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to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only
essential public appearances. We cant keep her completely
sequesteredfirst because shed never al ow it,
secondly, because we cant make prisoners of our elected of icials
and their families, and final y because the public is going to be looking
for her. Shes too popular to just disappear.
“Were going to be thin on the ground, Stark said, “now that Davis has
gone over to OHS.
Cam nodded as she drew a grid and added names. “Youl have to work
with a smal er team than usual for the time being. Hara, Wozinski,
yourself, and Tanners people. Can you handle it?
Stark didnt hesitate. “Yes, we
can.
As satisfied with the security as she could be when al she real y wanted
to do was take Blair to some remote island for six months, Cam
switched her attention to Savard. “Wel fol ow by ground as soon as
you and Davis are happy that youve accessed al the data
immediately available to us. You can use the computers in my of ice
in the West Wing and wipe them when youre done.
“How long wil you need, Felicia? Savard asked, sit ing with her
injured leg straight out in front of her. The cane shed used in lieu of her
knee immobilizer rested against the arm of the chair. She looked focused
and steady.
Davis smiled, her dark eyes glowing. “I want to make sure I look in
everybodys closets and leave myself a backdoor before we leave. Say,
three hours.
Cam checked her watch as she stood. “Its 0815 now. We should be
leaving
DC by 1200 hours, which puts us into Whitley Point around
2300.
Savard and Davis rose, and Savard asked, “Where wil we
rendezvous, Commander?
“In case anyone is checking, Il schedule you and Davis for a meeting
at FBI headquarters at 1130 hours. On your way there, the meeting wil
be canceled and a vehicle wil pick you up at 13 and Pennsylvania
Avenue. Cam regarded
Stark. “When would you like to depart here, Chief? If theres anyone fol
owing
Blair, theyl lose the trail at
Andrews.
“Wel have the vehicles out front at 0900 hours. Il wait downstairs
until then.
“Thanks, Cam said, appreciating the few moments of privacy she would
have with Blair. After returning from her meeting with Valerie, shed
been up al night talking to Lucinda and the presidents security adviser.
She had yet to tel Blair the specifics of the plan, because she hadnt
worked it out until shortly before Stark and her security team had
arrived. She was sore and tired, but it felt good being in the field again.
Working. Doing what she knew how to do.
When the others had left, Cam walked down the hal to Dianes bedroom
and tapped on the door. “Can I talk to you a minute, Blair?
“Sure, Blair said. After shed finished helping Diane pack, shed gone
to the kitchen for more cof ee and heard the murmur of voices in
the living room. Although she knew Cam wouldnt exclude her from the
discussions if she asked to sit in, she also knew that Cam and Stark
were get ing their first real test of working together in their new roles.
She doubted that anyone in security or intel igence was going to
like being overridden by agents from the new Homeland Security
Of ice, not even Stark, not even when the agent in question was Cam.
She decided her presence would only add to the tension. “When are we
leaving?
“About
forty-five
minutes.
Blair glanced over her shoulder at Diane. “Il meet you in the living room
in a few minutes, okay?
“Yes. Ive got some cal s to make. I should let my gal ery manager
know how long Il be away.
“Tel her three weeks for now. Cam rested her hand lightly on Blairs
shoulder.
The contact felt good. She had missed her the previous night, missed the
way holding her through the night rejuvenated her.
Diane nodded. “All right, but I cant be away any longer than
that. Sooner or later, I have to go back to my life.
“I understand.
“Will I be able to call or give them a number where they can
reach me? Diane asked.
“Everyone will have temporary cells by tonight. Once we
reach
Whitley Point you can call them.
“Thank you. Diane squared her shoulders. “You two go ahead. Im
fine.
Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Come on, darling.
Better fill me in on whats going on.
* * * * *
“Let me get this straight. Blair leaned against the dresser in
the bedroom watching Cam pack this time. “Im being spirited
away to Whitley Point surrounded by armed guards, while you
drive for twelve hours out in the open where anyone could fol ow
you.
