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“Oh my gosh!”
Realizing that several people in the bullpen were now staring at her, Amanda lowered her voice. “I’m so sorry. Are you sure you’re okay?” She said into the phone.
Alerted by her exclamation, Lee listened intently while trying to look like he was concentrating on the form in front of him. Despite the initial reaction, she didn’t seem worried. So he reasoned it didn’t have anything to do with Dotty or either of the boys. He wasn’t aware of it, but his shoulders relaxed with that realization.
Whoever the person on the other end was, they must have answered in the affirmative because Amanda responded, “All right. Thanks for letting me know. Take care of yourself. Bye.”
“Maybe it was Joe,” Lee thought. “Backing out on Parents Night. I knew it!”
But when he raised his eyes to look at her, Amanda didn’t seem angry or sad. Her lips were pursed together, and she seemed to be contemplating something. She reached down to open her desk drawer and pulled out her purse. Amanda then fished out a small notebook and flipped through the pages. A couple of times, she’d stopped and looked at something on the page. Then she’d shaken her head slightly and continued her way though the book.
So it wasn’t Joe. Lee curiosity got the better of him. He stood up and walked over to her desk. She was so focused on the book that she jumped slightly when he sat on the corner.
“Sorry,” he quickly apologized before she once again asked him why he always snuck up on her. “I was just wondering if you knew where the Stephenson transcripts are.” Lee knew full well Billy was still studying them, but it was the best excuse he could come up with that quickly.
“I think Mr. Melrose still has them. Do you want me to check?” She asked reaching for the phone.
“No,” he stopped her. “I can wait.”
When she didn’t reply Lee added, “Is everything okay? You seem….distracted.”
“It’s just a home thing. You probably have work to do,” she said in a tone that meant actually she did want to discuss it.
“Believe it or not, I am all caught up on my paperwork,” he proudly stated.
“Really?” Amanda questioned.
Lee put his hand up to his heart and made a hurt face. “I am wounded that you would doubt me. Have I ever lied about paperwork before?”
Amanda didn’t say a word. She just gave him her best questioning mom look.
“Okay, okay,” Lee’s put his hands up acknowledging his past transgressions. “But this time it’s the truth.”
Amanda smiled and tipped her head to the side, “All right then. I believe you.”
“Listen, Billy assigned us to do a preliminary check of the ballroom at the Conrad Hotel for the upcoming reception. Let’s go take care of that, and you can tell me what’s happening on the way.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Amanda’s eyes. “Isn’t the Conrad right across the street from that place with the chili dogs we talked about checking out?”
Lee waggled his eyebrows. “Why, I do believe it is. How convenient.”
Amanda put the book back in her purse and stood up. “In that case, let’s roll,” she said standing up and moving toward the door.
Lee took his usual position right behind her with his hand on her back without even thinking about it. Once in the car he prompted her, “What’s up?”
Amanda sighed, “That was the babysitter I had lined up for the boys tomorrow night. She fell and broke her leg. She was calling to cancel.”
“What’s tomorrow night?” Lee asked.
“Dean invited me to a show opening at an art gallery. It’s the first time he’s invited me to…..a gathering of his social circle. I don’t want to cancel.”
“Can you find another sitter?” Lee asked.
“I’d already tried all my regulars before I called Sarah. She was the only one available,” Amanda stated glumly.
“And Dotty’s out of town visiting her sister Lillian,” Lee added.
“Yes,” Amanda confirmed, surprised he had remembered that. “Andy’s family is going out of town, and the Nelsons have family visiting. I was checking my address book to see if there was anyone else I could call, but there’s no one.”
“Actually, you did forget someone,” Lee pointed out.
“Who?” Amanda asked racking her brain.
“Me,” he answered.
“You?”
The fake hurt expression was back. “What? Don’t you trust me?”
She laughed, “You’re a government agent. If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?” Then her face turned serious, “I don’t want to impose on you. You probably already have plans.”
“Actually, I don’t. I would enjoy spending some time with the boys again.”
“Does your ego need a boost? Missing their hero worship of you?” Amanda teased.
