Honor Under Siege

cab and pointed to a building on the right side of the street. “Thats

it1202.

When the cabbie swerved toward the curb, a horn blared behind them,

making Diane jump. She peered out the street-side window in time to

see a black sedan rocket by. The cabdriver mut ered an expletive as he

parked and climbed out to retrieve Dianes luggage from the trunk.

Diane handed him a ten after hed set her suitcases on the sidewalk

outside

Cams building. The door opened as she hauled her luggage toward it,

and she smiled in recognition at the burly blond who stood just inside.

Agent Wozinski made some linebackers look smal .

“Hi,

Greg.

“Ms.

Bleeker.

Diane shook her head. Shed given up trying to get him to cal her Diane

even though shed once spent a week with Blair and had seen him every

day during that time. In the fi fteen years that shed been friends with

Blair, shed grown used to the presence of security agents. But it had

never been like this. So many, keeping such a close watch. She was

surprised that Blair didnt break out more often. She would have.

“Okay to go up? she

asked.

“Yes, maam. Il cal up and announce

you.

“Its 501, isnt

it?

“Thats

right.

The elevator was ef i cient, and Diane suspected that she arrived outside

Cams door seconds after Wozinski cal ed. When she rang the bel , Blair

immediately answered.

“Hi. Blair pul ed her into a hug. “Im so glad you

came.

Diane hugged her back, surprised at the intensity of Blairs embrace. She

leaned back, her arms clasped loosely around Blairs waist, and

studied her. Blair looked more rested than when shed seen her ten days

ago, but she could hardly look worse than she had the day after both

Cam and Renée had been injured. Stil , there was something in

Blairs eyes that telegraphed worry. Worry and...regret?

“Are you okay? Diane looked past Blair into the expansive living room

beyond. Cam, who stood behind a smal bar tucked into the far

corner of the room, nodded in greeting. As usual, Diane could tel

nothing from her expression. She waved and returned her at ention to

Blair. “Did Lucinda give you a terrible task?

“The usual, Blair said, trying to inject lightness into her tone. “I dont have

al the details yet. She grasped the larger of Dianes suitcases. “Come on,

let me show you where the guest room is.

Diane hesitated. “Are you sure? I can stay at a hotel and give you two

some privacy. I dont need to stay here.

Blair shook her head. “No, I want you to stay here. She fol owed the

direction of Dianes gaze. “Cam is fi ne with it. Real y. She laughed

without much humor. “And God knows, were used to having people

around al the time. At least with you, its by choice.

“Youre sure? Diane realized that she real y wanted to stay with Blair.

Shed been lonely almost beyond bearing in a city stil in the throes of

grief.

“Positive. Blair took Dianes free hand and tugged her into the apartment.

“So this is the living room, bathrooms over there, and the guest room is

down this hal way. She nodded to the opposite side of the living room.

“Our bedroom is over there.

Diane glanced back over her shoulder as she fol owed Blair. “Wel , hel ,

I wont even be able to listen.

Blair laughed. “Like you havent heard it al before. Wel , at

least me.

“Thats true, Diane said as they both set her luggage down in the guest

room. “But we were sixteen.

“Cam is opening some wine. Blair took in Dianes dark brown Tahari

pantsuit

and ivory silk shel . “Why dont you change into something

sloppy and comfortable and join us in the living room. We ordered

pizza.

“God, that sounds fabulous. Diane removed her raincoat and draped it

over the chair that sat in front of a narrow writing desk, kicked of her

Jimmy Choos, and fl opped backwards onto the bed. She pat ed the

space beside her as she curled on her side. “Stay for a minute fi rst.

Blair climbed onto the bed and propped her head in the palm of her hand,

facing Diane. As usual, Diane looked beautiful. Her shoulder length hair

was more gold than Blairs honeyed tones, and nearly straight, framing a

dramatic oval face with ice blue eyes. Katherine Hepburn in blond.

“I feel like were back in prep school.

“Sometimes I wish we were. Diane smiled wanly. She looked tired. Who

didnt? Her eyes grew distant. “No, on second thought, maybe not.

Because if we went back, Id stil be trying to seduce you, and youd stil

be breaking my heart.

“As I recal , Blair said fondly, “you did

seduce me.

“I dragged you into bed when you were stoned. Plus, youd been coming

on to me al night, so that doesnt count. Diane laughed at the memory.

“It was good sex though, wasnt it?

“We were fi fteen. Of course it was. Blair sighed. “I do love you, you

know.

“I know. Diane stroked Blairs arm. “So whats

wrong?

Blair shook her head. She couldnt tel Diane about the situation with