Honor 06 - Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  “ Yes maam. If its hot, I can hit it.

  “ Thats what were counting on. Cam thought of the injection shed just given Valerie. “And were hoping that one hot target is all youll have.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  T heyre leaving. Blair rose from the living room sofa where she had been waiting with Diane.

  “ If you dont mind, Ill stay here, Diane replied, her voice subdued.

  “ Ill be right back.

  Blair caught up to Cam just as the team reached the front door. She smiled briefly at Savard and Felicia, then turned to her lover. She ran the edges of Cams windbreaker through her fingers as she leaned close and kissed her softly, far more quickly than she wanted. “See you soon.

  “ Ill call you, Cam murmured. “I love you.

  Blair stepped away and in the next instant, Cam and the others were gone. When she turned, she saw Diane halfway down the hall, standing in the doorway of the living room. She forced a smile and went to join her.

  “ What now? Diane asked.

  “ Its going to be quite a while before we hear anything, Blair said. “Im too restless to sit, and if youll be all right, Id like to check in with Mac and Paula. Ill feel better if I know whats going on.

  “ I dont know what I want to do. Diane made an angry sound. “But I dont need to tell you, sitting around and waiting is not my style. Can I come with you?

  Blair hesitated, remembering the horror of seeing Cam on the video monitor after shed been shotlying on the ground, bleeding and literally watching her die. She doubted that they would have that kind of communication link tonight, but even if they couldnt see or hear exactly what was happening, she still wasnt certain that letting Diane listen to Paula and Mac monitoring the events was such a great idea. If something went wrong, Diane would never be able to forget it. Blair didnt want that kind of nightmare for her.

  “ I may be new at this, Diane said as if reading her mind, “and Im hoping this is the last time I have to wait while shes out doing something like this, but if shes willing to go out there and do it, I can at least be a part of it here. Then Ill feel like shes not alone.

  “ Okay, Blair said, shaking her head ruefully. “I dont know why I even questioned it. You wouldnt have fallen in love with her if you couldnt handle who she is.

  Diane smiled. “Thanks.

  Blair knocked on the closed door to the dining room before opening it a few inches and sticking her head in. “Can Diane and I come in?

  Paula swiveled in her chair, her expression distracted but her tone polite. “Of course. Were not going to be able to explain much once things get going, but youre welcome to stay.

  “ Thanks, Blair said. “You dont need to worry about us, Chief.

  Blair and Diane moved up behind Mac and Stark.

  “ Can you tell us what were looking at? Blair asked.

  “ This is a satellite relay of ten square miles surrounding the meet point, Paula said, turning back to the computer monitor, which showed a smattering of small blips on a grid surrounding a dark circle in the center. “The majority of the vessels in the area are fishing boats, commercial ships, and the occasional recreational vehicle. She pointed to a glowing dot in the middle of the circle. “Thats Valerie.

  “ How do you know that? Diane asked.

  “ We have GPS transponders in all of the vessels, including Valeries, the command ship with Renée and the commander and Felicia, and Tanners surveillance boats. Paula skimmed her finger in a semi circle along the border of the screen. “These are Tanners people here.

  “ When will we be able to see Cam? Blair asked.

  “ Theyre just leaving the marina now. Mac adjusted the wireless receiver in his ear and spoke using a throat mic, keeping both hands on the keyboard of his computer. “Commander? How do you read?

  A few seconds passed, then Mac spoke again. “Loud and clear, Commander.

  Paula said without looking at him, “Can you put that on audio, please, Mac.

  “ Yes maam. Mac keyed a series of commands into his computer and then spoke again. “Ready for camera scan.

  “ Sending imagenow, Felicias voice announced from the speakers.

  Yellow, red, and blue images vaguely resembling human forms flickered on Macs screen and then stabilized.

  “ How do you read? Felicia asked.

  “ Four hots. Mac opened a small window within the larger screen and a fluctuating bar-graph appeared. “Temperature variation less than two degrees. Give me a coordinates check.

  Savard rattled off a list of figures.

