“Be prepared to take action soon. Matheson felt his groin
tingling as he considered a plan to turn the hunters into
quarry. “Im growing tired of this waiting game.
* * * * *
“Are you sure you want me to come with you? Diane asked as
she packed her suitcase. “I know what Cam said, but
“If you werent already here, wed come and get you. Blair
sat cross-legged on the bed in blue jeans and a long-sleeved
navy T- shirt. Her hair was loose and she was barefoot. “I cant
believe I let you go back to Manhattan alone in the first place.
“Who knew that these people these maniacs who tried to hurt
you would keep coming? How can they possibly think they
can gain power in this country? We arent some third world
dictatorship thats likely to topple at the slightest show of
violence.
Blair shrugged. “Theyre fanatics. Look at all the paramilitary
and right wing fundamentalist groups springing up across this
country. T h e y think they can change the order of things,
and theyre recruiting more people all the time who agree.
“God, its like those zealots who shoot abortion doctors and
think thats going to stop the pro-choice movement. Diane looked
at Blair in confusion. “I can hardly believe its real.
“I cant believe we didnt see it coming, and after what
happened last month, I dont think its going to stop. Chafing at the
inactivity, Blair stood and started folding clothes. “Every
psycho with an agenda is going to think they have a chance after
9/11.
Diane stopped what she was doing, her fingers digging into the sweater
she held. “Im ashamed to admit that part of me wishes your father
wasnt president, because I hate to think of you or Cam in danger. I
can only imagine how you must feel.
Blair smiled rueful y. “You know, for the first time in my life Im
honestly glad that my fathers president, and I want him to be president
for as long as he can be. She careful y placed a silk blouse into the
suitcase. “Because these fuckers, whoever they are, wherever they are,
have to learn that we wont be victims.
“I guess wel have to keep that sexy dress you bought for the wedding
in the closet a while longer.
“Why?
Diane regarded her with surprise. “I cant imagine either you or Cam is
going to want to think about wedding plans until al of this is resolved.
“Were not waiting for something that might never happen. Blair folded
her arms, part defiance, part comfort. “And were not put ing our lives on
hold until it does. Im instructing Lucinda to slip a nice quiet statement
out to the press today that Cameron and I intend to be married in a
private ceremony before the end of the year.
“Oh
boy.
Blair grinned. “And
girls.
“Indeed. Diane kissed her cheek. “I think youre the bravest person I
know.
“I wish I were, Blair said. “Im terrified every day that something wil
happen to
Cam. And if it did, I dont think Id
survive it.
“I would never have imagined you with
her.
Blair lifted her shoulders. “We dont choose who to
love.
“No. We dont. Diane smiled sadly. “Now I cant imagine you with
anyone else.
“Neither can I. Blair stroked Dianes arm. She was already
dressed
to travel in a pale blue cashmere cowl-neck sweater and tan
slacks. For the first time Blair realized that Diane, always slender,
had lost weight. “How are you holding up?
“Its so hard, knowing that Cam saw Valerie last night and I
cant even speak to her.
“Have you thought maybe you should try to let her go?
Blair reached for Dianes hand. As hard as it was to ask, it
was even harder to watch her suffer.
Diane twined her fingers through Blairs and squeezed
lightly. “Cam didnt tell me very much about what went on. I
understand that she cant. She wouldnt tell me exactly why
Valerie is staying away, but I know its partly because of me.
“She doesnt want you to be
hurt.
Diane trembled and Blair drew her close. With a shaky
breath, Diane continued, “Cam must trust her, because she
didnt try to detain her. I love Valerie. I have to trust her as
much as Cam does.
“Youre real y sure, arent you? Blair said.
right since I met you.
“Then Im on your side, Blair said, hugging Diane tightly.
“And hers.
* * * * *
“Well travel in two groups to Whitley Point, Cam said,
scribbling on a flip chart that she had dug out of the closet
earlier. She couldnt find the stand, so she balanced the oversized
pad of paper on her knees facing Stark, Savard, and Davis,
who clustered around her in the living room. “Stark, you and
your people will take Blair and Diane. Youll fly out of
Andrews again at 1100 hours, but this time youll land at
Westover, Mass.
Stark frowned. “Whats there?
“Its an Air Force Reserve base, so its relatively low profile.
Well have Tanners people pick you up in three vehicles and
take you the rest of the way, each vehicle fol owing a different
route.
“Who knows about the itinerary?
“The flight plan was filed through Lucindas office, but theres
no attendant passenger list. Only Tanner knows the routes and
final destination.
