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Cam grimaced. “Ive already come to terms with the fact that my private
life isnt private and hasnt been for some time. Whats his name?
Valerie
hesitated.
“Jesus, Valerie, Cam snapped. “If hes not dirty it wont mat er. If he is,
we need to know because hes probably not the only one. Do you
seriously think that
Matheson could pul of something like the assault on Blair with only one
contact on the inside? For al we know, hes got a network . For al we
know, hes going to try again.
Cam jumped to her feet, too wired to sit, and winced at the sudden
surge of pain that sliced down her back and into her right leg. She
barely bit back a groan.
Valerie grasped her hand. “Sit down, Cameron. Youre in too much
pain to stand.
“Whats his name? Cam looked down at Valerie and at their hands, stil
joined, remembering. She had held this woman in the night. She had
come in her arms. She had found some semblance of peace in her touch
during the darkest hours of her life. And she had loved her as much as
shed been able to then.
“Henry, Valerie said softly. “Thats al I
know.
“Fifteen years and you never tried to find out
more?
Valerie shook her head. “Thats not the way things are
done.
Cam gently released Valeries hand and sat down again. “I know. Do you
think hes the link?
Pain flashed across Valeries face and was quickly erased. “I dont
know. And until I do, I cant contact him or anyone else on the inside.
“Where were you planning to
go?
“Just before 9/11 we began to see intel igence that there was an active
cel in France, possibly Paris, working with other cel s in Europe and the
Middle East. They were rumored to be planning a coordinated at ack
here.
Cam swore and struggled to keep her temper in check. “Why didnt
anyone else
know
this?
“Cameron, Valerie said with a resigned sigh. “You know how every
agency guards its intel igence. And certainly those of us in the field
were never told anything. I didnt learn this until after everything
happened.
“When they sent you to work with us, Cam said bit erly. Shed been
used, and although it hadnt been the first time and in al likelihood
wouldnt be the last, she resented it.
“Yes. They were hoping we might find a lead to the cel in Paris in the
course of investigating Foster.
“What do you think you can do there on your
own?
Valerie shrugged, clearly frustrated. “I dont know. Possibly nothing. But
if I dont find the link that ties Foster and Matheson and the Company
together, Im never going to be able to come in.
“Come in now, with
me.
“I trust you, but you cant protect me once Im visible. And we both know
the easiest way to make this al go away is to eliminate me. Valerie
drained her Scotch and set the glass careful y on the end table.
“Whoever tried to run you down tonight probably knows about our
relationship. Kil ing you would cut of one more avenue of escape for
me.
“I came to the same conclusion, Cam said, hoping Blair
hadnt.
“Im
sorry.
“For what? Cam laughed wearily. “For believing in the Company line,
or for meeting me in the bar that first night?
“Certainly not the lat er. Im coming to regret the first. Im already
responsible for
one at empt on your life. I dont want to be the cause of
another.
“Im your best shot, and you know it. Cam stood. “If you let me bring
you in, I give you my word no one wil know until weve identified
Mathesons source. Il personal y guarantee that you are protected.
“I dont want to spend months, possibly years, in a safe house, Cam.
Valerie laughed. “God knows, if I wanted to disappear and start over as
someone else, I could. Im tired of being someone else. I want out.
Cam made a decision based on everything she knew, and more
importantly, on everything she believed. “Work with me and my team to
find Matheson, and Il get you out.
“Im not sure even you can do that, Cameron. Rising, Valerie slid her
hand to the back of Cams neck and kissed her on the cheek. “I need to
think about it.
“The longer you stay under, the worse it
looks.
“I
know.
“What
about
Diane?
“I shouldnt have contacted her today. It was selfish. Valerie hooked
her arm through Cams as they walked toward the door. “I wont try to
see her again.
Cam gave her a secure phone number as she shrugged into her jacket.
“No one wil know. You have my word.
“I wont be here in the morning, in case you were
wondering.
“I wont come after you, not unless I have
to.
“Thank you. Valerie smiled sadly. “Goodnight,
Cameron.
Cam drew her into a gentle embrace. “Cal me.
Soon.
Chapter Twelve
Wednesda
y
T homas Jef erson Matheson picked up the phone on the first ring. If he
hadnt been listening for it, he wouldnt have recognized the faint buzz
emanating from the electronic jammer. Hed put his own people on
surveil ance duty as soon as hed got en word of where the bait had
landed. Trusting an agent he couldnt directly control was not ideal, and
he wanted his own back-up plan in place if he needed to set le mat ers
himself. “Yes?
“Nothing to report,
sir.
“No activity during the
night?
“No sir. Everyone is stil in the
apartment.
“Real y. Matheson swal owed a generous mouthful of steaming cof ee,
ignoring the burn in the back of his throat. Hed slept wel , risen
before dawn, and worked out vigorously in the hotel health club for an
hour. And hed had a most satisfactory evening. “No one in or out?
“Wel his man said hesitantly.
Matheson heard the rustle of
papers.
“Routine movement reported ataharound 1900 yesterday. Roberts went
for a runseveral hours later security changed shift uh, todaythree
subjects arrived at
0800, most likely for start of shift briefing. Nothing
beyond that.
“You seem to be missing a few details in your
report.
“Yes sir. What would that be,
sir?
Matheson smiled, picturing the man squirming. He was new.
“At
1932 last night, Roberts was struck by a passing motorist and
may
have sustained substantial injuries. He still felt a surge of
pleasure
thinking about the flicker of shock on her face as he bore down
on
her. When
hed had the good fortune of passing by just as she exited
the building, his only intention had been to fol ow her. But the
longer hed watched her pound through the streets as if she
owned them while he hid like impotent prey, the more his
anger had grown. She had destroyed his compound and kil ed
some of his best boys, and now she stood in the way of him
completing his mission. She needed to be neutralized.
