three of Tanners agents pointing assault rifles at a figure
kneeling in the sand, arms outstretched. A slender figure with
short blond hair in a dark jacket and pants. Cam skidded to a stop
a few feet away and holstered her weapon.
Valerie looked up at her. “Hel o,
Cameron.
“Are you okay?
“Perfectly, thank you.
Cam motioned the others away. “Ive got this. Thank you.
You can return to your posts.
Valerie rose and brushed sand from her
pants.
“That was risky, Cam said. “They might have shot
you. “I knew your people would be bet er trained
than that. “Pret y trusting.
Valerie smiled softly. “Ive always trusted
you.
Cam wondered how long the trust would last. “Come up to the house,
she said. “Weve been expecting you.
Chapter Twenty-One
I take it the newspaper item was fabricated? Valerie asked as soon as
they were out of earshot of the guards.
Cam grinned briefly, not surprised that Valerie had been suspicious of the
cover story. Agents indoctrinated to clandestine work understood how
often and to what extent the media was used to subvert the truth.
Cam had hoped that Valerie would not take a chance on ignoring the
report, even though she might not completely believe it. “Most of it was
an embel ishment.
“Is Diane al
right?
“Yes, shes completely
fine.
“But there
incident.
“Yes, Cam said, unwil ing to discuss any further details until she had a
better sense of Valeries agenda.
As if understanding, Valerie didnt pursue it further. “I expected the
guards to cal
Stark when they intercepted me, she said. “Are you running Blairs
detail again?
Cam shook her head. “No, but this entire operation is an OHS mat er,
and that puts me in charge.
“And youre going to take on the
Company?
“If
need
be.
“The Companys been around a long time, Valerie said. “Homeland
Security is so fresh most people dont even know what it is.
“Theyl find out soon
enough.
“I guess we al wil . Valerie pushed her hands into the pocket of her
jacket and hunched her shoulders against the wind. “God, this is going
to be a mess until people sort out their turf.
“Probably for a lot longer than that. Cam realized Valerie was shivering.
“How far did you walk?
“Four or five milesI wanted to be sure to flank your guards so theyd
have a good look at me as I came up the beach. I didnt want to come out
of nowhere right on top of them and have them shooting at shadows.
“You said you thought they were too wel -trained
for that.
“Lets just say I prefer the odds to be solidly stacked in my favor
when Im unarmed in hostile territory.
“Sound procedure, Cam agreed. Shed find out soon enough just how
Valerie had penetrated far enough into the island to get around the
guards. She sensed movement in the shadows of to her right and slid her
hand over her weapon just as Felicia stepped out of the cover of the
dunes. Beside her, Valerie tensed.
“Al clear, Commander? Felicia
asked.
“Yes. You can let Savard and Stark know to stand
down.
“Yes maam. Felicia relayed the orders by radio, then regarded Valerie
as the trio climbed the path toward the compound. “Good to see you.
“Thanks, Valerie replied. “I feel the
same.
“You and Savard should take some down time while you can, Davis,
Cam said. “Wel brief again at 0600.
“Yes maam. Felicia veered of the path toward the guesthouse.
“Goodnight, Commander.
Cam stopped midway between the guesthouse and the main house at a
point outside the visual range of the perimeter guards stationed at the
rear of the house. She faced Valerie, who looked thin and pale in the
moonlight. “Blair is inside. So is Diane. I know Tanners men already
frisked you, but I need to do it myself.
“Of course. Valerie unzipped her jacket, then held her arms out to her
sides at shoulder level and spread her legs.
“Unbut on your blouse and unzip your jeans, Cam said. “Im sorry its
cold out here.
“Just get it done,
Cameron.
“Il
be
quick.
Wordlessly, Valerie opened her
clothing.
Cam swiftly checked for weapons, which she hadnt expected to find,
and then more careful y skimmed her fingers inside the cups of Valeries
bra, over the bare skin of her abdomen and back, and underneath the top
of her jeans in front and back looking for a microphone, which she
hoped she wouldnt find. She didnt. “Thanks.
Valerie redressed. “Can I see
Diane?
“Yes, but just for a minute. You and I need to
talk. They resumed walking.
“Il do whatever you
want.
“For the record, Cam said, “Im glad you final y got your
ass here.
Valerie sighed. “Ive done things I regret, Cameron, but I would never
wil ingly have betrayed you. I didnt know how the intel igence I passed
on was going to be used. I know its not an excuse
“I know how the game is played. I know you didnt have any choice.
Were okay on that.
Valerie briefly squeezed Cams hand. “Im
glad.
