“I think I like your reasoning, Blair
whispered.
“And I think we need to finish this conversation in
private.
Blair nibbled on Cams neck, then bit her. “See, its not so dif icult for us
to come to an agreement.
Chapter Sixteen
Saturda
y
Y oure not ready for field duty, Paula said. Renée clipped her Sig Sauer
to the waistband of her flaring black silk pants, set ling the pistol at the
middle of her back. Then she pul ed a dark green, notched col ared
jacket on over her black
shel and closed it loosely with a wide belt. She checked first that the lie
of the jacket was smooth, concealing her holstered weapon, and then
that she could draw unencumbered by any snag in her clothing. Satisfied
that the short jacket covered her weapon but wasnt going to interfere
with it, she checked her makeup in the mirror over the dresser.
After slipping into black heels, high enough for a formal event but low
enough to run in, she walked over to sit next to Paula on the sofa in their
hotel room.
“Im Dianes escort. Its not exactly field
duty.
“Youre split ing hairs. Just because youre wearing a fancy outfit, Paula
said, smoothing her hand up and down Renées thigh, “doesnt
mean youre not providing protection.
“I know, sweetie. Renée caught Paulas hand and held it. “And I
promise if al the standing around starts to get to me, Il signal for help.
But I can handle this. Real y.
Paula sighed. “Im not doubting you. Im just a lit le
worried.
“Of
what?
“Has it occurred to you that were al operating of the radar ever since
we left
Washington
?
“You mean because were not reporting to some desk jockey who doesnt
know what it is that we do half the time anyway?
Paula laughed. “Yeah, I think thats what I
mean.
“Sweetie, were on Cameron Robertss radar. Il take her being in charge
over some SAC or deputy director Ive never seen and whos never had
my back in a firefight. What about you?
“Yeah,
me
too.
Renée slipped her arm around Paulas waist and turned her lovers face
toward hers with one finger on her chin. “Im real y okay. You know
that, right?
“You stil looked tired, Paula said, adding quickly, “ but , I can tel youre
feeling better.
“Oh yeah? Renée kissed her lightly on the lips.
“How? Paula grinned. “Youre sleeping better.
Renée kissed her again, a lit le more firmly. “Is
that al ?
“Youre walking bet er. No
cane.
“Mmm-hmm, Renée said, trailing a line of kisses along the edge of
Paulas jaw.
“Honey, Paula said just a lit le breathlessly. “Wel mess your
makeup.
“Oh, like I care, Renée
whispered.
“You know I cant have sex before a big game. Paula eased away. “It
saps my strength and makes my brain sluggish.
Laughing, Savard skimmed her hand inside Paulas jacket and over her
breasts. “Are you afraid youl forget al the big plays and run toward
the wrong end zone?
Paula jumped up and backed away. “No fair touching when youre just
teasing. You know I get excited.
Renées eyes glit ered. “Do you
now?
“Renée, Paula said, hearing her own voice rise with a combination of
excitement and nerves. “Im leaving now. Im going to Wozinskis room
for the briefing. She held out her arm, palm facing forward. “ Dont get
up.
“I know the schedule. Youre not briefing for an hour,
Chief.
“I want to review everything by myself,
first.
Renée smiled. “Okay sweetie. I know youve got a lot on your mind. She
rose and kissed Paula on the cheek. “But when were back here tonight,
Im going to show you just how much Ive recovered.
“Il look forward to a demonstration. Be careful
tonight.
“You
too,
sweetie.
* * * * *
Cam tapped on the hotel room door, feeling like an interloper. Stark,
in a smartly tailored navy blue suit and white shirt, answered.
“Do you mind if I sit in on your briefing,
Chief?
“No, come on
in.
When Stark stepped aside, Cam nodded her thanks and entered the
dimly lit suite. The drapes over the windows were closed and the
overhead lights turned of , leaving only the scat ered table lamps for il
umination. The ef ect was oddly intimate. Cam strode directly to one
of the empty chairs grouped around the cof ee table in the seating area,
nodding to Mac, Wozinski, and Hara as she sat down. Stark returned to
the chair in the center of the group.
“We were just reviewing the exit routes,
Commander.
“Go ahead, Cam said. “Sorry to
interrupt.
“No problem, Stark said quickly and handed Cam a printout. “The
timetable, shift assignments, and agent placements are al outlined there.
Cam glanced at it briefly. It was thorough and complete, as she
anticipated it would be. It wasnt the things they planned for that
concerned her. It was the threat of the unanticipated that had her
pacing in the suite across the hal until Blair had strongly suggested that
she ask to sit in on the pre-departure briefing. So now Cam found
herself in the awkward position of being an observer.
