'As soon as we have things under control, I'll have someone bring your clothes. Is there anything else you want?'
Blair laughed sarcastically. 'A different face? Can you have someone bring me one day of anonymity?'
'How about pizza and a six pack of Corona?'
Blair laughed in spite of herself. 'If that's the best you can do Agent Roberts, you are a lousy date. However, considering the limited resources at hand, I'll take it.'
As it turned out, it was six hours before Cam was satisfied that there was no immediate danger at the apartment building. The plain brown package left in front of Blair's door did not contain a bomb. The dogs sent in to investigate were completely uninterested, and there wasn't anything to excite them in Blair's apartment either. A half a dozen agents had scoured the loft and found no evidence of tampering.
Mac was on his way over with the package and supplies for a few days stay. Cam estimated it would take that long to change all of the locks on the building, recheck all the security clearances of the cleaning crews, maintenance men, and inhabitants of the other apartments, and to review all of the transient visitors to the building for the last week. She hadn't told Blair of the timetable yet, and wasn't looking forward to doing it. Until they had a better idea of exactly what had happened, she couldn't let Blair leave the safe house. Cam already had Mac arranging around the clock coverage. She intended to stay on site for at least the next several days. The suite had two bedrooms, a large sitting area, a bar, and wide screen TV. They would be cramped, but they would all have to manage.
A knock at the door brought her to attention. She crossed the width of the room quickly, reaching into her jacket to release the snap on her shoulder holster. She relaxed as Mac announced his arrival.
'What have you got for me?' she asked immediately.
Mac hefted a shoe-box sized parcel in his hands. 'I've got this. Bomb boys and evidence techs are done with it.'
'Excellent.' She indicated that he join her at the table in the sitting area. Blair appeared at the door of the master bedroom just as Cam was reaching for the parcel. Cam looked over her at her and their eyes met. She read the question that Blair could not bring herself to ask.
'Join us, please,' Cam said quietly.
Mac looked at her quickly in surprise. Cam met his gaze steadily but said nothing. Once Blair took the seat to Cam's right, Cam carefully examined the exterior of the package. The only address was Blairs name written in block letters with black magic marker. The paper appeared to be ordinary packing paper sealed with scotch tape. A slight residue of fingerprint powder adhered to everything, inside and out. Cam carefully lifted the tape and removed the paper to reveal a cardboard box. She unfolded the flaps and lifted out a single sheet of paper. She looked at it for a second, then placed it flat on the tabletop so Blair and Mac could read the words printed there.
You are so beautiful.
Why do you waste yourself on those who do not appreciate you?
I know how rare and precious you are.
I can forgive your sins.
I am watching.
I am waiting for your sign.
'Oh Christ,' Blair breathed.
'Have Taylor return this to the lab for handwriting analysis and a read out on the paper,' Cam said quietly. 'We need photo surveillance of the street in front of the apartment building. I want to see any repeaters, any loiterers, and anyone who seems the slightest bit out of place.'
'It's a stalker, isn't it?' Blair questioned, hoping there might be another answer.
'I'm afraid so,' Cam responded. This was the worst possible news. Stalkers were unpredictable, difficult to identify, and frequently did not have a previous police record. Everywhere Blair Powell went, she would be in potential danger. Cams job had just gotten ten times harder, and considering the difficulties they already had in keeping track of a reluctant subject, the work ahead looked dismal.
'When can I go home?'
'It will be at least a week,' Cam said honestly.
'You've got to be kidding,' Blair said incredulously.
Cam laughed humorlessly. 'I really wish I were.'
'Should I get the chief of staff on the line, Commander?' Mac questioned.
Cam sighed. 'I'm getting to it. I just wanted to go over the tapes from the video cameras first. Have you got them?'
'Please don't do that,' Blair said urgently.
