Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?

  “On and off, yes. Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours

  ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing.

  Fortunately, she cant get out of bed by herself, and I wont help

  her.

  Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Dianes eyes, she

  quickly smothered it. “Ill only be a few minutes.

  “Do you want to speak to her alone?

  “If you dont mind.

  Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on

  some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.

  “Thanks.

  “Cam, Diane said, partial y closing the door, “I want to

  apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know

  Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked

  “Diane, Cam murmured, shaking her head. “Theres nothing to

  be sorry for. Weve all been under a lot of strain.

  “You saved her life.

  Cam glanced across the dimly lit room to the quiet figure in

  the bed, thinking of where they had begun. “Then were even.

  “What happens now? Diane asked.

  “We take back control of our lives.

  * * * * *

  Five hours later, Blair and Cam walked into Lucinda

  Washburns office. Lucindas only concession to the fact that it

  was a weekend was that she wore a gray sweater, casual black

  trousers, and low heels instead of a suit.

  “Id like to hear your preliminary report before I send it on

  to

  Averil , Lucinda said, referring to the security

  adviser.

  In other words, Lucinda would put in writing whatever she

  wanted the official story to be after shed heard the facts. Cam

  sat on the sofa with Blair beside her and waited while Lucinda gave

  someone instructions to hold her calls before taking her

  customary seat across from them.

  “I take it this unscheduled visit means something important

  broke? Lucinda said.

  “Weve located Valerie Lawrence, Cam replied. “Her

  Company handler, known to us at the moment only as Henry,

  is dead. Im confident that he was the source of the security

  breach and not Valerie.

  “Excellent, Lucinda said. “When will we be able to

  debrief

  Lawrence?

  “You wont, Cam answered.

  Lucinda showed no change in expression when she shifted

  her gaze to Blair. “Would you mind excusing us for a few

  moments.

  “You know, Blair said, leaning back and crossing her legs, “I

  real y would.

  “Blair, Lucinda said with the merest bit of

  heat.

  “Luce, Blair snapped, “you were the one who suggested using my best

  friend to lure Valerie out into the open. You wanted me involved then,

  and now I am. So Im not leaving.

  Cam decided it might be wise to forestal the fireworks that were sure to

  come. “Valerie Lawrence is a member of my homeland security

  team, and any information she may have wil be relayed by me if I feel

  it necessary. My agents wil not be debriefed by anyone else.

  “Since when is Ms. Lawrence part of your team? Lucinda

  asked.

  “Since

  noon

  today.

  Lucinda folded her hands in her lap and appeared to be lost in thought.

  “How secure is her identity?

  “Im not certain, Cam said, “and neither is she. Henry has always been

  her only personal contact, but undoubtedly there are records of her

  somewhere in the Company system. However, the right word in the

  right place can take care of that.

  “What do you propose? Lucinda

  asked.

  “I propose that Valerie Lawrence died at sea in the same unfortunate

  boating accident that kil ed her handler.

  “I think youd bet er fil me in on the

  details.

  Cam gave her a rundown of the events, and as she spoke, Blair shifted

  closer and took Cams hand.

  “You executed a CIA handler? Lucinda said

  incredulously.

  “Jesus, Luce, Blair

  said.

  “I did, yes, Cam said

  evenly.

  “And youre certain it was

  warranted?

  “Yes, Cam said. “He was a traitor and he was about to kil Valerie

  Lawrence, or cause her to be kil ed.

  “What about this missile you described? Lucindas eyes narrowed as she

  visibly assessed, ordered, and prioritized information. “Can we

  trace it back to Matheson somehow?

  “Doubtful. The boats and whatever might remain of the SSM are in

  several hundred feet of heavily traf icked waters. Salvage would

  draw unwanted at ention. I dont think its worth the risk.

  “Al right. Lucinda tapped her fingers soundlessly on the arm of the

  chair, an action that nevertheless had the impact of a gavel fal ing. “The

  of icial line is that Agent Lawrence died at sea during a meeting with

  her handler. And now what?

  “Wel arrange for her to have a new identity, Cam said, “and shel join

  my team as the counterintel igence chief.

  “I know we told you to pick your own people, Lucinda said,

  “but

  “You did. Cam leaned forward, tucking Blairs hand against her

  middle. “If youve changed your mind, then I resign.

  “Not many people try playing hardbal with me, Deputy Director

  Roberts.

  “I can appreciate why. But Im not playing. I didnt ask for this job, and

  if Im going to do it, Im going to do it the way I see fit.

  “Youl continue to report to me and, through me, to the security

  adviser. Cam nodded. “Agreed.

  “How do you assess the danger to

  Blair?

  “Currently, I dont see her as a target. Matheson needed to eliminate his

  contact in the Company because he knew we would be searching for

  it. Who knows how much Henry knew about Matheson and his

  operation? Matheson risked exposure and possible capture to deal with

  Henry, but it was a calculated risk and for the time being, its paid of for

  him. Now, I think hel go underground and consolidate his power base.

  “Makes sense. What about the long term? Lucinda

  asked.

  Cam grimaced. “Eventual y, once Matheson has rebuilt his forces, I

  think she hesitated and glanced at Blair. “I think hel make another

  at empt on Blair.

  “To what end? Lucinda

  said.

  “Blair is as much a figurehead as her father, and striking at her would

  not only privately undermine the president, but also publicly

  demonstrate that he is incapable of protecting the American people,

  even his own daughter.

  “Interesting theory, Lucinda said, rising and beginning to pace. “That

  makes

  Blair as important to national

  security as

  “Blairs sit ing here, Blair said, giving a lit le wave with her

  free hand.

  “Sorry,

  Cam

  said.

  Lucinda laughed and regarded Blair with her hands on her hips. “You

  wanted to stay, Blair. I never said we werent going to talk about you.

