Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

violence.

Blair shrugged. “Theyre fanatics. Look at all the paramilitary

and right wing fundamentalist groups springing up across this

country. T h e y think they can change the order of things,

and theyre recruiting more people all the time who agree.

“God, its like those zealots who shoot abortion doctors and

think thats going to stop the pro-choice movement. Diane looked

at Blair in confusion. “I can hardly believe its real.

“I cant believe we didnt see it coming, and after what

happened last month, I dont think its going to stop. Chafing at the

inactivity, Blair stood and started folding clothes. “Every

psycho with an agenda is going to think they have a chance after

9/11.

Diane stopped what she was doing, her fingers digging into the sweater

she held. “Im ashamed to admit that part of me wishes your father

wasnt president, because I hate to think of you or Cam in danger. I

can only imagine how you must feel.

Blair smiled rueful y. “You know, for the first time in my life Im

honestly glad that my fathers president, and I want him to be president

for as long as he can be. She careful y placed a silk blouse into the

suitcase. “Because these fuckers, whoever they are, wherever they are,

have to learn that we wont be victims.

“I guess wel have to keep that sexy dress you bought for the wedding

in the closet a while longer.

“Why?

Diane regarded her with surprise. “I cant imagine either you or Cam is

going to want to think about wedding plans until al of this is resolved.

“Were not waiting for something that might never happen. Blair folded

her arms, part defiance, part comfort. “And were not put ing our lives on

hold until it does. Im instructing Lucinda to slip a nice quiet statement

out to the press today that Cameron and I intend to be married in a

private ceremony before the end of the year.

“Oh

boy.

Blair grinned. “And

girls.

“Indeed. Diane kissed her cheek. “I think youre the bravest person I

know.

“I wish I were, Blair said. “Im terrified every day that something wil

happen to

Cam. And if it did, I dont think Id

survive it.

“I would never have imagined you with

her.

Blair lifted her shoulders. “We dont choose who to

love.

“No. We dont. Diane smiled sadly. “Now I cant imagine you with

anyone else.

“Neither can I. Blair stroked Dianes arm. She was already

dressed

to travel in a pale blue cashmere cowl-neck sweater and tan

slacks. For the first time Blair realized that Diane, always slender,

had lost weight. “How are you holding up?

“Its so hard, knowing that Cam saw Valerie last night and I

cant even speak to her.

“Have you thought maybe you should try to let her go?

Blair reached for Dianes hand. As hard as it was to ask, it

was even harder to watch her suffer.

Diane twined her fingers through Blairs and squeezed

lightly. “Cam didnt tell me very much about what went on. I

understand that she cant. She wouldnt tell me exactly why

Valerie is staying away, but I know its partly because of me.

“She doesnt want you to be

hurt.

Diane trembled and Blair drew her close. With a shaky

breath, Diane continued, “Cam must trust her, because she

didnt try to detain her. I love Valerie. I have to trust her as

much as Cam does.

“Youre real y sure, arent you? Blair said.

Diane smiled almost shyly. “I really am. Nothing has felt as

right since I met you.

“Then Im on your side, Blair said, hugging Diane tightly.

“And hers.

* * * * *

“Well travel in two groups to Whitley Point, Cam said,

scribbling on a flip chart that she had dug out of the closet

earlier. She couldnt find the stand, so she balanced the oversized

pad of paper on her knees facing Stark, Savard, and Davis,

who clustered around her in the living room. “Stark, you and

your people will take Blair and Diane. Youll fly out of

Andrews again at 1100 hours, but this time youll land at

Westover, Mass.

Stark frowned. “Whats there?

“Its an Air Force Reserve base, so its relatively low profile.

Well have Tanners people pick you up in three vehicles and

take you the rest of the way, each vehicle fol owing a different

route.

“Who knows about the itinerary?

“The flight plan was filed through Lucindas office, but theres

no attendant passenger list. Only Tanner knows the routes and

final destination.

“Youre putting a lot of faith in Tanners people, Stark said mildly.

“My feeling is that we know more about her team than we could about

anyone

coming to us from inside the system right now. Youre the security

chief. Whats

your cal

?

Stark took her time. “Until we find Valerie and Matheson, I dont want

anyone new get ing close to Blair.

“I agree. Cam blew out a breath. “Basical y wel handle Blairs security

in the same way the Vice Presidents has been set up since the at acks.

Shel be based in a secure location away from the White House known

to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only

essential public appearances. We cant keep her completely

sequesteredfirst because shed never al ow it,

secondly, because we cant make prisoners of our elected of icials

and their families, and final y because the public is going to be looking

for her. Shes too popular to just disappear.

“Were going to be thin on the ground, Stark said, “now that Davis has

gone over to OHS.

Cam nodded as she drew a grid and added names. “Youl have to work

with a smal er team than usual for the time being. Hara, Wozinski,

yourself, and Tanners people. Can you handle it?

Stark didnt hesitate. “Yes, we

can.

As satisfied with the security as she could be when al she real y wanted

to do was take Blair to some remote island for six months, Cam

switched her attention to Savard. “Wel fol ow by ground as soon as

you and Davis are happy that youve accessed al the data

immediately available to us. You can use the computers in my of ice

in the West Wing and wipe them when youre done.

“How long wil you need, Felicia? Savard asked, sit ing with her

injured leg straight out in front of her. The cane shed used in lieu of her

knee immobilizer rested against the arm of the chair. She looked focused

and steady.

Davis smiled, her dark eyes glowing. “I want to make sure I look in

everybodys closets and leave myself a backdoor before we leave. Say,

three hours.

Cam checked her watch as she stood. “Its 0815 now. We should be

leaving

DC by 1200 hours, which puts us into Whitley Point around

2300.

Savard and Davis rose, and Savard asked, “Where wil we

rendezvous, Commander?

“In case anyone is checking, Il schedule you and Davis for a meeting

at FBI headquarters at 1130 hours. On your way there, the meeting wil

be canceled and a vehicle wil pick you up at 13 and Pennsylvania

Avenue. Cam regarded

Stark. “When would you like to depart here, Chief? If theres anyone fol

owing

Blair, theyl lose the trail at

Andrews.

“Wel have the vehicles out front at 0900 hours. Il wait downstairs

until then.

“Thanks, Cam said, appreciating the few moments of privacy she would

have with Blair. After returning from her meeting with Valerie, shed

been up al night talking to Lucinda and the presidents security adviser.