Blair stiffened. When she spoke, her tone was flat and deadly. "You're talking about my lover."

"I'm giving you the opinion of the highest-ranking members of our security services."

"I don't give a flying fu—"

"An opinion, by the way," Lucinda went on, "that I don't happen to share. And neither does your father. Which is why you're both sitting here right now." Lucinda smiled wryly. "And if you would simply let me brief you, I could probably save us all a lot of time."

Blair opened her mouth, then sighed deeply and settled back against the sofa. "I'm sorry. Go ahead."

"Justice and the NSA want to keep the investigation into the incident at the Aerie under their jurisdiction as part of the larger inquiry surrounding the terrorist attacks."

Cam spoke quietly, her tone mild and uncritical. Her eyes, however, shone hot with emotion. "It will take that kind of multijurisdictional commission two years to investigate something of this magnitude."

Lucinda laughed. "You're being generous, Commander. I would have ventured closer to three."

"Ma'am," Cam acknowledged with a tip of her head. "Your estimate is probably more accurate than mine. Either way, it's too long not to know the scope of the threat to Ms. Powell."

"Yes, well," Lucinda said, serious once more, "however long it takes, I believe we all can appreciate that regardless of intentions, the greater emphasis of any investigation must be on the national threat."

Blair saw a muscle along the edge of Cam's jaw flutter, and she sensed the utter stillness in Cam's body that she had come to know preceded the lightning strike of her lover's rare but powerful fury. "Are you baiting her, Luce? Because it's not a very good idea."

Lucinda kept her eyes on Cam's face. "No, I wanted to see for myself exactly why the president has such faith in her."

"Maybe it's because I love her," Blair said sharply.

"No," Lucinda said softly, "it's because she loves you." She settled back in her chair and crossed her legs, one smooth silky glide of tight flesh along tight flesh. "So let me explain, Commander, your new assignment. The president intended to be here, but he was called away for, an emergency meeting. You may assume the orders come from him."

Cam nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"You will head a special investigative team appointed by the president whose sole purpose is to determine the origination of the assault on Ms. Powell's apartment building, ascertain how deep the intelligence breach goes within our security ranks, and establish how this operation was associated with the attacks on New York City and Washington, DC."

"I'll need free access to various intelligence files, including those of the FBI, ATF, CIA, and Justice," Cam replied immediately.

"You'll be granted clearance and provided contacts, but your inquiries will need to be very circumspect."

Meaning that this is a secret commission. Cam did not voice the question, knowing that she would not receive an answer. "I want to choose my own team members."

"Granted."

"I want the original members of Blair's security team reinstated as soon as the Justice inquiry clears them."

"That will take some time, but I'll see to it." Lucinda lifted a shoulder. "Nothing makes their wheel turn quickly."

"When we find the people responsible, I want to coordinate the takedown."

"Cam—" Blair protested.

Lucinda broke in, "You'll coordinate any strike team efforts with a military liaison."

"Agreed," Cam responded.

"The president will name the liaison."

Cam considered arguing for her own choice of military personnel, but one did not question the president's authority during negotiations like these. "I want to attend the daily briefings of Blair's security detail."

"The new commander may take offense."

"Possibly," Cam said. "I would. Nevertheless, these are my terms."

Lucinda tilted her head and appraised Cam with interest. "What makes you think you have any bargaining power here, Commander?"

"Because you know that I'm going to investigate with or without your sanction, and you'd prefer to know what I'm doing. And what I find out."

"If you were to undertake an unauthorized investigation, you'd be placing yourself in violation of any number of security regulations. Theoretically, you could lose your clearance, possibly face prosecution."

"Lucinda, what the hell?" Blair started to rise, and only Cam's hand in hers held her back.

"It's okay," Cam said quietly.

Blair rounded on her, her blue eyes flashing. "If you think I'm going to sit here and listen to her threaten you, you're crazy."

"I'm not threatening her, Blair," Lucinda said. "I'm only laying out the facts. And the reason that you're here listening to this, against my advice, by the way, is because your father doesn't want to keep this a secret from you."

"And why did vow want to keep me in the dark?" Blair sat forward on the edge of the sofa, her free hand fisted on her thigh.

"Because I knew you wouldn't like Agent Roberts heading this investigation, and your reluctance could interfere with her—"

"Bullshit, Luce. Nothing interferes with Cam's effectiveness, and you know it."

"Not her effectiveness," Lucinda said gently. "Her safety."

Blair jerked. "What? Do you think I would compromise her in some way? Risk her life?"

"No, I think your resistance would distract her, and distraction can lead to mistakes."

"I have never wanted her to do this job, and she knows it." Blair's words sliced the air as her body quivered. "Do you think she was distracted the day she stepped in front of me outside my apartment building and intercepted the bullet that was meant for me? Do you think she was distracted on Tuesday when she stood in front of me again- —"

"Blair," Cam murmured. "It's—"

"But she's still doing the job." Blair's voice cracked but she continued, "because she has to, and I know that. Because not doing it would hurt her more than anything that might happen to her, even..." She finally lost her battle to block out the images that, under ordinary circumstances, she so successfully kept at bay. Now she couldn't stop reliving the nightmare of her lover dying. She turned her face away from Lucinda and Cam, closing her mind to the memories.