  “ What are they doing? Blair asked, not really expecting an answer.

  “ Checking the variance on the infrared thermal detector camera, Paula said. “The lower levels of thermal radiance are due primarily to two thingseither larger body mass and high body fat, which blunts the reading, or a true depression in body temperature.

  “ Youre the warm one, Renée, Mac said.

  Savard laughed. “Thats what they tell me.

  “ Mac, can you correct for body mass using the limited readings we have? Felicia asked. “Valerie is thin and her core temperature is going to skew the thermal readings. Can you factor for that?

  “ Working on it, Mac said, inputting figures as he spoke.

  “ Youre in visual range, Commander. Paula straightened and her voice took on an edge. “We have an approach vessel closing on ground zero, bearing

  Blair sensed Diane trembling beside her and slid an arm around her waist. She kept her voice low so as not to disturb Mac and Paula. “Just remember that were only getting part of the picture here, so dont worry, no matter what seems to be happening.

  “ I know. Ill remember. Its justshe feels so far away, Diane whispered.

  “ She isnt. And Cam and Renée and the others are right there.

  “Savard, hold us here, Cams voice said.

  The words were so clear that Blair almost looked over her shoulder to see if Cam had miraculously returned. Even miles away over radio, the sound of Cams voice eased the tension that had been slowly clenching her muscles and squeezing around her heart until she felt as if she were a piano wire tightened to the point of snapping. She forced herself to take a breath and let it out slowly.

  The red numerals in the lower left-hand corner of Paula Starks monitor read 2258.

  * * * * *

  Cam opened the priority one channel to Valerie. “Lawrence?

  “Im here, Commander, Valerie said.

  “Approach vessel on its way.

  “Roger that.

  “If youre forced to board his ship and we lose our audio link to you, I want you to bail at the first sign of trouble. Are we clear?

  “Clear, Commander, Valerie replied.

  “Confirming scan now, Cam said. “Switching to open channel.

  “Roger that. Greetings, team, Valerie said. “Glad to see you.

  “Were right behind you, Valerie, Savard said.

  “Do we have her? Cam asked Felicia, bending down beside Felicias computer array against one wall of the ships cabin. Behind them, Savard eased the engine down to idle and the ship rocked in the swells.

  “Ive got her, Felicia said. “Im just adjusting the feed to Donaldsons video goggles. She opened up the com link in her head set. “Donaldson? Target on screen?

  “Sweet and hot, maam, he radioed from his position outside on the bow.

  “Not too hot, I hope, Cam murmured. “Where does she fall on the thermal range?

  “Five percent below mean.

  Cam frowned. “Thats not much to distinguish her from Henry.

  “Shes cold, I can guarantee you that, Savard said. “Much colder and her reaction time will be so slow she wont be able to protect herself.

  “Here he comes. Valeries voice filled the cabin. “Switching to transdermal mic.

  Savard linked to Mac. “Anyone else out here with us?

  “Lots of someones, Mac radioed, “but no one in critical range.

  “Okay, let me know if anyone moves
within the strike radius.

  “Roger.

  A minute of silence passed until broken by Valeries voice, muted by the shielded microphone.

  “ Toss me your tie line, Valerie said, “and come aboard. “Here you go. Catch, a deep male voice responded. “Drop your ladder.

  Savard glanced at Cam in surprise. Cam shook her head, thinking it wasnt necessarily a good sign that Henry was so willing to board Valeries boat. It meant they had an open channel to Valerie if they needed one, but if Henrys plan was to eliminate Valerie, he wouldnt want to do it on his own vessel. Hed want to do it on hers.

  “ Are you armed? Henry said.

  “ Of course.

  “ What about the others?

  “ What others?

  “ Dont tell me you came without backup.

  “ Do you see anyone? Valerie asked.

  Henry laughed. “Only about two dozen boats out there.

  “ I told you I dont trust them. No one knows Im out here. Search the boat if you want.

  “ Not necessary. I agreed to this meet under these less than optimal circumstances, Henry said, “so youll believe me when I tell you that you need to come in. Youre in danger.

