by Radclyffe
“Anything, Renée murmured. “Anything for
you.
* * * * *
Just before seven, Blair walked with Cam as far as the
guesthouse. A light rain fell beneath a gray sky and in the
distance the ocean was rough with angry chop.
“Winters coming, Blair said, and for some reason, that made
her feel melancholy.
Cam took her hand. “Lets get married at the Lodge in
Colorado. We can call Doris today and make arrangements.
“What? Blair gaped, then her eyes brightened with
pleasure. “What brought that on?
Cam brushed her thumb along the crest of Blairs cheek.
“We havent stopped moving for the last two months. I want a few
days with you when all that matters is being with you.
“You do? Blair glanced down the path to the guesthouse where the
current office of the Deputy Director of Homeland Security
was located, knowing that Cams agents waited for her inside
and that the work her lover was doing was critical to the nations
wel -being. She also knew that the work was essential to C a m
s wel -being. The last thing she expected was for Cam to be
thinking of anything except work.
“Im sorry, Cam murmured as if reading her mind. “Im sorry that I
havent made
it clear to you how much I need you.
“Cameron. Blair skimmed her fingers through Cams hair. “You
made that perfectly clear not more than an hour ago.
Cam grinned briefly. “That too, but more than anything I need you
Her eyes darkened and she touched her palm to her chest. “in here.
Blair caught her breath. “Oh my God. You have to go right this minute
or Im going to have to drag you back to bed. You cant say things like
that to me when were standing out here and I cant have you.
“Is that a yes about Colorado?
“Il cal Doris today. I know Tanner and Adrienne wil love to see her
again.
“Good. Cam kissed her. “I might be a
while. “I know. Do what you have to do.
I love you. “Be careful today.
“I wil be. Blair asked the question lurking in the back of her mind.
“Have you learned anything?
“On the surface it looks like the shooter was targeting Emory.
“On the surface?
“Hes on her watch list, but some of these groups have multiple agendas.
Its not a stretch for an anti-fetal research zealot to also be anti-gay.
“So it mightve been us he was after.
“Possibly.
“But?
Cam sighed. “We cant discount the remote possibility that this might be
related to the previous assault on you.
“And
you.
“So our safest course of action, Cam said, “is to assume al three are
probable and investigate accordingly. The local FBI is put ing together
a file on the anti- stem cel research groups, and wel continue to
focus on connections to Matheson.
Blair caressed Cams ribs lightly, wishing fervently that she could heal
them. “What about Valerie?
“If she doesnt contact either Diane or myself, our chances of finding
her are remote. Given enough time, we might, but time is something we
dont have much of. Cam ran her fingers through Blairs hair. “Im
working on something that might draw her in.
“Is
it
classified?
“No, but it does involve
Lucinda.
“Uh-oh. Do I even want to
know?
“Youl find out later. Cam kissed Blairs forehead. After a second she
said, “No questions?
“Il wait for you to tel me about the briefing. Perhaps Il go down to the
marina in a while to see Tanner.
“Take three people Cam grimaced. “Im sure Stark wil take care
of that.
Blair smiled. “I never mind you looking out for me. Stark doesnt have to
know.
“Thanks, baby. Cam kissed her again, then turned and strode briskly
away.
Blair waited until Cam disappeared inside, then continued down the
winding path to the beach. As she turned north, tucking her hands in the
pockets of her windbreaker and walking quickly to keep warm in the
brisk wind, she was peripheral y aware of the two figures shadowing
her. They had been there, of course, the entire time that she and
Cam had stood on the path sharing something so intimate she stil
felt like crying. Those who had watched would of course never
acknowledge in any way what they had witnessed, and during those
moments, she hadnt been aware of anyone except Cam. She stopped and
pul ed out her cel phone and speed-dialed.
A moment later, Cam answered. “Are you al
right?
“Im sorry, I know youre briefing. I just want you to know that Id love to
go to
Colorado
to
get
married.
“Al right, Cam said probingly.
“And?
“And this morning in bed was wonderful, but the only thing
I real y need is for you to look at me like you just did for the rest
of my life.
“You can count on that.
“I love you, Blair said quietly. “Ill see you
later.
Blair closed the phone, slid it into her pocket, and turned her
face up to the rain. It was cold and sharp against her skin and
she felt unbelievably alive.
* * * * *
When Blair let herself into the kitchen forty-five minutes
later,
Diane was waiting for her. She was without makeup, in
loose cotton slacks and a pale blue cotton blouse, and she didnt
look like shed slept at all the night before. Her freshly
washed hair was loose and unstyled. She looked vulnerable
and young, and Blairs heart ached. Diane had final y fal en in
love and instead of being able to immerse herself in the joy of
it, she might lose Valerie and never know why.
