Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

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 al 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 intel igence that there was an active

cel in France, possibly Paris, working with other cel s in Europe and the

Middle East. They were rumored to be planning a coordinated at ack

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 intel igence. 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 bit erly. Shed been

used, and although it hadnt been the first time and in al likelihood

wouldnt be the last, she resented it.

“Yes. They were hoping we might find a lead to the cel 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 al go away is to eliminate me. Valerie

drained her Scotch and set the glass careful y on the end table.

“Whoever tried to run you down tonight probably knows about our

relationship. Kil ing you would cut of 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 lat er. Im coming to regret the first. Im already

responsible for

one at empt 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 wil know until weve identified

Mathesons source. Il personal y 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 Il 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 toward the door. “I wont try to

see her again.

Cam gave her a secure phone number as she shrugged into her jacket.

“No one wil 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. “Cal me.

Soon.

Chapter Twelve

Wednesda

y

T homas Jef erson 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

surveil ance duty as soon as hed got en 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 set le mat ers

himself. “Yes?

“Nothing to report,

sir.

“No activity during the

night?

“No sir. Everyone is stil in the

apartment.

“Real y. Matheson swal owed a generous mouthful of steaming cof ee,

ignoring the burn in the back of his throat. Hed slept wel , 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?

“Wel 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 fol ow 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 kil ed

some of his best boys, and now she stood in the way of him

completing his mission. She needed to be neutralized.

“Apparently your surveil ance team didnt think it necessary to

cover her.

To the mans credit, he defended his team. “Im sure they felt it

more important to watch for any contact between our critical

target and those on site, sir.

“Its just as strong a possibility that Lawrence will contact Roberts.

I expect Roberts will move her base today. Its what I would

do after a pre-emptive strike. As soon as you have a new

location, contact me. Bleeker is the bait, but Roberts is in

command. Without her, theyll break ranks.

“Yes sir. Ill relay your orders.

“Be prepared to take action soon. Matheson felt his groin

tingling as he considered a plan to turn the hunters into

quarry. “Im growing tired of this waiting game.

* * * * *

“Are you sure you want me to come with you? Diane asked as

she packed her suitcase. “I know what Cam said, but

“If you werent already here, wed come and get you. Blair

sat cross-legged on the bed in blue jeans and a long-sleeved

navy T- shirt. Her hair was loose and she was barefoot. “I cant

believe I let you go back to Manhattan alone in the first place.

“Who knew that these people these maniacs who tried to hurt

you would keep coming? How can they possibly think they

can gain power in this country? We arent some third world

dictatorship thats likely to topple at the slightest show of