Summer '85
by Sandra
Author's note: Ever wonder when Lee & Amanda became so 'friendly' that he would ask her out to the Kennedy Center in the first episode of season three? This story takes place over four days, beginning on July 1st 1985 and speculates what could have happened in the Summer '85 while on an assignment in Boston. The plot is based on a previously posted story, which has been entirely revised and expanded in 2006.
Disclaimer: Scarecrow and Mrs. King is copyrighted to Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Production Company. Some references are made to various episodes. No infringement upon their rights is intended. The story, however, belongs to the author. This story is for entertainment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without the permission of the author.
Summer '85
Chapter 1
July 1st 1985 Monday
The agents sat in the conference room looking at photos of some of the most prominent cryptologists in the nation. These men were responsible for scrambling, coding and decoding all our communications systems from the phones in the Oval Office to military maneuvers out in the field.
The Section Chief, Billy Melrose reviewed the facts with Lee Stetson and Amanda King. "One by one they've gone missing for days at a time, only to return with no recollection of where they were or who they were with. National security may have been compromised."
Lee returned the photographs of the missing men and commented, "It's a good thing that these communications projects are so classified that no one person knows all the algorithms that encrypt messages or has knowledge of all the decryption keys."
"The first two missing men worked at the Pentagon. Our intelligence tells us the third man on their team, a civilian, mathematician Dr. Jeffrey Ferguson, could be involved or be the next target. He's currently a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology."
Billy, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, shuffled his feet and continued, "Amanda, this may be more difficult than your previous assignments. The dossier on Ferguson had this photograph in it." He placed the photo before them of Amanda in full evening attire, with Dr. Ferguson in a tux, his arms firmly around her waist. "Looks like we're asking you to rekindle an old romance, if you're willing to see him again."
Remembering fondly days gone by Amanda replied, "I'm ready, sir, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you and Lee to fly up to Boston this morning. Find out what Dr. Ferguson has been up to, where and who he spends his time with, any suspicious characters that could be connected to groups that would want to compromise national security."
Two hours later on the shuttle up to Boston, Lee stretched his long legs in the aisle and wondered about that intriguing photo and what other surprises his partner had kept well hidden. "Well, Amanda, are you going to tell me about your relationship with Jeffrey Ferguson?"
"No."
"What do you mean NO?" His eyes widened in surprise at the thought of Amanda having something she wanted to conceal about her past, after all they were partners, she should confide in him.
Amanda shifted uncomfortably in her seat and replied, "Let's just say, on a need to know basis, you don't need to know."
Flustered, Lee ran his left hand through his hair and thought back to how Amanda had a knack of attracting the most unlikely admirers, James Delano, David Benson, Alan Squires, Bryce Topping, Byron Jordan, the latter resulting in her being arrested for his murder.
"At least tell me how you met him." Lee implored.
"Would you believe standing on a train station platform?"
"Amanda, be serious, I really want to know."
"When Jeff worked for the Department Of Defense, he lived in Arlington, at 4245 Maplewood Drive."
"Oh, I see," he paused, not wanting to sound too relieved and looking for the right words before he continued. "You two were never involved then, you were just neighbors."
With that erroneous comment from her partner, Amanda smiled sweetly content to let Lee believe what he wanted. After all, he really didn't have a need to know.
She fondly remembered the summer '82, three years ago, both she and Jeffrey being newly single. She had just recently been divorced and did not want to become involved in another relationship so soon. There were family outings with Jamie and Philip and Jeffrey's two boys. They had been friends for years, and only began to date when it was almost time for him to move on.
The sounds of the plane landing brought both of them back to the present. Logan Airport may only be four miles from downtown Boston, but traffic funneling through the Callahan and Sumner tunnels was always a nightmare. They stood on line for a taxi to head downtown towards Boston Common and the oldest continuously operating hotel in America, the Parker House.
Lee commented, "Not much sense renting a car in Boston, unless absolutely necessary. All the streets are one way in the wrong direction. Ever hear the expression 'You can't get there from here?' This is where it originated."
Amanda chuckled, "For a man who has proven his driving skills in LeMans and Monaco it just strikes me kind of funny that you wouldn't want to rent a car in Boston."
He lowered his voice to be sure no one could hear him before replying, "Agency manual, section 15, paragraph 6, A good agent assesses the situation, and sets parameters before proceeding with a scenario. I'll leave driving here to the professionals, the taxi drivers that know all the side streets and how to get around these cow paths."
"Cow paths?"
"Sure, none of these Boston streets line up. When this was all pasture, they built the streets and buildings around the already established cow paths."
After checking in to adjacent rooms, Amanda knocked on Lee's door and walked in. They were ready to put their plan into motion. Lee questioned, "What happened when you called Dr. Ferguson?"
Eager to see old friend, Amanda replied with enthusiasm, "Jeffrey had one more class to teach today, we agreed to meet in Harvard Square at 3 o'clock. He gave me directions, it is only a few stops on the Red line, I can get it right outside the hotel at Park Square."
