Honor Under Siege Read online

  campaign asset.

  “Darling, Ive never been a great campaign asset. Im the wild child,

  remember? Blair laughed, thinking of the international debacle that

  would have resulted if her af air the year before with the French

  ambassadors wife had come to light. “My security chiefs spent half their

  time trying to keep me out of the press, not in it.

  “Not anymore. Cam trailed her fingers down Blairs cheek. “Youre as

  close to a first lady as this country has. And the public loves you.

  “Lets just wait and see what she wants, Blair said, but she had an uneasy

  feeling that Cam might be right. Shed taken a back seat during her

  fathers run for the presidency, but she wouldnt be able to do that

  again. She wanted him to be reelected. The country needed him. And if

  he needed her , she might have to get used to campaigning. She found

  Cams hand and squeezed it. “Im not the first lady. Im just your lady.

  “When did you figure out just what I needed to hear?

  Cam

  murmured, kissing Blairs temple.

  “Ive been practicing.

  “Youre doing wel .

  Blair smiled. “Yeah? How wel ?

  “Want to keep Lucinda waiting for an hour or

  two?

  “Yes. Blair leaned closer to Cam. Dropping her voice,

  she whispered, “Youre not the only one whos been suffering

  while you recuperated.

  “Then its probably going to take me more than two hours to

  make it up to you. It might take me all night.

  “Then I guess Ill just have to suffer a little while longer. With

  a satisfied expression, Blair leaned back and closed her

  eyes. “Because I dont intend to hurry.

  * * * * *

  When Emilio, assistant to the White House Chief of Staff, directed

  Blair and Cam into Lucinda Washburns office, Lucinda was on

  the phone. Blair waved to the commanding looking woman

  with the stylishly coiffed, silver-streaked black hair. As usual,

  Lucinda wore a conservatively styled jacket and skirt, plum

  colored this time, offset by burnished gold jewelry at her ears

  and throat. A single large, square cut emerald in a plain gold

  setting adorned the ring finger of her right hand. That, Blair

  noted, was new.

  Lucinda paced in front of a wide walnut desk covered with

  neat

  stacks of folders and memoranda. When she caught Blairs

  eye, she mouthed coffee and pointed to a credenza against one

  wall .

  Blair signed, you too? and at Lucindas nod, proceeded to

  pour coffee into three China cups. She handed one to Lucinda

  and then carried the others to the sofa across from Lucindas

  desk, where Cam was waiting. They sipped in silence as

  Lucinda expertly pressured whoever was on the phone.

  Her tone was even and unmistakably edged with flint.

  “Listen Tom, I real y dont care if Charlie has to walk all the

  way from Chicago. He owes us that vote and I expect him

  to be here tomorrow morning for roll call. With a faint smile,

  she concluded, “Either that, or hell find himself pushing that

  school tax referendum up a long steep hill all by himself.

  Lucinda listened for another few seconds, said, “Wonderful,

  and hung up. Then she crossed the room and settled into one

  of the brocade Chippendale chairs facing Blair and Cam. “Good

  flight?

  “Military transport isnt known for luxury, Blair

  said. “True, Lucinda conceded. “But theyre

  reliable. “Wel , Im here now, so what do you

  need?

  “Id forgot en how much you enjoy smal talk. Lucinda turned to Cam.

  “How are you feeling?

  “Bet er

  every

  day.

  “Judicious

  answer.

  “Luce, Blair said impatiently. “I was having a real y nice morning

  when you

  cal ed. A walk on the beach, and then I was planning on going back to

  bed. Once there, I intended to sedu

  “You can probably skip those details, Blair, Cam interjected, brushing

  her hand down Blairs arm.

  Lucinda laughed. “I wouldnt put it past you to tel me al the details, Blair,

  just to make me suf er. Considering that I havent been out of this of ice

  before 2 a.m. the last month, I havent exactly been getting

  Blair held up her hands. “I dont want to know what you do in your

  spare time.

  “Truce then. Lucindas expression softened for an instant. “You look

  rested, both of you, as much as can be expected. Doing al right?

  Both Blair and Cam

  nodded.

  “Good. Lucinda drained her cof ee cup and set it careful y on a

  low cherrywood Federal table. “We have a slight problem that I think

  you can help us with.

  Blair stif ened. Cam remained completely stil , but her eyes sharpened

  as she studied Lucindas face.

  “The Company has lost an important asset, and theyd rather not

  inform their counterparts in the other divisions. Such a lapse is

  embarrassing, especial y these days when everyone is a lit le unsure of

  who wil remain top dog in the security world.

  “Is this conversation being taped? Blair asked

  casual y.

  “Of

  course

  not.

  “No video cameras in

  here?

  “No.

  “Then do you think it would be possible, Blair said, emphasizing each

  word, “for us to speak English, Lucinda?

  “The CIA has lost a deep cover operative and they dont want the FBI

  or the

  Department of Defense to know

  about it.

  “Valerie Lawrence, Cam

  said.

