Honor Under Siege

Im sorry. Im sorry you had to hear that. I never should have

talked to Cam about this here.

“But youre not sorry for asking her to leave you behind, are you.

Ithought you said you loved me.

“Oh God, I do, Valerie said desperately. “But cant you see,

my whole life has been leading to this point, and I couldnt live

with myself if Cam or one of the others suffered for the mistakes

that I made.

Diane caressed Valeries cheek. “You dont get it, do you?

Loving someone means forgiving yourself for the past and

living for the present. And the future. We all have regrets,

darling.

“Ive always operated with the knowledge that my life

is expendable.

“Wel , it isnt anymore. Diane kissed her softly. “Please try not

to forget that.

Valerie took a deep breath. “All right. Id better go.

“You wont do anything without tel ing me, will you?

“No. Weve still got time.

“Of course we do, Diane said fervently. “Of course we

do.

* * * * *

“Yes? Matheson said when his phone rang.

“Weve arranged to meet.

Matheson smiled. “Run it down for

me.

He listened, making a few notes on a notepad with the

motels name and logo stamped at the top. After a moment he

said, “Nice work.

“Theres still a chance we could bring her over. And shes got

an inside channel to several targets.

“You might be right. Lets weigh the options.

* * * * *

“Okay, lets get started. Cam walked briskly to the table,

making eye contact with the agents already assembled. Stark

and Valerie sat side by side across from Felicia and Savard.

“Agent Lawrence, why dont you fill us in on your conversation

with your handler.

If Valerie noted the formality, she didnt show it. “Henry and

I made contact at 0330 and spoke for less than five minutes.

We agreed to a rendezvous at 2300 tomorrow.

“That doesnt leave us a lot of time, Cam

commented.

“I realize that, but he initial y wanted to schedule the meet for

tonight, and it would not have been unusual for us to rendezvous with

such lit le lead time. Twenty-four hours was as much delay as I

thought I could manage without rousing his suspicions.

“Wel work with it, Cam said.

“Location?

“The extraction point we used when I left the island the

last time.

“The beach here? Stark said sharply. “No way. Were not let ing hostiles

onto the island while Egret is on site.

“Im sorry, I wasnt clear, Valerie said quickly. “Not on the beach, but

where the extraction vessel was anchored.

“On the water, Savard said, making it a statement. “Youre going to meet

him at sea.

“Yes. Il take my boat and wel rendezvous approximately a

mile out.

“So he knows youre at Whitley Point, Felicia

said.

“He does. He asked if I had contacted Cameron. I said I had and

confirmed my location when he asked. She glanced briefly at Cam. “I

had to assume that he already knew. A lot of smal planes pass over

here every day, and he could easily have aerial surveil ance photos. If

he knows Im here, or that you are, I didnt want to be caught lying to

him.

“Whose idea was it to rendezvous at sea? Cam

asked.

“His.

“Its a trap, Felicia said. “He can sink you out there and make it

look like weather or a mechanical problem.

Valerie shook her head. “Not before he meets with me. I told him I didnt

trust Cameron. Hel want al the intel igence he can gather on

Camerons operation before he burns his connection with me.

“Smart, Cam observed. “Hel want to talk to you. Hel want to know

what we might suspect about him or Matheson.

“Thats what I think, yes, Valerie said. “That would be typical for this

kind of situation. A brief verbal information exchange.

“What about put ing me below deck on Valeries boat, Commander?

Savard asked.

Cam shook her head. “Hes going to

search.

“Can you at least get him onto your boat? Savard asked Valerie. “We

can rig cameras and microphones to monitor you there, but if you have

to board his, wel be lucky to get audio.

“Wil he search you for a mic? Felicia

asked.

Valerie shrugged. “I dont know. He never has before, but the

rules have

obviously

changed.

Cam held up her hand. “We cant depend on him coming aboard Valeries

vessel. Wel need long-range satel ite tracking. Mac can coordinate that

from here. She looked at Stark. “Youl need to pul people from Tanners

day crew to augment your night shift. We cant be certain they wont try

a dual assault, and you and Mac wil be tied up coordinating

communications.

Stark stif ened. “Mac doesnt need me to assist. I can go with the ground

detail, Commander.

Cam shook her head. “Not with Egret on site. You need to be

here. If something goes wrong, youl have to evac her quickly. Id

suggest you make contingency plans to get her back to the White House,

but thats your cal .

“Yes,

maam.

“Wel have to go without visual if Valerie boards Henrys vessel, Cam