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worked out of in the West Wing. “Lets prioritize.
No one took notes. Everyone understood that there would be
no reports generated by their work, and the only files would
be the ones they appropriated from other security agencies.
“First order of business is to find Matheson, because we have
to assume that there will be another attack on Egret. He and
his organization will lose credibility if a failed attempt is
allowed to stand. Cam careful y kept her voice and face from
showing her rage. “We can assume he will either establish a
new paramilitary base of his own or join forces with another
one. Hell need a network in order to reestablish himself.
“A guy like that wont give up control easily, Savard said. She
wore
jeans and a dark blue polo shirt. Shed pul ed her hair back into
a loose ponytail, and she looked more rested than Cam had seen
her in weeks.
Cam nodded and pointed the pen shed been rol ing between
her fingers at Davis. “He didnt do much to hide the
compound in Tennessee because he didnt expect us to come
after him. This time hell take more precautions. Background
himhis family by blood and marriage, the military academy and
its faculty, donors to the school, previous graduatesanyone who
might have purchased or inherited land. For now, Id prefer a
covert examination of the academy files, because anything else
is going to tip him off. She shrugged. “But the academy is the
logical place to start. We know he recruits there. If I have to, Ill
confiscate every scrap of paper in the entire place.
“The FBI should have files on the other patriot organizations, Savard
said, “and if hes ever so much as made a phone cal to one of their
leaders, there should be a record of it somewhere. She grimaced. “The
biggest problem is the files are so decentralized its practical y impossible
to search them.
“Try.
“Yes maam, Savard said smartly. “We might get something
from the interrogations of his captured personnel too, if the Company
hasnt buried the intel by now.
“See what you can find there, Cam said, pleased with Savards natural
instincts for counterintel igence. Shed need that kind of backup
from her second-in- command. “And that brings us to the problem of
Valerie Lawrence. We need to know who her Company handler is and
determine if theres a link to Matheson.
Davis took a breath. “Due respect, Commander, but there wont be any
records
of Lawrences handler. Its not like they keep employment
files.
“I know, Cam said, “and thats just one reason why we need to bring
Valerie in.
“We dont know if Matheson only uses men he recruited from his
military academy. She could be his mole, Davis said. “Just like Foster.
“She could be. I dont think she is. Cam expected her people to examine
every option, and Daviss comment didnt bother her. “But until weve
proven it one way or the other, she has to be considered potential y
hostile.
“How do we find her? Savard
asked.
Cam sighed. “Our only link is Diane. We have to hope Valerie tries to
meet with her again and that Diane trusts me enough to tel me. In the
meantime, weve got Foster and the four dead commandos from the
assault on the Aerie. We know they were al at Mathesons military
academy. Maybe thats not their only connection.
“We real y need someone whos an expert on these paramilitary
organizations, Savard said. “I bet al of these guys know each other.
“Il work on that. Absently, Cam rubbed her sore shoulder. “Blair is
scheduled to make a public appearance Saturday night at a fundraiser
in Boston. Id like you two to assist with the security detail. I know its
not in your job description any longer, and Starks doing a great job
integrating Tanners people, but Il feel bet er if we had seasoned agents
for this. Its her first solo appearance since
9/11.
“Of course, Savard said, joining Davis in accepting the assignment.
“Do you think theyl try again so soon?
“I dont know. Cam tried not to let her fury, or her seething sense of
frustration, show. “But we cant af ord to think they wont.
Chapter Fifteen
S o, what do you think of the place? With a sweep of her arm
Tanner indicated the world-class yachting marina tucked into a deep,
narrow inlet on the ocean side of the island. Wrapping one arm around
Blairs shoulders and the other around Dianes waist, she led the two
women to the end of the longest pier. Sailboats and cruisers were
moored in the slips along either side. The charterhouse and a luxury
hotel completed the accommodations. “You like it?
“Its amazing, Blair said. “Somehow youve managed to do al this and stil
keep the untamed feel of the rest of the island.
“Its great, Diane said, echoing Blairs sentiment. She hugged Tanner. “I
admit, I never thought youd set le down enough to run the family
business, let alone do something like this. I figured youd be lying out on
some beach with a string of bored, horny cover girls breaking their
heartsuntil you were fifty or so.
“I might have been. Tanner grinned, then her expression sobered.
“Except I
dont know that I wouldve made it to fifty. I was a lit le crazy before
Adrienne.
Blair shook her head fondly. “God, she certainly has
tamed you.
“Ah, look whos talking. Tanner hip-bumped Blair playful y. “Who
would have guessed youd pick a spooky to marry!
“Yeah yeah, Blair said. “Come on, lets get of the pier. Its freezing in
this wind.
“I have to run up to the charterhouse for a second to check something,
Tanner said, “then Il meet you at the car. She tossed Blair her keys.
“Turn the heater on and warm her up for me. Kind of like old times.
“Your charm doesnt work on me, Whitley. So Id watch your step. As
Tanner laughed and hurried away, Blair grasped Dianes hand and studied
her worriedly.
“You okay? Tanner and I rhapsodizing about the joys of set ling down
must be tough for you to hear right now.
Diane nodded. “Im happy for you. Both of
you.
“I know that. But these tears arent from the wind. Blair gently brushed
at the moisture on Dianes cheeks. “You look worn out.
“Im okay. Im just not sleeping very
wel .
“Or eating very wel . Blair loosed an exasperated sigh as she keyed the
remote to Tanners SUV. She pointed for Diane to get into the front
passenger seat as she got behind the wheel and started the engine. “Its not
going to do anyone any good if you make yourself sick.
“Its hard not to think about it al the time, Diane whispered. “Its hard
not to wonder where she is. Not to wonder if someones hurt she
looked away, her voice breaking.
