“Thanks, but Im good. Tanner had sandwiches sent in for us.
Cam opened the refrigerator and extracted a beer. “Want one?
“Ive got wine. Blair waited until Cam sat down at the table
and took several swallows of beer before moving behind
her to massage her shoulders. “Long day.
Cam leaned her head back against Blairs body, briefly closed
her eyes, and sighed. “Yeah. How was yours?
“About the same. I painted a little this
afternoon. “Anything I can see yet?
Blair smiled. “Soon. Maybe
tomorrow.
“I wont forget. What else is
new?
“Tanners people took Emory back to the city. Steph is going to stay
with her for a day or so just to be sure shes okay.
“Good. Hows Diane?
Blairs hand stil ed.
“Upset.
“Il talk to her as soon as I check in with Mac and Stark. Hopeful y
they had bet er luck sorting out what happened at the hotel last night
than we had today.
“No
progress?
Cam sighed. “Some. I have no doubt that given enough time we could
track the various threads back to the hub, but I dont think we have that
much time. Not when Matheson can put together assault squads like he
did at the Aerie, people who dont care if they die.
Blair went back to working on the muscles in Cams neck. “You think it
was a suicide mission?
“I doubt they framed it that way, but the probability was
overwhelming that none of the assailants would survive.
“You think hel try
again.
Cam fel silent, wondering if spel ing out her concerns to Blair
was fair.
“Dont try to decide whats good for me or not, just tel me what you think,
Blair said.
Cam looked up into Blairs face. “Yes, I
do.
“Wel . Hes not so smart, then, is he? I just hope he does it soon
so we can get this over with. Blair kissed the top of Cams
head. “Why dont you take a shower and change into
something more comfortable. Your back is one big knot.
“Are you going to come with
me?
Blair laughed. “No, not unless you intend on spending the rest
of the night in the bedroom.
“Sounds good to me. Cam grinned, tilting her head further
back against Blairs stomach. “I missed you today.
Blair traced Cams eyebrows with a fingertip, then leaned over
and kissed her mouth upside down. “Ive been thinking of this
morning all day. I love that position, but next time I want it
to be your mouth under me.
Cam groaned and nosed Blairs T-shirt aside so she could kiss
her bare middle. “Let me finish up a few more things, and Ill
take care of that wish. I can shower later.
“Ill be waiting.
* * * * *
“Anything? Cam asked as she strode into the operations
center. Stark, Mac, andto her surpriseWozinski were reviewing
printouts. “Hi Greg. Things finished up in Boston?
Wozinski shrugged. “The feebies are handling it. Need I say
more?
“Other than things are moving slowly? Cam grinned. “What
do you have?
“Shooters name was Allen Strassmann, and as we already
knew, he was on Constantines watch list. Hes also on half a
dozen other lists under watchall right-wing, pro-Christian,
pro-life, ultraconservative groups.
“On the surface, Stark said, “it looks like Dr. Constantine was
the target.
Cam leaned against the door jamb and folded her arms.
“You disagree?
“If the doctor was the target, it seems pretty stupid to try to
take her out when shes with Egret, who everyone knows
would be heavily guarded.
“Maybe it was simply a matter of opportunity, Cam
said.
“Possible. But how did they know that Constantine was in the
hall with us? It was a spur of the moment decision to leave then.
“Maybe Strassmann was in the banquet hall or had someone
watching Emorys movements who could alert him, the same as
we postulated might be the case if Blair were the target.
Stark nodded, but she didnt look convinced. “If I were going
to take a shot at Emory Constantine, I would plan to do it when
she was leaving the hotel after the eventin the parking garage,
maybe, or even in the crowd coming out of the banquet hall.
Thered be a much better chance of getting away with itand
getting away,
period.
“Do we have any indication that this guy Strassmann might
have targeted Blair? Cam joined the others around the table.
“We dont have anything in the files about this guyor
any organization hes involved withcontacting her, issuing
statements, or posting inflammatory messages on any of their
message boards regarding her. Nothing ties him to her.
“Im not surprised. If I were going to choose an assassin, Id
want him, or her, to be someone anonymous. Cam shrugged.
“That assumes there was someone behind this other than
Strassmann himself.
“It would be a damn big coincidence, Mac said as he sat
down with coffee, “if someone just happened to take a shot at
Emory Constantine when she just happened to be with Egret.
