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“Il cal Tanner and arrange for drivers. Cam hesitated, casting a
questioning look in Starks direction. “If thats al right with you.
“Its fine. Thanks, Stark answered on her way out the back door.
Cam set her tea aside and slid her arms around Blairs waist.
“Whats up?
“I dont know. Blair kissed the tip of Cams chin. “But Lucinda wants
to talk.
“Uh-
oh.
Blair sighed. “I know. She rocked her hips lightly against Cams.
“Have you heard anything from Stewart?
Cam shook her head. Assistant Director Stewart Carlisle was her
immediate superior in the Department of the Treasury, but since shed
most recently been on special assignment reporting directly to the
president, she hadnt been under Stewarts command for some time. “I
dont actual y know who Im reporting to anymore. She glanced through
the back door to the guest house visible partway down the slope to the
beach. Blairs security team was there. The nerve center of al that went
into protecting Blair was there. And she wasnt. “Especial y since Im not
on your security team anymore.
Blair leaned back, hooking her thumbs in the loops of Cams jeans. “It
bothers you, doesnt it. That Stark is in charge now.
“Starks a good
agent.
Blair laughed. “Cameron. Dont even
try.
Cam forced herself to unclench her jaw. “Yes, it bothers me.
I didnt want to be switched from investigation to protection
when they first assigned me to your team last year. But you
know what? She kissed Blair lightly. “Im good at it. And Im
motivated. I like She shrugged. “looking after you.
“Oh, darling, Blair murmured. “You do look after me. In all
the ways that mean the most to me. You love me, and thats
what I really need. I dont need you throwing yourself in front
of me if some crazy person decides they dont like the color of
my dress.
“I know thats not what you need. Cam ran a hand through her
hair. “But its kind of what I need.
“I know. Blair hugged her tightly. It was rare that she could
touch Cam without being aroused, for which she was
pleased and grateful. She hoped that never changed. She
couldnt imagine not wanting her. Just at the moment, though,
she wanted to comfort her because it was so unusual for
Cam to be unsure about anything. And she could sense Cams
unease and uncertainty. “We all need time to get adjusted to the
changes, Cam. But Im always going to need you.
Cam smiled and rested her forehead against Blairs. “And
Im always going to need you.
* * * * *
Paula hurried down the twisting path to the guesthouse.
Under other circumstances she would have taken a second to
appreciate the unseasonably warm early October morning, but
her mind was totally consumed with the myriad details of her
job. She felt the full weight of her new responsibilities
intensely, but beneath the low-level hum of nerves, she was
also aware of the surge of excitement that always accompanied
any operation when Egret, as Blair was official y cal ed, was on
the move.
“Listen up, she said as she pushed through the front door into
the living room. “Egret is flying. She shed the windbreaker
shed grabbed earlier on her way down to the beach and rol ed
up the sleeves of her white button-down col ar shirt. She headed
straight for the dining room where theyd set up their
computers and communication equipment. “Im going to call DC
to arrange ground
transport.
Felicia Davis, a statuesque African-American with features
that suggested she might be descended from an ancient
Egyptian queen, sat in a rattan chair sipping coffee. “Shall
I arrange accommodations?
“Yes. The usual hotel. At least for a night until the
commander until I determine Egrets immediate schedule.
Pushing numbers on her cell phone, Felicia rose and walked to
the
French doors leading to a wide deck with a view of the
beach.
“What about me? Renée Savard reclined on a sofa with her left
leg propped up on an overstuffed hassock. A blue fabric
knee immobilizer with wide white Velcro straps was wrapped
around her knee. “Can I tag along?
Paula held up one finger as she spoke into the phone and
simultaneously entered information into the computer. A
minute passed, then she disconnected and returned to the living
room to sit next to Renée. She skimmed her fingers through
her lovers shoulder length golden-brown hair. “Hows your leg?
“Other than the fact that it feels as heavy as a tree trunk, and
about as functional, its fine, Renée said edgily. Her blue eyes narrowed.
“It would feel a hel of a lot bet er without this immobilizer.
“Just for a few more
days.
Renée waved her away. “Go take care of what you have to take care of.
How soon are you leaving?
“ASAP.
“Wel then, dont waste time asking me about my
stupid leg.
Paula kept her expression neutral. She knew Renées leg hurt, and she
knew that her bad temper was more than pain. “Do you want to hang out
here while were gone? I can get Tanner to arrange a private car to take
you back to Manhat an if you dont.
Tanner Whitley, heir to the Whitley corporate dynasty and the owner of
Whitley Island, was one of Blairs oldest friends from prep school. She
also had one of the best private security forces in the country. Her
crew had been providing perimeter protection during Blairs stay,
ensuring that no one approached the house from the main road
that bisected the island. Stark trusted Tanner completely.
“I dont want to go back to Manhat an. Renée sounded
uncharacteristical y petulant. “Not when I cant work. Not when youre
not there. She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “Jesus, listen to me.
Im pathetic. Im sure you dont want me underfoot while youre working.
“I dont know how long wel be in DC, or where wel be going after that,
Paula said. “But
“Just go, Paula. Il cal Tanner later and arrange my
own
“But, Paula continued as if she hadnt been interrupted, “if it
turns out were not staying in DC, its just as easy for you to head
back to Manhattan from there as from here. Come with us.
A crooked smile broke the smooth caramel plains of
Renées cheeks. “Sometimes I wish you werent so sweet when
Im being cranky. It makes me feel guilty, which just makes me
crankier.
“Id be cranky too, Paula whispered. “Im sorry its so hard for
you right now.
Renées eyes fil ed with tears and she looked away. “Jesus. I
need to do something. If I sit around much longer, Im going to
real y be crazy.
