by Radclyffe
Stark frowned. “Thats different.
“ Right. Its always different when its you. Blair was glad to see some of the pain lift from Paulas eyes. “So what do you say? Colorado? Well hit the slopes and leave all this behind?
“ As soon as I get clearance, and you know where that has to come from. Until the commander gets a handle on Paula paused and glanced across the room at Dana Barnett, who was studying them intently. “Your security is a joint operation for the time being, but Ill push for us to go. Youre right, theyll need it. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well all need it.
* * * * *
Cam and Savard waited until the injured men were removed from the helicopter and transferred to an ambulance, then they climbed out, keeping their heads down as the rotors whipped overhead. Theyd landed in a small lot behind a mostly darkened building at Langley Air Force Base. Outside the wavering circle of light cast by the choppers beams, Cam saw two figures but she couldnt make out their faces.
“ By my side, Cam said to Savard. They approached their reception committee with shoulders touching. Cam kept a grip on her holstered pistol as did Savard until she recognized Lucinda Washburn and Averill Jensen, the presidents security adviser. “Clear.
“ Who were you expecting? Lucinda asked.
“ Right about now, Im not real sure, Cam said.
“ Do you two need medics?
“ Savard does, Cam said.
“ No, I dont, Savard snapped. She glanced at Cam. “Maam.
Lucinda, dressed in low heels, a dark skirt and jacket, and a silk blouse, looked as if shed just stepped out of her office rather than out of the helicopter she had probably taken to get from Washington to Langley after Cam signaled her. “Youre sure? Because its going to take most of the night to debrief you.
Cam looked at Savard. “Is there anything wrong with you that a gallon of coffee wont cure?
“ Im fine, Commander.
“ Were good to go, Cam said to Lucinda. “After I make a phone call. And we both need showers. Were covered with ash and smoke.
“ The showers we can provide, the presidents security adviser said, “but I dont think a call is advisable until we have a better handle on exactly what happened.
“ I wasnt making a request. As Cam started toward the building with Savard by her side, she pulled out her cell phone.
* * * * *
Matheson put his book aside and picked up his cell phone, surprised at the unexpected call. Only a very few people had this number, and he changed phones every few days. His surprise turned to concern when he didnt recognize the callers number. He contemplated not answering for a few seconds, and then decided a brief response would be safe. If he sensed trouble he could hang up before anyone had a chance to trace his location.
“ Hello?
“ Hello, my good friend. I believe we have some business to discuss, do we not? a man said in heavily accented but perfect English.
“ Im always happy to assist a friend, although I dont remember any further bus
“ Recent events have altered our thinking about the value of certain items. Perhaps we can choose a convenient time and place to confer.
Matheson checked his watch. Still a little more time. “Of course, of course. Ill have my second contact you with details.
“ Thank you, my friend. There was a pause. “Do not delay.
The caller disconnected and Matheson considered his alliance with the men whom under other circumstances he would consider enemies. The enemies of his enemy had become his friends. God did work in mysterious ways.
Chapter Fourteen
B lairs and Paulas cell phones rang simultaneously in stereo, and Blair saw the same mixture of hope and uncertainty flash across Paulas face that rushed through her. She yanked her phone off her waist. “Cam?
“ Everythings okay, Cam said quickly. “Im sorry Im so late.
Late? Shes worried about being late? Blair would have laughed or criedat the absurdity, but she knew Cam meant it with her whole heart. Turning her back to the room, Blair lowered her voice and cradled the phone in her palm as if it were Cams face. She wanted to touch her so badly and refused to think about how long it might be before she could. Only one thing really mattered at this moment. “Are you hurt?
“ No, Cam said firmly. “No, were both all right.
“ How long can you talk? Blair heard her own voice and was amazed at how calm she sounded. Inside, she shook with the release of hours of tension and fear. She wanted to say, Come home, now. I need you. She knew that wasnt possible. She knew , but that didnt ease the ache in her chest.