She immediately regretted saying that when she saw a real hurt look cross his face. She put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Sometimes it’s just hard for me to believe that after all the exciting places you’ve been and people you know, you could enjoy just spending time with boring us.”
He glanced over at her and saw the concern in her eyes that she had hurt his feelings. He knew Amanda felt awful for saying that even if he had to admit it was partially true. Honestly, he didn’t hate the fact that Philip and Jamie were impressed by him. But that was a very small part of what he enjoyed about the King family.
Determined to put Amanda’s mind at rest, he put his hand on hers.
“You don’t have to apologize. Sometimes my ego does get away from me. I think one of the reasons Billy made us partners was because he knew you would call me on it.”
Amanda smiled at the word “partners”, but Lee could see the doubt in her eyes. He pulled into the Conrad lot and parked the car. Then he turned toward Amanda.
“Besides, you’ve been undercover with me at those kind of events before. Most of the guests are just trying to act important and impress people whose names they don’t even remember. I’ll take a night at the King house over that any time.”
She still wasn’t saying anything. “A-man-da, I mean it,” he reassured her. “I would love to hang out with the boys.” He ducked her head to look her directly in the eyes, “Honestly.”
Amanda didn’t say a word. She seemed to be studying him. He wondered what she saw. Whatever it was must have convinced her though because she nodded and said, “Okay, thanks. I owe you.”
“In that case, you can pay for our chili dogs. Let’s hurry up and check this place out so we can eat.” Lee exited the car and went around to open Amanda’s door for her. Then with his customary hand on her back, they entered the Conrad.
They went directly to the reception desk and asked for the manager. Mr. Beason, a tall thin man, came out of the office and introduced himself. As he gave them a tour of the hotel including the ballroom, Amanda took notes as they went along. In order for the evening to go smoothly they would need to make sure any potential security issues were addressed. Most of the time when Lee turned to point something out to her, he found she was already jotting it down.
Amanda noticed and couldn’t help feeling a little proud of herself. She had been working very hard to show that she could be trusted with responsibilities beyond just typing transcripts.
By the time they had completed the initial sweep, they were both hungry. Both of them immediately dug into the chili dogs so it wasn’t until they were back in the car that the conversation turned back to tomorrow night.
Lee asked, “So where is Doug-“
“Dean,” Amanda automatically corrected him.
“-taking you?” He finished.
“The Newton Gallery,” she told him. “It’s a exhibit by a relatively new artist. Dean mentioned she had a very successful show in New York.”
Lee was familiar with the Newton Gallery. It leaned toward experimental art that supposedly pushed boundaries. The clientele tended to be the elite of the elite. He wasn’t sure the art or the attendees would be Amanda’s cup of tea, but he politely replied, “That should be interesting. What time do you want me to be there?”
“Could you come around 5:30?” There was a slight hesitation in her voice. “Or is that too early? I know the gallery is not too far from my house, but you see I have to drive to Dean’s so I can ride with him to pick up his mother. She lives all the way across the city. Then we are going to drive back to the reception. His mother is concerned that since there are a lot of events going on in the city tomorrow night it will probably take a little longer than usual the get there. Plus Dean is very adamant about going below the speed limit. He has never had a speeding ticket. Can you believe that? Thank goodness he doesn’t know about all the times I’ve had to speed because of work. Is it even considered speeding if it’s case related?”
Relieved she had reached the end of her ramble Lee replied, “Not as far as I’m concerned.” Confused, he asked, “Why isn’t Dean just picking you up and having his mother meet you two at the gallery?”
“She doesn’t want to ride alone.”
The shortness of her reply along with the lack of elaboration on Amanda’s part caught Lee’s attention.
“Hey,” he said softly, “what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Amanda answered, but her tone lacked conviction.
It wasn’t nothing. Lee knew his partner better than that. Before he could begin a Class C interrogation to figure out what it was, his car phone rang. To anyone listening it would have seemed like a simple question from his dry cleaner. Amanda could read on Lee face it was something far more important.
“What is it?” She asked.
“It was one of my sources,” Lee explained. “They called to set up a drop.”
“Do you need to go now?”
