window.
Cam didnt disagree. Even sixty seconds could be a death sentence
if the operation went bad. “Weve got thirty-six hours to cut the
margin. Lets get working.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Frida
y
Y ou dont have to leave right away, do you? Diane sat on the bed
watching
Valerie dress. “Its not even nine
oclock.
Valerie hesitated, stil not used to disclosing the particulars of an
operation to anyone. Of course, before Diane, there had never been
anyone close enough other than Cam. Now, even though she would trust
Diane with her life, she felt uneasy discussing the work she did. She had
only just returned from spending the day finalizing the last details of the
plan with Cam and Savard, and her mind was completely engaged with
what was to come. It occurred to her then that there were reasons
intimate relationships were discouraged for agents such as
herself. The needs of others were a distraction. Life was a
distraction.
Forcing herself to focus on Diane, Valerie found her looking more
pale than usual. She knew Diane hadnt slept the night before, even
though she had tried to pretend she was sleeping. Eventual y theyd both
admit ed they were awake and had made desperate love until morning,
when Valerie had silently slipped away while Diane slept.
“I want to be at the rendezvous point wel before he arrives, Valerie
said.
“What about the others? Theyl be with you, wont
they?
“Theyl fol ow a short time later. Dont worry, theyl be there
long before anything happens.
“Can I come with you to the
marina?
Valerie shook her head as she tucked her long-sleeved T-shirt into her
jeans. “Im riding down with one of Tanners crew and they wont be
coming back here. She kissed Diane softly. “I dont want you get ing
marooned out there in the middle of the night.
“I dont mind waiting. Diane rose and clasped Valerie lightly
around the waist. “Im going to go slightly stir crazy waiting here.
“You need to stay here, Valerie said gently, pul ing Diane
close. She brushed her mouth over Dianes ear. “Its important
that you stay close to Blair in case you have to leave quickly.
Diane stiffened. “You mean if something goes wrong out there.
“There are any number of reasons why Stark might want to
move
you both, and it wont necessarily mean that anything has
gone wrong. Just promise me youll do whatever Stark says.
“Im not leaving here without
you.
“You may have to. Please, love, I need to know that you will do
what Stark says. Valerie cupped Dianes cheek. “I need to
know youre all right so I can concentrate on doing this thing.
Can you help me?
Diane took a deep breath. “Yes. But promise youll call me
or come find me as soon as you can?
Feeling Diane tremble, Valerie murmured softly and kissed her.
“I
wont disappear. I wont do that to you again. No matter
what.
Diane nodded. “Wheres your gun? Youre taking your gun,
arent you?
“Yes. Valerie released Diane and went to the dresser where
she kept her weapon. She clipped the holster to the waistband
of her jeans. “Hell expect me to be armed. She didnt add that
he might also ask her to relinquish it as a show of good faith.
Diane didnt need more to worry about.
“Im sure there are things I should be doing or saying, but I
forgot to ask Blair for pointers, Diane said shakily.
Valerie gathered her close again, drawing deeply of her
scent, imprinting the shape and feel of her body and the way
she fit so seamlessly into her own waiting places. “You dont
require any advice on giving me exactly what I need. I love you.
“I love you too. Ill see you
soon.
“Yes you will, Valerie said gently. She kissed her and was
careful not to make it feel like goodbye. She would not leave
Diane with
that memory.
* * * * *
Cam reached for her shoulder holster but Blair got to it first
and held it up so Cam could shrug into it. She pressed against
Cams back, caressing the tops of her shoulders and down
her arms. When she reached her hands, she slid her fingers
between Cams.
“Tanner was here earlier. I think she wanted to come with you.
Cam shook her head. “Were using more civilians than we
should
already, but since I know I cant keep Tanner from sending her
people out on the water to do perimeter surveil ance, I asked
her to head up that part of the operation. But theres no way Im
letting her get anywhere close to Henry.
“I wish you didnt have to get close either, Blair said, meeting Cams eyes
in the mirror over the dresser. What she saw made her tighten her
hold on Cam, wrapping their joined arms around Cams middle, as if
she could keep her safe within her embrace, forever. “Youre worried
about something. What is it?
“The problem is we cant real y get close enough , Cam said, “so were
going to be relying on some pret y dicey technology. Thats not the way I
like to do these things.
“No, I know, Blair murmured. “You like to be right there yourself. Is it
selfish of me to be glad that youre not going to be able to stand in front
of her if someone starts shooting?
