Honor Guards Part 28

With a sigh, Cam pushed the nonproductive thoughts away and buckled on a small pack containing her beeper, cell phone weapon, and credentials.

After the briefing, I'll surprise Blair and take her out to breakfast. For once, her schedule is clear.

As she started her run, Cam thought fleetingly of how pleasant it would be to have a few unhurried hours with her lover.

0545 11Sep0l Report: Confirmed - Team One pilots have pa.s.sed through security check in Portland, Maine. Departure as scheduled for Logan Airport, Boston.

0550 11 September 2001 With her arm around Renee's waist and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against Renee's back, Stark nuzzled her face in the sweet, warm skin of Renee's neck. "What kind of disciplinary action do you think we'd get if we skipped work today?"

Lazily, Renee turned onto her back and threaded both arms around Stark's neck, guiding her lover down on top of her. Lids heavy with the remnants of sleep and the first stirrings of desire, she murmured, "Do you have something besides duty in mind?"

"Oh, yeah," Stark said with a grin, settling her hips between Renee's thighs. "First I thought I'd start with this." She dipped her head and nipped the tip of Renee's chin, then licked the spot as Renee arched beneath her with a gasp of surprised pleasure. "And then," she ran her tongue slowly over Renee's lower lip, "I thou-"

"Sweetie," Renee interrupted, her voice pitched low and husky, "I have to leave in thirty-five minutes."

"Uh-huh." Stark lifted her head, a perplexed expression on her face. "And your point is?"

Laughing, Renee reached up and brushed the hair from Stark's forehead. "You're going to wear me out."

"Is that even possible? Is there like some magic o.r.g.a.s.m quota, and once you hit that number, you can't have any more?"

In a swift movement, Renee lifted her hips and rolled Stark over onto her back, following in one fluid motion until she straddled her. With her palm in the center of Stark's chest, she leaned forward, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s swaying in silent invitation. "If there is, I'm going to get there pretty fast, especially if you keep after me the way you have been."

"Jeez, you look so s.e.xy when you sit on me like this." Stark lifted both hands and cupped Renee's b.r.e.a.s.t.s, brus.h.i.+ng the tight pink nipples with her thumbs.

Surprised yet again, Renee arched into Stark's hands with a groan. "I love the way you touch me."

"That's good," Stark said, her throat dry and her stomach already simmering with need. "Because I can't seem to stop."

Renee dropped forward, catching herself with her palms on either side of Stark's shoulders, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed into Stark's hands, her face inches above her lover's. She rocked her hips over Stark's stomach, slicking the soft skin with the warm, silken evidence of her desire. The tantalizing friction teased her already stiff c.l.i.toris, and her thighs trembled. Her eyes, glazed with urgent pleasure, found Stark's. "I don't want you to ever stop."

Before Stark could reply, Renee raised her hips and slid higher on the bed until she knelt just above Stark's face. Curling her fingers into Stark's hair, she held her head down while she lowered herself carefully to Stark's mouth. "One kiss."

With a groan, Stark wrapped her arms around Renee's hips as she took her into her mouth, thirsting for her pa.s.sion. The wild heat and sweet scent overwhelmed her, and she closed her eyes to immerse herself in the wonder of her lover's desire.

Renee's stomach tightened at the first soft touch of Stark's tongue, and when the sharp pull of Stark's lips around her c.l.i.toris sent fire streaking along her spine, she pushed herself away and collapsed onto the bed, panting. "Okay. That will have to do until tonight."

"Oh my G.o.d," Stark exclaimed, rolling onto her side toward Renee and sliding one hand down Renee's abdomen, seeking entrance between her thighs. "I'll die, I mean it. I can't wait until tonight."

"You have a fabulous mouth," Renee gasped. "And I'm going to be thinking about it the entire day."

Stark stared in shock as Renee jumped from the bed and hurried naked toward the bathroom. Half a second later, she catapulted up in pursuit, shouting, "I'm going to make you pay for this!"

Outraged, delighted, and indescribably in love, Stark followed the beautiful sounds of her lover's laughter.

0800 11Sep0l Report: Team One aboard American Airlines flight 11 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 81 pa.s.sengers and 11 crew members.

0805 11 September 2001 "That's it, then," Cam finished. "Egret has no public appearances on the docket for the rest of the week, and her personal calendar is flexible. Standard s.h.i.+fts the rest of the week. She has a luncheon scheduled with the board members of the American Teacher's a.s.sociation in DC on Sat.u.r.day. Mac will go over those a.s.signments tomorrow."

When she and Mac left the conference room to review reports and intelligence updates, the remaining agents began to gather their notes. The conversation was desultory as the night s.h.i.+ft prepared to go off duty and the day s.h.i.+ft sorted out their a.s.signments.

Stark, the day-s.h.i.+ft leader, looked toward Cynthia Parker. "You've got the lobby this morning, Cyn."

