“Jesus, Valerie, Cam snapped. “If hes not dirty it wont mat er. If he is,
we need to know because hes probably not the only one. Do you
seriously think that
Matheson could pul of something like the assault on Blair with only one
contact on the inside? For al we know, hes got a
know, hes going to try again.
Cam jumped to her feet, too wired to sit, and winced at the sudden
surge of pain that sliced down her back and into her right leg. She
barely bit back a groan.
Valerie grasped her hand. “Sit down, Cameron. Youre in too much
pain to stand.
“Whats his name? Cam looked down at Valerie and at their hands, stil
joined, remembering. She had held this woman in the night. She had
come in her arms. She had found some semblance of peace in her touch
during the darkest hours of her life. And she had loved her as much as
shed been able to then.
“Henry, Valerie said softly. “Thats al I
know.
“Fifteen years and you never tried to find out
more?
Valerie shook her head. “Thats not the way things are
done.
Cam gently released Valeries hand and sat down again. “I know. Do you
think hes the link?
Pain flashed across Valeries face and was quickly erased. “I dont
know. And until I do, I cant contact him or anyone else on the inside.
“Where were you planning to
go?
“Just before 9/11 we began to see intel igence that there was an active
cel in France, possibly Paris, working with other cel s in Europe and the
Middle East. They were rumored to be planning a coordinated at ack
here.
Cam swore and struggled to keep her temper in check. “Why didnt
anyone
know
this?
“Cameron, Valerie said with a resigned sigh. “You know how every
agency guards its intel igence. And certainly those of us in the field
were never told anything. I didnt learn this until after everything
happened.
“When they sent you to work with us, Cam said bit erly. Shed been
used, and although it hadnt been the first time and in al likelihood
wouldnt be the last, she resented it.
“Yes. They were hoping we might find a lead to the cel in Paris in the
course of investigating Foster.
“What do you think you can do there on your
own?
Valerie shrugged, clearly frustrated. “I dont know. Possibly nothing. But
if I dont find the link that ties Foster and Matheson and the Company
together, Im never going to be able to come in.
“Come in now, with
me.
“I trust
the easiest way to make this al go away is to eliminate me. Valerie
drained her Scotch and set the glass careful y on the end table.
“Whoever tried to run you down tonight probably knows about our
relationship. Kil ing you would cut of one more avenue of escape for
me.
“I came to the same conclusion, Cam said, hoping Blair
hadnt.
“Im
sorry.
“For what? Cam laughed wearily. “For believing in the Company line,
or for meeting me in the bar that first night?
“Certainly not the lat er. Im coming to regret the first. Im already
responsible for
one at empt on your life. I dont want to be the cause of
another.
“Im your best shot, and you know it. Cam stood. “If you let me bring
you in, I give you my word no one wil know until weve identified
Mathesons source. Il personal y guarantee that you are protected.
“I dont want to spend months, possibly years, in a safe house, Cam.
Valerie laughed. “God knows, if I wanted to disappear and start over as
someone else, I could. Im tired of being someone else. I want out.
Cam made a decision based on everything she knew, and more
importantly, on everything she believed. “Work with me and my team to
find Matheson, and Il get you out.
“Im not sure even you can do that, Cameron. Rising, Valerie slid her
hand to the back of Cams neck and kissed her on the cheek. “I need to
think about it.
“The longer you stay under, the worse it
looks.
“I
know.
“What
about
Diane?
“I shouldnt have contacted her today. It was selfish. Valerie hooked
her arm through Cams as they walked toward the door. “I wont try to
see her again.
Cam gave her a secure phone number as she shrugged into her jacket.
“No one wil know. You have my word.
“I wont be here in the morning, in case you were
wondering.
“I wont come after you, not unless I have
to.
“Thank you. Valerie smiled sadly. “Goodnight,
Cameron.
Cam drew her into a gentle embrace. “Cal me.
Soon.
Chapter Twelve
Wednesda
y
T homas Jef erson Matheson picked up the phone on the first ring. If he
hadnt been listening for it, he wouldnt have recognized the faint buzz
emanating from the electronic jammer. Hed put his own people on
surveil ance duty as soon as hed got en word of where the bait had
landed. Trusting an agent he couldnt directly control was not ideal, and
he wanted his own back-up plan in place if he needed to set le mat ers
himself. “Yes?
