Chapter Twenty-Three 13 page

“A spy,” Valerie said wryly. “Operative sounds so much better.”

“Let’s assume Matheson and Henry are working together—it’s the most probable scenario. So, if we find one, we find the other.”

“Any progress on your end?”

Cam scowled. “We’re accumulating a file on Matheson’s associates as far back as twenty-five years. It’s slow going, but I’ll want you to look through everything Felicia and Savard have put together so far. Unfortunately, some of the photographs are going to be of boys or much younger men than they’re likely to be now.”

“Perhaps Felicia can use age simulator software to project present appearances for any possibles.”

“We might be able to do something even better,” Cam said slowly as she stood. “It’s almost midnight. I’d like you to brief with us in the morning. 0600 in the guest house.”

“Are you sure? Savard and Felicia might not be quite as trusting as you are,” Valerie pointed out.

“I disagree, but either way, it’s not their choice.”

Valerie rose. “You’re taking a chance, Cameron, and I know that. I want you to know I appreciate—”

“Don’t insult me, Valerie.” Cam lightly touched her fingertips to Valerie’s cheek. “Get some sleep.” Then she dropped her hand and walked away.

Valerie waited until she heard Cam’s footsteps disappear before following down the hallway and up the stairs. As she passed the room that she knew was Blair’s, she recognized Blair’s sensuous alto and then Cam’s slightly deeper tones. The sound of Cam’s voice in a phone message had once stirred her heart and her blood. Now, it filled her with a sense of comfort and safety. Wondering if that was fair, but being glad for it nonetheless, she continued to the last door on the right and knocked quietly before letting herself in.

The room was lit by a bedside lamp. Diane was in bed, a sheet pulled to her waist. Her breasts formed soft curves beneath a pale peach camisole. Valerie sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “There’s part of me that thinks I shouldn’t be here.”

“What does the other part think?”

“That it’s the only place in the world I want to be.”

Diane drew back the covers. “That’s the part I’d listen to, if I were you.”

“All right,” Valerie whispered softly.

She stood and unbuttoned her blouse, unhooked her bra, and let them fall to the floor behind her. She unzipped her jeans, pushed them down along with her panties, and stepped out of them. Watching Diane watch her, she was surprised to feel her body quicken when for so long the only sensations she’d been aware of were fatigue and desperate sadness. She turned off the light and slipped into bed. Then she did something she’d never done before. She pulled Diane on top of her and guided Diane’s hand between her thighs.

“Please make love to me. I need you.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Monday

“Any response from Lawrence on your request for a meeting?” Matheson inquired via his disposable cell phone.

“Not yet.”

Matheson sipped his coffee and watched the traffic on Main Street through the diner window in the small seaside town. A waitress slid a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. He made eye contact when he thanked her.

“You’re very welcome.” The brunette offered him a sultry smile as she lingered by the red leather booth made shiny by years of bodies slipping in and out.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, noting the invitation in her eyes while surveying her full breasts and curvaceous hips. His penis lengthened, reminding him that it had been some time since he’d satisfied his needs. He made a mental note to take care of that, then looked away, dismissing her from his thoughts. “Why do you think your operative is ignoring your direct order?”

“Because she’s one of our best,” the man snapped. Then, as if regretting his outburst, he added in a conciliatory tone, “The leak came too soon after her report to me for her not to be suspicious, but I didn’t have a choice. If Special Forces hadn’t moved on the compound so quickly, I might have been able to find another way to warn you, but Roberts’s team was far more effective than we anticipated. I didn’t have time for a cover story, and I didn’t think you’d enjoy captivity.”

“It’s never wise to underestimate the enemy,” Matheson said mildly, spearing a fluffy mound of egg. “It’s unfortunate that eliminating her will cost us an inside link to several of our primary targets, but the longer she stays alive, the greater the likelihood you’ll be compromised.”

“I’ve warned her she’s in danger, but she won’t agree to a meet.” “You’re not using the right enticement.” “What do you suggest?”

Matheson told him, disconnected, and punched in another number. “He has forty-eight hours to take care of his mess, then we’ll clean house ourselves, starting with him.”

“Yes sir. It’s a pleasure to serve you, sir.”

“Valerie?” Diane called urgently in the dark. The bed beside her was warm, but empty. The nightmare of the past few weeks instantly closed in around her, and she felt as if she were smothering. Bolting upright, she gasped, “Oh God.”

