Honor Under Siege

Blair as she entered the anteroom to the oval office. “Hel o

Blair.

“Is my lover still with my father?

Sybils smile never faltered. “Agent Roberts is with the

president, yes. Would you like me to ring through?

“Sorry, Blair said, realizing shed been saying that all day.

She wasnt just edgy, she needed to pound something. “Yes,

please.

She walked to the wide windows and looked out into the

Rose Garden. It was so beautiful in the spring, with everything in

bloom, but so desolate in the fal . Cold and a little barren.

“Let me take you in, Sybil

said. “Thanks.

Her father stood to greet her when she came in and kissed

her cheek.

“You feel cold, Andrew Powell

said.

“Ive been out walking. Blair settled onto an antique sofa

and glanced at Cam, who sat in a chair opposite her father on the

other side of a low coffee table. “Hi.

“Hi, Cam rose and walked around the table to sit next to

Blair. “Okay? She touched her fingertips briefly to Blairs leg,

then put her hand back in her lap.

“Sure. Blair regarded her father. “I know there are some things we

cant talk about, but Cam is my partner. She almost died ten days ago.

What more can you ask of her?

Andrew Powel , in his early fifties but looking a decade younger, with

thick wavy hair and blue eyes the exact color of Blairs, regarded

her with an expression that might have been sympathy or regret. “We

need good people, Blair, especial y now. And Cam is one of them.

Blair shook her head. “How many times? Is there a quota on bul et

holes? Concussions? Because shes had her share. More than her share.

“Blair, Cam murmured. “Lets hear what the president has

to say.

“Im not talking to the president, Blair retorted. “Im talking to my

father. That counts for something, doesnt it, Dad? Just a little?

“Im your father, the president said. “It means

everything.

“But youre stil going to ask her, arent you? For whatever job needs

doing, no mat er what it might cost.

Andrew Powel shifted his gaze to Cam. “You can say no, no questions

asked. No one wil think less of you.

Blair snorted. “Thats because the people giving the orders are sit ing safe

behind some desk somewhere. They dont have the bal s for anything

else.

Cam

waited.

“Three weeks ago, Powel said, “I established the Of ice of Homeland

Security.

I expect within a year the of ice wil become a Cabinet department.

Were drawing from al sectors of domestic and foreign security to fil

the critical positions.

“Field posts or administrative? Cam

asked.

“Both.

“Answering

to

whom?

“For now, to the Director of Homeland Securitywho answers

to me.

“Anti-terrorism? Cam asked, very aware that she was

interrogating the president, and he was al owing it. She wondered how

much that had to do with her relationship with Blair. Quite a lot, she

imagined.

“That and border security. Possibly Customs. Wel work those things out

as we finalize the Cabinet level responsibilities.

“Why cant the security agencies we already have handle anti-

terrorism? Blair asked. “The CIA, the FBI, the military security

divisions. God, how many are there?

“A lot, and thats part of the problem, the president said. “We obviously

need to centralize and oversee intel igence gathering, analysis,

projectionsthe whole thing. And we need to be able to respond with ef

ective, organized force.

Cam leaned forward. “On domestic

soil? Powel s face hardened. “If

need be.

“Its going to take some doing to get the FBI, CIA, DOJ, and

military intel igence to play together, Cam observed.

“I know that. And time is something we dont have. He stood and walked

to his

desk, then returned to his seat with a thick folder. “Were organizing a

number of special teams immediately, drawing from personnel across

security divisions. Id like you to head one, Cam.

“On behalf of the Secret Service? Cam

asked.

The president shook his head. “Obviously, al of this is for your ears

only, but I expect wel move the Secret Service completely into

Homeland Security within the next few months. I want you as one of

the new deputy directors of the OHS.

“In what capacity? She quel ed the quick surge of excitement. The

balance of power within the intel igence community was shifting, and she

was being of ered a premier seat.

“Counterintel

igence.

Cam looked at Blair, and her focus instantly shifted from exhilaration to

concern. Blair was pale, and the shadows beneath her eyes were back.

“I cant give you an answer right now, Mr. President. Blair and I need to

talk.

“I understand. Once youve decided, we can discuss

specifics.

“Thank you, sir, Cam said, standing and extending her

hand.

Powel rose to return the handshake. “I couldnt discuss this

with you beforehand, Blair. With either of you. Its a mat er of national

security.

“Of course, Blair said dul y. “It

always is.

* * * * *