by Radclyffe
Savard frowned. “What about the women?
Cam shook her head. “Not likely. Matheson runs a military
academy for boys. All of the assailants were men. All of the
paramilitary personnel at his compound were men. He
doesnt entrust women with authority.
Felicias eyes flashed. “One of his many
mistakes.
“Agreed, Cam said with quiet satisfaction. “Hes going to
regret underestimating us.
* * * * *
“I was wondering when you were going to surface, Blair
said when Cam walked into the kitchen a little after 10 p.m. She
pulled the red sweatband from her forehead and let her hair fall
free on her shoulders. Shed just come from a run on the beach
and still wore sweatpants and a cutoff T-shirt. “Theres
chicken in the oven.
“Thanks, but Im good. Tanner had sandwiches sent in for us.
Cam opened the refrigerator and extracted a beer. “Want one?
“Ive got wine. Blair waited until Cam sat down at the table
and took several swallows of beer before moving behind
her to massage her shoulders. “Long day.
Cam leaned her head back against Blairs body, briefly closed
her eyes, and sighed. “Yeah. How was yours?
“About the same. I painted a little this
afternoon. “Anything I can see yet?
Blair smiled. “Soon. Maybe
tomorrow.
“I wont forget. What else is
new?
“Tanners people took Emory back to the city. Steph is going to stay
with her for a day or so just to be sure shes okay.
“Good. Hows Diane?
Blairs hand stil ed.
“Upset.
“Il talk to her as soon as I check in with Mac and Stark. Hopeful y
they had bet er luck sorting out what happened at the hotel last night
than we had today.
“No
progress?
Cam sighed. “Some. I have no doubt that given enough time we could
track the various threads back to the hub, but I dont think we have that
much time. Not when Matheson can put together assault squads like he
did at the Aerie, people who dont care if they die.
Blair went back to working on the muscles in Cams neck. “You think it
was a suicide mission?
“I doubt they framed it that way, but the probability was
overwhelming that none of the assailants would survive.
“You think hel try
again.
Cam fel silent, wondering if spel ing out her concerns to Blair
was fair.
“Dont try to decide whats good for me or not, just tel me what you think,
Blair said.
Cam looked up into Blairs face. “Yes, I
do.
“Wel . Hes not so smart, then, is he? I just hope he does it soon
so we can get this over with. Blair kissed the top of Cams
head. “Why dont you take a shower and change into
something more comfortable. Your back is one big knot.
“Are you going to come with
me?
Blair laughed. “No, not unless you intend on spending the rest
of the night in the bedroom.
“Sounds good to me. Cam grinned, tilting her head further
back against Blairs stomach. “I missed you today.
Blair traced Cams eyebrows with a fingertip, then leaned over
and kissed her mouth upside down. “Ive been thinking of this
morning all day. I love that position, but next time I want it
to be your mouth under me.
Cam groaned and nosed Blairs T-shirt aside so she could kiss
her bare middle. “Let me finish up a few more things, and Ill
take care of that wish. I can shower later.
“Ill be waiting.
* * * * *
“Anything? Cam asked as she strode into the operations
center. Stark, Mac, andto her surpriseWozinski were reviewing
printouts. “Hi Greg. Things finished up in Boston?
Wozinski shrugged. “The feebies are handling it. Need I say
more?
“Other than things are moving slowly? Cam grinned. “What
do you have?
“Shooters name was Allen Strassmann, and as we already
knew, he was on Constantines watch list. Hes also on half a
dozen other lists under watchall right-wing, pro-Christian,
pro-life, ultraconservative groups.
“On the surface, Stark said, “it looks like Dr. Constantine was
the target.
Cam leaned against the door jamb and folded her arms.
“You disagree?
“If the doctor was the target, it seems pretty stupid to try to
take her out when shes with Egret, who everyone knows
would be heavily guarded.
“Maybe it was simply a matter of opportunity, Cam
said.
“Possible. But how did they know that Constantine was in the
hall with us? It was a spur of the moment decision to leave then.
“Maybe Strassmann was in the banquet hall or had someone
watching Emorys movements who could alert him, the same as
we postulated might be the case if Blair were the target.
Stark nodded, but she didnt look convinced. “If I were going
to take a shot at Emory Constantine, I would plan to do it when
she was leaving the hotel after the eventin the parking garage,
maybe, or even in the crowd coming out of the banquet hall.
Thered be a much better chance of getting away with itand
getting away,
period.
“Do we have any indication that this guy Strassmann might
have targeted Blair? Cam joined the others around the table.
“We dont have anything in the files about this guyor
any organization hes involved withcontacting her, issuing
statements, or posting inflammatory messages on any of their
message boards regarding her. Nothing ties him to her.
