emory said,

  waiting until

  Cam was close enough to

  hear.

  “Thank you, Cam and Blair said

  together.

  “Il walk out with you, Emory said, “and we can trade phone

  numbers. She looked over the several hundred people in the banquet

  room and sighed. “Ive stil got another hours networking to go, and I

  could use a break.

  “Come on, then. Blair grinned. “Im an expert at sneaking out of things

  like this.

  Cam motioned to Stark. “Let the team know were ready to leave. Il get

  Diane and Savard. Were stil using the planned exit?

  “Yes. Il have the cars move around now. Stark murmured

  instructions, then said to Blair, “Five minutes, Ms. Powel .

  At the appointed time, the smal group took the elevator at the rear

  of the building to the ground floor and headed briskly down the

  service corridor toward an exit used by the hotel staf . Blair couldnt

  see anyone in the alcoves and smal er hal ways branching of the main

  corridor, but she was certain that members of the security team were

  stationed along the way. She leaned close to Emory.

  “If you real y want to break ranks, you can come back to the hotel with

  us for a drink.

  Emory laughed. “God, dont tempt me. Unfortunately, fundraising is a

  necessary evil and Ive got enough to worry about without adding money

  problems to my list.

  “I can imagine, Blair said. “Dont worry too much about anti-stem cel

  research legislation. I can tel you my father does not support measures

  to restrict your work.

  “Thank you.

  I

  “Stark, Cam said sharply as a man in a three-piece suit rounded a

  corner twenty feet in front of them and strode rapidly toward them.

  Even as she spoke, she started to step toward Blair. He raised his arm.

  “Gun!

  someone

  shouted.

  Blair barely heard the warning before the hal way erupted in gunfire and

  she was

  knocked to the floor. As she fel she grabbed for Cam but could not reach

  her. Then she was on the floor with a tremendous weight pinning her

  down. She pushed and struggled to get free but was only able to turn

  her head. She saw a hand and part of a sleeve stretched out on the floor

  a few yards away. Cams hand. She screamed but couldnt get enough air

  to emit more than a choked sob. Someone groaned.

  Then Blair was yanked to her feet, then off her feet, and propel ed

  down the hal way by someone she couldnt see. Someone big. She final

  y twisted enough in the iron grip to make out the features. Wozinski.

  “Cam, Blair gasped. “Where is

  she?

  Wozinski didnt answer as he shouldered his way out into a narrow

  service al ey. The metal service door banged against the stone building

  façade with a sharp clang.

  The limo idled directly in front of the exit with the back door

  open. Hara crouched beside it, her gun extended in both hands as she

  visual y swept right and left. Blair jerked in Wozinskis grasp and

  almost wrenched free, but he dragged her across the sidewalk, pushed

  her head down, and shoved her into the backseat.

  “Cam, Blair shouted, immediately trying to climb out of the vehicle.

  Dianes body blocked her way as she too was pushed inside. Savard

  fol owed, the door slammed, and the vehicle careened away.

  Blair stared at Savard, whose face was bone white. Her own heart was

  racing so quickly her chest ached. She took a breath and then another

  and dug her fingers into the leather seat. “What do we know?

  “Nothing, Savard said

  tightly.

  Beside her, Diane sat rigidly upright, her arms wrapped around her

  torso, her

  pupils dilated so much her blue eyes looked black. She said my God, my

  God

  over and over in a hushed

  voice.

  Blair heard sirens, and then tires squealed behind them and she hastily

  knelt on the seat to stare out the rear window. Renée leaned across the

  space between the seats, grasped her shoulder, and gently pul ed her

  back down.

  “Please stay away from the

  windows.

  “Wheres Cam? Blair took a shaky b
reath. “Wheres

  Paula?

  “Paulais down. Im not sure about the commander, Renée said in a

  monotone. For an instant, Blair couldnt decipher the meaning of what

  she had just heard.

  Paula is down. Down. Shot? Her mind veered away from the thought.

  Cam.

  Cam wasnt wearing a

  vest.

