Having read the reports, Amanda closed the windows on her computer, just as Lee and Alexa walked into her office. She smiled, pleased that no agents had died. Sadly, it turned out that Birol had killed the driver of the U.P.S. truck he had stolen, and some civilians had been killed in the gas station explosion … but it could have been worse. Much worse. Dorothy was safe, Francine had suffered only a concussion and minor injuries, and Mara Petrak was recovering nicely. Even property damage had been kept to a minimum, with the only real casualty being the gas station, but thankfully, no active agents were involved in that.
"I've read your reports," Amanda opened. "Nice work all around. If it weren't for your retirement, Lee, I'd recommend the two of you continue working together." Amanda stood and shook their hands. "Thanks to your work, what would have been the worst terrorist attack since 9/11 was averted. All Karbalah members have been apprehended or have been killed, and Addi Birol has received the fate he richly deserved." She grinned, adding, "The president even called to thank us personally."
"While it's good to be appreciated," Lee remarked, "Hopefully, this won't inspire any attempts to finish the job."
Amanda nodded. "Thankfully, it seems that they kept their plans to themselves. We've gone through their computers, and from what we can tell, they were planning on using this attack to announce Karbalah's return. They didn't make any announcements before hand—failure doesn't make for great boasts."
"No, but you can be sure that martyrdom does," Danton countered.
"We're trying to keep this quiet, but yes, Agent Danton, Birol will be viewed as a martyr for their twisted cause. Now …" Amanda paused, looking over at her door, which opened as if on cue. Francine Desmond walked in, nodding to Lee as she entered. "Agent Danton, this is Francine Desmond." Amanda looked back at her husband. "Lee, I think it's time we retire together. I've been in talks with the people upstairs, and …"
"And I'm going to be your section chief," Francine announced.
Lee looked quizzically at Amanda, who smiled and shrugged.
"I hated not seeing you all week, Lee. I've served my country, both as an agent, and as section chief. It's been a great, great career. But now, I want that second honeymoon we talked about." Amanda shrugged again. "What can I say? I just couldn't wait any longer." She looked back at Francine. "Lee and I owe you and your man, Del, a personal debt as well. Thank you for keeping our daughter safe."
"Oh, it was nothing," Francine said with a smug smile. "And don't worry; we gave her a little something to remember this by."
"And just how is your possible future Mister Desmond," Lee asked.
"Doing well. He figured out that I was some kind of agent, but didn't press for details." Then Francine added, "though he probably knows less than your daughter."
Amanda giggled. "Yes, well, it all worked out. How does he feel about leaving Ocean City?"
"We talked about it," Francine replied. "He has a friend who's wanted to buy the tattoo parlor for years. Turns out, the man got a bank loan. Del's going to sell it, earning him a pretty penny. He's taking over a shop up in Gaithersburg for another friend."
"All's well that ends well," Amanda declared. "Francine, meet Agent Danton, the new Scarecrow."
Danton extended her hand, beaming at Amanda's announcement. "Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am."
Francine shook the younger woman's hand. "Lee tells me you're the new top agent."
"Doing my best, Ma'am."
"I read your file," Francine responded. "Impressive work, particularly this last mission." She then looked to Amanda who handed Agent Danton a manila envelope.
"Details are inside, Scarecrow, and I think this one will be right up your alley."
Danton smiled. "Yes, Ma'am!"
Later, at 4247 Maplewood Avenue …
Lee and Amanda snuggled together on one end of the sofa, while Dorothy sat at the other end, the movie, True Lies having just ended.
"Dad, did you ever fly a Harrier plane?"
"Spy work seldom looks anything like that, Dorothy," Lee said. "I've flown planes and helicopters, but never a Harrier."
"That movie's a parody anyway," Amanda noted.
Lee laughed. "Sad thing is, it was probably more accurate than the Bond films, especially the current run."
Dorothy crinkled her nose. "I don't like James Bond."
"Yeah," Amanda agreed. "After Roger Moore, it all went downhill."
"No," Dorothy corrected. "I don't like any of them."
Amanda looked mortified at the thought, but Lee just shrugged. "Can't fault you there."
"So, who are your favorite spies then?" Amanda asked, sitting up slightly.
"Duh," Dorothy said in mock exasperation. "You and dad!"
"That's my girl," Lee praised. "Now, don't you have a date, young lady?"
Dorothy nodded as she stood. "I do, so I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for a few hours. Ta-ta."
"Have fun," Amanda encouraged.
"Just … not too much fun," Lee added.
"Bye dad," Dorothy called as she left.
Moments later, the sound of Lee's old Corvette starting and leaving the driveway told them that they were finally alone. It was the first night of their retirement together, and they had the rest of their lives ahead of them.
"Thought she'd never leave," Amanda observed. "So, Addi Birol is dead, Karbalah is dead, we've both retired, and our daughter is out on a date. Celebration?"
Lee kissed her. "Celebration." He stood, and went to the kitchen, returning moments later with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. "Dom Perignon.
He popped the cork for his grinning wife, and poured a glass for each of them, and then joined her on the sofa again.
"To us, my love."
She clinked her glass to his. "To us."
They drank their Champagne, kissing between sips, until at last, the glasses were empty. Amanda leaned back, her arms around her husband, kissing him as he began to open her robe.
"Lee, this is … "
She was about to say 'wonderful,' but Lee finished for her.
"Just a prelude." He reached behind the sofa, and produced two plane tickets. "We're spending two weeks in Paris."
"Oh, Lee!" Amanda kissed him hungrily as Lee used his phone to dim the lights. "I love you."
"I love you, Amanda. You deserve a second honeymoon."
She giggled. "I do, don't I? Now … where were we?"
"Right here." Lee slid her robe off of her shoulders, and with that, they picked up where they left off, finally enjoying their happily ever after.
Speeding down the road with the targa roof out …
… Dorothy noticed a cassette tape in the radio, with the words, "Play me" written in Sharpie on the edge. She pushed it into the radio, thinking perhaps her dad had made a mix tape for her, like Starlord's mom had in Guardians of the galaxy. Instead, it was her father's voice.
"Now that the car is yours, you need to remember that this was a spy's car. You already know that it's fast and handles like a race car. It can do other things that we can go over tomorrow, but one feature you'll want to take advantage of is in the center console. Now, have fun on your date—oh, and you can thank James Bond for this one."
Dorothy opened the center console, and a hiss of cold air escaped. Inside was a bottle of Champagne, kept cold by the console's built in cooler.
"This is awesome!"
She downshifted, and pressed the accelerator down, the cool night air blowing through her hair as she sped to meet her own love …
But that is another story.
The End