“You dont have as much experience with this kind of waiting, of not
knowing or understanding whats going on, as I have, Blair said
emphatical y. “And Im glad. But now youve fal en in love with
someone whose whole life has been a secret. Shes always going to have
secrets, Diane, and you cant let that eat you up.
Diane regarded Blair as if seeing her for the first time. “How do you
handle it with Cam?
“Not very wel most of the time, Blair said, grinning sheepishly. “After
a while you accept that there are parts of themselves they dont, or cant,
let us see. And once youre done being pissed of by it, you understand
that those are the parts that make them frighteningly good at what they
do. Valerie has to be that kind of good to have ever fooled Cam.
Diane smiled weakly. “I guess the fact that my girlfriend and your
girlfriend have
a history makes some kind of cosmic sense,
doesnt it?
“That just might be the understatement of the year. Blair laughed briefly,
thinking of the night shed unexpectedly discovered Valerie at Cams
apartment in DC, and recognizing their connection, how much she had
resented the place Valerie held in Cams heart. Cam swore that there
was nothing between them any longer, and Blair knew that Cam
believed it. But she had seen something that Cam had not. There had
been a sadness in Valeries eyes that Blair understood with perfect
clarity. Valerie had been deeply in love with Cam. Thinking about that
sadness now, Blair found that she no longer resented what Valerie and
Cam had shared. Valerie had been there when Cam needed someone,
and that was al that real y mattered.
“Shel need you, Di. Shel need you, but she wont let you know. Blair
reached for Dianes hand. “Thats the hardest thing to rememberthat
the need is there, even though its buried so deeply even she cant see it.
Its a pain in the ass, but youl just have to get used to it. I know youre
strong enough, and stubborn enough, to do it.
“I dont feel very strong
sometimes.
“Then thats when you come find me, and Il
remind you.
“It helps to be with you, and I usual y love Whitley Point, Diane
confessed, “but the quiet is driving me a lit le bit crazy right now. Ive got
too much time to think. Maybe I should go back to Manhattan.
Blair shook her head vehemently. “Not a chance. I want you to come
to the fundraiser Saturday night. And if Paula can take it, wel go
shopping again.
“Okay. Diane laughed shakily as she glanced out the rear of the
vehicle to where Stark and Hara sat in the Suburban. “If I have to suf
er, I suppose she can too.
“There, see? Youre sounding bet er already, Blair said, smiling. “Here
comes
Tanner. Il get in the
back.
As Blair stepped from the car, she caught sight of Tanners
expression and stopped. “What is it?
Tanner handed her the Boston Globe. “I dont know how you put up
with this shit al the time. She slid into the front seat and slammed the
door.
Blair glanced down at the grainy picture of her in Paris with Cam
standing just behind her. The caption read “Presidents daughter to
marry lesbian loverAnti- same sex marriage groups protest.
“Wel , Blair said as she climbed into the backseat, “Boston is looking a
lot more interesting.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, trying not to think
about the crush of reporters sure to be waiting for her when she arrived
at the fundraiser. She had wanted to go public, because any at empt not
to would make her and her father appear like hypocrites when news of
her plans inevitably leaked out. Nothing could be worse for a politician
than the appearance of having one set of standards in public and another
in private. Shed insisted on disclosure, but it was never easy exposing
her personal life to public scrutiny.
“Let me see that, Diane said.
“Hey Tanner, Blair said, handing the newspaper to Diane as
Tanner rocketed the SUV out of the parking lot and onto the
narrow twisting road that hugged the ocean shoreline. Gravel
spewed out behind them.
“What? Tanner snapped.
“Its okay. Its just another day at the
office.
“It sucks.
“Yeah, that, too. Blair leaned forward and squeezed Tanners
shoulder. “But try not to give Stark a heart attack and slow
down a little.
Tanner half turned her head, a grin pul ing at her mouth. Then
she looked back to the road and eased off on the gas. “Sorry,
force of habit. Im used to you tel ing me to lose your spookies.
“Yes, Blair said softly. “How things have changed.
* * * * *
Cams jaw tightened as she scanned the newspaper. “Call
Lucinda and tell her youre canceling for the fundraiser.
Blair braced both arms on the kitchen counter behind her
and lifted herself up so that she was sitting on it. She still wore
the blue jeans and red sweater shed pul ed on to go out with
Tanner. Cam was in her work clothes and still wearing her
weapon, and although Blair knew it was foolish, the additional
height advantage made her feel better. “I wouldnt do that even
if it would do any good, which it wont. Once Lucinda makes up
her mind
“Lucinda is the presidents chief of staff, not yours. Cam tossed
the newspaper onto the oak table and started for the front of
the house. “If youd prefer, Ill tell Stark to call her.
“Im sure Stark will appreciate
that.
Cam turned, her eyes narrowing. “What is that supposed to
mean?
“I know about the whole rank thing, but shes still my chief
of security. I dont imagine shell appreciate being told anything.
You never did.
“Stark understands the situation, Cam said, thinking about
the briefing with Davis and Savard, and about Blair at a
crowded cocktail
reception where it would be impossible to control the guest list
or secure the physical environment beyond the most basic
measures. Thinking how exposed Blair would be. A ball of anger
and anxiety fil ed her chest. “The timing is bad, especial y after
this newspaper article.
“Weve already discussed this, Cameron. If it isnt this event, it
will be some other one. We cant prevent a public response to
anything we do.
“Why do you sound so calm? Cam moved closer, but stopped
two feet away. Just outside of touching distance.
“Because I know youre not, and I know youre worried. Blair kept her
hands on the counter, because she wanted to reach out and pul Cam
across the divide. It was odd how she hated distance between them
now. Once she had wanted, demanded , nothing but distance
between herself and anyone who had the potential to hurt her. Mostly
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