Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  she forced back a surge of anxiety. She squeezed Dianes hand. “I

  just wasnt expecting this here. It shook me for a minute.

  “A minute! Diane laughed shakily. “I thought I understood

  what your life was like all these years, but I was wrong. Ive

  always loved you for your spirit and courage. Now even more.

  She lightly stroked Blairs cheek. “If I am the cause of any of

  this because of my relationship with Valerie, Im leaving. You dont

  deserve to have more pain in your life because of your friends.

  “Diane, Blair said gently. “Shut

  up. Diane paused. “Im serious.

  “I know, and I love you for it. But youre not going anywhere

  right now. Ill talk to you as soon as I can.

  When she returned to the living room, Cam was just opening

  the door to Paula and Renée. Blair guessed they had come

  directly from their shopping trip, because Renées dark slacks,

  pale yel ow blouse, and dark green blazer were clearly just out of

  the package. Paula, in jeans and a navy crewneck sweater, looked

  worried even before she zeroed in on Cam, and then her eyes

  widened in alarm and she immediately pivoted toward Blair. “Are

  you all right?

  “Im fine. Just Cam was hurt. Blair stroked Cams arm, needing the

  contact. “Someone tried to run her down.

  “Do you have anything on the vehicle or driver? Renée asked

  briskly.

  “Nothing on either one, Cam said in disgust. “I was too busy

  kissing the pavement. She sat on the sofa and gestured toward the

  matching leather chairs opposite her. Blair set led beside her, and

  Cam briefly squeezed her hand before fil ing Stark and Savard in on

  the details of what had happened.

  “Is there any chance you mightve been mistaken for someone else?

  Savard asked.

  Cam shook her head. “Doubtful. The streets were pret y empty because

  of the weather, so I expect the vehicle fol owed me from here. Im tal er

  than Blair and I wasnt wearing a hat, so my face and hair were

  visible. Its unlikely anyone would mistake me for her.

  “Even so, is there any specific reason that you think Ms. Powel

  might have been a possible target? Stark asked careful y.

  “None, other than al the usual reasons, Cam said grimly, pleased that

  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

  been brainwashed?

  “No, only that shes been trainedrelentlessly and expertly conditionedto

  fol ow orders with
out question. How else do you think a woman like

  Valerie could have done the things shes done in the name of her

  country?

  “She didnt make love to you for her

  country.

  Cam flinched but kept her eyes level on Dianes. “Maybe not after the

  first time.

  “Im sorry. Im just so worried about her. Diane pushed her hair back

  from her face with an unsteady hand. “And I know that she needs your

  help or something terrible is going to happen to her. Please, Cam. Dont

  abandon her.

  “I want to find her, Cam said vehemently. She leaned forward, her hand

  flat on the bed next to Dianes ankle. “Until we get the real people behind

  the at ack on Blair at the Aerie, Valerie is in danger. And if Valerie is in

  danger, so are youand so is Blair.

  “Blair isnt in danger if Im not with her. Diane swung her legs of the

  bed and jumped to her feet. “Il leave now.

  Cam rose and caught Dianes shoulders as she rushed toward the closet.

  “No. Youre staying with us.

  Diane spun around to face Cam and tried to push her away. “Let

  me go.

  “Diane. Cam ignored the screaming pain in her shoulder as Diane

  fought her. “Youre not alone. And neither is she.

  “Oh, Diane gasped, tears fil ing her eyes. “Im so

  frightened.

  Cam gathered her close, stroking Dianes hair as Diane buried her face

  against her shoulder. “Its going to be okay.

  After a moment of silent sobs, Diane leaned away from Cam and

  brushed at her cheeks. Shakily, she said, “Ive always wondered what it

  would feel like for you to hold me.

  “Overrated,

  probably.

  Diane

  smiled.

  “No.

  Cam eased her grip and stepped back. “If she cal s you, tell her

  Ill bring you to her. Tell hertell her to go to the first place she

  and I met.

  “Why? Why would you do that? It has to be breaking some

  kind of rule or other.

  “There are no rules anymore,

  Diane. “I trust you.

  “Thank you.

  Diane wrapped her arms around herself. “Oh God, what if

  she doesnt call me? What if she doesnt trust me?

  Cam paused at the door. “If she risked exposure today to see

  you, shell cal , and soon. Give her my message. And then come

  and get me.

  * * * * *

  “Do you really think Valeries going to call her? Blair asked

  after

  Cam described the conversation.

  “I do. Probably tonight. Cam unzipped her jeans and pushed