Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  “Anything, Renée murmured. “Anything for

  you.

  * * * * *

  Just before seven, Blair walked with Cam as far as the

  guesthouse. A light rain fell beneath a gray sky and in the

  distance the ocean was rough with angry chop.

  “Winters coming, Blair said, and for some reason, that made

  her feel melancholy.

  Cam took her hand. “Lets get married at the Lodge in

  Colorado. We can call Doris today and make arrangements.

  “What? Blair gaped, then her eyes brightened with

  pleasure. “What brought that on?

  Cam brushed her thumb along the crest of Blairs cheek.

  “We havent stopped moving for the last two months. I want a few

  days with you when all that matters is being with you.

  “You do? Blair glanced down the path to the guesthouse where the

  current office of the Deputy Director of Homeland Security

  was located, knowing that Cams agents waited for her inside

  and that the work her lover was doing was critical to the nations

  wel -being. She also knew that the work was essential to C a m

  s wel -being. The last thing she expected was for Cam to be

  thinking of anything except work.

  “Im sorry, Cam murmured as if reading her mind. “Im sorry that I

  havent made

  it clear to you how much I need you.

  “Cameron. Blair skimmed her fingers through Cams hair. “You

  made that perfectly clear not more than an hour ago.

  Cam grinned briefly. “That too, but more than anything I need you

  Her eyes darkened and she touched her palm to her chest. “in here.

  Blair caught her breath. “Oh my God. You have to go right this minute

  or Im going to have to drag you back to bed. You cant say things like

  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 sn
ippet 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.

  “Matheson has had a lifetime to build up a network inside

  the system, Felicia said. “Were looking for a needle in a

  haystack.

  “Maybe. But men like Matheson know that the most

  secure network is one thats small and built on personal

  loyalty. She turned away from the window and the reminder of

  the rest of her life to face her agents. “What creates the greatest

  loyalty?

  “Chain of command, Savard said

  immediately. “Family, Felicia replied.

  “Start with Foster and the other four men from the assault on

  Blair, and find their brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers,

  grandfathers every male relative who might have been

  associated with

  Matheson or Mathesons brothers, uncles, father, whatever.