Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

the plane?

“It doesnt mat er where we are, Cam said quietly. “Were at

priority one.

Blair sighed. “And Im sure Stark realizes youre watching her every

move. Il be lucky if she lets me take a breath without permission.

“Im not watching her every move, Cam said. “I already know that Stark

knows

what needs to be done. And she knows that

too.

“Sorry. Blair peered out through the smoked bul etproof

glass. Felicia had apparently returned to the plane after Blair was

secure in the vehicle, and she and Hara crossed the tarmac

toward the second car with Renée between them. Paula and

Wozinski headed toward their vehicle. “Im edgy.

Cam took her hand. “I know. Its okay.

Paula climbed into the rear, Wozinski into the

front.

“Would you still like to go directly to the White House,

Ms. Powel ? Paula asked.

“Yes, thank you.

Paula keyed her transmitter to contact the drivers of both

vehicles. “Destination Alpha, route Delta.

The Suburban accelerated smoothly and quickly away from

the runway, and Blair settled back for the familiar ride.

* * * * *

“Are you okay? Cam asked.

Across from them, Stark looked out the window, her

expression remote. Cam knew from experience that she

could hear their conversation, but by means of some

unconscious filter cultivated by most Secret Service agents for

their own comfort as well as that of their protectees, she would

not register the meaning of the words.

“I just want to find out what onerous chore Luce has planned

for me now. Its been a while since Ive had a command

performance, so I imagine she needs a visible White House

presence somewhere.

Cam wasnt happy with that thought. Ordinarily, Lucinda

tapped Blair when the White House wanted to make a statement,

the kind of declaration that the president couldnt make himself

for political reasonssuch as offering support for a pro-

choice charitable organization or attendance at a fundraiser for

a beleaguered political al y. Sometimes, the White House just

needed a presence at a media-worthy event, and Blair was

always popular. She was beautiful, wel -educated, and

personable. She was a great stand-in for her father. And her

status made her a great target.

“Now isnt exactly the time to be parading you out in public,

Cam observed.

“What? Blair focused on Cam, aware of the tight thread

of disapproval in her tone. “Do you want me to sit in a dark

room somewhere for the rest of my fathers presidency?

“That might not be a bad

idea.

In the past they would have fought about it. As it was,

Blair struggled with her temper and her overwhelming need

not to be control ed. Shed spent all her life resisting the efforts

of others to safeguard her at the cost of her independence. Shed

resisted Cam, too, for months, even as she tried to seduce her.

Shed wanted to prove that she didnt need to be protected, and

shed wanted to undercut Cams authority over her.

Unfortunately, her plan hadnt worked. Shed fal en in love, and

although she hadnt realized what that meant at first, she did

now. Loving, being loved, was a

responsibility. The decisions she made now didnt just affect

her, they affected Cams life, too. So she took a breath and

listened to what Cam hadnt said. Cam was worried for her.

“Remember you said yourself we couldnt stop living, Blair

said. “We cant let whoever tried to destroy us think theyve

frightened me into hiding.

A pulse pounded in Cams neck. “I wasnt talking about putting

you on display somewhere when I said that.

“You dont know thats what Lucinda wants.

“Shes gearing up for your fathers reelection campaign. Shes

not going to put that on hold no matter whats happening

on the international scene. Cam consciously relaxed her hands,

which had tightened into fists. “And youre going to be a great

campaign asset.

“Darling, Ive never been a great campaign asset. Im the wild child,

remember? Blair laughed, thinking of the international debacle that

would have resulted if her af air the year before with the French

ambassadors wife had come to light. “My security chiefs spent half their

time trying to keep me out of the press, not in it.

“Not anymore. Cam trailed her fingers down Blairs cheek. “Youre as

close to a first lady as this country has. And the public loves you.

“Lets just wait and see what she wants, Blair said, but she had an uneasy

feeling that Cam might be right. Shed taken a back seat during her

fathers run for the presidency, but she wouldnt be able to do that

again. She wanted him to be reelected. The country needed him. And if

he needed her , she might have to get used to campaigning. She found

Cams hand and squeezed it. “Im not the first lady. Im just your lady.

“When did you figure out just what I needed to hear?

Cam

murmured, kissing Blairs temple.

“Ive been practicing.

“Youre doing wel .

Blair smiled. “Yeah? How wel ?

“Want to keep Lucinda waiting for an hour or

two?

“Yes. Blair leaned closer to Cam. Dropping her voice,

she whispered, “Youre not the only one whos been suffering

while you recuperated.

“Then its probably going to take me more than two hours to

make it up to you. It might take me all night.

“Then I guess Ill just have to suffer a little while longer. With

a satisfied expression, Blair leaned back and closed her

eyes. “Because I dont intend to hurry.

