Honor Under Siege - Radclyffe

have to disappear because shed know whoever tipped Matheson would

be coming after her.

“So youre tel ing me that Valerie isnt safe, and I should help you fi

nd her.

“Thats one way of looking at it, Cam said. “Right now, Im not

sure. And because Im not sure, I dont want you to do anything.

“Except hide out with Tanner and Diane at Whitley

Point.

“That would be my wish. Cam kissed the tip of Blairs chin. “Any

chance?

“I dont know, maybe, Blair said. “Not because I want to hide, but

because I dont want to stay here. And I cant go back to Manhat an,

because I dont have any place to go back to.

“This is sounding good, Cam

said.

“But

“Uh-

oh.

Blair smiled. “Im not going without

you.

Cam frowned. “Im going to be pret y busy, Blair. Ive got to put a team

together, for one thing. Then who knows what Il fi nd once I start

digging into this whole Valerie situation.

“Are you tel ing me youre going to direct the investigation from some of

i ce in DC somewhere? Where anyone could access your fi les or

monitor your activities? Blair made a face. “Even I know thats not

very smart. If you even suspect that theres someone high enough up

to get Mathesons name from Valeries intel igence reports and warn

him, then nothing is secure. She grinned. “Unless youre going to work

out of Lucindas of i ce.

Cam groaned. “You make it sound so appealing. But were talking about

a big operation here, baby.

“You found Matheson working from Whitley Point. That was a big

operation, too.

“Yeah, and someone ferried Valerie of right under our

noses.

“Good point, except Valerie helped them from the inside. Blair saw the

anger and betrayal fl icker across Cams face, knowing nothing she

might say could lessen it. Only the truth could do that. “Youve got to

admit, its going to be more secure there than almost any place around

here.

“Il think about it. At least for a base of operations. Hel , Cam mused,

“we used to do al of our advance surveil ance and intel igence right out

of the Aerie. That was a damn big operation, too.

“Il talk to Tanner tomorrow about speeding up the property purchase. Im

sure she can make it happen. Besides, Blair said softly, “I love it there,

and we need

a place to

live.

Cam brushed her fi ngers through Blairs hair, then drew her

head down and kissed her. She murmured against her lips,

“We do, dont we.

“Is it all right with

you?

“Are you going to be okay having a base of operations where

we live?

Blair laughed shortly. “Cameron, Ive always had some kind

of base where I live. Look at the Aerie. Im used to it.

“If youre sure. Right now, Id feel a hell of a lot better if you

were back there.

“Im going to talk to Lucinda tomorrow about our plans, Blair

said. Cam rolled her over and settled one thigh between

her legs.

“Youre not going to make me go with you, are

you?

“I cant believe youre afraid of Lucinda. Blair curled her leg

around the back of Cams thigh and nestled her center

against Cams crotch. “Itll cost you.

“Anything. Cam slowly rotated her hips between Blairs legs.

“Just name it.

“Lets see how many times you can make me come, Blair

whispered, “while I think about it.

Cam laughed. “Tough duty.

* * * * *

“Hel o? Diane said distractedly, expecting a wrong

number. “Hi. Did I wake you?

Diane sat up abruptly, the sheet fal ing away unheeded. The

sliver of moon and the glow from the surrounding city cast the

room in dim, gray light. She hadnt been sleeping, even though

it was the middle of the night. “No. I was thinking about you.

An indrawn breath and a beat of silence fol owed. Diane

almost said her name, but knew instinctively not to. She

waited, the seconds interminable.

“Are you home?

“Actual y Im Diane thought of all the conversations shed had

over the years with Blair and how theyd always been

careful, even when there was probably no need to be. Now,

with Valerie, there surely was. “Im visiting friends.

“Ah. Anyone I know?

“Yes. Dianes heart pounded and she strained to hear every nuance

in Valeries voice. “Hows your trip going?