“I’m here.” Valerie hurried to the side of the bed and pulled Diane into her arms. “I found some clothes I’d left here last month, and I was trying not to wake you while I dressed.”

“Where are you going?”

“A briefing with Cameron.”

Diane held her tightly, running her hands over Valerie’s back. She wore only a snug tank top and panties. “You’re cold. Go finish dressing.”

Valerie pulled the covers back and slid underneath. “I frightened you. I’m sorry.”

Diane shook her head. “Just for a second. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I’ll be back.” Valerie stretched out above Diane and kissed her throat. “I wouldn’t leave now except I might be able to help.”

“You won’t do anything foolish, will you?”

Valerie laughed softly. “There are times I think my whole life might have been foolish.”

“No,” Diane said with certainty. She feathered her fingers through the short hair at the base of Valerie’s neck. “You’re the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.”

“Diane,” Valerie murmured, kissing her deeply. When Diane tightened her hold and strained beneath her, wrapping both legs around the back of Valerie’s thighs, Valerie immersed herself in the heat pouring off Diane’s body. Diane’s passion was like nothing she’d ever felt. The fire burned effortlessly, searing into those dark, barren places where she’d learned to hide her feelings, not realizing that eventually that which was buried, died. Desperate not to lose the connection, Valerie tightened her grip on Diane’s upper arms, digging her fingers into the firm, pliable flesh. When Diane moaned, she instantly pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“No. More.” Diane dragged Valerie’s head back down, her fingers twisting through Valerie’s hair. She pressed her mouth to Valerie’s ear. “You can’t hurt me. Not by touching me. I’m dying to have you inside me.”

Valerie sobbed out a cry of need and wonder. She pushed herself down until her face was pressed to Diane’s stomach, then she cupped Diane’s breast with one hand and filled her with the other. She squeezed and rolled Diane’s nipple as she pushed into her, higher and deeper, thrust after thrust.

“God,” Diane gasped, arching frantically to meet each stroke. “I don’t want to come but you’re going to make me.”

“Yes,” Valerie whispered urgently. She kissed her way lower, gliding her tongue over soft skin and trembling muscles and into the fragrant heat. She hummed as her lips found Diane’s clitoris and she licked lightly.

“Oh no,” Diane pleaded. “Don’t make me come so soon.”

“I want you,” Valerie whispered, before sucking her even more firmly.

Diane gripped the sheets and pushed down hard around Valerie’s fingers as her clitoris swelled to fill Valerie’s mouth. “So good, so wonderful, so… oh, oh I’m…”

Valerie watched Diane’s face reflect the pleasure that rippled around her fingers and pulsed between her lips, and thought she’d never seen anyone as beautiful. She didn’t stop caressing her, inside and out, until Diane murmured a weak protest and twisted away.

“Love,” Diane whispered. “I won’t be able to walk today if you don’t stop.”

Tenderly, Valerie placed a delicate kiss at the apex of Diane’s sex, then rested her cheek in the hollow adjacent to her hipbone. She continued to fondle her breast, smiling as Diane’s mouth curved in obvious enjoyment. “That’s what you say, but that’s not what your body is telling me.”

“My body is greedy.” Diane gazed down through heavy lidded eyes. “Insatiable, in fact, for you.”

“Really?” Valerie kissed low on Diane’s belly, then nuzzled her face a little lower. “I can handle that.”

“Oh, I know you can. Take your clothes off and come up here first,” Diane murmured. “I want you, too.”

Valerie shed her tank and panties and slid into Diane’s embrace, easing her swollen center against Diane’s leg. She kissed her lingeringly, slowly rocking against her. “I only have a minute.”

“Can you come this way?”

“I think so, if you… help me.”

“Anything.”

“Play with my breasts,” Valerie said thickly, already sliding faster up and down Diane’s thigh.

“You’re so wet. So beautiful.” Diane pulled on Valerie’s nipples. “Does it feel good, darling? Rubbing against me like that? Getting me all wet? Will you come for me?”

“Oh, yes. I’m almost…almost,” Valerie gasped. “Kiss me. Kiss me…oh god, I’m so close.”

