night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?
“On and off, yes. Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours
ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing.
Fortunately, she cant get out of bed by herself, and I wont help
her.
Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Dianes eyes, she
quickly smothered it. “Ill only be a few minutes.
“Do you want to speak to her alone?
“If you dont mind.
Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on
some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.
“Thanks.
“Cam, Diane said, partial y closing the door, “I want to
apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know
Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked
“Diane, Cam murmured, shaking her head. “Theres nothing to
be sorry for. Weve all been under a lot of strain.
“You saved her life.
Cam glanced across the dimly lit room to the quiet figure in
the bed, thinking of where they had begun. “Then were even.
“What happens now? Diane asked.
“We take back control of our lives.
* * * * *
Five hours later, Blair and Cam walked into Lucinda
Washburns office. Lucindas only concession to the fact that it
was a weekend was that she wore a gray sweater, casual black
trousers, and low heels instead of a suit.
“Id like to hear your preliminary report before I send it on
to
Averil , Lucinda said, referring to the security
adviser.
In other words, Lucinda would put in writing whatever she
wanted the official story to be after shed heard the facts. Cam
sat on the sofa with Blair beside her and waited while Lucinda gave
someone instructions to hold her calls before taking her
customary seat across from them.
“I take it this unscheduled visit means something important
broke? Lucinda said.
“Weve located Valerie Lawrence, Cam replied. “Her
Company handler, known to us at the moment only as Henry,
is dead. Im confident that he was the source of the security
breach and not Valerie.
“Excellent, Lucinda said. “When will we be able to
debrief
Lawrence?
“You wont, Cam answered.
Lucinda showed no change in expression when she shifted
her gaze to Blair. “Would you mind excusing us for a few
moments.
“You know, Blair said, leaning back and crossing her legs, “I
real y would.
“Blair, Lucinda said with the merest bit of
heat.
“Luce, Blair snapped, “you were the one who suggested using my best
friend to lure Valerie out into the open. You wanted me involved then,
and now I am. So Im not leaving.
Cam decided it might be wise to forestal the fireworks that were sure to
come. “Valerie Lawrence is a member of my homeland security
team, and any information she may have wil be relayed by me if I feel
it necessary. My agents wil not be debriefed by anyone else.
“Since when is Ms. Lawrence part of your team? Lucinda
asked.
“Since
noon
today.
Lucinda folded her hands in her lap and appeared to be lost in thought.
“How secure is her identity?
“Im not certain, Cam said, “and neither is she. Henry has always been
her only personal contact, but undoubtedly there are records of her
somewhere in the Company system. However, the right word in the
right place can take care of that.
“What do you propose? Lucinda
asked.
“I propose that Valerie Lawrence died at sea in the same unfortunate
boating accident that kil ed her handler.
“I think youd bet er fil me in on the
details.
Cam gave her a rundown of the events, and as she spoke, Blair shifted
closer and took Cams hand.
“You executed a CIA handler? Lucinda said
incredulously.
“Jesus, Luce, Blair
said.
“I did, yes, Cam said
evenly.
“And youre certain it was
warranted?
“Yes, Cam said. “He was a traitor and he was about to kil Valerie
Lawrence, or cause her to be kil ed.
“What about this missile you described? Lucindas eyes narrowed as she
visibly assessed, ordered, and prioritized information. “Can we
trace it back to Matheson somehow?
“Doubtful. The boats and whatever might remain of the SSM are in
several hundred feet of heavily traf icked waters. Salvage would
draw unwanted at ention. I dont think its worth the risk.
“Al right. Lucinda tapped her fingers soundlessly on the arm of the
chair, an action that nevertheless had the impact of a gavel fal ing. “The
of icial line is that Agent Lawrence died at sea during a meeting with
her handler. And now what?
“Wel arrange for her to have a new identity, Cam said, “and shel join
my team as the counterintel igence chief.
“I know we told you to pick your own people, Lucinda said,
“but
“You did. Cam leaned forward, tucking Blairs hand against her
middle. “If youve changed your mind, then I resign.
“Not many people try playing hardbal with me, Deputy Director
Roberts.
“I can appreciate why. But Im not playing. I didnt ask for this job, and
if Im going to do it, Im going to do it the way I see fit.
“Youl continue to report to me and, through me, to the security
adviser. Cam nodded. “Agreed.
“How do you assess the danger to
Blair?
“Currently, I dont see her as a target. Matheson needed to eliminate his
contact in the Company because he knew we would be searching for
it. Who knows how much Henry knew about Matheson and his
operation? Matheson risked exposure and possible capture to deal with
Henry, but it was a calculated risk and for the time being, its paid of for
him. Now, I think hel go underground and consolidate his power base.
