Honor Under Siege

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