Неизвестный - 06. Honor Under Siege

“And that,” Cam whispered, “is just what I need.”

Blair watched her walk away, knowing she was hiding her pain. She wanted to shield Cam and keep her safe, and knew Cam wanted the same for her. She feared it was a wish neither of them could fulfill.

Chapter Eleven

Diane, in royal blue silk pajamas, sat propped against the pillows, an open book in her lap. She smiled wanly at Cam. “I’ve been trying to read, but I can’t remember a single sentence.”

“I’m sorry to disturb you.”

“Don’t be silly. How do you feel?”

“I’m fine.” Cam left the door open an inch and leaned against the wall, her arms loosely at her sides. “In light of what’s happened, I’d like you and Blair to leave for Whitley Point tomorrow morning.”

“I hadn’t planned on leaving so soon.”

Cam followed Diane’s gaze as she glanced unconsciously at her cell phone on the table next to the bed. “If Valerie calls, she can reach you there as well as anywhere else.”

“I know.”

“But you’re hoping to see her here, aren’t you?” Cam asked gently.

Diane sighed. “Am I that transparent?”

“No. I’d feel the same way if I were you.” Cam’s chest tightened just thinking about Blair suddenly disappearing with no word. Perhaps forever. But she couldn’t make command decisions based on what she felt, or how deeply she ached for Diane’s pain. No one would be safe then.

“Sit down,” Diane said, indicating the bed. “You’ve had a difficult night.”

Cam grinned as she sat on the foot of the bed. “You saw her today, didn’t you?”

“Is that why you and Blair were fighting?”

“Nice evasive maneuver,” Cam murmured. Assuming that Blair wouldn’t mind Diane knowing what had gone on between them, she answered honestly. “We were fighting because I thought she should have told me about Valerie showing up today and she didn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be. Blair and I don’t always see things the same way, but I understand why she made the decision she did.”

Diane studied Cam curiously. “And that makes it all right?”

“No,” Cam laughed. “But it usually means I don’t stay angry very long.”

“She’s lucky.”

“That works both ways.”

“You’re right. I did see Valerie. She was at The White House today.” Diane smiled fleetingly at Cam’s look of consternation. “It’s a boutique in Georgetown. We talked for a few minutes.”

“Did she say where she was staying?”

Diane shook her head.

“Phone number?”

Again, Diane shook her head.

“Did she say why she’s hiding?”

“No. But I got the distinct impression that she was in trouble, serious trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

Diane picked at the corner of the book in her lap, recalling Valerie’s haunted look and the way she’d reacted when the stranger came into the stairwell. When she met Cam’s calm gaze hers was cut through with anguish. “She acted as if someone was going to hurt her.”

“I need to talk to her. You need to tell her that. Tell her if she meets with me, she can walk away no matter what she tells me.”

“Do you really think she betrayed you? Or our country? After helping you in the first place?” Diane’s voice trembled and she looked away, biting her lip. “How can you think that when you’ve held her?”

Cam’s stomach churned, and for an instant she remembered the dark nights that might have been endless if it hadn’t been for Valerie. Claire, as she knew her then. Claire’s tenderness and her uncanny ability to absolve guilt without demanding explanations had kept her together when everything inside was breaking.

“They recruited her when she was a teenager,” Cam said. “Part of the indoctrination is to isolate the recruits from everyone outside the system. Family, friends, everyone. Your handler becomes your primary point of contact for everything—he or she becomes your emotional and physical touchstone. Sometimes no one else even knows your name. Soon you forget you ever had another life.”

“What are you saying?” Diane’s expression verged on horror. “That she’s been brainwashed?”

“No, only that she’s been trained—relentlessly and expertly conditioned—to follow orders without question. How else do you think a woman like Valerie could have done the things she’s done in the name of her country?”

“She didn’t make love to you for her country.”

Cam flinched but kept her eyes level on Diane’s. “Maybe not after the first time.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just so worried about her.” Diane pushed her hair back from her face with an unsteady hand. “And I know that she needs your help or something terrible is going to happen to her. Please, Cam. Don’t abandon her.”

“I want to find her,” Cam said vehemently. She leaned forward, her hand flat on the bed next to Diane’s ankle. “Until we get the real people behind the attack on Blair at the Aerie, Valerie is in danger. And if Valerie is in danger, so are you—and so is Blair.”

“Blair isn’t in danger if I’m not with her.” Diane swung her legs off the bed and jumped to her feet. “I’ll leave now.”

Cam rose and caught Diane’s shoulders as she rushed toward the closet. “No. You’re staying with us.”

Diane spun around to face Cam and tried to push her away. “Let me go.”

“Diane.” Cam ignored the screaming pain in her shoulder as Diane fought her. “You’re not alone. And neither is she.”

“Oh,” Diane gasped, tears filling her eyes. “I’m so frightened.”

Cam gathered her close, stroking Diane’s hair as Diane buried her face against her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

After a moment of silent sobs, Diane leaned away from Cam and brushed at her cheeks. Shakily, she said, “I’ve always wondered what it would feel like for you to hold me.”

“Overrated, probably.”

Diane smiled. “No.”

Cam eased her grip and stepped back. “If she calls you, tell her I’ll bring you to her. Tell her…tell her to go to the first place she and I met.”

“Why? Why would you do that? It has to be breaking some kind of rule or other.”

“There are no rules anymore, Diane.”

“I trust you.”

“Thank you.”

Diane wrapped her arms around herself. “Oh God, what if she doesn’t call me? What if she doesn’t trust me?”

Cam paused at the door. “If she risked exposure today to see you, she’ll call, and soon. Give her my message. And then come and get me.”

“Do you really think Valerie’s going to call her?” Blair asked after Cam described the conversation.

“I do. Probably tonight.” Cam unzipped her jeans and pushed them down over her hips, letting them fall to the floor. She sat on the side of the bed and unbuttoned her shirt. Blair, in a threadbare T-shirt, was already under the covers.

“If she does, you’re not going,” Blair said, lifting the sheets.

Cam slipped underneath with a sigh. Turning onto her uninjured left side, she pillowed her head against her bent arm and smiled tiredly at Blair. “Let’s get some sleep, baby.”

Blair caressed Cam’s cheek. “Yes. You need it. And you’re still not going out if she calls.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. And you’re still not going.”

“If I don’t, Diane is either going to try to get to her herself, or Valerie’s going to risk another rendezvous with Diane. Either way, they’ll both be vulnerable if Valerie is a target.”

“I hate it when you’re reasonable.”

Cam smiled. “I know. I do it just to make you crazy.”

Blair kissed her. “It’s working.” She slid an arm beneath Cam’s shoulder and drew her closer, pillowing Cam’s head against her breast. “How are you feeling?”