Honor Guards Part 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.

W hen Cam walked into the living room to inform Felicia Davis of their departure plans, she was surprised to find Paula Stark standing guard at the wide front windows. "Where's Davis?"

Stark turned from her survey of the grounds and the distant front gate, her expression somber. "I relieved her at 0400."

Cam nodded, thinking that if she hadn't fallen asleep after the nightmare and its aftermath, she would have relieved Davis herself. She couldn't fault Stark for being responsible, even if she had been ordered to get some sleep. "Very well." As Stark turned back to her silent vigil, Cam walked up beside her. "We're evacuating-ETD 0730. Once Egret is secure, you can call Renee."

"I'm sure she's up to her eyeb.a.l.l.s in fieldwork right now," Stark said flatly. "I imagine, being right there..."Her voice wavered, and she drew a long breath. "Being right there, she's got to be one of the lead agents. She probably won't even answer her phone."

"No," Cam agreed, because the a.s.sessment was technically accurate and any other alternative scenario was unacceptable. There would be time to think the unthinkable if Savard failed to respond after a reasonable wait. And who knows what's reasonable any longer? "She probably won't see any downtime for another twenty-four hours at least."

Stark nodded, still at rigid attention, her jaw set and her eyes bleak. "Yes. That's what I figure, too."

In a rare gesture, Cam squeezed Stark's shoulder briefly. "I'll advise Davis to relieve you."

"It's not necessary, Commander. I'm fine."

"Yes, I know you are." They stood side by side in silence, watching the sea breeze blow the last edges of the night clouds from the sky. Eventually, without touching her again, Cam said, "There's coffee in the kitchen. Get some, then grab a shower. We're headed to DC."

Stark jerked in surprise. But Renee 's in New York! With effort, she forced herself to reply quietly. "Yes, ma'am."

Cam wanted to add some word of rea.s.surance, but she thought too much of Stark to lie. They both knew the chances of hearing from Renee-or not. Before she turned away, she said quietly, "You did a fine job yesterday, Agent Stark."

"It was an honor, Commander."

Their eyes met, steady and strong. Then Cam nodded and left Stark to her duty, A few minutes later, she stood with Blair in the kitchen, drinking coffee. Felicia entered, looking worn but in control, "A car was just cleared through the front gate by the private security team."

"Thank you," Cam said, setting her cup on the breakfast bar. "Do we have identification?"

"No, without a comm link, I have no way of receiving that information." Felicia didn't look or sound pleased. After the ambush the day before, none of the team was likely to take anything at face value ever again. "I a.s.sume it's someone known to them, but..."

Foster was known to us, too, and he orchestrated an a.s.sa.s.sination attempt that very nearly succeeded. Cam headed for the front of the house. "Let's just see for ourselves."

Tanner waited on the verge of the circular drive. A black sedan pulled to a stop just in front of her, and a tall thin blond in a rumpled navy uniform stepped out and hurried around the front of the vehicle.

Meeting her halfway, Tanner immediately slipped both arms around her waist. "Are you all right?"

"Just tired," Adrienne Pierce replied. She kissed Tanner softly, then stroked her cheek while searching her eyes. "How about you?"

"Much better now." Tanner brushed her fingers down Adrienne's arm and clasped her hand. "I am so glad you're home."

"Have you heard anything from Constance and Tom?"

"She just called," Tanner replied, her relief at having heard from her mother clear. "They're fine."

"Good." Adrienne slid her arm around Tanner's waist. "Why is there a guard at our gate?"

"We've got unexpected visitors."

At the sound of footsteps on the veranda, Adrienne shifted her gaze from her lover to take a close look at the women who gathered at the top of the stairs. "I see." She recognized Blair Powell although they had met only a few times. The others were easily identifiable as Secret Service agents just by the way they carried themselves and observed her with polite but intent attention. "Special visitors. Why are they here?"

"I don't know. Blair called yesterday shortly after the....attacks. She said that she needed a secure place to stay."

The president's daughter needs a safe house? Adrienne's heart hammered as she glanced quickly around. "My G.o.d, are they here alone?"

"There's just Blair and three agents." Tanner lowered her voice, although no one could hear them. "They're all a little beat up."

That information, coupled with the level of wartime preparedness she had just been part of at the base, made Adrienne wish she had brought a security team with her. Blair Powell was in her home in the midst of a national crisis, and surprisingly undefended. It didn't make sense. But then, absolutely nothing about the last twenty-two hours made sense. "You called in your own security?"

"I was a bit nervous."

Adrienne laughed thinly. "I can see why. I wonder if 1 can get some MPs out here--"

"I don't think that's necessary," Tanner informed Adrienne as they crossed the driveway and started up the steps. "Blair told me just a little while ago that they would be leaving shortly."