“ Ive just got a minute. Cam sounded apologetic. “Are you okay?
“ Better now. Blair took a breath, the first unhindered pain-free breath shed taken in hours. “When will you be home?
“ I dont know yet. Are you sure youre all right?
“ Lonely.
“ Me too, Cam said softly. “Im sorry for worrying you.
“ I know. Are you sure youre safe?
“ Yes. Are you with friends?
“ Everyones here. Everythings under control. Blair knew better than to ask where Cam was, or about what had happened, or who she was with. All those questions would have to wait. She had what she needed most. Cam was unhurt and out of danger and coming home. “You sound hoarse.
Cam coughed, clearing her throat. “Maybe a little scratchy. No problem.
“ Youre not hurt? The last time Cam had sounded this way someone had tried to kill her. The idea of someone physically assaulting her lover made her ill. The reality haunted her dreams and stalked her waking moments. “Darling?
“ No. There wassome smoke.
Blair sighed. Cam would try to keep the details from her, not because Cam didnt trust her, but because she didnt want to worry her. And Blair would force it out of her, not just because she needed to know what monsters lurked, waiting to destroy her world, but because Cam needed to talk so the monsters wouldnt slowly destroy her . “Later about that, then, Roberts.
Cam laughed. “Okay, baby.
“ Can you tell everyone to get out of our apartment now?
“ Soon. Not tonight, though. Not until I have a better handle on the incident.
The incident. The event. The operation. The mission. Code words for danger. Euphemisms for death. “Im not going anywhere until you get home, but Ive about had it. Which means you need to get your ass back here.
“ I will. Just as soon as I can. I promise.
“ And no side trips. Cam would know she meant that whatever retaliation might be necessary, she didnt want Cam to be part of it. There were agents trained to do what needed to be doneCam did not have to be the first on the scene any longer. When the silence stretched longer than a few seconds, Blair said, “Do you hear me?
“ Ill do my best, baby.
And Blair knew that was all she could ask. “Come home soon. I miss you.
* * * * *
A silent female lieutenant waited inside the locker room while Cam and Savard showered. She provided them with black military-issue BDUs and T-shirts and then escorted them to a small, drab conference room with a table that seated twelve, an outdated pull-down projection screen at one end of the room, and a coffee cart with a huge urn that Cam hoped was filled with hot coffee at the other end. Lucinda sat at one end of the conference table with Averill Jensen.
“ You two are looking a little better, Lucinda said.
“ Were good to go, Cam said.
The lieutenant stepped out into the hall and closed the door, leaving the four of them alone. Cam tested the urn with her hand, grunted in pleasure when she felt the heat, and searched the metal cabinet beneath the cart for cups. She filled a Styrofoam cup with coffee and handed it to Savard, then got her own. Savard followed her when she sat down at the conference table.
“ What happened? Lucinda asked.
Cam gave a recap of the events. “I dont suppose you two have anything to add?
Jense
n look surprised. “Like what?
“ Like whether or not this was a sanctioned neutralization?
Lucinda glanced at Jensen, eyes narrowed. “Averill?
“ No, he said, sounding defensive. “Why would you ask? Isnt it obvious that Matheson or one of the other patriot organizers was trying to eliminate Early before he could identify them or disclose other vital information about their operations?
“ Its never wise to accept the obvious, Cam said quietly, watching Jensen carefully. Lucinda Washburn and Andrew Powell she trusted unequivocally, but they were the only two she could say that about other than Blair and the members of her team. Jensen she didnt know that well. “How many people knew we were planning to interrogate Early today?
Now Jensen turned in his seat and looked to Lucinda for help. Lucinda shook her head and said, “Nothing happens in a vacuum, and there is no such thing as airtight security. You know that better than anyone. The minute you get in a cab, someone knows about it. Flights had to be arranged, the local office in Virginia was contacted for an escort, the prison commander was advised that you were coming. No one knew you were going to see Early, at least not that Im aware of.