"Remember, Amanda, I will need a few hours to sweep through the professor's house and office, do you think you can keep him busy for the rest of the afternoon?"
Amanda replied, "Have you ever known me to be at a loss for words? I'm sure we will find plenty to talk about."
Amanda blended in with the crowd browsing through the international magazines and newspapers. With her agency training in mind, she kept a watchful eye both inside and outside the shop. She recognized Jeffrey Ferguson when he was still a block away. With an audible sigh, Amanda thought, 'He's just as handsome as I remembered.'
Jeffrey took one look at the tall slender brunette and couldn't help but wonder, 'Who knows what might have been, if I never left Arlington.'
They greeted each other with an affectionate embrace in front of the "Out of Town" news kiosk.
Amanda remarked, "I'm so glad you could meet me today, I'm only in town for a few days."
Jeffrey replied, "You caught up with me just in time. I'm taking the boys up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for the long holiday weekend, we leave on the third." Looking around at the crowd he continued, "I thought you would like this area. With so many foreign exchange students, lecturers, scientist and professors, this was a well-know spot literally in the center of Harvard Square."
Amanda agreed, "Hearing so many languages spoken, each country seems well represented here in print as well as in person."
They were surrounded by numerous bookstores facing the square and coffee houses where students wearing crimson shirts with 'Harvard' printed across them could sit for hours. Only steps from Harvard University, this had been a gathering spot since 1636, before there was a United States of America.
As they chatted about what their families were doing these days, they meandered through the crowds up Brattle Street, till they reached #56, the Blacksmith House Bakery Café. There was a six-month waiting list here to attend the cooking classes that were held in the evenings.
Amanda looked at the display case "Everything looks so good, from the cinnamon strudel to the cherry cheesecake. It's so colorful, it makes it hard to narrow it down to just one treat."
Jeffrey smiled, content with his choice of cafés. With one hand resting on Amanda's shoulder he pointed to the pastry. "Why don't we split that raspberry Linzor Torte, and that chocolate apricot concoction that you once attempted to make, the Sacher Torte?" Amanda nodded in agreement and he continued. "We can imagine ourselves in Austria, surrounded by the sound of music. Let's pick one of the outdoor tables and you can tell me what brings you up to New England."
"So much has changed in my life since you left Arlington. For the past two years I've been working for International Federal Film. I've been pretty lucky. You see this past year they sent me to Salzburg. I finally got to see those hills and now," smiling and looking directly into her companion's eyes she continued, "I get to look up an old friend and see Boston too."
"Whatever it is you're doing in Boston, I'm just glad you're here. Tell me about the project you're working on?"
"I'm in Boston for a documentary celebrating the 100th birthday of the Boston Pops. I'm really looking forward to seeing John Williams conduct the 4th of July concert on the Esplanade. Last year I saw it broadcast live on TV- I never thought I would actually get to see it in person."
Jeffrey began to hum the popular theme from Star Wars. "Amanda, you're in for a real treat. John Williams has composed so many great movie themes, all three Star Wars, three Jaws, three Superman movies, ET and both Indiana Jones movies too."
Trying to imitate the musical language used in Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Amanda replied, "Don't forget, beep, beep, beep, beep, and beep." They both laughed.
"One of my fondest memories before leaving Virginia was when we took all four boys to see E.T."
Amanda added, "I thinkthe music was so uplifting, especially when the bikes went flying over the forest."
"I remember how much you enjoyed all the stories I told about the years I lived in Boston. Now you get to see those places for yourself." Sipping his coffee, he continued, "You were an American Lit major in college, right?"
"I'm surprised you remembered that."
"Amanda, that's why I wanted you to meet me in Harvard Square. This is the 'Village Blacksmith' house that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about- that stone commemorates the famous chestnut tree that once was."
"Oh, 'Under a spreading chestnut tree, The village smithy stands' of course I remember. Does that mean we're on the same street as Longfellow's house?"
"Not only Longfellow but Julia Childs' house is just around the corner. Did you know that she was a spy?"
Amanda nearly choked on her torte. "Sure Jeff, I knew that. Didn't she steel secrets from the world's greatest chefs?"
"Julia Child at 73 is still making regular TV appearances for WGBH, the Boston PBS station that produced 'The French Chef'. She attended Smith College here in Massachusetts, worked in NYC for a few years. By 1942 she was ready to see the world, and managed to secure a job with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Washington. During WWII, she was able to get strategic information in and out of some pretty sticky places like China. Who would have guessed that? Julia Child is the last person I would ever suspect of being a government agent."
Amanda thought changing the subject seemed the safest way around this turn of the conversation. "Tell me about your work at MIT, are things working out the way you wanted them to?"
Jeffrey seemed very relaxed, his face lit up at this request. "MIT is filled with some of the brightest minds in the country. There is such a feeling of satisfaction, planting the seeds of new ideas, watching them grow, taking on a life of their own. I can't think of a more rewarding place for a professor to be."