“Im not surprised. If I were going to choose an assassin, Id
want him, or her, to be someone anonymous. Cam shrugged.
“That assumes there was someone behind this other than
Strassmann himself.
“It would be a damn big coincidence, Mac said as he sat
down with coffee, “if someone just happened to take a shot at
Emory Constantine when she just happened to be with Egret.
Despite the evidence, or lack of it, its too big a coincidence for
me.
Stark nodded. “I agree.
“So do I. Cam stood. “Keep working the Strassmann angle
and assume his target was Blair. See if you can find a
relationship between him and any known Matheson
connectionsmaybe hes related to one of Mathesons men captured
at the compound.
“Will do, Commander. Stark hesitated, as if she were about to
say more, then fell silent.
“Chief? Cam asked.
“Nothing, Commander.
“No, Cam said as if the question had been asked. “We didnt
make a whole hell of a lot of progress, but were still digging.
“We real y need Valerie Lawrence to come in if were going to
find the link to Matheson, Stark said.
“Im working on it. Cam surveyed the group. “Until then we
carry on.
* * * * *
Cam leaned into the living room and tapped on the partial y
open French door that d
ivided it from the hallway and the
first floor bedrooms. Diane was curled up on one end of the
dark brown leather sofa in front of the fireplace. A half empty
glass of wine sat on the end table beside her. Shed changed
from the jeans shed been wearing earlier into black slacks
and a fitted, white scoop neck top with three-quarter length
sleeves. She looked remote and very much alone.
“Can I talk to you?
Diane glanced over her shoulder. “Of
course.
Diane turned back to the fire as Cam sat down next to
her.
“Im sorry I didnt get a chance to warn you about the newspaper article
before you saw it, Cam said.
“Would you stil have released it if I had
objected?
“Yes.
“Thank you for let ing me make the phone cal s this afternoon. My sister
and my
of ice manager were very relieved to hear that I wasnt seriously injured.
Diane added sharply, “Of course, I stuck to the script Stark provided
me. The one you approved, I assume.
Cam winced. “I didnt mean to make you feel like a
conspirator.
“Then why did you do
it?
“Its
complicated
“That means its about
Valerie.
“Yes, Cam admit ed. “She wont come in to protect herself, but she
wil to protect you. And we need her.
Diane shifted, studying Cam with no apparent trace of her previous
anger. “Thats emotional blackmail, dont you think?
“Yes, it
is.
“How do you make that al
right?
“Its bet er for Valerie, its bet er for you. And its bet er for
Blair.
“Thats the bot om line, isnt it?
Blair. Cam regarded her
steadily. “Yes.
“No apologies? No elaborate rationalizations or
arguments?
“No.
“Clear and simple, Diane whispered to
herself.
“Not clear and not simple, Cam said. “Necessary. Valerie wil
understand.
“And youre sure that this is the best thing for
Valerie?
“As sure as I can be, Cam said. “You have to trust me on
that one. Diane laughed harshly. “It seems that we al have to
trust you for quite a bit, Cam. Thats asking a lot, dont you
think?
“Diane, Blair said from the doorway. “Cam knows what shes doing.
Theres no one bet er to make these decisions.
“I hope youre right. Diane rose and strode abruptly toward the
door, then paused to look back at Cam. “Because if something happens
to Valerie because of this, Il never forgive you for using me against
her.
As Diane hurried from the room, Blair said, “Shes just upset. Il go talk
to her.
“Its okay. She deserves to be angry. I didnt handle it
wel .
“Oh, dont be ridiculous, Cameron. Youre not responsible for everyone,
and she happens to be wrong.
Cams lips twitched. “Thank you for coming to my defense. I
think.
Blair grasped Cams chin in her hand, and kissed her, a deep probing
kiss. “I know how you get. Im not let ing you beat yourself up about
this. You did the right thing even if your timing sucked.
“You dont usual y complain about my ti Cam broke of as her cel phone
rang. “Roberts. She held Blairs gaze as she spoke. “Where?. .Tel them
to intercept, but do notI repeatdo not use deadly force. Alert Stark to
secure the house. Il be right there.
“What is it? Blair asked
anxiously.
“Intruder on the beach. I have to
go.
“Let Tanners people handle it.
Cam
“Stay here, Blair. Il be fine. Il be back as soon as I
can.
“Damn
it,
Cam
Cam ran toward the back of the house, punching in Felicias number on
her cel . “I need back up. Il be on the path to the dunes.
“Roger,
Commander.
Savard?