She was on the verge of get ing up and leaving when Stark pushed the
papers aside and said, “Is there something in particular you
wanted to review, Commander?
Cam cleared her throat. “First of al , I just wanted everyone to be clear
that Im here because Blair threw me out, not because Stark needs any
help.
Stark smiled and the other agents
laughed.
“Wel , Cam continued. “Im definitely more use over here than across
the hal right now. She addressed Stark. “I dont suppose metal detectors
are feasible, considering that the reception is in the open mezzanine?
“We could insist that everyone use one escalator and one bank of
elevators, but I think wed get a major logjam as a result. That kind of
chaos sometimes makes it easier to overlook things.
“I tend to agree. Plus, Cam said with a sigh, “it rather defeats the
purpose of having Blair make a public appearance if we ramp up the
security measures to the point where its obvious were worried.
“Im not worried, Commander, Stark said steadily. “As far as Im
concerned, every time Egret makes a public appearance, we have to
assume she is a target. Thats the only way to do the job.
After a moment of complete silence, Cam said, “Youre absolutely right,
Chief. She glanced at the others. “Perimeter coverage?
“I get to sit this one out in the surveil ance van, Mac said, unrol ing a
schematic
and spreading it out facing Cam. He pointed to a red X with a circle
aroun
d it. “Here. The other vehicle wil be at the south entrance. He
pointed to a blue X. “Here. One of Tanners men wil drive that vehicle.
He then opened another schematic of the bal room. “Exitshere, here,
here, and here. Also covered by Tanners people.
“Are we using the local field agents? Cam
asked.
“No, Stark said. “I decided that Tanners team has just as much
experience, maybe more. And were already used to working with them.
“Good cal , Cam murmured. She was as certain as she could be that the
local Secret Service agents were not compromised, but they also werent
as likely to fit seamlessly into their current team as Tanners security
personnel were. Under the circumstances, she would have made the
same decision.
“Savard wil be with Diane, Cam said. “We have to assume Diane is a
potential target as wel . She glanced at Stark. “But Savard stil has
mobility issues. Shel be fine at close range, but youre going to need
mobile backup for her.
Stark never changed expression. “Already taken
care of.
“Did anything turn up in the doctors background? Cam asked, referring
to the keynote speaker. “Threats, angry protesters, anything that
might spil over tonight?
Stark nodded to Mac, who opened a file folder. “Emory Constantine.
Shes thirty-one years old, has been at the Johnson Institute for five
years, and received a sizable federal grant matched by the Institute two
years ago. Has a bunch of recent publications and is considered one of
“Young for that, Cam
observed.
“Apparently she was one of the few to see the writing on the wal before
anyone else. She did a lot of the preliminary work while she was stil an
undergraduate. A case of good timing and, from what Ive been able to
find out, a lot of brains.
“Personal
life?
“Not much there. Lives in Beacon Hil in the family residence with her
mother, divorced, no children.
“Threat
assessment?
Hara spoke up. “There have been right-to-life protesters at the last
three seminars where Constantine has been a headliner. This guy,
she passed out photographs, “was arrested at the last one for physical y
threatening her as she left the podium. Alexander Frenkel. Theres a
restraining order on him now. If he shows up within five hundred feet of
her, he goes to jail.
“Everyone has his picture, Stark said. “Hes not registered at the hotel,
at least not under that name.
“These four, Hara went on, fanning out another set of images like playing
cards, “have been observed at two out of the last three locations where
Constantine made a public appearance.
Cam
frowned.
“Af
iliations?
“Three belong to dif erent groups, but the fourth doesnt appear to
have any group connections at al , Hara replied. “Two are fetal rights
activists, one is a pro-lifer, and the loner is an unknown commodity.
“Whos providing this intel igence? Cam
asked.
“Local FBI, Mac said. “Theyve kept a file on the doctor since another
stem cel researcherJames Bennet was at acked in a car park a year
ago. The injuries kept him in the hospital for two months.
“Did the victim have any relationship to
Constantine?
“None other than the fact that they knew each other professional y, Mac
said. Stark said, “We anticipate the usual demonstrators tonight. Wel
bring Egret in
through the side entrance, because the protesters wil most likely be out
front
where theyl get more press coverage. The hotel can legal y bar
them from
entering, so once were inside, shel be in the clear from the majority
of the
organized
dissenters.
“What do you have on local anti-gay factions? Cam
asked.
“A few religious groups, but theyre mostly involved with debates
over the church recognizing gay priests and performing same-sex
marriages, Stark answered.
