talk. They resumed walking.
“Il do whatever you
want.
“For the record, Cam said, “Im glad you final y got your
ass here.
Valerie sighed. “Ive done things I regret, Cameron, but I would never
wil ingly have betrayed you. I didnt know how the intel igence I passed
on was going to be used. I know its not an excuse
“I know how the game is played. I know you didnt have any choice.
Were okay on that.
Valerie briefly squeezed Cams hand. “Im
glad.
“Lets get inside so you can warm
up.
They climbed the stairs to the rear deck, and Cam nodded to Stark, who
stood with her back against the kitchen door, an assault rifle held loosely
in her arms. “Al clear, Chief.
“Do you need me inside, Commander? Stark
asked.
“Not at the moment. Standard shifts tonight should be fine.
Wel brief tomorrow.
Stark glanced at Valerie and stepped away from the door. “Yes
maam.
Cam led Valerie inside. The kitchen was empty, as she knew it would be.
Stark would have moved Diane and Blair to the center of the house as
soon as she realized security had been breached. “Diane is probably in
the living room with Blair. Il wait for you here, if you want to tel Blair
where I am.
“Thank you. Valerie met Cams eyes. “I know you dont have to do this,
any of this. Im sure you were told to just turn me over to whoevers
on top of the security heap at the moment.
Cam smiled grimly. “That would be
me.
“I hope it stays that way. Valeries tone was wistful. “Thank you,
Cameron. Il be right back.
* * * * *
“Oh God, Diane whispered, rising slowly to her feet as Valerie stepped
into the room.
Blair hesitated for a second, then rose and gave Diane a quick hug. “Il
see you later. She left Valerie and Diane alone in the dimly lit room.
Neither moved at first.
“Were you ever coming back? Diane asked.
“I wanted to.
“Why didnt you?
Valerie shivered. “I was afraid youd get
hurt.
Diane lifted a log and laid it on the ones already burning. “Come over
here by the fire. Youre cold. When she felt Valerie beside her, she
turned to touch her face. “Are you al right?
“A lit le tired. Valerie caught Dianes hand and brushed her lips across the
palm. “I missed you so much.
“I dont know what to do first, Diane confessed. “I want to feed you. You
look too thin. I want to hold you. Your hands are so cold. I want you to
hold me. I feelso empty.
“First things first. Valerie pul ed Diane firmly into her
arms.
Diane gave a smal cry and slid both hands under the back of Valeries
jacket, then buried her face in Valeries neck. “I dont care what happens
after this, but you are not disappearing again.
Valerie caressed Dianes hair, sifting the sleek blond strands through her
fingers. “Id promise you that, if I could.
A tremulous smile countered the sadness in Dianes eyes. “Blair says
you and Cam are the best at what you do. So the two of you should be
able to figure something out.
“Cams waiting to talk to me. Valerie couldnt bear the thought of leaving
Diane again, especial y knowing that it could be hours before she
could return. And hours was the best she could hope for. Agents whose
loyalties were in question had been known to be sequestered for weeks.
Sometimes months. She had to believe that Cam would not do that to
her, and she wagered everything that mat ered to her on that belief. “I
dont know how long Il be.
“Shes not going to take you away, is
she?
“I
dont
know.
“Why did you come? Was it because of the newspaper article?
Ididnt know
“When I first read it, Valerie said, instinctively pulling
Diane closer, “I thought you were hurt and I nearly went
crazy. I spent half a day frantically making calls and
tapping into some old sources, but no one could find an
article was phony, but I was still worried in case it was a half
truth. I had to know you were okay.
“Im so sorry, Diane said. “Cam didnt tell me what shed done, or
Iwould have found a way to call
you.
Valerie smiled. “Thats why she didnt tell you.
Dianes eyes darkened. “Youre not angry at
her?
“I figured she had probably planted the article. Either that,
or someone else trying to flush me out had. Valerie sighed and
leaned in to Diane, more tired than shed realized. “I was
running out of options. It seemed like the time to come in.
Besides, I missed you.
“Cam said you would understand what shed done and why,
and even though I dont approve of being used to trick you, Im so
very glad youre here. Diane brushed her fingers through
Valeries hair. “And Im not letting Cam or anyone else take you
away from me again.
“I need to go talk to
her.
“Ill be upstairs. The last door on the right. Come to
me.
“Are you sure?
Diane put her arms around Valeries shoulders and kissed her,
a soft lingering kiss. “Never, ever more certain.
* * * * *
“Scotch? Cam closed the kitchen door after Valerie. “Theres
a good bottle in the cupboard over there.