“I shouldnt have cal ed, but I missed

you.

Diane caught her breath. “Can I join you? Im in a bit of a

hiatus myself right now.

“Thats not a good

idea.

“Why not? I miss you, too. Terribly.

“Im not very good company right now.

Diane heard the warning beneath the words but refused to

be deterred. “Shouldnt I be the one to decide that?

“Trust me, it might not be all thatpleasant.

“To be with you? Diane said lightly while mental y translating,

Its not safe .

“Yes.

“Then thats al the more reason to let me come and prove you wrong.

Diane raised her knees and pressed her forehead to them. She closed her

eyes, trying to shut out every other sensation except the sound of

Valeries voice.

A sigh came through the line. “And thats why Ive stayed

away.

“Im sure our friends could help cheer you

up.

“Im not so sure of

that.

Diane hesitated. Blair was the one person in her life whom she

trusted completely. But there was no reason that Valerie should. But

what about Cam? Didnt Valerie trust her? Cam would help Valerie,

if she were in trouble. Wouldnt she?

Would she? Cams al egiance was never in doubt. Blair fi rst. Country

second. And friendship? Diane had no doubt that Cam would risk her

life for Stark or Savard or any of the others. Didnt Valerie, Cams ex-

lover and col eague, fal into the same category?

But then, she didnt real y understand anything that had happened.

She didnt

understand why Valerie had left, why shed stayed away, and why

she was obviously afraid to talk to her now. She wouldnt

understand until Valerie explained it, and she desperately needed to

know. “I want to see you.

“Dian

e

“No one wil know.

Please.

Another endless pause, not even the sound of breathing on

the line.

Diane forced herself not to say anything more than she already had.

She had never begged a woman for anything in her life, not even

Blair when they had been younger and shed been desperately in love with

her. Blair had never known the depth of her feelings, perhaps

because she had already learned to shield her emotions behind casual

nonchalance. It hadnt taken many disappointments before she had

also learned not to make herself vulnerable by asking for things

she couldnt have. Valerie had ef ortlessly changed al that. And

now, if she didnt sense that begging would somehow endanger

Valerie, she would gladly beg. Anything to break this unwil ing

isolation.

“How long wil you be there? Valerie fi nal y

asked.

“How long should I be? Diane

countered.

“A few days would be

good.

“Il try. Diane opened her eyes. The moon had gone behind a cloud

and the room was black. “Dont be afraid.

Valerie laughed thinly. “Of

you?

“For

me,

Diane

whispered.

“I dont think I can promise

that.

Diane smiled. “And I feel the same. Il be

waiting.

“Goodbye,

Valerie

whispered.

Diane sat in the silent darkness for a few more minutes, fi xing the

sound of Valeries voice in her mind. Then she pul ed up the last

number on her cal log and cal ed it.

Im sorry. The number youre trying to reach is no longer in

service.

Chapter Seven

Tuesda

y

B lair paused halfway across the living room and groaned in

appreciation as she smel ed cof ee. She turned toward the seating area in

front of the windows and caught a glimpse of the fi rst streaks of a

hazy orange sunrise outside the windows. Diane sat curled up in one

corner of the sofa in burgundy satin pjs, her blond hair loose and partial

y shielding her face, a mug clasped in both hands.

“Hi, Blair said. “Mind

company?

“No, of course

not.

Blair continued into the adjoining gal ey kitchen, poured cof ee, and

returned. She set led onto the sofa and mirrored Dianes pose, legs

drawn beneath her, partial y turned so she could face her friend. “Early

morning or late night?

Diane smiled rueful y. “Both. Funny, I never used to mind sleeping

alone.

“Its one thing to sleep alone because you prefer to, Blair said half to

herself. “But once youve got en used to someone and then theyre not

there, its a bitch.

“Id forgot en its not al that easy for you and Cam most of the time,

either. Sorry.

Blair stroked Dianes shoulder. “I just meant I

understand.