“Were not going to be followed.
“Then why cant I come with
you?
Cam passed Blair the extra suitcase. “You need to take anything?
Blair dropped it on the bed. “Yes. Ill pack in a minute. Why cant
Igo with you?
“If anyone is watching us theyll have a hard time fol owing
two separate groups. It buys us time.
“Bul . You dont want me with you in case someone comes
after y o u again. In case someone Blair stalked across the
room and pul ed the shirt Cam was folding from her grasp.
“Someone tried to kill you last night. And you think they
might try again, dont you?
“Blair
“Dont lie to
me.
Cam cradled Blairs face between her hands and kissed her
softly. “I wont. You know that.
“Thats what you think, isnt it?
“Its a consideration, especial y in light of my past relationship
with Valerie. Matheson might suspect that she would come to
me and that I might be able to bring her in. If someone wants
to prevent that, getting me out of the way is the logical step.
Blair forced herself to keep her expression neutral, even
though the calm way that Cam discussed why someone would
want to kill her chil ed her to the core. If she wanted Cam to tell
her the truth, she had to be able to handle the truth. No matter
how much it terrified her. “Did you tell Valerie where were
going?
“No, but she has a number to cal me. She lowered her hands to
Blairs shoulders and rubbed them softly. “Il be okay. Ive got good
people with me
and I know what Im
doing.
“Do you think Valerie wil
cal ?
Cam sighed. “I dont know. When it comes right down to it, her training
may win out. And shes been indoctrinated not to trust anyone.
“I dont like us being
separated.
“Neither do I, but its only for a few hours. Il be there tonight, and wel
wake up together tomorrow.
Blair closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Cams waist. “You
didnt sleep al night. Youre hurt and tired. Youre not at your best, Cam,
and you need to be.
“Savard and Davis wil be with me. Theyl do the driving. Il
sleep.
Blair rubbed her cheek against Cams shoulder. “I dont want other
women taking care of you.
Cam laughed. “I think Il be safe with
them.
“What about the thing Saturday night Im supposed to do for
Lucinda?
“I dont like it, Cam said, “but we al agree we cant keep you completely
out of the public eye. Lucinda is arranging for a suite of rooms at the
Copley for us and the rest of the team for the weekend. Il be your
escort, and Savard wil accompany Diane.
“Oh, Starks going to love that.
Cam grinned. “Its al in the line of
duty.
Blair leaned back, a glint in her eyes. “Is it, now? Then youd
bet er pack
something besides work clothes. Like a
tux.
“Thats what rental places are
for.
“And you bet er make sure you sleep in the car, Blair murmured,
running her fingers along Cams col arbone and down over her chest.
“I missed you last night.
“Me
too.
“What about your hip and
shoulder?
“Im stif and sore, but functional. Cam kissed Blair, taking her time,
because it would be hours before they saw each other again and
despite her words of confidence to Blair, she knew that anything
could happen in the interim. “Besides, massage therapy wil be good
for them.
“Then Il put you on my schedule for the
morning.
“Il
be
there.
Blair held her tightly, unable to imagine any other
possibility.
Chapter Thirteen
P aula, Blair said with quiet intensity, just the slightest bit of edge in
her voice.
“Yes?
Stark
said
solemnly.
“If you had a round robin, why didnt you bid
more?
Diane snorted and, despite the fact that it had been dark for over three
hours and it was impossible to see the beach, Wozinski seemed to
find something fascinating happening out the window. Stark hastily
squinted at her cheat sheet,
obviously at a
loss.
“A king and queen in every suit. I wouldve taken the bid if Id known
you had that much meld, Blair said.
“I didnt see it, Stark said bleakly. “I was so excited about the
pinochle
“Never mind. It doesnt mat er. Blair abruptly pushed back her chair,
strode across the kitchen, and slammed out the door.
The room was silent for a moment and then Diane rose. “Its freezing out
there. She doesnt have a jacket.
