Chapter 9
The next thirty hours passed with small improvements in Lee's condition. His temperature stayed down most of the day, but the fever climbed high in the late afternoon and evening. He also found his body constantly craved sleep. However, when he was awake, he cherished his time with Amanda. Still too weak to care for himself, Lee gratefully accepted the pampering of his favorite Bedside Bluebell.
A palpable intimacy between the friends soon replaced the initial awkwardness of the caregiver/patient relationship. Amanda honored the delicate needs of her charge with a quiet dignity that put them both at ease. The notorious "bad boy" of hospital care was transformed into a compliant patient at the tender hands of his devoted companion. The strong, stubborn Scarecrow persona gave way to the vulnerable Lee, who wisely recognized his need to lean on the indomitable woman with the giving heart.
A sure sign of improvement came when Lee requested a shave and a haircut. The shaggy caveman look had worn on both on them, especially Amanda, who had to see it staring back at her each day. Fearful of overtaxing him, she agreed the excessive facial hair could go, only if he permitted her the honor of removing it.
Dubious of allowing anyone near his throat with a razor, Lee finally relented when realization dawned that it might be enjoyable. Propped up on pillows with a basin of soapy water resting on his stomach, he watched her with bated breath.
Seated at his side, she cautiously maneuvered the razor along his jaw. It was apparent she was holding her breath, too. With each deliberate stroke, her delicate fingers skimmed across his cheek, leaving a delightful sensation in their wake. Silently and meticulously focused on her task, Amanda was unaware of the scrutiny of her patient.
Disability definitely had its advantages, Lee reflected to himself. In their private moment, he was gifted with the rare opportunity to study Amanda up close.
Lying perfectly still, he unabashedly gazed at her classic beauty and reveled in the electric tingle of her touch. As she worked, he noticed she took on the professional demeanor of a well trained nurse, careful to maintain a polite objectivity in meeting all of his personal needs. However, when the tasks were completed, she quickly reverted to the sweet, doting friend who charmed his life.
How could he have ever doubted her loyalty and devotion? Not even Joe King could keep this woman from moving heaven and earth to come to him.
Pondering the undeserved gift of her presence, he felt his guarded emotions unravel when she looked up and graced him with a sweet smile. An unexpected tear pricked the corner of his eye as the remembrance of their heated exchange on her patio nudged his conscience. Weighed down with guilt, Lee cleared his throat, searching for words to express his remorse.
Hearing his cough, Amanda ceased her efforts. "Oh, Lee, this is too much for you. I'll stop."
"No, no, that's not it at all, Amanda. I'm just regretting the fight we had before I left the country." He earnestly looked at her as he softly whispered his apology. "Amanda, I really am sorry."
Catching his hand, she squeezed his fingers. "Oh, Lee, I'm sorry, too. We were both overwhelmed by a difficult situation, but it's behind us now. We're okay, right?"
"Yeah, we're definitely okay." Kissing the back of her hand, he sealed their peace agreement and breathed a sigh of relief.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by the sound of a key turning in the lock of the front door. Before Amanda could leave the bedroom, Zsofia and Jozsef Petrak crossed the threshold with their arms full of groceries. Immediatly depositing them on a chair, they came to stand in the doorway of the bedroom.
"Hello," Amanda said, nodding to the twosome. She smiled at the gentleman. "You must be Jozsef Petrak."
He removed his cap and bowed politiely. "Jo napot. It is my pleasure to meet you."
Zsofia only had eyes for Lee. The austere Hungarian appeared shocked as she observed the improved condition of the injured agent. "Mr. Stetson, you are back with us, I see."
Lee eyed the pair with skepticism. He knew they had saved his life, but he didn't quite trust them. Returning Zsofia's penetrating stare with his own cool gaze, he prepared to interrogate both Petraks. "You two have some explaining to do. Why in hell did you hook me up with Vadas? Did you know he wanted to turn me over to the KGB?"
"Mr. Stetson, you jump too quickly to conclusions." Zsofia met his glare with equal venom.
Water spilled from the basin as the irate Scarecrow bumped it with his hand. "Lee, take it easy," Amanda cautioned. Quickly, she grabbed the bowl before it soaked the bed with more soapy water. "Maybe, we can have this discussion later."
