Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

into the lobby. Once outside, she skirted

around the circular drive toward the northwest

gate.

“Ms. Powel , Paula said, slightly breathless as she fel into step. “It

would be bet er if we took the vehicle. If you let me know your destina

“Im

walking,

Blair

snapped.

“Uh, yes, I can see that, but with al respect, were not prepared for

street surveil ance.

“If you and your minions werent tagging along behind me in your shiny

blue suits with your big-ass gas-guzzling black car, no one would

even notice me. Go away.

“I cant go away. Im sorry. Paula was wel aware that Blair could go

unnoticed in street clothes. She had fol owed her into enough bars, and

seen her pick up women who had no idea who she was enough times,

to be convinced of that. Nevertheless, she wasnt comforted by the

knowledge that people might not recognize Blair when she wasnt at an

of icial function or dressed for a political af air. It was just as

possible that unfriendlies were routinely watching the comings and

goings at the White House, and right now, Paula didnt have enough

personnel to guard Blair out in the open. “Maam, this is not advisable.

“I just need some air. Blair slowed and met Paulas worried gaze.

“Please. Just give me a few minutes.

“If you wouldnt mind waiting, I can have another team here in two

minutes. Paula glanced over her shoulder and saw the Suburban fol

owing slowly behind them on 17 St. She held a hand behind her

with two fingers extended and heard car doors open and close.

Hara and Wozinski should be on the ground now too. Unfortunately, it

was late afternoon and would be dark soon. They were also heading

toward the Mal , which was exactly where she did not want to be at

night.

“Can we compromise? she urged. “Can you just sit somewhere, and I

promise wel disappear.

Blair laughed abruptly and looked past her to Hara and Wozinski. “The

three of you would stand out in a crowd, no mat er what you were

wearing. Out here, you might as wel be waving a sign saying were

government agents.

Paula pointed to a bench. “Theres a great spot right by the

reflecting pool.

“And with three people, you can easily watch my back and flanks, and

unless the creature from the Black Lagoon comes up out of the pool, you

dont have to worry about a frontal approach. Blair recited the tactics

flatly as she quickened her pace. She sat down on the white stone

bench, gripped the cold edges with her fingers, and closed her eyes.

She wasnt angry with Paula. Making Paulas job harder wasnt going

to ease the hurt and fury that stormed with equal measure inside

her.

She couldnt believe that Lucinda had summoned her to Washington to

ask her to spy on Diane. No, actual y she could believe it. Shed seen

people in power compromise their principles often enough, but she hated

to think that the people she loved, Lucinda and her father, would

sacrifice trust and fidelity to achieve their goals. Maybe thats why shed

fal en in love with Cam. Because Cam was always so clear about

which side of the line she stood on. Cam did not compromise.

“Paula? Blair said softly as the sun went

down.

“Yes maam? The reply came from somewhere

behind her.

“Would you cal Cam and tel her youre with me. Shel

worry.

“Right away. After a moments silence, Paula added, “Can I tel her

when we might be back?

“In a little while,

Blair

murmured.

She should go back. Cam wouldnt be satisfied with a phone cal .

It didnt matter that she knew Paula was capable. It didnt matter

that she knew Blair was safe. She needed to see that for herself.

Blair sensed that Cam already felt powerless with Paula in

command and that she was having trouble adjusting to the

change in their relationship. She

loved Cam for wanting to protect her and care for her,

even though that wasnt why shed fal en in love with her or

even what she needed most from her. Trying to change that

about Cam would be denying what made her who she was.

And making her needlessly uncomfortable was just unkind. She

could be furious at her father and Lucinda just as easily at Cams

condo.

“Paula?

“Yes maam?

“Would you ask her to walk down to meet

us?

“I dont think shell be able to, maam. Shes in a meeting with

the president.

Blairs stomach tightened. So there was more. Of course there

was. Lucinda didnt fly her down here just to solicit a little

snooping between girlfriends. Cam was a trained investigator. Cam

had been Valeries lover. Cam was talking to her father. Alone.

Cam never turned down an assignment, never stepped away

from her duty, never put her own safety first.

Blair stood abruptly and strode from the park, Paula and the

other

agents close behind.

Cam had given enough. And so had

she.

* * * * *

Sybil Gretzky, the personal secretary to Andrew Powel , smiled

at

Blair as she entered the anteroom to the oval office. “Hel o

Blair.

“Is my lover still with my father?

Sybils smile never faltered. “Agent Roberts is with the

president, yes. Would you like me to ring through?

“Sorry, Blair said, realizing shed been saying that all day.

She wasnt just edgy, she needed to pound something. “Yes,

please.

She walked to the wide windows and looked out into the

Rose Garden. It was so beautiful in the spring, with everything in

bloom, but so desolate in the fal . Cold and a little barren.

“Let me take you in, Sybil

said. “Thanks.

Her father stood to greet her when she came in and kissed

her cheek.

“You feel cold, Andrew Powell

said.

“Ive been out walking. Blair settled onto an antique sofa

and glanced at Cam, who sat in a chair opposite her father on the

other side of a low coffee table. “Hi.

“Hi, Cam rose and walked around the table to sit next to

Blair. “Okay? She touched her fingertips briefly to Blairs leg,

then put her hand back in her lap.

“Sure. Blair regarded her father. “I know there are some things we

cant talk about, but Cam is my partner. She almost died ten days ago.

What more can you ask of her?

Andrew Powel , in his early fifties but looking a decade younger, with

thick wavy hair and blue eyes the exact color of Blairs, regarded

her with an expression that might have been sympathy or regret. “We

need good people, Blair, especial y now. And Cam is one of them.

Blair shook her head. “How many times? Is there a quota on bul et

holes? Concussions? Because shes had her share. More than her share.

“Blair, Cam murmured. “Lets hear what the president has

to say.

“Im not talking to the president, Blair retorted. “Im talking to my

father. That counts for something, doesnt it, Dad? Just a little?

“Im your father, the president said. “It means

everything.

“But youre stil going to ask her, arent you? For whatever job needs

doing, no mat er what it might cost.

Andrew Powel shifted his gaze to Cam. “You can say no, no questions

asked. No one wil think less of you.

Blair snorted. “Thats because the people giving the orders are sit ing safe

behind some desk somewhere. They dont have the bal s for anything

else.

Cam

waited.

“Three weeks ago, Powel said, “I established the Of ice of Homeland

Security.

I expect within a year the of ice wil become a Cabinet department.