Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

casual than anything Cam had seen her wear even when she

wasnt working, or that her silky, platinum hair was far shorter

than she had ever worn it. It would take more than jeans and a

short haircut to hide Valeries cool elegance. She wasnt just

thinner, she was leaner and tauter, and she moved with a

sense of suppressed anger and almost lethal purpose that

Cam associated with caged animals. Valerie might not be

caged, but she was being hunted.

“Just to be clear, I dont intend to turn you over to anyone,

Cam said.

Valerie held out the Scotch. “You dont know what I have to

say, yet.

“Whos

after

you?

“Several dif erent parties. Valerie sat down across the wide oak table

from

Cam and contemplated her Scotch. “The Company, for certain. My

handler has been leaving messages at drop points for me to come in.

“Henry

?

Valerie smiled bit erly. “Wel , thats what Ive always cal

ed him.

“You dont trust him

now?

Valerie turned the heavy crystal glass slowly between her hands. Her

fingers, much like the rest of her body, were long and thin, but not

delicate. “Its unusual for him to insist on a face-to-face. In fact, in al the

years Ive worked with him weve only met a handful of times. Now

hes making urgent requests for a rendezvous.

“A trap?

“Thats what it feels like, Valerie said with a shrug. “But a trap set by

whom? Matheson because hes working with Henry? Or the

Company, because they want me in for a debriefing? Because they think

I tipped of Matheson.

“They want you for some

reason.

“Yes, and if the Companys involved, I know what wil happen if I go in.

Believe me, I dont have any desire to disappear, even temporarily.

Cam saw no reason to protest what they both knew was possible.

Agents suspected of turning were forcibly detained, debriefed,

and sometimes, expunged. “Henry could want you to come in for

protection from Matheson.

“Id like to think that. Valerie took a slow swal ow of Scotch and

shook her head. “But Id be foolish to assume that just because weve

had a professional association for twenty years that were friends. If hes

Mathesons connection, Im a liability now.

“Thats why youre bet er of here. Cam finished her drink. “We had an

incident in Boston the other night. An armed assailant penetrated our

perimeter and got of a couple of shots before we contained him.

“Who was the

target?

“We dont know. Emory Constantine, a high profile and not so popular

stem cel researcher, was with us. It might have been her. It might

have Blair. It might even have been Diane.

“Diane? Valeries face became expressionless, as cool as carved marble.

“What would be the point? If someone took her out, theyd have

nothing to hold over my head.

“No one? Family? Old

lovers?

An old sorrow seemed to claim Valerie for a split second, softening her

features. “You of al people should know that other than you, theres no

one. Only Diane. You had someone guarding her?

“Savard. We were lucky, there. Cam grimaced. “Its possible Matheson

plans to clean house and take us al down.

“Then we need to get to him

first.

“We might not be able to unless we force Henry to rol over. Do you

have any idea how we can find him?

Valerie shook her head. “I never once met him in an of ice. He

could be stationed in California for al I know. God, Cameron, the

man has run my life since I was a teenager and I dont even know his ful

name. She laughed harshly, her eyes bleak. “What kind of fool does that

make me?

“We both know thats not what its about. Cam extended her hand across

the table and Valerie clasped her fingers fleetingly. “Youve done a job

most of us

couldnt do far longer than anyone should have to. That doesnt make you

a fool in my book, it makes you a hero.

“Thank

you,

Valerie

whispered.

“I take it youve tried to locate him some other way than through a

meet?

“I was hoping to discover his identity and Ive cal ed in every marker I

have. Or thought I had. Valeries disil usionment shone through

beneath the composed façade she wore so ef ortlessly. “Ive tried every

source I know, but in the last few weeks, those have mysteriously dried

up. Contact numbers are no longer in service, bank accounts are suddenly

closed, drop boxes have new locks.

“Youre being cut

of .

Valerie nodded. “It could stil just be to force me to make contact, or it

could be the first step in removing me.

“I dont suppose you have a

photograph?

“No, and its not like the Company keeps a roster of employees that I

could go through.

Cam laughed. “Now, that would defeat the purpose of being a spy,

wouldnt it?

“A spy, Valerie said wryly. “Operative sounds so much

better.

“Lets assume Matheson and Henry are working togetherits the most

probable scenario. So, if we find one, we find the other.

“Any progress on your

end?

Cam scowled. “Were accumulating a file on Mathesons associates as far

back as twenty-five years. Its slow going, but Il want you to look

through everything Felicia and Savard have put together so far.

Unfortunately, some of the

photographs are going to be of boys or much younger men than theyre

likely to be now.

“Perhaps Felicia can use age simulator software to project present

appearances for any possibles.

“We might be able to do something even bet er, Cam said slowly as she

stood. “Its almost midnight. Id like you to brief with us in the morning.