Cam pushed through the back door. It was dark with only moonlight to
guide her, but she knew the route by heart. She issued orders as she ran,
phone in one hand and weapon in the other. “No. Savards not mobile
enough. Tel her to take a position behind the guest house. No one
approaches the rear of the compound except on my orders. Cal Starkred
alert.
“Copy that.
Cam hit the beach running and saw a flurry of activity,
dark shapes converging from multiple directions, a quarter of a
mile up the strand.
Hearing muffled shouts, she closed the phone and shoved it
into the pocket of her pants. As she drew closer, she saw
three of Tanners agents pointing assault rifles at a figure
kneeling in the sand, arms outstretched. A slender figure with
short blond hair in a dark jacket and pants. Cam skidded to a stop
a few feet away and holstered her weapon.
Valerie looked up at her. “Hel o,
Cameron.
“Are you okay?
“Perfectly, thank you.
Cam motioned the others away. “Ive got this. Thank you.
You can return to your posts.
Valerie rose and brushed sand from her
pants.
“That was risky, Cam said. “They might have shot
you. “I knew your people would be bet er trained
than that. “Pret y trusting.
Valerie smiled softly. “Ive always trusted
you.
Cam wondered how long the trust would last. “Come up to the house,
she said. “Weve been expecting you.
Chapter Twenty-One
I take it the newspaper item was fabricated? Valerie asked as soon as
they were out of earshot of the guards.
Cam grinned briefly, not surprised that Valerie had been suspicious of the
cover story. Agents indoctrinated to clandestine work understood how
often and to what extent the media was used to subvert the truth.
Cam had hoped that Valerie would not take a chance on ignoring the
report, even though she might not completely believe it. “Most of it was
an embel ishment.
“Is Diane al
right?
“Yes, shes completely
fine.
“But there was some kind of an
incident.
“Yes, Cam said, unwil ing to discuss any further details until she had a
better sense of Valeries agenda.
As if understanding, Valerie didnt pursue it further. “I expected the
guards to cal
Stark when they intercepted me, she said. “Are you running Blairs
detail again?
Cam shook her head. “No, but this entire operation is an OHS mat er,
and that puts me in charge.
“And youre going to take on the
Company?
“If
need
be.
“The Companys been around a long time, Valerie said. “Homeland
Security is so fresh most people dont even know what it is.
“Theyl find out soon
enough.
“I guess we al wil . Valerie pushed her hands into the pocket of her
<
br /> jacket and hunched her shoulders against the wind. “God, this is going
to be a mess until people sort out their turf.
“Probably for a lot longer than that. Cam realized Valerie was shivering.
“How far did you walk?
“Four or five milesI wanted to be sure to flank your guards so theyd
have a good look at me as I came up the beach. I didnt want to come out
of nowhere right on top of them and have them shooting at shadows.
“You said you thought they were too wel -trained
for that.
“Lets just say I prefer the odds to be solidly stacked in my favor
when Im unarmed in hostile territory.
“Sound procedure, Cam agreed. Shed find out soon enough just how
Valerie had penetrated far enough into the island to get around the
guards. She sensed movement in the shadows of to her right and slid her
hand over her weapon just as Felicia stepped out of the cover of the
dunes. Beside her, Valerie tensed.
“Al clear, Commander? Felicia
asked.
“Yes. You can let Savard and Stark know to stand
down.
“Yes maam. Felicia relayed the orders by radio, then regarded Valerie
as the trio climbed the path toward the compound. “Good to see you.
“Thanks, Valerie replied. “I feel the
same.
“You and Savard should take some down time while you can, Davis,
Cam said. “Wel brief again at 0600.
“Yes maam. Felicia veered of the path toward the guesthouse.
“Goodnight, Commander.
Cam stopped midway between the guesthouse and the main house at a
point outside the visual range of the perimeter guards stationed at the
rear of the house. She faced Valerie, who looked thin and pale in the
moonlight. “Blair is inside. So is Diane. I know Tanners men already
frisked you, but I need to do it myself.
“Of course. Valerie unzipped her jacket, then held her arms out to her
sides at shoulder level and spread her legs.
“Unbut on your blouse and unzip your jeans, Cam said. “Im sorry its
cold out here.
“Just get it done,
Cameron.
“Il
be
quick.
Wordlessly, Valerie opened her
clothing.
Cam swiftly checked for weapons, which she hadnt expected to find,
and then more careful y skimmed her fingers inside the cups of Valeries
bra, over the bare skin of her abdomen and back, and underneath the top
of her jeans in front and back looking for a microphone, which she
hoped she wouldnt find. She didnt. “Thanks.
Valerie redressed. “Can I see
Diane?
“Yes, but just for a minute. You and I need to
