Chapter twenty-eight

1000 09Sep01

Report: Team One's pilot and six other men checked out of the Panther Hotel in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Destination: Boston.

1005 9 September 2001

At the sound of footsteps, Diane looked up from where she sat reading the morning paper on her tiny balcony overlooking Central Park. "Good morning! I can't believe you're up before Cam."

"Neither can I," Blair said as she sat in the tan canvas director's chair opposite her friend and balanced a full cup of coffee on her knee. "She has to be totally exhausted not to wake up before this."

"Well, the reception last night did go on until almost four. And the two of you have been running around like maniacs for a month straight."

Blair, wearing only a borrowed T-shirt and her briefs, stretched out her legs and sipped her coffee. "I know. And she's not only had to worry about my security, she's had to worry about...my health."

"I'm sure she can handle it, but these few extra hours of sleep will probably help." Out of habit, Diane lowered her voice unnecessarily. "Where are the rest of your spookies?"

"Probably down on the street with the vehicle. They usually hang around in case I decide to go out wandering."

"You haven't done much of that in the last six months," Diane commented dryly.

"No." Blair smiled softly, thinking that the restless urge to escape her own life had abated since she'd fallen in love with Cam. "I'm getting downright boring."

"Oh, right." Diane snorted. "I wouldn't stray too far from home either if I had that woman of yours waiting for me."

Blair grinned, then sighed and leaned her head back, squinting into the sun. "God, what a weekend."

"Yes," Diane said fervently. "An excellent weekend. Between the Friday and Saturday shows, we sold a total of six paintings, and I anticipate at least four more will go before the end of the week. You, my love, are a great success."

"Maybe." Blair turned her head to regard Diane, her expression pensive. "Or maybe they just want to own something painted by the president's daughter."

"Darling, people do not spend thousands of dollars for souvenirs. Trust me, I know these buyers. And they know art."

Blair blushed. "You think?"

"God, I know." Diane's voice was a combination of fond exasperation and mild irritation. "Just because I'm your friend doesn't mean that I don't know my business. Because I do, and I wouldn't represent you if you weren't going to make me rich."

"I know, I know," Laughing, Blair propped a bare foot up on the railing.

With forced casualness, Diane asked, "So, what do you think of Valerie Ross?"

"Uh...well, I only spoke with her for a few minutes."

Diane arched her brow. "As I recall, it was closer to ten minutes. And did it really take you more than one to form an impression?"

"No, actually, it took about thirty seconds—maybe less. She's gorgeous, sophisticated, intelligent, and...well, I guess, sexy."

"You guess?'"

"Okay, she's sexy." Blair pushed upright and regarded Diane intently. "Is this simply an academic discussion or does it have a point?"

"I really don't know." Diane sighed. "Her name first came to my attention about six months ago in conjunction with a large sale at another gallery. And she's currently representing a client whom I know to be a generous buyer. That's why I extended an early invitation to her."

"Uh-huh. That's business. What about the rest?" For the second time in two days, Blair was surprised to see Diane blush. "Ooh, there is something going on."

"No," Diane said with a swift shake of her head. "There really isn't. She gave me her card along with an invitation to call her. She's in town for a few more days."

Carefully, Blair asked, "And are you going to?"

Diane turned in her chair, curling one silk-pajama-clad leg beneath her, and met Blair's probing gaze. "I don't know."

"Why? Did something about her bother you?"

"No." Diane toyed with the corner of the newspaper lying in her lap. "Well, yes."

Blair waited.

"Everything about her attracted me."

"Ahh, I see."

"No, I don't think you do." Diane considered how intense the connection with Valerie—a woman whom she barely knew—had seemed from the beginning. She'd not felt that kind of instant synergy with anyone hi more years than she could remember. "I'm not sure that even I see."

Blair thought of what she knew, and did not know, about Valerie Ross. The only thing she was certain of was that Valerie had meant something to Cam, and Cam would not have trusted a woman who was not worthy of it. In her own brief conversations with Valerie, she had sensed both honor and integrity. Is there anything else that really matters?

"I think," Blair said gently, reaching out a hand to her best friend, "that if she affected you that much, then you should make that phone call."

"You don't think I'm being...rash?" Diane asked softly.

