her only personal contact, but undoubtedly there are records of her
somewhere in the Company system. However, the right word in the
right place can take care of that.
“What do you propose? Lucinda
asked.
“I propose that Valerie Lawrence died at sea in the same unfortunate
boating accident that kil ed her handler.
“I think youd bet er fil me in on the
details.
Cam gave her a rundown of the events, and as she spoke, Blair shifted
closer and took Cams hand.
“You executed a CIA handler? Lucinda said
incredulously.
“Jesus, Luce, Blair
said.
“I did, yes, Cam said
evenly.
“And youre certain it was
warranted?
“Yes, Cam said. “He was a traitor and he was about to kil Valerie
Lawrence, or cause her to be kil ed.
“What about this missile you described? Lucindas eyes narrowed as she
visibly assessed, ordered, and prioritized information. “Can we
trace it back to Matheson somehow?
“Doubtful. The boats and whatever might remain of the SSM are in
several hundred feet of heavily traf icked waters. Salvage would
draw unwanted at ention. I dont think its worth the risk.
“Al right. Lucinda tapped her fingers soundlessly on the arm of the
chair, an action that nevertheless had the impact of a gavel fal ing. “The
of icial line is that Agent Lawrence died at sea during a meeting with
her handler. And now what?
“Wel arrange for her to have a new identity, Cam said, “and shel join
my team as the counterintel igence chief.
“I know we told you to pick your own people, Lucinda said,
“but
“You did. Cam leaned forward, tucking Blairs hand against her
middle. “If youve changed your mind, then I resign.
“Not many people try playing hardbal with me, Deputy Director
Roberts.
“I can appreciate why. But Im not playing. I didnt ask for this job, and
if Im going to do it, Im going to do it the way I see fit.
“Youl continue to report to me and, through me, to the security
adviser. Cam nodded. “Agreed.
“How do you assess the danger to
Blair?
“Currently, I dont see her as a target. Matheson needed to eliminate his
contact in the Company because he knew we would be searching for
it. Who knows how much Henry knew about Matheson and his
operation? Matheson risked exposure and possible capture to deal with
Henry, but it was a calculated risk and for the time being, its paid of for
him. Now, I think hel go underground and consolidate his power base.
“Makes sense. What about the long term? Lucinda
asked.
Cam grimaced. “Eventual y, once Matheson has rebuilt his forces, I
think she hesitated and glanced at Blair. “I think hel make another
at empt on Blair.
“To what end? Lucinda
said.
“Blair is as much a figurehead as her father, and striking at her would
not only privately undermine the president, but also publicly
demonstrate that he is incapable of protecting the American people,
even his own daughter.
“Interesting theory, Lucinda said, rising and beginning to pace. “That
makes
Blair as important to national
security as
“Blairs sit ing here, Blair said, giving a lit le wave with her
free hand.
“Sorry,
Cam
said.
Lucinda laughed and regarded Blair with her hands on her hips. “You
wanted to stay, Blair. I never said we werent going to talk about you.
“Including me usual y works bet er. Blair shifted her focus from
Lucinda to
Cam. “Just how long have you been working on this
hypothesis?
“Since the at ack at the Aerie. There had to be some compel ing reason
to risk something like thatfor Matheson to send his best men on a suicide
mission. Why you? Why not the president?
“Because, Blair said slowly, “if my father were kil ed, he would
become a martyr. The people would demand an explanation, if not
retribution. Congress would rush to al ocate money and personnel to
find out what happened. But if he remains in of ice while his ability
to lead is cal ed into question and his authority is eroded, just the
opposite happens. The political and economic ramifications would be
devastating.
“Yes. Cam brushed her thumb over the top of Blairs hand, which she
cradled between both of hers. “Al this means is that you have to be
careful and wel al have to be vigilant. Thats nothing new.
Blair smiled and skimmed her fingers over the edge of Cams jaw. “Thank
you. I
know
what
it
means.
“How close are you to get ing Matheson? Lucinda asked
impatiently.
“Not close enough. Cam frowned. “We wont find him through any
direct channels. Hes not going to return to his home base, or cal upon
men he served with, or contact remaining family members. Hes going
underground. And the only way to find someone who has done that is
to uncover a link to potential associates.
“And that is the slowest route, Lucinda said with a sigh. “Just ask the
FBI. How many people have been on their Ten Most Wanted list for a
decade or more?
