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her, he goes to jail.
“Everyone has his picture, Stark said. “Hes not registered at the hotel,
at least not under that name.
“These four, Hara went on, fanning out another set of images like playing
cards, “have been observed at two out of the last three locations where
Constantine made a public appearance.
Cam
frowned.
“Af
iliations?
“Three belong to dif erent groups, but the fourth doesnt appear to
have any group connections at al , Hara replied. “Two are fetal rights
activists, one is a pro-lifer, and the loner is an unknown commodity.
“Whos providing this intel igence? Cam
asked.
“Local FBI, Mac said. “Theyve kept a file on the doctor since another
stem cel researcherJames Bennet was at acked in a car park a year
ago. The injuries kept him in the hospital for two months.
“Did the victim have any relationship to
Constantine?
“None other than the fact that they knew each other professional y, Mac
said. Stark said, “We anticipate the usual demonstrators tonight. Wel
bring Egret in
through the side entrance, because the protesters wil most likely be out
front
where theyl get more press coverage. The hotel can legal y bar
them from
entering, so once were inside, shel be in the clear from the majority
of the
organized
dissenters.
“What do you have on local anti-gay factions? Cam
asked.
“A few religious groups, but theyre mostly involved with debates
over the church recognizing gay priests and performing same-sex
marriages, Stark answered.
“None of them with a history of
violence? “No.
“The press will be all over her tonight, and were not going to
keep them out of the banquet. Its a fundraiser, and Im sure
the PR people from the institute will want reporters present.
Cam shook her head. “Its going to be a long night.
“Theres one other issue, Commander, Stark said.
Cam gave her a questioning look.
“You were targeted this week, so we have to assume youre at
risk. Wozinski will cover y
“No, Cam said flatly. “I appreciate it, Chief, but dont
pull someone off Blairs detail for me. I dont need it.
“With respect
Cam stood. “Im official y refusing, Stark. You already have two to
coverBlair as the primary and Diane as the secondary. You
dont have the people to cover anyone else. Are we clear?
“Yes maam, Stark said tightly.
“Thank you.
* * * * *
“You ready for this? Blair asked Diane, who sat across from her in
the rear of the limo. Renée Savard sat next to her and anyone
who didnt know better would think they made an amazing
looking couple. Diane, slightly tal er and more wil owy than Renée,
wore a fitted cobalt blue evening gown with a halter tie and
keyhole openings in the bodice. Renées jacket and pants
were equal y elegant. It was obvious to Blair that Renée
walked just slightly ahead of Diane and scanned the
surroundings with every step. Blair noticed the subtle
surveil ance because Cam always did the same thing.
Now Diane peered through the bul etproof, one-way glass as
the armored limo, courtesy of the Boston Secret Service
office, slowed at the side entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. “There
are fewer press here than for one of your gallery openings.
She smiled at Blair, but her eyes were sad. “I was hoping to get
a chance to plug your next show.
Blair laughed, appreciating Dianes fortitude. She hoped that
the evening would at least provide a diversion for her for a few
hours.
She settled her hand onto Cams thigh, absently running
her fingertips along the seam of the silk tuxedo pants. “Most of
them are probably out front, dont you think?
“Yes, Cam said. “But it wont take long for them to figure out where
we are.
“Wel , then, Blair pushed the door open as the limo stopped at the curb,
“lets make them run for it.
With a muf led oath, Cam jumped out and surreptitiously grasped Blairs
hand. “God damn it, Blair, wait.
Stark barreled out of the front and rushed to Blairs opposite side.
Renée and
Diane moved up behind them with Hara fol
owing.
“Sorry, darling, Blair said lightly, hooking her arm through Cams.
“Weve got cameras on the left and people waving signs of to the right.
“I see them, Cam mut ered, keeping her expression neutral as Blair
smiled briefly in the direction of the photographers.