Blair laughed. "And if you are?"

Diane smiled ruefully. "Yes, I suppose there are far worse things than losing at love."

"Yes," Blair murmured. "And if you don't try, you can't win."

1115 9 September 2001

Cam walked out of the bathroom naked, toweling her hair. Blair sat on the edge of the bed with a cup of coffee. Another sat beside her on the nightstand.

"Hey," Cam said. "You abandoned me this morning."

"I didn't have the heart to wake you." Blair swung her legs up onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows, watching her lover with an appreciative smile. "You were really out."

"I always seem to sleep like the dead after we make love." Cam leaned down and kissed Blair's mouth. "I had a great time last night."

"At the gallery?" Blair's tone was teasing.

"Yes," Cam replied seriously as she straightened up. "And back here afterward, too. I especially liked the part where you begged me to—-" She ducked as a pillow sailed toward her head.

"Be careful, Commander," Blair threatened. "I have ways of making your life hell."

Cam grinned. "Where's Diane?"

"She went out. A brunch date."

"Ah, sorry I missed her." Cam reached for her trousers, which she'd left across a chair the night before. "I guess it's time for me to check in with the team."

"Diane's having brunch with Valerie," Blair added quietly.

Cam picked up her pants, stepped into them, and, her expression unchanged, zipped the fly. "Really."

"Yes. A spur-of-the-moment thing." Blair's tone was neutral, but she watched her lover's face carefully. "Does that bother you?"

"Not for the reasons you might be thinking," Cam said gently. Still shirtless, she sat on the side of the bed and reached for the coffee Blair had brought for her. "I don't have any romantic feelings for...Valerie. I like her, I also like Diane." She sipped the coffee, her eyes on Blair. "But I love you, and Diane's your best friend. You're the one I care about."

"What do I have to do with it?"

"How are you going to feel if they start seeing one another seriously?"

Blair shrugged. "I honestly don't know. It's been a long time since Diane has had a real relationship. That can change things in a friendship, and I suppose it would take some adjusting on my part."

"Has our being together changed things for you and Diane?"

"I don't think so, but then most of the time we still see each other alone."

Cam nodded. "Diane doesn't know anything about Valerie's past, does she?"

"I don't see how she could, they just met." Blair sighed. "Do you think Valerie will tell her?"

"I don't know. But if she does, she won't mention me." Cam set the cup aside and covered Blair's hand where it lay on the bed with her own. "But you know. And if they're seeing each other, Diane would probably want the four of us to spend some time together. That would only be natural."

"Yes, I've thought of that." Blair gazed past Cam, her eyes distant, an image of Valerie in her mind. "I actually rather like Valerie myself." She looked back at Cam. "But she's beautiful and accomplished and sexy, and I'm not entirely certain that I could be trusted to behave rationally if she were anywhere near you."

"Jesus. Well. That could be dicey, then." Cam rubbed her forehead. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens between them."

"I suppose it would be good impulse-control training," Blair mused.

"I need you to believe me when I say that I'm not attracted to Valerie. And she knows that I love you and will respect that." Cam shifted onto the bed and put her arm around Blair's shoulders, relieved when Blair turned into her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're the only woman in my life, in my heart. You're the only woman for me, forever."

"I do believe you," Blair said quietly. She rubbed her cheek against Cam's breast, more for comfort than anything else. "I'm just so crazy about you. Sometimes it still makes me a little crazy."

"That's okay." Cam kissed the top of Blair's head. "I love you a little crazy, I just don't want you ever to doubt what we have."

"I don't doubt it. Sometimes I just worry I'll lose it."

"You won't." Cam turned swiftly and moved on top of Blair, fitting her thigh between Blair's legs. With one hand, she reached down and pulled Blair's T-shirt up, exposing her breasts and abdomen. As she kissed her, she stroked her fingers along Blair's side and down her thigh. When she felt Blair's breath quicken and her body rise to meet hers, Cam lowered her head and kissed Blair's breast. She ran her tongue lightly around Blair's nipple, then flicked it until it stiffened against her lips. "Do you have anywhere to be for the next hour or so?"

"No." Blair's voice was already thick with need.

