San Angelo With A Twist

Chapter 1

It had been a month since Lee and Amanda had wrapped up the San Angelo case. Miles and Gillian had been put away for a long time and Emiliano was given a substantial promotion in his efforts to help with the case and was now stationed in South America.

After leaving work one day, Amanda had gone to the store and then to Marvelous Marvin's to surprise the family with dinner.

When she arrived home and brought in a couple of bags she called out, "Hey boys! I need some help with the groceries, please! "

She heard nothing and called out again. "Hey, Fellas? Mother?"

Shaking her head she went out to get the rest of the groceries, including the dinner. Coming in, she set about putting everything away and then looked for a note.

Not finding one, she then checked her answering machine. No message. Puzzled, she called her neighbor, Mrs. Lombardo.

"Hi, it's Amanda. Are my mother and boys over there by any chance? "

The woman replied, "No, but I was curious to see a moving van leaving your driveway earlier. Did you have plans to sell your home? "

Amanda sat down in shock. "No! Not at all! Listen, I'd better call my aunt now. They're probably with her. Thank you anyway. Bye-bye. "

She hung up and spoke out loud, "Moving van? Well, that's ridiculous! "

Getting back on the phone, she dialed her Aunt Lillian. "Hi, It's Amanda. Are Mother and the boys there with you? Well, can I speak to Mother? Oh, I see. Well, tell her I love her and that I hope she feels better tomorrow. Can I speak to the boys then, please? "

Amanda listened a moment and then responded questioningly,"What? He-he did? Well, he didn't call me. Oh, all right. I'll call back. I-I love you, too. Bye. "

Hanging up,she was becoming more confused by the minute. What was going on? Looking around the downstairs,she soon realized that her mother's things as well as the boys things were gone.

Running upstairs she checked their rooms and bathrooms. Cleaned out. Going back to her room she got on the phone and dialed her ex-husband Joe King's office number and waited.

He'd better have a good explanation for this, she fumed. When he answered she stated,"Joe? A neighbor tells me that there was a moving van here today. I then called Aunt Lillian who told me that Mother's with her and the boys are with you! Now, I wanna know what the Sam Hill is going on here! Let me talk to the boys, please!"

Amanda was then stunned when Joe stated, "You don't have the right any more-"

Amanda replied, "What do you mean by that? "

But Joe had hung up! Why was he so angry? She had to figure this out, but she needed help.

She dialed the Agency. Maybe Lee could help her sort this out. Francine had picked up the call from her desk.

Hearing it was Amanda she stated, "Amanda? Didn't you leave an hour ago? Don't tell me you're finally bored in suburbia? "

Amanda shook her head and sighed. "Francine, not now. Please? I need to speak to Lee. Is he there? "

Francine sighed and replied, "Sure. One moment. "

As she put Amanda on hold, she saw Lee and Billy coming out of the office and motioned to Lee.

Lee came to the desk and queried, " What's up? "

Francine pointed to the phone." Amanda, line three. Says it's important. But then, it's always-"

Billy responded, "Enough, Francine."

Lee picked up. "Hello, Amanda. What's wrong? "

After listening, he shook his head and replied, "What? Moving van? Empty house-"

He shook his head and sighed. "All right, all right. Relax, will ya? I'll be right there."

Hanging up, he ran a hand through his hair. Billy inquired,"Trouble, Lee?"

Lee shrugged. "I dunno, but I'd better get over there. I'll check in with you later..."

As Lee pulled out of the Agency parking lot, he wondered what happened between this morning and now at Amanda's house. He hoped he could help her somehow.

TBC