Honor Under Siege

“Your handler doesnt know about any of

this?

“No.

Stark made an exasperated sound. “So last night you just circled around

the tip of the island on foot and walked down the beach.

“Yes. Not exactly the route Id use for a surprise at ack, but it got me

where I

wanted

to

go.

“So we can assume, Cam said, “that Matheson and your handler suspect

were here. They know the general area since they were able to

extract you

undetected, but we hadnt established a perimeter that far from the houses

at the time.

“Tanner has had reconnaissance boats on the water twenty-four hours

a day since weve been here. Stark looked pointedly at Valerie. “Other

than normal marina traf ic, every vessel is monitored to ensure they

arent at empting a beach landing.

Valerie felt a mixture of gratitude, guilt, and relief at the

disclosure. Stark trusted her or she would not be discussing

their security measures. Valerie could tell her col eague was still

angry with her for ignoring procedure the night before, but at

least she was talking as if they were still on the same side.

“Im sorry I put your team in an awkward position, Chief, she

said. “To tell you the truth, I just wanted to get here.

“Wel , we didnt shoot you, which is the main thing. It would

have caused all kinds of hassles trying to come up with a cover

story for that.

Cam gave Stark a nod, part affirmation, part prompt.

Stark rose. “If you dont need me any longer, Commander, Ill

go back to the marina and look at everyone who has a slip or

rents a room there.

“I think were done, Chief. You intend to advise Tanner of

the situation? Cam struggled not to issue orders to secure the

marina.

“Immediately, and Ill inform Egret and Ms. Bleeker that

the marina is off-limits for the time being until weve secured it.

“Thank you.

Stark nodded to the group and left.

“What name have you been using here? Felicia asked Valerie.

“Ingrid Klein.

“You realize youve just burned that identity if you want

to disappear again, Savard pointed out.

“I seem to be limiting my options, dont I? Valerie met Cams

eyes. Savard smiled. “Looks like youll just have to stay.

“Well then, put me to work.

Felicia turned a laptop in her direction. An array of photos

filled the screen. “Start looking.

* * * * *

Six hours later Valerie pushed away from the table in disgust.

“If hes in here, she said, gesturing toward the computer, “I

dont recognize him.

“When you met, did you ever get the feeling that he

was disguised? Felicia asked.

Valerie shook her head. “No. He always looked like a

nondescript guy in an off the rack business suit.

“Which Im sure is exactly how he wanted to

look.

Valerie rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Maybe we should

try military archives.

“And start where? What branch, what years?

“Matheson served. Lets look at everyone he might have met

from boot camp until the day he was mustered out.

Felicia nodded. “Im working on it, but accessing those kinds

of military files I have to use a little finesse.

“Cant Cameron use her Homeland Security go-anywhere-free pass

to access those records?

“She could, Savard said from across the room where she

worked at her own computer station. “But it would alert any

number of individuals, and thats exactly what we dont want.

Valerie nodded. “I guess until we find out how deep this goes,

its safer to trust no one. She looked from one to the other. “So,

when will I have more photographs to look at?

“Later today,

Felicia

said.

“All right. Until then, if you give me a secure line, Ill try

contacting some of my previous sources. I might be able to pick

up a hint of whats happening out there.

“We should be able to arrange Savard tensed and swiveled

toward the front door at the sound of it opening. She relaxed

when Cam walked in.

“Stark says theres no one suspicious at the

marina. “Excel ent, Savard said.

“Where are we?

“I didnt get anywhere with the photographs. Im sorry, Valerie

said.

“It was a long shot with no reference point. Are you at a

place where you can take a break? Cam asked.

Valerie stood. “Yes, of course. Whatever you need.

“I thought wed try to work up a sketch of your

handler. “We dont have a sketch artist here, do we?

“No. Cam smiled. “Weve got something even better.

* * * * *

Blair closed the French doors to the living room and carried

her supplies to the sofa. She pushed back the sleeves of her

long- sleeved T-shirt, kicked off her ankle high boots, and sat

cross- legged on the sofa with her sketch pad propped on her

knees. “Have you ever done anything like this before?

“No. Valerie settled into an adjacent chair and crossing her

legs. After waking with Diane and working with the team all

morning, she felt almost normal again. “Have you?

“No. It should be a

chal enge.

Valerie smiled thinly. “Wel , what else is

new?