When several cal ed out questions to Blair, she waved but didnt
answer, pretending she hadnt heard them. She pointedly ignored those
cal ing on God or whatever other powers they believed in to punish her
for her sinful ways.
“Lovely, Diane said from close
behind.
Cam reached for the hotel door and found Stark there before
her.
“Go ahead please, Stark said. “The escalators to the mezzanine are
directly to your right.
Cam hesitated for just a second, then moved through with Blair by
her side.
“Youre just my date, remember? Blair
murmured.
“Sorry,
Cam
mut ered.
“Dont
be.
Blair and Cam joined the crowd on the mezzanine and a moment later, a
smal , compact brunet e in a black evening dress approached. Even in
heels, she was of average height, but her dynamic expression and
confident carriage made her presence seem larger.
“Ms. Powel . She extended her hand. “Im so honored that you could
come this evening. Im Emory Constantine.
“Dr. Constantine, Blair said, taking the researchers hand. “Thank
you. My partner, Cameron Roberts, and my good friends Diane
Bleeker and Renée Savard.
“Agent Roberts, a pleasure. Emory Constantine shook hands with Cam,
then indicated the open doors to the banquet hal behind her. “Please,
wont al of you join me at my table.
“Thank you, Blair said. “Wed love
to.
“You should burn in hel , a male voice shouted from across the
foyer. “The
Bible says you are an
abomination.
Cam instinctively stepped between Blair and the direction of the voice
just as
Stark did the same. Stark slid a hand under her
jacket.
“Wozinski has him, she murmured just loud enough for Cam
to hear.
“Good. Keeping between Blair and that side of the hal way, Cam took
Blairs hand and said, “Were clear. Lets go inside.
Blair met Emory Constantines concerned gaze. “Im sorry for the
disruption.
Emory smiled faintly. “I was about to say the same thing to you, Ms.
Powel . I
have a number of fairly vocal
opponents.
“Then we have quite a bit in common, Blair
said.
Emorys gaze flickered briefly to Cam and then to Diane and Renée.
Then she grinned, her dark eyes sparkling. “It seems that we do.
Chapter Seventeen
I m sorry, Emory Constantine murmured, bending over Blair, who sat
at the head table with Cam, Diane, Renée, and a number of notables
from the scientific and financial world, “but would you mind posing for
one more round of photos? The president of the Institute
“No, I dont mind, Blair said with a smile, even though shed been
photographed with and without her permission more times than she
cared to count in the last three hours. She was used to the press and had
expected more than her usual share of at ention after al the events of
the last few months and the recent announcement of her personal
plans. Emory it seemed, also garnered a fair amount of media notice,
so with the two of them sit ing together, the questions and photos had
been non-stop al evening. “Il be right there.
As she rose, Cam did also. Out of the corner of her eye, Blair saw
Paula wending her way through the tables toward her. When Blair fol
owed Emory onto the stage and joined the smal group waiting there,
Cam and Paula took up positions of to each side. Randolph Sumter,
the current president of the Johnson Institute, was middle-aged,
handsome, and wore his power with subtle arrogance. He didnt try to
hide his non-philanthropic interest as his gaze swept over Blair during
their introduction.
“Ms. Powel , he said in a smooth baritone, “wed love to have you
tour the
Institute. I think youl find we are doing some remarkable
work.
“Yes, Blair replied with polite reserve. “Ive fol owed Dr. Constantines
research with interest. You must be very pleased to have her and her
team on board.
To his credit, his smile never wavered. “Without a doubt. Please
remember me to your father. The board was a staunch supporter during
his last campaign.
“I certainly wil . Blair took Cams hand. “I dont believe youve met my
partner, Cameron Roberts.
Sumter acknowledged Cam perfunctorily, signaled to the
photographers, and positioned himself between Blair and Emory with a
hand on each of their backs. Once the obligatory photo shoot was over,
Blair drew Emory aside.
“I hope you dont mind, but Im going to slip out a lit le
early.
