Honor Under Siege

Blair smiled and kissed Cam again. “I know you dont, and thats another

reason that I love you. Il be waiting.

“And that, Cam whispered, “is just what I

need.

Blair watched her walk away, knowing she was hiding her pain. She

wanted to shield Cam and keep her safe, and knew Cam wanted the

same for her. She feared it was a wish neither of them could fulfil .

Chapter Eleven

D iane, in royal blue silk pajamas, sat propped against the pil ows, an

open book in her lap. She smiled wanly at Cam. “Ive been trying to

read, but I cant remember a single sentence.

“Im sorry to disturb

you.

“Dont be sil y. How do you

feel?

“Im fine. Cam left the door open an inch and leaned against the wal , her

arms loosely at her sides. “In light of whats happened, Id like you and

Blair to leave for Whitley Point tomorrow morning.

“I hadnt planned on leaving so

soon.

Cam fol owed Dianes gaze as she glanced unconsciously at her cel

phone on the table next to the bed. “If Valerie cal s, she can reach you

there as wel as anywhere else.

“I

know.

“But youre hoping to see her here, arent you? Cam asked

gently. Diane sighed. “Am I that transparent?

“No. Id feel the same way if I were you. Cams chest tightened just

thinking about Blair suddenly disappearing with no word. Perhaps

forever. But she couldnt make command decisions based on what she

felt, or how deeply she ached for Dianes pain. No one would be safe

then.

“Sit down, Diane said, indicating the bed. “Youve had a dif icult night.

Cam grinned as she sat on the foot of the bed. “You saw her today,

didnt you?

“Is that why you and Blair were

fighting?

“Nice evasive maneuver, Cam murmured. Assuming that Blair

wouldnt mind Diane knowing what had gone on between them, she

answered honestly. “We were fighting because I thought she should

have told me about Valerie showing up today and she didnt.

“Im

sorry.

“You dont need to be. Blair and I dont always see things the same way,

but I

understand why she made the decision she

did.

Diane studied Cam curiously. “And that makes it al

right?

“No, Cam laughed. “But it usual y means I dont stay angry

very long.

“Shes

lucky.

“That works both

ways.

“Youre right. I did see Valerie. She was at The White House today.

Diane smiled fleetingly at Cams look of consternation. “Its a boutique

in Georgetown. We talked for a few minutes.

“Did she say where she was

staying? Diane shook her head.

“Phone

number?

Again, Diane shook her

head.

“Did she say why shes

hiding?

“No. But I got the distinct impression that she was in trouble, serious

trouble.

“What

kind

of

trouble?

Diane picked at the corner of the book in her lap, recal ing Valeries

haunted look and the way shed reacted when the stranger came into the

stairwel . When she met Cams calm gaze hers was cut through with

anguish. “She acted as if someone was going to hurt her.

“I need to talk to her. You need to tel her that. Tel her if she meets

with me, she can walk away no mat er what she tel s me.

“Do you real y think she betrayed you? Or our country? After helping

you in the first place? Dianes voice trembled and she looked away,

biting her lip. “How can you think that when youve held her?

Cams stomach churned, and for an instant she remembered the dark

nights that might have been endless if it hadnt been for Valerie. Claire ,

as she knew her then. Claires tenderness and her uncanny ability to

absolve guilt without demanding explanations had kept her together

when everything inside was breaking.

“They recruited her when she was a teenager, Cam said. “Part

of the indoctrination is to isolate the recruits from everyone outside the

system. Family, friends, everyone. Your handler becomes your

primary point of contact for everythinghe or she becomes your

emotional and physical touchstone. Sometimes no one else even

knows your name. Soon you forget you ever had another life.

“What are you saying? Dianes expression verged on horror. “That shes

been brainwashed?

“No, only that shes been trainedrelentlessly and expertly conditionedto

fol ow orders without question. How else do you think a woman like

Valerie could have done the things shes done in the name of her

country?

“She didnt make love to you for her

country.

Cam flinched but kept her eyes level on Dianes. “Maybe not after the

first time.

“Im sorry. Im just so worried about her. Diane pushed her hair back

from her face with an unsteady hand. “And I know that she needs your

help or something terrible is going to happen to her. Please, Cam. Dont

abandon her.

“I want to find her, Cam said vehemently. She leaned forward, her hand

flat on the bed next to Dianes ankle. “Until we get the real people behind

the at ack on Blair at the Aerie, Valerie is in danger. And if Valerie is in

danger, so are youand so is Blair.