Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

“She doesnt want you to be

hurt.

Diane trembled and Blair drew her close. With a shaky

breath, Diane continued, “Cam must trust her, because she

didnt try to detain her. I love Valerie. I have to trust her as

much as Cam does.

“Youre real y sure, arent you? Blair said.

Diane smiled almost shyly. “I really am. Nothing has felt as

right since I met you.

“Then Im on your side, Blair said, hugging Diane tightly.

“And hers.

* * * * *

“Well travel in two groups to Whitley Point, Cam said,

scribbling on a flip chart that she had dug out of the closet

earlier. She couldnt find the stand, so she balanced the oversized

pad of paper on her knees facing Stark, Savard, and Davis,

who clustered around her in the living room. “Stark, you and

your people will take Blair and Diane. Youll fly out of

Andrews again at 1100 hours, but this time youll land at

Westover, Mass.

Stark frowned. “Whats there?

“Its an Air Force Reserve base, so its relatively low profile.

Well have Tanners people pick you up in three vehicles and

take you the rest of the way, each vehicle fol owing a different

route.

“Who knows about the itinerary?

“The flight plan was filed through Lucindas office, but theres

no attendant passenger list. Only Tanner knows the routes and

final destination.

“Youre putting a lot of faith in Tanners people, Stark said mildly.

“My feeling is that we know more about her team than we could about

anyone

coming to us from inside the system right now. Youre the security

chief. Whats

your cal

?

Stark took her time. “Until we find Valerie and Matheson, I dont want

anyone new get ing close to Blair.

“I agree. Cam blew out a breath. “Basical y wel handle Blairs security

in the same way the Vice Presidents has been set up since the at acks.

Shel be based in a secure location away from the White House known

to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only

essential public appearances. We cant keep her completely

sequesteredfirst because shed never al ow it,

secondly, because we cant make prisoners of our elected of icials

and their families, and final y because the public is going to be looking

for her. Shes too popular to just disappear.

“Were going to be thin on the ground, Stark said, “now that Davis has

gone over to OHS.

Cam nodded as she drew a grid and added names. “Youl have to work

with a smal er team than usual for the time being. Hara, Wozinski,

yourself, and Tanners people. Can you handle it?

Stark didnt hesitate. “Yes, we

can.

As satisfied with the security as she could be when al she real y wanted

to do was take Blair to some remote island for six months, Cam

switched her attention to Savard. “Wel fol ow by ground as soon as

you and Davis are happy that youve accessed al the data

immediately available to us. You can use the computers in my of ice

in the West Wing and wipe them when youre done.

“How long wil you need, Felicia? Savard asked, sit ing with her

injured leg straight out in front of her. The cane shed used in lieu of her

knee immobilizer rested against the arm of the chair. She looked focused

and steady.

Davis smiled, her dark eyes glowing. “I want to make sure I look in

everybodys closets and leave myself a backdoor before we leave. Say,

three hours.

Cam checked her watch as she stood. “Its 0815 now. We should be

leaving

DC by 1200 hours, which puts us into Whitley Point around

2300.

Savard and Davis rose, and Savard asked, “Where wil we

rendezvous, Commander?

“In case anyone is checking, Il schedule you and Davis for a meeting

at FBI headquarters at 1130 hours. On your way there, the meeting wil

be canceled and a vehicle wil pick you up at 13 and Pennsylvania

Avenue. Cam regarded

Stark. “When would you like to depart here, Chief? If theres anyone fol

owing

Blair, theyl lose the trail at

Andrews.

“Wel have the vehicles out front at 0900 hours. Il wait downstairs

until then.

“Thanks, Cam said, appreciating the few moments of privacy she would

have with Blair. After returning from her meeting with Valerie, shed

been up al night talking to Lucinda and the presidents security adviser.

She had yet to tel Blair the specifics of the plan, because she hadnt

worked it out until shortly before Stark and her security team had

arrived. She was sore and tired, but it felt good being in the field again.

Working. Doing what she knew how to do.

When the others had left, Cam walked down the hal to Dianes bedroom

and tapped on the door. “Can I talk to you a minute, Blair?

“Sure, Blair said. After shed finished helping Diane pack, shed gone

to the kitchen for more cof ee and heard the murmur of voices in

the living room. Although she knew Cam wouldnt exclude her from the

discussions if she asked to sit in, she also knew that Cam and Stark

were get ing their first real test of working together in their new roles.

She doubted that anyone in security or intel igence was going to

like being overridden by agents from the new Homeland Security

Of ice, not even Stark, not even when the agent in question was Cam.

She decided her presence would only add to the tension. “When are we

leaving?

“About

forty-five

minutes.

Blair glanced over her shoulder at Diane. “Il meet you in the living room

in a few minutes, okay?

“Yes. Ive got some cal s to make. I should let my gal ery manager

know how long Il be away.