* * * * *

When Emilio, assistant to the White House Chief of Staff, directed

Blair and Cam into Lucinda Washburns office, Lucinda was on

the phone. Blair waved to the commanding looking woman

with the stylishly coiffed, silver-streaked black hair. As usual,

Lucinda wore a conservatively styled jacket and skirt, plum

colored this time, offset by burnished gold jewelry at her ears

and throat. A single large, square cut emerald in a plain gold

setting adorned the ring finger of her right hand. That, Blair

noted, was new.

Lucinda paced in front of a wide walnut desk covered with

neat

stacks of folders and memoranda. When she caught Blairs

eye, she mouthed coffee and pointed to a credenza against one

wall .

Blair signed, you too? and at Lucindas nod, proceeded to

pour coffee into three China cups. She handed one to Lucinda

and then carried the others to the sofa across from Lucindas

desk, where Cam was waiting. They sipped in silence as

Lucinda expertly pressured whoever was on the phone.

Her tone was even and unmistakably edged with flint.

“Listen Tom, I real y dont care if Charlie has to walk all the

way from Chicago. He owes us that vote and I expect him

to be here tomorrow morning for roll call. With a faint smile,

she concluded, “Either that, or hell find himself pushing that

school tax referendum up a long steep hill all by himself.

Lucinda listened for another few seconds, said, “Wonderful,

and hung up. Then she crossed the room and settled into one

of the brocade Chippendale chairs facing Blair and Cam. “Good

flight?

“Military transport isnt known for luxury, Blair

said. “True, Lucinda conceded. “But theyre

reliable. “Wel , Im here now, so what do you

need?

“Id forgot en how much you enjoy smal talk. Lucinda turned to Cam.

“How are you feeling?

“Bet er

every

day.

“Judicious

answer.

“Luce, Blair said impatiently. “I was having a real y nice morning

when you

cal ed. A walk on the beach, and then I was planning on going back to

bed. Once there, I intended to sedu

“You can probably skip those details, Blair, Cam interjected, brushing

her hand down Blairs arm.

Lucinda laughed. “I wouldnt put it past you to tel me al the details, Blair,

just to make me suf er. Considering that I havent been out of this of ice

before 2 a.m. the last month, I havent exactly been getting

Blair held up her hands. “I dont want to know what you do in your

spare time.

“Truce then. Lucindas expression softened for an instant. “You look

rested, both of you, as much as can be expected. Doing al right?

Both Blair and Cam

nodded.

“Good. Lucinda drained her cof ee cup and set it careful y on a

low cherrywood Federal table. “We have a slight problem that I think

you can help us with.

Blair stif ened. Cam remained completely stil , but her eyes sharpened

as she studied Lucindas face.

“The Company has lost an important asset, and theyd rather not

inform their counterparts in the other divisions. Such a lapse is

embarrassing, especial y these days when everyone is a lit le unsure of

who wil remain top dog in the security world.

“Is this conversation being taped? Blair asked

casual y.

“Of

course

not.

“No video cameras in

here?

“No.

“Then do you think it would be possible, Blair said, emphasizing each

word, “for us to speak English, Lucinda?

“The CIA has lost a deep cover operative and they dont want the FBI

or the

Department of Defense to know

about it.

“Valerie Lawrence, Cam

said.

Lucinda regarded her steadily. “Yes, and I dont think wed even know

about it except someone at Langley let a bit of a memo regarding the

lost contact slip into the daily security briefing report. Averil Jensen

picked it up.

Blair knew Jensen wel . He was her fathers hand-picked security

adviser, and before her fathers presidency, Averil had been at orney

general. Hed also been her fathers col ege roommate. She said,

“Averil would. He never misses anything.

“Yes, and when he fol owed up, the lid slammed shut. Lucinda

lifted her shoulder. “I suspect the operative responsible for the

information leak has been transferred someplace where the nights are

long and dark.

“So Valerie is out in the cold somewhere, Cam said. “Are they trying to

bring her in?

“We dont know. But wed like to find her ourselves. Lucinda crossed

her legs and folded her hands loosely in her lap. Relaxed. Friendly.

“You know her, Cam. That could be useful.

“I dont think I like where this is going, Blair said. “Cam and

Valerie

“Have a history, yes I know. Lucindas gaze never wavered from Cam,

even when Blair stood abruptly.

“History, Luce. History. As in past. Blair wanted to pace but the room

wasnt quite big enough for it. Instead she walked to Lucindas desk

and stood there with her back to the others. She looked out the French

doors that opened to the esplanade running along one side of the West

Wing until the red haze of anger cleared from her brain, then she turned

back. Cam and Valerie had once been lovers when Cam had thought

that Valerie was a high-priced Washington cal girl. “Cam doesnt know

anything.

“Blair, Cam said gently. “Thats not why were

here.

“I dont understand. Blair looked from Lucinda to Cam. “God damn it,

I hate this.

“Its Diane, Cam said, watching Lucinda.

“Isnt it?