“Youre putting a lot of faith in Tanners people, Stark said mildly.
“My feeling is that we know more about her team than we could about
anyone
coming to us from inside the system right now. Youre the security
chief. Whats
your cal
?
Stark took her time. “Until we find Valerie and Matheson, I dont want
anyone new get ing close to Blair.
“I agree. Cam blew out a breath. “Basical y wel handle Blairs security
in the same way the Vice Presidents has been set up since the at acks.
Shel be based in a secure location away from the White House known
to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only
essential public appearances. We cant keep her completely
sequesteredfirst because shed never al ow it,
secondly, because we cant make prisoners of our elected of icials
and their families, and final y because the public is going to be looking
for her. Shes too popular to just disappear.
“Were going to be thin on the ground, Stark said, “now that Davis has
gone over to OHS.
Cam nodded as she drew a grid and added names. “Youl have to work
with a smal er team than usual for the time being. Hara, Wozinski,
yourself, and Tanners people. Can you handle it?
Stark didnt hesitate. “Yes, we
can.
As satisfied with the security as she could be when al she real y wanted
to do was take Blair to some remote island for six months, Cam
switched her attention to Savard. “Wel
fol ow by ground as soon as
you and Davis are happy that youve accessed al the data
immediately available to us. You can use the computers in my of ice
in the West Wing and wipe them when youre done.
“How long wil you need, Felicia? Savard asked, sit ing with her
injured leg straight out in front of her. The cane shed used in lieu of her
knee immobilizer rested against the arm of the chair. She looked focused
and steady.
Davis smiled, her dark eyes glowing. “I want to make sure I look in
everybodys closets and leave myself a backdoor before we leave. Say,
three hours.
Cam checked her watch as she stood. “Its 0815 now. We should be
leaving
DC by 1200 hours, which puts us into Whitley Point around
2300.
Savard and Davis rose, and Savard asked, “Where wil we
rendezvous, Commander?
“In case anyone is checking, Il schedule you and Davis for a meeting
at FBI headquarters at 1130 hours. On your way there, the meeting wil
be canceled and a vehicle wil pick you up at 13 and Pennsylvania
Avenue. Cam regarded
Stark. “When would you like to depart here, Chief? If theres anyone fol
owing
Blair, theyl lose the trail at
Andrews.
“Wel have the vehicles out front at 0900 hours. Il wait downstairs
until then.
“Thanks, Cam said, appreciating the few moments of privacy she would
have with Blair. After returning from her meeting with Valerie, shed
been up al night talking to Lucinda and the presidents security adviser.
She had yet to tel Blair the specifics of the plan, because she hadnt
worked it out until shortly before Stark and her security team had
arrived. She was sore and tired, but it felt good being in the field again.
Working. Doing what she knew how to do.
When the others had left, Cam walked down the hal to Dianes bedroom
and tapped on the door. “Can I talk to you a minute, Blair?
“Sure, Blair said. After shed finished helping Diane pack, shed gone
to the kitchen for more cof ee and heard the murmur of voices in
the living room. Although she knew Cam wouldnt exclude her from the
discussions if she asked to sit in, she also knew that Cam and Stark
were get ing their first real test of working together in their new roles.
She doubted that anyone in security or intel igence was going to
like being overridden by agents from the new Homeland Security
Of ice, not even Stark, not even when the agent in question was Cam.
She decided her presence would only add to the tension. “When are we
leaving?
“About
forty-five
minutes.
Blair glanced over her shoulder at Diane. “Il meet you in the living room
in a few minutes, okay?
“Yes. Ive got some cal s to make. I should let my gal ery manager
know how long Il be away.
“Tel her three weeks for now. Cam rested her hand lightly on Blairs
shoulder.
The contact felt good. She had missed her the previous night, missed the
way holding her through the night rejuvenated her.
Diane nodded. “All right, but I cant be away any longer than
that. Sooner or later, I have to go back to my life.
“I understand.
“Will I be able to call or give them a number where they can
reach me? Diane asked.
“Everyone will have temporary cells by tonight. Once we
reach
Whitley Point you can call them.
“Thank you. Diane squared her shoulders. “You two go ahead. Im
fine.
Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Come on, darling.
Better fill me in on whats going on.
* * * * *
“Let me get this straight. Blair leaned against the dresser in
the bedroom watching Cam pack this time. “Im being spirited
away to Whitley Point surrounded by armed guards, while you
drive for twelve hours out in the open where anyone could fol ow
you.
“Were not going to be followed.
“Then why cant I come with
you?
Cam passed Blair the extra suitcase. “You need to take anything?