"And I only have two hours before I have to head back to the base. I'm sorry I can't stay with you longer."

Tanner gripped her arm more tightly. "You don't have to apologize. I miss you, and I'm worried about you. But I understand."

With a sigh, Adrienne slid her arm around Tanner, allowing herself the comfort of leaning into her lover's solid body. "G.o.d, it's good to be home."

Tanner, in turn, hooked an arm around Adrienne's waist and together, they ascended the stairs to where Blair stood with Cam and Felicia. Stark came through the front door just as they reached the deck, and the six women met in a small circle. Stark and Felicia stood slightly behind and on either side of Blair, who stepped forward with Cam and extended her hand to Adrienne.

"h.e.l.lo, Adrienne. I'm sorry about the welcoming committee- I'm sure you didn't count on us."

Adrienne smiled and took Blair's hand. "I'm happy to see you. I wish it were under different circ.u.mstances."

"Yes, we all do." Blair indicated Cam. "Adrienne Pierce, my partner and security chief, Cameron Roberts."

Cam shook Adrienne's hand as well. "Captain."

"How do you do." Adrienne smiled wearily. "Have you all had breakfast?"

"Yes, Tanner and May have taken wonderful care of us-" Blair broke off at the sound of a distant reverberation growing louder.

Cam stepped away from the small group and looked up into the sky, then back at Blair. "It appears that our ride is here."

Everyone turned and watched as Marine One, the presidential helicopter, settled down on the far side of the lawn. Four marines emerged, heads down to escape the buffeting of the rapidly spinning rotors, and hurried toward the house.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to be rude," Blair said, glancing from Adrienne to Tanner. "I wish it hadn't taken this to get us together again. I've missed you both."

Tanner took Blair's hand and squeezed it. "Me, too. When things...settle down, come back. You and Cameron, come back and spend some time with us."

"I'd like that very much." Blair leaned forward and kissed first Tanner's cheek, then Adrienne's. By then, Cam, Felicia, and Stark, along with the military escort, stood waiting to take her to the helicopter. For one moment, she considered telling Cam that she wanted to stay. Whitley Island was an oasis in a world gone mad, and she knew that as soon as she returned to Washington, she might be safe, but she might not be free. She looked to Cam, who was observing her intently. Stay here with me. Let the world take care of itself.

But she was the daughter of the president of the United States, and in the midst of a national crisis, her place was with him. With one last look at her old friends, she turned, walked down the stairs, and was quickly surrounded by her guards.

Once they were in the air, Cam signaled to the marine captain beside her for a secure communication line. Blair sat on her other side with Stark and Davis across the aisle in facing seats. The noise of the rotors made conversation almost impossible. With the headphones pressed to her ears, Cam requested a patch-through to the command center in Manhattan. She wasn't particularly surprised when John Fielding answered, knowing that in the absence of specific orders, her team would a.s.semble there.

"This is Roberts. What's the word on Mac?" she shouted. Hunched forward, she listened intently. "Okay...right...you're in charge of the local field investigation. Have the FBI been on scene?...say again?" Unable to make out his response, she shook her head in frustration and checked her watch. "Stand by for another call at 1130. Full briefing then."

As soon as she terminated the call, Blair grasped Cam's forearm and leaned close. "What about Mac?"

"Last update he's in the ICU, but stable."

One of many fears lifted from Blair's heart. At least one of her absent friends was going to be all right. Now, if only they'd hear from Renee. As Cam leaned forward to relay the news to Stark and Felicia, Blair closed her eyes, her right hand resting on Cam's knee. Once they landed, they would both be immersed in official duties, and she wanted these final few moments of connection.

Lucinda Washburn met them just inside the West Wing. The first thing she did was kiss Blair's cheek. "Your father's going to be very happy to see you. He's in a security meeting right now, but he asked that you wait for him at the residence."

"All right." Blair glanced at Cam. "Can you come with me?"

"I need to report in. Stewart needs to be briefed about the events of yesterday." She touched Blair's hand fleetingly. "I'll make it as fast as I can. You should try to get some sleep."

Blair tilted her head, smiling faintly. "And you, Commander, should take your own advice."

"Point taken, Ms. Powell." Cam leaned close enough for a kiss, but merely whispered, "Please don't leave the residence without me."

"No," Blair murmured, her eyes on Cam's. "I won't go anywhere without you. Don't worry."

Lucinda cleared her throat. "We should go, Blair. Everyone's schedule is very tight."

Blair moved back from Cam and regarded the chief of staff with a cool, calm expression. "Yes, of course." She nodded once to Cam. "I'll see you later, Commander."

