Honor 06 - Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  “No.

  “The press will be all over her tonight, and were not going to keep them out of the banquet. Its a fundraiser, and Im sure the PR people from the institute will want reporters present. Cam shook her head. “Its going to be a long night.

  “Theres one other issue, Commander, Stark said.

  Cam gave her a questioning look.

  “You were targeted this week, so we have to assume youre at risk. Wozinski will cover y

  “No, Cam said flatly. “I appreciate it, Chief, but dont pull someone off Blairs detail for me. I dont need it.

  “With respect

  Cam stood. “Im officially refusing, Stark. You already have two to coverBlair as the primary and Diane as the secondary. You dont have the people to cover anyone else. Are we clear?

  “Yes maam, Stark said tightly.

  “Thank you.

  * * * * *

  “You ready for this? Blair asked Diane, who sat across from her in the rear of the limo. Renée Savard sat next to her and anyone who didnt know better would think they made an amazing looking couple. Diane, slightly taller and more willowy than Renée, wore a fitted cobalt blue evening gown with a halter tie and keyhole openings in the bodice. Renées jacket and pants were equally elegant. It was obvious to Blair that Renée walked just slightly ahead of Diane and scanned the surroundings with every step. Blair noticed the subtle surveillance because Cam always did the same thing.

  Now Diane peered through the bulletproof, one-way glass as the armored limo, courtesy of the Boston Secret Service office, slowed at the side entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. “There are fewer press here than for one of your gallery openings. She smiled at Blair, but her eyes were sad. “I was hoping to get a chance to plug your next show.

  Blair laughed, appreciating Dianes fortitude. She hoped that the evening would at least provide a diversion for her for a few hours. She settled her hand onto Cams thigh, absently running her fingertips along the seam of the silk tuxedo pants. “Most of them are probably out front, dont you think?

  “ Yes, Cam said. “But it wont take long for them to figure out where we are.

  “ Well, then, Blair pushed the door open as the limo stopped at the curb, “lets make them run for it.

  With a muffled oath, Cam jumped out and surreptitiously grasped Blairs hand. “God damn it, Blair, wait.

  Stark barreled out of the front and rushed to Blairs opposite side. Renée and Diane moved up behind them with Hara following.

  “ Sorry, darling, Blair said lightly, hooking her arm through Cams. “Weve got cameras on the left and people waving signs off to the right.

  “ I see them, Cam muttered, keeping her expression neutral as Blair smiled briefly in the direction of the photographers.

  When several called out questions to Blair, she waved but didnt answer, pretending she hadnt heard them. She pointedly ignored those calling on God or whatever other powers they believed in to punish her for her sinful ways.

  “ Lovely, Diane said from close behind.

  Cam reached for the hotel door and found Stark there before her.

  “ Go ahead please, Stark said. “The escalators to the mezzanine are directly to your right.

  Cam hesitated for just a second, then moved through with Blair by her side.

  “ Youre just my date, remember? Blair murmured.

  “ Sorry, Cam muttered.

  “ Dont be.

  Blair and Cam joined the crowd on the mezzanine and a moment later, a small, compact brunette in a black evening dress approached. Even in heels, she was of average height, but her dynamic expression and confident carriage made her presence seem larger.

  “ Ms. Powell. She extended her hand. “Im so honored that you could come this evening. Im Emory Constantine.

  “ Dr. Constantine, Blair said, taking the researchers hand. “Thank you. My partner, Cameron Roberts, and my good friends Diane Bleeker and Renée Savard.

  “ Agent Roberts, a pleasure. Emory Constantine shook hands with Cam, then indicated the open doors to the banquet hall behind her. “Please, wont all of you join me at my table.

  “ Thank you, Blair said. “Wed love to.

  “ You should burn in hell, a male voice shouted from across the foyer. “The Bible says you are an abomination.

  Cam instinctively stepped between Blair and the direction of the voice just as Stark did the same. Stark slid a hand under her jacket.

  “ Wozinski has him, she murmured just loud enough for Cam to hear.

  “ Good. Keeping between Blair and that side of the hallway, Cam took Blairs hand and said, “Were clear. Lets go inside.