Emory shook her head. “Please, you dont need to explain. She
glanced at a woman who pointed a camera in their direction. “Theyre
hungry tonight, arent they?
“Tonight? Blair laughed. “Im real y glad we got to meet. I thought your
speech was dynamite. If theres ever anything I can do, just give me a cal
.
“Thank you. Emory walked Blair to the far side of the stage where the
crowd on the floor was thinner. “I might just take you up on that
someday.
Blair smiled. “Good. Im
serious.
“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, too, Emory said,
waiting until
Cam was close enough to
hear.
“Thank you, Cam and Blair said
together.
“Il walk out with you, Emory said, “and we can trade phone
numbers. She looked over the several hundred people in the banquet
room and sighed. “Ive stil got another hours networking to go, and I
could use a break.
“Come on, then. Blair grinned. “Im an expert at sneaking out of things
like this.
Cam motioned to Stark. “Let the team know were ready to leave. Il get
Diane and Savard. Were stil using the planned exit?
“Yes. Il have the cars move around now. Stark murmured
instructions, then said to Blair, “Five minutes, Ms. Powel .
At the appointed time, the smal group took the elevator at the rear
of the building to the ground floor and headed briskly down the
service corridor toward an exit used by the hotel staf . Blair couldnt
see anyone in the alcoves and smal er hal ways branching of the main
corridor, but she was certain that members of the security team were
stationed along the way. She leaned close to Emory.
“If you real y want to break ranks, you can come back to the hotel with
us for a drink.
Emory laughed. “God, dont tempt me. Unfortunately, fundraising is a
necessary evil and Ive got enough to worry about without adding money
problems to my list.
“I can imagine, Blair said. “Dont worry too much about anti-stem cel
research legislation. I can tel you my father does not support measures
to restrict your work.
“Thank you.
I
“Stark, Cam said sharply as a man in a three-piece suit rounded a
corner twenty feet in front of them and strode rapidly toward them.
Even as she spoke, she started to step toward Blair. He raised his arm.
“Gun!
someone
shouted.
Blair barely heard the warning before the hal way erupted in gunfire and
she was
knocked to the floor. As she fel she grabbed for Cam but could not reach
her. Then she was on the floor with a tremendous weight pinning her
down. She pushed and struggled to get free but was only able to turn
her head. She saw a hand and part of a sleeve stretched out on the floor
a few yards away. Cams hand. She screamed but couldnt get enough air
to emit more than a choked sob. Someone groaned.
Then Blair was yanked to her feet, then off her feet, and propel ed
down the hal way by someone she couldnt see. Someone big. She final
y twisted enough in the iron grip to make out the features. Wozinski.
“Cam, Blair gasped. “Where is
she?
Wozinski didnt answer as he shouldered his way out into a narrow
service al ey. The metal service door banged against the stone building
façade with a sharp clang.
The limo idled directly in front of the exit with the back door
open. Hara crouched beside it, her gun extended in both hands as she
visual y swept right and left. Blair jerked in Wozinskis grasp and
almost wrenched free, but he dragged her across the sidewalk, pushed
her head down, and shoved her into the backseat.
“Cam, Blair shouted, immediately trying to climb out of the vehicle.
Dianes body blocked her way as she too was pushed inside. Savard
fol owed, the door slammed, and the vehicle careened away.
Blair stared at Savard, whose face was bone white. Her own heart was
racing so quickly her chest ached. She took a breath and then another
and dug her fingers into the leather seat. “What do we know?
“Nothing, Savard said
tightly.
Beside her, Diane sat rigidly upright, her arms wrapped around her
torso, her
pupils dilated so much her blue eyes looked black. She said my God, my
God
over and over in a hushed
voice.
Blair heard sirens, and then tires squealed behind them and she hastily
knelt on the seat to stare out the rear window. Renée leaned across the
space between the seats, grasped her shoulder, and gently pul ed her
back down.
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