  “Whos behind us? Blair careful y enunciated each word and forced

  herself to think calmly. Her only hope of get ing to Cam was to maintain,

  or take, control. She wasnt about to become an unwil ing captive of her

  own security team ever again.

  “Mac. Im not sure who

  else.

  “Cal

  them,

  Blair

  demanded.

  “Protocol is for radio silence, Renée

  said.

  “I dont care. Cal them now. Consider it an order, Agent

  Savard.

  Savard stared at Blair for a long moment, then punched two numbers

  on her handy talky. “Status?

  Blair couldnt hear a response, but only a few seconds passed before

  Renée said, “Were secure, and slipped the radio back into an inside

  pocket of her

  jacket. At the sight of her hand trembling, Blairs stomach clenched into a

  painful knot.

  “Report?

  Blair

  asked.

  “Al present and accounted

  for.

  “Whatwhat does that

  mean?

  “It means no one was left at the scene. Stark and the commander are

  in the

  Suburban behind

  us.

  “Are

  they

  “I dont know, Renée

  said.

  The tight fist around Blairs heart loosened enough for her to breathe

  without each movement feeling like a knife stabbing through her.

  “Diane, are you al right?

  Mutely,

  Diane

  nodded.

  Blair concentrated on burying her panic. Cam was in the car behind her.

  That was al that mat ered. “Where are we going?

  “If

  Paula

  Renée shuddered and for just a second, Blair thought she was going to

  break down. Then she squared her shoulders and continued.

  “Paula wil let Mac know the exit route, and hel communicate with our

  driver. Blair looked out the window and saw that they were heading out

  of the city. The

  last thing she wanted was to end up in another safe house, but she

  realized that

  was one decision she couldnt impact. She closed her eyes and wil ed her

  mind

  to go blank. It didnt work, but it kept her from trying to break down the

  barrier between herself and whoever was driving and demanding to

  know where they were going. Just when she thought she couldnt stand it

  anymore, she felt the limo slow down. She jerked upright and saw a sign

  for Interstate 495 South flash by as the vehicle turned into a deserted

  truck weighing station by the side of the highway. “Whats happening?

  Renée shook her head. “I dont

  know.

  Blair reached for the handle, but Renée stopped her. She was about to

  protest when the door opened and Cam slid in. The limo immediately

  accelerated back onto the highway.

  “Are you al right? Cam slid her arm around Blairs shoulders and pul

  ed her close.

  “Am I? Blair laughed shakily and pressed her palm to Cams chest. “I was

  afraid

  She lost the words and just kissed Cam instead. “Are

  you?

  “Other than a few sore ribs from ending up under one of Tanners

  security guards, Im fine. Cam stroked Blairs hair and looked at Diane

  and Renée. “You both okay?

  “Yes, Renée reported, sit ing tensely on the edge of the

  seat.

  “Stark took a round in the chest, Cam said. “Her vest stopped it. Shes in

  pain, but shes stil in charge. Shel be okay.

  Renée blinked and looked away. “Thank

  you.

  “Was anyone else hurt? Blair

  asked.

  “Another one of Tanners people took a shot to the vest in the

  process of shielding Emory Constantine.

  “Emory! Blair said, momentarily stunned. “My God, is she

  hurt?

  “She sprained her wrist, but shes tough and taking everything in

  stride. Cam glanced at Savard. “We brought Emory with us. Shes in the

  Suburban.

  “Smart cal , Savard said. “What about the

  assailant?

  “Hes dead. Stark left Wozinski behind temporarily to coordinate with

  the FBI

  and police. Cam coughed and

  winced.

  “Are you sure youre not hurt? Blair said

  immediately.

  Cam shook her head. “Sore ribs. I got a quick look at the guy. Hes one

  of the four on Emory Constantines watch list.

  “You mean Emory was the target? Blair

  exclaimed.

  “Were not sure, but its possible. Cam shifted, obviously trying

  to get comfortable. “For now, were not making any assumptions.

  “How much of this can we keep out of the press? Blair

  asked.

