*The usual disclaimers apply. A special thanks to Ermintrude for being a fantastic beta, and for her encouragement and help in writing this story, and to the girls in Wicky chat for their help and encouragement :) I hope you enjoy :)*
Operation Sandstorm-Chapter One
Tuesday, June 12, 1984
Dulles International Airport
2:40 PM
This was supposed to have been a simple operation.
Lee's trained senses quickly took in the scene—frightened weeping passengers, agents, ATF and FBI—all of them focused on the man who held the gun. Davison—his contact. The man's hands trembled as he held the gun steady, his eyes darting wildly back and forth.
And then there was Amanda.
Out of the corner of his eye Lee could see her, crouched in the corner. What the hell was she even doing here? How had she managed to stumble into this? If Davison hadn't spotted her—he couldn't think about that now, though. There had to be a way to salvage this.
"Davison, listen to me, all right?" He kept his voice calm. "You don't have to do this."
"Don't tell me what I have to do."
"Just give me the gun and this can be over—we can walk right out of here."
A disbelieving laugh. "You think I'm stupid? Don't come any closer!" he warned, cocking the pistol as Lee took a step towards him.
"You do and I'll shoot you. I want my money."
"Sure," Lee replied. "As long as you give me what I need."
He looked uncertain. "You'll get us out?"
"Of course. I don't want any trouble either, huh?" All he needed was to exchange the stuff for the money—that way it wouldn't be a total washout. "Hand it over and you'll get what's yours."
Davison was silent for a moment, considering—Lee held his breath, waiting. Then he shook his head.
"No—no, there's something funny going on here—I don't know what, but I don't trust this. You—in the corner!" He leveled the gun in Amanda's direction. "Come here—keep your hands where I can see them."
Damn it, why did he have to pick her? Lee's heart sank as she watched Amanda walk towards them, her face pale and her hands in the air. Her eyes flickered briefly in his direction, probably wondering how he was going to get them out of this—at the moment he didn't have a clue. She walked over to Davison and he pulled her close, pressing the gun against her side.
"The money or I shoot her," he said. "And then we're walking out of here. Hand it over!"
Dulles International Airport
11:50 AM
"Everything go smoothly in Miami?" Doug Harriman asked as Lee hung up the pay phone.
Lee nodded, adjusting his security guard's cap. "Yeah. Powell said the guy seemed a little antsy, but it went off fine."
"Antsy?" Harriman repeated. "What does he mean by antsy?"
"He was just a little keyed up, that's all." Lee told him. "But there's no problem. The stuff made it on the plane and it should arrive by two."
"We have the money ready? Everyone in place?"
"They will be. As soon as we make the exchange for the drugs and weapons we'll finally nail this ring for good." The drugs were fake, of course— and the weapons had been deactivated—not that the smugglers knew that. "Sandstorm should be a piece of cake."
A short laugh. "That's what you hope."
Lee looked over at the man. "What do you mean?"
"Miami was a crucial link, Lee. And Powell could've screwed it up."
"But he didn't." Harriman just shook his head. "Just what is all this about?"
Harriman sighed. "This is a large multi-agency operation. Do I need to remind you that Powell is a civilian?"
"And do I need to remind you that he's also our contact? Without him we wouldn't even know about this little operation."
"He's still untrained. Our national security should not be in the hands of a bunch of untrained civilians."
"One man hardly constitutes a bunch, Harriman. Powell's already an employee—it was the perfect cover."
"If even one connection goes wrong—"
"Well it didn't go wrong." Lee shot back. The older agent said nothing, shaking his head. "Stop worrying—we've got this in the bag."
"That's what you think," Harriman said. "We could've planted a trained operative in Powell's place. You know why we didn't? Money. God forbid the government has to give up precious dollars for our safety. Remember Malta?"
"That was a bust gone bad—it happens to everyone."
A short laugh."Everyone? A civilian interfered and I took a bullet." Harriman absently rubbed his right shoulder as he spoke. "He never would've gotten away from me otherwise—you know that."