Wozinski glanced at Stark. “Should I go with her, Chief? I can take her
jacket. Stark shook her head. “Hara is out back and Tanner stationed
a team in a
vehicle on the street. Shes
covered.
“Il take her jacket, Diane said, pat ing Wozinskis shoulder as she
passed behind his chair. “But thank you.
“Yes maam. Wozinski flushed.
“Pleasure.
It took less than thirty seconds for Diane to reach the back deck after
grabbing Blairs jacket, but she saw only a single figure standing at
the railing, facing toward the oceanshorter than either herself or Blair by
several inches and more slender than Stark. Hara. Not Blair. For an
instant, her heart twisted with an overriding sense of dread, as if Blair
too had walked out the door and simply vanished. Just like the
morning she had awakened in the guesthouse in a stil room beneath a
silent dawn and realized that Valerie had disappeared while shed slept.
“Wheres Blair?
Hara did not turn, and even in the darkness, Diane knew that she was
watching Blair. The cloud cover was so dense even the light from the
ful moon barely penetrated the inky sky.
“Sit ing on top of a dune, fifteen yards down the path and ten feet of
to the right.
“It feels like thirty degrees out here, and you just let her go? Diane
snapped.
“Thirty-eight
degrees.
“Never mind, Diane mut ered, hurrying down the stairs to the path. A
minute later she knelt beside Blair. “Put your jacket on.
“Thanks, Blair said, shrugging into it. “You dont need
to stay.
With a sigh, Diane shifted around to sit facing the same direction as
Blair and leaned against her. When Blair wrapped an arm around her,
she snuggled closer and lightly rested her head on Blairs shoulder.
“Couldnt you brood inside where we can have a fire?
“Its a lot harder to do if youre comfortable. Blair pressed her cheek to
Dianes hair. “Do you have any idea how much I hate waiting here, safe
and sound and protected by armed guards, while Cam is out there
somewhere with people who want to kil her?
“I think I know, Diane
whispered.
“Oh, honey, Im sorry, Blair said. “Of course
you do.
“Renée cal ed Paula with an update, Diane pointed out gently.
“She said everything was fine and that Cam was resting.
“I know. Blair sighed. “But that was three hours ago and theyre not due
here for another four at least. Anything can happen. She reached beside
her and dug her fingers into the cold sand. “I just want to be able to
protect her the way she protects me.
“I bet you already
do.
Blair laughed harshly. “Hardly. Since everyone thinks Im so important, I
seem to be the one destined to wait, just like tonight.
“You
are
important
“Im no more important than Cam or you or Stark or any of the
others.
Diane wrapped both arms around Blairs waist and hugged her. “You,
Blair Powell , may not be more important than the rest of us, although
I happen to think youre pret y special and Im sure Cam does too, but
its not about Blair Powel .
“No, its about the first
daughter.
“Yes. And I imagine that makes it al the
harder.
“Theres a reason youre my best friend, you know, Blair said
softly.
“Besides the fact that Im smart, beautiful, and wel -connected in the art
world?
“Those are definite pluses, but you might be the only person other than
Tanner whos ever understood that having a famous father mostly just
sucks.
“Yes, I never did think living in a mansion was al that cool when it came
with a bunch of state troopers hanging out on the front porch. Diane tried
not to shiver from the cold. She sensed Blairs mood beginning to lighten
and wanted to keep her talking. “Tanner could relate, because she had
to put up with a lot of the same thing. Not the bodyguards and
everything, but having a lot expected of her because of who her father
was.
“Mmm, Blair said, pat ing the sand shed squeezed into a hard bal back
into the ground. “Tanner understands. But shes not a girl, like you are. Its
not the same.
“You mean you wouldnt snuggle with Tanner in the dark? Diane
teased.
“Snuggling is not what I had in mind with Tanner. Definitely not when
we were teenagers. Blair thought back to how wild and drop-dead sexy
Tanner had been then. “And I dont think I would, even now. After al ,
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