Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege
back down.
“Please stay away from the
windows.
“Wheres Cam? Blair took a shaky breath. “Wheres
Paula?
“Paulais down. Im not sure about the commander, Renée said in a
monotone. For an instant, Blair couldnt decipher the meaning of what
she had just heard.
Paula is down. Down. Shot? Her mind veered away from the thought.
Cam.
Cam wasnt wearing a
vest.
“Whos behind us? Blair careful y enunciated each word and forced
herself to think calmly. Her only hope of get ing to Cam was to maintain,
or take, control. She wasnt about to become an unwil ing captive of her
own security team ever again.
“Mac. Im not sure who
else.
“Cal
them,
Blair
demanded.
“Protocol is for radio silence, Renée
said.
“I dont care. Cal them now. Consider it an order, Agent
Savard.
Savard stared at Blair for a long moment, then punched two numbers
on her handy talky. “Status?
Blair couldnt hear a response, but only a few seconds passed before
Renée said, “Were secure, and slipped the radio back into an inside
pocket of her
jacket. At the sight of her hand trembling, Blairs stomach clenched into a
painful knot.
“Report?
Blair
asked.
“Al present and accounted
for.
“Whatwhat does that
mean?
“It means no one was left at the scene. Stark and the commander are
in the
Suburban behind
us.
“Are
they
“I dont know, Renée
said.
The tight fist around Blairs heart loosened enough for her to breathe
without each movement feeling like a knife stabbing through her.
“Diane, are you al right?
Mutely,
Diane
nodded.
Blair concentrated on burying her panic. Cam was in the car behind her.
That was al that mat ered. “Where are we going?
“If
Paula
Renée shuddered and for just a second, Blair thought she was going to
break down. Then she squared her shoulders and continued.
“Paula wil let Mac know the exit route, and hel communicate with our
driver. Blair looked out the window and saw that they were heading out
of the city. The
last thing she wanted was to end up in another safe house, but she
realized that
was one decision she couldnt impact. She closed her eyes and wil ed her
mind
to go blank. It didnt work, but it kept her from trying to break down the
barrier between herself and whoever was driving and demanding to
know where they were going. Just when she thought she couldnt stand it
anymore, she felt the limo slow down. She jerked upright and saw a sign
for Interstate 495 South flash by as the vehicle turned into a deserted
truck weighing station by the side of the highway. “Whats happening?
Renée shook her head. “I dont
know.
Blair reached for the handle, but Renée stopped her. She was about to
protest when the door opened and Cam slid in. The limo immediately
accelerated back onto the highway.
“Are you al right? Cam slid her arm around Blairs shoulders and pul
ed her close.
“Am I? Blair laughed shakily and pressed her palm to Cams chest. “I was
afraid
She lost the words and just kissed Cam instead. “Are
you?
“Other than a few sore ribs from ending up under one of Tanners
security guards, Im fine. Cam stroked Blairs hair and looked at Diane
and Renée. “You both okay?
“Yes, Renée reported, sit ing tensely on the edge of the
seat.
“Stark took a round in the chest, Cam said. “Her vest stopped it. Shes in
pain, but shes stil in charge. Shel be okay.
Renée blinked and looked away. “Thank
you.
“Was anyone else hurt? Blair
asked.
“Another one of Tanners people took a shot to the vest in the
process of shielding Emory Constantine.
“Emory! Blair said, momentarily stunned. “My God, is she
hurt?
“She sprained her wrist, but shes tough and taking everything in
stride. Cam glanced at Savard. “We brought Emory with us. Shes in the
Suburban.
“Smart cal , Savard said. “What about the
assailant?
“Hes dead. Stark left Wozinski behind temporarily to coordinate with
the FBI
and police. Cam coughed and
winced.
“Are you sure youre not hurt? Blair said
immediately.
Cam shook her head. “Sore ribs. I got a quick look at the guy. Hes one
of the four on Emory Constantines watch list.
