Her eyes darkened and she touched her palm to her chest. “in here.
Blair caught her breath. “Oh my God. You have to go right this minute
or Im going to have to drag you back to bed. You cant say things like
that to me when were standing out here and I cant have you.
“Is that a yes about Colorado?
“Il cal Doris today. I know Tanner and Adrienne wil love to see her
again.
“Good. Cam kissed her. “I might be a
while. “I know. Do what you have to do.
I love you. “Be careful today.
“I wil be. Blair asked the question lurking in the back of her mind.
“Have you learned anything?
“On the surface it looks like the shooter was targeting Emory.
“On the surface?
“Hes on her watch list, but some of these groups have multiple agendas.
Its not a stretch for an anti-fetal research zealot to also be anti-gay.
“So it mightve been us he was after.
“Possibly.
“But?
Cam sighed. “We cant discount the remote possibility that this might be
related to the previous assault on you.
“And
you.
“So our safest course of action, Cam said, “is to assume al three are
probable and investigate accordingly. The local FBI is put ing together
a file on the anti- stem cel research groups, and wel continue to
focus on connections to Matheson.
Blair caressed Cams ribs lightly, wishing fervently that she could heal
them. “What about Valerie?
“If she doesnt contact either Diane or myself, our chances of finding
her are remote. Given enough time, we might, but time is something we
dont have much of. Cam ran her fingers through Blairs hair. “Im
working on something that might draw her in.
“Is
it
classified?
“No, but it does involve
Lucinda.
“Uh-oh. Do I even want to
know?
“Youl find out later. Cam kissed Blairs forehead. After a second she
said, “No questions?
“Il wait for you to tel me about the briefing. Perhaps Il go down to the
marina in a while to see Tanner.
“Take three people Cam grimaced. “Im sure Stark wil take care
of that.
Blair smiled. “I never mind you looking out for me. Stark doesnt have to
know.
“Thanks, baby. Cam kissed her again, then turned and strode briskly
away.
Blair waited until Cam disappeared inside, then continued down the
winding path to the beach. As she turned north, tucking her hands in the
pockets of her windbreaker and walking quickly to keep warm in the
brisk wind, she was peripheral y aware of the two figures shadowing
her. They had been there, of course, the entire time that she and
Cam had stood on the path sharing something so intimate she stil
felt like crying. Those who had watched would of course never
acknowledge in any way what they had witnessed, and during those
moments, she hadnt been aware of anyone except Cam. She stopped and
pul ed out her cel phone and speed-dialed.
A moment later, Cam answered. “Are you al
right?
“Im sorry, I know youre briefing. I just want you to know that Id love to
go to
Colorado
to
get
married.
“Al right, Cam said probingly.
“And?
“And this morning in bed was wonderful, but the only thing
I real y need is for you to look at me like you just did for the rest
of my life.
“You can count on that.
“I love you, Blair said quietly. “Ill see you
later.
Blair closed the phone, slid it into her pocket, and turned her
face up to the rain. It was cold and sharp against her skin and
she felt unbelievably alive.
* * * * *
When Blair let herself into the kitchen forty-five minutes
later,
Diane was waiting for her. She was without makeup, in
loose cotton slacks and a pale blue cotton blouse, and she didnt
look like shed slept at all the night before. Her freshly
washed hair was loose and unstyled. She looked vulnerable
and young, and Blairs heart ached. Diane had final y fal en in
love and instead of being able to immerse herself in the joy of
it, she might lose Valerie and never know why.
“Morning, sweetheart. Blair skimmed her fingers over Dianes
back as she passed behind her. She stopped abruptly when
she felt Diane stiffen. “What is it?
“This. Dianes normally sultry voice was scratchy from
fatigue. She pointed to the newspaper spread out in front of her.
“I dont understand this.
Blair peered over her shoulder and frowned at an article on
the second page.
She scanned the completely fictitious account of an assault,
presumed to be a robbery, that occurred just outside the Boston
Ritz Carlton the previous evening fol owing a fundraiser for a
noted research institute. The only thing in the article that
resembled reality in the slightest was the fact that the victim,
Diane Bleeker,
gallery.
“Is this how things are done in your world? Diane lifted her
pain- fil ed and accusing eyes. “Are these kinds of lies necessary?
