06. Honor Under Siege - Неизвестный

“I’m sure our friends could help cheer you up.”

“I’m 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? Didn’t Valerie trust her? Cam would help Valerie, if she were in trouble. Wouldn’t she?

Would she? Cam’s allegiance was never in doubt. Blair first. Country second. And friendship? Diane had no doubt that Cam would risk her life for Stark or Savard or any of the others. Didn’t Valerie, Cam’s ex-lover and colleague, fall into the same category?

But then, she didn’t really understand anything that had happened. She didn’t understand why Valerie had left, why she’d stayed away, and why she was obviously afraid to talk to her now. She wouldn’t understand until Valerie explained it, and she desperately needed to know. “I want to see you.”

“Diane—”

“No one will 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 she’d 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 hadn’t taken many disappointments before she had also learned not to make herself vulnerable by asking for things she couldn’t have. Valerie had effortlessly changed all that. And now, if she didn’t sense that begging would somehow endanger Valerie, she would gladly beg. Anything to break this unwilling isolation.

“How long will you be there?” Valerie finally asked.

“How long should I be?” Diane countered.

“A few days would be good.”

“I’ll try.” Diane opened her eyes. The moon had gone behind a cloud and the room was black. “Don’t be afraid.”

Valerie laughed thinly. “Of you?”

“For me,” Diane whispered.

“I don’t think I can promise that.”

Diane smiled. “And I feel the same. I’ll be waiting.”

“Goodbye,” Valerie whispered.

Diane sat in the silent darkness for a few more minutes, fixing the sound of Valerie’s voice in her mind. Then she pulled up the last number on her call log and called it.

I’m sorry. The number you’re trying to reach is no longer in service.

Chapter Seven

Tuesday

Blair paused halfway across the living room and groaned in appreciation as she smelled coffee. She turned toward the seating area in front of the windows and caught a glimpse of the first streaks of a hazy orange sunrise outside the windows. Diane sat curled up in one corner of the sofa in burgundy satin pj’s, her blond hair loose and partially shielding her face, a mug clasped in both hands.

“Hi,” Blair said. “Mind company?”

“No, of course not.”

Blair continued into the adjoining galley kitchen, poured coffee, and returned. She settled onto the sofa and mirrored Diane’s pose, legs drawn beneath her, partially turned so she could face her friend. “Early morning or late night?”

Diane smiled ruefully. “Both. Funny, I never used to mind sleeping alone.”

“It’s one thing to sleep alone because you prefer to,” Blair said half to herself. “But once you’ve gotten used to someone and then they’re not there, it’s a bitch.”

“I’d forgotten it’s not all that easy for you and Cam most of the time, either. Sorry.”

Blair stroked Diane’s shoulder. “I just meant I understand.”

“I know you do.” Diane was certain that Blair understood all of it—the reluctance to trust, the self-made barriers to protect against heartbreak and disappointment, and the terrible joy of letting someone inside at last. Blair had lived it, just as she had. And because Blair knew—knew her, knew what she hoped and feared, knew what it was to fight for what she wanted—Diane felt some of the desolation lift from her heart. “Valerie called.”

“Is she all right?” Blair held her breath and strained to hear the sound of the shower running in the master bathroom. She didn’t want Cam walking in on this conversation and hearing something she would feel duty bound to act on.

“I don’t know,” Diane said, her voice shaking slightly. “It was a tense conversation. She didn’t say that she wasn’t all right, but obviously something’s wrong.” She searched Blair’s eyes. “Do you know what’s going on?”

“Oh God,” Blair murmured. “I don’t, honey. Honest, not really. And I…” she glanced over her shoulder toward the hallway on the far side of the room.

“Cam’s involved somehow, isn’t she? And I’m putting you in the middle. I should go.”

“No,” Blair said sharply, grasping Diane’s arm to prevent her rising. “You should not go. No one knows anything, including Cam, other than Valerie snuck off in the middle of the night and doesn’t want anyone to know where she is.”

“You make it sound like she’s a criminal.”