“You mean Emory was the target? Blair
exclaimed.
“Were not sure, but its possible. Cam shifted, obviously trying
to get comfortable. “For now, were not making any assumptions.
“How much of this can we keep out of the press? Blair
asked.
“Starks already been on the line to Lucinda, whos spinning some story
right now about Emory suddenly being taken il to cover her leaving
the banquet. Fortunately, the scene was contained immediately so we
may be able to keep the real details out of the press.
“Good, Blair breathed. “The last thing I want is another story circulating
about me being a target. She took Cams hand. “Youre sure youre okay?
“Yes. Now she was, now that shed seen Blair. Now that some of the
helpless fury at not being able to reach her when shed been in danger
was dissipating. Despite the pain in her ribs, she held Blair more tightly.
“What? Blair murmured, sliding her hand to the back of Cams neck.
“Darling?
“Nothing, Cam whispered. The instant shed seen the assailant, shed
tried to shield Blair, but Tanners man had grabbed her from behind
and thrown her down. If Stark hadnt been there, hadnt moved without
the slightest hesitation, Blair could be dead. Cam closed her eyes, as if
that could obliterate the image in her mind, and buried her face in Blairs
hair.
Blair moved her mouth close to Cams ear. “Im al right. Im
right here.
Cam took a long breath, straightened, and directed her next
comments to Savard again. “Theres been no evidence of pursuit, and
this has the feel of a lone gunman.
“I agree, Savard said. Her color was bet er and her eyes focused and
intent. Beside her, Diane looked exhausted, but calm. “He was probably
staying at the hotel or knew someone who was.
“But how did he know where we were? Blair said. “Or that we were
leaving?
“He could have paid one or even several of the hotel employees to keep
him informed, Cam said. “Its possible he had an accomplice who was a
legitimate guest at the fundraiser. He might have been watching
the limo from some vantage point within the hotel, but I think thats
less likely. Once Wozinski and the rest of the on-site team backtrack his
route, wel know more.
“He didnt say anything, did he? I didnt hear anything before the shots.
Blair knew how to fire a gun. Shed had a license since her late teens and
had been to the firing range fairly regularly since then. But the muf
led pops of control ed gunfire in a firing booth bore no resemblance to
the terrifying reverberation of gunshots echoing down a hotel corridor.
She could stil hear the shots, and the shouts, and her own silent
screams. She found Cams hand and held it. “I was wondering about
the guy earlierthe one outside the banquet hal who was quoting
scripture, or his version of it anyway.
“The gunman didnt say anything, Cam said. “His message was in his
gun hand.
“Where are we going? Blair
asked.
Cam smiled for a second. “Home to Whitley Point. Lucinda wil have
someone take care of the hotel room and pick up our luggage.
“If its al right with you, Id rather not leave the island again for six
months or so.
“Il see what I can do, Cam
said.
“Thank you. Blair knew it wasnt possible, but for just a lit le while, it
felt good to dream.
Chapter Eighteen
Sunday
T anners here, Blair said as the limo pul ed up behind the SUV parked
in the circular drive in front of the beach house. She stif ened when
three figures materialized out of the dark and approached the vehicle.
Even in the middle of the night, with only streaks of moonlight to cut
the inky blackness, she could make out the automatic rifles.
“Theyre Tanners people, Cam said. “Stark probably cal ed ahead
once we were out of range of the city and fil ed Tanner in on what
happened.
Despite Cams assurances that the figures posed no threat, Cam and
Savard got out of the limo first and closed the door, leaving Blair and
Diane shielded inside.
“I dont know how you stand it, Diane said. “Its al so
horrible.
Blair slid across the space between the facing seats and put an arm around
her. “Try not to think about it right now, honey. Wel get you inside
and once were safe, youl feel better.
Diane laughed harshly. “Safe? Thats just an il usion, and I bet youve
known that al along, havent you? She touched Blairs face as if seeing
her for the very first time. “Youve known you could never be safe, so
there was no reason to let them pretend to protect you.