"Sure," Cynthia Parker replied. "I'll head down to relieve Foster as soon as I grab a cup of coffee."

Glancing at Felicia, Stark said, "You feel like joining me in the gym for a workout?"

"You go ahead. I'll join you as soon as I check my e-mail messages."

"No problem. See you there." Stark's nerves still jangled with an undercurrent of excitement and lingering arousal. An hour or so pumping iron sounded like just the antidote she required to clear her head.

0814 11Sep0l Report: Confirmed - Team Two aboard United Airlines flight 175 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 56 pa.s.sengers and 9 crew members.

0815 11 September 2001 "Everything looks to be routine, Mac," Cam said after a swift survey of the printout's that had come in from the various intelligence agencies. "I'm going to check in with Egret. We may be going out--I'll let you know."

"Sure, Commander." Mac rose as Cam left the room and crossed to the desk where Felicia sat studying her computer monitor.

"We haven't had much of a chance to talk lately," Mac said. When Felicia glanced up, a curious question in her eyes, he shrugged. "I know you're not interested in anything serious between us, but how about a friendly lunch sometime?"

"Do you really think that men and women can do anything that's just friendly?"

"I don't know," Mac answered honestly, "I'm not sure that I even want to where you're concerned. Maybe I'm hoping you'll change your mind when you discover what a nice guy I am."

Felicia couldn't help but smile. "Mac, I already know that." She studied his clear blue eyes, his handsome face, his gentle mouth. "Lunch would be nice."

0821 11Sep0l Report: Confirmed - Team Three aboard American Airlines flight 77 has departed Was.h.i.+ngton Dulles International Airport en route to Los Angeles. 58 pa.s.sengers and 6 crew members.

0822 11 September 2001 "Hey," Blair exclaimed with pleasure, reaching out for Cam's hand and drawing her into the loft. She pushed the door closed and curled an arm around Cam's neck, pressing close to kiss her. "Mmm. This is a nice surprise."

Cam tightened her arms around Blair's waist and buried her face in her soft, fragrant hair. Silently, she just held on, filling the empty places inside with the comforting sense of her lover. Blair smelled of suns.h.i.+ne and sweet wildflowers.

"Cam?" Blair stroked Cam's neck and shoulders. "Darling? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Cam replied, straightening. She kissed Blair once more, allowing the gentle heat of Blair's mouth to soothe the last sharp edges of her longing. "Just missed you."

"Then come to me, Cameron," Blair urged. "It's all right."

Cam smiled, the shadows in her eyes lifting. "I know, and I will. I'm still trying to judge how best to balance everything, that's all."

Her arms around Cam's waist now, Blair nodded. "I understand. But I miss you, too, every night when I close my eyes. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me from calling you is knowing that it will make things harder for you if I do."

"I love you." Cam kissed Blair once more. "So, if you're not already scheduled, how do you feel about joining me for a walk and breakfast somewhere?"

Delighted, Blair nodded. "Sounds perfect." She indicated her T-s.h.i.+rt and cotton pajama bottoms. "Let me grab a fast shower and change."

"Go ahead. I'll read the paper and wait."

0835 11 September 2001: Federal Aviation Administration has alerted the North American Aeros.p.a.ce Defense Command (NORAD) that American Airlines flight 11 has been hijacked.

0837 11 September 2001 The radio on Cam's belt crackled as Mac's voice sounded in the quiet loft.

"Commander, I think you should come downstairs."

Tossing the newspaper aside, Cam stood swiftly, alert to the concern in Mac's voice. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure, but I just received word that a commercial airliner has been hijacked in the Northeast corridor."

"I'll be right down." Cam crossed swiftly to the bathroom, opened the door, and called inside, "I need to check something with Mac. I'll be back."

"All right," Blair answered from the shower. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

0842 11Sep0l Report: Confirmed - Team Four aboard United Airlines flight 93 en route to San Francisco has departed from Newark Airport. 38 pa.s.sengers and 7 crew members.

0843 11 September 2001 The instant Cam walked into the command center, she knew from the expression on Mac's face that there was a serious problem. "Report."

"Look at this." Mac indicated the computer screen where he was monitoring encrypted messages transmitted from the Department of Defense to a select group of high-level recipients.

0843 11 September 2001: The FAA has notified NORAD that United Airlines flight 175 from Boston to LAX has been hijacked.

"That's the second plane." Mac's voice was flat, devoid of emotion. His body, however, was rigid with tension.

Two of them at once. Cam felt an instant unease and glanced at the bank of monitors that showed the building's exterior, the lobby, and the stairwells. Nothing seemed amiss-Foster and Parker were visible talking at the desk in the lobby. The street outside was clear. She turned her attention back to the computer as another message appeared.

0844 11 September 2001 : NORAD has scrambled two F-15 fighters from Otis Air National Guard Base in Falmouth, Ma.s.sachusetts on intercept course to New York City.

