Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

“Henry

?

Valerie smiled bit erly. “Wel , thats what Ive always cal

ed him.

“You dont trust him

now?

Valerie turned the heavy crystal glass slowly between her hands. Her

fingers, much like the rest of her body, were long and thin, but not

delicate. “Its unusual for him to insist on a face-to-face. In fact, in al the

years Ive worked with him weve only met a handful of times. Now

hes making urgent requests for a rendezvous.

“A trap?

“Thats what it feels like, Valerie said with a shrug. “But a trap set by

whom? Matheson because hes working with Henry? Or the

Company, because they want me in for a debriefing? Because they think

I tipped of Matheson.

“They want you for some

reason.

“Yes, and if the Companys involved, I know what wil happen if I go in.

Believe me, I dont have any desire to disappear, even temporarily.

Cam saw no reason to protest what they both knew was possible.

Agents suspected of turning were forcibly detained, debriefed,

and sometimes, expunged. “Henry could want you to come in for

protection from Matheson.

“Id like to think that. Valerie took a slow swal ow of Scotch and

shook her head. “But Id be foolish to assume that just because weve

had a professional association for twenty years that were friends. If hes

Mathesons connection, Im a liability now.

“Thats why youre bet er of here. Cam finished her drink. “We had an

incident in Boston the other night. An armed assailant penetrated our

perimeter and got of a couple of shots before we contained him.

“Who was the

target?

“We dont know. Emory Constantine, a high profile and not so popular

stem cel researcher, was with us. It might have been her. It might

have Blair. It might even have been Diane.

“Diane? Valeries face became expressionless, as cool as carved marble.

“What would be the point? If someone took her out, theyd have

nothing to hold over my head.

“No one? Family? Old

lovers?

An old sorrow seemed to claim Valerie for a split second, softening her

features. “You of al people should know that other than you, theres no

one. Only Diane. You had someone guarding her?

“Savard. We were lucky, there. Cam grimaced. “Its possible Matheson

plans to clean house and take us al down.

“Then we need to get to him

first.

“We might not be able to unless we force Henry to rol over. Do you

have any idea how we can find him?

Valerie shook her head. “I never once met him in an of ice. He

could be stationed in California for al I know. God, Cameron, the

man has run my life since I was a teenager and I dont even know his ful

name. She laughed harshly, her eyes bleak. “What kind of fool does that

make me?

“We both know thats not what its about. Cam extended her hand across

the table and Valerie clasped her fingers fleetingly. “Youve done a job

most of us

couldnt do far longer than anyone should have to. That doesnt make you

a fool in my book, it makes you a hero.

“Thank

you,

Valerie

whispered.

“I take it youve tried to locate him some other way than through a

meet?

“I was hoping to discover his identity and Ive cal ed in every marker I

have. Or thought I had. Valeries disil usionment shone through

beneath the composed façade she wore so ef ortlessly. “Ive tried every

source I know, but in the last few weeks, those have mysteriously dried

up. Contact numbers are no longer in service, bank accounts are suddenly

closed, drop boxes have new locks.

“Youre being cut

of .

Valerie nodded. “It could stil just be to force me to make contact, or it

could be the first step in removing me.

“I dont suppose you have a

photograph?

“No, and its not like the Company keeps a roster of employees that I

could go through.

Cam laughed. “Now, that would defeat the purpose of being a spy,

wouldnt it?

“A spy, Valerie said wryly. “Operative sounds so much

better.

“Lets assume Matheson and Henry are working togetherits the most

probable scenario. So, if we find one, we find the other.

“Any progress on your

end?

Cam scowled. “Were accumulating a file on Mathesons associates as far

back as twenty-five years. Its slow going, but Il want you to look

through everything Felicia and Savard have put together so far.

Unfortunately, some of the

photographs are going to be of boys or much younger men than theyre

likely to be now.

“Perhaps Felicia can use age simulator software to project present

appearances for any possibles.

“We might be able to do something even bet er, Cam said slowly as she

stood. “Its almost midnight. Id like you to brief with us in the morning.

0600 in the guest house.

“Are you sure? Savard and Felicia might not be quite as trusting as

you are, Valerie pointed out.

“I disagree, but either way, its not their

choice.

Valerie rose. “Youre taking a chance, Cameron, and I know that. I want

you to know I appreciate

“Dont insult me, Valerie. Cam lightly touched her fingertips to Valeries

cheek. “Get some sleep. Then she dropped her hand and walked away.

Valerie waited until she heard Cams footsteps disappear before fol owing

down the hal way and up the stairs. As she passed the room that she

knew was Blairs, she recognized Blairs sensuous alto and then Cams

slightly deeper tones. The sound of Cams voice in a phone message

had once stirred her heart and her blood. Now, it fil ed her with a

sense of comfort and safety. Wondering if that was fair, but being glad

for it nonetheless, she continued to the last door on the right and

knocked quietly before let ing herself in.

The room was lit by a bedside lamp. Diane was in bed, a sheet pul ed

to her waist. Her breasts formed soft curves beneath a pale peach

camisole. Valerie sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “Theres

part of me that thinks I shouldnt be here.

“What does the other part

think?

“That its the only place in the world I want

to be.

Diane drew back the covers. “Thats the part Id listen to, if I

were you.

“Al right, Valerie whispered

softly.

She stood and unbut oned her blouse, unhooked her bra, and let them fal

to the floor behind her. She unzipped her jeans, pushed them down

along with her panties, and stepped out of them. Watching Diane watch

her, she was surprised to feel her body quicken when for so long the

only sensations shed been aware of were fatigue and desperate sadness.

She turned of the light and slipped into bed. Then she did something

shed never done before. She pul ed Diane on top of her and guided

Dianes hand between her thighs.

“Please make love to me. I need

you. Chapter Twenty-

Two Monday

A ny response from Lawrence on your request for a meeting?

Matheson inquired via his disposable cel phone.

“Not

yet.

Matheson sipped his cof ee and watched the traf ic on Main Street

through the diner window in the smal seaside town. A waitress slid a

plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. He made eye contact

when he thanked her.

“Youre very welcome. The brunet e of ered him a sultry smile as she

lingered by the red leather booth made shiny by years of bodies slipping

in and out.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, noting the invitation in her