Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

“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 snippet 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