“I know you do. Diane was certain that Blair understood al of it he

reluctance to trust, the self-made barriers to protect against

heartbreak and disappointment, and the terrible joy of let ing someone

inside at last. Blair had lived it, just as she had. And because Blair

knewknew her, knew what she hoped and feared, knew what it was

to fi ght for what she wantedDiane felt some of the desolation lift from

her heart. “Valerie cal ed.

“Is she al right? Blair held her breath and strained to hear the sound

of the shower running in the master bathroom. She didnt want Cam

walking in on this conversation and hearing something she would feel

duty bound to act on.

“I dont know, Diane said, her voice shaking slightly. “It was a

tense conversation. She didnt say that she wasnt al right, but

obviously somethings wrong. She searched Blairs eyes. “Do you know

whats going on?

“Oh God, Blair murmured. “I dont, honey. Honest, not real y.

And I she glanced over her shoulder toward the hal way on the far side

of the room.

“Cams involved somehow, isnt she? And Im put ing you in the middle. I

should go.

“No, Blair said sharply, grasping Dianes arm to prevent her rising. “You

should not go. No one knows anything, including Cam, other than

Valerie snuck of in the middle of the night and doesnt want anyone to

know where she is.

“You make it sound like shes a

criminal.

Blair shook her head. “No one is saying that. She wasnt exactly certain

that was true. She imagined that if Valerie hadnt warned

Matheson herself of the

impending capture, then whoever h a d told him would point

to her disappearance as evidence of her guilt. “But the way she left is

suspicious, and the fact that shes hiding doesnt help clear things up at al .

Her grip softened and she clasped Dianes fi ngers. “You k now

Cam, Di. She doesnt jump to conclusions, and she never set les for

easy answers. Valerie needs to talk to her.

“Im scared, Diane whispered. “Im scared that every phone cal wil be

the last one. That Il never see her again and Il never know why.

Blair leaned closer. “I know you want to protect her. So would I. But she

needs help. Can you try to get her to talk to Cam?

Dianes eyes were moist, the blue misted to gray with sadness. “How can

I if I

dont know how to reach

her?

“Something tel s me shel fi nd you. Blair heard the sound of the

bedroom door closing and footsteps approaching, then Cam passed

behind them on her way to the kitchen. “Morning, darling.

“Hi,

Cam

replied.

Diane cal ed a greeting then lowered her voice. “I have to

think about it. For now, can we keep it between us?

“Yes, Blair said, knowing that Diane wouldnt be pushed

into making a decision any more than she would. “Im going to

talk to Lucinda this morning. After that, lets just get out of

here for a while. Walk around, shop, do something mindless.

Some of the tension eased from Dianes face. “I think thats a

great idea. After all, we have a wedding to plan.

“We certainly do. Blair glanced across the room to where

Cam stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Shed dressed for work

for the

fi rst time in almost two weeks, and the pale blue shirt, dark

raw silk slacks, and black Italian loafers gave her a cool,

sleek look. She wasnt wearing her shoulder holster, but she

would be, along with a blazer, when she went out. The image

of confi dence and strength Cam projected was more than just

appearance, and it surprised Blair how right it felt to see her

lover preparing to do what she did so wel . “We cant stop living,

can we?

“No, Diane said with a shadow of a smile. “We

cant.

* * * * *

Blair stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around her

chest, and used another to dry her hair. She fi nger-combed

the thick waves and fi nished drying her body. She paused at a

knock on the bathroom door.

“Yes?

“Want a fresh cup of coffee?

Smiling, Blair pulled open the door that connected to

their bedroom. “Special delivery?

“At your service. Cam slipped inside and set the cup down on

the vanity. “Starks here.

Blair frowned. “What time is

it? “0700.

“God, shes eager.

“Shes just doing her job, Cam said,

smiling.

“Yeah, yeah. Blair tossed the towel aside and wrapped her