“Makes sense. What about the long term? Lucinda
asked.
Cam grimaced. “Eventual y, once Matheson has rebuilt his forces, I
think she hesitated and glanced at Blair. “I think hel make another
at empt on Blair.
“To what end? Lucinda
said.
“Blair is as much a figurehead as her father, and striking at her would
not only privately undermine the president, but also publicly
demonstrate that he is incapable of protecting the American people,
even his own daughter.
“Interesting theory, Lucinda said, rising and beginning to pace. “That
makes
Blair as important to national
security as
“Blairs sit ing here, Blair said, giving a lit le wave with her
free hand.
“Sorry,
Cam
said.
Lucinda laughed and regarded Blair with her hands on her hips. “You
wanted to stay, Blair. I never said we werent going to talk about you.
“Including me usual y works bet er. Blair shifted her focus from
Luc
inda to
Cam. “Just how long have you been working on this
hypothesis?
“Since the at ack at the Aerie. There had to be some compel ing reason
to risk something like thatfor Matheson to send his best men on a suicide
mission. Why you? Why not the president?
“Because, Blair said slowly, “if my father were kil ed, he would
become a martyr. The people would demand an explanation, if not
retribution. Congress would rush to al ocate money and personnel to
find out what happened. But if he remains in of ice while his ability
to lead is cal ed into question and his authority is eroded, just the
opposite happens. The political and economic ramifications would be
devastating.
“Yes. Cam brushed her thumb over the top of Blairs hand, which she
cradled between both of hers. “Al this means is that you have to be
careful and wel al have to be vigilant. Thats nothing new.
Blair smiled and skimmed her fingers over the edge of Cams jaw. “Thank
you. I
know
what
means.
“How close are you to get ing Matheson? Lucinda asked
impatiently.
“Not close enough. Cam frowned. “We wont find him through any
direct channels. Hes not going to return to his home base, or cal upon
men he served with, or contact remaining family members. Hes going
underground. And the only way to find someone who has done that is
to uncover a link to potential associates.
“And that is the slowest route, Lucinda said with a sigh. “Just ask the
FBI. How many people have been on their Ten Most Wanted list for a
decade or more?
“Exactly. Were compiling extensive profiles of known or possible
contacts, but we need to expand our investigation to include
paramilitary organizations. We might just stumble over him or someone
who can lead us to him.
“Youl need more people for
that.
“Wel need information analysts and data col ectors based here in DC, but
none of them wil require critical security clearance. I want to
keep the core investigation with my personal team working out of
New York City.
Lucinda sat back down. “Who dont you trust
here?
“The bet er question is, who do I trust. Cam shrugged. “I trust you, but
there are too many eyes and ears in this building and al over this city.
Cam laughed bit erly. “Hel , the CIA put people inside an escort
service. You can bet they have them in the White House.
“Its unorthodox to work that far outside the
system.
“Matheson came after Blair, Cam said flatly. “Il do whatever I have to
do with or without anyones approval.
Lucinda glanced at Blair. “It boggles my mind that you havent kil
ed her.
“It was touch and go for a while when we first met. Blair smiled
softly and entwined her fingers with Cams. “Once you get to know
her, of course, you discovershes just as dangerous as she sounds.
“And what about the wedding, Lucinda said dryly. “Considering recent
events, have you two decided to take the prudent course and delay?
Cam eased back against the sofa and said
nothing.
“Were get ing married Thanksgiving weekend in Colorado, Blair said.
“You can try to keep it a secret if you want to, but its going to leak and
we al know it, so you might as wel go ahead and announce the details.
Lucinda shook her head. “Youre
sure?
“Weve been sure for a long time, Blair
said.
“And
until
then?
“Were going back to Whitley Point, Cam said, “to finalize details for
purchasing the house. Wed also like to arrange for renovation of the
Aerie.
“I thought wed decided that the security breach was too severe to risk
Blair returning.
“We need a place to live in Manhat an if Cams base of operations is
there, Blair said. “And thats my home.
“Blair and I talked about it on the flight down here, Cam said. “The
breach wasnt because of an inherent problem with building security,
but because Matheson had an inside person providing him with
details and access. Instead of reinventing the wheel somewhere else, wel
correct for weaknesses there.
“Il discuss it with the president. Lucinda held up her hand when Blair
started to protest. “You can save the damn declaration of independence,
Blair. There are some things he wants to know about, and your security
is one of them. Thats the way it is.
“Okay, Blair said quietly. “But Il talk to him about it,
okay?
“I suppose it i s a father-daughter thing. Lucinda smiled fleetingly. “So,
where are we then?