“Morning, sweetheart. Blair skimmed her fingers over Dianes
back as she passed behind her. She stopped abruptly when
she felt Diane stiffen. “What is it?
“This. Dianes normally sultry voice was scratchy from
fatigue. She pointed to the newspaper spread out in front of her.
“I dont understand this.
Blair peered over her shoulder and frowned at an article on
the second page. Noted Gallery Owner Assaulted After Gala.
She scanned the completely fictitious account of an assault,
presumed to be a robbery, that occurred just outside the Boston
Ritz Carlton the previous evening fol owing a fundraiser for a
noted research institute. The only thing in the article that
resembled reality in the slightest was the fact that the victim,
Diane Bleeker, was actual y the owner of a trendy Manhattan
gallery.
“Is this how things are done in your world? Diane lifted her
pain- fil ed and accusing eyes. “Are these kinds of lies necessary?
I have friends, col eagues, family who will be concerned and
what ifyou know that Valerie will probably see this. Someone
should have told me.
“I dont have any idea how Blair remembered a sn
ippet of
her conversation with Cam less than an hour ago. Cam had
said she
might have an idea about reaching Valerie. She had also said
that Lucinda was involved, and this press manipulation had
Lucindas fingerprints all over it. Blair straightened, her mouth
tightening. “Im not sure what this is about, but Im going to find
out.
Grabbing the newspaper, she marched toward the dining
room, now the security operations center, where she had last
seen Paula and Mac. Mac was at the computer, studying what
looked to be a floor plan. He swiveled on his chair to face her,
his brows knitting.
“Wheres Paula?
“She went back upstairs to bed. Macs expression was polite
but guarded. “Is there something I can help you with?
“How about this? Do you know anything about this? She
extended the newspaper. From Macs quick glance, she knew that he
was aware of the article.
“Ah, that might be something you want to ask the commander, he
replied, obviously framing his reply careful y.
“Shes in a briefing. Why dont you explain it
to me?
Mac regarded her with mute appeal. “Im afraid I cant. Im
sorry.
“Al right. Of course not. Blair turned and walked away. When she heard
Mac rise she looked back over her shoulder. “Stay here, Mac. Im not
going any further than Cams of ice. God, its not like theres anywhere to
go .
He grinned cautiously. “Ive never known that to stop you. Respectful
y, Ms. Powel .
She narrowed her eyes, then laughed. “Maybe its time to rotate out my
security
team if you know me that
wel .
“It does take a long time to train the new ones, he said with a
straight face.
“I suppose you have a point. Blair felt some of her anger ease. “Il see
you later
Mac.
“Maam.
By the time she reached the guesthouse, her fury had abated enough that
when Cam walked into the living room in response to her arrival, she
managed to ask calmly, “Can I talk to you for a minute?
Cams gaze dropped to the newspaper she held tightly clenched in hand.
“Ah. She slid her hands into the pockets of her black chinos. “I see that
Lucinda is even more ef icient than I anticipated. The article is in
there?
“Your
doing?
“Mostly. Lucinda made the necessary phone cal s to the papers. Cam
shook her head. “Even with the White House behind it, I didnt expect
to see anything until this evening.
“Lucinda doesnt waste time or
words.
“Apparentl
y.
“Damn it, Cam. Diane doesnt understand this kind of thing. You
should have told her, or let me tel her.
Cam gestured to the sofa. “Lets sit down for a
minute.
“I dont want to sit, I want an explanation. I told Luce I wouldnt
use my friendship with Diane like this. I didnt think I needed to tel you!
“Just give me a minute and Il explain. Cam sat
down.
“Fine. Blair fol owed, but sat far enough away that they werent
touching. “Youre using this to lure Valerie, arent you?
“Not entirely. Its a good cover story to explain al the of icial activity
around the hotel last night. It keeps your name and Emorys out of the
paper. And, yes, Cam said with a sigh, “it might draw Valerie out into
the open. You can be sure shes scanning news sources for any available
intel.
“Why didnt you tel me about this
earlier?
“Other than the obvious reason being that I was
preoccupied? Blair smiled faintly. “Other than that.
Cam rubbed her eyes. “I didnt think wed see any activity around this
until later in the day. Diane was stil asleep, and she met Blairs intent
gaze. “I didnt want her trying to contact Valerie and tel ing her it was
fabricated.
