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hunched over the monitors. Printouts spewed from several nearby
machines.
“Theoriesno confirmation. Mac said, looking over his
shoulder. “How are they doing upstairs?
“Both stable. Valeries in for a rough ride for a
while.
“Mac, Paula said, pushing away from the computer console,
“take over here for a second.
“Sure thing, Chief, Mac said.
Paula grasped Renées hand and gently guided her to her
feet. Then she wrapped an arm around her waist and led her
toward the hal . “You need to change your clothes. Theyre wet.
Renée looked down as if realizing for the first time that her
shoes and jeans and shirt were dripping. She shivered. “Yeah.
Good idea.
Once upstairs in their bedroom, Paula took Renée into
the bathroom. “Are you okay?
“Yeah. Renée kissed Paula and brushed her fingers through
her hair. “Im fine, sweetie.
“Okay, Paula said shakily, wondering why she always seemed
to lose it after she knew Renée was safe. “Stand there. She pul ed
off Renées T-shirt and unzipped her jeans. “Take your shoes off
and get out of these pants.
Renée steadied herself with a hand on Paulas shoulder. “What a
cluster fuck. Who targeted Valeries boat, do you know?
“No, Paula said with disgust. “Weve got satel ite images of close
to a dozen boats, not counting Tanners, that were in missile range.
It will take a while to sort through them, but at first glance, they
all look civilian or commercial.
“Its got to be Matheson. Renée leaned against the vanity
and closed her eyes, moaning with gratitude as Paula wrapped
her in a huge towel. She burrowed her face in the curve of
Paulas neck. “You feel so good I never want to move.
“Works for me. Paula held her tightly and kissed the top of Renées
head. “Scared me there for a while.
“I thought we were going to lose both of them out
there.
I thought I might have lost you , Paula thought, and tightened her
grip.
“I was pret y scared for a few minutes, Renée
whispered.
Paula finger-combed Renées tangled golden-brown hair.
“Me too. Renée raised her head. “Im sorry, sweetie.
“Not your fault. You were doing your job, and Im glad you were. Paula
kissed her. “I love you.
“Yeah, me too. Renée stroked Paulas face. “Big-
time.
“And yeah, Paula said grimly. “I think it was Matheson or one of his
people. Who else could it have been? Henry must have told Matheson
about the meet and Matheson decided to eliminate both of them at
once.
“Makes sense. Who would have figured hed have that kind of
firepower? Renée shook her head. “Were playing in a whole new league,
now, arent we? Domestic terrorism is just another name for war.
“We thought we had everything covered, Paula said. “We were
monitoring for air and water assaults, except we were looking for aircraft
or boats. Who would have expected a missile launch of the New
England coast?
“I dont suppose theres any chance of intercepting
him?
Paula snorted. “Zero. I cal ed Tanners people back in. Besides the
fact that theyre civilians, he could have fired that missile from fifty
miles away and been gone before it even hit.
Renée stepped away, toweled of , and pul ed the robe from the back
of the door. Shrugging into it, she grasped Paulas hand and walked
back into the bedroom. As she opened the dresser and extracted clean
clothes, she said, “Did someone contact the Coast Guard about Valeries
boat?
“Mac is doing
that.
“Whats our cover
story?
“Were tel ing them it was a DEA surveil ance operation and
the engine on one of the boats caught fire. All personnel
evacuated to another vessel, and there were no casualties.
Because of the sensitive nature of the operation, we cant
provide any further details.
Renée grinned and pul ed on dry jeans. “Nice. Your
idea? Paula flushed. “Yeah.
“I never knew you were so sneaky. Renée found a dark
green cable-knit sweater and pul ed it over her head. Then she
wrapped her arms around Paulas shoulders and kissed her.
“Ill have to remember that in the future.
“I didnt want you to discover all my tricks before you were in
too deep to escape me.
“Oh, you neednt worry, Renée murmured. “Theres no chance of
me going anywhere.