  Blair met Emory Constantines concerned gaze. “Im sorry for the disruption.

  Emory smiled faintly. “I was about to say the same thing to you, Ms. Powell. I have a number of fairly vocal opponents.

  “ Then we have quite a bit in common, Blair said.

  Emorys gaze flickered briefly to Cam and then to Diane and Renée. Then she grinned, her dark eyes sparkling. “It seems that we do.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I m sorry, Emory Constantine murmured, bending over Blair, who sat at the head table with Cam, Diane, Renée, and a number of notables from the scientific and financial world, “but would you mind posing for one more round of photos? The president of the Institute

  “ No, I dont mind, Blair said with a smile, even though shed been photographed with and without her permission more times than she cared to count in the last three hours. She was used to the press and had expected more than her usual share of attention after all the events of the last few months and the recent announcement of her personal plans. Emory it seemed, also garnered a fair amount of media notice, so with the two of them sitting together, the questions and photos had been non-stop all evening. “Ill be right there.

  As she rose, Cam did also. Out of the corner of her eye, Blair saw Paula wending her way through the tables toward her. When Blair followed Emory onto the stage and joined the small group waiting there, Cam and Paula took up positions off to each side. Randolph Sumter, the current president of the Johnson Institute, was middle-aged, handsome, and wore his power with subtle arrogance. He didnt try to hide his non-philanthropic interest as his gaze swept over Blair during their introduction.

  “ Ms. Powell, he said in a smooth baritone, “wed love to have you tour the Institute. I think youll find we are doing some remarkable work.

  “ Yes, Blair replied with polite reserve. “Ive followed Dr. Constantines research with interest. You must be very pleased to have her and her team on board.

  To his credit, his smile never wavered. “Without a doubt. Please remember me to your father. The board was a staunch supporter during his last campaign.

  “ I certainly will. Blair took Cams hand. “I dont believe youve met my partner, Cameron Roberts.

  Sumter acknowledged Cam perfunctorily, signaled to the photographers, and positioned himself between Blair and Emory with a hand on each of their backs. Once the obligatory photo shoot was over, Blair drew Emory aside.

  “ I hope you dont mind, but Im going to slip out a little early.

  Emory shook her head. “Please, you dont need to explain. She glanced at a woman who pointed a camera in their direction. “Theyre hungry tonight, arent they?

  “ Tonight? Blair laughed. “Im really glad we got to meet. I thought your speech was dynamite. If theres ever anything I can do, just give me a call.

  “ Thank you. Emory walked Blair to the far side of the stage where the crowd on the floor was thinner. “I might just take you up on that someday.

  Blair smiled. “Good. Im serious.

  “ Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, too, Emory said, waiting until Cam was close enough to hear.

  “ Thank you, Cam and Blair said together.

  “ Ill walk out with you, Emory said, “and we can trade phone numbers. She looked over the several hundred people in the banquet room and sighed. “Ive still got another hours networking to go, and I coul
d use a break.

  “ Come on, then. Blair grinned. “Im an expert at sneaking out of things like this.

  Cam motioned to Stark. “Let the team know were ready to leave. Ill get Diane and Savard. Were still using the planned exit?

  “ Yes. Ill have the cars move around now. Stark murmured instructions, then said to Blair, “Five minutes, Ms. Powell.

  At the appointed time, the small group took the elevator at the rear of the building to the ground floor and headed briskly down the service corridor toward an exit used by the hotel staff. Blair couldnt see anyone in the alcoves and smaller hallways branching off the main corridor, but she was certain that members of the security team were stationed along the way. She leaned close to Emory.

  “ If you really want to break ranks, you can come back to the hotel with us for a drink.

  Emory laughed. “God, dont tempt me. Unfortunately, fundraising is a necessary evil and Ive got enough to worry about without adding money problems to my list.

  “ I can imagine, Blair said. “Dont worry too much about anti-stem cell research legislation. I can tell you my father does not support measures to restrict your work.

  “ Thank you. I

  “ Stark, Cam said sharply as a man in a three-piece suit rounded a corner twenty feet in front of them and strode rapidly toward them. Even as she spoke, she started to step toward Blair. He raised his arm.

