“Were planning an operation. Im preoccupied, thats al .
“An operation. You and Cam and the
others?
“Yes.
“Wil
it
be
dangerous?
Valerie hesitated. “It could be if were careless, but were not going
to be.
“I dont have any experience with this. Ive known Blair most of our lives
and I
thought I had some understanding of what her life was like, but I was
wrong.
Valerie stif ened. “I had no right to drag you into this. It might be bet er
if I left. Diane turned Valerie until she could see her face in the faint
light coming through
the windows from the house. “Is that what you want? To leave meto
leave us?
“No, Valerie whispered
faintly.
“Then dont ever say that again. Just give me time to get used to this.
Can you do that?
“Yes. God, yes. Anything. Valerie kissed her again, her fingers trembling
as she cupped Dianes face. She buried her face in the warmth of
Dianes throat.
“Anything, anything as long as I dont lose
you.
“You must be certain that I dont lose you either. Diane kissed Valerie
urgently. “Al right?
Mutely, Valerie nodded, hoping that her silence would be taken as the
promise she couldnt make.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Thursda
y
V alerie grabbed the phone on the first ring and slipped
from bed.
“Yes? She moved to the window and peered out into a starless black
night. She was barely silhouet ed, but Diane could stil make out the
shimmering outline of her body.
“Im readyI had to be sure. Yes. Yes, but I dont trust her. She
lowered her voice and Diane strained to hear. “Look, I cant talk
Where?No, somewhere I can be sure youre alone. Trust? She
laughed harshly. “You might be fol owedLook, forget it. Il just Yes,
that wil work. Al right, if thats what you wantNo, thats too soon.
Because I dont want to alert anyone here to what Im doing Yes. Fine.
The usual.
After breaking the connection, Valerie remained stil in the silent room,
listening to the echo of his voice and the breathing of the woman in
the bed. Between those two people lay the boundaries of her world
past and futurebordered by truth and lies. Quietly, she made her way
across the room and slipped back into bed. She drew Diane into her arms.
“Im sorry I woke you.
“How did you know? Diane
asked.
“I could tel from the way youre
breathing.
“Youre
very
perceptive.
Valerie grimaced. “Its funny, I was trained to do two opposite things
equal y wel . To avoid intimacy with anyone, while at the same time
being sensitive to every nuance of expression and movement. It seems
Ive spent my life watching, but never living.
Diane took Valeries hand and drew it to her breast. “Im alive and Im
very real. So is my love for you.
“Why? Valerie murmured, cradling Dianes breast and brushing her lips
over the nipple. “I cant imagine this is what you want.
“This? You mean being with
you?
“Everything that being with me means. Valerie sighed and rested her
cheek between Dianes breasts, stil softly caressing her nipple.
“Your phone cal . That was the person you report to,
right?
“Yes.
“Youre going to meet with
him.
“Yes.
“You lied to him, about not trusting someone here. Cam, I
guess.
“Yes, I lied to him, Valerie said, holding
very stil .
“Did he believe
you?
“I dont know. Probably not. One of the basic rules of our training is not
to trust what people say, or sometimes even what they do, until theyve
“The two of you have known each other for a long time. Doesnt that
count?
Valerie gently kissed the curve of Dianes breast. “Youd think it would,
wouldnt you? But it real y doesnt. Its possible that he was tel ing
me the truth at the beginning, and somewhere along the line his
priorities or his orders changed. Its nearly impossible to tel .
“But you dont trust him any longer, do
you?
“No,
Valerie
said.
“Do you trust
me?
Valerie kissed Dianes throat, then her mouth. “Yes.
Completely.
“Wil you tel me what youre going to
do?
Valerie hesitated and the silence that closed in around them was more
frightening than anything shed ever known. “When I know, Il tel you.
“Thank
you.
“I know Im asking a lot of you,
but
“I have no idea why people fal in love, Diane said. “Or why we need to.
But I do know this about youyoure strong but youre lonely, and you
can survive without love, but you long for it. You need me, and I need
you. None of the rest matters.
“Youre the only person Ive ever let myself truly need, Valerie said
so softly
Diane could barely hear her. “If I lost you
now
“Im not going anywhere, I promise. Diane lifted Valeries face
between her hands and kissed her, softly at first, then more deeply. She
guided Valerie on top of her until their legs entwined and their bodies
melded. Her kisses grew
insistent as she urged Valeries hips to move with hers, cal ing to her
without words, marrying their bodies and hearts with the force of her
passion and desire.
“I love you, Valerie
murmured.