“Jesus, Cam. Shes my best friend and shes hurting so much over this.
How do you think shes going to feel if Valerie isI dont know, trapped,
because of her?
“Blair, Cam said gently, “Valerie is in real trouble out there. The best
thing for her is for us to be able to protect her. If she surfaces because
shes worried that something might happen to Diane, or that something
has happened to her, shel be bet er of .
“Can
I
tel
Diane?
“Its going to put you in the middle. I hate to do
that.
“Im already in it. Theres no middle ground left,
Cam.
Cam moved along the sofa so she was closer to Blair, but did not
touch her.
“Can you tel her part of it, and leave out anything about Valerie
for now?
“Shes not nave, Camshe might ask me about Valerie. What shal I tel her
to do if Valerie cal s?
“Tel her to talk to her as long as she
can.
“Youre tapping Dianes phone? Blair asked
incredulously.
“Were tracing it back through her cel ular provider. Its not perfect, but it
gives us a starting place. Cam placed her hand flat on the sofa
between them. “Im sorry, Blair. It has to be done.
Blair was silent for a moment, then took Cams hand and cradled it in
her lap between both of hers. “This must be hard for you.
“Inot as hard as it is for you. I wish I could change
that.
Blair shook her head. “No. One of the things I love about you is how
clear you are about the right and wrong of things. About what should be
done, no matter the cost. But theres nothing clear about any of this, is
there?
“Nothing has been clear to me since the moment I saw one of my own
agents standing outside your door pointing a gun at your heart, Cam
said bit erly. “I dont even know how to begin to think about that.
It was so very rare for Cam to voice her pain and disil usionment that
Blair had to struggle not to pul her into her arms. Instead, she leaned
close and kissed Cams cheek. “Il talk to Diane. It wil be okay.
“Im
sorry.
“No. You shouldnt be. Not for doing what must be done. Blair rose.
“You wil be careful with Valerie, wont you?
Cam stood. “Shes a victim in this too. Im sure
of it.
“I trust your judgment. I do. Blair skimmed her fingers along Cams
jaw. “But youre the one thing in my life I cant do without.
“Il
remember
that.
Blair smiled gently. “See that you
do.
Chapter Twenty
C am tilted her chair back and scrubbed her face. A glance at her
watch confirmed what she already knew. It was late, almost 9 p.m.
Felicia and Savard looked just as exhausted as she felt, but neither had
complained despite twelve hours of nonstop work at the computers. The
rest of the guest house was dark, the only light coming from the
computer monitors and a few muted lamps. She appreciated why so
many government buildings had so few
windowsthe less intrusion
from the outside world, the easier it was to become lost in the work to
the exclusion of everything else. Even the important people in your life.
“Where
are
we?
Savard deferred to Felicia, who had the most expertise in terms of
computer investigation. Felicia shrugged.
“Between the files at Quantico Ive been able to access and our own
scans of Mathesons academy records, we have solid IDs on al four of
the gunmen at the Aerie. We have names for the faces now and were
digging deeper.
“What does that give us in terms of Mathesons connection to the
Company and
Valeries
handler?
Felicia shook her head. “Nothing yet. These men were al too young
to be contemporaries of anyone who might have recruited Valerie.
Savard said, “If Valerie was recruited as a teenager, then were probably
looking at someone Mathesons age as her handler. She spread her hands
in frustration. “He could be anyone.
“We have to work from the assumption that Valeries handler
and Matheson are tied together. It may turn out that theyre
not, but thats a more probable scenario than postulating
that Valeries contact within the Company reported the plans
for the raid on Mathesons compound to someone e l s e who
then relayed the message to Matheson. Cam stood up and
walked to the window, rol ing her shoulders and trying to work
out some of the stiffness from the previous weeks injuries and the
tension of poring through files all day. The first floor of the
main house was alight, and she wondered what Blair was
doing. “I dont believe in coincidences. The only person outside
of our team who knew about the raid was Valerie. She reported
to her handler and Matheson was tipped off. A plus B equals C.
“Matheson has had a lifetime to build up a network inside
the system, Felicia said. “Were looking for a needle in a
haystack.
“Maybe. But men like Matheson know that the most
secure network is one thats small and built on personal
loyalty. She turned away from the window and the reminder of
the rest of her life to face her agents. “What creates the greatest
loyalty?
“Chain of command, Savard said
immediately. “Family, Felicia replied.
“Start with Foster and the other four men from the assault on
Blair, and find their brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers,
grandfathers every male relative who might have been
associated with
Matheson or Mathesons brothers, uncles, father, whatever.