Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

when you

cal ed. A walk on the beach, and then I was planning on going back to

bed. Once there, I intended to sedu

“You can probably skip those details, Blair, Cam interjected, brushing

her hand down Blairs arm.

Lucinda laughed. “I wouldnt put it past you to tel me al the details, Blair,

just to make me suf er. Considering that I havent been out of this of ice

before 2 a.m. the last month, I havent exactly been getting

Blair held up her hands. “I dont want to know what you do in your

spare time.

“Truce then. Lucindas expression softened for an instant. “You look

rested, both of you, as much as can be expected. Doing al right?

Both Blair and Cam

nodded.

“Good. Lucinda drained her cof ee cup and set it careful y on a

low cherrywood Federal table. “We have a slight problem that I think

you can help us with.

Blair stif ened. Cam remained completely stil , but her eyes sharpened

as she studied Lucindas face.

“The Company has lost an important asset, and theyd rather not

inform their counterparts in the other divisions. Such a lapse is

embarrassing, especial y these days when everyone is a lit le unsure of

who wil remain top dog in the security world.

“Is this conversation being taped? Blair asked

casual y.

“Of

course

not.

“No video cameras in

here?

“No.

“Then do you think it would be possible, Blair said, emphasizing each

word, “for us to speak English, Lucinda?

“The CIA has lost a deep cover operative and they dont want the FBI

or the

Department of Defense to know

about it.

“Valerie Lawrence, Cam

said.

Lucinda regarded her steadily. “Yes, and I dont think wed even know

about it except someone at Langley let a bit of a memo regarding the

lost contact slip into the daily security briefing report. Averil Jensen

picked it up.

Blair knew Jensen wel . He was her fathers hand-picked security

adviser, and before her fathers presidency, Averil had been at orney

general. Hed also been her fathers col ege roommate. She said,

“Averil would. He never misses anything.

“Yes, and when he fol owed up, the lid slammed shut. Lucinda

lifted her shoulder. “I suspect the operative responsible for the

information leak has been transferred someplace where the nights are

long and dark.

“So Valerie is out in the cold somewhere, Cam said. “Are they trying to

bring her in?

“We dont know. But wed like to find her ourselves. Lucinda crossed

her legs and folded her hands loosely in her lap. Relaxed. Friendly.

“You know her, Cam. That could be useful.

“I dont think I like where this is going, Blair said. “Cam and

Valerie

“Have a history, yes I know. Lucindas gaze never wavered from Cam,

even when Blair stood abruptly.

“History, Luce. History. As in past. Blair wanted to pace but the room

wasnt quite big enough for it. Instead she walked to Lucindas desk

and stood there with her back to the others. She looked out the French

doors that opened to the esplanade running along one side of the West

Wing until the red haze of anger cleared from her brain, then she turned

back. Cam and Valerie had once been lovers when Cam had thought

that Valerie was a high-priced Washington cal girl. “Cam doesnt know

anything.

“Blair, Cam said gently. “Thats not why were

here.

“I dont understand. Blair looked from Lucinda to Cam. “God damn it,

I hate this.

“Its Diane, Cam said, watching Lucinda.

“Isnt it?

“Oh no. No, no, no. Blair stalked back to the sit ing area but did not

sit. She slammed her hands onto her hips to hide the fact that they were

shaking. “Diane is not part of this. She was never part of this. She

doesnt know

“We havent been able to access very much information, Lucinda went on

in her conversational tone. “Averil wouldnt have pushed at al except

Lawrences name came up in association with the raid in Tennessee.

Thats get ing close to home.

“So you want to know what Valerie knows, Cam said, thinking out

loud. She reached up and pul ed Blair down beside her. “Its okay. Lets

just talk for a few minutes.

“Actual y, we want to know who Valerie knows, Lucinda replied.

“Because someone tipped Matheson about the raid. Hes disappeared.

Cam straightened in surprise. Matheson was the head of a

paramilitary organization that had direct ties with the men who had

staged the assault on Blair in the Aerie. Possibly even with the men who

had orchestrated the World Trade Center at acks. When Cams team

uncovered his identity, she, Renée, and a

hand-picked cadre of covert military operatives, had stormed the

compound. Matheson had not been there. “I thought the Company had

him.

Lucinda shook her head. “As far as we know, no one has

him.

“And someone thinks Valerie tipped him of ? Cam asked

tightly.

“We dont know anything. We would very much like to speak to

Valerie

Lawrence

.

“Whos we ? Blair

snapped.

Lucinda rose. “Have you two had lunch? I was about to ring for

something.

Blair closed her eyes and counted to ten. “This is one of those times

when my father doesnt know anything, right? Even when he does?

“Turkey clubs okay? Lucinda inquired with the phone in

her hand.

“Yes, fine, Blair said. “I stil dont understand why were

here.

Lucinda gave her order to the kitchen, then hung up. “As I said,

wewel , Averil was able to access some of the information about

Valerie Lawrence before the door slammed shut. They had tapes. Phone

records. We have reason to believe shes going to contact, or already has

contacted, Diane Bleeker.

“Diane doesnt know anything about this, Blair repeated

insistently.

“No, she probably doesnt, Lucinda said. “Al we need to know is

where

Valerie is. When she contacts Diane, wel

know.

Blair laughed harshly. “Diane wil never tel

you that.

“No, Lucinda said. “But shel tel

you.

Cam slid her arm around Blairs shoulders. Blair pul ed

away.

“I wont do it. I wont do it for you, Luce, I wont do it for my father, I

wont do it for anyone. I love Diane. Shes my friend. I wont spy on her.

“I understand, Lucinda said. “Just think

about it.

“Theres nothing to think about. Nothing at al . Blair jumped to her

feet. “Im going for a walk.

Cam stood but Blair shook her head, insisting, “No, Im going by

myself. “Blair. Cam tried to catch her hand but Blair

sidestepped. “Baby, lets “No. Justno.

Cam watched her go, a sinking feeling in her chest. She reached for her

radio to cal the team, and then realized she didnt have it. She didnt have

it because she wasnt part of the team. “God damn it. She started toward

the door.

“Theyl pick her up right outside the of ice, Lucinda said. “Give her

some time, Cam. Its been a dif icult month.

It took everything Cam had not to go after Blair. To trust that

someone else would. That someone would keep her safe.

“Besides, Lucinda said. “It wil give us time to

talk.

Chapter Four

B lair yanked out the clip that held her hair at the back of her neck,

let ing her thick, unruly waves fal free around her face. She was

aware of Paula Stark fal ing in behind her as she hurried from Lucindas

corner of ice in the West Wing through the labyrinth of hal ways and