Author's note: I'd like to apologize to everyone who has been reading this story for my delay in posting this chapter. I had a very stressful week in my real life that interfered with my writing. I'm back at it now and I look forward to your feedback. I find hearing from readers very encouraging.
Unfinished Business, Unresolved Feelings, Chapter 8
After agreeing to drive Amanda home to change clothes before their lunch at Chez Nouvelle Francine's thoughts returned to the task that Billy had given her. She still wasn't certain that she was the right person to try to convince Amanda to distance herself from Lee in order to protect her own career. As Francine drove through the streets of Arlington towards Amanda's house she took her eyes off the road long enough to sneak a glance at her uncharacteristically quiet passenger. Ordinarily she would have been relieved by the quiet but now it was just making her uneasy because she had no idea what Amanda was thinking about. Francine pulled her car into the empty space in front of Amanda's house and turned off the engine but made no move to get out of the car. Amanda got out of the car and looked back in to where Francine was still seated.
"You are coming into the house aren't you?"
"No. I think it would be better if I wait out here so that you don't have to try to explain my presence to your mother", Francine answered.
"Mother isn't home right now. I'd rather have you come in the house if you don't mind. Having a very well dressed woman sitting in a fancy sports car in front of my house will cause the neighbors to gossip and then I really will have to make up an excuse for my mother. I wish I didn't have to lie to-"
"I certainly don't want to be the cause of unwarranted suburban gossip so I'll come in the house", Francine cut in, hoping to cut off Amanda's ramble. Francine got out of the car and followed Amanda up her front walk and into the house.
"Please make yourself comfortable in the living room. I'll be down in a few minutes", Amanda said as she walked to the stairs.
Francine walked into the living room, looked around at the décor and family pictures, and sat down on the sofa. She was surprised to see a copy of Vogue magazine sitting on the coffee table. Francine picked up the magazine to see if it had a mailing label on the back of it. She simply couldn't believe that Amanda was a subscriber; Good Housekeeping maybe but not Vogue. Francine spent the next few minutes thumbing through the magazine until Amanda returned.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long", Amanda said apologetically.
Francine looked up and saw Amanda dressed in terracotta colored silk dress, medium high heels and a matching handbag.
"Do you think this outfit is okay", Amanda asked as she fussed with the strap of her handbag.
"You look more than okay. You've obviously been studying this magazine. How long have you been reading Vogue", Francine asked casually as she stood so that they could leave.
"I used to buy it occasionally but it didn't have anything in it that fit in with the life that I was leading then. My life has changed a lot recently and I bought it again a few months ago because I wanted to get some ideas for a dress that I wanted to make. I found more than fashion advice; I found articles that relate to who I am now." She hasn't said anything catty. Maybe we can have a pleasant conversation that isn't strictly business.
"Did you make the dress you're wearing", Francine asked as she was once again impressed by Amanda's varied skills.
"No. I bought this one at a fantastic end of season sale last year."
The two women got back into the car and Francine turned to Amanda before she started the engine.
"What is the best way to get back to Georgetown without getting stuck in heavy lunch time traffic", Francine asked.
"You want my opinion", a clearly surprised Amanda asked.
"You drive in and out of Georgetown at all hours of the day and night. I'm sure you know which the best routes to take when are", Francine responded as she started the car. I'm determined to find out if you're driving home from a certain Georgetown apartment in the middle of the night. It seems so unlikely but there is more to you than I used to think.
Amanda gave Francine directions and then they resumed their casual conversation until Amanda's curiosity concerning their assignment got the best of her.
"Francine, I don't mean to seem impatient but I'd really like to know what this urgent new assignment is. When Mr. Melrose spoke to me this morning he was adamant about my working on nothing but the Blackthorne report today. Do you know why he suddenly reassigned me", Amanda anxiously asked.
"After Billy left the bullpen this morning Dr Smyth came looking for him. We have reason to believe that some information that could be very damaging to the Agency may be passed by someone who is having lunch at Chez Nouvelle today. It's up to us to make sure that the information doesn't fall into the wrong hands." I amaze myself sometimes. Depending on how you interpret what I just told her I wasn't even lying. If I'm lucky I'll keep her from saying or doing anything else that would be detrimental to her career and Lee's as well.
"Oh, that does sound urgent. Do you know the person that we're supposed to be watching", Amanda asked.
"Yes, I've met her but I don't know her well", Francine responded as they neared the restaurant.
"Who is she? How is she tied to the Agency", Amanda asked while looking for potential parking places that would be close to Chez Nouvelle without being too close.
"Her name is Elisa Danton. She is a wealthy socialite who travels in very elite circles. She hangs out with men who are powerful and well connected. Every man in this town who wants to really make it big tries to get invited to her parties."
"I don't understand how a socialite poses a threat to the Agency. How could she even know that the Agency exists", Amanda asked.
"She knows about the Agency. She has been friends with Dr Smyth for a long time. Elisa knows several other people from the Agency as well. A few years ago she was quite cozy with our Scarecrow."
"Lee", Amanda squeaked, obviously not happy to have Francine in a position to tell her about another of Lee's former lovers.
Francine pulled into a parking space a discreet distance from the entrance to the restaurant. Now I've really gotten her attention. If I can get Amanda to discuss how complicated things can get when you mix business and romance then maybe she'll listen to reason about her own situation with Lee.