"Wrong, Amanda. This is the perfect time," he gritted out between clinched teeth. His combative words quickly set off a painful spasm of coughing.
Helping him to sit up, Amanda motioned for the others to clear the room. "Please, you're upsetting, Mr. Stetson. Just give me a few minutes, and I'll join you in the kitchen."
Zsofia and Jozsef nodded and silently left the bedroom, without so much as a backward glance for Lee.
SMK SMK SMK
Clearly, Lee was frustrated with the Petraks, as well as his colleague's self-appointed role as gatekeeper. After listening to Lee's explosive words, Amanda was able to calm him down. Forcing herself to act rather than react, she sat by his side and smoothed the creases from his worried brow. Finally his body succumbed to the overpowering need for sleep.
Taking her leave, she found the morose Hungarians seated in the kitchen. Pouring three cups of coffee, Amanda joined the Petraks at a small table, sparsely decorated with grotesque plastic sunflowers and a faded checkered oil cloth. Passing around the cups, she studied the twosome. The resemblance to their cousin Magda was striking. Both brother and sister possessed the same unbending posture and quiet air of self-importance. Zsofia's long black hair was partially hidden by a flowered kerchief, knotted tightly under her aristocratic chin. Long, well-manicured fingers remained folded against the midriff of her unstylish navy blue dress.
Jozsef possessed the Petrak large dark eyes and hair the color of coal. Like his sister, his clothes hinted at poverty, but his garments were clean and his boots well polished. The Petrak family may no longer own the finer things in life, but their stoic pride hinted at a well-heeled family heritage.
Amanda sighed quietly. She wasn't looking forward to a conversation with the twosome, but she was determined to probe for any plans to get Lee out of the country. After three and half days in Hungary, the apartment hideout seemed less and less safe. She couldn't just sit on her hands, waiting for Lee to return to robust health. It could be a very long time before he could resume the role of senior agent. Somehow, she needed to convince the Hungarian underground that she was in charge.
Amanda looked pointedly at Zsofia. "Has anything been decided about getting Mr. Stetson across the border when he is stronger?"
The somber brunette raised an elegant eyebrow, but offered no response other than a slight shake of her head.
Instead, Jozsef cleared his throat and answered for his sister. "The situation grows more dangerous every day."
"Oh?" Amanda's lone word was met with icy silence. Apparently the Petraks were gauging her reactions, measuring her against some illusive standard. Whatever the test turned out to be, she decided to just calmly play along.
The slender, bespectacled man watched her carefully. His thin, hairy wrists protruded from the frayed cuffs of a faded shirt, and his heavy boot tapped an annoying beat against the linoleum floor. Finally exhaling through his generous pug nose, he stared into Amanda's unblinking eyes. "Mrs. King, please try to understand," he said kindly. "Our family faces increasing suspicion, and the police search diligently for Stetson. The word is out on the street that an American spy escaped from the Hungarian Secret Police."
"Did you set Lee up with Vadas?" Against her better judgment, Amanda blurted out Lee's accusation before she could stop herself.
"You are naïve, Mrs. King." Zsofia's harsh tone was unforgiving. "Spies trading secrets with spies always entails great risk."
Jozsef hastily intervened. "Gyorgy Vadas had a hidden agenda. But we all have hidden agendas, do we not? We had no way to know that Vadas would turn on a western agent. It certainly was not our intent for Mr. Stetson to be captured."
"We are not the enemy, Mrs. King." Zsofia's long nails clicked against the china cup. "It was our friends in the underground who tailed Vadas and saved Mr. Stetson."
"Well, then my country is indebted to your friends in the resistance and to both of you for taking care of Lee." Amanda paused to offer a sincere smile. "I'm sure Lee will realize that you meant him no harm."
Jozsef acknowledged her statement with a polite nod. "If it is any comfort, Mrs. King, we have learned that Vadas is in the hands of the underground. They will interrogate him thoroughly, and, when the time is right, he will be handed over to the west."
"Then Lee's efforts weren't in vain?" Amanda felt relief wash over her. Maybe the good news would boost Lee's morale.
