Accidental Burn

Chapter 1

While Lee was in Europe finishing up a zero contact mission, Billy had wanted Amanda to accompany Francine to the Florida Keys to help nail one of the country's top drug runners who had been operating out of Miami and had at one time worked for Nick Falcone who was currently serving out his prison sentence.

Francine balked at Billy's suggestion stating, "She's a housewife, Billy! The only thing she could possibly be useful for is putting suntan lotion on her kids and handing them Kool Aid when they need it! Give me a break!"

Billy remarked to Francine sternly, " If you'll recall, Craig Martelli slipped through our grasp before and managed to kill three of our top contacts in the Bahamas just a month ago! He knows some of our people and what they look like. Except for Amanda King."

Francine shrugged asking, "How is that possible when she's been working with Lee all this time?"

Billy commented, "Remember when Lee went out to Escondido, CA to check out a lead on Martelli almost a year ago? Well, we labelled it a zero contact trip anyway. Amanda was here doing her normal filing and didn't know a thing. But this morning, I got confirmation that this snake is in the Keys! So, what Amanda's job entails is this. She will be a tourist relaxing on the beach near where Martelli was seen not too long ago making a drop. You and Tom Rogers will be on the move when Amanda contacts you."

Francine sighed querying, "And my job is?"

Billy smiled replying, "You and Tom Rogers will be her realtors as she's considering buying a vacation home that you show her-"

Francine laughed and responded, "Oh, right! Just how loaded is Amanda King supposed to be?!Can't get that way from clipping coupons, Billy!"

Billy remarked annoyed at her comment, "The Agency is covering expenses for the hotel stay and the fake deal you offer for the home. She will be on the beach primarily to watch the area but also to mull over the decision."

Francine after a moment slowly nodded asking, "Okay. When do we leave and for how long?"

Billy commented, "Tonight, and through the weekend. Barring any complications, the three of you should have it wrapped up and be heading home by Monday. Oh, and bring your "Magda" wig just to be on the safe side."

Francine groaned and responded, "Aw, Billy! That's my worst look! You know that, right?"

Billy sighed and stated, "You know for someone who claimed she could adapt to any cover and make it work you've been doing a lot of complaining here, Desmond."

Francine put up her hands and stated, "All right, all right! I'll go home and pack. You'd better tell Cinderella to get ready for the ball."

So as Rogers and the two women flew down to the Keys later that day, Francine explained the job to Amanda and as she finished asked, "Okay. Have any questions?"

Amanda nervously queried, "How do I contact you? Do I have a walkie talkie or something? Will you have a code name for this like, "Mama Bear"?"

Francine looked at Rogers who shrugged and she rolled her eyes and sighed irritatedly stating to Amanda, "No, Dear. No code name and it would be extremely obvious for you to carry a walkie. Rogers and I will have you miked through your one piece suit."

Amanda shrugged responding, "Gee. I guess I won't be in the water then, huh?"

Francine shook her head and faintly smiled commenting, "Once again, no. Not unless you want the mike to short out and we blow this thing. Any other brilliant questions or are we set?"

Amanda shook her head and sighed answering, "Just one. What are our names?"

Francine looked at her strangely and asked, "Our names?"

Amanda nodded stating, "Our names. Look, it's a case and we have to have covers, right?"

Francine shrugged distractedly and remarked, "Let me think. I know Billy gave me some-"

Rogers spoke up as he got a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and commented, "Fran and Mark Rogers, Angela Keene."

Francine made a face and answered, "Oh, no! You and me married? No way!"

Rogers sneered responding, "We're divorced! Besides, anyone that knows us knows that you're not my type anyway."

Francine chuckled and replied, "Oh yeah? And what type is that?"

Rogers blushed slightly and answered, "More like Mrs. King in a way."

Amanda smiled feeling self conscious and Francine smiling sarcastically at Rogers exclaimed, "Fine! When this case is over, I hope the two of you will be very happy!"

They landed in Miami and rented a car driving to the hotel in the Keys near the vacation home areas.

As they got to their rooms Francine was thankful that she wasn't to share a room with either one of them.

They all got unpacked and changed and began their ruse when they left the hotel and got to the vacation home that Amanda would supposedly be purchasing.

As they all exited the car they were met by two other realtors.

The woman shook their hands stating, "Mr and Mrs. Rogers and Miss Keene, I'm Charlotte Renway and this is my associate, Bud Landers."

The three shook hands with the man as well and Bud asked, "Miss Keene, we understand you're interested in one of these homes here? We'd be glad to show you-"

But Francine cut him off replying politely, "Uh no, thank you. She's with us."

Looking at her watch she remarked, "Oh Mark, we're running behind schedule. We'd better show Angela around. I'm sure she has other things to do today. Right, Angela?"

Amanda smiled apologetically responding lightly to Charlotte and Bud, "I've been going through brochures for so long, I feel like I won't ever find a place. It really is like looking for a regular home, you know? Like maybe I want one near the beach or maybe near the shopping areas. I-I just didn't think it would be this hard. And then what furniture to put in, even though I won't be here except a few times a year-"

Francine cleared her throat stating finally as she put her arm around Amanda trying to silence her, "Well, that's why we're here to help you ease that burden. Let's go, Angela."

Charlotte then asked, "Wait! You're the people that sold the property to that snooty client in the Hamptons last year, right?"

Tom and Francine glanced at one another and Tom nodded thinking quickly answering, "Uh, that was me. Fran was in Chicago then trying to get an office building sold."

Charlotte nodded seeming to accept the explanation and remarked, "Oh. Well in any case Angela, here-"

Charlotte gave Amanda a card commenting, "Call me if you need any further help. In case Fran and Mark don't find anything suitable enough for you today."

When Francine looked as if she wanted to claw the woman's eyes out, Amanda and Tom quickly thanked them both and took her with them into the home for sale.

Francine sighed stating, "Did you see her outfit? Suitable isn't her middle name, that's for sure."

Amanda commented, "C'mon, Francine. Let's do what we're here to do and get back to the beach. Now, is there stuff I have to fill out or what?"

Francine looked at Tom and shook her head responding bewilderedly, "She can't be this naive, can she?" Then looking at Amanda she answered, "They're fake documents anyway. Who cares?"

They later got back to the hotel and Francine stated, "Okay. Since we wasted so much time with those idiots, we'll do the beach thing in the morning. Why don't I call Billy and fill him in and meanwhile, Rogers can scope out the area tonight-"

Tom scoffed at Francine retorting, "Why can't you? I've never been here. I'd like to take in some scenery myself."

Francine sighed and replied, "Fine. We'll take turns, all right?"

Amanda nodded responding, "Yeah, okay. But I'd like to call my family first-"

Francine remarked haltingly, "Uh no, you're not with us now. You go on being a tourist. We'll handle the area-"

Amanda protested commenting, "Oh Francine! You sound just like Lee when he tells me to stay in the car! I can help if you need backup-"

Francine stated curtly, "Hey! Billy would have my head on a platter if anything happened to you because you work with Lee. Now go do whatever tourists do but don't get too far from the hotel, all right? We'll call you in the morning before we go to the beach. See you later."

As Francine and Tom walked away Amanda sighed and went to the front desk and asked the clerk, "Can you tell me where the souvenir shops are located? I'd like to get some things for my family while I'm here..."

TBC