“Soon,” Diane breathed, capturing Valerie’s mouth and squeezing her breasts rhythmically. As Valerie’s motions grew more frantic, Diane plunged her tongue deeper, matching Valerie’s frenzied thrusts. Sensing Valerie struggling to orgasm, Diane drove her hips up and forced her leg more tightly against Valerie’s clitoris. “Harder, darling. Press yourself har—”

“I’m going to come.” Valerie’s head fell back, her eyes wide and fixed on Diane’s. “God, I love you.”

“I love you,” Diane cried.

Shuddering, Valerie spilled onto Diane’s welcoming body and collapsed into her arms.

With several minutes to spare before the briefing, Valerie knocked on the door to the guesthouse. Savard answered.

“Hey,” Savard said, holding the door wide. “You missed a good show at Matheson’s compound a couple of weeks ago.”

“So I hear.” Valerie stepped inside but hesitated before going any further. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it.”

“Yeah, me too.” Savard glanced toward the adjoining room where Cam and Felicia waited. “It could have been any of us in your spot. I’m glad it wasn’t me.”

“I appreciate that.” Valerie grasped Savard’s arm. “Listen. Cam told me about what happened in Boston. I owe you for taking care of Diane.”

“No you don’t,” Savard said dismissively. “But if you really feel like you do, you can plan on sticking around here where your friends are for a while.”

“Thank you,” Valerie softly. “I’ll do that.”

“Good.” Savard turned and started toward the command center. “Then let’s go to work.”

“Good morning,” Cam said as Valerie came in. Felicia nodded to her. “Our priority for the day, and every day until it’s accomplished, is to identify your handler. We’ll work from the assumption that he’s an associate of Matheson’s, because otherwise we don’t even have a starting place.”

“All right.”

“I want you to scan the files Davis has compiled of known Matheson associates, including the academy students. We might get lucky.”

Valerie smiled ruefully. “We could use some luck.”

“Before we get to that,” Cam said, “I want Stark to join us so she can hear how you got behind our lines.” She opened her phone and pushed several buttons. “Chief, can you come down for a minute? Thanks.”

While they waited, Valerie and Felicia got coffee and opened several boxes of doughnuts that Tanner’s day crew had delivered.

“It’s good to have the team back together,” Felicia said.

“It is.” Valerie opened the refrigerator for milk. “How’s Mac?”

“He’s back on the team, too. He’s up at the main house seconding for Stark. I’m sure you’ll see him later.” Felicia smiled and stirred her coffee. “He’s…making a remarkable recovery.”

Valerie studied her with interest. “Really.”

Felicia met her gaze. “Quite.”

“Well, good for you.”

“Yes, it is.” She sipped her coffee. “Ah, Diane?”

“Luckily, she’s forgiven me.”

Felicia shook her head. “I don’t believe she ever thought there was anything to forgive.”

“I hope you’re right.”

At the sound of the front door closing sharply, Felicia said, “Time for round two. Stark’s not going to be happy.”

“I don’t blame her.” Valerie followed Felicia back into the other room and sat at the table next to Cam. Stark sat stiffly across from her.

“Good morning, Chief,” Valerie said formally.

“Agent Lawrence.”

“Valerie will do,” Valerie said softly.

Stark seemed to relax by degrees. “Sorry. That was quite a stunt you pulled last night. We could have killed you.”

“I wanted to talk to Cameron.”

“Did you ever hear of a phone?”

“I don’t like phones.”

“How about a car? You could have driven right up to the foot of this road and our people would have stopped you, checked your ID, and called me.”

“Assuming they were all your people, and trustworthy.”

“You don’t trust us?” Paula flicked her gaze to Cam, who said nothing.

“I trust you and the other people in this room. And Mac, and Hara, and Wozinski. I don’t trust people I don’t know.” Valerie’s face was hard to read. “Besides, I might have been followed.”

“How do you know you weren’t?” Paula couldn’t keep the anger from her voice. “You know you’re a target, and you could have led whoever might be following you right here. And showed them a back door in.”

“Number one,” Valerie said, “anyone who might want me dead already knows where you are. I was extracted from here a few weeks ago, remember?”

Paula said nothing, but the muscles along her jaw tightened.

“Number two, no one followed me last night.”

“How do you know that?” Paula demanded.

“Because I’ve been on the island since late last week. No one has been following me.”

“The marina,” Cam said, annoyed with herself for not having anticipating that.