“Tel her three weeks for now. Cam rested her hand lightly on Blairs

shoulder.

The contact felt good. She had missed her the previous night, missed the

way holding her through the night rejuvenated her.

Diane nodded. “All right, but I cant be away any longer than

that. Sooner or later, I have to go back to my life.

“I understand.

“Will I be able to call or give them a number where they can

reach me? Diane asked.

“Everyone will have temporary cells by tonight. Once we

reach

Whitley Point you can call them.

“Thank you. Diane squared her shoulders. “You two go ahead. Im

fine.

Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Come on, darling.

Better fill me in on whats going on.

* * * * *

“Let me get this straight. Blair leaned against the dresser in

the bedroom watching Cam pack this time. “Im being spirited

away to Whitley Point surrounded by armed guards, while you

drive for twelve hours out in the open where anyone could fol ow

you.

“Were not going to be followed.

“Then why cant I come with

you?

Cam passed Blair the extra suitcase. “You need to take anything?

Blair dropped it on the bed. “Yes. Ill pack in a minute. Why cant

Igo with you?

“If anyone is watching us theyll have a hard time fol owing

two separate groups. It buys us time.

“Bul . You dont want me with you in case someone comes

after y o u again. In case someone Blair stalked across the

room and pul ed the shirt Cam was folding from her grasp.

“Someone tried to kill you last night. And you think they

might try again, dont you?

“Blair

“Dont lie to

me.

Cam cradled Blairs face between her hands and kissed her

softly. “I wont. You know that.

“Thats what you think, isnt it?

“Its a consideration, especial y in light of my past relationship

with Valerie. Matheson might suspect that she would come to

me and that I might be able to bring her in. If someone wants

to prevent that, getting me out of the way is the logical step.

Blair forced herself to keep her expression neutral, even

though the calm way that Cam discussed why someone would

want to kill her chil ed her to the core. If she wanted Cam to tell

her the truth, she had to be able to handle the truth. No matter

how much it terrified her. “Did you tell Valerie where were

going?

“No, but she has a number to cal me. She lowered her hands to

Blairs shoulders and rubbed them softly. “Il be okay. Ive got good

people with me

and I know what Im

doing.

“Do you think Valerie wil

cal ?

Cam sighed. “I dont know. When it comes right down to it, her training

may win out. And shes been indoctrinated not to trust anyone.

“I dont like us being

separated.

“Neither do I, but its only for a few hours. Il be there tonight, and wel

wake up together tomorrow.

Blair closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Cams waist. “You

didnt sleep al night. Youre hurt and tired. Youre not at your best, Cam,

and you need to be.

“Savard and Davis wil be with me. Theyl do the driving. Il

sleep.

Blair rubbed her cheek against Cams shoulder. “I dont want other

women taking care of you.

Cam laughed. “I think Il be safe with

them.

“What about the thing Saturday night Im supposed to do for

Lucinda?

“I dont like it, Cam said, “but we al agree we cant keep you completely

out of the public eye. Lucinda is arranging for a suite of rooms at the

Copley for us and the rest of the team for the weekend. Il be your

escort, and Savard wil accompany Diane.

“Oh, Starks going to love that.

Cam grinned. “Its al in the line of

duty.

Blair leaned back, a glint in her eyes. “Is it, now? Then youd

bet er pack

something besides work clothes. Like a

tux.

“Thats what rental places are

for.

“And you bet er make sure you sleep in the car, Blair murmured,

running her fingers along Cams col arbone and down over her chest.

“I missed you last night.

“Me

too.

“What about your hip and

shoulder?

“Im stif and sore, but functional. Cam kissed Blair, taking her time,

because it would be hours before they saw each other again and

despite her words of confidence to Blair, she knew that anything

could happen in the interim. “Besides, massage therapy wil be good

for them.

“Then Il put you on my schedule for the

morning.

“Il

be

there.

Blair held her tightly, unable to imagine any other

possibility.

Chapter Thirteen

P aula, Blair said with quiet intensity, just the slightest bit of edge in

her voice.

“Yes?

Stark

said

solemnly.

“If you had a round robin, why didnt you bid

more?

Diane snorted and, despite the fact that it had been dark for over three

hours and it was impossible to see the beach, Wozinski seemed to

find something fascinating happening out the window. Stark hastily

squinted at her cheat sheet,

obviously at a

loss.

“A king and queen in every suit. I wouldve taken the bid if Id known

you had that much meld, Blair said.

“I didnt see it, Stark said bleakly. “I was so excited about the

pinochle

“Never mind. It doesnt mat er. Blair abruptly pushed back her chair,

strode across the kitchen, and slammed out the door.

The room was silent for a moment and then Diane rose. “Its freezing out

there. She doesnt have a jacket.

Wozinski glanced at Stark. “Should I go with her, Chief? I can take her