Honor Under Siege

“Clear, Commander, Valerie replied.

“Confirming scan now, Cam said. “Switching to open channel.

“Roger that. Greetings, team, Valerie said. “Glad to see you.

“Were right behind you, Valerie, Savard said.

“Do we have her? Cam asked Felicia, bending down beside

Felicias computer array against one wall of the ships cabin.

Behind

them, Savard eased the engine down to idle and the ship rocked

in the swells.

“Ive got her, Felicia said. “Im just adjusting the feed

to Donaldsons video goggles. She opened up the com link in her

head set. “Donaldson? Target on screen?

“Sweet and hot, maam, he radioed from his position outside on

the bow.

“Not too hot, I hope, Cam murmured. “Where does she fall on

the thermal range?

“Five percent below mean.

Cam frowned. “Thats not much to distinguish her from Henry.

“Shes cold, I can guarantee you that, Savard said. “Much

colder

and her reaction time will be so slow she wont be able to

protect

herself.

“Here he comes. Valeries voice filled the cabin. “Switching

to transdermal mic.

Savard linked to Mac. “Anyone else out here with us?

“Lots of someones, Mac radioed, “but no one in critical

range. “Okay, let me know if anyone moves within the strike

radius. “Roger.

A minute of silence passed until broken by Valeries voice,

muted by the shielded microphone.

" Toss me your tie line, Valerie said, "and come aboard. "Here

you go. Catch, a deep male voice responded. "Drop your ladder.

Savard glanced at Cam in surprise. Cam shook her head,

thinking it wasnt necessarily a good sign that Henry was so

wil ing to board Valeries boat. It meant they had an open channel

to Valerie if they needed one, but if Henrys plan was to

eliminate Valerie, he wouldnt want to do it on his own vessel.

Hed want to do it on hers.

“Are you armed? Henry

said.

“Of

course.

“What

about

the

others?

“What

others?

“Dont tell me you came without

backup.

“Do you see anyone? Valerie

asked.

Henry laughed. “Only about two dozen boats out

there.

“I told you I dont trust them. No one knows Im out here. Search the

boat if you want.

“Not necessary. I agreed to this meet under these less than

optimal circumstances, Henry said, “so youll believe me when I tell

you that you need to come in. Youre in danger.

“From whom?

“From Roberts. The White House sent her after

you.

“Why?

“They need a scapegoat. How long do you think theyll be able to keep

the

attack on the presidents daughter quiet? Add to that they botched

the assault on Mathesons compound and let him escape.

“He

had

help.

“The country needs accountability, especial y after 9/11. Someone needs

to pay for that, Henry said. “Washburn and the security adviser and

a fair number of other people have decided it will be you, for starters.

Its out of our hands.

“And if I come

in?

“Well help you get lost for a year or two. Theres work to be

done elsewhere.

“Convincing, isnt he, Felicia mut ered. “Bastard. “Whats the

temperature register look like? Cam asked. “Theres a three degree dif

erence between them. Felicia keyed Donaldson. “Can you distinguish

the primary from the friendly? “Yes maam, as long as they dont move

around too much. “On my mark, Cam ordered on the same channel.

“Yes maam. Locked and loaded.

“Who tipped Matheson? Valerie asked. “We think he has friends in

the

Special Forces. “Do we have a

name?

“Several possibles. Ill brief you as soon as you are secure. “Where do