Cam eased out of Blairs embrace and turned. “No, its not selfish. I
wouldnt feel any dif erently if the positions were reversed. This is
just one of those times when its actual y bet er to be close to the line
of fire. Cam kissed her before
walking to the closet to retrieve her windbreaker. “But we have an
experienced team, and with Stark and Mac here coordinating and
Tanners people on the water, weve got al the bases covered. Itl be
fine.
“Wheres your vest? Blair said
sharply.
“In
the
truck.
“Tel me youre going to wear
it.
“I wil . Cam grabbed Blair and kissed her again, harder this time. “Wel
need to debrief as soon as were done, so it might take awhile before I
can cal . Dont worry, okay?
“Il
try.
She stepped back, but kept a grip on Blairs forearms. “If for any reason
Stark wants to evacuate, it might be tomorrow or the next day until we
reconnect.
Blair narrowed her eyes. “Why might Stark want to
evacuate?
“We dont think Matheson will try to hit here, but its not
beyond the realm of possibility.
“Is that the only reason?
“Blair, Cam said pleadingly.
“Cameron. When will you stop trying to protect
me?
Cam shrugged rueful y. “Probably never.
Blair stroked her face. “All right. Good enough. Then just
answer when I ask, if youre not going to volunteer the
information.
“If Stark loses communication wi
th us for any reason,
weve agreed that she will get you out. It might be something as
simple as the satel ite link going down, so theres no reason for
you to worry if it happens.
“You cant honestly believe that.
“The only person at risk here is Valerie, Cam said. “Thats
the truth.
“Dont think I dont care about what happens to her, Cam,
Blair said, “because I do. I like her. Diane loves her. I
dont want anything to happen to her. Blair tangled her fingers in
Cams hair. “ But you are my lover, and you come first, before
anyone. Before Diane. Before my father, before this country.
Cam held Blairs face as gently as she could and caressed
her mouth with her lips. As she kissed her, she whispered, “The
same is true for me. Ill be back as soon as I can.
* * * * *
“Hows the leg feeling? Paula asked as she buttoned her shirt.
“Good. Steady. Renée slid an extra clip of ammunition into
her
jacket pocket. “Did you post extra people on the
beach?
“Yeah. Paula threaded her belt through her holster and
snugged the buckle down. “We tightened the perimeters and
doubled the guards. Matheson is not coming ashore without us
knowing it.
“What about the road? Renée sat on the bed to lace her boots.
It still hurt to squat down or bend over. Fortunately, she wasnt
going
to be doing much moving once they got on board the
boat.
“We put up roadblocks diverting everything except local
traffic, and weve got two people there to check any cars coming
through. Fortunately, island traffic is real y light this time of year.
“Yeah, I know. If this had been summer, it wouldve been a
nightmare. Renée walked to Paula and snaked her arms
around Paulas shoulders. “Dont take any chances, okay? I dont
have to tell you how good Mathesons people are.
Paula thought back to the at ack on the Aerie and the insane few moments
when the automatic weapons fire was al she could hear. It
seemed almost incomprehensible that six short weeks ago an at ack like
that had been beyond imagining, and now she was preparing to protect
the first daughter of the United States against a possible assault by a
group of US extremists as if it were business as usual.
“The commander was right moving us here. Its more defensible than if
we were almost anywhere else. But dont worry, at the first sign of
any problem, Im moving her.
“Good. Renée kissed her quickly. “Il see you in a lit le
while.
“Hey, Paula said, stopping Renée with a hand on her arm. “I know you
want this guy. We al do. Justjust dont take any chances, okay?
For the first time, Renée recognized that Paula was worried. Worried and
trying not to burden her by saying so. For the last two days, they had
both been so caught up in planning the operation that theyd barely
had a moment alone together. When they had taken a break, theyd had
lit le energy to do more than fal into bed to catch a few hours sleep
before get ing back to work. And, she had to admit, she was excited
about another operation and thinking about nothing else. She was
eager to get back into the field, and hungry, aching , for
payback. Ever since 9/11 shed felt impotent, and the thwarted
raid on Mathesons compound had only added to her sense of
helplessness. Now she had a chance to set le the score, and that was al
shed been thinking about.
“Hey, sweetie, Im sorry, Renée said. “Ive been running on autopilot
since yesterday morning. God, I want this guy so bad.
“Do you think youl be able to take Henry alive? Paula
asked.
“Thats going to be Valeries cal , I think, Renée said, sit ing down on the
edge of the bed and pat ing the space next to her. “Sit with me for a
minute.
Paula sat beside her and slipped an arm around her
waist.
“If Valerie reads Henry as still friendly, shes going to
recommend a meeting between the three of themher, Cam,
and Henrysomeplace on neutral territory. If she doesnt trust
Henry or if Matheson shows, I think Valerie is going to make
a different call.
