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have to disappear because shed know whoever tipped Matheson would
be coming after her.
“So youre tel ing me that Valerie isnt safe, and I should help you fi
nd her.
“Thats one way of looking at it, Cam said. “Right now, Im not
sure. And because Im not sure, I dont want you to do anything.
“Except hide out with Tanner and Diane at Whitley
Point.
“That would be my wish. Cam kissed the tip of Blairs chin. “Any
chance?
“I dont know, maybe, Blair said. “Not because I want to hide, but
because I dont want to stay here. And I cant go back to Manhat an,
because I dont have any place to go back to.
“This is sounding good, Cam
said.
“But
“Uh-
oh.
Blair smiled. “Im not going without
you.
Cam frowned. “Im going to be pret y busy, Blair. Ive got to put a team
together, for one thing. Then who knows what Il fi nd once I start
digging into this whole Valerie situation.
“Are you tel ing me youre going to direct the investigation from some of
i ce in DC somewhere? Where anyone could access your fi les or
monitor your activities? Blair made a face. “Even I know thats not
very smart. If you even suspect that theres someone high enough up
to get Mathesons name from Valeries intel igence reports and warn
him, then nothing is secure. She grinned. “Unless youre going to work
out of Lucindas of i ce.
Cam groaned. “You make it sound so appealing. But were talking about
a big operation here, baby.
“You found Matheson working from Whitley Point. That was a big
operation, too.
“Yeah, and someone ferried Valerie of right under our
noses.
“Good point, except Valerie helped them from the inside. Blair saw the
anger and betrayal fl icker across Cams face, knowing nothing she
might say could lessen it. Only the truth could do that. “Youve got to
admit, its going to be more secure there than almost any place around
here.
“Il think about it. At least for a base of operations. Hel , Cam mused,
“we used to do al of our advance surveil ance and intel igence right out
of the Aerie. That was a damn big operation, too.
“Il talk to Tanner tomorrow about speeding up the property purchase. Im
sure she can make it happen. Besides, Blair said softly, “I love it there,
and we need
a place to
live.
Cam brushed her fi ngers through Blairs hair, then drew her
head down and kissed her. She murmured against her lips,
“We do, dont we.
“Is it all right with
you?
“Are you going to be okay having a base of operations where
we live?
Blair laughed shortly. “Cameron, Ive always had some kind
of base where I live. Look at the Aerie. Im used to it.
“If youre sure. Right now, Id feel a hell of a lot better if you
were back there.
“Im going to talk to Lucinda tomorrow about our plans, Blair
said. Cam rolled her over and settled one thigh between
her legs.
“Youre not going to make me go with you, are
you?
“I cant believe youre afraid of Lucinda. Blair curled her leg
around the back of Cams thigh and nestled her center
against Cams crotch. “Itll cost you.
“Anything. Cam slowly rotated her hips between Blairs legs.
“Just name it.
“Lets see how many times you can make me come, Blair
whispered, “while I think about it.
Cam laughed. “Tough duty.
* * * * *
“Hel o? Diane said distractedly, expecting a wrong
number. “Hi. Did I wake you?
Diane sat up abruptly, the sheet fal ing away unheeded. The
sliver of moon and the glow from the surrounding city cast the
room in dim, gray light. She hadnt been sleeping, even though
it was the middle of the night. “No. I was thinking about you.
An indrawn breath and a beat of silence fol owed. Diane
almost said her name, but knew instinctively not to. She
waited, the seconds interminable.
“Are you home?
“Actual y Im Diane thought of all the conversations shed had
over the years with Blair and how theyd always been
careful, even when there was probably no need to be. Now,
with Valerie, there surely was. “Im visiting friends.
“Ah. Anyone I know?
“Yes. Dianes heart pounded and she strained to hear every nuance
in Valeries voice. “Hows your trip going?
“I shouldnt have cal ed, but I missed
you.
Diane caught her breath. “Can I join you? Im in a bit of a
hiatus myself right now.
“Thats not a good
idea.
“Why not? I miss you, too. Terribly.
“Im not very good company right now.
Diane heard the warning beneath the words but refused to
be deterred. “Shouldnt I be the one to decide that?
“Trust me, it might not be all thatpleasant.
“To be with you? Diane said lightly while mental y translating,
Its not safe .
“Yes.
“Then thats al the more reason to let me come and prove you wrong.
Diane raised her knees and pressed her forehead to them. She closed her
eyes, trying to shut out every other sensation except the sound of
Valeries voice.
A sigh came through the line. “And thats why Ive stayed
away.
“Im sure our friends could help cheer you
up.
“Im not so sure of
that.
Diane hesitated. Blair was the one person in her life whom she
trusted completely. But there was no reason that Valerie should. But
what about Cam? Didnt Valerie trust her? Cam would help Valerie,
if she were in trouble. Wouldnt she?
Would she? Cams al egiance was never in doubt. Blair fi rst. Country
second. And friendship? Diane had no doubt that Cam would risk her
life for Stark or Savard or any of the others. Didnt Valerie, Cams ex-
lover and col eague, fal into the same category?
But then, she didnt real y understand anything that had happened.
She didnt
understand why Valerie had left, why shed stayed away, and why
she was obviously afraid to talk to her now. She wouldnt
understand until Valerie explained it, and she desperately needed to
know. “I want to see you.
“Dian
e
“No one wil know.
Please.
Another endless pause, not even the sound of breathing on
the line.
Diane forced herself not to say anything more than she already had.
She had never begged a woman for anything in her life, not even
Blair when they had been younger and shed been desperately in love with
her. Blair had never known the depth of her feelings, perhaps
because she had already learned to shield her emotions behind casual
nonchalance. It hadnt taken many disappointments before she had
also learned not to make herself vulnerable by asking for things
she couldnt have. Valerie had ef ortlessly changed al that. And
now, if she didnt sense that begging would somehow endanger
Valerie, she would gladly beg. Anything to break this unwil ing
isolation.