* * * * *
Blair jerked awake and bolted upright. Cam was no longer
lying next to her but sat with her legs dangling over the side of
the bed.
“Where do you think youre going? Blair asked
sharply. “I want to check on Valerie.
“Get back in bed, Cameron. They were alone. A fire
burned vigorously in the fireplace, throwing a hot red glow
throughout the room. Blair gripped Cams wrist. “I mean itand Im
not in the mood to argue.
Cam, nude except for the sheet bunched at her waist, shifted
to look down at Blair. “Just for a second. I only need
“You need some decent rest and to recover from nearly
drowning out there. Blair grasped her shoulders. “You dont get
it, do you?
Youre not indestructible. And you wont be any good to them,
any of them, if youre too weak or injured to function. If you
dont care about me, think about them.
Cam blinked, her face registering her shock. “You think I
dont care about you? Is that what you think? Gently, she
tangled her fingers in Blairs hair and kissed her, softly, first
her mouth, then the angle of her jaw, then her eyes. “I thought
Valerie was dead. I thought I was dying, too. But I knew I
couldnt, because of you. Youre all I thought about. Youre
everything I live for.
“Dont. Blair pul ed Cam down on top of her and drew the
covers over them. She caressed Cams back with both hands,
slowly stroking the sleek skin and elegant curve of muscle
and bone. “Dont try to melt my heart. Its not going to work this
time.
“All right, Cam said softly. “Im sorry. Im sorry for
frightening you. She kissed Blairs neck and settled her head
on Blairs shoulder. “I couldnt let her die, Blair.
“No, Blair whispered. “Of course you couldnt. She sighed.
“What happened to Henry?
“Hes dead. I ordered Donaldson to take him
out. Blair stiffened. “Are you all right?
“It had to be done. The boat was about to go up and he was in
danger of shooting
“Darling, you dont have to explain that to me. If you gave the order, it
was the right thing to do.
“You believe in me that
much?
“More. Blair cupped Cams jaw. “I trust your judgment, just like al of
them do. I can only imagine what it takes for you to make those
decisions and give those orders, and maybe everyone else needs to
believe that its easy for you to do, but I know dif erently. She cupped
Cams chin, tilted her head up, and kissed her firmly but gently on the
mouth. “If you hurt, I want to know. If you need a shoulder, I have one
for you. I cant be on the front line the way you are, but Im part of this
fight just the same.
“Thank you, Cam whispered. “Ive never understood more clearly than
I did tonight that you are my strength.
Silence ensued, then Blair said with a sigh, “Five minutes,
Cameron.
“What?
Cam
said.
“You can see Valerie for five
minutes.
Cam stirred, raising herself on her elbow to study Blairs face.
“Why?
“Because you wont rest until you do, and because the others need to see
that youre al right. As wonderful as each of them may be, you are the
force that holds them together. Blair pushed the covers aside. “Lets
get up. Il help you dress.
* * * * *
Diane finished set ling a log on the fire and turned at the sound of
the door slowly opening. Absently she cinched the sash on her robe.
“We didnt knock because we didnt want to wake her, Blair whispered
as she and Cam stepped inside.
“Thats al right. Its good to see you. Diane touched Cams arm. “Are
you al right?
“Fine. Hows she doing? Cam asked quietly. She wore old khakis
and a sweatshirt, and loosely clasped Blairs hand.
“Im not sure, Diane admit ed, pushing her hair away from her face.
“Shes stil asleep.
“Diane? Valerie mut ered, twisting from side to side and dislodging the
blankets that covered her. “Diane?
“Im here, darling, Diane said and hurried to the bed. She leaned
down and stroked Valeries face. “Everything is al right. Youre safe
now.
Valerie opened her eyes and after a few seconds appeared to focus.
“Am I
real y in bed?
Diane smiled. “You most definitely are.
“Im almost warm.
“Yes, Diane whispered, her voice breaking as the tears she hadnt had the
time or luxury of shedding final y fil ed her eyes. “Youre going to be
fine.