  “ Gun! someone shouted.

  Blair barely heard the warning before the hallway erupted in gunfire and she was knocked to the floor. As she fell she grabbed for Cam but could not reach her. Then she was on the floor with a tremendous weight pinning her down. She pushed and struggled to get free but was only able to turn her head. She saw a hand and part of a sleeve stretched out on the floor a few yards away. Cams hand. She screamed but couldnt get enough air to emit more than a choked sob. Someone groaned.

  Then Blair was yanked to her feet, then off her feet, and propelled down the hallway by someone she couldnt see. Someone big. She finally twisted enough in the iron grip to make out the features. Wozinski.

  “ Cam, Blair gasped. “Where is she?

  Wozinski didnt answer as he shouldered his way out into a narrow service alley. The metal service door banged against the stone building façade with a sharp clang.

  The limo idled directly in front of the exit with the back door open. Hara crouched beside it, her gun extended in both hands as she visually swept right and left. Blair jerked in Wozinskis grasp and almost wrenched free, but he dragged her across the sidewalk, pushed her head down, and shoved her into the backseat.

  “ Cam, Blair shouted, immediately trying to climb out of the vehicle. Dianes body blocked her way as she too was pushed inside. Savard followed, the door slammed, and the vehicle careened away.

  Blair stared at Savard, whose face was bone white. Her own heart was racing so quickly her chest ached. She took a breath and then another and dug her fingers into the leather seat. “What do we know?

  “ Nothing, Savard said tightly.

  Beside her, Diane sat rigidly upright, her arms wrapped around her torso, her pupils dilated so much her blue eyes looked black. She said my God, my God over and over in a hushed voice.

  Blair heard sirens, and then tires squealed behind them and she hastily knelt on the seat to stare out the rear window. Renée leaned across the space between the seats, grasped her shoulder, and gently pulled her back down.

  “ Please stay away from the windows.

  “ Wheres Cam? Blair took a shaky breath. “Wheres Paula?

  “ Paulais down. Im not sure about the commander, Renée said in a monotone.

  For an instant, Blair couldnt decipher the meaning of what she had just heard. Paula is down. Down. Shot? Her mind veered away from the thought. Cam. Cam wasnt wearing a vest.

  “ Whos behind us? Blair carefully enunciated each word and forced herself to think calmly. Her only hope of getting to Cam was to maintain, or take, control. She wasnt about to become an unwilling captive of her own security team ever again.

  “ Mac. Im not sure who else.

  “ Call them, Blair demanded.

  “ Protocol is for radio silence, Renée said.

  “ I dont care. Call them now. Consider it an order, Agent Savard.

  Savard stared at Blair for a long moment, then punched two numbers on her handy talky. “Status?

  Blair couldnt hear a response, but only a few seconds passed before Renée said, “Were secure, and slipped the radio back into an inside pocket of her jacket. At the sight of her hand trembling, Blairs stomach clenched into a painful knot.

  “ Report? Blair asked.

  “ All present and accounted for.

  “ Whatwhat does that mean?

  “ It means no one was left at the scene. Stark and the commander are in the Suburban behind us.

  “ Are they

  “ I dont know, Renée said.

  The tight fist around Blairs heart loosened enough for her to breathe without each movement feeling like a knife stabbing through her. “Diane, are you all right?

  Mutely, Diane nodded.

  Blair concentrated on burying her panic. Cam was in the car behind her. That was all that mattered. “Where are we going?

  “ If Paula

  Renée shuddered and for just a second, Blair thought she was going to break down. Then she squared her shoulders and continued.

  “ Paula will let Mac know the exit route, and hell communicate with our driver.

  Blair looked out the window and saw that they were heading out of the city. The last thing she wanted was to end up in another safe house, but she realized that was one decision she couldnt impact. She closed her eyes and willed her mind to go blank. It didnt work, but it kept her from trying to break down the barrier between herself and whoever was driving and demanding to know where they were going. Just when she thought she couldnt stand it anymore, she felt the limo slow down. She jerked upright and saw a sign for Interstate 495 South flash by as the vehicle turned into a deserted truck weighing station by the side of the highway. “Whats happening?