“Now that I could use. Join
me?
Cam nodded. She watched Valerie take glasses down from
the cupboard, add ice cubes, and pour the smoky liquor. Shed
seen her do exactly the same thing dozens of times before, but
more than just the circumstances had changed. Valerie looked
different, too. It wasnt simply that her clothes were far more
casual than anything Cam had seen her wear even when she
wasnt working, or that her silky, platinum hair was far shorter
than she had ever worn it. It would take more than jeans and a
short haircut to hide Valeries cool elegance. She wasnt just
thinner, she was leaner and tauter, and she moved with a
sense of suppressed anger and almost lethal purpose that
Cam associated with caged animals. Valerie might not be
caged, but she was being hunted.
“Just to be clear, I dont intend to turn you over to anyone,
Cam said.
Valerie held out the Scotch. “You dont know what I have to
say, yet.
“Whos
after
you?
“Several dif erent parties. Valerie sat down across the wide oak table
from
Cam and contemplated her Scotch. “The Company, for certain. My
handler has been leaving messages at drop points for me to come in.
“Henry
?
Valerie smiled bit erly. “Wel , thats what Ive always cal
ed him.
“You dont trust him
now?
Valerie turned the heavy crystal glass slow
ly between her hands. Her
fingers, much like the rest of her body, were long and thin, but not
delicate. “Its unusual for him to insist on a face-to-face. In fact, in al the
years Ive worked with him weve only met a handful of times. Now
hes making urgent requests for a rendezvous.
“A trap?
“Thats what it feels like, Valerie said with a shrug. “But a trap set by
whom? Matheson because hes working with Henry? Or the
Company, because they want me in for a debriefing? Because they think
I tipped of Matheson.
“They want you for some
reason.
“Yes, and if the Companys involved, I know what wil happen if I go in.
Believe me, I dont have any desire to disappear, even temporarily.
Cam saw no reason to protest what they both knew was possible.
Agents suspected of turning were forcibly detained, debriefed,
and sometimes, expunged. “Henry could want you to come in for
protection from Matheson.
“Id like to think that. Valerie took a slow swal ow of Scotch and
shook her head. “But Id be foolish to assume that just because weve
had a professional association for twenty years that were friends. If hes
Mathesons connection, Im a liability now.
“Thats why youre bet er of here. Cam finished her drink. “We had an
incident in Boston the other night. An armed assailant penetrated our
perimeter and got of a couple of shots before we contained him.
“Who was the
target?
“We dont know. Emory Constantine, a high profile and not so popular
stem cel researcher, was with us. It might have been her. It might
have Blair. It might even have been Diane.
“Diane? Valeries face became expressionless, as cool as carved marble.
“What would be the point? If someone took her out, theyd have
nothing to hold over my head.
“No one? Family? Old
lovers?
An old sorrow seemed to claim Valerie for a split second, softening her
features. “You of al people should know that other than you, theres no
one. Only Diane. You had someone guarding her?
“Savard. We were lucky, there. Cam grimaced. “Its possible Matheson
plans to clean house and take us al down.
“Then we need to get to him
first.
“We might not be able to unless we force Henry to rol over. Do you
have any idea how we can find him?
Valerie shook her head. “I never once met him in an of ice. He
could be stationed in California for al I know. God, Cameron, the
man has run my life since I was a teenager and I dont even know his ful
name. She laughed harshly, her eyes bleak. “What kind of fool does that
make me?
“We both know thats not what its about. Cam extended her hand across
the table and Valerie clasped her fingers fleetingly. “Youve done a job
most of us
couldnt do far longer than anyone should have to. That doesnt make you
a fool in my book, it makes you a hero.
“Thank
you,
Valerie
whispered.
“I take it youve tried to locate him some other way than through a
meet?
“I was hoping to discover his identity and Ive cal ed in every marker I
have. Or thought I had. Valeries disil usionment shone through
beneath the composed façade she wore so ef ortlessly. “Ive tried every
source I know, but in the last few weeks, those have mysteriously dried
up. Contact numbers are no longer in service, bank accounts are suddenly
closed, drop boxes have new locks.
“Youre being cut
of .
Valerie nodded. “It could stil just be to force me to make contact, or it
could be the first step in removing me.
“I dont suppose you have a
photograph?
“No, and its not like the Company keeps a roster of employees that I
could go through.
Cam laughed. “Now, that would defeat the purpose of being a spy,
wouldnt it?
“A spy, Valerie said wryly. “Operative sounds so much
better.
