“I wish I were, Blair said. “Im terrified every day that something wil
happen to
Cam. And if it did, I dont think Id
survive it.
“I would never have imagined you with
her.
Blair lifted her shoulders. “We dont choose who to
love.
“No. We dont. Diane smiled sadly. “Now I cant imagine you with
anyone else.
“Neither can I. Blair stroked Dianes arm. She was already
dressed
to travel in a pale blue cashmere cowl-neck sweater and tan
slacks. For the first time Blair realized that Diane, always slender,
had lost weight. “How are you holding up?
“Its so hard, knowing that Cam saw Valerie last night and I
cant even speak to her.
“Have you thought maybe you should try to let her go?
Blair reached for Dianes hand. As hard as it was to ask, it
was even harder to watch her suffer.
Diane twined her fingers through Blairs and squeezed
lightly. “Cam didnt tell me very much about what went on. I
understand that she cant. She wouldnt tell me exactly why
Valerie is staying away, but I know its partly because of me.
“She doesnt want you to be
hurt.
Diane trembled and Blair drew her close. With a shaky
breath, Diane continued, “Cam must trust her, because she
didnt try to detain her. I love Valerie. I have to trust her as
much as Cam does.
“Youre real y sure, arent you? Blair said.
Diane smiled almost shyly. “I really am. Nothing has felt as
right since I met you.
“Then Im on your side, Blair said, hugging Diane tightly.
“And hers.
* * * * *
“Well travel in two groups to Whitley Point, Cam said,
scribbling on a flip chart that she had dug out of the closet
earlier. She couldnt find the stand, so she balanced the oversized
pad of paper on her knees facing Stark, Savard, and Davis,
who clustered around her in the living room. “Stark, you and
your people will take Blair and Diane. Youll fly out of
Andrews again at 1100 hours, but this time youll land at
Westover, Mass.
Stark frowned. “Whats there?
“Its an Air Force Reserve base, so its relatively low profile.
Well have Tanners people pick you up in three vehicles and
take you the rest of the way, each vehicle fol owing a different
route.
“Who knows about the itinerary?
“The flight plan was filed through Lucindas office, but theres
no attendant passenger list. Only Tanner knows the routes and
final destination.
“Youre putting a lot of faith in Tanners people, Stark said mildly.
“My feeling is that we know more about her team than we could about
anyone
coming to us from inside the system right now. Youre the security
chief. Whats
your cal
?
Stark took her time. “Until we find Valerie and Matheson, I dont want
anyone new get ing close to Blair.
“I agree. Cam blew out a breath. “Basical y wel handle Blairs security
in the same way the Vice Presidents has been set up since the at acks.
Shel be based in a secure location away from the White House known
to as few people as possible, and shel make very few and only
essential public appearances. We cant keep her completely
sequesteredfirst because shed never al ow it,
secondly, because we cant make prisoners of our elected of icials
and their families, and final y because the public is going to be looking
for her. Shes too popular to just disappear.
“Were going to be thin on the ground, Stark said, “now that Davis has
gone over to OHS.
Cam nodded as she drew a grid and added names. “Youl have to work
with a smal er team than usual for the time being. Hara, Wozinski,
yourself, and Tanners people. Can you handle it?
Stark didnt hesitate. “Yes, we
can.
As satisfied with the security as she could be when al she real y wanted
to do was take Blair to some remote island for six months, Cam
switched her attention to Savard. “Wel fol ow by ground as soon as
you and Davis are happy that youve accessed al the data
immediately available to us. You can use the computers in my of ice
in the West Wing and wipe them when youre done.
“How long wil you need, Felicia? Savard asked, sit ing with her
injured leg straight out in front of her. The cane shed used in lieu of her
knee immobilizer rested against the arm of the chair. She looked focused
and steady.
Davis smiled, her dark eyes glowing. “I want to make sure I look in
everybodys closets and leave myself a backdoor before we leave. Say,
three hours.
Cam checked her watch as she stood. “Its 0815 now. We should be
leaving
DC by 1200 hours, which puts us into Whitley Point around
2300.
Savard and Davis rose, and Savard asked, “Where wil we
rendezvous, Commander?
“In case anyone is checking, Il schedule you and Davis for a meeting
at FBI headquarters at 1130 hours. On your way there, the meeting wil
be canceled and a vehicle wil pick you up at 13 and Pennsylvania
Avenue. Cam regarded
Stark. “When would you like to depart here, Chief? If theres anyone fol