Cam, stood, ignoring the surprise on Lucinda Washburn's face. "Let's go, baby. It's been a tough couple of days, and I need a break."

"I need a decision, Agent Roberts," Lucinda said.

Cam circled Blair's waist with one arm. "I'll let you know tomorrow. There are some people I need to speak to first."

"That's a bit irregular."

"These aren't normal times."

"I'll expect your answer in the morning."

Cam nodded as she and Blair turned to leave. "You'll have it."

Once they were beyond the hearing of Lucinda's deputy chief of staff, Blair asked, "What are you waiting for?"

"You and I need to talk, and I need to go to New York tonight."

Chapter Six

B lair and Cam walked in silence through the warren of offices that was the nerve center of the nation. The West Wing at almost any hour of any day was alive with activity, but now the very air was charged with a sense of urgency. Aides, deputy chiefs, military advisers, and security personnel hurried through the halls, all looking as if they were on a mission of vital importance and already behind schedule.

They nodded to the Secret Service agents stationed at the elevator to the residential floors, and once inside, Blair asked, "Why New York and why tonight?"

Can looked as though she was about to answer, but when the elevator doors slid open and they stepped out, she nodded in the direction of Blair's suite. "Your security chief is here."

Paula Stark stood just outside Blair's door, her gaze fixed on some point on the opposite wall that appeared to hold great interest. She wore a dark suit, and her face was nearly the same shade as her white shirt. Blair's new chief did not look toward them as they approached,

"Paula?" Blair queried as she stopped in front of the Secret Service agent.

"Ma'am," Stark responded stiffly. "In case the commander hasn't yet informed you, I've been assigned as your new security chief."

"Yes, I know."

"I'd like to review your plans for the next few days."

"I don't know that I have any." Blair's voice held just the slightest edge of irritation. "And now isn't a very good time."

"I understand. I'll be happy to wait."

Blair stopped with her hand on the doorknob. "For how long?"

"Until it's convenient for you to meet with me."

"This is a new tactic," Blair said with the barest hint of appreciation in her tone. She glanced at Cam, whose eyes held a glint of humor. "If I don't decide to come out for forty-eight hours, you'll get awfully hungry out here, Paula."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you already look done in."

Stark shifted and met Blair's gaze, "I'm fine, Ms. Powell. And I appreciate that you weren't given any notice of these changes, so I don't wish to disrupt your schedule."

"Your presence is a disruption. But you've always known that."

"Yes, ma'am. I should have said any more of a disruption than necessary."

"Fair enough." Blair smiled with a mixture of humor and bitterness. "So, can I expect you to talk like you have a stick up your ass from now on, then?"

"I'm not sure," Stark replied seriously. "I really haven't had time to work on a command voice."

Blair sighed and pushed the door open. "Come on in. Your approach is unique, and there's no way you could match Cam's command voice anyhow. But for God's sake, relax."

Just inside the door, Stark stopped and looked toward Cam, who had walked to the far side of the room, and gave her a brief shrug of apology. Then she returned her attention to Blair. "I'd like to say right now that I have no intention of replacing the commander. However, I've been given a job to do. A job which I consider vital, and I intend to do it in the best way possible. My way."

"Well. That sounds a lot like the previous security chiefs I've dealt with." Blair flopped down on one of the sofas and indicated a nearby chair. "Sit." She trained her head in Cam's direction. "Are you going to join us?"

"I've got some calls to make. And I think this ought to be between the two of you." She smiled at Blair and nodded to Stark as she headed for the adjoining room. "I'm glad to see you're on the job, Agent."

"Thank you, Commander."

"Let's get this over with, Stark," Blair said testily. "You'll find that the daily briefings are not one of my favorite exercises."

Stark took a breath and launched into her prepared speech. "The first team, at least temporarily, will consist of myself and two to three other agents, depending upon the circumstances. Right now, I don't have the duty assignments because I've just been given the names of your new team members."

Blair's eyes narrowed. "I'm not happy about working with strangers, especially if we're at Priority One."

"That's why I'll be on the first team. Outside the perimeter of the White House, I'll be your primary agent."

"It'll be tough, doing double duty as both the crew chief and my primary."

Stark's expression didn't change. "In my opinion, that's the appropriate action."

"All right. Thank you, that will make it easier for me."

"As to the commander—"

"There's nothing about Cam's presence in my life that's open for discussion." The faint warmth that had seeped its way into Blair's voice since they had begun talking quickly disappeared. "You and I are friends, Paula." In fact, for a few brief hours in what now felt like the distant past, they'd been more than that. "I hope you're not going to suddenly pretend that you don't know what she means to me."

"I was going to suggest that the commander attend daily briefings, since I'm sure you would both prefer that."

Blair tilted her head and studied Stark appraisingly. "And you don't mind that? My lover and your former boss observing your new command?"

Stark released a long, pent-up breath and leaned forward, her hands clasped loosely between her knees, her eyes holding Blair's unflinchingly. "It doesn't matter whether I mind or not. What matters is that your security team functions effectively, and I believe it will run more smoothly if the commander is aware of the daily plan." She separated her hands and curled her fingers over her knees, her voice softening for an instant. "But just so you know, I won't forget anything."