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
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.
“Guilty
as
charged.
“Excuse me, Paula Stark said as she made her way down
the center aisle. “Well be on the ground in a few minutes.
Ground transport will meet us on the tarmac. Youll exit once
weve cleared
the area, Ms. Powel .
“Thank you, Paula. I know the
drill. “Yes maam.
“Sorry. Blair sighed, already feeling the claustrophobic atmosphere
of priority one security. “Paula, Ill be staying at Cams after
we finish at the White House.
Paula nodded, her expression never changing. “Yes maam.
When Stark had moved back toward the front of the plane, stopping
partway to confer with her team, Cam whispered, “It would be easier if
we stayed at the White House.
“Easier
for
whom?
Cam laughed. “Your security
team.
“I dont like to make love in those antique
beds.
“Have plans, do
you?
“Oh yes, Blair whispered. “I most definitely have
plans.
Cam set led back for the landing, Blairs hand stil in hers. “Wel ,
then, the security team wil just have to make adjustments.
Chapter Three
P aula exited the plane first, fol owed by Hara and Wozinski. Felicia
Davis waited just inside the open door to accompany Blair. Two late-
model black Suburbans idled at the edge of the tarmac, each with a
driver behind the wheel
and an agent standing near the open rear door. The ground transport
teams were Washington-based Secret Service field agents who were
cal ed upon to provide backup support for the first family and
visiting dignitaries upon the protectees arrival in DC.
Hara and Wozinski stopped at the bot om of the flight stairs while Paula
crossed to the vehicles. She checked the IDs of every agent, scanned the
front and rear compartments of both vehicles, and then took a slow
visual survey of everything with a sight line to the path Blair
would take from the plane to the Suburbanother vehicles, rooftops,
communication towers. Everything she did was SOP, but it would
never be routine again. Blairs security had been breached. They
had al learned a lesson at a nearly inconceivable price.
“Ms. Powel wil ride with you, Paula said, leaning down to the open
drivers window of the first vehicle. “Il advise as to route once were in
motion.
“Yes maam, the driver, a fresh-faced blond with a military style
haircut, said sharply.
Paula walked back to the plane. When shed contacted the Washington
team, shed outlined three potential motorcade routes from the air force
base to the White House. Blair was vulnerable on the road in any type of
vehicle, even with bul etproof glass and armored plating. Something as
simple as a suicide driver in a tanker truck loaded with gasoline could
kil her.
Once again, this was standard operating procedure, but Paula
was uncomfortably aware of not total y trusting anyone outside of
her immediate team. She did not welcome the feeling that no one, even
those she should be able to trust implicitly, was above suspicion any
longer, and she feared the situation was the new status quo.
With a nod to Hara and Wozinski, she started up the stairs to the
plane. The pilots had not powered down the engines, remaining
prepared to take flight again on her word if anything appeared amiss.
“Clear to disembark, she reported to the marine who had accompanied
them in flight. He saluted and went forward to advise the pilot and
copilot while she waited on the narrow platform at the top of the stairs,
shielding the door and any view of Blair with her body.
Inside the cabin, Felicia stepped to one side so that Blair and Cam could
pass. She then moved up behind Blair.
“You should let Renée go down first, Paula, Blair said, halting at the top
of the stairs. “Shes going to have trouble on the stairs with those
crutches.
“Lets proceed to your vehicle, Ms. Powel , Paula said. “Hara can give
Agent
Savard a hand in a
moment.
Blair started to protest, then felt a gentle touch on the base of her spine
just as
Cam whispered, “Youre not secure here. Lets
go.
“God, now Ive got t wo of you ordering me around, Blair mut ered,
but she started down behind Paula. As soon as she reached the
ground, Hara and Wozinski closed in on either side, and with Felicia
behind, the agents formed a protective ring around Blair and Cam as
Paula led the way to the first vehicle. An agent Blair didnt recognize
opened the rear door and she and Cam climbed in.
“Were in the middle of a United States Air Force base, Blair griped.
“The marine unit that protects my father and the White House is
stationed here. What in Gods name could happen to me walking from
the plane?
“It doesnt mat er where we are, Cam said quietly. “Were at
priority one.
Blair sighed. “And Im sure Stark realizes youre watching her every
move. Il be lucky if she lets me take a breath without permission.
“Im not watching her every move, Cam said. “I already know that Stark
knows
what needs to be done. And she knows that
too.
“Sorry. Blair peered out through the smoked bul etproof
glass. Felicia had apparently returned to the plane after Blair was
secure in the vehicle, and she and Hara crossed the tarmac
toward the second car with Renée between them. Paula and
Wozinski headed toward their vehicle. “Im edgy.
Cam took her hand. “I know. Its okay.
Paula climbed into the rear, Wozinski into the
front.
“Would you still like to go directly to the White House,
Ms. Powel ? Paula asked.
“Yes, thank you.
Paula keyed her transmitter to contact the drivers of both
vehicles. “Destination Alpha, route Delta.
The Suburban accelerated smoothly and quickly away from
the runway, and Blair settled back for the familiar ride.
* * * * *
“Are you okay? Cam asked.
Across from them, Stark looked out the window, her
expression remote. Cam knew from experience that she
could hear their conversation, but by means of some
unconscious filter cultivated by most Secret Service agents for
their own comfort as well
as that of their protectees, she would
not register the meaning of the words.
“I just want to find out what onerous chore Luce has planned
for me now. Its been a while since Ive had a command
performance, so I imagine she needs a visible White House
presence somewhere.
Cam wasnt happy with that thought. Ordinarily, Lucinda
tapped Blair when the White House wanted to make a statement,
the kind of declaration that the president couldnt make himself
for political reasonssuch as offering support for a pro-
choice charitable organization or attendance at a fundraiser for
a beleaguered political al y. Sometimes, the White House just
needed a presence at a media-worthy event, and Blair was
always popular. She was beautiful, wel -educated, and
personable. She was a great stand-in for her father. And her
status made her a great target.
“Now isnt exactly the time to be parading you out in public,
Cam observed.
“What? Blair focused on Cam, aware of the tight thread
of disapproval in her tone. “Do you want me to sit in a dark
room somewhere for the rest of my fathers presidency?
“That might not be a bad
idea.
In the past they would have fought about it. As it was,
Blair struggled with her temper and her overwhelming need
not to be control ed. Shed spent all her life resisting the efforts
of others to safeguard her at the cost of her independence. Shed
resisted Cam, too, for months, even as she tried to seduce her.
Shed wanted to prove that she didnt need to be protected, and
shed wanted to undercut Cams authority over her.
Unfortunately, her plan hadnt worked. Shed fal en in love, and
although she hadnt realized what that meant at first, she did
now. Loving, being loved, was a
responsibility. The decisions she made now didnt just affect
her, they affected Cams life, too. So she took a breath and
listened to what Cam hadnt said. Cam was worried for her.
“Remember you said yourself we couldnt stop living, Blair
said. “We cant let whoever tried to destroy us think theyve
frightened me into hiding.
A pulse pounded in Cams neck. “I wasnt talking about putting
you on display somewhere when I said that.
“You dont know thats what Lucinda wants.
“Shes gearing up for your fathers reelection campaign. Shes
not going to put that on hold no matter whats happening
on the international scene. Cam consciously relaxed her hands,
which had tightened into fists. “And youre going to be a great