"That was different," Lee said. Together they went back into the security area. The backpack was waiting there—a standard employee issue. He opened it, checking the money, feeling to make sure that the transmitter was still snuggled into the lining. It wasn't likely that the smuggler would get away with the cash but they had to be prepared for every contingency. "This isn't one of your spy novels, Harriman. Accidents happen."
"Especially when outsiders are involved." Harriman looked around. "Don't you think this is a little too open?"
"This is where we have to do it." The older agent's constant complaining was starting to make his head throb. "We'll have the place nailed down so tight that he won't be able to make a move."
"Hey, what do I know—I only have about twenty years of experience in this."
"It'll go down just fine—trust me." Lee closed the backpack. "Anyway, as I was saying, civilians have their uses sometimes—even in the field."
"A convenient change of heart for you, Scarecrow."
"Just what is that supposed to mean?"
The man smirked. "I think you know—I can't be the only one who hasn't noticed your little civilian partner hanging around."
"In the first place, Amanda is not my partner," Lee snapped. "And for your information, she's turned out to be very useful on quite a number of cases."
"So you say—but I wouldn't have her working with me." Harriman looked down at his watch. "I'm going to make the rounds—see if everything's set up."
"Yeah, you go and do that—I'll contact Billy and let him know what's going on."
"Fine. But mark my words, Scarecrow—one of these days a civilian is really going to screw things up—and then we'll all regret it."
SMK SMK SMK SMK
The Agency
12:10 PM
"The stuff should be arriving in a couple of hours, Billy." Lee's voice crackled slightly over Billy's desktop speaker. "Everything is on schedule."
"Excellent." Billy replied. "This final shipment will give us what we need to put these guys away for a long time."
"That's what I'm hoping for."
"You're setting everything up now?"
"Yeah—Harriman's getting everyone into position—in a couple of hours this will be finished."
"Good job," Billy said. "Keep in touch, Scarecrow—I'll talk to you later." He turned off the speaker. There was a knock on his office door.
"Come in," he called out. Amanda opened the door and entered the office.
"Here are the transcripts you wanted, sir," she said, handing them to him. "All done."
"Thank you for these, Amanda," Billy stacked the papers on his desk. "Believe me, we really appreciate it."
"You're welcome, sir," Amanda replied. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"Not at the moment, no. So—any other plans for today?"
"First I need to pick up some flowers and deliver them to the community center," Amanda said. "Then I have some shopping to do after that and there's a den meeting tonight."
Billy smiled. "Sounds like it should be a pretty full day."
"It should be." Amanda hesitated. "Speaking of full days, sir—I was just wondering—"
"Wondering what?"
"Well, about Lee, mainly. I mean, I know he's very busy, but it's been about three days since I've seen or heard from him—I just hope he's all right."
"He's all right, Amanda." Billy told her. "You know I can't tell you exactly what he's working on but he made all his status checks."
"That's good to know," Amanda said. "It's just when I don't hear from him I tend to worry a little."
"I understand, but trust me—Lee's just fine."
"Thank you, sir." Amanda looked at her watch. "Well, I guess I should probably get going now—the florist is in Reston and I need to pick up the flowers by one."
Billy smiled. "See you later, Amanda."
SMK SMK SMK SMK
Arlington Community Center
1:20 PM
"I'm so glad you brought these by," Maureen Simmons said. "With all that's going on I don't think I would've had time to pick them up myself. They're absolutely lovely."
"It's no problem at all," Amanda replied. "Where would you like me to put them?"
"Where—" Maureen studied the baskets, and then looked down at her clipboard, sucking in her lower lip. "Maybe if you could arrange them on either side of the stage? That might make a very nice effect."
"I can do that."
"Great. Just not too close to the wings—the last thing we need is the dancers tripping as they go on and off the stage."
"Good idea." Amanda carried the baskets up the steps to the stage. "Where's everybody else, by the way?"
Maureen sighed. "Hopefully not too far behind. Mr. Bingham's supposed to be here in an hour to do a final check on lights and sound and Julie should've already been here to make some final touchups to the set—which would've been done yesterday if her car hadn't broken down."
"I'm sure it will be fine—the set looks wonderful."
"Yeah, but then there's all the costumes, the parents and dancers arriving—" she let out another sigh and ran her hand back through her hair. "And on top of that I've got to pick up my nephew from Dulles at a quarter-past two. I swear, if this thing manages to go off on time it'll be a miracle."