“Official y youre still part of the commanders team, even
though youre on sick leave, Paula said with conviction. “So, youre
coming with us. You need help packing?
Renée grabbed the crutches that leaned against the sofa next
to her. “No. I can manage. You go take care of things, Chief.
“Yeah, okay, Paula said, unable to keep her face from
flushing. Chief. It sounded good.
* * * * *
Blair left her suitcases by the front door and walked outside
to take a last look at the ocean. She wasnt sure when shed be able
to come back to the island and she already missed it. The
solitude was good for her art. Shed been able to paint here,
despite everything that had happened to her and the rest of the
world. She had asked Tanner to investigate the possibility of
her purchasing the house; the current owners only used it as a
rental property. The location was perfect isolated, easy to
defend, and close to Tanner, whom she missed and never
managed to visit enough. It was also near enough to Manhattan
that Diane Bleeker, her art agent and best friend, could easily
visit.
She sat down on the top step of the rear deck and punched in
a number on the disposable cell phone Cam insisted she use.
She was half surprised when the call was answered.
“Hi, where are you?
“Still in Manhattan, Diane replied. “How about
you?
“About to head south. There was no reason to think that her
calls were being monitored, but after the constant
admonishments of her various security teams, Blair had
reluctantly accepted the necessity of caution. She avoided
mentioning the specifics of her travel plans in phone
conversations. Diane was used to fil ing in the blanks.
“Ah, Diane said, “back to the real world.
“Yes. Do you have the gal ery open?
“Ive postponed the next show at the artists request. He didnt
think it was the best time, and I tend to agree with him. It
will take a while until its business as usual back here.
“So are you going to take a trip? Blair asked lightly, although
she waited for the answer with a sense of misgiving. Diane
had recently become romantical y involved with a CIA agent who
had disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and Blair
worried that Diane was somehow going to try to find her. In all
the years theyd known one another, Blair had never seen Diane
truly in love before. Now that Diane had fal en hard, only to
be left just as abruptly, she was suffering. It pained Blair to
know that her friend was hurting.
“I havent
decided
yet.
Im waiting
forinspiration.
Shes waiting for Valerie to contact her , Blair mental y translated. “Wel
if that occurs, youl be sure to let me know.
A beat of silence ensued. “Of
course.
“I mean
it.
“How about that other mat er we were discussing? Diane said, overtly
changing the subject. “The celebration Im going to be planning.
Blair smiled, thinking about the wedding. Her wedding. Hers and
Cams. Something shed never anticipated wanting. A commitment to
one woman for life. A formal commitment, a statement to the world.
The idea had once seemed intimidating. But now, when the world had
proved itself to be untrustworthy, capable of shifting dangerously at any
moment, now more than ever she wanted that commitment. “Im going
to discuss that later on today. Il get back to you with a timetable.
Diane laughed. “I wish I was going to be there to
hear it.
The wind had died down and Blair was warm in the sun. She shrugged
out of the black leather blazer shed pul ed on over a scooped neck navy
T-shirt and jeans. “You could come down for a few days. I should stay
for a while once I get there, and I could use the company.
“Real
y?
“Yeah, Blair said softly. She wanted to say more, that right now
it felt good to be surrounded by the people she loved and who
loved her, but she couldnt. She didnt want to remind Diane that
Valerie was gone, not when she knew how hard Diane was
trying to hold on to the belief that Valerie still cared for her.
That Valerie hadnt simply abandoned her after a short,
convenient affair. Worse, that Valerie hadnt used her as part of
her cover story. “Say youll come down.
“Im not stayingyou know where.
The White House . Blair laughed. “Oh, believe me, neither am
I.
Well stay with a friend. With Cam.
“Oh goody, Diane said, sounding like her old self for the
first time. “Sooner or later, Im going to get to watch.
“You just keep on dreaming, honey. Everyone needs a
dream. After a pause, Diane said, “I know. I just discovered that.
* * * * *
Five hours later, the Air Force jet that Blair and the others
had boarded at Lexington Air Force Base northwest of Boston
began its descent to Andrews Air Force Base in Prince Georges
County, Maryland, a few miles southwest of DC. Ordinarily
Blair and her team traveled by corporate jet, but with the
heightened security, Lucinda had dispatched the same transport
usual y reserved for the president, the vice president, high-
ranking dignitaries, and other VIPs. It was another change in
Blairs life that didnt make her particularly happy, but she
understood the need for it.
“How long do you think well be at priority one, Blair
asked, leaning against Cams shoulder.
Cam took Blairs hand and drew it into her lap. “Indefinitely
would be my guess.
“Thats what I was afraid of. Blair sighed. “I detest
military escorts. Do you think theyre going to restrict my travel?
“Are
you
planning
on
going
somewhere?
Blair laughed. “Wel , I was hoping for a
honeymoon.
“Ah. That.
“Youre not backing out are you? Blair shifted on the seat
and studied Cam intently, the barest hint of worry in her eyes.
Cam held her gaze. “Absolutely not. I told you. Name the
time and place, and Ill be there.
“You dont think we should wait, because of everything
thats happened?
“I think the best way for any of us, all of us, to let the world
know that we wont be terrorized is to continue to live. No, I
dont think we should wait.
“Thank
you,
Blair
said.
Cam brushed a kiss over her fingers. “Did you think Id change
my mind?
“You have hit your head a couple of times recently. Blair
leaned over and kissed the corner of Cams mouth. “It might
have been enough to make you forget how much Id hurt you if
you did.
“Just let me know when you plan to drop this little bomb
on
Lucinda, Cam said. “Id like to be somewhere
else.
“Coward.
Cam
grinned.
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