“ How many other detainees from Mathesons compound are being held there? Cam asked.
Lucinda grimaced. “I dont know, and for some reason, I cant find out. No one seems to know. Everyone who should know claims not to.
“ Bureaucratic snafu or intentional lockdown on information?
“ I wish I knew that too, Lucinda said, obviously frustrated. She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “Listen, Cameron. I dont know who blew that van off the highway. Right now, we dont even know how they did it. Have any thoughts on that?
“ It might have been a car bomb triggered by a radio signal, Cam said, “but judging by what happened out in the Atlantic last month, it could just as easily be a surface-to-surface missile again. Youve got a team looking at the wreckage out there now, dont you?
“ Yes.
“ Unfortunately, Savard put in, “I dont think discovering the how is going to tell us anything about the who. Almost anyone can get military ordnance these daysforeign terrorists, domestic militants, your average Joe Survivalist down the street.
“ Agreed, Cam said. “What we need to concentrate on is who wanted Early dead.
“ I would think Matheson would be at the head of that list, Lucinda said grimly.
“ Possibly, Cam said, far from certain. Matheson had eyes and ears in high places, that was clear. She didnt believe for a second that Valeries handler was the only person in the Company with ties to Matheson. Operations like Mathesons didnt go undetected without more than a few people helping to keep it quiet. Every security branch had its share of hawks and superpatriots who believed that the end justified any means, if the end was preserving national supremacy. Such people were not above aiding militants, funding false flag operations designed to incite public support for armed retaliation, even orchestrating the assassination of political figures. “If Early had close ties to Matheson and was privy to things certain people didnt want him talking about, it might not have been Matheson who wanted him out of the way.
Lucindas face hardened. “Youre talking about someone on the inside, one of us.
“ On the inside, maybe, Cam said grimly. “But not one of us.
“ But those were federal agents driving that prison van, Savard protested. “No one inside would
“ Collateral damage. Cam leaned back, suddenly more tired than shed realized.
“ The SUV ahead of us pulled over right before the prison van was hit, Savard said, her disbelief turning to fury. “If we hadnt been there, there would have been a clear shot at the van and both the lead car and the follow car would have been out of the blast zone. But then we pulled in behind the van and drove right into the field of fire!
“ Thats my read too, Cam said, rubbing at the tension between her eyes.
Averill Jensen squared the empty pad of paper in front of him. He had uncapped his pen earlier as if he were going to take notes, but had written nothing down. “Well do everything we can from our end to trace the leak, if there was one. There wont be a paper trail, but calls were made.
Cam shrugged. “It has to be done, but it could take weeks. I think we simply have to assume that none of our communications are secure. She looked pointedly at Lucinda. “Not even in and out of your office.
“ Where does this put us in terms of tracking down Matheson? Lucinda asked.
“ About where we were before, Cam said. “My people are combing personal histories, electronic data, reports from FBI and ATF agents inside the patriot organizations, looking for connections. The dull throb between her eyes accelerated to a full-blown headache. “Were monitoring known cells, tracking targets on watch lists.
“ Hes running circles around us, Averill said bitterly.
Cam eyed him coldly. “Almost twenty men, none of them nationals, entered this country over a period of several years, established identities, trained on flight simulators, and managed to pull off an orchestrated terrorist attack without the combined power of all the security agencies in this country being able to detect them. Finding one U.S. citizen who has spent his entire life preparing to go into hiding is going to take plain old grunt work and a hell of a lot of luck.
“ You dont think well get him, Lucinda said wearily.
“ Oh, well get him, Cam said, “because we wont quit until we do. What she didnt say, what she refused to think about, was what he might do first.
* * * * *
Blair felt all the eyes in the room on her as she walked over to Paula. “Lets compare notes.
Stark smiled, but she looked worried. “Everythings fine, nobodys hurt, and it was just a little unexpected detour. Does that fit with your version?
