someone you think is a friendthis is going to be news, Blair, and
people wil pay for this kind of information.
Blair fl ushed. She hated the thought that her life was tabloid material.
“I cant stop that. Ive never been able to.
“Wel , at least consider the timing. Lucinda sat forward. “Wel be
facing midterm elections soon and then swinging directly into the
presidential reelection campaign. Your timing couldnt be worse for
something like this.
“Something like this, Blair said fl atly. “Something like this would be
my life , Lucinda.
“I know, Lucinda said gently. “I know, and I know how much of your
life has been overshadowed by your fathers career. Im not going to
apologize for that, but I do know.
Blair rubbed her forehead. “Dont switch sides on me now, Lucinda. Just
stick with the hard-ass routine.
Lucinda smiled. “Youre going to expose your personal life to
international scrutiny. To say nothing of fueling every right wing fanatic
in this country. Do you real y want that?
“What I want is to do what feels right for myself and my lover
and our relationship without worrying about the politics of it. Blair
sighed. “Dont tel me you cant fi gure out a way to spin it.
“Probably. At least give me time to work on
that.
“Il postpone hiring a fl
oat.
“Thank you. Lucinda glanced at her watch and then rose. “Ive got a
budget meeting, so Il get back to you on this.
“Il let you know before I leave
town.
“Good. By the way, theres a fundraiser in Boston this weekend that I
need you to attend.
“I cant do it, Luce. Theres just too much going on right
now.
“I understand. Lucinda walked back to her desk, sat down, and drew a
fi le toward her. “Its for stem cel research. One of the primary
investigators at Harvard wil be there, and I just thought you might want
to show your support.
“Damn it. Blair had no doubt that proponents of stem cel research,
including major pharmaceutical companies, were lobbying hard in
Washington to prevent legislation aimed at restricting the source of
tissues used for the studies. Her father couldnt publicly issue a
statement in favor of the research, but she could, as the daughter of a
woman who died of breast cancer. Her presence at the fundraiser
would send a clear message as to the White Houses position. Despite the
fact that she didnt like to be used as a White House front person,
she happened to believe in this research. She yanked open the door. “Il
be there. E-mail me the details.
“Thats wonderful. Thank
you.
Blair closed the door without answering. As usual after leaving Lucinda,
she was never certain if shed won or lost the skirmish. She walked
briskly past Paula and Felicia and pul ed out her cel phone.
“Hows it going? she asked when Cam
answered. “Im going to be here most of the
day. You? “Bloodied, but unbowed.
Cam laughed. “What about the rest of your plans? Any
changes?
“No. And you dont have to say it. Il be
careful.
“Thanks. Il see you later,
then.
“Al right. I love
you.
“I love you
too.
Blair closed her phone, smiling. She wondered what the national security
chief thought about that .
Chapter Eight
A re you ready for some serious shopping? Blair held up Dianes
coat. She hoped that the diversion would take Dianes mind of
Valerie, but knew it wouldnt. Shed been there too many times
herself, not knowing what was happening with someone she loved, not
being able to help or protect them.
Diane smiled, but it didnt reach her eyes. Her smooth, milky
complexion was even paler than normal, and lines of tension marred the
sleek planes of her face. Diane was ordinarily so poised and kept her
emotions so tightly reined that to see those cracks in her composure
made Blairs heart ache. It also made her angry. Angry at Valerie for
could happen, at the political system that so ef ortlessly ignored the
human consequences of its policies, and even at herself, for not
knowing the best way to help her friend.
“The Shops at Georgetown? Blair
suggested.
“Lets start on M Street and fi nish up
inside.
“Done. Blair grinned when she heard Stark muf l e a groan. Many of the
trendy boutiques on M Street in Georgetown fronted a portion of the
four-story mal that housed over seventy shops and restaurants. It was the
best shopping in DC. She hooked her arm through Dianes as they
stepped out into the foyer and pushed the but on for the elevator. “Im
glad youre here.
“So am I, Diane
whispered.
Paula slid into the elevator next to them. “I dont suppose you could
think of a slightly less crowded place for your retail therapy?
“What, and take al the fun out of it? Blair feigned shock. She knew
from experience that her security agents hated it when she went to
large, crowded places where it was impossible for them to set up
advance surveil ance. But if she let that dictate her movements, shed
never go to a movie or a street fair or a shopping mal . Until the recent
at acks, outings such as this had been more an inconvenience than a
serious security issue, and that was al the more reason for her not to
change her behavior now.
“Fun, Paula mut ered. “More like
hel .
“You never know. Blair laughed as the elevator opened and they al
stepped out. “You might end up enjoying it.