“Wel , Cam said, “we know our enemy, which is the critical element
necessary to win any war. We have the best people anywhere in the
world working for us. And we have every reason in the world to
prevail, so eventual y, we wil . She smiled at Blair. “As to the
immediate future, Blair and I have a wedding to prepare for.
Blair pul ed Cam to her feet and slid an arm around her waist. “Final y, a
plan I
cant find anything to argue with.
Lucinda laughed. “Wil wonders never cease.
“No, Blair said, kissing Cam tenderly, “not in this lifetime.
Radcly f fe is a retired surgeon and full time author-
publisher with over twenty-fi ve lesbian novels and anthologies in
print. She is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Alice B.
Readers award for her body of work and has been short-
listed for the Lambda Literary Awards and Golden Crown
Literary Society Awards multiple times, winning the 2005
Lambda Literary Awards with Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen
Moments ed. with Stacia Seaman and Distant Shores, Silent
Thunder and the 2006 Gold Crown Awards with Justice Served .
She has selections in numerous anthologies including Call of the
Dark , The Perfect Valentine, Wild Nights , Best Lesbian
Erotica 2006 and 2007 , After Midnight, Caught Looking:
Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists
, First-
Timers, Ultimate Undies: Erotic Stories About Lingerie and
Underwear , A is for Amour , and Naughty Spanking Stories 2 .
She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books, a
publishing company featuring lesbian-themed general and genre fi
ction.
Her forthcoming works include Winds of Fortune (Oct 2007),
and In Deep Waters: Volume 1 , an erotica col ection written
with Karin Kal maker (2007).
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Red Light by JD Glass. Tori forges her path as an EMT in the New
York City
911 system while discovering what mat ers most to herself and the
woman she
loves. (978-1-933110-81-
3)
Honor Under Siege by Radclyf e. Secret Service agent Cameron
Roberts struggles to protect her lover while searching for a traitor
who just may be another woman with a claim on her he
art. (978-1-
933110-80-6)
Dark Valentine by Jennifer Fulton. Danger and desire fuel a high
stakes cat- and-mouse game when an at orney and an endangered
witness team up to thwart a kil er. (978-1-933110-79-0)
Sequestered Hearts by Erin Dut on. A popular artist suddenly goes
into seclusion; a reluctant reporter wants to know why; and a heart
locked away yearns to be set free. (978-1-933110-78-3)
Erotic Interludes 5: Road Games eds. Radclyf e and Stacia
Seaman. Adventure, “sport, and sex on the roadhot stories of travel
adventures and games of seduction. (978-1-933110-77-6)
The Spanish Pearl by Catherine Friend. On a trip to Spain, Kate
Vincent is accidental y transported back in time. .an epic saga spiced
with humor, lust, and danger. (978-1-933110-76-9)
Lady Knight by L-J Baker. Loyalty and honour clash with love and
ambition in a medieval world of magic when female knight Riannon
meets Lady Eleanor. (978-1-933110-75-2)
Dark Dreamer by Jennifer Fulton. Best-sel ing horror author, Rowe
Devlin fal s under the spel of psychic Phoebe Temple. A Dark Vista
romance. (978-1-
933110-74-5)
Come and Get Me by Julie Cannon. El iott Foster isnt used to
pursuing women, but al uring at orney Lauren Col ier makes her change
her mind. (978-
1-933110-73-8)
Blind Curves by Diane and Jacob Anderson-Minshal . Private eye
Yoshi Yakamota comes to the aid of her ex-lover Velvet Erickson in
the fi rst Blind Eye mystery. (978-1-933110-72-1)
Dynasty of Rogues by Jane Fletcher. Its hate at fi rst sight for Ranger
Riki Sadiq and her new patrol corporal, Tanya Coppel iexcept for their
undeniable at raction. (978-1-933110-71-4)
Running With the Wind by Nel Stark. Sailing instructor Corrie
Marsten has signed of on love until she meets Quinn Daviesone
woman she cant ignore. (978-1-933110-70-7)
More than Paradise by Jennifer Fulton. Two women bat le danger,
risk al , and fi nd in one another an unexpected al y and an unforget able
love. (978-1-
933110-69-1)
Flight Risk by Kim Baldwin. For Blayne Kel er, being in the wrong
place at the wrong time just might turn out to be the best thing that ever
happened to her. (978-1-933110-68-4)
Rebels Quest, Supreme Constel ations Book Two by Gun Brooke.
On a world torn by war, two women discover a love that defi es al
boundaries. (978-
1-933110-67-7)
Punk and Zen by JD Glass. Angst, sex, love, rock. Trace,
Candace, Francesca. .Samantha. Losing controland fi nding the truth