Blair shook her head. “No one is saying that.” She wasn’t exactly certain that was true. She imagined that if Valerie hadn’t warned Matheson herself of the impending capture, then whoever had told him would point to her disappearance as evidence of her guilt. “But the way she left is suspicious, and the fact that she’s hiding doesn’t help clear things up at all.” Her grip softened and she clasped Diane’s fingers. “You know Cam, Di. She doesn’t jump to conclusions, and she never settles for easy answers. Valerie needs to talk to her.”

“I’m scared,” Diane whispered. “I’m scared that every phone call will be the last one. That I’ll never see her again and I’ll 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?”

Diane’s eyes were moist, the blue misted to gray with sadness. “How can I if I don’t know how to reach her?”

“Something tells me she’ll find 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 called 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 wouldn’t be pushed into making a decision any more than she would. “I’m going to talk to Lucinda this morning. After that, let’s just get out of here for a while. Walk around, shop, do something mindless.”

Some of the tension eased from Diane’s face. “I think that’s 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. She’d dressed for work for the first 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 wasn’t wearing her shoulder holster, but she would be, along with a blazer, when she went out. The image of confidence 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 well. “We can’t stop living, can we?”

“No,” Diane said with a shadow of a smile. “We can’t.”

Blair stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around her chest, and used another to dry her hair. She finger-combed the thick waves and finished 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. “Stark’s here.”

Blair frowned. “What time is it?”

“0700.”

“God, she’s eager.”

“She’s just doing her job,” Cam said, smiling.

“Yeah, yeah.” Blair tossed the towel aside and wrapped her arms around Cam’s neck. “So what are you going to do while I’m with Lucinda?”

Cam brushed both hands down Blair’s back and cupped her buttocks. “Probably be thinking about this.”

Blair grinned and nipped at Cam’s lower lip. “Smooth.”

“You’re getting my shirt wet,” Cam murmured, nuzzling Blair’s throat.

“Just your shirt?” Blair whispered in Cam’s ear and bumped her pelvis into Cam’s crotch.

Cam groaned. “Cut it out.”

Blair laughed, kissed her hard, and then let her go. Cam’s shirtfront showed the wet impressions of Blair’s breasts. “Uh-oh. You need a new shirt.”

“At the least.”

“So what are you doing this morning, Commander?” Blair followed Cam into the bedroom and sorted through the clothing she kept at Cam’s for occasions when she stayed over..

“I’m hoping to meet with your father’s security adviser about this new Office of Homeland Security,” Cam said as she changed her shirt.

“And your new job,” Blair said casually. Even though she’d known from the second her father offered the position that Cam would take it, the reality made her stomach tighten. She paused in the middle of buttoning her blouse. “I understand now why you wanted to be in charge of my security detail, even when I didn’t want you to be.”

“What do you mean?” Cam tucked in her shirt, but her eyes never left Blair’s face.

Blair slipped into her slacks and regarded her shoe choices. “I like having you where I can see you. Even though it doesn’t mean you’ll be safe, it feels less scary.”

“Hey,” Cam said, gently resting her hands on Blair’s shoulders. “It’s not that kind of job, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Blair sighed. “I hate being this shaky about things.”

“We’re all off balance.” Cam kissed her forehead. “Give yourself a break.”

“I’ll try.” Blair smiled. “I’d better go take care of Stark.”

Cam rolled her eyes. “Be gentle.”

Laughing, Blair skimmed her fingertips up the inside of Cam’s thigh. “Always.”

With a muttered curse, Cam followed Blair down the hallway.

In the living room, Paula pivoted away from the window where she’d been waiting. “Good morning.” She nodded to Cam before getting down to business. “I wanted to review your plans for the day, Ms. Powell.”

“After breakfast, I’m going to call Lucinda and see when she can fit me in,” Blair said. “This afternoon, Diane and I are going shopping.”

Blair was aware of both Cam and Paula stiffening. She wasn’t surprised. Neither of them would want her out and about. “I’m not staying locked up inside.”

