by Radclyffe
“ I need to talk to her. You need to tell her that. Tell her if she meets with me, she can walk away no matter what she tells me.
“ Do you really 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 follow orders without 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 attack 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 off the bed and jumped to her feet. “Ill 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 filling 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 calls 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 call, 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 them down over her hips, letting them fall to the floor. She sat on the side of the bed and unbuttoned her shirt. Blair, in a threadbare T-shirt, was already under the covers.
“If she does, youre not going, Blair said, lifting the sheets.
Cam slipped underneath with a sigh. Turning onto her uninjured left side, she pillowed her head against her bent arm and smiled tiredly at Blair. “Lets get some sleep, baby.
Blair caressed Cams cheek. “Yes. You need it. And youre still not going out if she calls.
“I love you.
“I love you too. And youre still not going.
“If I dont, Diane is either going to try to get to her herself, or Valeries going to risk another rendezvous with Diane. Either way, theyll both be vulnerable if Valerie is a target.
“I hate it when youre reasonable.
Cam smiled. “I know. I do it just to make you crazy.
Blair kissed her. “Its working. She slid an arm beneath Cams shoulder and drew her closer, pillowing Cams head against her breast. “How are you feeling?
“Not that bad. The ibuprofen finally kicked in.
“Why cant Valerie come here?
“Because youre here, Cam mumbled. “Too hard to secure.
“Why cant she come to Whitley Point?
“What? Cam said, her mind fuzzy with near sleep.
“You said yourself Whitley Point is going to be far easier to defend.
Blair waited in the silence, caressing Cams neck and shoulders. Eventually when she realized Cam was asleep, she turned off the light and closed her eyes. She drifted on the border between sleep and consciousness, some part of her needing to feel Cam in her arms, to know that she was safe. A knock sounded on the door, and she reluctantly slid from bed, uncertain how long shed been asleep. When Cam did not wake up, Blair knew just how much the accident had taken out of her. She crossed the room stealthily and opened the door a crack.
“Im sorry, Diane whispered from the hall. “Im sorry, but I need to talk to Cam.
* * * * *
“Scotch, please, Cam said as she eased onto a stool at the far end of the highly-polished mahogany bar in the nearly deserted Four Seasons Hotel lounge, just before 1:00 a.m. She was as certain as she could be that she hadnt been followed. Assuming that someone was watching her building, she had left by the rear service doors and walked to the nearest Metro stop. En route, shed checked carefully for a tail and saw no indication of one, but while she waited for her drink, she scanned the room.
At first glance, the area appeared secure. Three business types, two men and a woman, sat around a cocktail table near the windows discussing market shares and margins just loudly enough for her to catch snippets of their conversation. A lone man in a rumpled suit talked on a cell phone while he peered at a laptop computer and tapped frantically on the keyboard with his free hand. A fortyish woman in jeans and a sweater sat hunched at the opposite end of the bar, scribbling in a notebook and sipping absently from a glass of white wine.
Cam, intending to appear like a late-night business traveler, had dressed in a cotton shirt and lightweight wool trousers beneath a casual leather jacket and had exchanged her usual shoulder harness for a hip holster. She nursed her Scotch and waited fifteen minutes before calling the bartender over.
“You know, I mustve gotten my signals crossed. I just got in from the airport and I was supposed to meet a colleague here. Weve got a big meeting in the morning
“A lot of people come through here, the stocky bartender said.
“ Weve never actually met in person. Only on the phone, Cam said, as reluctant to give a description as he was to disclose anything about patrons. She patted her pockets as if looking for something. “Hell, maybe I got the time wrong. I thought for sure Claire said
“ Claire. The bartender smiled. “Yeah, she was here for a couple of minutes, but left when you didnt show. She said if anyone came looking, to tell them room 418.
“ Thanks. Cam dropped a ten dollar bill on the bar as she rose. “You saved me a lot of embarrassment in the morning.
She took her time walking to the elevators, once again covertly observing those around her. Satisfied that no one was watching, she rode to the conference level and stepped off. She couldnt access the room floors without a keycard and hadnt planned to anyway. As expected, the foyer was empty in the middle of the night. She picked up a house phone and dialed 836.
“ Im here. Third fl
oor.
“ Ill come down.
