Honor Under Siege

Valerie, not until shed had time to talk to Cam some more. Not until

shed had a chance to decide what shed do if Cam sided with

Lucinda and her father. Her mind rebel ed at the possibility, because

she wasnt sure what she would do if she had to fi ght everyone she

cared about. She wasnt sure she could stand being at odds with Cam

over something like this.

“God, you look sad, honey. Diane slid her hand to the back of Blairs

neck and massaged her gently. “Is something wrong with Cam? Is

she in trouble over what happened at the compound?

“No, Blair said quickly. “Im just tired. And the last thing I wanted was

to be dragged back here.

“Are you going to tel me whats going on? Because Im probably the

only person in the world besides Cam who can tel when youre upset

and trying not to show it.

“I wil , Blair said, realizing there was no point in denying what Diane

already knew. “As soon as I can.

Diane sat up and slipped of her jacket, then laid it on the bed beside her.

“Do you think Cam can fi nd out where Valerie is?

Blair caught her breath, glad that Diane wasnt looking at her. She took an

extra second to be sure her voice was steady. “I dont know. Why?

Diane stood, unbut oned her slacks, and slipped them of . Wearing

just her blouse and panties, she opened her suitcase and lifted out a pair

of soft, faded jeans. She pul ed them on and zipped them, then lifted of

the shel and placed it with her suit. “Because I thought Id hear from her

by now, and I havent. And I dont know how to go about fi nding her.

“Maybe it would be bet er if you didnt fi nd her, Blair said

careful y.

“You mean you think her disappearing act was just her way of dumping

me? Diane donned a pale blue cot on shirt and but oned it, turning

partial y away from the bed so that Blair wouldnt see her hands

shaking. She knew what Blair was trying to say, and she had considered

that obvious explanation every day since Valerie had vanished one

morning before dawn. Theyd had an af air and now it was over and she

was a fool not to simply accept it. “You think I should

just let her

go?

“I dont know, Diane, Blair said gently. “But its complicated with Valerie.

Theres no way of knowing if she left because she wanted to or because

she had to. But either way, she left without explaining, so I cant

imagine she wants you to go looking for her.

“She did cal me. Diane referred to the brief cal the morning that

Valerie had disappeared. The morning of the raid on the mountain

stronghold of a group of paramilitary fanatics. “That must mean

something. If she was. .moving on, why cal ?

Blair agreed, but was afraid to say so. She wasnt sure it was safe for

Diane to have anything to do with Valerie now. Not when it seemed like

half the country was looking for her. “You know shes an agent, and the

whole national security system is in an uproar now. Its going to take

time for everything to set le down. Weeks. Months maybe.

“I dont want to wait months to talk to her. To see her again. Diane

turned her back and walked to the window. She wrapped her arms

around herself. “I miss her. God, I miss her.

“Oh, hey, Blair said, hating the pain in Dianes voice. She scrambled of

the bed and crossed to Diane, hugging her from behind.

“Maybe Cam could just get a message to her from me. Just so

she knows Diane struggled with tears. “Just so she knows I

havent given up.

“Ill do what I can, Blair

whispered.

Diane leaned back in Blairs arms and rested her cheek

against

Blairs. “Thanks.

Blair held her tightly, wondering what shed just promised.

And how she could keep her word to one woman she loved

without betraying another.

* * * * *

The elevator jerked to a stop and Paula opened her eyes. For a

few dizzying seconds, she wasnt sure where she was. Two

women and a man, all in business suits, stood talking to her

left, ignoring her as she leaned against the wall in the corner.

She blinked at the number panel. 10 fl oor. A glossy picture of a

restaurant on the far wall advertised the Veranda at the

Wyndham Washington, DC. She was at the hotel where the

team stayed when on temporary assignment in the Capitol. She

remembered Hara dropping her off out front before he took the

Suburban around to a special reserved parking slot. Then what?

Jesus, was it possible shed fal en asleep standing

up?

“Excuse me. Flushing with embarrassment, she pushed away

from the wall and jumped between the elevator doors as they

started to close. Some Secret Service agent. Shed completely

lost track of her surroundings. It didnt matter that she wasnt

on duty. It was her job to be observant.

She slid the plastic card key from her pocket as she strode quickly

down the hal way, hoping to leave her discomfi ture behind.