Honor Under Siege

charged.

“Excuse me, Paula Stark said as she made her way down

the center aisle. “Well be on the ground in a few minutes.

Ground transport will meet us on the tarmac. Youll exit once

weve cleared

the area, Ms. Powel .

“Thank you, Paula. I know the

drill. “Yes maam.

“Sorry. Blair sighed, already feeling the claustrophobic atmosphere

of priority one security. “Paula, Ill be staying at Cams after

we finish at the White House.

Paula nodded, her expression never changing. “Yes maam.

When Stark had moved back toward the front of the plane, stopping

partway to confer with her team, Cam whispered, “It would be easier if

we stayed at the White House.

“Easier

for

whom?

Cam laughed. “Your security

team.

“I dont like to make love in those antique

beds.

“Have plans, do

you?

“Oh yes, Blair whispered. “I most definitely have

plans.

Cam set led back for the landing, Blairs hand stil in hers. “Wel ,

then, the security team wil just have to make adjustments.

Chapter Three

P aula exited the plane first, fol owed by Hara and Wozinski. Felicia

Davis waited just inside the open door to accompany Blair. Two late-

model black Suburbans idled at the edge of the tarmac, each with a

driver behind the wheel

and an agent standing near the open rear door. The ground transport

teams were Washington-based Secret Service field agents who were

cal ed upon to provide backup support for the first family and

visiting dignitaries upon the protectees arrival in DC.

Hara and Wozinski stopped at the bot om of the flight stairs while Paula

crossed to the vehicles. She checked the IDs of every agent, scanned the

front and rear compartments of both vehicles, and then took a slow

visual survey of everything with a sight line to the path Blair

would take from the plane to the Suburbanother vehicles, rooftops,

communication towers. Everything she did was SOP, but it would

never be routine again. Blairs security had been breached. They

had al learned a lesson at a nearly inconceivable price.

“Ms. Powel wil ride with you, Paula said, leaning down to the open

drivers window of the first vehicle. “Il advise as to route once were in

motion.

“Yes maam, the driver, a fresh-faced blond with a military style

haircut, said sharply.

Paula walked back to the plane. When shed contacted the Washington

team, shed outlined three potential motorcade routes from the air force

base to the White House. Blair was vulnerable on the road in any type of

vehicle, even with bul etproof glass and armored plating. Something as

simple as a suicide driver in a tanker truck loaded with gasoline could

kil her.

Once again, this was standard operating procedure, but Paula

was uncomfortably aware of not total y trusting anyone outside of

her immediate team. She did not welcome the feeling that no one, even

those she should be able to trust implicitly, was above suspicion any

longer, and she feared the situation was the new status quo.

With a nod to Hara and Wozinski, she started up the stairs to the

plane. The pilots had not powered down the engines, remaining

prepared to take flight again on her word if anything appeared amiss.

“Clear to disembark, she reported to the marine who had accompanied

them in flight. He saluted and went forward to advise the pilot and

copilot while she waited on the narrow platform at the top of the stairs,

shielding the door and any view of Blair with her body.

Inside the cabin, Felicia stepped to one side so that Blair and Cam could

pass. She then moved up behind Blair.

“You should let Renée go down first, Paula, Blair said, halting at the top

of the stairs. “Shes going to have trouble on the stairs with those

crutches.

“Lets proceed to your vehicle, Ms. Powel , Paula said. “Hara can give

Agent

Savard a hand in a

moment.

Blair started to protest, then felt a gentle touch on the base of her spine

just as

Cam whispered, “Youre not secure here. Lets

go.

“God, now Ive got t wo of you ordering me around, Blair mut ered,

but she started down behind Paula. As soon as she reached the

ground, Hara and Wozinski closed in on either side, and with Felicia

behind, the agents formed a protective ring around Blair and Cam as

Paula led the way to the first vehicle. An agent Blair didnt recognize

opened the rear door and she and Cam climbed in.

“Were in the middle of a United States Air Force base, Blair griped.

“The marine unit that protects my father and the White House is

stationed here. What in Gods name could happen to me walking from

the plane?

“It doesnt mat er where we are, Cam said quietly. “Were at

priority one.

Blair sighed. “And Im sure Stark realizes youre watching her every

move. Il be lucky if she lets me take a breath without permission.