Felicia laughed. Stark merely stared. Savard made a point of not looking at her lover.

Valerie smiled. “Yes.”

“You came in by boat?”

“I rented a slip at the marina for my cabin cruiser a while ago.”

Cam glanced out the window, realizing how far ahead Valerie had planned her moves. On some level, she must have been uneasy with her assignment from the beginning. “You set up an alternate identity when you were here working with us last month. So when we did a sweep for any newly registered guests last week, you didn’t turn up. You were already there.”

“I worried when the Company sent me in to infiltrate your team that it wasn’t going to turn out well. It’s always prudent to establish a new identity when you can’t be certain that any of your old ones will be safe.” Valerie spoke directly to Cam. “And I knew if you wanted to get Blair to someplace inaccessible, you’d come back here.”

“Your handler doesn’t know about any of this?”

“No.”

Stark made an exasperated sound. “So last night you just circled around the tip of the island on foot and walked down the beach.”

“Yes. Not exactly the route I’d use for a surprise attack, but it got me where I wanted to go.”

“So we can assume,” Cam said, “that Matheson and your handler suspect we’re here. They know the general area since they were able to extract you undetected, but we hadn’t established a perimeter that far from the houses at the time.”

“Tanner has had reconnaissance boats on the water twenty-four hours a day since we’ve been here.” Stark looked pointedly at Valerie. “Other than normal marina traffic, every vessel is monitored to ensure they aren’t attempting a beach landing.”

Valerie felt a mixture of gratitude, guilt, and relief at the disclosure. Stark trusted her or she would not be discussing their security measures. Valerie could tell her colleague was still angry with her for ignoring procedure the night before, but at least she was talking as if they were still on the same side.

“I’m sorry I put your team in an awkward position, Chief,” she said. “To tell you the truth, I just wanted to get here.”

“Well, we didn’t shoot you, which is the main thing. It would have caused all kinds of hassles trying to come up with a cover story for that.”

Cam gave Stark a nod, part affirmation, part prompt.

Stark rose. “If you don’t need me any longer, Commander, I’ll go back to the marina and look at everyone who has a slip or rents a room there.”

“I think we’re done, Chief. You intend to advise Tanner of the situation?” Cam struggled not to issue orders to secure the marina.

“Immediately, and I’ll inform Egret and Ms. Bleeker that the marina is off-limits for the time being until we’ve secured it.”

“Thank you.”

Stark nodded to the group and left.

“What name have you been using here?” Felicia asked Valerie.

“Ingrid Klein.”

“You realize you’ve just burned that identity if you want to disappear again,” Savard pointed out.

“I seem to be limiting my options, don’t I?” Valerie met Cam’s eyes.

Savard smiled. “Looks like you’ll just have to stay.”

“Well then, put me to work.”

Felicia turned a laptop in her direction. An array of photos filled the screen. “Start looking.”

Six hours later Valerie pushed away from the table in disgust. “If he’s in here,” she said, gesturing toward the computer, “I don’t recognize him.”

“When you met, did you ever get the feeling that he was disguised?” Felicia asked.

Valerie shook her head. “No. He always looked like a nondescript guy in an off the rack business suit.

“Which I’m sure is exactly how he wanted to look.”

Valerie rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Maybe we should try military archives.”

“And start where? What branch, what years?”

“Matheson served. Let’s look at everyone he might have met from boot camp until the day he was mustered out.”

Felicia nodded. “I’m working on it, but accessing those kinds of military files… I have to use a little finesse.”

“Can’t Cameron use her Homeland Security go-anywhere-free pass to access those records?”

“She could,” Savard said from across the room where she worked at her own computer station. “But it would alert any number of individuals, and that’s exactly what we don’t want.”

Valerie nodded. “I guess until we find out how deep this goes, it’s safer to trust no one.” She looked from one to the other. “So, when will I have more photographs to look at?”

“Later today,” Felicia said.

“All right. Until then, if you give me a secure line, I’ll try contacting some of my previous sources. I might be able to pick up a hint of what’s happening out there.”

“We should be able to arrange—” Savard tensed and swiveled toward the front door at the sound of it opening. She relaxed when Cam walked in.

“Stark says there’s no one suspicious at the marina.”

“Excellent,” Savard said.

“Where are we?”

“I didn’t get anywhere with the photographs. I’m sorry,” Valerie said.