“ Pretty much. Did Renée sound okay?
“ She sounded pumped. Stark laughed briefly. “Theres a reason she went into the FBI and I went into the Secret Service. She wants to chase bad guys, clean up the streets, strike a blow for justice. Me, I want to see that those responsible for justice stay safe. I dont need the rush like she does.
Blair squeezed Paulas shoulder. “Shes no cowboy. Neither is Cam. But I know what you mean. I got the same story you did, pretty much. Cam did tell me that Renée was okay.
“ Renée told me the commander was okay too.
“ Then I guess we can assume theyre both walking and talking. Blair closed her eyes for a second. “You should take a break now. Youve been on duty all day.
Paula glanced across the room at Valerie, who stood apart from Blairs friends talking on her cell phone. “Im too keyed up to sleep right now.
Blair knew she should sleep, but the bed would be too cold and empty and her mind too filled with unwelcome images of what life might have been like had things turned out differently. She announced to the room at large, “Im going to work. Diane, Emory, youre welcome to stay here tonight. The guest room is empty and
“ Actually, Valerie interrupted, “for the time being, everyone is staying here. The deputy director feels that the situation is still too unstable to decentralize our personnel, and she doesnt want anyone left unguarded. So I suggest you all get comfortable for the night.
Blair joined her friends while Valerie walked over to converse with Stark. “Theres food in the refrigerator and wine in the cooler
under the counter. Diane, you know where all my clothes are. You and Emory can grab whatever you need.
“ Ive got an empty guest room in my quarters, Dana offered.
“ Now thats a lovely invitation, Diane said playfully, “but Im going to have to turn it down. She raised an eyebrow in Emorys direction. “Why dont you take her up on it?
“ I think its a good idea, Blair said, when Emory didnt answer. “Were all here until at least tomorrow, so everyone might as well be comfortable.
Emory shrugged, avoiding Danas gaze. “Sure, makes sense. She hugged Blair and whispered, “Im so glad shes okay.
Blair returned the embrace. “So am I. Thanks for being here. And you are definitely not going back to Boston now.
“ I surrender. Emory laughed. “One of the many advantages of living with my mother is when Im traveling and forget something, she can send it to me. Ill have her ship what I need out to the resort. That way, when everyones ready to leave, I can go with you.
“ Excellent, Blair and Diane said simultaneously. Dana, Blair noticed, had a particularly pleased glint in her eye.
* * * * *
“ The bedroom is down that way, Dana said, pointing as she closed the door to the apartment. “Bathroom also. I didnt have time to stock the kitchen, but theres coffee, soda, and some snacks in the cabinet.
“ Im not hungry, thanks, Emory said, holding the bundle of clothes shed borrowed from Blair in her arms.
Dana leaned back against the door, giving Emory as much space as she could. Emory looked tired and a little anxious. “Do I make you nervous?
“ No, Emory said in surprise. “Why would you?
“ Well, theres the reporter thing.
“ Thats doesnt make me nervous. It just annoys me.
“ What about me being a lesbian?
Emory stared, then burst out laughing. For a second, she was afraid she wouldnt be able to stop. The entire day had had an atmosphere of unreality. Shed started out in a meeting with four uptight potential foundation donors who had the scientific knowledge of a colony of ants. It had taken her two hours just to explain what her research was all about and another two to convince them that it was worthy of their exalted contributions. Then shed discovered that her friends had brought the enemy into their midst in the person of Dana Barnett, and try as she might, she couldnt really bring herself to dislike her. In fact, she felt an unexpected attraction to heror at least to her dogged determination and her absolute, unshakable sense of purpose. Then shed been whisked out of the hotel and thrown into the midst of Blair and Paulas nightmare, where shed spent hours feeling alternately enraged and helpless. Now Dana was suggesting she might be worried about something as harmless as her making a pass? “In case you havent noticed, some of my best friends are lesbians.