"I'm sure it'll be just fine," Amanda assured her. "Listen, why don't I go and pick up your nephew?"
"Are you sure? The last thing I want to do is impose."
"You wouldn't be," Amanda said firmly. "Just tell me his name and what flight he's arriving on and I'll pick him up and bring him right here."
SMK SMK SMK SMK
2:15 PM
"You got everyone in position?" Lee spoke into his walkie-talkie.
"Yeah," Harriman's voice replied. "Right where they should be. If the flight ever arrives."
"The plane's a little late." Lee said, his eyes scanning the passengers coming through the gate. "But it should be any minute now. Relax."
"I'll relax when this is done. Keep your eyes wide, Scarecrow."
"Will do. Over and out." Harriman and his negative attitude, he thought, putting the walkie-talkie in his pocket—he wasn't sure how much more of it he could stand. At that moment he saw their man, coming through the arrivals gate. As Lee had expected he was still wearing his uniform, the same backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Right on schedule," he murmured under his breath, adjusting his hat again and shouldering his bag. He walked up to the man, who was looking all around, his eyes darting this way and that. His hands clutched the strap of his backpack tightly. Antsy—now he could see what Powell had been talking about. "Mr. Davison?"
The man looked up. "That's me. Who are you?"
Lee took a badge out of his inside pocket and flashed it. "Airport security. I want you to come with me."
"Why?" The man asked. "Are you the next stop?"
"No, I'm the end of the line," Lee replied with the pre-arranged code phrase, watching as relief filled the man's eyes. "Do you have what I need?"
A nod. "As long as you do."
"Right this way, sir."
"Thanks." The man followed him down towards the security area. "You know, I almost thought they were going to catch me in Miami."
Lee kept his tone casual. "And what made you think that?"
"It was the way they were looking at me—skulking around. I thought they might stop me for sure."
Antsy was an understatement, Lee thought—this guy was seriously on edge. "They didn't, though."
Sharpness tinged the man's voice. "Didn't what?"
"They didn't stop you."
"No—no—I guess they didn't." The man laughed nervously. "Luck's on my side. I'll be glad when this is all over."
"Believe me, we all will."
"You have the money?"
"Right here in this bag."
"Good. " Davison's eyes flickered to the bag. "And it's the same price we agreed on, right? Ten for the stuff and seven for the arms?"
Lee nodded. "Same as before—that's right." He scanned the area as he walked, noting the agents disguised as passengers and employees. Just like it was supposed to be. Like he'd said before—a piece of cake.
SMK SMK SMK SMK
Harriman stood there, watching Lee and Davison move towards the security area. All going well so far, he thought— a simple swap and the whole thing would be done. Maybe Lee had been right—maybe his worries had been unfounded after all. He let his mind wander as he watched the scene play out, thinking back to the rough outline he'd started for his newest book. Not a fiction book this time, but important—if it was done right it would be the most important book of his career—blow the world of intelligence work wide open for everyone to see.
'Don't start polishing that Pulitzer just yet,' he thought, a smile playing over his lips. He still had to write it. Once he did though, things would change.
And that was when he saw her—Amanda King. She was walking towards the arrivals gate, directly in Lee's path.
Just when he'd thought everything was going so well—what was she doing here? And why hadn't Stetson told him?
'Why would he? He knows my feelings about civilians and he ignored them.' Lee must have been insane to even consider adding this to the plan. Harriman's anger grew, forming a tight ball inside his gut and causing his shoulder to throb. Mrs. King had the power to screw everything up and she was going to—he just knew it.
SMK SMK SMK SMK
'Oh God—Amanda.'
Lee watched her heading towards him and Davison, purse on her shoulder and coat draped over her arm. Why was she here? Probably here to pick up a friend—there was nothing Amanda liked more than being helpful.
'Of all the times for this to happen…' He kept his face slightly averted. Hopefully if she noticed him she'd have the good sense not to call out or come over.
"Looking for something?" Davison asked.
"No—no," Lee said quickly. "I'm not looking for anything."