“It was a long shot with no reference point. Are you at a place where you can take a break?” Cam asked.

Valerie stood. “Yes, of course. Whatever you need.”

“I thought we’d try to work up a sketch of your handler.”

“We don’t have a sketch artist here, do we?”

“No.” Cam smiled. “We’ve got something even better.”

Blair closed the French doors to the living room and carried her supplies to the sofa. She pushed back the sleeves of her long-sleeved T-shirt, kicked off her ankle high boots, and sat cross-legged on the sofa with her sketch pad propped on her knees. “Have you ever done anything like this before?”

“No.” Valerie settled into an adjacent chair and crossing her legs. After waking with Diane and working with the team all morning, she felt almost normal again. “Have you?”

“No. It should be a challenge.”

Valerie smiled thinly. “Well, what else is new?”

Blair glanced up. “I guess it’s new ground for all of us.”

“I thought I had learned to expect the unexpected a long time ago,” Valerie said, draping her hands over the ends of the arm rests. “Apparently, I was wrong.”

“Because of 9/11?” Blair asked, sketching Valerie’s profile. It wasn’t why they were there, but she couldn’t help but be captivated by the classic lines of her face.

“That, and being asked to usurp information from an ongoing investigation and,” Valerie said as Blair drew rapidly, “falling in love with Diane.”

Blair’s hand stilled. “Is that what happened?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“You approve?” Valerie inquired with a hint of surprise.

Blair turned over a fresh page in her sketch pad. “I could say it’s not for me to approve or disapprove, but Diane is one of my two oldest friends and I love her. She didn’t ask for my opinion, by the way.”

“Which is?”

“I think you’re a terrible choice for her. You’re involved in dangerous work that requires you to lie to everyone, probably even yourself, about what you do and what you feel. Anyone with sense would find that scary.” Blair met her eyes. “Speaking as her friend, I’d rather she got involved with someone who wasn’t so likely to break her heart.”

“I’m going to try very hard not to.”

“I believe you, and like I said, that’s good. Because you’re the one she wants, and in the end, that’s the only thing that matters.” Blair picked up her pencil. “So, just off the top of your head, who does this guy remind you of when you see him?”

“Bob Hoskins, only thinner.”

“Roundish face, broad eastern European features…” Blair sketched quickly and asked without looking up, “Hair?”

“Dark brown, thinning, no obvious balding spots. Subtle widow’s peak.”

“Good eye. That’s great.”

“Thanks,” Valerie said. “For this and for looking after Diane.”

“You’re welcome.” Blair continued to draw. “And by the way, I’m glad you showed up.”

“Pale blue eyes, five o’clock shadow.” Valerie sighed. “I should’ve thought to wear one of those little lapel cameras to one of our meets.”

Blair stopped drawing and stared. “You actually use those things?”

“No, but I’ve always wanted to.”

Blair shook her head. “Like I said. Scary”.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Wednesday

“Yes, that’s correct. 777-3214. I’ll pay by credit card.” Valerie turned at the sound of footsteps behind her. Cam stood in the doorway watching her intently. “I’m sorry. Here it is.” Holding Cam’s gaze, she recited her account number. “And you’ll be sure that goes in tonight. I understand. That’s fine. Thank you.”

Valerie closed her phone. “Did you need me?”

“Phone drop?” Cam asked neutrally.

“Yes. I change the contact number weekly and reprogram my cell.”

Cam crossed the guest house kitchen to the window that looked out onto the wraparound deck. It was late afternoon and the sky was a solid blanket of hazy gray clouds. “Storm coming. I think it’s cold enough to snow.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I’m planning on disappearing again?” Valerie joined Cam and their shoulders touched lightly. She might have imagined the heat that penetrated Cam’s shirt and her own blouse, but she knew the sensation was real.

“No. That’s not what I was thinking. I know you’re not ducking out.”

“Thank you.”

“I do have a few questions, though.”

Valerie smiled. “What do you want to know?”

“It sounds like you’re anxious to get a new number to your handler.”

“He won’t use one more than once, and I ignored his last message a week ago.”

“Any particular reason you want an open line to Henry right now?”

Valerie shrugged impatiently. “Cameron, in the last two days I’ve looked at hundreds, probably thousands of photographs. Felicia has worked on a regression image of the sketch Blair did. It’s a good approximation of him when he was younger, and we’ve run that, plus an age-appropriate computer-generated image, through every database that exists, including Interpol. We can’t find him, not this way.”