Dianes breath quickened as Valerie groaned and thrust harder. Wanting
more, wanting everything, Diane twisted onto her side and forced
Valerie onto her back. Stil kissing her, Diane cupped Valeries sex
and found her already wet and open. With a soft groan she pushed
inside her, rejoicing silently as Valerie arched and cried out in pleasure
and surprise.
“Oh yes, thats howthereI need you hard, please, harder, Valerie gasped.
Distantly, Diane was aware of her own building arousal, but al she
wanted was
to have Valerie with nothing between themno secrets, no fears, no
regrets. “I
love being inside you. I love feeling your heartbeat under my fingertips. I
love to
please
you.
With every word Diane thrust a lit le harder. Her teeth skated over
Valeries neck, and when Valerie tightened around her fingers, she
sucked on the delicate skin of her throat.
“Oh my God, Valerie moaned, pushing against Dianes hand. “Im
coming. Oh
God, its so
good.
Diane closed her eyes tightly, concentrating on Valeries labored
breathing, her soft cries, the pounding pulse that beat around her
fingers. She carried her smoothly to a peak, and then again, until
Valerie buried her face in Dianes neck and cried silent tears. Diane
rocked her and caressed her face.
“Its al right, darling. Everything is just exactly as it
should be.
“Im not used to anyone touching me that way, Valerie whispered.
“Sorry, I
cantmy
control
Diane laughed. “Oh, I hope youre not apologizing. Youre beautiful
when you come. I never want to stop making love to you.
Valerie laughed weakly. “Thats one thing Il never
ask.
* * * * *
When Cam walked into the kitchen at 5 a.m., she found Valerie seated
at the table, her hands inert around a mug of cof ee. “Youre up early.
Cam helped herself from the fresh pot on the counter. “Whats on your
mind?
“Henry cal ed.
“Are you ready?
“More than
ready.
“But? Cam watched a litany of emotions flit across her face. Anger,
unease, resolve.
“I know things are going to move quickly once we start planning the
operation, Valerie said. “So I wanted to talk to you before the briefing,
What I am going to say is just between you and me.
“Im listening. Cam could guess what was coming. Valerie was used to
working alone, being alone. She had never learned to lean on
othersso like Blair that way.
“If something goes wrong, we both know its very unlikely youl be
able to extract me, Valerie continued. “I dont want you to try. Col ateral
damage would be high, and She glanced down at her hands, which shed
folded on the tabletop, and then into Cams eyes, “My life isnt worth
yours or one of the others.
A gasp cut across her words. “It is to me. Diane stood in the doorway.
“Damn
you, it is to
me!
“Diane! Valerie jumped to her feet and caught Diane as she turned
to flee. “Diane, wait, you dont understand
Diane whirled back, her cheeks pale and her eyes blazing. She
knocked Valeries hands away. “What do I not understand? I just heard
you tel Cam she should let you die rather than risk someone elses life.
Every single one of them risks their life every day protecting Blair. Is
she so much more important She broke of and covered her face with
her hands. “Oh God, I cant believe Im saying this.
“Thats enough, Cam said steadily, rising to her feet. “No one is going
to die. And no one , she said, her eyes fixed on Valerie, “is going to
be left behind. Thats the last conversation I intend to have about this.
She pointed to the clock. “We have a briefing in twenty minutes and
we have a lot of planning to do. I expect you to be on time, Agent
Lawrence.
Cam walked out without waiting for an
answer.
“Im sorry, Diane whispered, turning away.
Valerie gently caught her shoulders and embraced her. “No,
Im sorry. Im sorry you had to hear that. I never should have
talked to Cam about this here.
“But youre not sorry for asking her to leave you behind, are you.
Ithought you said you loved me.
“Oh God, I do, Valerie said desperately. “But cant you see,
my whole life has been leading to this point, and I couldnt live
with myself if Cam or one of the others suffered for the mistakes
that I made.
Diane caressed Valeries cheek. “You dont get it, do you?
Loving someone means forgiving yourself for the past and
living for the present. And the future. We all have regrets,
darling.
“Ive always operated with the knowledge that my life
is expendable.
“Wel , it isnt anymore. Diane kissed her softly. “Please try not
to forget that.
Valerie took a deep breath. “All right. Id better go.
“You wont do anything without tel ing me, will you?
“No. Weve still got time.
“Of course we do, Diane said fervently. “Of course we
do.
* * * * *
“Yes? Matheson said when his phone rang.
“Weve arranged to meet.
Matheson smiled. “Run it down for
me.
He listened, making a few notes on a notepad with the
motels name and logo stamped at the top. After a moment he
said, “Nice work.