  Lucinda regarded her steadily. “Yes, and I dont think wed even know

  about it except someone at Langley let a bit of a memo regarding the

  lost contact slip into the daily security briefing report. Averil Jensen

  picked it up.

  Blair knew Jensen wel . He was her fathers hand-picked security

  adviser, and before her fathers presidency, Averil had been at orney

  general. Hed also been her fathers col ege roommate. She said,

  “Averil would. He never misses anything.

  “Yes, and when he fol owed up, the lid slammed shut. Lucinda

  lifted her shoulder. “I suspect the operative responsible for the

  information leak has been transferred someplace where the nights are

  long and dark.

  “So Valerie is out in the cold somewhere, Cam said. “Are they trying to

  bring her in?

  “We dont know. But wed like to find her ourselves. Lucinda crossed

  her legs and folded her hands loosely in her lap. Relaxed. Friendly.

  “You know her, Cam. That could be useful.

  “I dont think I like where this is going, Blair said. “Cam and

  Valerie

  “Have a history, yes I know. Lucindas gaze never wavered from Cam,

  even when Blair stood abruptly.

  “History, Luce. History. As in past. Blair wanted to pace but the room

  wasnt quite big enough for it. Instead she walked to Lucindas desk

  and stood there with her back to the others. She looked out the French

  doors that opened to the esplanade running along one side of the
West

  Wing until the red haze of anger cleared from her brain, then she turned

  back. Cam and Valerie had once been lovers when Cam had thought

  that Valerie was a high-priced Washington cal girl. “Cam doesnt know

  anything.

  “Blair, Cam said gently. “Thats not why were

  here.

  “I dont understand. Blair looked from Lucinda to Cam. “God damn it,

  I hate this.

  “Its Diane, Cam said, watching Lucinda.

  “Isnt it?

  “Oh no. No, no, no. Blair stalked back to the sit ing area but did not

  sit. She slammed her hands onto her hips to hide the fact that they were

  shaking. “Diane is not part of this. She was never part of this. She

  doesnt know

  “We havent been able to access very much information, Lucinda went on

  in her conversational tone. “Averil wouldnt have pushed at al except

  Lawrences name came up in association with the raid in Tennessee.

  Thats get ing close to home.

  “So you want to know what Valerie knows, Cam said, thinking out

  loud. She reached up and pul ed Blair down beside her. “Its okay. Lets

  just talk for a few minutes.

  “Actual y, we want to know who Valerie knows, Lucinda replied.

  “Because someone tipped Matheson about the raid. Hes disappeared.

  Cam straightened in surprise. Matheson was the head of a

  paramilitary organization that had direct ties with the men who had

  staged the assault on Blair in the Aerie. Possibly even with the men who

  had orchestrated the World Trade Center at acks. When Cams team

  uncovered his identity, she, Renée, and a

  hand-picked cadre of covert military operatives, had stormed the

  compound. Matheson had not been there. “I thought the Company had

  him.

  Lucinda shook her head. “As far as we know, no one has

  him.

  “And someone thinks Valerie tipped him of ? Cam asked

  tightly.

  “We dont know anything. We would very much like to speak to

  Valerie

  Lawrence

  .

  “Whos we ? Blair

  snapped.

  Lucinda rose. “Have you two had lunch? I was about to ring for

  something.

  Blair closed her eyes and counted to ten. “This is one of those times

  when my father doesnt know anything, right? Even when he does?

  “Turkey clubs okay? Lucinda inquired with the phone in

  her hand.

  “Yes, fine, Blair said. “I stil dont understand why were

  here.

  Lucinda gave her order to the kitchen, then hung up. “As I said,

  wewel , Averil was able to access some of the information about

  Valerie Lawrence before the door slammed shut. They had tapes. Phone

  records. We have reason to believe shes going to contact, or already has

  contacted, Diane Bleeker.

  “Diane doesnt know anything about this, Blair repeated

  insistently.

  “No, she probably doesnt, Lucinda said. “Al we need to know is

  where

  Valerie is. When she contacts Diane, wel

  know.

  Blair laughed harshly. “Diane wil never tel

  you that.

  “No, Lucinda said. “But shel tel

  you.

  Cam slid her arm around Blairs shoulders. Blair pul ed

  away.

  “I wont do it. I wont do it for you, Luce, I wont do it for my father, I

  wont do it for anyone. I love Diane. Shes my friend. I wont spy on her.

  “I understand, Lucinda said. “Just think

  about it.

  “Theres nothing to think about. Nothing at al . Blair jumped to her

  feet. “Im going for a walk.

  Cam stood but Blair shook her head, insisting, “No, Im going by

  myself. “Blair. Cam tried to catch her hand but Blair

  sidestepped. “Baby, lets “No. Justno.

  Cam watched her go, a sinking feeling in her chest. She reached for her

  radio to cal the team, and then realized she didnt have it. She didnt have

  it because she wasnt part of the team. “God damn it. She started toward

  the door.

