Honor Under Siege - Radclyffe

hunched over the monitors. Printouts spewed from several nearby

machines.

“Theoriesno confirmation. Mac said, looking over his

shoulder. “How are they doing upstairs?

“Both stable. Valeries in for a rough ride for a

while.

“Mac, Paula said, pushing away from the computer console,

“take over here for a second.

“Sure thing, Chief, Mac said.

Paula grasped Renées hand and gently guided her to her

feet. Then she wrapped an arm around her waist and led her

toward the hal . “You need to change your clothes. Theyre wet.

Renée looked down as if realizing for the first time that her

shoes and jeans and shirt were dripping. She shivered. “Yeah.

Good idea.

Once upstairs in their bedroom, Paula took Renée into

the bathroom. “Are you okay?

“Yeah. Renée kissed Paula and brushed her fingers through

her hair. “Im fine, sweetie.

“Okay, Paula said shakily, wondering why she always seemed

to lose it after she knew Renée was safe. “Stand there. She pul ed

off Renées T-shirt and unzipped her jeans. “Take your shoes off

and get out of these pants.

Renée steadied herself with a hand on Paulas shoulder. “What a

cluster fuck. Who targeted Valeries boat, do you know?

“No, Paula said with disgust. “Weve got satel ite images of close

to a dozen boats, not counting Tanners, that were in missile range.

It will take a while to sort through them, but at first glance, they

all look civilian or commercial.

“Its got to be Matheson. Renée leaned against the vanity

and closed her eyes, moaning with gratitude as Paula wrapped

her in a huge towel. She burrowed her face in the curve of

Paulas neck. “You feel so good I never want to move.

“Works for me. Paula held her tightly and kissed the top of Renées

head. “Scared me there for a while.

“I thought we were going to lose both of them out

there.

I thought I might have lost you , Paula thought, and tightened her

grip.

“I was pret y scared for a few minutes, Renée

whispered.

Paula finger-combed Renées tangled golden-brown hair.

“Me too. Renée raised her head. “Im sorry, sweetie.

“Not your fault. You were doing your job, and Im glad you were. Paula

kissed her. “I love you.

“Yeah, me too. Renée stroked Paulas face. “Big-

time.

“And yeah, Paula said grimly. “I think it was Matheson or one of his

people. Who else could it have been? Henry must have told Matheson

about the meet and Matheson decided to eliminate both of them at

once.

“Makes sense. Who would have figured hed have that kind of

firepower? Renée shook her head. “Were playing in a whole new league,

now, arent we? Domestic terrorism is just another name for war.

“We thought we had everything covered, Paula said. “We were

monitoring for air and water assaults, except we were looking for aircraft

or boats. Who would have expected a missile launch of the New

England coast?

“I dont suppose theres any chance of intercepting

him?

Paula snorted. “Zero. I cal ed Tanners people back in. Besides the

fact that theyre civilians, he could have fired that missile from fifty

miles away and been gone before it even hit.

Renée stepped away, toweled of , and pul ed the robe from the back

of the door. Shrugging into it, she grasped Paulas hand and walked

back into the bedroom. As she opened the dresser and extracted clean

clothes, she said, “Did someone contact the Coast Guard about Valeries

boat?

“Mac is doing

that.

“Whats our cover

story?

“Were tel ing them it was a DEA surveil ance operation and

the engine on one of the boats caught fire. All personnel

evacuated to another vessel, and there were no casualties.

Because of the sensitive nature of the operation, we cant

provide any further details.

Renée grinned and pul ed on dry jeans. “Nice. Your

idea? Paula flushed. “Yeah.

“I never knew you were so sneaky. Renée found a dark

green cable-knit sweater and pul ed it over her head. Then she

wrapped her arms around Paulas shoulders and kissed her.

“Ill have to remember that in the future.

“I didnt want you to discover all my tricks before you were in

too deep to escape me.

“Oh, you neednt worry, Renée murmured. “Theres no chance of

me going anywhere.