“Theres still a chance we could bring her over. And shes got
an inside channel to several targets.
“You might be right. Lets weigh the options.
* * * * *
“Okay, lets get started. Cam walked briskly to the table,
making eye contact with the agents already assembled. Stark
and Valerie sat side by side across from Felicia and Savard.
“Agent Lawrence, why dont you fill us in on your conversation
with your handler.
If Valerie noted the formality, she didnt show it. “Henry and
I made contact at 0330 and spoke for less than five minutes.
We agreed to a rendezvous at 2300 tomorrow.
“That doesnt leave us a lot of time, Cam
commented.
“I realize that, but he initial y wanted to schedule the meet for
tonight, and it would not have been unusual for us to rendezvous with
such lit le lead time. Twenty-four hours was as much delay as I
thought I could manage without rousing his suspicions.
“Wel work with it, Cam said.
“Location?
“The extraction point we used when I left the island the
last time.
“The beach here? Stark said sharply. “No way. Were not let ing hostiles
onto the island while Egret is on site.
“Im sorry, I wasnt clear, Valerie said quickly. “Not on the beach, but
where the extraction vessel was anchored.
“On the water, Savard said, making it a statement. “Youre going to meet
him at sea.
“Yes. Il take my boat and wel rendezvous approximately a
mile out.
“So he knows youre at Whitley Point, Felicia
said.
“He does. He asked if I had contacted Cameron. I said I had and
confirmed my location when he asked. She glanced briefly at Cam. “I
had to assume that he already knew. A lot of smal planes pass over
here every day, and he could easily have aerial surveil ance photos. If
he knows Im here, or that you are, I didnt want to be caught lying to
him.
“Whose idea was it to rendezvous at sea? Cam
asked.
“His.
“Its a trap, Felicia said. “He can sink you out there and make it
look like weather or a mechanical problem.
Valerie shook her head. “Not before he meets with me. I told him I didnt
trust Cameron. Hel want al the intel igence he can gather on
Camerons operation before he burns his connection with me.
“Smart, Cam observed. “Hel want to talk to you. Hel want to know
what we might suspect about him or Matheson.
“Thats what I think, yes, Valerie said. “That would be typical for this
kind of situation. A brief verbal information exchange.
“What about put ing me below deck on Valeries boat, Commander?
Savard asked.
Cam shook her head. “Hes going to
search.
“Can you at least get him onto your boat? Savard asked Valerie. “We
can rig cameras and microphones to monitor you there, but if you have
to board his, wel be lucky to get audio.
“Wil he search you for a mic? Felicia
asked.
Valerie shrugged. “I dont know. He never has before, but the
rules have
obviously
changed.
Cam held up her hand. “We cant depend on him coming aboard Valeries
vessel. Wel need long-range satel ite tracking. Mac can coordinate that
from here. She looked at Stark. “Youl need to pul people from Tanners
day crew to augment your night shift. We cant be certain they wont try
a dual assault, and you and Mac wil be tied up coordinating
communications.
Stark stif ened. “Mac doesnt need me to assist. I can go with the ground
detail, Commander.
Cam shook her head. “Not with Egret on site. You need to be
here. If something goes wrong, youl have to evac her quickly. Id
suggest you make contingency plans to get her back to the White House,
but thats your cal .
“Yes,
maam.
“Wel have to go without visual if Valerie boards Henrys vessel, Cam
said with a nod to Savard, “but I want audio surveil ance that Henry
wont catch even if he looks. Wires are too risky if he does a body
search.
“Hes not going to have the equipment to look for an implantable,
Valerie said. “If we get it in by tomorrow morning, the puncture site
should be very dif icult to spot as lit le as twelve hours later.
“A transdermal receiver? Savard said, her eyes brightening with
anticipation. “How are we going to get it? Thats the kind of stuf only
the DOD has, and even thats just a rumor.
“Its not a rumor, Valerie
said.
“Whats the range? Felicia
asked.
“1000 yards. Valerie glanced at Cam. “He may see you at that
range.
“Possibly, Cam said. “But were close enough to fishing and shipping
routes that there wil be plenty of water traf ic, even at night. Wel run
without lights as much as we can.
“Thats quite a distance if we have to extract quickly, Savard
said.
“Once Valerie and Henry rendezvous, hel be occupied and wel be able
to drift in closer. Cam cut her eyes to Valerie. “A minute. Thats likely to
be how much time wel need to get aboard if you signal. Two, tops.
“Understood, Valerie replied with a faint smile. “Thats a very
acceptable margin.
“With respect, Commander, Savard said, “thats a long