Honor Under Siege

rationalization would change that.

“I know in my head what youre saying is true, Savard whispered. “But I

stil feel guilty.

“Are things bet er or worse than a month

ago?

“Its dif erent. Then, I was just so angry. Now I

feelhelpless.

“Are you seeing anyone about

it?

Savard fl ushed. “Yes. Couple times a week, were talking on the

phone.

“Good, Cam said briskly. “Then the only thing left to do is get you

back to work.

“Im due for my fi nal med check in a couple of days. Once I get

cleared, Im going to cal the SAC where I was last assigned and try to fi

nd out if Ive stil got

a

job

there.

“Ive got another suggestion.

Savards eyes brightened.

“What?

“How would you like to work with me in homeland

security?

“Youre

moving

over?

Cam nodded. “Of i cial y as of

today.

“In

what

capacity?

With a sigh, Cam confessed to the title shed rather not use, but

understood was part of the package. “Deputy director of

counterterrorism.

“Oh man, Savard whispered. “And you can take me with

you?

“Ive got the green light to handpick my core agents. Cam grinned. “Kind

of a special ops thing.

“Yes. Im

in.

Cam laughed. “I havent outlined what youl be

doing.

“I dont care. When can I

start?

“How does tomorrow sound? Cam stood. “0700, room B-12 in the

West Wing. At Savards look of surprise, she said, “Temporary quarters,

just until we get organized.

“Looks like I need to get some clothes. Savard glanced down at her

sweats. “I just brought hanging-around stuf . I guess Paula wil have to

take me shopping tonight.

“Since thats what shes been doing al afternoon with Blair and Diane,

Cam said with a straight face, “Im sure shel be eager to do a lit le more.

Savard smiled, some of the pain lifting from her eyes. “Shel probably

hate it, but she wont complain.

“Bet er woman than me, Cam mut ered as she started toward the

door. Turning, before she exited, she said, “See you in the morning,

Agent Savard. And welcome aboard.

“Thank

you,

Director

Roberts.

“Make

it

Cam.

“Yes

maam.

Commander.

With a shake of her head, Cam walked out into the hal . She had a

few more people to talk to, a few calls to make, and then

she could go home. Home to Blair. She smiled, liking the sound

of it.

* * * * *

The phone rang in a room two fl oors below Stark and Savards. A

broad-chested, trim-waisted man with an upright, military bearing

strode across the room and picked up the receiver. His

dark button-down collar shirt and black pants were

pressed and wrinkle-free. On some men the clothes would

have appeared casual. On him, they were a uniform.

“Youre right on time. I hope you have something useful to report.

“Nothing yet, Im afraid.

The general smiled thinly. “How is it that one of your own

people,

someone you presumably control, can evade you so successful y?

“Lawrence is a chameleon. She was trained to be elusive and

is very good at it. But well fi nd her. For now, I have

someone watching the girlfriend.

“We dont even know that Lawrence is trying to make contact

with her.

“We have reasonable intel that theyre lovers. Thats not her pattern

with women, so I suspect shell try to contact her.

His smile disappeared. “Its a long shot, but I suppose its the

best we have at the moment. Its your job to improve those

odds. I want her silenced before the rest of our operation is

compromised.

“Yes, sir. Im tracking her through every known alias

and attempting to set up a meet, but I obviously cant go

through channels. Its slowing me down.

The generals jaw tightened. He hadnt been prepared for the

attack on his compound because he hadnt expected anyone

on the governments payroll to uncover his connection to Foster

and the assault teamcertainly not as quickly as Roberts had

managed. The warning from his contact within the CIA that his

mountain camp was about to be raided had barely come in time

for him to escape. Hed slipped their net but at the cost of

revealing that he had sources within the Company. He

preferred not to sacrifi ce those sources, but if he couldnt fi nd

the one person who might expose the link, then he might

be forced to take other action. “Im not interested in excuses.

You have someone on Bleeker?

“Yes sir, but close surveil ance is out of the question. Shes

with... her friend, sir, and security there is very tight, especial y

afterNew York.

“Yes, your percentages have been poor lately. The general

rolled the hotel pen idly between his fi ngers. His mission had

come so close to succeeding. His men, his handpicked boys,

had nearly succeeded in eliminating their prime target. “Im not

impressed.

“Were confi dent Lawrence will attempt contact eventual y,

and then we can eliminate any chance of compromise.

“Lets hope the bait is sweet enough. Matheson drew a circle on