Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

Starks focus was on Blair.

“What about yourself? Savard

interjected.

“Ordinarily, Cam said, “Id say no. But there are other factors at play

that you both need to be aware of. She shifted slightly and focused on

Stark. “I assume you know that Savard is on my OHS team now.

“Yes. Stark smiled fleetingly. “I think its

terrific.

“So do I. She shot a quick glance at Savard before turning again to

Stark. “I intended to brief Savard and Davis tomorrow on our prime

mission, and you too, Chief, to the extent that circumstances involve

Blair. What happened tonight has pushed up my timetable.

“Yes, maam, Stark said. “I appreciate you including me

tonight.

“You have to be included. Cam could sense Blairs tension but she

continued without hesitation. “As you know, Valerie Lawrence is

missing and quite a number of people would like to find her. Not al of

those people are friendly. Were not even completely certain that

Valerie is stil on our side.

“Cam. Blair abruptly withdrew her hand, which had been lightly clasping

Cams thigh.

Savard didnt seem to notice the whispered protest. “What do we know

about her location since the raid on Mathesons compound?

“Nothing. Shes been completely out of contact. Cam placed her hand on

Blairs knee, hoping to reassure her. “Im not asking you to break any

confidences, Blair, or to confirm anything, but Stark needs to know

this. I strongly suspect that Valerie made contact with Diane Bleeker

sometime during the shopping trip today.

Stark paled but kept her gaze on Cams face. “I didnt see anyone

who fits Valeries description. No one reported anything unusual to

me. If she was therewe missed her.

“Theres no reason you should have been looking for Valerie, Paula.

Abruptly, Blair stood and directed her next comment to Cam. “You

dont seriously think Valerie tried to run you down tonight.

“No, Cam said, “I dont. I cant think of anything Valerie might gain by

having me out of the way, especial y since she doesnt know I plan on

finding her.

“Even if she did, Blair said, “I cant believe shed try to

hurt you.

“I dont think so either, Cam said, “but we cant make assumptions.

Until we have more information, al we know is that Valerie is

missing, Matheson is missing, and someone tipped him of to the raid on

his compound.

“If Valerie made contact today, Stark said, her voice low and tight,

“then we had a serious breach in security. Il need to report it.

Cam shook her head. “No, for two reasons. Number one, I dont want

anything about Valerie reported to anyone except me. We dont know

whos reading those reports. Number two, your priority and that of your

team today was Blair. Valerie is an experienced operative, and Im sure

she simply waited until Diane was out of your surveil ance zone before

approaching her. At the set look on

Starks face, Cam leaned forward. “Now you know, Chief. Now you

widen your perimeter. There was no breach today.

“What about my chain of command? Stark asked stif ly. “A.D. Carlisle

should probably be informed.

“I dont want to pul rank, Cam said, “but Homeland Security takes

precedence.

“Yes maam. Stark

said.

Cam looked at Blair. “After what happened tonight, I think you and

Diane should head for Whitley Point tomorrow. Il bring the rest of the

team in a day or two.

“Im not sure Diane wil go, Blair said. “Not if Valerie is here

somewhere.

“If Diane has contact with Valerie, she needs to get Valerie to come

in. If Valeries not responsible for the leak, shes in big trouble.

Matheson is going to try to eliminate her.

“Commander, Savard said. “Someone helped Valerie disappear from

Whitley

Point. Its not a secure location

anymore.

Cam nodded. “I agree that the site is no longer a secret. Despite that,

Whitley Point is easy to secure, and with Tanners private forces, wel

have plenty of personnel. Its the best place for Blair

“Im not going without Diane, Blair said. “I understand what youre

saying, and Il go, but not without her. Shel be defenseless if we leave

her.

“Il put people on her, Cam

said.

Blair shook her head. “I want m y people. She glanced at Stark.

“Theyre the best and you know it.

Cam sighed. “Il talk to Diane. Its time that I did. She grasped Blairs

hand and drew her back down to the sofa. “Okay?

“Yes. I know its time. Blair leaned gently against Cams uninjured

shoulder.

“Chief, Cam said to Stark, “youl have complete control of Blairs

security, but youl report to me and not Carlisle until further notice.

“Understood, Stark responded

smartly.

“Savard, youre second-in-command of my OHS team. Our first priority

is to find Valerie Lawrence. And after that, were going to find

Matheson.

Savards eyes sparkled and her fatigue seemed to drop away like a

distant memory. “Yes maam, Commander. Wil there be anyone else

besides Felicia?

“For now, no. Once we get a lead, wel need someone in the

field.

Savard looked as if she was about to say something, and then stopped

herself. Nevertheless, Cam heard the message. “If and when youre

ready for the field, Il decide where I need you most. Can you work with

that?

“Absolutely, Savard said. “I serve at your command, with

pleasure.

