Radclyffe - Honor Reclaimed

"From the limited intelligence we have available thus far," Lucinda said, "the attack on the Aerie was nearly flawless. You were all lucky to survive it."

"I agree with Lucinda, Blair," Cam said. "There might have been only one strike team capable of that kind of assault, and if that's the case, they've been eliminated. But we don't know that. We don't know that there isn't a second team already trained with a contingency plan for another strike. We just don't know."

"If that's the case, Luce," Blair argued, "then why take my most experienced agents away from me? Cam and the others are the best people to protect me."

"Ordinarily, I'd agree, and I have, in the past. This isn't the first attempt on your life, and we've kept your security team in place." Lucinda gave Cam a look that was as close to an apology as she ever offered. "But this time, there was inside help. A United States Secret Service agent was involved in an assassination attempt on the first daughter. Clearly, we have a profound breach in security. No one is above suspicion."

Blair stiffened. When she spoke, her tone was flat and deadly. "You're talking about my lover."

"I'm giving you the opinion of the highest-ranking members of our security services."

"I don't give a flying fu—"

"An opinion, by the way," Lucinda went on, "that I don't happen to share. And neither does your father. Which is why you're both sitting here right now." Lucinda smiled wryly. "And if you would simply let me brief you, I could probably save us all a lot of time."

Blair opened her mouth, then sighed deeply and settled back against the sofa. "I'm sorry. Go ahead."

"Justice and the NSA want to keep the investigation into the incident at the Aerie under their jurisdiction as part of the larger inquiry surrounding the terrorist attacks."

Cam spoke quietly, her tone mild and uncritical. Her eyes, however, shone hot with emotion. "It will take that kind of multijurisdictional commission two years to investigate something of this magnitude."

Lucinda laughed. "You're being generous, Commander. I would have ventured closer to three."

"Ma'am," Cam acknowledged with a tip of her head. "Your estimate is probably more accurate than mine. Either way, it's too long not to know the scope of the threat to Ms. Powell."

"Yes, well," Lucinda said, serious once more, "however long it takes, I believe we all can appreciate that regardless of intentions, the greater emphasis of any investigation must be on the national threat."

Blair saw a muscle along the edge of Cam's jaw flutter, and she sensed the utter stillness in Cam's body that she had come to know preceded the lightning strike of her lover's rare but powerful fury. "Are you baiting her, Luce? Because it's not a very good idea."

Lucinda kept her eyes on Cam's face. "No, I wanted to see for myself exactly why the president has such faith in her."

"Maybe it's because I love her," Blair said sharply.

"No," Lucinda said softly, "it's because she loves you." She settled back in her chair and crossed her legs, one smooth silky glide of tight flesh along tight flesh. "So let me explain, Commander, your new assignment. The president intended to be here, but he was called away for, an emergency meeting. You may assume the orders come from him."

Cam nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"You will head a special investigative team appointed by the president whose sole purpose is to determine the origination of the assault on Ms. Powell's apartment building, ascertain how deep the intelligence breach goes within our security ranks, and establish how this operation was associated with the attacks on New York City and Washington, DC."

"I'll need free access to various intelligence files, including those of the FBI, ATF, CIA, and Justice," Cam replied immediately.

"You'll be granted clearance and provided contacts, but your inquiries will need to be very circumspect."

Meaning that this is a secret commission. Cam did not voice the question, knowing that she would not receive an answer. "I want to choose my own team members."

"Granted."

"I want the original members of Blair's security team reinstated as soon as the Justice inquiry clears them."

"That will take some time, but I'll see to it." Lucinda lifted a shoulder. "Nothing makes their wheel turn quickly."

"When we find the people responsible, I want to coordinate the takedown."

"Cam—" Blair protested.

Lucinda broke in, "You'll coordinate any strike team efforts with a military liaison."

"Agreed," Cam responded.

"The president will name the liaison."

Cam considered arguing for her own choice of military personnel, but one did not question the president's authority during negotiations like these. "I want to attend the daily briefings of Blair's security detail."

"The new commander may take offense."

"Possibly," Cam said. "I would. Nevertheless, these are my terms."

Lucinda tilted her head and appraised Cam with interest. "What makes you think you have any bargaining power here, Commander?"

"Because you know that I'm going to investigate with or without your sanction, and you'd prefer to know what I'm doing. And what I find out."

"If you were to undertake an unauthorized investigation, you'd be placing yourself in violation of any number of security regulations. Theoretically, you could lose your clearance, possibly face prosecution."

"Lucinda, what the hell?" Blair started to rise, and only Cam's hand in hers held her back.

"It's okay," Cam said quietly.

Blair rounded on her, her blue eyes flashing. "If you think I'm going to sit here and listen to her threaten you, you're crazy."

"I'm not threatening her, Blair," Lucinda said. "I'm only laying out the facts. And the reason that you're here listening to this, against my advice, by the way, is because your father doesn't want to keep this a secret from you."

"And why did vow want to keep me in the dark?" Blair sat forward on the edge of the sofa, her free hand fisted on her thigh.

"Because I knew you wouldn't like Agent Roberts heading this investigation, and your reluctance could interfere with her—"

"Bullshit, Luce. Nothing interferes with Cam's effectiveness, and you know it."

"Not her effectiveness," Lucinda said gently. "Her safety."

Blair jerked. "What? Do you think I would compromise her in some way? Risk her life?"

"No, I think your resistance would distract her, and distraction can lead to mistakes."

"I have never wanted her to do this job, and she knows it." Blair's words sliced the air as her body quivered. "Do you think she was distracted the day she stepped in front of me outside my apartment building and intercepted the bullet that was meant for me? Do you think she was distracted on Tuesday when she stood in front of me again- —"

"Blair," Cam murmured. "It's—"

"But she's still doing the job." Blair's voice cracked but she continued, "because she has to, and I know that. Because not doing it would hurt her more than anything that might happen to her, even..." She finally lost her battle to block out the images that, under ordinary circumstances, she so successfully kept at bay. Now she couldn't stop reliving the nightmare of her lover dying. She turned her face away from Lucinda and Cam, closing her mind to the memories.

Cam, stood, ignoring the surprise on Lucinda Washburn's face. "Let's go, baby. It's been a tough couple of days, and I need a break."

"I need a decision, Agent Roberts," Lucinda said.

Cam circled Blair's waist with one arm. "I'll let you know tomorrow. There are some people I need to speak to first."

"That's a bit irregular."

"These aren't normal times."

"I'll expect your answer in the morning."