“None of them with a history of
violence? “No.
“The press will be all over her tonight, and were not going to
keep them out of the banquet. Its a fundraiser, and Im sure
the PR people from the institute will want reporters present.
Cam shook her head. “Its going to be a long night.
“Theres one other issue, Commander, Stark said.
Cam gave her a questioning look.
“You were targeted this week, so we have to assume youre at
risk. Wozinski will cover y
“No, Cam said flatly. “I appreciate it, Chief, but dont
pull someone off Blairs detail for me. I dont need it.
“With respect
Cam stood. “Im official y refusing, Stark. You already have two to
coverBlair as the primary and Diane as the secondary. You
dont have the people to cover anyone else. Are we clear?
“Yes maam, Stark said tightly.
“Thank you.
* * * * *
“You ready for this? Blair asked Diane, who sat across from her in
the rear of the limo. Renée Savard sat next to her and anyone
who didnt know better would think they made an amazing
looking couple. Diane, slightly tal er and more wil owy than Renée,
wore a fitted cobalt blue evening gown with a halter tie and
keyhole openings in the bodice. Renées jacket and pants
were equal y elegant. It was obvious to Blair that Renée
walked just slightly ahead of Diane and scanned the
surroundings with every step. Blair noticed the subtle
surveil ance because Cam always did the same thing.
the armored limo, courtesy of the Boston Secret Service
office, slowed at the side entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. “There
are fewer press here than for one of your gallery openings.
She smiled at Blair, but her eyes were sad. “I was hoping to get
a chance to plug your next show.
Blair laughed, appreciating Dianes fortitude. She hoped that
the evening would at least provide a diversion for her for a few
hours.
She settled her hand onto Cams thigh, absently running
her fingertips along the seam of the silk tuxedo pants. “Most of
them are probably out front, dont you think?
“Yes, Cam said. “But it wont take long for them to figure out where
we are.
“Wel , then, Blair pushed the door open as the limo stopped at the curb,
“lets make them run for it.
With a muf led oath, Cam jumped out and surreptitiously grasped Blairs
hand. “God damn it, Blair, wait.
Stark barreled out of the front and rushed to Blairs opposite side.
Renée and
Diane moved up behind them with Hara fol
owing.
“Sorry, darling, Blair said lightly, hooking her arm through Cams.
“Weve got cameras on the left and people waving signs of to the right.
“I see them, Cam mut ered, keeping her expression
neutral as Blair
smiled briefly in the direction of the photographers.
When several cal ed out questions to Blair, she waved but didnt
answer, pretending she hadnt heard them. She pointedly ignored those
cal ing on God or whatever other powers they believed in to punish her
for her sinful ways.
“Lovely, Diane said from close
behind.
Cam reached for the hotel door and found Stark there before
her.
“Go ahead please, Stark said. “The escalators to the mezzanine are
directly to your right.
Cam hesitated for just a second, then moved through with Blair by
her side.
“Youre just my date, remember? Blair
murmured.
“Sorry,
Cam
mut ered.
“Dont
be.
Blair and Cam joined the crowd on the mezzanine and a moment later, a
smal , compact brunet e in a black evening dress approached. Even in
heels, she was of average height, but her dynamic expression and
confident carriage made her presence seem larger.
“Ms. Powel . She extended her hand. “Im so honored that you could
come this evening. Im Emory Constantine.
“Dr. Constantine, Blair said, taking the researchers hand. “Thank
you. My partner, Cameron Roberts, and my good friends Diane
Bleeker and Renée Savard.
“Agent Roberts, a pleasure. Emory Constantine shook hands with Cam,
then indicated the open doors to the banquet hal behind her. “Please,
wont al of you join me at my table.
“Thank you, Blair said. “Wed love
to.
“You should burn in hel , a male voice shouted from across the
foyer. “The
Bible says you are an
abomination.
Cam instinctively stepped between Blair and the direction of the voice
just as
Stark did the same. Stark slid a hand under her
jacket.
“Wozinski has him, she murmured just loud enough for Cam
to hear.
“Good. Keeping between Blair and that side of the hal way, Cam took
Blairs hand and said, “Were clear. Lets go inside.
Blair met Emory Constantines concerned gaze. “Im sorry for the
disruption.
Emory smiled faintly. “I was about to say the same thing to you, Ms.
Powel . I
have a number of fairly vocal
opponents.
“Then we have quite a bit in common, Blair
said.
Emorys gaze flickered briefly to Cam and then to Diane and Renée.
Then she grinned, her dark eyes sparkling. “It seems that we do.