“Is everyone al right?
Diane glanced over her shoulder. “Cam? Maybe you should talk to
her for a second.
Cam joined Diane by the bed. “Hi. Bit of a rough ride out there.
Everyones fine, but you had quite a swim.
A smile flickered across Valeries face. “I remember some of it. Thanks.
“Dont mention it.
“Henry Valerie frowned. “Henry. She closed her eyes briefly, and
when she
opened them, they were clearer. “I dont think he knew what was coming.
“No, Cam agreed.
“He didnt set me up tonight at least, Valerie said faintly. She held
Cams gaze. “Thanks for get ing me out of there.
“Im sorry about Hen
“No, it was a good cal on your part. Justnot on mine.
“You dont know that, Cam said gently. “People change.
“I wonder. Valerie shivered violently and Diane quickly took her hand.
“You need to get some sleep, darling. No more talking right now.
Diane glanced at Cam. “Thank you for everything.
Cam nodded and backed away from the bed. “Let me know if theres
any problem.
“I wil , Diane said.
Blair slid her arm around Cams waist. “Lets go. Youre shaking.
“I want to check downstairs with Stark and
“Nice try, Blair said, laughing gently. “Youre al out of options tonight.
Might as wel surrender.
Giving in to the fatigue, Cam leaned on Blair. “Terms accepted.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Saturday
J ust before noon, Cam tapped on Valerie and Dianes door.
When Diane answered, looking as if she hadnt slept all
night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?
“On and off, yes. Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours
ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing.
Fortunately, she cant get out of bed by herself, and I wont help
her.
Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Dianes eyes, she
quickly smothered it. “Ill only be a few minutes.
“Do you want to speak to her alone?
“If you dont mind.
Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on
some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.
“Thanks.
“Cam, Diane said, partial y closing the door, “I want to
apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know
Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked
“Diane, Cam murmured, shaking her head. “Theres nothing to
be sorry for. Weve all been under a lot of strain.
“You saved her life.
Cam glanced across the dimly lit room to the quiet figure in
the bed, thinking of where they had begun. “Then were even.
“What happens now? Diane asked.
“We take back control of our lives.
* * * * *
Five hours later, Blair and Cam walked into Lucinda
Washburns office. Lucindas only concession to the fact that it
was a weekend was that she wore a gray sweater, casual black
trousers, and low heels instead of a suit.
“Id like to hear your preliminary report before I send it on
to
Averil , Lucinda said, referring to the security
adviser.
In other words, Lucinda would put in writing whatever she
wanted the official story to be after shed heard the facts. Cam
sat on the sofa with Blair beside her and waited while Lucinda gave
someone instructions to hold her calls before taking her
customary seat across from them.
“I take it this unscheduled visit means something important
broke? Lucinda said.
“Weve located Valerie Lawrence, Cam replied. “Her
Company handler, known to us at the moment only as Henry,
is dead. Im confident that he was the source of the security
breach and not Valerie.
“Excellent, Lucinda said. “When will we be able to
debrief
Lawrence?
“You wont, Cam answered.
Lucinda showed no change in expression when she shifted
her gaze to Blair. “Would you mind excusing us for a few
moments.
“You know, Blair said, leaning back and crossing her legs, “I
real y would.
“Blair, Lucinda said with the merest bit of
heat.
“Luce, Blair snapped, “you were the one who suggested using my best
friend to lure Valerie out into the open. You wanted me involved then,
and now I am. So Im not leaving.
Cam decided it might be wise to forestal the fireworks that were sure to
come. “Valerie Lawrence is a member of my homeland security
team, and any information she may have wil be relayed by me if I feel
it necessary. My agents wil not be debriefed by anyone else.
“Since when is Ms. Lawrence part of your team? Lucinda
asked.
“Since
noon
today.
Lucinda folded her hands in her lap and appeared to be lost in thought.
“How secure is her identity?
“Im not certain, Cam said, “and neither is she. Henry has always been
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