Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  window.

  Cam didnt disagree. Even sixty seconds could be a death sentence

  if the operation went bad. “Weve got thirty-six hours to cut the

  margin. Lets get working.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Frida

  y

  Y ou dont have to leave right away, do you? Diane sat on the bed

  watching

  Valerie dress. “Its not even nine

  oclock.

  Valerie hesitated, stil not used to disclosing the particulars of an

  operation to anyone. Of course, before Diane, there had never been

  anyone close enough other than Cam. Now, even though she would trust

  Diane with her life, she felt uneasy discussing the work she did. She had

  only just returned from spending the day finalizing the last details of the

  plan with Cam and Savard, and her mind was completely engaged with

  what was to come. It occurred to her then that there were reasons

  intimate relationships were discouraged for agents such as

  herself. The needs of others were a distraction. Life was a

  distraction.

  Forcing herself to focus on Diane, Valerie found her looking more

  pale than usual. She knew Diane hadnt slept the night before, even

  though she had tried to pretend she was sleeping. Eventual y theyd both

  admit ed they were awake and had made desperate love until morning,

  when Valerie had silently slipped away while Diane slept.

  “I want to be at the rendezvous point wel before he arrives, Valerie

  said.

  “What about the others? Theyl be with you, wont

  they?

  “Theyl fol ow a short time later. Dont worry, theyl be there

  long before anything happens.

  “Can I come with you to the

  marina?

  Valerie shook her head as she tucked her long-sleeved T-shirt into her

  jeans. “Im riding down with one of Tanners crew and they wont be

  coming back here. She kissed Diane softly. “I dont want you get ing

  marooned out there in the middle of the night.

  “I dont mind waiting. Diane rose and clasped Valerie lightly

  around the waist. “Im going to go slightly stir crazy waiting here.

  “You need to stay here, Valerie said gently, pul ing Diane

  close. She brushed her mouth over Dianes ear. “Its important

  that you stay close to Blair in case you have to leave quickly.

  Diane stiffened. “You mean if something goes wrong out there.

  “There are any number of reasons why Stark might want to

  move

  you both, and it wont necessarily mean that anything has

  gone wrong. Just promise me youll do whatever Stark says.

  “Im not leaving here without

  you.

  “You may have to. Please, love, I need to know that you will do

  what Stark says. Valerie cupped Dianes cheek. “I need to

  know youre all right so I can concentrate on doing this thing.

  Can you help me?

  Diane took a deep breath. “Yes. But promise youll call me

  or come find me as soon as you can?

  Feeling Diane tremble, Valerie murmured softly and kissed her.

  “I

  wont disappear. I wont do that to you again. No matter

  what.

  Diane nodded. “Wheres your gun? Youre taking your gun,

  arent you?

  “Yes. Valerie released Diane and went to the dresser where

  she kept her weapon. She clipped the holster to the waistband

  of her jeans. “Hell expect me to be armed. She didnt add that

  he might also ask her to relinquish it as a show of good faith.

  Diane didnt need more to worry about.

  “Im sure there are things I should be doing or saying, but I

  forgot to ask Blair for pointers, Diane said shakily.

  Valerie gathered her close again, drawing deeply of her

  scent, imprinting the shape and feel of her body and the way

  she fit so seamlessly into her own waiting places. “You dont

  require any advice on giving me exactly what I need. I love you.

  “I love you too. Ill see you

  soon.

  “Yes you will, Valerie said gently. She kissed her and was

  careful not to make it feel like goodbye. She would not leave

  Diane with

  that memory.

  * * * * *

  Cam reached for her shoulder holster but Blair got to it first

  and held it up so Cam could shrug into it. She pressed against

  Cams back, caressing the tops of her shoulders and down

  her arms. When she reached her hands, she slid her fingers

  between Cams.

  “Tanner was here earlier. I think she wanted to come with you.

  Cam shook her head. “Were using more civilians than we

  should

  already, but since I know I cant keep Tanner from sending her

  people out on the water to do perimeter surveil ance, I asked

  her to head up that part of the operation. But theres no way Im

  letting her get anywhere close to Henry.

  “I wish you didnt have to get close either, Blair said, meeting Cams eyes

  in the mirror over the dresser. What she saw made her tighten her

  hold on Cam, wrapping their joined arms around Cams middle, as if

  she could keep her safe within her embrace, forever. “Youre worried

  about something. What is it?

  “The problem is we cant real y get close enough , Cam said, “so were

  going to be relying on some pret y dicey technology. Thats not the way I

  like to do these things.

  “No, I know, Blair murmured. “You like to be right there yourself. Is it

  selfish of me to be glad that youre not going to be able to stand in front

  of her if someone starts shooting?

