Honor Under Siege

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

T-shirt and jeans. “You could come down for a few days. I should stay

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