  “Theyl pick her up right outside the of ice, Lucinda said. “Give her

  some time, Cam. Its been a dif icult month.

  It took everything Cam had not to go after Blair. To trust that

  someone else would. That someone would keep her safe.

  “Besides, Lucinda said. “It wil give us time to

  talk.

  Chapter Four

  B lair yanked out the clip that held her hair at the back of her neck,

  let ing her thick, unruly waves fal free around her face. She was

  aware of Paula Stark fal ing in behind her as she hurried from Lucindas

  corner of ice in the West Wing through the labyrinth of hal ways and

  into the lobby. Once outside, she skirted

  around the circular drive toward the northwest

  gate.

  “Ms. Powel , Paula said, slightly breathless as she fel into step. “It

  would be bet er if we took the vehicle. If you let me know your destina

  “Im

  walking,

  Blair

  snapped.

  “Uh, yes, I can see that, but with al respect, were not prepared for

  street surveil ance.

  “If you and your minions werent tagging along behind me in your shiny

  blue suits with your big-ass gas-guzzling black car, no one would

  even notice me. Go away.

  “I cant go away. Im sorry. Paula was wel aware that Blair could go

  unnoticed in street clothes. She had fol owed her into enough bars, and

  seen her pick up women who had no idea who she was enough times,

  to be convinced of that. Nevertheless, she wasnt comforted by the

  knowledge that people might not recognize Blair when she wasnt at an

  of icial function or dressed for a political af air. It was just as

  possible that unfriendlies were routinely watching the comings and

  goings at the White House, and right now, Paula didnt have enough

  personnel to guard Blair out in the open. “Maam, this is not advisable.

  “I just need some air. Blair slowed and met Paulas worried gaze.

  “Please. Just give me a few minutes.

  “If you wouldnt mind waiting, I can have another team here in two

  minutes. Paula glanced over her shoulder and saw the Suburban fol

  owing slowly behind them on 17 St. She held a hand behind her

  with two fingers extended and heard car doors open and close.

  Hara and Wozinski should be on the ground now too. Unfortunately, it

  was late afternoon and would be dark soon. They were also heading

  toward the Mal , which was exactly where she did not want to be at

  night.

  “Can we compromise? she urged. “Can you just sit somewhere, and I

  promise wel disappear.

  Blair laughed abruptly and looked past her to Hara and Wozinski. “The

  three of you would stand out in a crowd, no mat er what you were

  wearing. Out here, you might as wel be waving a sign saying were

  government agents.

  Paula pointed to a bench. “Theres a great spot right by the

  reflecting pool.

  “And with three people, you can easily watch my back and flanks, and

  unless the creature from the Black Lagoon comes up out of the pool, you

  dont have to worry about a frontal approach. Blair recited the t
actics

  flatly as she quickened her pace. She sat down on the white stone

  bench, gripped the cold edges with her fingers, and closed her eyes.

  She wasnt angry with Paula. Making Paulas job harder wasnt going

  to ease the hurt and fury that stormed with equal measure inside

  her.

  She couldnt believe that Lucinda had summoned her to Washington to

  ask her to spy on Diane. No, actual y she could believe it. Shed seen

  people in power compromise their principles often enough, but she hated

  to think that the people she loved, Lucinda and her father, would

  sacrifice trust and fidelity to achieve their goals. Maybe thats why shed

  fal en in love with Cam. Because Cam was always so clear about

  which side of the line she stood on. Cam did not compromise.

  “Paula? Blair said softly as the sun went

  down.

  “Yes maam? The reply came from somewhere

  behind her.

  “Would you cal Cam and tel her youre with me. Shel

  worry.

  “Right away. After a moments silence, Paula added, “Can I tel her

  when we might be back?

  “In a little while,

  Blair

  murmured.

  She should go back. Cam wouldnt be satisfied with a phone cal .

  It didnt matter that she knew Paula was capable. It didnt matter

  that she knew Blair was safe. She needed to see that for herself.

  Blair sensed that Cam already felt powerless with Paula in

  command and that she was having trouble adjusting to the

  change in their relationship. She

  loved Cam for wanting to protect her and care for her,

  even though that wasnt why shed fal en in love with her or

  even what she needed most from her. Trying to change that

  about Cam would be denying what made her who she was.

  And making her needlessly uncomfortable was just unkind. She

  could be furious at her father and Lucinda just as easily at Cams

  condo.

  “Paula?

  “Yes maam?

  “Would you ask her to walk down to meet

  us?

  “I dont think shell be able to, maam. Shes in a meeting with

  the president.

  Blairs stomach tightened. So there was more. Of course there

  was. Lucinda didnt fly her down here just to solicit a little

  snooping between girlfriends. Cam was a trained investigator. Cam

  had been Valeries lover. Cam was talking to her father. Alone.

  Cam never turned down an assignment, never stepped away

  from her duty, never put her own safety first.

  Blair stood abruptly and strode from the park, Paula and the

  other