Blair dropped it on the bed. “Yes. Ill pack in a minute. Why cant
Igo with you?
“If anyone is watching us theyll have a hard time fol owing
two separate groups. It buys us time.
“Bul . You dont want me with you in case someone comes
after y o u again. In case someone Blair stalked across the
room and pul ed the shirt Cam was folding from her grasp.
“Someone tried to kill you last night. And you think they
might try again, dont you?
“Blair
“Dont lie to
me.
Cam cradled Blairs face between her hands and kissed her
softly. “I wont. You know that.
“Thats what you think, isnt it?
“Its a consideration, especial y in light of my past relationship
with Valerie. Matheson might suspect that she would come to
me and that I might be able to bring her in. If someone wants
to prevent that, getting me out of the way is the logical step.
Blair forced herself to keep her expression neutral, even
though the calm way that Cam discussed why someone would
want to kill her chil ed her to the core. If she wanted Cam to tell
her the truth, she had to be able to handle the truth. No matter
how much it terrified her. “Did you tell Valerie where were
going?
“No, but she has a number to cal me. She lowered her hands to
Blairs shoulders and rubbed them softly. “Il be okay. Ive got good
people with me
and I know what Im
doing.
“Do you think Valerie wil
cal ?
Cam sighed. “I dont know. When it comes right down to it, her training
may win out. And shes been indoctrinated not to trust anyone.
“I dont like us being
separated.
“Neither do I, but its only for a few hours. Il be there tonight, and wel
wake up together tomorrow.
Blair closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Cams waist. “You
didnt sleep al night. Youre hurt and tired. Youre not at your best, Cam,
and you need to be.
“Savard and Davis wil be with me. Theyl do the driving. Il
sleep.
Blair rubbed her cheek against Cams shoulder. “I dont want other
women taking care of you.
Cam laughed. “I think Il be safe with
them.
“What about the thing Saturday night Im supposed to do for
Lucinda?
“I dont like it, Cam said, “but we al agree we cant keep you completely
out of the public eye. Lucinda is arranging for a suite of rooms at the
Copley for us and the rest of the team for the weekend. Il be your
escort, and Savard wil accompany Diane.
“Oh, Starks going to love that.
Cam grinned. “Its al in the line of
duty.
Blair leaned back, a glint in her eyes. “Is it, now? Then youd
bet er pack
something besides work clothes. Like a
tux.
“Thats what rental places are
for.
“And you bet er make sure you sleep in the car, Blair murmured,
running her fingers along Cams col arbone and down over her chest.
“I missed you last night.
“Me
too.
“What about your hip and
shoulder?
“Im stif and sore, but functional. Cam kissed Blair, taking her time,
because it would be hours before they saw each other again and
despite her words of confidence to Blair, she knew that anything
could happen in the interim. “Besides, massage therapy wil be good
for them.
“Then Il put you on my schedule for the
morning.
“Il
be
there.
Blair held her tightly, unable to imagine any other
possibility.
Chapter Thirteen
P aula, Blair said with quiet intensity, just the slightest bit of edge in
her voice.
“Yes?
Stark
said
solemnly.
“If you had a round robin, why didnt you bid
more?
Diane snorted and, despite the fact that it had been dark for over three
hours and it was impossible to see the beach, Wozinski seemed to
find something fascinating happening out the window. Stark hastily
squinted at her cheat sheet,
obviously at a
loss.
“A king and queen in every suit. I wouldve taken the bid if Id known
you had that much meld, Blair said.
“I didnt see it, Stark said bleakly. “I was so excited about the
pinochle
“Never mind. It doesnt mat er. Blair abruptly pushed back her chair,
strode across the kitchen, and slammed out the door.
The room was silent for a moment and then Diane rose. “Its freezing out
there. She doesnt have a jacket.
Wozinski glanced at Stark. “Should I go with her, Chief? I can take her
jacket. Stark shook her head. “Hara is out back and Tanner stationed
a team in a
vehicle on the street. Shes
covered.
“Il take her jacket, Diane said, pat ing Wozinskis shoulder as she
passed behind his chair. “But thank you.
“Yes maam. Wozinski flushed.
“Pleasure.
It took less than thirty seconds for Diane to reach the back deck after
grabbing Blairs jacket, but she saw only a single figure standing at
the railing, facing toward the oceanshorter than either herself or Blair by
several inches and more slender than Stark. Hara. Not Blair. For an
instant, her heart twisted with an overriding sense of dread, as if Blair
too had walked out the door and simply vanished. Just like the