“Lets get inside so you can warm
up.
They climbed the stairs to the rear deck, and Cam nodded to Stark, who
stood with her back against the kitchen door, an assault rifle held loosely
in her arms. “Al clear, Chief.
“Do you need me inside, Commander? Stark
asked.
“Not at the moment. Standard shifts tonight should be fine.
Wel brief tomorrow.
Stark glanced at Valerie and stepped away from the door. “Yes
maam.
Cam led Valerie inside. The kitchen was empty, as she knew it would be.
Stark would have moved Diane and Blair to the center of the house as
soon as she realized security had been breached. “Diane is probably in
the living room with Blair. Il wait for you here, if you want to tel Blair
where I am.
“Thank you. Valerie met Cams eyes. “I know you dont have to do this,
any of this. Im sure you were told to just turn me over to whoevers
on top of the security heap at the moment.
Cam smiled grimly. “That would be
me.
“I hope it stays that way. Valeries tone was wistful. “Thank you,
Cameron. Il be right back.
* * * * *
“Oh God, Diane whispered, rising slowly to her feet as Valerie stepped
into the room.
Blair hesitated for a second, then rose and gave Diane a quick hug. “Il
see you later. She left Valerie and Diane alone in the dimly lit room.
Neither moved at first.
“Were you ever coming back? Diane asked.
“I wanted to.
“Why didnt you?
Valerie shivered. “I was afraid youd get
hurt.
Diane lifted a log and laid it on the ones already burning. “Come over
here by the fire. Youre cold. When she felt Valerie beside her, she
turned to touch her face. “Are you al right?
“A lit le tired. Valerie caught Dianes hand and brushed her lips across the
palm. “I missed you so much.
“I dont know what to do first, Diane confessed. “I want to feed you. You
look too thin. I want to hold you. Your hands are so cold. I want
hold me. I feelso empty.
“First things first. Valerie pul ed Diane firmly into her
arms.
Diane gave a smal cry and slid both hands under the back of Valeries
jacket, then buried her face in Valeries neck. “I dont care what happens
after this, but you are not disappearing again.
Valerie caressed Dianes hair, sifting the sleek blond strands through her
fingers. “Id promise you that, if I could.
A tremulous smile countered the sadness in Dianes eyes. “Blair says
you and Cam are the best at what you do. So the two of you should be
able to figure something out.
“Cams waiting to talk to me. Valerie couldnt bear the thought of leaving
Diane again, especial y knowing that it could be hours before she
could return. And hours was the best she could hope for. Agents whose
loyalties were in question had been known to be sequestered for weeks.
Sometimes months. She had to believe that Cam would not do that to
her, and she wagered everything that mat ered to her on that belief. “I
dont know how long Il be.
“Shes not going to take you away, is
she?
“I
dont
know.
“Why did you come? Was it because of the newspaper article?
Ididnt know
“When I first read it, Valerie said, instinctively pulling
Diane closer, “I thought you were hurt and I nearly went
crazy. I spent half a day frantically making calls and
tapping into some old sources, but no one could find an
accident or police report involving you. So I realized the
article was phony, but I was still worried in case it was a half
truth. I had to know you were okay.
“Im so sorry, Diane said. “Cam didnt tell me what shed done, or
Iwould have found a way to call
you.
Valerie smiled. “Thats why she didnt tell you.
Dianes eyes darkened. “Youre not angry at
her?
“I figured she had probably planted the article. Either that,
or someone else trying to flush me out had. Valerie sighed and
leaned in to Diane, more tired than shed realized. “I was
running out of options. It seemed like the time to come in.
Besides, I missed you.
“Cam said you would understand what shed done and why,
and even though I dont approve of being used to trick you, Im so
very glad youre here. Diane brushed her fingers through
Valeries hair. “And Im not letting Cam or anyone else take you
away from me again.
“I need to go talk to
her.
“Ill be upstairs. The last door on the right. Come to
me.
“Are you sure?
Diane put her arms around Valeries shoulders and kissed her,
a soft lingering kiss. “Never, ever more certain.
* * * * *
“Scotch? Cam closed the kitchen door after Valerie. “Theres
a good bottle in the cupboard over there.
“Now
me?
Cam nodded. She watched Valerie take glasses down from
the cupboard, add ice cubes, and pour the smoky liquor. Shed
seen her do exactly the same thing dozens of times before, but
more than just the circumstances had changed. Valerie looked
different, too. It wasnt simply that her clothes were far more
casual than anything Cam had seen her wear even when she