Two minutes later the elevator stopped and Valerie stepped off. She immediately pushed the up button, shaking her head in irritation as if shed forgotten something. She did not look at Cam, who stood nearby. An up-elevator stopped and they both stepped into the empty car. Valerie, in narrow, low heeled black boots, a black boatneck sweater with a wide band at the waist, and flaring black silk slacks, looked very much as she had the first time Cam had seen her. Her hair was shorter and, rather than platinum blond, was now shot through with red highlights. Her elegant near-patrician features were strained.
The door opened on the eighth floor and Cam followed Valerie to room 836. Once inside, Cam removed her leather jacket and laid it over the back of the antique desk chair. The room was typical for the Four Seasons, with a king size bed and a formal sitting area complete with sofa, end tables, coffee table, and a minibar.
“ Scotch? Valerie asked, her voice as rich and mellow as the whiskey she offered.
“ A short one, Cam said as she walked into the sitting area.
Valerie poured an inch of the smoky liquor into two crystal rock glasses and offered one to Cam. “You didnt bring Diane.
Cam shook her head and drank off half the Scotch. “Did you think that I would?
Valerie smiled softly. “No. I knew that you wouldnt, especially after giving her the message that you would meet me here.
“ Sorry.
“ You shouldnt be. I didnt want her to come. I was calling her to tell her that. Valerie sat on the sofa and sipped her Scotch, her expression distant. “I couldnt walk out twice without saying goodbye.
“ Going somewhere? Cam sat next to Valerie.
“ What happened to your face?
“ Someone tried to run me down not far from my apartment tonight.
Valerie lightly touched one finger to Cams chin, tilting her face toward the lamp. “Blair must be wild.
“ Good deduction.
“ If your face looks like this, I imagine the rest of you is pretty sore too.
“ You would be right again, Cam said, aware that Valeries hand was shaking. “How are you doing?
“ Ive been more comfortable. Valerie dropped her hand into her lap. “You know it wasnt me.
“ In the vehicle that tried to turn me into roadkill? I know. What I dont know is what else is going on.
“ Neither do I. Valerie shifted until her knee lightly touched Cams leg. “You remembered our system. She smiled almost wistfully. “The first time you called the service and I met you downstairs in the bar, I was surprised.
“ About what, Cam asked gently. She was in no hurry. There was too much between them not to let Valerie say what she needed to say.
“ You were gorgeous. I couldnt imagine that a woman like you would need to
“ Pay for it? Cam said with a sardonic shrug.
“ Find comfort with strangers.
Cam smiled. “Were not strangers now.
Valerie rested her fingers lightly on Cams forearm. “No, were not. But you dont altogether trust me, do you?
“ I know youre a professional and I know that youll follow orders. Your orders might be at odds with my mission.
“ You want Matheson, Valerie said with certainty. “And so do I.
“ Someone warned him before we could get to him.
“ I know that. What I dont know is who.
“ The leak had to come from you, Cam said mildly.
Valerie sighed. “Yes. I know.
“ Your handler?
Valerie looked pained. “I dont know. I hope not. Ive known him fifteen years. She met Cams gaze, an apology in her eyes. “Ive told him a lot in those fifteen years.
Cam grimaced. “Ive already come to terms with the fact that my private life isnt private and hasnt been for some time. Whats his name?
Valerie hesitated.
“ Jesus, Valerie, Cam snapped. “If hes not dirty it wont matter. If he is, we need to know because hes probably not the only one. Do you seriously think that Matheson could pull off something like the assault on Blair with only one contact on the inside? For all we know, hes got a network . For all we know, hes going to try again.
Cam jumped to her feet, too wired to sit, and winced at the sudden surge of pain that sliced down her back and into her right leg. She barely bit back a groan.
Valerie grasped her hand. “Sit down, Cameron. Youre in too much pain to stand.
“ Whats his name? Cam looked down at Valerie and at their hands, still joined, remembering. She had held this woman in the night. She had come in her arms. She had found some semblance of peace in her touch during the darkest hours of her life. And she had loved her as much as shed been able to then.
“ Henry, Valerie said softly. “Thats all I know.
“ Fifteen years and you never tried to find out more?
Valerie shook her head. “Thats not the way things are done.
Cam gently released Valeries hand and sat down again. “I know. Do you think hes the link?
Pain flashed across Valeries face and was quickly erased. “I dont know. And until I do, I cant contact him or anyone else on the inside.
“ Where were you planning to go?