“Thats got to be tough after all the time theyve worked
together, Paula said.
“Shes ice. Renée said it respectful y. “Shell do whatever needs
to be done.
“I know. We all wil . Paula kissed Renée and squeezed her
hand. “Try not to mess your leg up again tonight.
“I wont. Renée smiled, tightening her grip on Paulas hand. “By
the way, I love you like crazy.
“Same here, Paula whispered. “Same here.
* * * * *
“All set? Cam asked as Valerie joined her and Savard in
the kitchen.
“Yes. Where are the others?
Cam tilted her head toward the closed doors of the adjoining
room. “Operations center. Do you want to look at the setup?
“No, Valerie said. “Im sure Mac has everything under
control. Valerie stood next to the table where Savard was
drawing a clear solution from a 50cc glass vial into a 1cc syringe
and unzipped her jeans.
“How does your neck feel? Savard asked as she opened a
foil wrapper and extracted an alcohol swab.
the spot just below her ear where the transdermal microphone
had been inserted that morning. “How do you read it?
“Loud and clear, Savard said, pointing to the wireless receiver
that was barely visible in her ear. “Right leg or left?
“Left.
Savard pulled on gloves, swabbed Valeries upper thigh with
the alcohol, and palpated for the femoral pulse. When she
found it, she inserted the needle half an inch away, drew back
until she saw venous blood, and injected the Neosynephrine.
“Youre going to feel your heart race in a few minutes, but
the peripheral vasoconstriction wont be maximal for an hour
and a half to two
hours. She met Valeries eyes. “Once this starts working, your
skin is going to be damn cold and if he touches you, hell know.
“If he touches me it will only be for a second and I dont think
hell notice, Valerie said as she zipped her jeans.
Savard gathered her equipment. “Wear as lit le as you can on the boat
on the way out to drop your core temperature even more. I dont know
how wel this is going to work. Im just guessing on the dosage.
“I dressed light and Il take my jacket of . Id go in the water, but hel
notice if Im wet.
“We cant risk you get ing that cold, Cam said, shaking her head. “If you
have to go into the water for any reason later on, and you start
out with a core temperature that low, you wont last thirty seconds.
Valerie smiled. “Youl be there before
that. Cam said nothing.
“See you later, Savard said, touching Valerie lightly on the arm before
leaving.
“Theres a car outside to take you down to the marina, Cam said as
she
and
Valerie walked toward the front door. “Il ride with
you.
Valerie stopped. “No. Stay here. I know how many last-minute details
there are to check. Im al right, Cameron.
The hal way was dimly lit, and Cam thought Valerie looked almost
ghostlike in the shadows, as if she were already gone. It made her
uneasy, and she unconsciously reached out and touched her cheek.
“Youre not going to be alone out there.
“I know. Im not worried. Valerie covered Cams hand for a brief second.
Then
she drew it away from her face, but kept Cams fingers in her grasp.
“There are many things unsaid between us. You should know that there
were times that your presence in my life was the only thing that
mat ered to me. There was never a single moment when I felt anything
but cared for by you.
“Valerie, Cam murmured.
“Youre
“Let me finish, because weve got work to do, Valerie said gently.
“Ive been happier these last few weeks, despite everything, than Ive
ever been in my life. Diane means everything to me, and if it werent for
having met you and realizing that I could love someone, I dont think I
would have been able to love her the way I do. Take care of her for me,
if anything happens to me tonight.
“Al right, Cam said roughly. “Il make you that promise because I dont
want you thinking about anything tonight except the operation.
Do your job, and Il do mine, and youl be back here before
sunrise.
“Thank you, Cameron. Valerie leaned close and kissed Cam lightly
on the mouth. “Happy hunting, Commander. Then she turned and
walked out the front door.
Cam listened to the engine start and the vehicle pul away before heading
back to the operations center. The ache in her chest eased as soon as she
walked in and saw Mac and Stark sit ing before computer consoles.
Felicia stood just behind Mac, her hand on his shoulder. These were her
people, the best at what they did of anyone in the world. She trusted
them to keep Blair safe. To keep Valerie safe.
“Hows the feed? Cam
asked.
Without turning around, Mac said, “Excel ent. Our friends in the
Pentagon have great toys.
Cam leaned down to look at the satel ite image of the sector of ocean
where
Valerie would rendezvous with Henry. It was so clear, she could feel the
spray. “Amazing. Why didnt we have this before we hit Mathesons
compound? We might not have dropped into a hot zone.
“Because it wasnt their action. Mac looked over his shoulder at