Honor Under Siege

when the automatic weapons fire was al she could hear. It

seemed almost incomprehensible that six short weeks ago an at ack like

that had been beyond imagining, and now she was preparing to protect

the first daughter of the United States against a possible assault by a

group of US extremists as if it were business as usual.

“The commander was right moving us here. Its more defensible than if

we were almost anywhere else. But dont worry, at the first sign of

any problem, Im moving her.

“Good. Renée kissed her quickly. “Il see you in a lit le

while.

“Hey, Paula said, stopping Renée with a hand on her arm. “I know you

want this guy. We al do. Justjust dont take any chances, okay?

For the first time, Renée recognized that Paula was worried. Worried and

trying not to burden her by saying so. For the last two days, they had

both been so caught up in planning the operation that theyd barely

had a moment alone together. When they had taken a break, theyd had

lit le energy to do more than fal into bed to catch a few hours sleep

before get ing back to work. And, she had to admit, she was excited

about another operation and thinking about nothing else. She was

eager to get back into the field, and hungry, aching , for

payback. Ever since 9/11 shed felt impotent, and the thwarted

raid on Mathesons compound had only added to her sense of

helplessness. Now she had a chance to set le the score, and that was al

shed been thinking about.

“Hey, sweetie, Im sorry, Renée said. “Ive been running on autopilot

since yesterday morning. God, I want this guy so bad.

“Do you think youl be able to take Henry alive? Paula

asked.

“Thats going to be Valeries cal , I think, Renée said, sit ing down on the

edge of the bed and pat ing the space next to her. “Sit with me for a

minute.

Paula sat beside her and slipped an arm around her

waist.

“If Valerie reads Henry as still friendly, shes going to

recommend a meeting between the three of themher, Cam,

and Henrysomeplace on neutral territory. If she doesnt trust

Henry or if Matheson shows, I think Valerie is going to make

a different call.

“Thats got to be tough after all the time theyve worked

together, Paula said.

“Shes ice. Renée said it respectful y. “Shell do whatever needs

to be done.

“I know. We all wil . Paula kissed Renée and squeezed her

hand. “Try not to mess your leg up again tonight.

“I wont. Renée smiled, tightening her grip on Paulas hand. “By

the way, I love you like crazy.

“Same here, Paula whispered. “Same here.

* * * * *

“All set? Cam asked as Valerie joined her and Savard in

the kitchen.

“Yes. Where are the others?

Cam tilted her head toward the closed doors of the adjoining

room. “Operations center. Do you want to look at the setup?

“No, Valerie said. “Im sure Mac has everything under

control. Valerie stood next to the table where Savard was

drawing a clear solution from a 50cc glass vial into a 1cc syringe

and unzipped her jeans.

“How does your neck feel? Savard asked as she opened a

foil wrapper and extracted an alcohol swab.

“A tiny bit sore, Valerie said, rubbing a fingertip lightly over

the spot just below her ear where the transdermal microphone

had been inserted that morning. “How do you read it?

“Loud and clear, Savard said, pointing to the wireless receiver

that was barely visible in her ear. “Right leg or left?

“Left.

Savard pulled on gloves, swabbed Valeries upper thigh with

the alcohol, and palpated for the femoral pulse. When she

found it, she inserted the needle half an inch away, drew back

until she saw venous blood, and injected the Neosynephrine.

“Youre going to feel your heart race in a few minutes, but

the peripheral vasoconstriction wont be maximal for an hour

and a half to two

hours. She met Valeries eyes. “Once this starts working, your

skin is going to be damn cold and if he touches you, hell know.

“If he touches me it will only be for a second and I dont think

hell notice, Valerie said as she zipped her jeans.

Savard gathered her equipment. “Wear as lit le as you can on the boat

on the way out to drop your core temperature even more. I dont know

how wel this is going to work. Im just guessing on the dosage.

“I dressed light and Il take my jacket of . Id go in the water, but hel

notice if Im wet.

“We cant risk you get ing that cold, Cam said, shaking her head. “If you

have to go into the water for any reason later on, and you start

out with a core temperature that low, you wont last thirty seconds.

Valerie smiled. “Youl be there before

that. Cam said nothing.

“See you later, Savard said, touching Valerie lightly on the arm before

leaving.

“Theres a car outside to take you down to the marina, Cam said as

she and

Valerie walked toward the front door. “Il ride with

you.