Cam slipped her fingers beneath Blair's briefs and pushed them down, lifting her hips so that Blair could free herself of the garment. Then she slid down on the bed until her bare breasts nestled between Blair's legs. Looking up, she met Blair's hazy blue gaze. "Good."

0900 10Sep2001

Report; Strike Team One pilots have departed for Portland, Maine- Remaining members of Teams One and Two have secured accommodations at Boston area hotels.

1230 10 September 2001

"There's something particularly sinful about leaving the office in the middle of the day," Renee Savard remarked as she leaned back into Stark's arms. They sat on the grass a top a knoll that overlooked the Pond in Central Park. Although the walking path was only fifteen yards behind them, they were secluded from casual view by the trees and shrubs that bordered one of the most idyllic spots in the park.

"Oh, I don't know." Stark clasped her arms loosely around Renee's waist, settled her chest against Renee's back, and nuzzled her lips behind her lover's ear. "Everybody's entitled to a lunch hour, even important FBI agents."

"Yes," Renee laughed and tilted her head back, turning her face to kiss Stark's neck, "but I don't think they're supposed to sneak off to meet their lovers in Central Park."

"Well, we could've gone with my idea."

"Oh, sure," Renee scoffed. "I'd really be able to go back to the office and bore through a hundred field reports about potential subversive activity after having a nooner with you."

"Do you think it will be any easier going back to work thinking about it?" Stark nibbled on Renee's earlobe. "But not having done anything?"

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to tease me." Renee snugged her hips a little tighter into the space between Stark's legs and wrapped her arm around the outside of Stark's thigh. She smoothed her palm up and down the undersurface of her lover's leg.

"Oh, right," Stark said, her voice husky. "And you're not teasing?"

"Nope. I'm just appreciating you."

"Could you appreciate me a little further north?"

"Not unless you want to risk getting arrested."

Stark sighed. "Actually, I'd almost take the chance. You make me feel so good, I can barely think of anything else."

Head cushioned on Stark's shoulder, Renee regarded her tenderly. "Do you know that I spend 90 percent of my waking hours thinking about making love with you?"

"I still can't believe you...want me."

"Oh, sweetie," Renee breathed, "I am certifiably crazy over you."

"I keep expecting to wake up and find out this was all some fabulous dream." Stark kissed the corner of Renee's mouth and held her more tightly. "I didn't have any idea how good it could be."

"Neither did I." I'd even stopped dreaming.

"You know," Stark said softly, rocking Renee gently in her embrace, "tomorrow will be three weeks since you came to stay with me."

"It seems so much longer sometimes, as if I'd always been there with you." Renee's tone was quiet, uncharacteristically subdued. Contemplatively, she ran her fingertips up and down the trouser seam on the inside of Stark's leg. "But you're right. Tomorrow our trial living-together period will be over."

"Uh-huh." Cautiously, Stark asked, "So, where do we go from here?"

"I guess we need to talk about that."

"I have the split shift tonight—I won't be home until late."

"Mmm, and we'll both have to be up and out again early in the morning." Renee kissed Stark's neck. "I think we should go out to dinner tomorrow night, some place secluded and romantic."

"That sounds kind of positive." Stark's heart was suddenly racing. Say you'll stay. "Are you going to give me a hint?"

"Oh, I don't think so." Renee curved her arm back and spread her fingers into Stark's hair, drawing her head down. Against Stark's mouth, she whispered, "Just remember how good it is when I make you wait."

Closing her eyes, Stark groaned softly just before Renee's kiss claimed her.

2330 l0Sep0l

The phone rang in a back room in a dingy apartment in Chelsea.

"Yeah," the Patriot leader rasped.

"Our target has returned to the nest. We have a green light."

"How many opposition forces can we anticipate?" The heavyset man gave a thumbs-up sign to his three comrades, who sat around a low table cleaning their rifles and readying for the morning assault.

"The routine briefing will be over by 0830, and only the day team will be on-site. Three, maybe four people in the command center, and one in the lobby." In a flat, emotionless tone, the Secret Service agent went on, "I'll handle things upstairs while you eliminate the person on the door and secure the exits."

"What about Roberts?"

"I'll make certain she doesn't get in the way."

"Tomorrow is the dawn of a new era in this country," the large man in the khaki fatigues said fervently. "And may God bless us all."

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