“No. He’s actually out of town and won’t be back until the day after tomorrow. We’ll head back to the Agency.”
They lapsed into silence for the remainder of the ride. Each of them obviously distracted.
When they were a few blocks away from IFF Amanda broke the silence, “Could you just drop me off by my car? I have to pick the boys up from school today. Mr. Melrose said I could leave early.”
Lee obliged. As she was getting out of the car Amanda inquired, “What do you want me to make you guys for dinner tomorrow? Or do you want me to order something?”
Deciding to take some pressure off Amanda’s schedule and her wallet Lee told her, “Don’t worry about it. I got it covered.” He drove away before she could question him further.
The rest of the day flew by. After picking up the boys, Amanda had to take Jamie to buy new shoes. Then Philip needed a book from the library. Once home, there was laundry to do and dinner to make. After the meal, she cleaned up quickly knowing there were bills and other mail that required her attention. She was asleep moments after her head hit the pillow.
The next morning Amanda was up and at it again. With Dotty away it fell to Amanda to get the boys up, feed them breakfast, make sure they were ready for school, and drop them off.
At the Agency she only got a passing hello from Lee. He had several meetings that day including a lunch meeting about the Conrad reception. Meanwhile, Amanda put together a memo of the recommendations from the security sweep. Aside from a quick sandwich for lunch (chicken on white with extra mayo), Amanda spent the rest of the day catching up on transcripts and other paperwork.
She was finishing up the last of it, when she jumped as a hand touched her shoulder. Of course, it was Lee.
“Can’t you at least wear a bell or something when you’re in the office,” she complained.
The comment caused a deep chuckle to come from Lee. “Are you saying I have cat-like reflexives?” He teased.
Amanda just rolled her eyes. Changing the subject she asked, “Did you need something?”
He shook his head. “Nope. You were just so focused on your work that I was afraid you might not realize what time it is.”
Amanda quickly glanced down at her watch. Lee was right. She needed to leave now if she wanted to pick up the boys on time.
“I didn’t,” she admitted. “Thank you.”
He lowered his voice, “I’ll be at your house by 5:30. And don’t worry about dinner. It’s taken care of.”
Amanda wanted to question him further, but she knew she had better get going.
Fortunately, Philip and Jamie were ready and waiting when she pulled up the school. She had already told them Lee would be “hanging out” (they considered themselves too old for “babysitting”) with them tonight. To her delight that resulted in both of them immediately completing their homework while having an after-school snack.
She was putting the final touches on her makeup at 5:20 when the doorbell rang.
“I got it,” Jamie yelled.
“No, I got it,” Philip challenged.
This was followed by what sounded like a stampeding herd of cattle. Realizing there was nothing she could do the stop it, Amanda just rolled her eyes.
Meanwhile, the door was flung open to reveal Lee holding two grocery bags.
“Hey guys, take these to the kitchen for me huh? I gotta grab something else out of the car.”
“What’s this for?” Jamie asked taking one of the bags and looking inside. His brother took the other and did the same. “Did you pick up dinner?”
“We’re making our dinner tonight,” Lee announced.
The boys groaned and he laughed, “Trust me. You’re gonna love it. Now get that stuff in the kitchen.”
Philip looked at Jamie who shrugged took his bag to the kitchen. Philip followed suit.
Lee grabbed the last bag out of his car and walked through the door just in time to see Amanda descend the stairs in……….well, he didn’t quite know how to describe it. She had on a pair of dressy pants with a shiny white sequin top and jacket. Both the top and jacket had blue sequin patches all over them. It looked like one of those designer originals Francine would spend 3 months salary on. Not that Amanda didn’t look attractive, she always looked beautiful. It’s just her tastes usually leaned toward more….classic styles. She didn’t need something flashy to attract attention.
She must have read his mind as he stood there staring. “I know. It’s awful, isn’t it?,” she asked looking down with her arms spread out.
“Wha-what?” Lee sputtered out, “No, you look very nice.”
She looks like she was about to cry so he quickly added, “It’s just different than what you usually wear to formal occasions.”