  “Starks already been on the line to Lucinda, whos spinning some story

  right now about Emory suddenly being taken il to cover her leaving

  the banquet. Fortunately, the scene was contained immediately so we

  may be able to keep the real details out of the press.

  “Good, Blair breathed. “The last thing I want is another story circulating

  about me being a target. She took Cams hand. “Youre sure youre okay?

  “Yes. Now she was, now that shed seen Blair. Now that some of the

  helpless fury at not being able to reach her when shed been in danger

  was dissipating. Despite the pain in her ribs, she held Blair more tightly.

  “What? Blair murmured, sliding her hand to the back of Cams neck.

  “Darling?

  “Nothing, Cam whispered. The instant shed seen the assailant, shed

  tried to shield Blair, but Tanners man had grabbed her from behind

  and thrown her down. If Stark hadnt been there, hadnt moved without

  the slightest hesitation, Blair could be dead. Cam closed her eyes, as if

  that could obliterate the image in her mind, and buried her face in Blairs

  hair.

  Blair moved her mouth close to Cams ear. “Im al right. Im

  right here.

  Cam took a long breath, straightened, and directed her next

  comments to Savard again. “Theres been no evidence of pursuit, and

  this has the feel of a lone gunman.

  “I agree, Savard said. Her color was bet er and her eyes focused and

  intent. Beside her, Diane looked exhausted, but calm. “He was probably

  staying at the hotel or knew someone who was.

  “But how did he know where we were? Blair said. “Or that we were

  leaving?

  “He could have paid one or even several of the hotel employees to keep

  him informed, Cam said. “Its possible he had an accomplice who was a

  legitimate guest at the fundraiser. He might have been watching

  the limo from some vantage point within the hotel, but I think thats

  less likely. Once Wozinski and the rest of the on-site team backtrack his

  route, wel know more.

  “He didn
t say anything, did he? I didnt hear anything before the shots.

  Blair knew how to fire a gun. Shed had a license since her late teens and

  had been to the firing range fairly regularly since then. But the muf

  led pops of control ed gunfire in a firing booth bore no resemblance to

  the terrifying reverberation of gunshots echoing down a hotel corridor.

  She could stil hear the shots, and the shouts, and her own silent

  screams. She found Cams hand and held it. “I was wondering about

  the guy earlierthe one outside the banquet hal who was quoting

  scripture, or his version of it anyway.

  “The gunman didnt say anything, Cam said. “His message was in his

  gun hand.

  “Where are we going? Blair

  asked.

  Cam smiled for a second. “Home to Whitley Point. Lucinda wil have

  someone take care of the hotel room and pick up our luggage.

  “If its al right with you, Id rather not leave the island again for six

  months or so.

  “Il see what I can do, Cam

  said.

  “Thank you. Blair knew it wasnt possible, but for just a lit le while, it

  felt good to dream.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sunday

  T anners here, Blair said as the limo pul ed up behind the SUV parked

  in the circular drive in front of the beach house. She stif ened when

  three figures materialized out of the dark and approached the vehicle.

  Even in the middle of the night, with only streaks of moonlight to cut

  the inky blackness, she could make out the automatic rifles.

  “Theyre Tanners people, Cam said. “Stark probably cal ed ahead

  once we were out of range of the city and fil ed Tanner in on what

  happened.

  Despite Cams assurances that the figures posed no threat, Cam and

  Savard got out of the limo first and closed the door, leaving Blair and

  Diane shielded inside.

  “I dont know how you stand it, Diane said. “Its al so

  horrible.

  Blair slid across the space between the facing seats and put an arm around

  her. “Try not to think about it right now, honey. Wel get you inside

  and once were safe, youl feel better.

  Diane laughed harshly. “Safe? Thats just an il usion, and I bet youve

  known that al along, havent you? She touched Blairs face as if seeing

  her for the very first time. “Youve known you could never be safe, so

  there was no reason to let them pretend to protect you.

  When the door opened and Cam leaned in, Blair didnt move but smiled

  over at her. “Il be right out, darling.

  “Go with her, Diane said. “Im al

  right.

  “No youre not. None of us are. Blair rubbed Dianes arm and rocked her