“Lets assume Matheson and Henry are working togetherits the most
probable scenario. So, if we find one, we find the other.
“Any progress on your
end?
Cam scowled. “Were accumulating a file on Mathesons associates as far
back as twenty-five years. Its slow going, but Il want you to look
through everything Felicia and Savard have put together so far.
Unfortunately, some of the
photographs are going to be of boys or much younger men than theyre
likely to be now.
“Perhaps Felicia can use age simulator software to project present
appearances for any possibles.
“We might be able to do something even bet er, Cam said slowly as she
stood. “Its almost midnight. Id like you to brief with us in the morning.
0600 in the guest house.
“Are you sure? Savard and Felicia might not be quite as trusting as
you are, Valerie pointed out.
“I disagree, but either way, its not their
choice.
Valerie rose. “Youre taking a chance, Cameron, and I know that. I want
you to know I appreciate
“Dont insult me, Valerie. Cam lightly touched her fingertips to Valeries
cheek. “Get some sleep. Then she dropped her hand and walked away.
Valerie waited until she heard Cams footsteps disappear before fol owing
down the hal way and up the stairs. As she passed the room that she
knew was Blairs, she recognized Blairs sensuous alto and then Cams
slightly deeper tones. The sound of Cams voice in a phone message
had once stirred her heart and her blood. Now, it fil ed her with a
sense of comfort and safety. Wondering if that was fair, but being glad
for it nonetheless, she continued to the last door on the right and
knocked quietly before let ing herself in.
The room was lit by a bedside lamp. Diane was in bed, a sheet pul ed
to her waist. Her breasts formed soft curves beneath a pale peach
camisole. Valerie sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “Theres
part of me that thinks I shouldnt be here.
“What does the other part
think?
“That its the only place in the world I want
to be.
Diane drew back the covers. “Thats the part Id listen to, if I
were you.
“Al right, Valerie whispered
softly.
She stood and unbut oned her blouse, unhooked her bra, and let them fal
to the floor behind her. She unzipped her jeans, pushed them down
along with her panties, and stepped out of them. Watching Diane watch
her, she was surprised to feel her body quicken when for so long the
only sensations shed been aware of were fatigue and desperate sadness.
She turned of the light and slipped into bed. Then she did something
shed never done before. She pul ed Diane on top of her and guided
Dianes hand between her thighs.
“Please make love to me. I need
you. Chapter Twenty-
Two Monday
A ny response from Lawrence on your request for a meeting?
Matheson inquired via his dispo
sable cel phone.
“Not
yet.
Matheson sipped his cof ee and watched the traf ic on Main Street
through the diner window in the smal seaside town. A waitress slid a
plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. He made eye contact
when he thanked her.
“Youre very welcome. The brunet e of ered him a sultry smile as she
lingered by the red leather booth made shiny by years of bodies slipping
in and out.
He held her gaze for a few seconds, noting the invitation in her
eyes while surveying her ful breasts and curvaceous hips. His penis
lengthened, reminding him that it had been some time since hed
satisfied his needs. He made a mental note to take care of that, then
looked away, dismissing her from his thoughts. “Why do you think
your operative is ignoring your direct order?
“Because shes one of our best, the man snapped. Then, as if
regret ing his outburst, he added in a conciliatory tone, “The leak came
too soon after her report to me for her not to be suspicious, but I didnt
have a choice. If Special Forces hadnt moved on the compound so
quickly, I might have been able to find another way to warn you, but
Robertss team was far more ef ective than we anticipated. I didnt have
time for a cover story, and I didnt think youd enjoy captivity.
“Its never wise to underestimate the enemy, Matheson said mildly,
spearing a fluf y mound of egg. “Its unfortunate that eliminating her wil
cost us an inside link to several of our primary targets, but the longer
she stays alive, the greater the likelihood youl be compromised.
“Ive warned her shes in danger, but she wont agree to a
meet. “Youre not using the right enticement. “What do you
suggest?
Matheson told him, disconnected, and punched in another number.
“He has forty-eight hours to take care of his mess, then well
clean house ourselves, starting with him.
“Yes sir. Its a pleasure to serve you,
sir.
* * * * *
“Valerie? Diane called urgently in the dark. The bed beside
her was warm, but empty. The nightmare of the past few
weeks instantly closed in around her, and she felt as if
she were
smothering. Bolting upright, she gasped, “Oh
God.
“Im here. Valerie hurried to the side of the bed and pul ed
Diane into her arms. “I found some clothes Id left here last
month, and I was trying not to wake you while I dressed.
“Where
are
you
going?