“ Just before 9/11 we began to see intelligence that there was an active cell in France, possibly Paris, working with other cells in Europe and the Middle East. They were rumored to be planning a coordinated attack here.
Cam swore and struggled to keep her temper in check. “Why didnt anyone else know this?
“ Cameron, Valerie said with a resigned sigh. “You know how every agency guards its intelligence. And certainly those of us in the field were never told anything. I didnt learn this until after everything happened.
“ When they sent you to work with us, Cam said bitterly. Shed been used, and although it hadnt been the first time and in all likelihood wouldnt be the last, she resented it.
“ Yes. They were hoping we might find a lead to the cell in Paris in the course of investigating Foster.
“ What do you think you can do there on your own?
Valerie shrugged, clearly frustrated. “I dont know. Possibly nothing. But if I dont find the link that ties Foster and Matheson and the Company together, Im never going to be able to come in.
“ Come in now, with me.
“ I trust you, but you cant protect me once Im visible. And we both know the easiest way to make this all go away is to eliminate me. Valerie drained her Scotch and set the glass carefully on the end table. “Whoever tried to run you down tonight probably knows about our relationship. Killing you would cut off one more avenue of escape for me.
“ I came to the same conclusion, Cam said, hoping Blair hadnt.
“ Im sorry.
“ For what? Cam laughed wearily. “For believing in the Company line, or for meeting me in the bar that first night?
“ Certainly not the latter. Im coming to regret the first. Im already responsible for one attempt on your life. I dont want to be the cause of another.
“ Im your best shot, and you know it. Cam stood. “If you let me bring you in, I give you my word no one will know until weve identified Mathesons source. Ill personally guarantee that you are protected.
“ I dont want to spend months, possibly years, in a safe house, Cam. Valerie laughed. “God knows, if I wanted to disappear and start over as someone else, I could. Im tired of being someone else. I want out.
Cam made a decision based on everything she knew, and more importantly, on everything she believed. “Work with me and my team to find Matheson, and Ill get you out.
“ Im not sure even you can do that, Cameron. Rising, Valerie slid her hand to the back of Cams neck and kissed her on the cheek. “I need to think about it.
“ The longer you stay under, the worse it looks.
“ I know.
“ What about Diane?
“ I shouldnt have contacted her today. It was selfish. Valerie hooked her arm through Cams as they walked to
ward the door. “I wont try to see her again.
Cam gave her a secure phone number as she shrugged into her jacket. “No one will know. You have my word.
“ I wont be here in the morning, in case you were wondering.
“ I wont come after you, not unless I have to.
“ Thank you. Valerie smiled sadly. “Goodnight, Cameron.
Cam drew her into a gentle embrace. “Call me. Soon.
Chapter Twelve
Wednesday
T homas Jefferson Matheson picked up the phone on the first ring. If he hadnt been listening for it, he wouldnt have recognized the faint buzz emanating from the electronic jammer. Hed put his own people on surveillance duty as soon as hed gotten word of where the bait had landed. Trusting an agent he couldnt directly control was not ideal, and he wanted his own back-up plan in place if he needed to settle matters himself. “Yes?
“ Nothing to report, sir.
“ No activity during the night?
“ No sir. Everyone is still in the apartment.
“ Really. Matheson swallowed a generous mouthful of steaming coffee, ignoring the burn in the back of his throat. Hed slept well, risen before dawn, and worked out vigorously in the hotel health club for an hour. And hed had a most satisfactory evening. “No one in or out?
“ Well his man said hesitantly.
Matheson heard the rustle of papers.
“ Routine movement reported ataharound 1900 yesterday. Roberts went for a runseveral hours later security changed shift uh, todaythree subjects arrived at 0800, most likely for start of shift briefing. Nothing beyond that.
“ You seem to be missing a few details in your report.
“Yes sir. What would that be, sir?
Matheson smiled, picturing the man squirming. He was new. “At 1932 last night, Roberts was struck by a passing motorist and may have sustained substantial injuries. He still felt a surge of pleasure thinking about the flicker of shock on her face as he bore down on her. When
hed had the good fortune of passing by just as she exited the building, his only intention had been to follow her. But the longer hed watched her pound through the streets as if she owned them while he hid like impotent prey, the more his anger had grown. She had destroyed his compound and killed some of his best boys, and now she stood in the way of him completing his mission. She needed to be neutralized. “Apparently your surveillance team didnt think it necessary to cover her.