“Exactly. Were compiling extensive profiles of known or possible
contacts, but we need to expand our investigation to include
paramilitary organizations. We might just stumble over him or someone
who can lead us to him.
“Youl need more people for
that.
“Wel need information analysts and data col ectors based here in DC, but
none of them wil require critical security clearance. I want to
keep the core investigation with my personal team working out of
New York City.
Lucinda sat back down. “Who dont you trust
here?
“The bet er question is, who do I trust. Cam shrugged. “I trust you, but
there are too many eyes and ears in this building and al over this city.
Cam laughed bit erly. “Hel , the CIA put people inside an escort
service. You can bet they have them in the White House.
“Its unorthodox to work that far outside the
system.
“Matheson came after Blair, Cam said flatly. “Il do whatever I have to
do with or without anyones approval.
Lucinda glanced at Blair. “It boggles my mind that you havent kil
ed her.
“It was touch and go for a while when we first met. Blair smiled
softly and entwined her fingers with Cams. “Once you get to know
her, of course, you discovershes just as dangerous as she sounds.
“And what about the wedding, Lucinda said dryly. “Considering recent
events, have you two decided to take the prudent course and delay?
Cam eased back against the sofa and said
nothing.
“Were get ing married Thanksgiving weekend in Colorado, Blair said.
“You can try to keep it a secret if you want to, but its going to leak and
we al know it, so you might as wel go ahead and announce the details.
Lucinda shook her head. “Youre
sure?
“Weve been sure for a long time, Blair
said.
“And
until
then?
“Were going back to Whitley Point, Cam said, “to finalize details for
purchasing the house. Wed also like to arrange for renovation of the
Aerie.
“I thought wed decided that the security breach was too severe to risk
Blair returning.
“We need a place to live in Manhat an if Cams base of operations is
there, Blair said. “And thats my home.
“Blair and I talked about it on the flight down here, Cam said. “The
breach wasnt because of an inherent problem with building security,
but because Matheson had an inside person providing him with
details and access. Instead of reinventing the wheel somewhere else, wel
correct for weaknesses there.
“Il discuss it with the president. Lucinda held up her hand when Blair
started to protest. “You can save the damn declaration of independence,
Blair. There are some things he wants to know about, and your security
is one of them. Thats the way it is.
“Okay, Blair said quietly. “But Il talk to him about it,
okay?
“I suppose it i s a father-daughter thing. Lucinda smiled fleetingly. “So,
where are we then?
“Wel , Cam said, “we know our enemy, which is the critical element
necessary to win any war. We have the best people anywhere in the
world working for us. And we have every reason in the world to
prevail, so eventual y, we wil . She smiled at Blair. “As to the
immediate future, Blair and I have a wedding to prepare for.
Blair pul ed Cam to her feet and slid an arm around her waist. “Final y, a
plan I
cant find anything to argue with.
Lucinda laughed. “Wil wonders never cease.
“No, Blair said, kissing Cam tenderly, “not in this lifetime.
About the Author
Radcly f fe is a retired surgeon and full time author-
publisher with over twenty-fi ve lesbian novels and anthologies in
print. She is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Alice B.
Readers award for her body of work and has been short-
listed for the Lambda Literary Awards and Golden Crown
Literary Society Awards multiple times, winning the 2005
Lambda Literary Awards with Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen
Moments ed. with Stacia Seaman and Distant Shores, Silent
Thunder and the 2006 Gold Crown Awards with Justice Served .
She has selections in numerous anthologies including Call of the
Dark , The Perfect Valentine, Wild Nights , Best Lesbian
Erotica 2006 and 2007 , After Midnight, Caught Looking:
Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists
, First-
Timers, Ultimate Undies: Erotic Stories About Lingerie and
Underwear , A is for Amour , and Naughty Spanking Stories 2 .
She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books, a
publishing company featuring lesbian-themed general and genre fi
ction.
Her forthcoming works include Winds of Fortune (Oct 2007),
and In Deep Waters: Volume 1 , an erotica col ection written
with Karin Kal maker (2007).
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Red Light by JD Glass. Tori forges her path as an EMT in the New
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woman she
loves. (978-1-933110-81-
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Honor Under Siege by Radclyf e. Secret Service agent Cameron
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