For a moment Amanda thought 'he seemed too eager to talk about his work, could he be the breech in security?' Her brief suspicions were put to rest as Jeffrey spoke with enthusiasm and dedication.
Amanda responded, "I'm glad you were available when the job opened up. Even though it meant you had to leave Arlington."
Jeffrey continued, "Teaching still gives me time for research and special projects." Lowering his voice and looking around he continued, "But that work is classified, I couldn't discuss it unless you had top secret clearance, which you don't, so I can't."
After coffee they went up to 105 Brattle Street. Where the National Parks Service gave guided tours of the home where Longfellow lived and wrote from 1843 till his death in 1882. They walked along the narrow red carpet runners placed on top of the original carpets to protect them. On display were the furnishings, and his treasured possessions.
The music room featured a grand Steinway piano. In the library the four walls were lined with bookcases displaying the complete works of all his favorite authors. Busts were placed above each bookcase to identify which author was contained within. The spreading chestnut tree that once inspired him had been handcrafted into an impressive chair that dominated the room. It had been a gift from the Cambridge schoolchildren. The bookshop offered his books and poems, selling many copies of the "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere."
Jeffrey pointed to the lawn chairs arranged for the "summer in the garden" series of concerts. He told Amanda, "I keep looking for things to do with the boys outdoors, last weekend we came here for the classical music, the concert featured a cellist performing Don Quixote opus 35, and Schoenberg concerto in D major"
Their walk ended where it began, back in Harvard Square. Amanda acknowledged,"Thanks for taking the time and trouble to show me around. I really enjoyed the tour."
Jeffrey proclaimed, "It was no trouble at all, my pleasure indeed. I'm looking forward to our dinner tomorrow night."
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Back at the hotel, impatiently Lee asked, "Do you have any idea what time it is? I've been waiting over an hour for you, I thought maybe you were lost or something."
"Oh Lee, how sweet, you were worried about me."
"Well you do have a knack of finding trouble in the least likely places."
"How much trouble could I get in just a few hours in Cambridge?"
Raising his eyebrow, remembering the multiple times trouble seemed to follow her around, Lee sternly remarked, "Don't forget your professor friend is still a suspect."
"I really can't believe Jeffrey is involved in this mess. He seemed so content with his job at MIT, and wouldn't reveal any details of his research. There weren't any new people in his life of whom to be suspicious of."
Disappointed Lee admitted, "I didn't turn up anything either."
Always optimistic Amanda suggested, "Come on Lee, things always look better after a good meal and a decent night's sleep."
They walked through the winding streets to the North End. Amanda asked, "Where are we going?"
She was surprised when Lee winked and said, "Trust me, Amanda, you will know it when you see it or better yet, when you smell it."
Lee explained how the North End had dozens of Italian restaurants. "All we have to do is start walking down the street; whichever place catches your eye, or pleases your nose, that's where we will stop for dinner."
Amanda's face lit up with surprise as she noticed, "Look at the long lines to go upstairs to Felicia's, Lee, listen, I hear music coming from across the street at Villa Francesca." They watched for a few minutes as the patrons were serenaded by strolling musicians playing old world melodies.
Continuing their walk through the narrow streets they passed ristoranti, trattoria, patisserie, and cafés. Robust aromas filled the air and made the choice difficult. As they passed Mama Maria's Lee pointed out "Your standing in front of Paul Revere's house."
Amanda stated, "I've always wanted to visit Boston, there is so much American history here, mother and the boys would have enjoyed this." Finally, the distinctive scent of Italian spices and old world charm of Lucia's drew them inside for a very fine dinner.
The walk back to the hotel took them through the crowded streets to Fanuiel Hall and the once abandoned Quincy Market that had contained provisioning and meat packing buildings. Since the bicentennial celebration in 1976 this area had blossomed into the focal point of Boston nightlife. Three long buildings now contained shops and restaurants, pubs, comedy clubs, and still a meeting hall under the rotunda for dissidents to gather and proclaim their beliefs.
"This area used to be deserted; now it's thriving." Lee remembered a recent article in the newspaper and continued, "Because of the success of revitalizing the waterfront area here, other places like Baltimore and Miami are devising plans to do the same thing with their harbor front property."
With is arm gently around her waist they slowly walked around the marketplace. Through open windows they saw couples dining, laughing, or dancing. Music overflowed from Frog Lane, Crickets, Salty Dog, and the Black Goose.
Along with music filling the night air, the aroma of freshly baked cookies being removed from the oven beckoned them over to the 'Boston Chipyard'.
Lee suggested one more stop before returning to the hotel, "How 'bout a little dessert?"
"Oh no, Lee, we shouldn't," she protested.
"Come on, Amanda, They look almost as good as yours, how can you resist?"
Giving in with a shrug of her shoulders, "Okay, I'll have just one."
Lee bought one cookie for each of them, which they enjoyed on the short stroll back to the hotel.
"Lee, you're right, it is almost as good as the ones I make."
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End of chapter 1