A/N: Just in case you didn't notice, I changed the rating to a T rating. Even though there will be very few if any details about what is happening, the subject matter is there and I just wanted to warn people.
Chapter 9 - Groundwork
Lee drove to the address that Floyd had given to him. The house was impressive and Lee couldn't help but stare in awe of it. It was a huge mansion and was guarded by a man at the front door with a rifle. Lee pulled down the block a bit so his car wasn't too obvious and then made sure his gun was out of sight and walked back to the house and approached the security guard.
"Hi, I heard that there might be a job possibility here? I could really use a job." He said as he got near enough for the guard to hear him.
"Where did you hear that we were looking for help?" The guard asked.
"I was in a bar last night and telling people that I needed a job and they mentioned here."
"I think you have the wrong address. Move along." The guard said.
"Really? Mikey Moffett was sure I could get a job here." Lee threw out a name that he knew Fedorov would know. It was taking a big chance since Mikely would not know him if they checked with him but it was a chance Lee decided he had to take.
"You know Mikey?"
"We aren't best friends but yeah, I know him." Lee answered.
"Wait right there." The guard said as he stepped inside the house. Lee didn't have to wait long before the guard came back and motioned for Lee to follow him. He led him to the kitchen and told him to sit down and wait and then he left him alone. Lee looked around the huge kitchen and wondered who was going to meet with him. He didn't have long to wait until this plump Italian woman walked out with an apron on.
"Rudolph says you are looking for a job? I could use someone to run errands for me and help keep the kitchen clean, are you interested?"
"Sure, that would be great!"
"It doesn't pay much but we could give you a room if you want one and feed you 3 meals a day. Would that help?"
"Yes, that is very generous. Thank you."
"I didn't catch your name."
"Oh I'm sorry. My name is Lee Steadman and can I ask you what your name is?"
"I'm Mrs. Esposito. I do all the cooking around here. Come on; let me show you the room that you can use."
Lee had to hurry to keep up with her as she went through the grand hallway and then up the fancy winding staircase. The first room on the left was the one she told him he could use.
"Now keep in mind that there are some important people in this house and they don't like people in their business. This room has its own bathroom so there is no reason for you to be anywhere else up here, got it?"
"Got it. Look, would it be okay to start tomorrow? I have a few errands I need to run today since I'll be working now."
"Sure, suit yourself but make sure you are back here at 8 am sharp or else don't bother coming back, understand?"
"Oh yes Ma'am" Lee said.
He hurried back to his Porsche and quickly got out of the area before anyone saw him.
He decided that he was going to have to get a car that would look more the part than the Porsche and that would mean a visit to Leatherneck; but first he needed to go convince Amanda to help them out. Since he had strict orders not to be found in other parts of the house, he knew that he definitely needed Amanda to be his eyes and ears. As much as he hated putting her in danger, this was one time; he hoped she didn't say no.
After he was away from Barnaby Woods, he pulled over to the first payphone he saw. After putting in the correct change, he dialed Amanda's number. He already knew it by heart. He was relieved when she picked up the phone instead of one of the family members.
"Hi, what are you doing for the next few days?"
"Well Hi Lee, how are you. I'm fine, thanks for asking." Amanda said with a smile. Every time she thought she had convinced him to use phone manners, he would go back to not using them.
"Sorry Amanda, I'm at a payphone so I don't have much time. Can you meet me at that cafe near the agency so we can talk?"
"Sure, I can be there in 30 minutes." Amanda answered.
"That's perfect."
About 30 minutes later they both sat at a table and ordered coffee.
"So what do you need me to do?" Amanda asked.
Lee filled her in all the developments since he had last seen her and how important it was that they get to this man.
"Okay, I still don't understand what you want me to do though." Amanda said while looking puzzled.
"We are going to set it up so you bump into Floyd's daughter and become her new best friend. If you can gain her trust than she will take you anywhere she goes and that will give us the access to find out what is happening and to hopefully take this man down. She might also know what his plans are so we can stop whatever diabolical idea he is forming now."
"Ohhhhh, I see. How will you arrange me to meet her though if he keeps her so protected?"
Lee ran his hand through his hair again and got silent.
"Wait? So you don't have a plan for us meeting?"
Lee sighed and confessed "Not yet. I have to meet with Floyd in just over an hour. I'm hoping he has some suggestions."
"Okay, I'll wait to hear from you then."
"Yeah. I'll call you, okay?"
"Okay, I think Mother has a date tonight so it should work out."
"Great! I'll talk to you later then." Lee said as he got up to leave. He put some money on the table to pay for the coffees and then walked Amanda out to her car. She waved goodbye as she pulled away. Lee hurried to his car. It was time to go get a car from Leatherneck before heading home. Somehow driving a Porsche would probably not convince anyone that he was a hard luck soul needing a job doing errands.
Leatherneck was under the hood when Lee arrived at the garage. Lee quickly told him that he needed a car and why. Leatherneck realized he had the perfect one for him. He brought him over to a dark blue Buick Skylark.
"Isn't this kind of big?" Lee asked.
"It is, but if you need to transport people or run errands, it will have plenty of room. Trust me; this is the perfect car for what you are doing."
Lee sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "Okay Leatherneck. It's not going to break down is it?"
"Oh no, it should be good for about a week."
"Gee thanks. Okay, I owe you one." Lee said as he took the key and got into the car. "Make sure no one damages the Porsche while its here huh?"
"She'll be fine. Do you want me to do some tuning on her while she is here?"
"No, she's been running fine since you had her last."
"Okay, good luck. Take good care of the car."
"I will. Thanks Leatherneck."
Lee headed for his apartment. He needed to have a long talk with Floyd so he could move forward with all of this. He could only hope that Floyd had some good answers.
TBC