“Apparently your surveil ance team didnt think it necessary to
cover her.
To the mans credit, he defended his team. “Im sure they felt it
more important to watch for any contact between our critical
target and those on site, sir.
“Its just as strong a possibility that Lawrence will contact Roberts.
I expect Roberts will move her base today. Its what I would
do after a pre-emptive strike. As soon as you have a new
location, contact me. Bleeker is the bait, but Roberts is in
command. Without her, theyll break ranks.
“Yes sir. Ill relay your orders.
“Be prepared to take action soon. Matheson felt his groin
tingling as he considered a plan to turn the hunters into
quarry. “Im growing tired of this waiting game.
* * * * *
“Are you sure you want me to come with you? Diane asked as
she packed her suitcase. “I know what Cam said, but
“If you werent already here, wed come and get you. Blair
sat cross-legged on the bed in blue jeans and a long-sleeved
navy T- shirt. Her hair was loose and she was barefoot. “I cant
believe I let you go back to Manhattan alone in the first place.
“Who knew that these people these maniacs who tried to hurt
you would keep coming? How can they possibly think they
can gain power in this country? We arent some third world
dictatorship thats likely to topple at the slightest show of
violence.
Blair shrugged. “Theyre fanatics. Look at all the paramilitary
and right wing fundamentalist groups springing up across this
country. T h e y think they can change the order of things,
and theyre recruiting more people all the time who agree.
“God, its like those zealots who shoot abortion doctors and
think thats going to stop the pro-choice movement. Diane looked
at Blair in confusion. “I can hardly believe its real.
“I cant believe we didnt see it coming, and after what
happened last month, I dont think its going to stop. Chafing at the
inactivity, Blair stood and started folding clothes. “Every
psycho with an agenda is going to think they have a chance after
9/11.
Diane stopped what she was doing, her fingers digging into the sweater
she held. “Im ashamed to admit that part of me wishes your father
wasnt president, because I hate to think of you or Cam in danger. I
can only imagine how you must feel.
Blair smiled rueful y. “You know, for the first time in my life Im
honestly glad that my fathers president, and I want him to be president
for as long as he can be. She careful y placed a silk blouse into the
suitcase. “Because these fuckers, whoever they are, wherever they are,
have to learn that we wont be victims.
“I guess wel have to keep that sexy dress you bought for the wedding
in the closet a while longer.
“Why?
Diane regarded her with surprise. “I cant imagine either you or Cam is
going to want to think about wedding plans until al of this is resolved.
“Were not waiting for something that might never happen. Blair folded
her arms, part defiance, part comfort. “And were not put ing our lives on
hold until it does. Im instructing Lucinda to slip a nice quiet statement
out to the press today that Cameron and I intend to be married in a
private ceremony before the end of the year.
“Oh
boy.
Blair grinned. “And
girls.
“Indeed. Diane kissed her cheek. “I think youre the bravest person I
know.
“I wish I were, Blair said. “Im terrified every day that something wil
happen to
Cam. And if it did, I dont think Id
survive it.
“I would never have imagined you with
her.
Blair lifted her shoulders. “We dont choose who to
love.
“No. We dont. Diane smiled sadly. “Now I cant imagine you with
anyone else.
“Neither can I. Blair stroked Dianes arm. She was already
dressed
to travel in a pale blue cashmere cowl-neck sweater and tan
slacks. For the first time Blair realized that Diane, always slender,
had lost weight. “How are you holding up?
“Its so hard, knowing that Cam saw Valerie last night and I
cant even speak to her.
“Have you thought maybe you should try to let her go?
Blair reached for Dianes hand. As hard as it was to ask, it
was even harder to watch her suffer.
Diane twined her fingers through Blairs and squeezed
lightly. “Cam didnt tell me very much about what went on. I
understand that she cant. She wouldnt tell me exactly why
Valerie is staying away, but I know its partly because of me.
“She doesnt want you to be
hurt.
Diane trembled and Blair drew her close. With a shaky
breath, Diane continued, “Cam must trust her, because she
didnt try to detain her. I love Valerie. I have to trust her as
much as Cam does.
“Youre real y sure, arent you? Blair said.
Diane smiled almost shyly. “I really am. Nothing has felt as
right since I met you.
“Then Im on your side, Blair said, hugging Diane tightly.
“And hers.
* * * * *
“Well travel in two groups to Whitley Point, Cam said,
scribbling on a flip chart that she had dug out of the closet
earlier. She couldnt find the stand, so she balanced the oversized
pad of paper on her knees facing Stark, Savard, and Davis,
who clustered around her in the living room. “Stark, you and
your people will take Blair and Diane. Youll fly out of
Andrews again at 1100 hours, but this time youll land at
Westover, Mass.
Stark frowned. “Whats there?
“Its an Air Force Reserve base, so its relatively low profile.
Well have Tanners people pick you up in three vehicles and
take you the rest of the way, each vehicle fol owing a different
route.
“Who knows about the itinerary?
“The flight plan was filed through Lucindas office, but theres
no attendant passenger list. Only Tanner knows the routes and
final destination.
“Youre putting a lot of faith in Tanners people, Stark said mildly.
“My feeling is that we know more about her team than we could about
anyone
coming to us from inside the system right now. Youre the security
chief. Whats
your cal
?
Stark took her time. “Until we find Valerie and Matheson, I dont want
anyone new get ing close to Blair.
“I agree. Cam blew out a breath. “Basical y wel handle Blairs security
in the same way the Vice Presidents has been set up since the at acks.
Shel be based in a secure location away from the White House known
to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only
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