Amanda blew out a long breath before saying, “I know. It was ‘Mumsy’.”
“What’s a ‘Mumsy’? Lee asked.
“That’s what Dean calls his mother. When she offered to take me shopping to find an outfit for tonight, I thought it was a kind gesture.” Amanda sighed, “Now I’m not so sure. She insisted that I get this one even though there was another one I really liked. Since she was paying, I couldn’t say no.”
She looked so downhearted that Lee set the bag down, walked toward her, and put a hand on each shoulder.
“A-man-da, you look great,” he reassured her. “It’s an avant-garde art studio. I’m sure Dan’s mother had that in mind when she picked this outfit.”
Amanda pondered that for a moment and felt better. So much better that she didn’t correct Lee’s name slip-up.
For his part, Lee was relieved the see a smile return to her face. That was, until the boys came back from the kitchen.
“Wow Mom! You look like a disco Dalmatian!” Philip blurted out.
Amanda’s face dropped. “That’s it. I’m not going.”
“Way to go, lame brain,” Jamie mumbled giving Philip a sideways look.
“What?” Philip asked oblivious to his unintended insult.
“You hurt Mom’s feelings, dork!” Jamie continued on.
Chaos erupted as the boys’ argument grew more heated, and Amanda tried to get their attention.
Lee put his fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle that silenced all three.
“Enough,” he barked taking charge.
“Philip, Jamie, put on these aprons, go wash your hands, and meet me in the kitchen,” he ordered as he pulled two black chef aprons from his bag. “Now,” he added in a tone that showed he meant business.
Without another word from either of them, the boys did as they were told.
“You,” he said turning to Amanda, “You look beautiful as always. Go have fun. I got this.”
Amanda breath had caught when Lee called her beautiful. Impulsively, she flung her arms around him and gave him a big hug with a whispered “Thank you.”
He returned the hug while inhaling the scent that was distinctly Amanda.
At that moment the phone rang. The pair quickly separated.
“That’s probably Dean checking to see if I’ve left,” Amanda admitted while looking down and picking an imaginary piece of fuzz off her sleeve to avoid looking Lee in the face.
He cleared his throat before responding, “Then you’d better head out. I’ll answer it.” Lee turned and walked into the kitchen to answer the phone. “Have fun,” he called out.
“Thanks, you too,” Amanda called back as she snatched up her purse and keys before hurrying to her car.
Lee answered on the third ring, “King residence.”
“Dean?” Dotty’s confused voice asked, “Are you okay? Your voice sounds different. Did you catch a cold? I know how susceptible you are to germs. You need to remember to wash your hands more often. I am always telling the b-”
“Dotty,” he cut her off, “It’s Lee.”
“Oh Lee, darling. That makes more sense. You sound just fine.” There was a brief pause as she processed. “Wait a minute. Why are you answering? Did something happen at work? Is Amanda okay?”
“Amanda’s fine,” Lee reassured her. “I’m just substituting for Sarah while Amanda goes to the art show.”
“What happened to Sarah?”
“She broke her leg,” Lee responded, “but I-“
“She probably fell off the motorcycle that boyfriend of hers drives.” Dotty interrupted. “She is a sweet young woman, but she has the worst taste in men. The last time she came over to watch the boys I told her she could do better. I don’t care if he is a med student. Women think they want excitement, but what they really want is a mature responsible man with a stable work life, like you.”
“Me?” Lee was shocked. He seriously doubted he could find even one woman he’d ever dated that would use those words to describe him.
“Yes, you. Amanda’s told me about how you’ve been at IFF for years and worked your way up. Then there’s the way you are so considerate and give her a ride to work when her car is in the shop. I swear that vehicle spends more time being worked than it does on the road.” She then mumbled something else about “eleven” that he didn’t catch.
Lee chuckled. If Dotty only knew those trips to the shop were the result of his “stable work life”.
“You know,” she continued, “I have some friends with daughters I could introduce you to…..”
Lee couldn’t contain his laughter. “Thank you Dotty,” he said, “I’m touched that you would do that.” It was the truth. He imagined his own mother would have said something like that about him being single. Then again, if his parents hadn’t died maybe he would be married by now. Maybe he’d be living in a house in the suburbs with triplets named Timmy, Tammy, and Tommy.