"Do you know that woman over there?"
"No, I don't," Lee said.
"You just looked at her."
"It doesn't mean I know her. Just relax, huh?"
"Trying to," Davison replied. "I guess I'm just a little nervous."
"Well don't be," Lee told him. The sooner they completed this transaction the better. He kept Amanda in his field of vision as she drew nearer. She still hadn't seen him—hopefully it would stay that way. "You have nothing to worry about."
"Let me decide what I have to worry about, okay?"
'I'll be glad to,' Lee thought. The security area was just up ahead. A few more yards and they'd be good to go. Amanda had come to a halt, her head down as she rummaged through her purse. At that moment her head jerked up, her eyes meeting Lee's and widening in recognition. Instead of just ignoring him, though, she quickly ducked into a corner, hiding behind a large plant.
'Goddamn it, Amanda…' All the things she could've done—why had she done that?
"Why did she just do that?" Davison asked, echoing Lee's thoughts.
Why indeed. Lee ran through a dozen answers in his head before settling on the honest approach. "I don't know."
"You said you that didn't know her." His tone was accusing.
"That's because I don't," Lee replied.
"It seems like she knows you."
"Maybe she just thinks she knows me."
"So why did she hide?"
"Look, I told you, I don't know. She's nobody." Davison had stopped walking now, breathing hard, his hands clutching the bag so tightly that his knuckles were white. "Come on—let's go back here and get this done."
"I don't think so." The man shook his head. "This is some kind of setup, isn't it? Just like in Miami—something's going on."
"Nothing is going on." Lee told him. "You give me the stuff, I give you the cash and you go." Davison didn't say anything. "Come on now—" Lee stepped towards him.
"No!" Davison's voice rose—he stepped back. "I'm telling you to stay away from me—just stay away!"
"Davison, please—" Before Lee could do anything else the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. He fired a shot into the air and several people screamed.
"Now—no more talk." He pointed the gun at Lee. "Just give me my money."
SMK SMK SMK SMK
'Oh my gosh…'
From her position behind the plant Amanda watched as the guy pulled out a gun, aiming it at Lee. Lee took a few steps back, his hands up—she couldn't hear exactly what was being said but it was obvious that he was trying to calm the man down.
What had she walked into? She'd thought she'd be helping Lee by keeping out of sight and ducking out of the way. Had she made things worse instead? She could hear the other man shouting now—something about not trusting anybody.
"You –in the corner!" Amanda looked up, seeing the man's gaze focused directly on her. "Come here—keep your hands where I can see them!" Slowly Amanda rose to her feet, her hands in the air as she walked towards the man. She could feel her legs shaking, her heart thudding against her chest. Briefly her eyes met Lee's. He would get her out of this somehow, she thought—she trusted him—he always had a way to get them out. As Amanda walked closer the man reached out and grabbed her, pulling her close, pressing the gun against her side.
"The money or I shoot her," he said. "And then we're walking out of here. Hand it over!"
SMK SMK SMK SMK
"Just let her go, Davison," Lee could see Harriman, along with the other agents. They drew closer, tightening the perimeter. "You know you don't need her."
"No, what I need is the money," Davison pulled Amanda closer. "Right now she's my insurance policy."
"If I give you the money will you let her go?"
Davison shook his head. "No deals—I'm sick of deals. Now slide it over here—I won't ask you again."
He had to do it, Lee thought—right now he didn't have a choice. Keeping his eye on Davison he slid the backpack towards him.
"You got your money," Lee told him. "Just take it and let her go. Don't make more trouble for yourself."
Davison said nothing, his finger still on the trigger—for one sickening moment Lee thought he might shoot. Instead he threw Amanda to the ground and picked up the bag and ran, only to be quickly surrounded by agents. Lee bent down, helping Amanda to her feet.
"You okay?" he asked her.
"Fine," Amanda replied, straightening her blouse and smoothing her hair.
"You sure?"
Amanda nodded. "Just a little shaky, I guess. What exactly is going on here?"
Lee watched as Davison was wrestled to the ground and cuffed. He could see Harriman watching on the sidelines, his face dark with rage. "A hell of a mess," he replied. "That's what's going on here."
TBC