Paula, busy alerting Hara in the vehicle idling at the curb that they were
exiting, didnt bother to object.
“Oh, goody, Blair said as Felicia moved up beside her, “girls
day out.
“We didnt think Greg would mind if I took his shift this afternoon,
Felicia said. “Hi Diane.
“Its good to see you again, Diane said, as she climbed into the rear
of the
Suburban next to Blair. “Hows Mac
doing?
Felicias smile widened. “Hes out of the hospital and doing
very wel .
“I suppose hes chafi ng to get back to
work.
“Hes like the rest of us. If were not working, we tend to get into trouble.
Felicia glanced at Stark. “I know he misses being part of the team.
“The team misses him, Stark
said.
“Hopeful y, hel be back soon, Blair said, wondering if Mac would
resume his duties as second-in-command and communications of i cer.
That would be up to
Paula now. Felicia had taken over Macs responsibilities when he
was shot during the assassination attempt at the Aerie, but her
real expertise was intel igence and data analysis. “Tel him I said hi.
“I wil , Felicia replied. “Where are we
headed?
“Georgetown Park,
Paula said with a
grimace.
Felicias eyes widened. “Oh, I should be get ing hazard pay. To be
surrounded by al that trendy glit er and not be able to window shop.
Thats harsh.
Blair laughed. Even though she loved Mac and enjoyed Greg
Wozinskis dry humor and subtle sensitivity, if she had to have close
surveil ance twenty-four hours a day, it was so nice to have female
agents. They understood about shopping.
Nevertheless, three hours later, Blair found that even Paula was as
grumpy as any of the male agents who had ever accompanied
her on a shopping excursion.
“Im just going to try on these dresses. She gave Paula a
winning smile. “I need something for the fundraiser this
weekend.
“It feels like divine punishment that were shopping at a
place cal ed the White House, Paula said with a sigh.
“Maybe its cosmic destiny, Blair said as she carried another
stack of clothing into the dressing room. “If you see Diane, tell
her Im in here. She went to check out the shoes.
“Fine. Great. Paula turned her back to the dressing room door
and folded her arms. It wasnt that she minded shopping so
much, she just didnt like to do it for hours on end. And
when she went shopping, it was always with something specifi c
in minda new pair
of shoes or a suit to replace one that got torn up or soiled
during work. It was never just to check out the latest styles. She
scanned the dress department, automatical y reviewing the faces
to see if any seemed familiar from other stores, other
departments. She didnt recognize anyone and was comfortable
that they were not being fol owed. Felicia, posted in the aisle
between the dresses and accessories, was doing the same thing.
Hara had drawn the short straw and stayed with the vehicle.
Idly, Paula watched a woman pull a white halter dress from a
rack and hold it up in front of her body. The unexpected mental
picture of Renée in that dress stirred a hum of arousal in the
pit of her stomach, and she swiftly looked away. Felicia was
right. Shopping was dangerous duty.
* * * * *
Diane lifted a Louboutin black lace and suede pump with a
peep toe, thinking it would go well with the dress she was
planning to wear to the fundraiser Blair had invited her to.
Ordinarily, she would have looked forward to a gala event, but
it was hard to be excited about a night out now.
“Would you like to try those on? a saleswoman asked with a
polite smile.
“Yes I Diane caught her breath as she glimpsed a fi gure slip
from view on the opposite side of the room. She went on
hurriedly, “Not just yet, thank you.
“Of course. Just let me know.
Diane dropped the shoe back onto the rack and walked quickly
across the
seating area toward the sign marked exit. She pushed through the fi re
door and into the stairwel .
Valerie stood on the
landing.
“Oh my God, Diane breathed. She extended one hand, but didnt touch
her. “I wasnt sureI thought I saw you once earlier, but I told myself it
was just my imagination. She let her fi ngertips drift down Valeries
cheek. “It is you, isnt it?
Valerie caught Dianes hand and kissed her palm.
“Yes.
“How did you know where I
was?
“I cal ed the gal ery and asked for you. They know me as an art
dealer, remember? Valerie kept hold of Dianes hand, stroking the top
with her thumb. “They told me you were in DC, and it wasnt hard for
me to fi gure out where.
“But how did you know I would be
here ?
Valerie smiled softly. “The Suburban is hard to miss. Ive just been
waiting until you werent with Blair.
Diane touched the loose curls at the base of Valeries neck. “Youve
cut your hair. She fi ngered the soft blond strands. “Its nice. She
was used to seeing Valerie in stylish slacks, silk blouses, and designer
jackets. Today she wore a navy T-shirt, low-cut Levis, and scuf ed
brown boots. Her worn brown leather jacket was over-sized, hiding
her ful breasts and slender torso. She looked younger. And she
looked very tired. “Are you al right?