“How long wil you be there? Valerie fi nal y
asked.
“How long should I be? Diane
countered.
“A few days would be
good.
“Il try. Diane opened her eyes. The moon had gone behind a cloud
and the room was black. “Dont be afraid.
Valerie laughed thinly. “Of
you?
“For
me,
Diane
whispered.
“I dont think I can promise
that.
Diane smiled. “And I feel the same. Il be
waiting.
“Goodbye,
Valerie
whispered.
Diane sat in the silent darkness for a few more minutes, fi xing the
sound of Valeries voice in her mind. Then she pul ed up the last
number on her cal log and cal ed it.
Im sorry. The number youre trying to reach is no longer in
service.
Chapter Seven
Tuesda
y
B lair paused halfway across the living room and groaned in
appreciation as she smel ed cof ee. She turned toward the seating area in
front of the windows and caught a glimpse of the fi rst streaks of a
hazy orange sunrise outside the windows. Diane sat curled up in one
corner of the sofa in burgundy satin pjs, her blond hair loose and partial
y shielding her face, a mug clasped in both hands.
“Hi, Blair said. “Mind
company?
“No, of course
not.
Blair continued into the adjoining gal ey kitchen, poured cof ee, and
returned. She set led onto the sofa and mirrored Dianes pose, legs
drawn beneath her, partial y turned so she could face her friend. “Early
morning or late night?
Diane smiled rueful y. “Both. Funny, I never used to mind sleeping
alone.
“Its one thing to sleep alone because you prefer to, Blair said half to
herself. “But once youve got en used to someone and then theyre not
there, its a bitch.
“Id forgot en its not al that easy for you and Cam most of the time,
either. Sorry.
Blair stroked Dianes shoulder. “I just meant I
understand.
“I know you do. Diane was certain that Blair understood al of it he
reluctance to trust, the self-made barriers to protect against
heartbreak and disappointment, and the terrible joy of let ing someone
inside at last. Blair had lived it, just as she had. And because Blair
knewknew her, knew what she hoped and feared, knew what it was
to fi ght for what she wantedDiane felt some of the desolation lift from
her heart. “Valerie cal ed.
“Is she al right? Blair held her breath and strained to hear the sound
of the shower running in the master bathroom. She didnt want Cam
walking in on this conversation and hearing something she would feel
duty bound to act on.
“I dont know, Diane said, her voice shaking slightly. “It was a
tense conversation. She didnt say that she wasnt al right, but
obviously somethings wrong. She searched Blairs eyes. “Do you know
whats going on?
“Oh God, Blair murmured. “I dont, honey. Honest, not real y.
And I she glanced over her shoulder toward the hal way on the far side
of the room.
“Cams involved somehow, isnt she? And Im put ing you in the middle. I
should go.
“No, Blair said sharply, grasping Dianes arm to prevent her rising. “You
should not go. No one knows anything, including Cam, other than
Valerie snuck of in the middle of the night and doesnt want anyone to
know where she is.
“You make it sound like shes a
criminal.
Blair shook her head. “No one is saying that. She wasnt exactly certain
that was true. She imagined that if Valerie hadnt warned
Matheson herself of the
impending capture, then whoever h a d told him would point
to her disappearance as evidence of her guilt. “But the way she left is
suspicious, and the fact that shes hiding doesnt help clear things up at al .
Her grip softened and she clasped Dianes fi ngers. “You k now
Cam, Di. She doesnt jump to conclusions, and she never set les for
easy answers. Valerie needs to talk to her.
“Im scared, Diane whispered. “Im scared that every phone cal wil be
the last one. That Il never see her again and Il never know why.
Blair leaned closer. “I know you want to protect her. So would I. But she
needs help. Can you try to get her to talk to Cam?
Dianes eyes were moist, the blue misted to gray with sadness. “How can
I if I
dont know how to reach
her?
“Something tel s me shel fi nd you. Blair heard the sound of the
bedroom door closing and footsteps approaching, then Cam passed
behind them on her way to the kitchen. “Morning, darling.
“Hi,
Cam
replied.
Diane cal ed a greeting then lowered her voice. “I have to
think about it. For now, can we keep it between us?
“Yes, Blair said, knowing that Diane wouldnt be pushed
into making a decision any more than she would. “Im going to
talk to Lucinda this morning. After that, lets just get out of
here for a while. Walk around, shop, do something mindless.
Some of the tension eased from Dianes face. “I think thats a
great idea. After all, we have a wedding to plan.
“We certainly do. Blair glanced across the room to where
Cam stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Shed dressed for work
for the
fi rst time in almost two weeks, and the pale blue shirt, dark
raw silk slacks, and black Italian loafers gave her a cool,
sleek look. She wasnt wearing her shoulder holster, but she
would be, along with a blazer, when she went out. The image
of confi dence and strength Cam projected was more than just
appearance, and it surprised Blair how right it felt to see her
lover preparing to do what she did so wel . “We cant stop living,
can we?
“No, Diane said with a shadow of a smile. “We
cant.
* * * * *
Blair stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around her
chest, and used another to dry her hair. She fi nger-combed
the thick waves and fi nished drying her body. She paused at a
knock on the bathroom door.
“Yes?
“Want a fresh cup of coffee?
Smiling, Blair pulled open the door that connected to
their bedroom. “Special delivery?
“At your service. Cam slipped inside and set the cup down on
the vanity. “Starks here.
Blair frowned. “What time is
it? “0700.
“God, shes eager.
“Shes just doing her job, Cam said,
smiling.
“Yeah, yeah. Blair tossed the towel aside and wrapped her
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