  Cam eased out of Blairs embrace and turned. “No, its not selfish. I

  wouldnt feel any dif erently if the positions were reversed. This is

  just one of those times when its actual y bet er to be close to the line

  of fire. Cam kissed her before

  walking to the closet to retrieve her windbreaker. “But we have an

  experienced team, and with Stark and Mac here coordinating and

  Tanners people on the water, weve got al the bases covered. Itl be

  fine.

  “Wheres your vest? Blair said

  sharply.

  “In

  the

  truck.

  “Tel me youre going to wear

  it.

  “I wil . Cam grabbed Blair and kissed her again, harder this time. “Wel

  need to debrief as soon as were done, so it might take awhile before I

  can cal . Dont worry, okay?

  “Il

  try.

  She stepped back, but kept a grip on Blairs forearms. “If for any reason

  Stark wants to evacuate, it might be tomorrow or the next day until we

  reconnect.

  Blair narrowed her eyes. “Why might Stark want to

  evacuate?

  “We dont think Matheson will try to hit here, but its not

  beyond the realm of possibility.

  “Is that the only reason?

  “Blair, Cam said pleadingly.

  “Cameron. When will you stop trying to protect

  me?

  Cam shrugged rueful y. “Probably never.

  Blair stroked her face. “All right. Good enough. Then just

  answer when I ask, if youre not going to volunteer the

  information.

  “If Stark loses communication wi
th us for any reason,

  weve agreed that she will get you out. It might be something as

  simple as the satel ite link going down, so theres no reason for

  you to worry if it happens.

  “You cant honestly believe that.

  “The only person at risk here is Valerie, Cam said. “Thats

  the truth.

  “Dont think I dont care about what happens to her, Cam,

  Blair said, “because I do. I like her. Diane loves her. I

  dont want anything to happen to her. Blair tangled her fingers in

  Cams hair. “ But you are my lover, and you come first, before

  anyone. Before Diane. Before my father, before this country.

  Cam held Blairs face as gently as she could and caressed

  her mouth with her lips. As she kissed her, she whispered, “The

  same is true for me. Ill be back as soon as I can.

  * * * * *

  “Hows the leg feeling? Paula asked as she buttoned her shirt.

  “Good. Steady. Renée slid an extra clip of ammunition into

  her

  jacket pocket. “Did you post extra people on the

  beach?

  “Yeah. Paula threaded her belt through her holster and

  snugged the buckle down. “We tightened the perimeters and

  doubled the guards. Matheson is not coming ashore without us

  knowing it.

  “What about the road? Renée sat on the bed to lace her boots.

  It still hurt to squat down or bend over. Fortunately, she wasnt

  going

  to be doing much moving once they got on board the

  boat.

  “We put up roadblocks diverting everything except local

  traffic, and weve got two people there to check any cars coming

  through. Fortunately, island traffic is real y light this time of year.

  “Yeah, I know. If this had been summer, it wouldve been a

  nightmare. Renée walked to Paula and snaked her arms

  around Paulas shoulders. “Dont take any chances, okay? I dont

  have to tell you how good Mathesons people are.

  Paula thought back to the at ack on the Aerie and the insane few moments

  when the automatic weapons fire was al she could hear. It

  seemed almost incomprehensible that six short weeks ago an at ack like

  that had been beyond imagining, and now she was preparing to protect

  the first daughter of the United States against a possible assault by a

  group of US extremists as if it were business as usual.

  “The commander was right moving us here. Its more defensible than if

  we were almost anywhere else. But dont worry, at the first sign of

  any problem, Im moving her.

  “Good. Renée kissed her quickly. “Il see you in a lit le

  while.

  “Hey, Paula said, stopping Renée with a hand on her arm. “I know you

  want this guy. We al do. Justjust dont take any chances, okay?

  For the first time, Renée recognized that Paula was worried. Worried and

  trying not to burden her by saying so. For the last two days, they had

  both been so caught up in planning the operation that theyd barely

  had a moment alone together. When they had taken a break, theyd had

  lit le energy to do more than fal into bed to catch a few hours sleep

  before get ing back to work. And, she had to admit, she was excited

  about another operation and thinking about nothing else. She was

  eager to get back into the field, and hungry, aching , for

  payback. Ever since 9/11 shed felt impotent, and the thwarted

  raid on Mathesons compound had only added to her sense of

  helplessness. Now she had a chance to set le the score, and that was al

  shed been thinking about.

  “Hey, sweetie, Im sorry, Renée said. “Ive been running on autopilot

  since yesterday morning. God, I want this guy so bad.

  “Do you think youl be able to take Henry alive? Paula

  asked.

  “Thats going to be Valeries cal , I think, Renée said, sit ing down on the

  edge of the bed and pat ing the space next to her. “Sit with me for a

  minute.

  Paula sat beside her and slipped an arm around her

  waist.

  “If Valerie reads Henry as still friendly, shes going to

  recommend a meeting between the three of themher, Cam,

  and Henrysomeplace on neutral territory. If she doesnt trust

  Henry or if Matheson shows, I think Valerie is going to make

  a different call.