  “Including me usual y works bet er. Blair shifted her focus from

  Luc
inda to

  Cam. “Just how long have you been working on this

  hypothesis?

  “Since the at ack at the Aerie. There had to be some compel ing reason

  to risk something like thatfor Matheson to send his best men on a suicide

  mission. Why you? Why not the president?

  “Because, Blair said slowly, “if my father were kil ed, he would

  become a martyr. The people would demand an explanation, if not

  retribution. Congress would rush to al ocate money and personnel to

  find out what happened. But if he remains in of ice while his ability

  to lead is cal ed into question and his authority is eroded, just the

  opposite happens. The political and economic ramifications would be

  devastating.

  “Yes. Cam brushed her thumb over the top of Blairs hand, which she

  cradled between both of hers. “Al this means is that you have to be

  careful and wel al have to be vigilant. Thats nothing new.

  Blair smiled and skimmed her fingers over the edge of Cams jaw. “Thank

  you. I

  know

  what

  it

  means.

  “How close are you to get ing Matheson? Lucinda asked

  impatiently.

  “Not close enough. Cam frowned. “We wont find him through any

  direct channels. Hes not going to return to his home base, or cal upon

  men he served with, or contact remaining family members. Hes going

  underground. And the only way to find someone who has done that is

  to uncover a link to potential associates.

  “And that is the slowest route, Lucinda said with a sigh. “Just ask the

  FBI. How many people have been on their Ten Most Wanted list for a

  decade or more?

  “Exactly. Were compiling extensive profiles of known or possible

  contacts, but we need to expand our investigation to include

  paramilitary organizations. We might just stumble over him or someone

  who can lead us to him.

  “Youl need more people for

  that.

  “Wel need information analysts and data col ectors based here in DC, but

  none of them wil require critical security clearance. I want to

  keep the core investigation with my personal team working out of

  New York City.

  Lucinda sat back down. “Who dont you trust

  here?

  “The bet er question is, who do I trust. Cam shrugged. “I trust you, but

  there are too many eyes and ears in this building and al over this city.

  Cam laughed bit erly. “Hel , the CIA put people inside an escort

  service. You can bet they have them in the White House.

  “Its unorthodox to work that far outside the

  system.

  “Matheson came after Blair, Cam said flatly. “Il do whatever I have to

  do with or without anyones approval.

  Lucinda glanced at Blair. “It boggles my mind that you havent kil

  ed her.

  “It was touch and go for a while when we first met. Blair smiled

  softly and entwined her fingers with Cams. “Once you get to know

  her, of course, you discovershes just as dangerous as she sounds.

  “And what about the wedding, Lucinda said dryly. “Considering recent

  events, have you two decided to take the prudent course and delay?

  Cam eased back against the sofa and said

  nothing.

  “Were get ing married Thanksgiving weekend in Colorado, Blair said.

  “You can try to keep it a secret if you want to, but its going to leak and

  we al know it, so you might as wel go ahead and announce the details.

  Lucinda shook her head. “Youre

  sure?

  “Weve been sure for a long time, Blair

  said.

  “And

  until

  then?

  “Were going back to Whitley Point, Cam said, “to finalize details for

  purchasing the house. Wed also like to arrange for renovation of the

  Aerie.

  “I thought wed decided that the security breach was too severe to risk

  Blair returning.

  “We need a place to live in Manhat an if Cams base of operations is

  there, Blair said. “And thats my home.

  “Blair and I talked about it on the flight down here, Cam said. “The

  breach wasnt because of an inherent problem with building security,

  but because Matheson had an inside person providing him with

  details and access. Instead of reinventing the wheel somewhere else, wel

  correct for weaknesses there.

  “Il discuss it with the president. Lucinda held up her hand when Blair

  started to protest. “You can save the damn declaration of independence,

  Blair. There are some things he wants to know about, and your security

  is one of them. Thats the way it is.

  “Okay, Blair said quietly. “But Il talk to him about it,

  okay?

  “I suppose it i s a father-daughter thing. Lucinda smiled fleetingly. “So,

  where are we then?

  “Wel , Cam said, “we know our enemy, which is the critical element

  necessary to win any war. We have the best people anywhere in the

  world working for us. And we have every reason in the world to

  prevail, so eventual y, we wil . She smiled at Blair. “As to the

  immediate future, Blair and I have a wedding to prepare for.

  Blair pul ed Cam to her feet and slid an arm around her waist. “Final y, a

  plan I

  cant find anything to argue with.

  Lucinda laughed. “Wil wonders never cease.

  “No, Blair said, kissing Cam tenderly, “not in this lifetime.

  About the Author

  Radcly f fe is a retired surgeon and full time author-

  publisher with over twenty-fi ve lesbian novels and anthologies in

  print. She is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Alice B.

  Readers award for her body of work and has been short-

  listed for the Lambda Literary Awards and Golden Crown

  Literary Society Awards multiple times, winning the 2005

  Lambda Literary Awards with Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen

  Moments ed. with Stacia Seaman and Distant Shores, Silent

  Thunder and the 2006 Gold Crown Awards with Justice Served .

  She has selections in numerous anthologies including Call of the

  Dark , The Perfect Valentine, Wild Nights , Best Lesbian

  Erotica 2006 and 2007 , After Midnight, Caught Looking:

  Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists

  , First-

  Timers, Ultimate Undies: Erotic Stories About Lingerie and

  Underwear , A is for Amour , and Naughty Spanking Stories 2 .

  She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books, a

  publishing company featuring lesbian-themed general and genre fi

  ction.

  Her forthcoming works include Winds of Fortune (Oct 2007),

  and In Deep Waters: Volume 1 , an erotica col ection written

  with Karin Kal maker (2007).

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