by Radclyffe
“How long do you think well be at priority one, Blair asked, leaning against Cams shoulder.
Cam took Blairs hand and drew it into her lap. “Indefinitely would be my guess.
“Thats what I was afraid of. Blair sighed. “I detest military escorts. Do you think theyre going to restrict my travel?
“Are you planning on going somewhere?
Blair laughed. “Well, I was hoping for a honeymoon.
“Ah. That.
“Youre not backing out are you? Blair shifted on the seat and studied Cam intently, the barest hint of worry in her eyes.
Cam held her gaze. “Absolutely not. I told you. Name the time and place, and Ill be there.
“You dont think we should wait, because of everything thats happened?
“I think the best way for any of us, all of us, to let the world know that we wont be terrorized is to continue to live. No, I dont think we should wait.
“Thank you, Blair said.
Cam brushed a kiss over her fingers. “Did you think Id change my mind?
“You have hit your head a couple of times recently. Blair leaned over and kissed the corner of Cams mouth. “It might have been enough to make you forget how much Id hurt you if you did.
“Just let me know when you plan to drop this little bomb on Lucinda, Cam said. “Id like to be somewhere else.
“Coward.
Cam grinned. “Guilty as charged.
“Excuse me, Paula Stark said as she made her way down the center aisle. “Well be on the ground in a few minutes. Ground transport will meet us on the tarmac. Youll exit once weve cleared the area, Ms. Powell.
“Thank you, Paula. I know the drill.
“Yes maam.
“Sorry. Blair sighed, already feeling the claustrophobic atmosphere of priority one security. “Paula, Ill be staying at Cams after we finish at the White House.
Paula nodded, her expression never changing. “Yes maam.
When Stark had moved back toward the front of the plane, stopping partway to confer with her team, Cam whispered, “It would be easier if we stayed at the White House.
“ Easier for whom?
Cam laughed. “Your security team.
“ I dont like to make love in those antique beds.
“ Have plans, do you?
“ Oh yes, Blair whispered. “I most definitely have plans.
Cam settled back for the landing, Blairs hand still in hers. “Well, then, the security team will just have to make adjustments.
Chapter Three
P aula exited the plane first, followed by Hara and Wozinski. Felicia Davis waited just inside the open door to accompany Blair. Two late-model black Suburbans idled at the edge of the tarmac, each with a driver behind the wheel and an agent standing near the open rear door. The ground transport teams were Washington-based Secret Service field agents who were called upon to provide backup support for the first family and visiting dignitaries upon the protectees arrival in DC.
Hara and Wozinski stopped at the bottom of the flight stairs while Paula crossed to the vehicles. She checked the IDs of every agent, scanned the front and rear compartments of both vehicles, and then took a slow visual survey of everything with a sight line to the path Blair would take from the plane to the Suburbanother vehicles, rooftops, communication towers. Everything she did was SOP, but it would never be routine again. Blairs security had been breached. They had all learned a lesson at a nearly inconceivable price.
“ Ms. Powell will ride with you, Paula said, leaning down to the open drivers window of the first vehicle. “Ill advise as to route once were in motion.
“ Yes maam, the driver, a fresh-faced blond with a military style haircut, said sharply.
Paula walked back to the plane. When shed contacted the Washington team, shed outlined three potential motorcade routes from the air force base to the White House. Blair was vulnerable on the road in any type of vehicle, even with bulletproof glass and armored plating. Something as simple as a suicide driver in a tanker truck loaded with gasoline could kill her.
Once again, this was standard operating procedure, but Paula was uncomfortably aware of not totally trusting anyone outside of her immediate team. She did not welcome the feeling that no one, even those she should be able to trust implicitly, was above suspicion any longer, and she feared the situation was the new status quo.
With a nod to Hara and Wozinski, she started up the stairs to the plane. The pilots had not powered down the engines, remaining prepared to take flight again on her word if anything appeared amiss.