* * * * *

Blair jerked awake and bolted upright. Cam was no longer

lying next to her but sat with her legs dangling over the side of

the bed.

“Where do you think youre going? Blair asked

sharply. “I want to check on Valerie.

“Get back in bed, Cameron. They were alone. A fire

burned vigorously in the fireplace, throwing a hot red glow

throughout the room. Blair gripped Cams wrist. “I mean itand Im

not in the mood to argue.

Cam, nude except for the sheet bunched at her waist, shifted

to look down at Blair. “Just for a second. I only need

“You need some decent rest and to recover from nearly

drowning out there. Blair grasped her shoulders. “You dont get

it, do you?

Youre not indestructible. And you wont be any good to them,

any of them, if youre too weak or injured to function. If you

dont care about me, think about them.

Cam blinked, her face registering her shock. “You think I

dont care about you? Is that what you think? Gently, she

tangled her fingers in Blairs hair and kissed her, softly, first

her mouth, then the angle of her jaw, then her eyes. “I thought

Valerie was dead. I thought I was dying, too. But I knew I

couldnt, because of you. Youre all I thought about. Youre

everything I live for.

“Dont. Blair pul ed Cam down on top of her and drew the

covers over them. She caressed Cams back with both hands,

slowly stroking the sleek skin and elegant curve of muscle

and bone. “Dont try to melt my heart. Its not going to work this

time.

“All right, Cam said softly. “Im sorry. Im sorry for

frightening you. She kissed Blairs neck and settled her head

on Blairs shoulder. “I couldnt let her die, Blair.

“No, Blair whispered. “Of course you couldnt. She sighed.

“What happened to Henry?

“Hes dead. I ordered Donaldson to take him

out. Blair stiffened. “Are you all right?

“It had to be done. The boat was about to go up and he was in

danger of shooting

“Darling, you dont have to explain that to me. If you gave the order, it

was the right thing to do.

“You believe in me that

much?

“More. Blair cupped Cams jaw. “I trust your judgment, just like al of

them do. I can only imagine what it takes for you to make those

decisions and give those orders, and maybe everyone else needs to

believe that its easy for you to do, but I know dif erently. She cupped

Cams chin, tilted her head up, and kissed her firmly but gently on the

mouth. “If you hurt, I want to know. If you need a shoulder, I have one

for you. I cant be on the front line the way you are, but Im part of this

fight just the same.

“Thank you, Cam whispered. “Ive never understood more clearly than

I did tonight that you are my strength.

Silence ensued, then Blair said with a sigh, “Five minutes,

Cameron.

“What?

Cam

said.

“You can see Valerie for five

minutes.

Cam stirred, raising herself on her elbow to study Blairs face.

“Why?

“Because you wont rest until you do, and because the others need to see

that youre al right. As wonderful as each of them may be, you are the

force that holds them together. Blair pushed the covers aside. “Lets

get up. Il help you dress.

* * * * *

Diane finished set ling a log on the fire and turned at the sound of

the door slowly opening. Absently she cinched the sash on her robe.

“We didnt knock because we didnt want to wake her, Blair whispered

as she and Cam stepped inside.

“Thats al right. Its good to see you. Diane touched Cams arm. “Are

you al right?

“Fine. Hows she doing? Cam asked quietly. She wore old khakis

and a sweatshirt, and loosely clasped Blairs hand.

“Im not sure, Diane admit ed, pushing her hair away from her face.

“Shes stil asleep.

“Diane? Valerie mut ered, twisting from side to side and dislodging the

blankets that covered her. “Diane?

“Im here, darling, Diane said and hurried to the bed. She leaned

down and stroked Valeries face. “Everything is al right. Youre safe

now.

Valerie opened her eyes and after a few seconds appeared to focus.

“Am I

real y in bed?

Diane smiled. “You most definitely are.

“Im almost warm.

“Yes, Diane whispered, her voice breaking as the tears she hadnt had the

time or luxury of shedding final y fil ed her eyes. “Youre going to be

fine.