Cam stood, careful not to favor her aching hip. She didnt want Stark or

Savard, and especial y not Blair, to know how much it hurt. “Contact

Felicia tonight and tel her wel meet here at 0700, not in the West

Wing. Its time to close our doors to any eyes and ears except our own.

Blair walked Stark and Savard to the door, then returned to Cam. “I

know there wasnt much time before the briefing, but I wish youd told me

about leaving for Whitley Point earlier.

“I know. My timing has been of with everything tonight. Cam cupped

Blairs cheek. “Im sorry. It wasnt meant to blindside you.

Blair

sighed.

“Youre

forgiven.

“Thanks, Cam said, meaning it. She was in pain, she was facing

enemies she couldnt identify, and she needed Blair now more than ever.

“Your hip hurts, doesnt it? Blair said, resting her hands gently on

Cams waist.

“I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it. Cam laughed softly at

Blairs expression. “Its get ing stif pret y fast.

“Lets get you to

bed.

“In a minute. I need to talk to

Diane.

“Shes hurting, too, Cam, Blair said

softly.

“I know. Il do my best not to make it

worse.

“Your best, Blair whispered, kissing her. “Yes, that

wil do.

“I know how much she means to you, and Im very fond of her. Im not

going to let anything happen to her.

“Do you ever get tired, taking care of

others? Cam frowned. “I dont know

what you mean.

Blair smiled and kissed Cam again. “I know you dont, and thats another

reason that I love you. Il be waiting.

“And that, Cam whispered, “is just what I

need.

Blair watched her walk away, knowing she was hiding her pain. She

wanted to shield Cam and keep her safe, and knew Cam wanted the

same for her. She feared it was a wish neither of them could fulfil .

Chapter Eleven

D iane, in royal blue silk pajamas, sat propped against the pil ows, an

open book in her lap. She smiled wanly at Cam. “Ive been trying to

read, but I cant remember a single sentence.

“Im sorry to disturb

you.

“Dont be sil y. How do you

feel?

“Im fine. Cam left the door open an inch and leaned against the wal , her

arms loosely at her sides. “In light of whats happened, Id like you and

Blair to leave for Whitley Point tomorrow morning.

“I hadnt planned on leaving so

soon.

Cam fol owed Dianes gaze as she glanced unconsciously at her cel

phone on the table next to the bed. “If Valerie cal s, she can reach you

there as wel as anywhere else.

“I

know.

“But youre hoping to see her here, arent you? Cam asked

gently. Diane sighed. “Am I that transparent?

“No. Id feel the same way if I were you. Cams chest tightened just

thinking about Blair suddenly disappearing with no word. Perhaps

forever. But she couldnt make command decisions based on what she

felt, or how deeply she ached for Dianes pain. No one would be safe

then.

“Sit down, Diane said, indicating the bed. “Youve had a dif icult night.

Cam grinned as she sat on the foot of the bed. “You saw her today,

didnt you?

“Is that why you and Blair were

fighting?

“Nice evasive maneuver, Cam murmured. Assuming that Blair

wouldnt mind Diane knowing what had gone on between them, she

answered honestly. “We were fighting because I thought she should

have told me about Valerie showing up today and she didnt.

“Im

sorry.

“You dont need to be. Blair and I dont always see things the same way,

but I

understand why she made the decision she

did.

Diane studied Cam curiously. “And that makes it al

right?

“No, Cam laughed. “But it usual y means I dont stay angry

very long.

“Shes

lucky.

“That works both

ways.

“Youre right. I did see Valerie. She was at The White House today.

Diane smiled fleetingly at Cams look of consternation. “Its a boutique

in Georgetown. We talked for a few minutes.

“Did she say where she was

staying? Diane shook her head.

“Phone

number?

Again, Diane shook her

head.

“Did she say why shes

hiding?

“No. But I got the distinct impression that she was in trouble, serious

trouble.

“What

kind

of

trouble?

Diane picked at the corner of the book in her lap, recal ing Valeries

haunted look and the way shed reacted when the stranger came into the

stairwel . When she met Cams calm gaze hers was cut through with

anguish. “She acted as if someone was going to hurt her.

“I need to talk to her. You need to tel her that. Tel her if she meets

with me, she can walk away no mat er what she tel s me.

“Do you real y think she betrayed you? Or our country? After helping

you in the first place? Dianes voice trembled and she looked away,

biting her lip. “How can you think that when youve held her?

Cams stomach churned, and for an instant she remembered the dark

nights that might have been endless if it hadnt been for Valerie. Claire ,

as she knew her then. Claires tenderness and her uncanny ability to

absolve guilt without demanding explanations had kept her together

when everything inside was breaking.

“They recruited her when she was a teenager, Cam said. “Part

of the indoctrination is to isolate the recruits from everyone outside the

system. Family, friends, everyone. Your handler becomes your

primary point of contact for everythinghe or she becomes your

emotional and physical touchstone. Sometimes no one else even

knows your name. Soon you forget you ever had another life.

“What are you saying? Dianes expression verged on horror. “That shes