Jozsef's somber features belied his encouragement. "You must remember, Mrs. King, with Stetson still here, the Petrak family is in grave danger. Our worry is not only for our own lives. We must also think about our father and my little boy."
"Oh, you have a son." Amanda had trouble picturing the Petraks with any child, especially in light of Magda's attitude toward children and competition. The Hungarian defector had barely met the King boys, before she stomped all over their feelings. The kids still felt the sting of Miss Petrak's rude dismissal of Phillip's second place ribbon. "Only first place is winning," Magda had announced. "Everything else is losing." Phillip's glee over his prize had quickly evaporated as the remark stole his glory.
Amanda shook her head at the memory. "How old is your child?"
Jozsef beamed with paternal pride. "My son, Zsolt, is six years old. Unfortunately, his mother died two years ago."
"I'm so sorry. It must be very difficult for you." Amanda sensed his grief was still very real. "Well, certainly you must do whatever is necessary to keep your little boy safe."
"This means, Mrs. King, we will not be available to guide Mr. Stetson safely across the border to Austria." Zsofia eyed her with obvious concern. "Other arrangements will have to be made when he is well enough to undertake his escape. A lot will depend on his own initiative, yes?"
Mr. Melrose's orders beat like a drum in Amanda's brain. Her boss had made his instructions perfectly clear. She was not to take it upon herself to get Lee across the border. "Is there a way we could fly Mr. Stetson home with me?"
"Your ticket home is assured, Mrs. King," Zsofia challenged. "You must do nothing to jeopardize your flight out of the Budapest airport. The longer you wait, the more suspect you will become. Even if you could disguise Mr. Stetson, the presence of a companion would quickly attract the attention of the secret police."
Jozsef nodded in agreement. "Mr. Stetson is better, is he not? You really should plan to return home soon."
"Well, yes, Lee seems to be coming along, but he's in no condition to be left alone. My partner still needs me to be with him."
"You cannot have it both ways," Zsofia said in her acerbic tone. "You can leave while you have the chance, or you can stay and risk getting caught. That will not benefit Mr. Stetson."
Amanda met the glare of the domineering Miss Petrak. Then slicing the air with her hand, she made her final proclamation. "Well, I simply will not be going anywhere until Lee is well enough to take care of himself. Until that day arrives, I will be staying right here; that's my final word on the matter."
"In that case," Zsofia warned, "we will have to cut you loose to fend for yourselves. Very soon, there will be a knock on the door in the middle of the night, and everything will be over for both of you. Do you wish to do nothing and wait for the inevitable?"
"Of course not," Amanda shot back.
Jozsef moved to intervene. "Maybe there is another way, yes?"
Amanda released a harsh breath. "Good, whatever it is, sign me up. There must be something I can do on Lee's behalf. At this point, I'll try anything."
"Mrs. King, do not be too hasty. What I have to offer will put you in greater jeopardy." Jozsef looked toward his sister and waited for her nod of consent. "There is a contact who might provide a vehicle to take Mr. Stetson to the border. I have already spoken to him, and he is willing to meet you."
Amanda felt her hopes soar. "When will he come?"
"Not here, Mrs. King. You must go to him." Jozsef's eyes searched her face. "If you are willing, I can arrange for you to travel to a northern town later today. Then you will have to take the ferry across the Danube River, where you can meet with the contact."
Amanda paced across the kitchen, wringing her hands together with renewed anxiety. Wishing she could match the steely control of the unmoving pair, she whirled around to face them. "I'm sorry we've jeopardized your safety. You've obviously gone to a great deal of trouble for us. I'm prepared to take whatever risk is necessary to get Mr. Stetson out of Hungary."
Zsofia looked Amanda over with a critical eye. "You do amaze me, Mrs. King. You possess surprising determination. We shall see how brave you are when there is no one to hold your hand."
Amanda's eyes narrowed and she addressed the austere pair with her unwavering decision. "What is it that you want me to do?"
SMK-SMK-SMK
Amanda tiptoed into the bedroom, hoping to grab some clothes without waking Lee. Thankfully, he was sound asleep, so she took the chance, and quickly changed from her sweat suit into a pair of gray slacks and a warm woolen sweater.