  Renée shook her head. “I dont know.

  Blair reached for the handle, but Renée stopped her. She was about to protest when the door opened and Cam slid in. The limo immediately accelerated back onto the highway.

  “ Are you all right? Cam slid her arm around Blairs shoulders and pulled her close.

  “ Am I? Blair laughed shakily and pressed her palm to Cams chest. “I was afraid She lost the words and just kissed Cam instead. “Are you?

  “ Other than a few sore ribs from ending up under one of Tanners security guards, Im fine. Cam stroked Blairs hair and looked at Diane and Renée. “You both okay?

  “ Yes, Renée reported, sitting tensely on the edge of the seat.

  “ Stark took a round in the chest, Cam said. “Her vest stopped it. Shes in pain, but shes still in charge. Shell be okay.

  Renée blinked and looked away. “Thank you.

  “ Was anyone else hurt? Blair asked.

  “ Another one of Tanners people took a shot to the vest in the process of shielding Emory Constantine.

  “ Emory! Blair said, momentarily stunned. “My God, is she hurt?

  “ She sprained her wrist, but shes tough and taking everything in stride. Cam glanced at Savard. “We brought Emory with us. Shes in the Suburban.

  “ Smart call, Savard said. “What about the assailant?

  “ Hes dead. Stark left Wozinski behind temporarily to coordinate with the FBI and police. Cam coughed and winced.

  “ Are you sure youre not hurt? Blair said immediately.

  Cam shook her head. “Sore ribs. I got a quick look at the guy. Hes one of the four on Emory Constantines watch list.

  “ You mean Emory was the target? Blair exclaimed.

  “ Were not sure, but its possible. Cam shifted, obviously trying to get comfortable. “For now, were not making any assumptions.

  “ How much of this can we keep out of the
press? Blair asked.

  “ Starks already been on the line to Lucinda, whos spinning some story right now about Emory suddenly being taken ill to cover her leaving the banquet. Fortunately, the scene was contained immediately so we may be able to keep the real details out of the press.

  “ Good, Blair breathed. “The last thing I want is another story circulating about me being a target. She took Cams hand. “Youre sure youre okay?

  “ Yes. Now she was, now that shed seen Blair. Now that some of the helpless fury at not being able to reach her when shed been in danger was dissipating. Despite the pain in her ribs, she held Blair more tightly.

  “ What? Blair murmured, sliding her hand to the back of Cams neck. “Darling?

  “ Nothing, Cam whispered. The instant shed seen the assailant, shed tried to shield Blair, but Tanners man had grabbed her from behind and thrown her down. If Stark hadnt been there, hadnt moved without the slightest hesitation, Blair could be dead. Cam closed her eyes, as if that could obliterate the image in her mind, and buried her face in Blairs hair.

  Blair moved her mouth close to Cams ear. “Im all right. Im right here.

  Cam took a long breath, straightened, and directed her next comments to Savard again. “Theres been no evidence of pursuit, and this has the feel of a lone gunman.

  “ I agree, Savard said. Her color was better and her eyes focused and intent. Beside her, Diane looked exhausted, but calm. “He was probably staying at the hotel or knew someone who was.

  “ But how did he know where we were? Blair said. “Or that we were leaving?

  “ He could have paid one or even several of the hotel employees to keep him informed, Cam said. “Its possible he had an accomplice who was a legitimate guest at the fundraiser. He might have been watching the limo from some vantage point within the hotel, but I think thats less likely. Once Wozinski and the rest of the on-site team backtrack his route, well know more.

  “ He didnt say anything, did he? I didnt hear anything before the shots. Blair knew how to fire a gun. Shed had a license since her late teens and had been to the firing range fairly regularly since then. But the muffled pops of controlled gunfire in a firing booth bore no resemblance to the terrifying reverberation of gunshots echoing down a hotel corridor. She could still hear the shots, and the shouts, and her own silent screams. She found Cams hand and held it. “I was wondering about the guy earlierthe one outside the banquet hall who was quoting scripture, or his version of it anyway.