“Eventually we’ll sort out Matheson’s other contacts, we’ll find Matheson, and he’ll lead us to Henry or someone else will.” Cam turned her back to the window. She was inches from Valerie. “This is the tiresome part of investigative work.”

“Believe me, I understand that some things take time. I spent five years creating my cover in DC before I’d even met you.”

“Jesus.” Cam was blindsided by a wave of anger and tenderness when she imagined Valerie being used as currency in the high-stakes game of international espionage. For an instant, the barriers of professionalism and personal restraint wavered, and she almost touched her.

Valerie shook her head, recognizing the change in Cam’s expression. “It’s all right, Cameron. Truly.”

Cam’s charcoal eyes darkened to obsidian. “It isn’t, but it’s done.”

“Not quite.” Valerie backed away. There was too much heat between them, there always had been. “It won’t be done until I know that I can trust Henry or I can be sure the link is broken for good.”

“You’re planning to meet him.”

Valerie smiled ruefully. “You’re very good at this. The Company lost out when they didn’t recruit you.”

“They tried.”

“I’m not surprised. What stopped you?”

Cam shrugged. “I was a little older than you by the time they approached me, and I already had serious trust issues. Seeing my father killed when he was supposedly being guarded made me wary of giving too much control to anyone. And I guess it made me want to do a better job than had been done for him.”

“God,” Valerie sighed. “I wish I’d had a little less trust when Henry first showed up in my life.”

“How do you intend to determine if Henry can be trusted?”

“He’ll either try to kill me, or he won’t,” Valerie said simply.

“And if he does try?”

“Then I’ll know that my entire life has been more of a lie than I ever realized.”

Cam stepped closer, but kept her hands at her sides. “Not all of it.”

“No,” Valerie whispered, her gaze gently caressing Cam’s face. “Not all of it.”

“You’ll need backup.”

“I’m not asking you or your team to put yourselves at risk because of my miscalculation.”

“Bullshit,” Cam said dismissively. “Number one, you’re part of the team. Number two, it’s not your miscalculation. Number three, I was going to suggest you meet with him myself.”

“Really.”

Cam rubbed her neck wearily. “Yes. I think we’d break this eventually, but I don’t think we have the time. We can’t stay here forever. Blair has public obligations. Diane has a life, and I think—no, I know—they’ll try to get to you through her. We have to draw out your handler and Matheson on our terms.”

“I agree. Besides, I never did enjoy waiting for someone else to dictate conditions.”

“Then let’s start calling the shots ourselves,” Cam said fiercely.

“All right.” Valerie hesitated. “May I ask you a personal question?”

Cam smiled. “There’s something left about me you don’t know?”

Valerie touched her sleeve, then dropped her hand. “Many things, I’m sure. This is about Blair.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you tell her about these things?”

“Oh man, ask me something easy.” Cam slid her hands into her pockets and walked the length of the room, then returned. “I tell her as much as I can because that’s my part of what keeps us together.”

“And what’s hers?” Valerie asked.

“She tries to understand why I do what I do and doesn’t ask me not to.”

“She’s going to be unhappy about this.”

“Possibly, but not nearly as unhappy as Diane is going to be.”

“I haven’t decided if I’m going to tell her.” Valerie returned to the window. “It will be beautiful here if it snows.”

“You know, I’m the last person to give advice on personal matters,” Cam said, standing beside her.

Valerie laughed softly. “But?”

“You should tell her.”

“Why?”

“Because you owe it to her. You let her fall in love with you. You could have stopped it.”

“I couldn’t.” Pain filled Valerie’s voice. “I couldn’t because I needed her so much.”

“Then you forfeited your right to make unilateral decisions.”

“Your approach to relationships is something like battle planning, Cameron,” Valerie said.

Cam lifted her shoulder. “You use what you know.”

“What I know is that I’m not going to run anymore. From anything.”

“The only way we’re going to know if Henry has turned is if he makes a move to take you out.”

“Yes,” Valerie said evenly. “In this particular instance, the length of our relationship works against him. He’s used to thinking of me as a subordinate. He’ll probably be suspicious, but I don’t believe he’ll truly see me as a threat.”

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 574