Radclyffe - Honor Guards

"And I'd like it to stay that way. Tell him yes"

"Dad? You can go ahead and send a helicopter."

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

W hen Cam walked into the living room to inform Felicia Davis of their departure plans, she was surprised to find Paula Stark standing guard at the wide front windows. "Where's Davis?"

Stark turned from her survey of the grounds and the distant front gate, her expression somber. "I relieved her at 0400."

Cam nodded, thinking that if she hadn't fallen asleep after the nightmare and its aftermath, she would have relieved Davis herself. She couldn't fault Stark for being responsible, even if she had been ordered to get some sleep. "Very well." As Stark turned back to her silent vigil, Cam walked up beside her. "We're evacuating—ETD 0730. Once Egret is secure, you can call Renee."

"I'm sure she's up to her eyeballs in fieldwork right now," Stark said flatly. "I imagine, being right there..."Her voice wavered, and she drew a long breath. "Being right there, she's got to be one of the lead agents. She probably won't even answer her phone."

"No," Cam agreed, because the assessment was technically accurate and any other alternative scenario was unacceptable. There would be time to think the unthinkable if Savard failed to respond after a reasonable wait. And who knows what's reasonable any longer? "She probably won't see any downtime for another twenty-four hours at least."

Stark nodded, still at rigid attention, her jaw set and her eyes bleak. "Yes. That's what I figure, too."

In a rare gesture, Cam squeezed Stark's shoulder briefly. "I'll advise Davis to relieve you."

"It's not necessary, Commander. I'm fine."

"Yes, I know you are." They stood side by side in silence, watching the sea breeze blow the last edges of the night clouds from the sky. Eventually, without touching her again, Cam said,

"There's coffee in the kitchen. Get some, then grab a shower. We're headed to DC."

Stark jerked in surprise. But Renee 's in New York! With effort, she forced herself to reply quietly. "Yes, ma'am."

Cam wanted to add some word of reassurance, but she thought too much of Stark to lie. They both knew the chances of hearing from Renee—or not. Before she turned away, she said quietly, "You did a fine job yesterday, Agent Stark."

"It was an honor, Commander."

Their eyes met, steady and strong. Then Cam nodded and left Stark to her duty, A few minutes later, she stood with Blair in the kitchen, drinking coffee. Felicia entered, looking worn but in control, "A car was just cleared through the front gate by the private security team."

"Thank you," Cam said, setting her cup on the breakfast bar. "Do we have identification?"

"No, without a comm link, I have no way of receiving that information." Felicia didn't look or sound pleased. After the ambush the day before, none of the team was likely to take anything at face value ever again. "I assume it's someone known to them, but..."

Foster was known to us, too, and he orchestrated an assassination attempt that very nearly succeeded. Cam headed for the front of the house. "Let's just see for ourselves."

Tanner waited on the verge of the circular drive. A black sedan pulled to a stop just in front of her, and a tall thin blond in a rumpled navy uniform stepped out and hurried around the front of the vehicle.

Meeting her halfway, Tanner immediately slipped both arms around her waist. "Are you all right?"

"Just tired," Adrienne Pierce replied. She kissed Tanner softly, then stroked her cheek while searching her eyes. "How about you?"

"Much better now." Tanner brushed her fingers down Adrienne's arm and clasped her hand. "I am so glad you're home."

"Have you heard anything from Constance and Tom?"

"She just called," Tanner replied, her relief at having heard from her mother clear. "They're fine."

"Good." Adrienne slid her arm around Tanner's waist. "Why is there a guard at our gate?"

"We've got unexpected visitors."

At the sound of footsteps on the veranda, Adrienne shifted her gaze from her lover to take a close look at the women who gathered at the top of the stairs. "I see." She recognized Blair Powell although they had met only a few times. The others were easily identifiable as Secret Service agents just by the way they carried themselves and observed her with polite but intent attention. "Special visitors. Why are they here?"

"I don't know. Blair called yesterday shortly after the....attacks. She said that she needed a secure place to stay."

The president's daughter needs a safe house? Adrienne's heart hammered as she glanced quickly around. "My God, are they here alone?"

"There's just Blair and three agents." Tanner lowered her voice, although no one could hear them. "They're all a little beat up."

That information, coupled with the level of wartime preparedness she had just been part of at the base, made Adrienne wish she had brought a security team with her. Blair Powell was in her home in the midst of a national crisis, and surprisingly undefended. It didn't make sense. But then, absolutely nothing about the last twenty-two hours made sense. "You called in your own security?"

"I was a bit nervous."

Adrienne laughed thinly. "I can see why. I wonder if 1 can get some MPs out here—-"

"I don't think that's necessary," Tanner informed Adrienne as they crossed the driveway and started up the steps. "Blair told me just a little while ago that they would be leaving shortly."

"And I only have two hours before I have to head back to the base. I'm sorry I can't stay with you longer."

Tanner gripped her arm more tightly. "You don't have to apologize. I miss you, and I'm worried about you. But I understand."

With a sigh, Adrienne slid her arm around Tanner, allowing herself the comfort of leaning into her lover's solid body. "God, it's good to be home."

Tanner, in turn, hooked an arm around Adrienne's waist and together, they ascended the stairs to where Blair stood with Cam and Felicia. Stark came through the front door just as they reached the deck, and the six women met in a small circle. Stark and Felicia stood slightly behind and on either side of Blair, who stepped forward with Cam and extended her hand to Adrienne.

"Hello, Adrienne. I'm sorry about the welcoming committee— I'm sure you didn't count on us."

Adrienne smiled and took Blair's hand. "I'm happy to see you. I wish it were under different circumstances."

"Yes, we all do." Blair indicated Cam. "Adrienne Pierce, my partner and security chief, Cameron Roberts."

Cam shook Adrienne's hand as well. "Captain."

"How do you do." Adrienne smiled wearily. "Have you all had breakfast?"

"Yes, Tanner and May have taken wonderful care of us—" Blair broke off at the sound of a distant reverberation growing louder.

Cam stepped away from the small group and looked up into the sky, then back at Blair. "It appears that our ride is here."

Everyone turned and watched as Marine One, the presidential helicopter, settled down on the far side of the lawn. Four marines emerged, heads down to escape the buffeting of the rapidly spinning rotors, and hurried toward the house.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to be rude," Blair said, glancing from Adrienne to Tanner. "I wish it hadn't taken this to get us together again. I've missed you both."

Tanner took Blair's hand and squeezed it. "Me, too. When things...settle down, come back. You and Cameron, come back and spend some time with us."

"I'd like that very much." Blair leaned forward and kissed first Tanner's cheek, then Adrienne's. By then, Cam, Felicia, and Stark, along with the military escort, stood waiting to take her to the helicopter. For one moment, she considered telling Cam that she wanted to stay. Whitley Island was an oasis in a world gone mad, and she knew that as soon as she returned to Washington, she might be safe, but she might not be free. She looked to Cam, who was observing her intently. Stay here with me. Let the world take care of itself.