Lee shook his head to clear his thoughts. “But,” he continued, “I’m not really looking to get involved with anyone right now. I will let you know if that changes. Right now the fellas and I need to get started on dinner.”
“You three are cooking? How nice. It’s so important that everyone knows how to cook. Phillip and Jamie have never been interested when I’ve offered to teach them. Maybe you can change their minds. Alright then, I won’t keep you. Give Amanda and the boys my love.”
“Will do,” Lee replied.
“Oh, and Lee- Lillian, what are you doing? That is too much paprika! I don’t care what the recipe says. Just let me do it. Lee darling, I have to go. Take care dear.” She hung up before he could answer.
Lee wondered if he just witnessed why the boys weren’t interested in cooking lessons as he put the receiver back and announced, “Okay guys! Time to start.”
First he laid out all the ingredients adding interesting facts about the more exotic ones. Then he went through the list of all the utensils and cookware they would need. Philip and Jamie turned it into a game to see who could find the necessary object first. Then he gave each of them an assignment. As they chopped, grated, and mixed, the three of them talked about everything from sports to school to video games to cars and more.
The boys decided that their first real attempt at cooking deserved to be served in the dining room. So the three of them set the table together including a tablecloth, placemats, and candles. Then it was time to clean up.
By that time the food was ready. Lee was delighted that both boys cleaned their plates and asked for seconds.
“We are amazing cooks,” Philip declared leaning back and patting his stomach.
Jamie rolled his eyes, “It was Lee’s recipe, dork.”
“Hey now,” Lee quickly jumped in to prevent the inevitable argument, “you guys did most of the work. You both should be proud of yourselves.”
The boys both beamed until Lee declared it was time to clear the table and finish cleaning up. Their smiles returned however when he suggested they go out for ice cream after. That seems to be just the motivation they needed, and in no time the three of them were in the car. Lee had had the foresight to borrow a sensible sedan from the motor pool.
Lee opted for a single cone, but the boys managed to talk him into buying them double scoops. He shook his head unable to believe that there could be any more room left in their stomachs. Unwilling to risk having ice cream drip all over the upholstery and risk the wrath of Leatherneck, Lee insisted that they enjoy their desserts there.
At one point Philip told a knock knock he’d heard at school which led to Jamie telling one. Not to be outdone, Lee shared one of the few age appropriate jokes he knew. They continued amusing each other with stories and wisecracks until they were out of ice cream and jokes.
As they were leaving, an older woman stopped Lee as the boys walked out. “It’s always nice to see a father and sons enjoying time together. You’re a good dad.” She walked away before a stunned Lee could explain.
He looked at Philip and Jamie who were now playing an impromptu game of tag running around the car. If he knew his kid would turn out as well as those two, Lee wouldn’t hesitate to become a father. Although, he had to admit, he would need someone like Amanda as the mother. That made him sigh softly since there wasn’t anyone else like Amanda. She had motherhood carved on her bones. He put the daydream aside and unlocked the car.
Lee was just about to pull out of the parking space when the car phone rang. Leatherneck had arranged for his calls to be forwarded to the sedan. He considered not answering it with the boys in the car, but decided to pick up the receiver.
“Stetson,” he said thankful that Philip was the one sitting next to him in the front. The older King boy was more interested in some girls walking a dog than the call. Lee doubted that would be the case if Jamie were up front. Remembering Amanda’s concern about Jamie’s ability to pick up on small details, Lee had been very careful around the boy.
It turned out he needn’t have worried. The caller was one of this family members and well versed in passing along information in a manner that wouldn’t strike anyone as out of the ordinary.
Now, however, he was facing a new problem. The caller had communicated that the dead drop site had been comprised. Lee had to get word to his source that the drop was cancelled. The quickest method would be to go in person to a dive bar located in one of the sketchier parts of DC. He definitely couldn’t do that with the King boys in the car.
Then an idea hit him. “Hey fellas, mind if we stop by my apartment for a minute?” He asked.