Honor Under Siege

tissues used for the studies. Her father couldnt publicly issue a

statement in favor of the research, but she could, as the daughter of a

woman who died of breast cancer. Her presence at the fundraiser

would send a clear message as to the White Houses position. Despite the

fact that she didnt like to be used as a White House front person,

she happened to believe in this research. She yanked open the door. “Il

be there. E-mail me the details.

“Thats wonderful. Thank

you.

Blair closed the door without answering. As usual after leaving Lucinda,

she was never certain if shed won or lost the skirmish. She walked

briskly past Paula and Felicia and pul ed out her cel phone.

“Hows it going? she asked when Cam

answered. “Im going to be here most of the

day. You? “Bloodied, but unbowed.

Cam laughed. “What about the rest of your plans? Any

changes?

“No. And you dont have to say it. Il be

careful.

“Thanks. Il see you later,

then.

“Al right. I love

you.

“I love you

too.

Blair closed her phone, smiling. She wondered what the national security

chief thought about that .

Chapter Eight

A re you ready for some serious shopping? Blair held up Dianes

coat. She hoped that the diversion would take Dianes mind of

Valerie, but knew it wouldnt. Shed been there too many times

herself, not knowing what was happening with someone she loved, not

being able to help or protect them.

Diane smiled, but it didnt reach her eyes. Her smooth, milky

complexion was even paler than normal, and lines of tension marred the

sleek planes of her face. Diane was ordinarily so poised and kept her

emotions so tightly reined that to see those cracks in her composure

made Blairs heart ache. It also made her angry. Angry at Valerie for

involving Diane when she must have known something like this

could happen, at the political system that so ef ortlessly ignored the

human consequences of its policies, and even at herself, for not

knowing the best way to help her friend.

“The Shops at Georgetown? Blair

suggested.

“Lets start on M Street and fi nish up

inside.

“Done. Blair grinned when she heard Stark muf l e a groan. Many of the

trendy boutiques on M Street in Georgetown fronted a portion of the

four-story mal that housed over seventy shops and restaurants. It was the

best shopping in DC. She hooked her arm through Dianes as they

stepped out into the foyer and pushed the but on for the elevator. “Im

glad youre here.

“So am I, Diane

whispered.

Paula slid into the elevator next to them. “I dont suppose you could

think of a slightly less crowded place for your retail therapy?

“What, and take al the fun out of it? Blair feigned shock. She knew

from experience that her security agents hated it when she went to

large, crowded places where it was impossible for them to set up

advance surveil ance. But if she let that dictate her movements, shed

never go to a movie or a street fair or a shopping mal . Until the recent

at acks, outings such as this had been more an inconvenience than a

serious security issue, and that was al the more reason for her not to

change her behavior now.

“Fun, Paula mut ered. “More like

hel .

“You never know. Blair laughed as the elevator opened and they al

stepped out. “You might end up enjoying it.

Paula, busy alerting Hara in the vehicle idling at the curb that they were

exiting, didnt bother to object.

“Oh, goody, Blair said as Felicia moved up beside her, “girls

day out.

“We didnt think Greg would mind if I took his shift this afternoon,

Felicia said. “Hi Diane.

“Its good to see you again, Diane said, as she climbed into the rear

of the

Suburban next to Blair. “Hows Mac

doing?

Felicias smile widened. “Hes out of the hospital and doing

very wel .

“I suppose hes chafi ng to get back to

work.

“Hes like the rest of us. If were not working, we tend to get into trouble.

Felicia glanced at Stark. “I know he misses being part of the team.

“The team misses him, Stark

said.

“Hopeful y, hel be back soon, Blair said, wondering if Mac would

resume his duties as second-in-command and communications of i cer.

That would be up to

Paula now. Felicia had taken over Macs responsibilities when he

was shot during the assassination attempt at the Aerie, but her

real expertise was intel igence and data analysis. “Tel him I said hi.

“I wil , Felicia replied. “Where are we

headed?

“Georgetown Park, Paula said with a

grimace.

Felicias eyes widened. “Oh, I should be get ing hazard pay. To be

surrounded by al that trendy glit er and not be able to window shop.

Thats harsh.

Blair laughed. Even though she loved Mac and enjoyed Greg

Wozinskis dry humor and subtle sensitivity, if she had to have close

surveil ance twenty-four hours a day, it was so nice to have female