“ Clear to disembark, she reported to the marine who had accompanied them in flight. He saluted and went forward to advise the pilot and copilot while she waited on the narrow platform at the top of the stairs, shielding the door and any view of Blair with her body.
Inside the cabin, Felicia stepped to one side so that Blair and Cam could pass. She then moved up behind Blair.
“ You should let Renée go down first, Paula, Blair said, halting at the top of the stairs. “Shes going to have trouble on the stairs with those crutches.
“ Lets proceed to your vehicle, Ms. Powell, Paula said. “Hara can give Agent Savard a hand in a moment.
Blair started to protest, then felt a gentle touch on the base of her spine just as Cam whispered, “Youre not secure here. Lets go.
“ God, now Ive got two of you ordering me around, Blair muttered, but she started down behind Paula. As soon as she reached the ground, Hara and Wozinski closed in on either side, and with Felicia behind, the agents formed a protective ring around Blair and Cam as Paula led the way to the first vehicle. An agent Blair didnt recognize opened the rear door and she and Cam climbed in.
“ Were in the middle of a United States Air Force base, Blair griped. “The marine unit that protects my father and the White House is stationed here. What in Gods name could happen to me walking from the plane?
“ It doesnt matter where we are, Cam said quietly. “Were at priority one.
Blair sighed. “And Im sure Stark realizes youre watching her every move. Ill 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 bulletproof 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. Powell? 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 ally. Sometimes, the White House just needed a presence at a media-worthy event, and Blair was always popular. She was beautiful, well-
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 controlled. 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 fallen 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 affair 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 well.
Blair smiled. “Yeah? How well?
“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 really 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.
“Well, Im here now, so what do you need?
“ Id forgotten how much you enjoy small talk. Lucinda turned to Cam. “How are you feeling?
“ Better every day.
“ Judicious answer.
“ Luce, Blair said impatiently. “I was having a really nice morning when you called. 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 tell me all the details, Blair, just to make me suffer. Considering that I havent been out of this office 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 all right?
Both Blair and Cam nodded.
“ Good. Lucinda drained her coffee cup and set it carefully on a low cherrywood Federal table. “We have a slight problem that I think you can help us with.
Blair stiffened. Cam remained completely still, 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, especially these days when everyone is a little unsure of who will remain top dog in the security world.
“ Is this conversation being taped? Blair asked casually.
“ 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. Averill Jensen picked it up.
Blair knew Jensen well. He was her fathers hand-picked security adviser, and before her fathers presidency, Averill had been attorney general. Hed also been her fathers college roommate. She said, “Averill would. He never misses anything.
“ Yes, and when he followed 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 en
ough 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 call 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?
“ Oh no. No, no, no. Blair stalked back to the sitting area but did not sit. She slammed her hands onto her hips to hide the fact that they were shaking. “Diane is not part of this. She was never part of this. She doesnt know
“ We havent been able to access very much information, Lucinda went on in her conversational tone. “Averill wouldnt have pushed at all except Lawrences name came up in association with the raid in Tennessee. Thats getting close to home.
“ So you want to know what Valerie knows, Cam said, thinking out loud. She reached up and pulled Blair down beside her. “Its okay. Lets just talk for a few minutes.
“ Actually, we want to know who Valerie knows, Lucinda replied. “Because someone tipped Matheson about the raid. Hes disappeared.
Cam straightened in surprise. Matheson was the head of a paramilitary organization that had direct ties with the men who had staged the assault on Blair in the Aerie. Possibly even with the men who had orchestrated the World Trade Center attacks. When Cams team uncovered his identity, she, Renée, and a hand-picked cadre of covert military operatives, had stormed the compound. Matheson had not been there. “I thought the Company had him.
Lucinda shook her head. “As far as we know, no one has him.
“ And someone thinks Valerie tipped him off? Cam asked tightly.
“ We dont know anything. We would very much like to speak to Valerie Lawrence.
“ Whos we ? Blair snapped.
Lucinda rose. “Have you two had lunch? I was about to ring for something.