[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

not at your best, Cam, and you need to be.

Savard and Davis will be with me. Theyll do the driving. Ill sleep.
Blair rubbed her cheek against Cams shoulder.  I dont want other women taking care of you.
Cam laughed.  I think Ill be safe with them.

What about the thing Saturday night Im supposed to do for Lucinda?

I dont like it, Cam said,  but we all agree we cant keep you completely out of the public eye. Lucinda is arranging for
a suite of rooms at the Copley for us and the rest of the team for the weekend. Ill be your escort, and Savard will
accompany Diane.

Oh, Starks going to love that.
Cam grinned.  Its all in the line of duty.
Blair leaned back, a glint in her eyes.  Is it, now? Then youd better pack something besides work clothes. Like a tux.

Thats what rental places are for.

And you better make sure you sleep in the car, Blair murmured, running her fingers along Cams collarbone and down
over her chest.  I missed you last night.

Me too.

What about your hip and shoulder?

Im stiff and sore, but functional. Cam kissed Blair, taking her time, because it would be hours before they saw each
other again and despite her words of confidence to Blair, she knew that anything could happen in the interim.
 Besides, massage therapy will be good for them.

Then Ill put you on my schedule for the morning.

Ill be there.
Blair held her tightly, unable to imagine any other possibility.
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Chapter Thirteen
Paula, Blair said with quiet intensity, just the slightest bit of edge in her voice.

Yes? Stark said solemnly.

If you had a round robin, why didnt you bid more?
Diane snorted and, despite the fact that it had been dark for over three hours and it was impossible to see the beach,
Wozinski seemed to find something fascinating happening out the window. Stark hastily squinted at her cheat sheet,
obviously at a loss.

A king and queen in every suit. I wouldve taken the bid if Id known you had that much meld, Blair said.

I didnt see it, Stark said bleakly.  I was so excited about the pinochle

Never mind. It doesnt matter. Blair abruptly pushed back her chair, strode across the kitchen, and slammed out the
door.
The room was silent for a moment and then Diane rose.  Its freezing out there. She doesnt have a jacket.
Wozinski glanced at Stark.  Should I go with her, Chief? I can take her jacket.
Stark shook her head.  Hara is out back and Tanner stationed a team in a vehicle on the street. Shes covered.

Ill take her jacket, Diane said, patting Wozinskis shoulder as she passed behind his chair.  But thank you.

Yes maam. Wozinski flushed.  Pleasure.
It took less than thirty seconds for Diane to reach the back deck after grabbing Blairs jacket, but she saw only a single
figure standing at the railing, facing toward the oceanshorter than either herself or Blair by several inches and more
slender than Stark. Hara. Not Blair. For an instant, her heart twisted with an overriding sense of dread, as if Blair too
had walked out the door and simply vanished. Just like themorning she had awakened in the guesthouse in a still room
beneath a silent dawn and realized that Valerie had disappeared while shed slept.  Wheres Blair?
Hara did not turn, and even in the darkness, Diane knew that she was watching Blair. The cloud cover was so dense
even the light from the full moon barely penetrated the inky sky.

Sitting on top of a dune, fifteen yards down the path and ten feet off to the right.

It feels like thirty degrees out here, and you just let her go? Diane snapped.

Thirty-eight degrees.

Never mind, Diane muttered, hurrying down the stairs to the path. A minute later she knelt beside Blair.  Put your
jacket on.

Thanks, Blair said, shrugging into it.  You dont need to stay.
With a sigh, Diane shifted around to sit facing the same direction as Blair and leaned against her. When Blair wrapped
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an arm around her, she snuggled closer and lightly rested her head on Blairs shoulder.  Couldnt you brood inside
where we can have a fire?

Its a lot harder to do if youre comfortable. Blair pressed her cheek to Dianes hair.  Do you have any idea how much I
hate waiting here, safe and sound and protected by armed guards, while Cam is out there somewhere with people who
want to kill her?

I think I know, Diane whispered.

Oh, honey, Im sorry, Blair said.  Of course you do.

Renée called Paula with an update, Diane pointed out gently.  She said everything was fine and that Cam was
resting.

I know. Blair sighed.  But that was three hours ago and theyre not due here for another four at least. Anything can
happen. She reached beside her and dug her fingers into the cold sand.  I just want to be able to protect her the way
she protects me.

I bet you already do.
Blair laughed harshly.  Hardly. Since everyone thinks Im so important, I seem to be the one destined to wait, just like
tonight.

You are important

Im no more important than Cam or you or Stark or any of the others. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]