Radclyffe: Honor Under Siege

“Am I

real y in bed?

Diane smiled. “You most definitely are.

“Im almost warm.

“Yes, Diane whispered, her voice breaking as the tears she hadnt had the

time or luxury of shedding final y fil ed her eyes. “Youre going to be

fine.

“Is everyone al right?

Diane glanced over her shoulder. “Cam? Maybe you should talk to

her for a second.

Cam joined Diane by the bed. “Hi. Bit of a rough ride out there.

Everyones fine, but you had quite a swim.

A smile flickered across Valeries face. “I remember some of it. Thanks.

“Dont mention it.

“Henry Valerie frowned. “Henry. She closed her eyes briefly, and

when she

opened them, they were clearer. “I dont think he knew what was coming.

“No, Cam agreed.

“He didnt set me up tonight at least, Valerie said faintly. She held

Cams gaze. “Thanks for get ing me out of there.

“Im sorry about Hen

“No, it was a good cal on your part. Justnot on mine.

“You dont know that, Cam said gently. “People change.

“I wonder. Valerie shivered violently and Diane quickly took her hand.

“You need to get some sleep, darling. No more talking right now.

Diane glanced at Cam. “Thank you for everything.

Cam nodded and backed away from the bed. “Let me know if theres

any problem.

“I wil , Diane said.

Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Lets go. Youre shaking.

“I want to check downstairs with Stark and

“Nice try, Blair said, laughing gently. “Youre al out of options tonight.

Might as wel surrender.

Giving in to the fatigue, Cam leaned on Blair. “Terms accepted.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saturday

J ust before noon, Cam tapped on Valerie and Dianes door.

When Diane answered, looking as if she hadnt slept all

night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?

“On and off, yes. Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours

ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing.

Fortunately, she cant get out of bed by herself, and I wont help

her.

Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Dianes eyes, she

quickly smothered it. “Ill only be a few minutes.

“Do you want to speak to her alone?

“If you dont mind.

Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on

some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.

“Thanks.

“Cam, Diane said, partial y closing the door, “I want to

apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know

Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked

“Diane, Cam murmured, shaking her head. “Theres nothing to

be sorry for. Weve all been under a lot of strain.

“You saved her life.

Cam glanced across the dimly lit room to the quiet figure in

the bed, thinking of where they had begun. “Then were even.

“What happens now? Diane asked.

“We take back control of our lives.

* * * * *

Five hours later, Blair and Cam walked into Lucinda

Washburns office. Lucindas only concession to the fact that it

was a weekend was that she wore a gray sweater, casual black

trousers, and low heels instead of a suit.

“Id like to hear your preliminary report before I send it on

to

Averil , Lucinda said, referring to the security

adviser.

In other words, Lucinda would put in writing whatever she

wanted the official story to be after shed heard the facts. Cam

sat on the sofa with Blair beside her and waited while Lucinda gave

someone instructions to hold her calls before taking her

customary seat across from them.

“I take it this unscheduled visit means something important

broke? Lucinda said.

“Weve located Valerie Lawrence, Cam replied. “Her

Company handler, known to us at the moment only as Henry,

is dead. Im confident that he was the source of the security

breach and not Valerie.

“Excellent, Lucinda said. “When will we be able to

debrief

Lawrence?

“You wont, Cam answered.

Lucinda showed no change in expression when she shifted

her gaze to Blair. “Would you mind excusing us for a few

moments.

“You know, Blair said, leaning back and crossing her legs, “I

real y would.

“Blair, Lucinda said with the merest bit of

heat.

“Luce, Blair snapped, “you were the one who suggested using my best

friend to lure Valerie out into the open. You wanted me involved then,

and now I am. So Im not leaving.

Cam decided it might be wise to forestal the fireworks that were sure to

come. “Valerie Lawrence is a member of my homeland security

team, and any information she may have wil be relayed by me if I feel

it necessary. My agents wil not be debriefed by anyone else.

“Since when is Ms. Lawrence part of your team? Lucinda

asked.

“Since

noon

today.

Lucinda folded her hands in her lap and appeared to be lost in thought.

“How secure is her identity?

“Im not certain, Cam said, “and neither is she. Henry has always been

her only personal contact, but undoubtedly there are records of her

somewhere in the Company system. However, the right word in the

right place can take care of that.

“What do you propose? Lucinda

asked.

“I propose that Valerie Lawrence died at sea in the same unfortunate

boating accident that kil ed her handler.

“I think youd bet er fil me in on the

details.

Cam gave her a rundown of the events, and as she spoke, Blair shifted

closer and took Cams hand.

“You executed a CIA handler? Lucinda said

incredulously.

“Jesus, Luce, Blair

said.

“I did, yes, Cam said

evenly.

“And youre certain it was

warranted?

“Yes, Cam said. “He was a traitor and he was about to kil Valerie

Lawrence, or cause her to be kil ed.

“What about this missile you described? Lucindas eyes narrowed as she

visibly assessed, ordered, and prioritized information. “Can we

trace it back to Matheson somehow?

“Doubtful. The boats and whatever might remain of the SSM are in

several hundred feet of heavily traf icked waters. Salvage would

draw unwanted at ention. I dont think its worth the risk.

“Al right. Lucinda tapped her fingers soundlessly on the arm of the

chair, an action that nevertheless had the impact of a gavel fal ing. “The

of icial line is that Agent Lawrence died at sea during a meeting with

her handler. And now what?

“Wel arrange for her to have a new identity, Cam said, “and shel join

my team as the counterintel igence chief.

“I know we told you to pick your own people, Lucinda said,

“but

“You did. Cam leaned forward, tucking Blairs hand against her

middle. “If youve changed your mind, then I resign.

“Not many people try playing hardbal with me, Deputy Director

Roberts.

“I can appreciate why. But Im not playing. I didnt ask for this job, and

if Im going to do it, Im going to do it the way I see fit.

“Youl continue to report to me and, through me, to the security

adviser. Cam nodded. “Agreed.

“How do you assess the danger to

Blair?

“Currently, I dont see her as a target. Matheson needed to eliminate his

contact in the Company because he knew we would be searching for

it. Who knows how much Henry knew about Matheson and his

operation? Matheson risked exposure and possible capture to deal with

Henry, but it was a calculated risk and for the time being, its paid of for

him. Now, I think hel go underground and consolidate his power base.