"Ms. Powell," Cam said quietly as she watched her lover walk away. Then she turned to Stark and Davis. "You're both relieved...temporarily. Until I know Egret's plans, I need you both to remain available. Get rooms at the usual hotel so I can reach you on short notice." She hesitated, then added, "I'm sorry. I realize that both of you might prefer to return to Manhattan. As soon as I can rea.s.semble a secure team, I'll give you some downtime."

"Is it all right if we disclose our location now?" Stark asked. She felt like she'd been clinging to the side of a cliff in high winds and rain for over twenty-four hours. Her hands were numb, her grip was slipping, and she was about to plummet. She needed so desperately to hear Renee's voice.

"Yes, go ahead." Cam regarded Felicia. "Fielding is running the command center. He should have an update on Mac's situation,"

"Thank you. I'll speak to him, then, with your permission."

"Fine. Then both of you, get some sleep. You're first team until further notice."

Both women nodded wearily and then left together for the crosstown cab ride. Cam walked out of the West Wing and started toward the Treasury Building. She needed to advise her superiors that the president's daughter's security team was seriously compromised, and that she couldn't be sure that all of her remaining agents were trustworthy. She had lost one agent, she had another who was critically injured, and the president's daughter had barely escaped a kidnapping or a.s.sa.s.sination attempt. At the moment she wasn't certain which. Given the degree of penetration by the perpetrators, it was entirely likely that by the end of the day, she would no longer be the president's daughter's security chief.

In some respects, that would make her life much easier- her personal and professional lives would no longer be in direct conflict. It would probably make Blair happier, and that was no small consideration in Cam's mind. But her duty was not done, and would not be done, until she had brought to justice the men and womenbehind the attack on Blair. Whether she retained her position with Blair's team or not, officially or unofficially, she intended to find them. Someone had tried to murder the president's daughter; someone had tried to murder her lover. She wanted retribution, and she wanted to make it very clear to whoever might be planning the next a.s.sault that Blair Powell was not a target for terrorism.

Stark called Renee's number for the seventh time. She got the same recorded message. Out of service. All the news reports said the cellular carriers are either overloaded or down. It doesn 't mean anything.

She checked her personal voice mail. There was nothing from Renee. She hung up, then redialed her home number.

"Honey? Renee, if you check the answering machine and get this message, call me on my cell or at the usual place in DC. Okay? I love you, honey."

She ended the call and sat motionless on the side of the bed, staring at her hands. They were shaking. She was shaking. Everything inside of her felt like it was coming apart. She didn't know what to do, so she lay down on the bed fully clothed and curled on her side. She closed her eyes, knowing she wouldn't sleep, and waited for the phone to ring.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE.

S tewart Carlisle, a deputy director of the Secret Service and Cam's immediate supervisor, shot up from behind his desk the instant Cam walked into his office. "Christ Almighty, there are bodies lying all over Egret's apartment building. There was a dead agent right outside her G.o.dd.a.m.ned door! Tell me that someone didn't almost shoot her."

Cam had a ferocious headache that wasn't helped by the lack of sleep or the need for a decent meal or the immediate interrogation. However, considering what had happened to the nation the day before, she understood that no one in law enforcement was going to be getting regular sleep or food or much in the way of a break for months to come. So, steadfastly ignoring the throbbing pain behind her eyes, she took her customary chair across from Carlisle's desk and waited for him to sit back down.

"The dead agent is David Foster, and-"

"I know who he is," Carlisle snapped. "What I don't know is what happened to him."

"He's also one of the people who tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate Blair Powell."

"Oh f.u.c.k. Jesus. Are you sure?"

The muscles on either side of Cam's neck tightened, but her voice was steady. "Positive."

"And he ended up dead--how?"

"I shot him myself."

Carlisle pushed back in his chair and expelled a long breath. "Well, we have a very big problem."

Grimly, Cam smiled. "That would be my a.s.sessment as well."

The first thing Blair did when Lucinda left her in her father's private study was to call Diane. "Hey. It's me."

"Oh thank G.o.d! I've been calling you nonstop for twenty-four hours." Diane's voice was tight with strain and sharp with accusation. "When I didn't get an answer, I walked down to your place. There was an FBI agent-"

"Renee? Was it Renee Savard? You remember her, the really nice-"

"Uh-uh. No. It was a guy, some stone-faced suit who didn't care who I was or what I had to say. G.o.d-are you all right? All I could think was that you'd been whisked away to some missile silo in Montana or someplace."

"I'm sorry," Blair said quietly.

"Where are you?"

"I'm in DC. I'll be here a while-I don't know how long."

Her uncharacteristically subdued tone must have registered with her friend, because Diane's next words were gentle. "But you're okay?"

"Yes. How about you?"

"It's-unreal here. But I'm...managing." Diane sighed. "I'm glad that Cam's mother left Monday for California."

"I have to call her next. The weekend, the show at the gallery-it all seems like another lifetime, not just a few days ago."