0600 in the guest house.

“Are you sure? Savard and Felicia might not be quite as trusting as

you are, Valerie pointed out.

“I disagree, but either way, its not their

choice.

Valerie rose. “Youre taking a chance, Cameron, and I know that. I want

you to know I appreciate

“Dont insult me, Valerie. Cam lightly touched her fingertips to Valeries

cheek. “Get some sleep. Then she dropped her hand and walked away.

Valerie waited until she heard Cams footsteps disappear before fol owing

down the hal way and up the stairs. As she passed the room that she

knew was Blairs, she recognized Blairs sensuous alto and then Cams

slightly deeper tones. The sound of Cams voice in a phone message

had once stirred her heart and her blood. Now, it fil ed her with a

sense of comfort and safety. Wondering if that was fair, but being glad

for it nonetheless, she continued to the last door on the right and

knocked quietly before let ing herself in.

The room was lit by a bedside lamp. Diane was in bed, a sheet pul ed

to her waist. Her breasts formed soft curves beneath a pale peach

camisole. Valerie sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “Theres

part of me that thinks I shouldnt be here.

“What does the other part

think?

“That its the only place in the world I want

to be.

Diane drew back the covers. “Thats the part Id listen to, if I

were you.

“Al right, Valerie whispered

softly.

She stood and unbut oned her blouse, unhooked her bra, and let them fal

to the floor behind her. She unzipped her jeans, pushed them down

along with her panties, and stepped out of them. Watching Diane watch

her, she was surprised to feel her body quicken when for so long the

only sensations shed been aware of were fatigue and desperate sadness.

She turned of the light and slipped into bed. Then she did something

shed never done before. She pul ed Diane on top of her and guided

Dianes hand between her thighs.

“Please make love to me. I need

you. Chapter Twenty-

Two Monday

A ny response from Lawrence on your request for a meeting?

Matheson inquired via his disposable cel phone.

“Not

yet.

Matheson sipped his cof ee and watched the traf ic on Main Street

through the diner window in the smal seaside town. A waitress slid a

plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. He made eye contact

when he thanked her.

“Youre very welcome. The brunet e of ered him a sultry smile as she

lingered by the red leather booth made shiny by years of bodies slipping

in and out.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, noting the invitation in her

eyes while surveying her ful breasts and curvaceous hips. His penis

lengthened, reminding him that it had been some time since hed

satisfied his needs. He made a mental note to take care of that, then

looked away, dismissing her from his thoughts. “Why do you think

your operative is ignoring your direct order?

“Because shes one of our best, the man snapped. Then, as if

regret ing his outburst, he added in a conciliatory tone, “The leak came

too soon after her report to me for her not to be suspicious, but I didnt

have a choice. If Special Forces hadnt moved on the compound so

quickly, I might have been able to find another way to warn you, but

Robertss team was far more ef ective than we anticipated. I didnt have

time for a cover story, and I didnt think youd enjoy captivity.

“Its never wise to underestimate the enemy, Matheson said mildly,

spearing a fluf y mound of egg. “Its unfortunate that eliminating her wil

cost us an inside link to several of our primary targets, but the longer

she stays alive, the greater the likelihood youl be compromised.

“Ive warned her shes in danger, but she wont agree to a

meet. “Youre not using the right enticement. “What do you

suggest?

Matheson told him, disconnected, and punched in another number.

“He has forty-eight hours to take care of his mess, then well

clean house ourselves, starting with him.

“Yes sir. Its a pleasure to serve you,

sir.

* * * * *

“Valerie? Diane called urgently in the dark. The bed beside

her was warm, but empty. The nightmare of the past few

weeks instantly closed in around her, and she felt as if

she were

smothering. Bolting upright, she gasped, “Oh

God.

“Im here. Valerie hurried to the side of the bed and pul ed

Diane into her arms. “I found some clothes Id left here last

month, and I was trying not to wake you while I dressed.

“Where

are

you

going?

“A briefing with Cameron.

Diane held her tightly, running her hands over Valeries back.

She wore only a snug tank top and panties. “Youre cold. Go

finish dressing.

Valerie pulled the covers back and slid underneath. “I

frightened you. Im sorry.

Diane shook her head. “Just for a second. I wish you didnt have

to go.

“Ill be back. Valerie stretched out above Diane and kissed

her throat. “I wouldnt leave now except I might be able to help.

“You wont do anything foolish, will you?

Valerie laughed softly. “There are times I think my whole

life might have been foolish.

“No, Diane said with certainty. She feathered her fingers

through the short hair at the base of Valeries neck. “Youre

the most remarkable woman Ive ever met.

“Diane, Valerie murmured, kissing her deeply. When