"Shoot." Amanda swore under her breath when she accidentally stubbed her toe on the dresser. Much to her regret, it was enough to wake up Lee.
"Hey, what's going on?" He tried to push himself into a sitting position, but gave up in disgust. "Hell." His head dropped onto the pillow.
"Take it easy, Lee. Everything's fine." She bit her lip, hoping he wouldn't notice the change of outfits. Casually threading her belt through the loops of her pants, she cringed under his watchful eyes.
He figured her out immediately. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I have to go out for awhile with Jozsef. We won't be gone too long."
Lee's hazel eyes darkened as he readied his argument. "What's Petrak got you doing?"
Mentally bracing for a battle, Amanda sat down next to her patient and took his hand. "Oh my gosh, your fever is spiking. Let me get you something to bring it down." In her haste to rise, she nearly fell when an irate Lee grabbed her arm.
He firmly secured her by his side and gave her his best "don't mess with me" look. "Amanda, I don't care about my fever. Just tell me what the hell you're planning. Where could you possibly be going late in the afternoon?"
"Amanda sighed with resignation. There would be no slipping passed Lee. "Please, don't argue with me. I have to meet a contact. Jozsef's taking me, and Zsofia is staying here with you. This could be your ride out of Hungary."
"What are you talking about?" Lee tried to sit up, but instantly met resistance when she held his shoulders to the bed. "Damn it, Amanda, I don't want you out on the street. It's too dangerous. You don't know the country or the language. I can't allow you to go. Where's Petrak? I want to discuss the plan with him."
Jozsef appeared in the doorway. "I'm here, my friend."
"Don't do this, Petrak," Lee yelled, his voice thick with anger. "Don't put Amanda in harm's way. She still has a good cover and is free to fly out of Hungary. If things are getting too dangerous, just put her on a plane tonight. If she gets caught at a meet, she'll be thrown into prison." As Lee tried to continue his tirade, his outburst was interrupted by a fit of coughing.
Jozsef tried to reason with him. "I'm sorry, my friend. We have no other options. You are the problem, Stetson. Your picture is at every border crossing and in every police station. If we get caught with you, we are all going to prison."
Lee raked trembling fingers through the tangled strands of his long hair. "Let's just end the whole damn business, right now. I want Mrs. King on a plane for home, and both Petraks in hiding. When I'm better, I'll find my own way to Austria."
Amanda jumped to her feet. She had run out of patience with her obstinate charge. "Oh, no you don't, Buster. There's just no way you can make me abandon you."
"Amanda King, listen to me." The bulging vein in Lee's neck turned an angry purple as he strained to make his point. "I know Billy Melrose, and I'm sure he didn't want you meeting with contacts and arranging my escape. Did he?"
"Well, not exactly." She was careful to look away from his penetrating gaze.
"No, just as I thought. Billy sent you here to nurse me back to health. You've done that, and now it's time to hit the bench. I want you to go home to your mother and sons. My eventual escape is up to me." Obviously spent by his rant, Lee's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
Amanda crossed her arms in protest. "Stetson, just look at yourself. You may have survived the crisis, but you're still light years away from recovery. I've been assigned to care for you, and that's what I plan to keep on doing, whether you like it or not."
"Amanda," he choked in a voice thick with emotion. "You're being insubordinate, and you know it."
"Well, great, you're free to report me when you get back to the Agency. You can even ask Billy to write me up on charges." Her body was rigid with indignation. Why couldn't he trust her judgment and let her make the decisions? "Lee, I'm going to do what I have to do, with or without your consent."
"A-man-da." His face was red with fury as he tried again to squash her plans. "I'm ordering you to stay in the apartment until you can arrange for a flight home."
As he struggled to sit up, she pushed against his chest, landing him flat on his back. He was no match for her rapid fire barrage of words. "I won't do it, so just forget it right now, mister. You're in no condition to argue with me. I'm going to meet the contact, and I'll fill you in on the details when I get back." Nodding toward the Hungarian, she gave the order. "Let's go now, Jozsef."
Grabbing her coat, she charged out of the room, retreating as fast as she could from the sound of Lee's desperate pleas.
To be continued.