"Whatever's going on, someone thinks it's headed this way." Mac's hands were clenched on the desktop.

"Call Captain Landry and see if you can get a local update from the NYPD." Cam's voice was tight, her mind sorting possibilities and struggling to make sense of something that could not be rationalized by a sane mind.

"Roger that," Mac responded grimly. As he reached for the phone, Cam gripped his shoulder hard.

"Wait."

Mac swiveled back to his console, and as he read, his blood ran cold.

0847 11 September 2001 : American Airlines flight 11 has crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

It had begun.

"Oh my G.o.d," Mac uttered in a hushed, stunned voice.

It made no sense. It was inconceivable. It was too monumental to be absorbed.

Cam narrowed her eyes and focused on her duty, which was all that she could do in the face of such horror. "We're evacuating. Now. Advise Stark to get the cars."

Out of habit, Mac swept the bank of monitors to his right.

"Commander!"

Cam followed his gaze, a tight fist closing around her heart. On the monitor, four shadowy figures burst through the lobby door, automatic weapons raised. Cynthia Parker came out from behind the counter, her extended arms jerking slightly as she discharged her service weapon. The first man through the door fell. The one immediately behind him leveled his weapon and the muzzle flashed. In the eerie silence of the black-and-white tableau, Parker's body lifted from the floor and flew backward, disappearing out of range of the cameras.

"Signal red alert and lock us down," Cam snapped, drawing her automatic. "Evacuate through the rear. Use the stairs."

As Cam ran toward the stairwell to reach the penthouse and her lover, Foster stepped from the elevator into the foyer outside Blair's door.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

0900 11 September 2001 (Sarasota, Florida) : The president of the United States has been informed by the White House chief of staff that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center.

S tark heard her radio sound a red alert at the same instant Mac burst through the doors of the gym. Red alert-a direct a.s.sault on Egret. She didn't need to know anything else; she was already on her feet and reaching for her weapon. Across the room, Felicia did the same.

"Stark, back up the commander in the Aerie," Mac gasped, his pale face streaked with sweat despite the cool, air-conditioned atmosphere in the command center. "Felicia, we need to get the cars."

There was no time for questions or explanations. There was no conversation at all as Felicia immediately disappeared with Mac. Stark raced down the narrow corridor outside the gym toward the stairwell at its end, her heart thundering with the adrenaline rush, but her mind completely clear. She had trained for this moment for years. She darted into the equipment room and grabbed a bulletproof vest. One was all she could carry, but one was all she needed. Less than thirty seconds after Mac's orders, she was in the stairwell. As she pounded up the stairs, taking two at a time, a brief shaft of light streaked across her line of vision, and she knew that someone had just gone through the door above into the penthouse foyer.

090111 September 2001 When the knock sounded at her door, Blair settled a navy blue New York Yankees baseball cap over her hair, tucked her wallet into the back pocket of her jeans, and crossed the loft with a rush of antic.i.p.ation. She and Cam so rarely had unscheduled time together that this unexpected outing felt like a gift.

Maybe after breakfast, I can talk Cam into going off-radio for a few hours. Diane won't mind if we make an unplanned visit. G.o.d, only two days and it feels like forever since we 've been alone together.

Her mind preoccupied with sweet remembrances of her last moments in Cam's arms and the promise of pleasures to come, she pulled open the door.

0902 11 September 2001: United Airlines flight 75 has crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, demolis.h.i.+ng floors 78 through 87 .

0903 11 September 2001 Cam shouldered through the heavy metal stairwell door twenty feet from where Foster stood in front of Blair's apartment. In a fraction of a second, time slowed and her vision tunneled until all she saw was the man, the weapon raised in his hand, and the door to her lover's loft swinging open.

There was no time for a.n.a.lysis. No time for reason. The rules had been altered forever at 8:45 a.m., September 11,2001.

"Foster," she shouted, leveling her automatic, "drop the weapon!"

When he heard his name, Foster hesitated in the act of centering his weapon on Blair Powell's chest. Swiftly, he swung to his left in the direction from which the command had come, preparing to fire.

Cam didn't hesitate. She knew only one thing, the only thing that mattered. Secret Service Agent Foster's automatic had been pointed at the most important person in her world.

She shot him through the forehead, and he dropped without a sound.

Then she was running, Blair's scream replacing the silence that had filled her mind since she'd seen the a.s.sault team come through the lobby door and kill her agent.

"Oh my G.o.d, Cam!" Blair stood in the doorway, staring at Foster's inert form, the blood pooling beneath his head and soaking into the Oriental carpet beneath his body. Her eyes wide with shock, she stared at her lover's grim face. Cam's eyes were hard, darker than Blair had ever seen them. "What's happening?"

"We're under attack. Let's go."

At that moment, Cam heard the stairwell door opening behind her. She shouldered Blair back into her apartment and pivoted toward the stairs, crouching into a firing stance.