  “ From whom?

  “ From Roberts. The White House sent her after you.

  “ Why?

  “ They need a scapegoat. How long do you think theyll be able to keep the attack on the presidents daughter quiet? Add to that they botched the assault on Mathesons compound and let him escape.

  “ He had help.

  “ The country needs accountability, especially after 9/11. Someone needs to pay for that, Henry said. “Washburn and the security adviser and a fair number of other people have decided it will be you, for starters. Its out of our hands.

  “ And if I come in?

  “ Well help you get lost for a year or two. Theres work to be done elsewhere.

  “ Convincing, isnt he, Felicia muttered. “Bastard. “Whats the temperature register look like? Cam asked. “Theres a three degree difference between them. Felicia keyed Donaldson. “Can you distinguish the primary from the friendly? “Yes maam, as long as they dont move around too much. “On my mark, Cam ordered on the same channel. “Yes maam. Locked and loaded.

  “ Who tipped Matheson? Valerie asked. “We think he has friends in the Special Forces. “Do we have a name?

  “ Several possibles. Ill brief you as soon as you are secure. “Where do you want me to go? “I want you to come with me now. “Tonight?

  “ If you go back, Roberts may lock you down and we wont be able to extract.

  “ What about my boat? “Well sink it. Its a good cover.

  “ He came prepared. Cam checked the digital readout on the electronic timer running in one corner of Felicias monitor. Henry had been on board almost five minutes. That was a long time for this kind of rendezvous.

  “ If she goes with him, he sinks the boat and shell disappear, Savard said. “If she doesnt agree to go, and hes bad, hell sink the boat and shell disappear. Either way, he wins.

  “ I need at least 24 hours to create a plausible cover with Roberts, Valerie said. “I didnt spend all that time getting close to her to lose my connection to her now. Even if I have to go deep undercover, Ill still have a link to her.

  “ Shell never give you anything.

  “ She already has.

  “ What? Henrys voice rose.

  Listening, Cam tensed. Valerie was playing a dangerous game. If Henry thought she already had important information, he might not let her go even if he wasnt working with Matheson. If he was Mathesons front man, all the more reason to take her now, or eliminate her.

  “ Theyre close to identifying

  Two miles away, Starks satellite image showed a new blip at the same time as Mac picked up a thermal flair five miles from Valeries boat.

  “Christ, Mac blurted. “Its an SSM!

  Stark jumped to her feet. “Target?

  “Tracking!

  Stark grabbed her radio. “Hara, this is command one. Stand by to evacuate.

  “No! Blair exclaimed, grabbing Starks arm. “What is it?

  “Missile. Stark turned sharply to Mac. “Target. I need it now, Mac!

  Mac was already opening the comm channel. “Savard! Ship to ship missile, targeting Valeries boat. Forty seconds to impact!

  * * * * *

  “Donaldson, mark, Cam snapped.

  “Roger.

  Cam switched to the open microphone on Valeries boat. “This is Cameron Roberts. You are targeted for a direct hit by an SSM. You have thirty-seven seconds. Evacuate your vessel.

  “ She s lying, Henry shouted. “Stay right there! “No, Valerie said, “shesHenry, we have towhy are you drawing your weapon? There s no one

  * * * * *

  “Thirty-two seconds, Savard called. “Shell never disengage from Henrys vessel in time, Commander.

  “Fire! Cam ordered and Donaldsons rifle cracked from just outside the cabin. Cam spun toward Savard. “Get us in there now. “Its going to get hot, Savard noted even as she powered up the engine and shoved the throttle to maximum.

  Cam didnt answer, stripping off her windbreaker and vest as she ran from the cabin. Shed been wrong. They didnt have thirty seconds.

  * * * * *

  Blair pressed close to Paulas back, unconsciously gripping her shoulders. “Whats happening?

  “Time? Paula shouted to Mac.

  “Five four three two one

  For a millisecond, the blip in the center of Paulas screen doubled in size. Then it winked out.

  After a minute of silence, Diane asked unsteadily, “Wheres Valerie?