“You didn’t mention a shopping trip.” Cam followed Blair into the kitchen.

“I just did,” Blair said, peering into the refrigerator. “There’s nothing in here to eat.”

“You know what I mean.”

Blair closed the door. “I figured there was no point in dealing with your objections and then Stark’s. This way, I get it all taken care of at once.”

Cam grinned but her eyes were serious. “The things I love about you make me crazy.”

“Funny how that works.” Blair kissed her. “Let’s gather the troops and go out to breakfast. Then let’s go to the White House.”

“Thanks for seeing me, Luce,” Blair said. While she’d been waiting, she’d counted two senators, three deputy directors, the White House press secretary, and a handful of lobbyists pass in and out of Lucinda’s office. “Things look hectic.”

“It’s never a problem to meet with you.” Lucinda relaxed into a chair in the seating area as if she had all the time in the world.

Blair was instantly on guard. “I wanted to clear up a few things about yesterday and inform you of some new plans.”

“All right. Would you like something to drink? Pastry?”

“No,” Blair said carefully, trying to read what was behind Lucinda’s calm façade. She’d never been able to, and she still couldn’t. “We just had breakfast. Thanks.”

“Oh, that’s right. Cam’s here too, isn’t she. Meeting with Averill.”

Blair didn’t see that the statement required an answer. Lucinda knew everything that was happening in the White House. In the country for that matter. Hell, most likely in the entire world. So she obviously knew that Cam was meeting with the presidential security adviser. “I suppose you know all the details there.”

Lucinda nodded, without actually acknowledging anything.

“I’m not going to help you with Diane.”

“You’ve forgotten that I know Diane,” Lucinda said evenly. “I’ve known her almost as long as I’ve known you.” She held Blair’s eyes. “She could be in trouble.”

“Don’t use my friends to blackmail me into doing something I know is wrong,” Blair said sharply.

“But I expect that Cam will explain all that to you.”

“Or my lover.”

Lucinda sighed. “Blair, next to your father, you’re my favorite person in the world. But you really can be a right pain in the ass sometimes.”

Blair smiled. “I’m not going to suggest how I come by that trait— considering my role models.”

“I’m not exaggerating when I say that Diane may be in danger. If I know that she was involved with Valerie Lawrence, other people do too. Other people may think she can help them find Valerie.”

“She’s with me, and for the time being, I intend to keep her with me.”

“That might be a good idea,” Lucinda mused. “If she’s with you, she’ll be under surveillance by our people.”

“She’ll be safe,” Blair snapped. She jumped up, too agitated to continue to sit and pretend they were having an ordinary conversation. “God, Lucinda! Is this what it costs to keep my father in office? People you know, people you love, become pawns?”

A hint of color flared on Lucinda’s cheeks. “Sometimes it costs a great deal more than that, Blair. It goes without saying that being under surveillance by the best security team in the world will keep her safe. It also might help us, and I’d be a fool, or worse, to suggest otherwise.”

Blair closed her eyes for an instant, and when she opened them again, she gave Lucinda an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t do what you do, and I know how necessary it is.” She sat down again. “As soon as Cam settles whatever she needs to do in this new position, I’m taking the whole team and Diane back to where we’ve been staying for the last month.”

Lucinda raised an eyebrow. “Cameron intends to go back with you?” She held up a hand. “Never mind. I’m sure Averill will discuss that with me.” She crossed her legs, her black skirt rising to reveal the barest hint of shapely thighs. “Let me give it some thought, but that just might be an excellent plan. Of course, you’re going to have to tell me where it is.”

“Just you?”

“For now.”

“Whitley Point.”

“Tanner Whitley’s place?”

Blair nodded.

Lucinda laughed. “Oh my God, you and Diane and Tanner together? I feel for your security team.”

“Tanner’s married,” Blair said, grinning. Lucinda had been around for most of her wild prep school years and was aware of some of the trouble the three of them had gotten into. Of course, most of the time they’d been successful in pulling off their fairly frequent disappearing acts. “Which brings me to the other thing I wanted to discuss with you.”