“Exactly. Were compiling extensive profiles of known or possible
contacts, but we need to expand our investigation to include
paramilitary organizations. We might just stumble over him or someone
who can lead us to him.
“Youl need more people for
that.
“Wel need information analysts and data col ectors based here in DC, but
none of them wil require critical security clearance. I want to
keep the core investigation with my personal team working out of
New York City.
Lucinda sat back down. “Who dont you trust
here?
“The bet er question is, who
there are too many eyes and ears in this building and al over this city.
Cam laughed bit erly. “Hel , the CIA put people inside an escort
service. You can bet they have them in the White House.
“Its unorthodox to work that far outside the
system.
“Matheson came after Blair, Cam said flatly. “Il do whatever I have to
do with or without anyones approval.
Lucinda glanced at Blair. “It boggles my mind that you havent kil
ed her.
“It was touch and go for a while when we first met. Blair smiled
softly and entwined her fingers with Cams. “Once you get to know
her, of course, you discovershes just as dangerous as she sounds.
“And what about the wedding, Lucinda said dryly. “Considering recent
events, have you two decided to take the prudent course and delay?
Cam eased back against the sofa and said
nothing.
“Were get ing married Thanksgiving weekend in Colorado, Blair said.
“You can try to keep it a secret if you want to, but its going to leak and
we al know it, so you might as wel go ahead and announce the details.
Lucinda shook her head. “Youre
sure?
“Weve been sure for a long time, Blair
said.
“And
until
then?
“Were going back to Whitley Point, Cam said, “to finalize details for
purchasing the house. Wed also like to arrange for renovation of the
Aerie.
“I thought wed decided that the security breach was too severe to risk
Blair returning.
“We need a place to live in Manhat an if Cams base of operations is
there, Blair said. “And thats my home.
“Blair and I talked about it on the flight down here, Cam said. “The
breach wasnt because of an inherent problem with building security,
but because Matheson had an inside person providing him with
details and access. Instead of reinventing the wheel somewhere else, wel
correct for weaknesses there.
“Il discuss it with the president. Lucinda held up her hand when Blair
started to protest. “You can save the damn declaration of independence,
Blair. There are some things he wants to know about, and your security
is one of them. Thats the way it is.
“Okay, Blair said quietly. “But Il talk to him about it,
okay?
“I suppose it
where are we then?
“Wel , Cam said, “we know our enemy, which is the critical element
necessary to win any war. We have the best people anywhere in the
world working for us. And we have every reason in the world to
prevail, so eventual y, we wil . She smiled at Blair. “As to the
immediate future, Blair and I have a wedding to prepare for.
Blair pul ed Cam to her feet and slid an arm around her waist. “Final y, a
plan I
cant find anything to argue with.
Lucinda laughed. “Wil wonders never cease.
“No, Blair said, kissing Cam tenderly, “not in this lifetime.
About the Author
Radcly
publisher with over twenty-fi ve lesbian novels and anthologies in
print. She is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Alice B.
Readers award for her body of work and has been short-
listed for the Lambda Literary Awards and Golden Crown
Literary Society Awards multiple times, winning the 2005
Lambda Literary Awards with
She has selections in numerous anthologies including
,
She is also the president of Bold Strokes Books, a
publishing company featuring lesbian-themed general and genre fi
ction.
Her forthcoming works include