  “Weve lost the signal, Paula said tightly.

  “What about Cams? Blairs fingers dug into Paulas shoulders.

  Paula shook her head.

  * * * * *

  “Fine shooting, Colonel. Matheson leaned against the rail of the boat, feeling a swell of satisfaction as a tower of flame climbed into the sky on the horizon.

  “Thank you, General.

  “Weve eliminated both problems at once, Matheson said. “Its time to rejoin our men and re-dedicate ourselves to our true mission. We have a war to win.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I s she are they Oh, God, Diane whispered. “Get me a narrow-field, real-time image! Paula ordered. She keyed her radio. “Hara, standby. Close the roads. No one in or out. Call in the backup units and position them on the shore and the perimeter.

  Blair realized she was still gripping Paulas shoulders and forced herself to let go. She couldnt move her eyes from the screen in front of her. She stared at the dark circle, willing an image to appear.

  “Cams boat, Blair asked hoarsely. “Cams boat should still be there, shouldnt it? Paula?

  For the first time in her life, Paula ignored the first daughter. Renée was on the boat that had suddenly disappeared. The thought sent a momentary surge of panic through her and she went completely blank. Then, as if changing a channel in her mind, picture after picture snapped into view and came sharply into focus. Beirut, the Cole, the World Trade Center, the Pentagon. A field in Pennsylvania. Not one life. Not hundreds of lives. Thousands and more to come, she knew. And her part to play was here, today, and it would never be about one life again. Not even the life of the woman she loved.

  “Theyre there, somewhere, and well find them, Paula said steadily, because she had to believe it. “Mac, get me a picture of whats going on out there and an open line to Renée Savard.

  “Yes maam, Mac said, his voice rough with strain. “Ill do that.

  * * * * *

  “Theres debris in the water, Savard shouted over the roar of the engine.

  Cam leaned over the railing, narrowing her eyes against the icy spray and staring at the shiny black surface of the water. “Whos got the wheel?

  “Donaldson. I need to be out here. Savard raised the radio cradled in her hand. “Ill direct him.

  Cam didnt argue. She doubted she could get Savard to go back inside
, and she didnt have the time or inclination to persuade her. One hundred feet in front of them a geyser of flame spouted into the air, the engine fuel from Valeries and Henrys boats burning. She should have expected something like this. Matheson would be a fool to leave a weak link like Henry alive, and Matheson was no fool. Henry had underestimated him, and so had she. She would not let Valerie pay for her miscalculation. She kicked off her shoes, shrugged out of her holster, pulled her badge off her belt, and pushed everything into a bench locker.

  “You cant the water is 40 degreesCommander?

  “Tell Donaldson to head for the flames and to get all the lights focused off the bow. Move ahead slowly. Christ, we dont want to hit her.

  “Commander

  “Shes in the goddamn water, Renée, and Im going to get her out.

  Savard shouted orders into the two-way. As the boat corrected course, Cam flung her head back, furiously trying to clear her vision. Oily smoke roiled from the flaming hulls, obscuring the surface of the water. The boats were no longer tethered to one another and huge sections wallowed in the waves. Burning fragments the size of refrigerators drifted as they slowly sank.

  “There! Savard pointed off to their right. “The dinghy!

  Cam jerked around and followed Savards arm. A capsized inflatable rubber dinghy bobbed on the water.

  “The explosion probably upended it, Savard cursed.

  Cam stepped up onto the railing and dove into the water.

  * * * * *

  “Im getting something now, Chief, Mac said urgently as he continued to rapidly type. “Itll just take a second to redirect the satellite focus.

  “Get me in as tight as you can. Paula turned at a sound behind them. Hara stood in the doorway. “All clear?

  “Yes maam. Everything is quiet. She glanced toward the monitors but said nothing.

  “Run status checks every five with the team leaders, Paula directed.

  “Yes maam. Ill take point on the shore.

  “ Good. Paula bent forward, peering at the monitor as if that would make the fuzzy images clearer. Without warning, the screen cleared and a sharp black-and-white image of a burning boat came into view.