“Yes. Valerie drew a shaky breath. “God, I want to kiss
you.
Diane smiled. “Thats good, because I feel the same way. Do you think
we could get out of the stairwel ?
Valerie shook her head. “I shouldnt even be here, but I just hadI just
wanted to
see
you.
“Youre in trouble, arent
you?
“Im not sure. Valerie leaned forward and brushed her lips over Dianes.
“Im so sorry.
“For what? Diane gently caressed Valeries face again, then drew closer
and kissed her softly. Shed left her coat in the car, and the heat of
Valeries body penetrated her silk blouse and slacks as if they werent
even there. Dianes nipples tightened instantly and she moaned softly.
“Oh, Ive missed you. Where are you staying? Can I come to you?
Valerie shook her head. “No. You cant right
now.
Diane slid her hand inside Valeries jacket and clasped her waist. “Then
come to me. We need to talk. I need to understand whats happening.
She kissed her again, harder. “I need you. Please.
Valerie skimmed her fi ngers into Dianes hair, her body trembling. “You
cant. It might be dangerous, and I wont have you hurt.
“Being away from you hurts me, Diane whispered. “Not knowing
whats happening to you is driving me mad. Please. Give me a
number to cal , somewhere to meet you.
“Im using disposable phones. Il cal you. Valerie curled her hand behind
Dianes neck and pul ed her close. Her tongue slid possessively into
Dianes open mouth. She groaned, the sound mingling with Dianes
echoing moan. When she pul ed away, her ice blue eyes sparkled
with tears. “I love you. No mat er what happens, I want you to know
that.
Diane pressed her fi ngertips to Valeries mouth. “There wont be any
goodbyes. Whatever has happened, Cam can help you. You know how
to reach her. Cal her.
Valerie shook her head. “Not yet. Not until I know
more.
“You can trust her, Diane said insistently. “I know you can. Yo u know
you can.
“Cam cant control everything, Diane, Valerie said wearily. “There are
powerful people involved. Dangerous people.
“And thats al the more reason for you to have help. You cant do this
alone. Diane kept both arms around Valeries waist, afraid that she
would bolt and disappear. “I dont want you to be alone.
“Ive always been alone, Valerie whispered, “until
you.
“And Im not going to let you go, Diane said urgently. “Il only be here
a few more days. Let me come to you.
“Are you going back to
Manhat an?
“I dont know. Im probably going Out of years of habit, Diane
hesitated mentioning anything about Blair.
&nb
sp; Valerie stif ened. “Never mind. You dont have to
tel me. Diane shook her head. “Its not what you
think.
“You dont have any reason to trust me. Valerie gently disengaged
Dianes hold on her and backed away. “I should apologize for ever
involving you.
“Dont you say that, Diane shot back. “This isnt just about you, and what
you need and what youre afraid of. Im in this too, because I chose to be.
She closed the distance that Valerie had created. “I chose to be with
you.
“How can you choose when you dont even know whats
going on?
Dianes heart clenched at the uncertainty in Valeries voice and the
tormented look in her eyes. She sensed Valerie struggling not to pul
away and risked sliding her hand inside her jacket again. When she
rested her fi ngertips against Valeries side, Valerie trembled.
“Oh, dont, Diane breathed. “Dont hurt so much, my darling.
Help me understand. Tel me, so that when I say I love you, you can
trust me.
“I cant seem to think straight when youre near me, Valerie murmured
before kissing her again. When the door behind them opened, she spun
Diane to the wal , shielding Dianes body with her own, and pushed her
hand into her jacket pocket. “Keep your head down.
Diane held her breath, her heart jumping in her chest. Valeries face had
gone completely stil , her blue eyes intently focused, and her body
coiled as if it were poised to explode. Footsteps passed behind them and
started down the stairs, clat ering loudly in the enclosed space. Dianes
breath whooshed out. “God.
“Do you understand now. Valerie backed away until their bodies didnt
touch. “Thats what youre asking me to bring into your life. I cant.
Dianes gaze dropped to the bulge in Valeries jacket pocket, which she
now realized was a gun. Having been around Blair since they were
teenagers, shed seen men and women with guns before. But shed
never sensed the lethal menace of one as acutely as she did now. “Are
you saying that someone wants to kil you?
“I dont know. Valerie moved to the stairs leading down. “And until I
do, you cant be anywhere near me.
Diane fol owed her and grasped her jacket tightly. “Im not going to let
you walk away from me so easily again, Valerie.
“Il come back, Valerie said, her voice choked. “I have to. I cant get you
out of
my
head.
Diane kissed her, hard and long. Then, though it wrenched her heart so