When the door opened and Cam leaned in, Blair didnt move but smiled
over at her. “Il be right out, darling.
“Go with her, Diane said. “Im al
right.
“No youre not. None of us are. Blair rubbed Dianes arm and rocked her
gently as Cam moved away. “Youre partly right, you knowabout my
being guarded. I used to think there was no real need for protection
and I resented them for trying, especial y when it meant having them in
my life twenty-four hours a day. I stil hate iteverything about itbut
mostly I hate that one of them could be hurt trying to protect me. But
theyre very good and theyve saved my life and I trust them with it,
now. Al of them. She took a deep breath. “And I know that I need
them.
Diane shivered. “I saw Paula jump in front of you and I saw her get shot.
Thank God, it was just a mil isecond, but I saw her body jerk, and Il
never forget the shock on her face. She looked down at her hands which
were clasped tightly in her lap. “Al the way back here, I kept
wondering if Valeries already dead. If someone
“Shes not, and you cant think that way. Blair took Dianes face
between her hands. “You never give up. Okay? Its not al owed. We will
win.
“God, Diane laughed unsteadily. “Youre turning into one of
them.
“Bite your tongue. Blair released Diane and opened the door. “Come
on, lets go inside.
Tanner stood waiting with Cam next to the vehicle. As Blair and Diane
slid out,
she wrapped her arms around both of them. “Hey, you two
okay?
“Just shaky, Diane
said.
“Weve got a fire going and a nice bot le of wine waiting for you,
Tanner said.
“I dont even want to think about why you need your security people,
Blair whispered against Tanners ear, “but I owe you for the rest of my
life for them. She closed her eyes, trying to banish the sight of Cam
lying on the floor. “Thank you so much.
“Dont even go there, Tanner said grimly. “Im just sorry I wasnt there
myself.
“You did exactly what we needed. Blair eased away from Tanner. “Is
Emory inside already?
“Yes, she volunteered to check out Stark and Tanners security guard.
Cam wrapped her arm around Blairs waist as they walked to the house.
“Stark took a hard hit and I ordered her to stand down. Im sorry, but
I need to contact Wozinski to find out whats going on back there.
“I understand. Just promise me youll try to get some sleep tonight,
too. Blair held the door open and waited until everyone
else disappeared inside before asking, “Do you need
something for your ribs?
“No, its tolerable. Ill wrap this up just as soon as I can.
Cam cupped the back of Blairs neck and kissed her gently. “I love
you.
Blair kissed her back, far less gently. “I love you
too.
“If thats a come on, I might be too tired to deliver tonight,
Cam said.
“It is, but I think Im too tired to accept delivery. Blair gave her
a gentle push. “Go do what you have to do. Theres always a
shower to look forward to in a few hours.
* * * * *
“Wheres Diane? Blair asked when she looked in on Adrienne
and
Felicia in the living
room.
“She wanted to be alone, Adrienne said. “Do you think shes
all right?
“She will be, Blair said. “Its the first time shes ever been shot
at.
“If she needs a little escape from all of this, she can stay
with Tanner and me, Adrienne said. “The atmosphere around
here might be a little intense for her the next few days.
“Tanner never mentioned you had such a knack for
understatement.
“Speaking of my spouse, Adrienne said, rising, “I should find
her and get her home before she decides to stand guard herself.
She glanced at Blair. “Shes more than wil ing, if you need her
Blair shook her head. “No. And youve both done enough.
Were fine.
“Weve got plenty of people to secure this location, Felicia
added, setting her coffee aside and standing as wel . “Im going to
check in with the commander.
“And I want to see Emory, Blair
said.
She bade the others goodnight and walked down the hall to
the bedroom the agents used when they were off-shift. As
she knocked on the partially open door, it swung open
before she could catch it, affording her a glimpse of Emory
Constantine leaning over a semi-nude young woman stretched out
on the bed. Steph Fletcher, one of Tanners security guards.