“Is everyone al right?

Diane glanced over her shoulder. “Cam? Maybe you should talk to

her for a second.

Cam joined Diane by the bed. “Hi. Bit of a rough ride out there.

Everyones fine, but you had quite a swim.

A smile flickered across Valeries face. “I remember some of it. Thanks.

“Dont mention it.

“Henry Valerie frowned. “Henry. She closed her eyes briefly, and

when she

opened them, they were clearer. “I dont think he knew what was coming.

“No, Cam agreed.

“He didnt set me up tonight at least, Valerie said faintly. She held

Cams gaze. “Thanks for get ing me out of there.

“Im sorry about Hen

“No, it was a good cal on your part. Justnot on mine.

“You dont know that, Cam said gently. “People change.

“I wonder. Valerie shivered violently and Diane quickly took her hand.

“You need to get some sleep, darling. No more talking right now.

Diane glanced at Cam. “Thank you for everything.

Cam nodded and backed away from the bed. “Let me know if theres

any problem.

“I wil , Diane said.

Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Lets go. Youre shaking.

“I want to check downstairs with Stark and

“Nice try, Blair said, laughing gently. “Youre al out of options tonight.

Might as wel surrender.

Giving in to the fatigue, Cam leaned on Blair. “Terms accepted.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saturday

J ust before noon, Cam tapped on Valerie and Dianes door.

When Diane answered, looking as if she hadnt slept all

night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?

“On and off, yes. Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours

ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing.

Fortunately, she cant get out of bed by herself, and I wont help

her.

Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Dianes eyes, she

quickly smothered it. “Ill only be a few minutes.

“Do you want to speak to her alone?

“If you dont mind.

Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on

some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.

“Thanks.

“Cam, Diane said, partial y closing the door, “I want to

apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know

Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked

“Diane, Cam murmured, shaking her head. “Theres nothing to

be sorry for. Weve all been under a lot of strain.

“You saved her life.

Cam glanced across the dimly lit room to the quiet figure in

the bed, thinking of where they had begun. “Then were even.

“What happens now? Diane asked.

“We take back control of our lives.

* * * * *

Five hours later, Blair and Cam walked into Lucinda

Washburns office. Lucindas only concession to the fact that it

was a weekend was that she wore a gray sweater, casual black

trousers, and low heels instead of a suit.

“Id like to hear your preliminary report before I send it on

to

Averil , Lucinda said, referring to the security

adviser.

In other words, Lucinda would put in writing whatever she

wanted the official story to be after shed heard the facts. Cam

sat on the sofa with Blair beside her and waited while Lucinda gave

someone instructions to hold her calls before taking her

customary seat across from them.

“I take it this unscheduled visit means something important

broke? Lucinda said.

“Weve located Valerie Lawrence, Cam replied. “Her

Company handler, known to us at the moment only as Henry,

is dead. Im confident that he was the source of the security

breach and not Valerie.

“Excellent, Lucinda said. “When will we be able to

debrief

Lawrence?

“You wont, Cam answered.

Lucinda showed no change in expression when she shifted

her gaze to Blair. “Would you mind excusing us for a few

moments.

“You know, Blair said, leaning back and crossing her legs, “I

real y would.

“Blair, Lucinda said with the merest bit of

heat.

“Luce, Blair snapped, “you were the one who suggested using my best

friend to lure Valerie out into the open. You wanted me involved then,

and now I am. So Im not leaving.

Cam decided it might be wise to forestal the fireworks that were sure to

come. “Valerie Lawrence is a member of my homeland security

team, and any information she may have wil be relayed by me if I feel

it necessary. My agents wil not be debriefed by anyone else.

“Since when is Ms. Lawrence part of your team? Lucinda

asked.

“Since

noon

today.

Lucinda folded her hands in her lap and appeared to be lost in thought.

“How secure is her identity?

“Im not certain, Cam said, “and neither is she. Henry has always been