  “Thats got to be tough after all the time theyve worked

  together, Paula said.

  “Shes ice. Renée said it respectful y. “Shell do whatever needs

  to be done.

  “I know. We all wil . Paula kissed Renée and squeezed her

  hand. “Try not to mess your leg up again tonight.

  “I wont. Renée smiled, tightening her grip on Paulas hand. “By

  the way, I love you like crazy.

  “Same here, Paula whispered. “Same here.

  * * * * *

  “All set? Cam asked as Valerie joined her and Savard in

  the kitchen.

  “Yes. Where are the others?

  Cam tilted her head toward the closed doors of the adjoining

  room. “Operations center. Do you want to look at the setup?

  “No, Valerie said. “Im sure Mac has everything under

  control. Valerie stood next to the table where Savard was

  drawing a clear solution from a 50cc glass vial into a 1cc syringe

  and unzipped her jeans.

  “How does your neck feel? Savard asked as she opened a

  foil wrapper and extracted an alcohol swab.

  “A tiny bit sore, Valerie said, rubbing a fingertip lightly over

  the spot just below her ear where the transdermal microphone

  had been inserted that morning. “How do you read it?

  “Loud and clear, Savard said, pointing to the wireless receiver

  that was barely visible in her ear. “Right leg or left?

  “Left.

  Savard pulled on gloves, swabbed Valeries upper thigh with

  the alcohol, and palpated for the femoral pulse. When she

  found it, she inserted the needle half an inch away, drew back

  until she saw venous blood, and injected the Neosynephrine.

  “Youre going to feel your heart race in a few minutes, but

  the peripheral vasoconstriction wont be maximal for an hour

  and a half to two

  hours. She met Valeries eyes. “Once this starts working, your

  skin is going to be damn cold and if he touches you, hell know.

  “If he touches me it will only be for a second and I dont think

  hell notice, Valerie said as she zipped her jeans.

  Savard gathered her equipment. “Wear as lit le as you can on the boat

  on the way out to drop your core temperature even more. I dont know

  how wel this is going to work. Im just guessing on the dosage.

  “I dressed light and Il take my jacket of . Id go in the water, but hel

  notice if Im wet.

  “We cant risk you get ing that cold, Cam said, shaking her head. “If you

  have to go into the water for any reason later on, and you start

  out with a core temperature that low, you wont last thirty seconds.

  Valerie smiled. “Youl be there before

  that. Cam said nothing.

  “See you later, Savard said, touching Valerie lightly on the arm before

  leaving.

  “Theres a car outside to take you down to the marina, Cam said as

  she
and

  Valerie walked toward the front door. “Il ride with

  you.

  Valerie stopped. “No. Stay here. I know how many last-minute details

  there are to check. Im al right, Cameron.

  The hal way was dimly lit, and Cam thought Valerie looked almost

  ghostlike in the shadows, as if she were already gone. It made her

  uneasy, and she unconsciously reached out and touched her cheek.

  “Youre not going to be alone out there.

  “I know. Im not worried. Valerie covered Cams hand for a brief second.

  Then

  she drew it away from her face, but kept Cams fingers in her grasp.

  “There are many things unsaid between us. You should know that there

  were times that your presence in my life was the only thing that

  mat ered to me. There was never a single moment when I felt anything

  but cared for by you.

  “Valerie, Cam murmured.

  “Youre

  “Let me finish, because weve got work to do, Valerie said gently.

  “Ive been happier these last few weeks, despite everything, than Ive

  ever been in my life. Diane means everything to me, and if it werent for

  having met you and realizing that I could love someone, I dont think I

  would have been able to love her the way I do. Take care of her for me,

  if anything happens to me tonight.

  “Al right, Cam said roughly. “Il make you that promise because I dont

  want you thinking about anything tonight except the operation.

  Do your job, and Il do mine, and youl be back here before

  sunrise.

  “Thank you, Cameron. Valerie leaned close and kissed Cam lightly

  on the mouth. “Happy hunting, Commander. Then she turned and

  walked out the front door.

  Cam listened to the engine start and the vehicle pul away before heading

  back to the operations center. The ache in her chest eased as soon as she

  walked in and saw Mac and Stark sit ing before computer consoles.

  Felicia stood just behind Mac, her hand on his shoulder. These were her

  people, the best at what they did of anyone in the world. She trusted

  them to keep Blair safe. To keep Valerie safe.

  “Hows the feed? Cam

  asked.

  Without turning around, Mac said, “Excel ent. Our friends in the

  Pentagon have great toys.

  Cam leaned down to look at the satel ite image of the sector of ocean

  where

  Valerie would rendezvous with Henry. It was so clear, she could feel the

  spray. “Amazing. Why didnt we have this before we hit Mathesons

  compound? We might not have dropped into a hot zone.

  “Because it wasnt their action. Mac looked over his shoulder at