Chapter 10
Tues. July 2, 1987 Baron's Chalet Munich, Germany
Ah it felt good to be home, Baron Von Eiger thought as he sat in an oversized chair in
his library. He'd been home for about a week now and he didn't plan on leaving any time soon. He had written to Ahab Habib to inform Birol that he was now out of the game.
Getting back home through Canada was a piece of cake even though it was an adventure in itself. I should have started there weeks ago instead of listening to that idiot, Bob; he thought as he took a puff on his cigarette and took a sip of his gin. He started thinking about the hunters, who he had stumbled upon in the Canadian Forest. They had promised to get him out of the woods the next day, but their dogs kept hunting game and the hunters just couldn't pass up the food. He didn't mind too much for the hunters were companionable and good story tellers. In actuality the five extra days he had been with the Canadians seemed to have flown by.
He started thinking about the people in his social circle. They don't even know the real reason I went to prison for. Most people think it's because I embezzled money from the art society I'd been the treasurer of. I did embezzle from the fund, but they don't know that the real reason is for attempted murder. He continued to think; maybe I'll throw a party in a week or so to get back into the social scene. I'll let people know I went on a vacation to see the United States to celebrate getting out of prison.
"That sounds like a good plan; a party. I like it I'll throw a party," the Baron said out loud to himself.
Tues. July 2, 1987 Lee's Corvette
"I will easily get used to this Amanda; us waking up together every morning, and leaving for work together; from our home," Lee brightly said as he smiled at his wife.
"Not too much longer, Sweetheart," she replied with her own smile as she reached out and took his hand. "You never did explain how you got all the stuff to the house," she went on to add.
"Your mother, I asked her if she would be willing to get your stuff together and be at the house to let the delivery guys in."
"You asked my Mother to get stuff for us to spend the night together?"
"Amanda, I don't know how to tell you this, but she already knows that we're married."
Amanda said in her saucy tone which Lee hadn't heard in a few years, "Well of course, I know she knows that we're married, but I didn't know you knew that she knew we were married." Lee shook his head trying to follow his wife's ramble which brought back memories of the early years.
"How did you find out she knew?"
"She referred to you as my wife the day after our big fight. How did she find out?"
"I told her the same morning. She had heard our fight and was afraid I was rushing into marriage because she thinks you have a dri…" Amanda cut herself off.
"She thinks I'm an alcoholic," Lee finished flatly.
Amanda looked over at her husband with an empathetic look on her face.
Lee started laughing as he squeezed her hand, "I'm surprised she left the champagne for us last night. She gave me a list of all the Alcoholics Anonyms' in the DC and surrounding area.
"Oh Lee, I'm sorry! I told her you don't have a problem!"
"It's okay Amanda, your mother was so sweet and sincere; believe me it's nice to finally have a family which cares and wants to help!" he sincerely said as he gave her hand an extra squeeze.
She smiled at her husband and lovingly stated, "She'll see when we are all moved and settled."
"I'll call a contractor and get them started on her apartment. I'll get movers to come and pack up our places and get us in the house soon.
"I'll work on our invitations at lunch today. Have you sent your uncle one?"
"No, I don't even know where he is stationed at," He hated to admit this information.
"What?!" Lee, it's too late now to mail your uncle one even if you could figure it out." She was genuinely disappointed; but then continued brighter, "Why don't you give him a call. I know he would be delighted to hear from you!"
"I'll skip, besides the Colonel doesn't go to weddings. He wouldn't come anyways."
"Oh you don't know, the Colonel's not as bad as you make on," she replied with a chuckle.
It's easier to feel this way than to ask and get a no! He thought to himself.
"I'll see if I can get a hold of him," he told his wife and gave her a small smile.
"What are you going to wear for the wedding?" He asked to change the subject.
"I'll just wear the suit I wore the first time," she replied practically.
"Why don't you go to Magda's Boutique and pick out something?" He suggested.
"Oh no, I couldn't! For one thing I just couldn't face her and besides her stuff is expensive."
"I think it would be a good idea, Amanda. Give her a try, please!" he asked pleadingly.
Amanda looked at her husband to see a sincere look on his face, and complacently replied, "Okay, for you I'll go and check her out."
Tuesday July 2, 1987 The Agency,Q-Bureau
Lee had spent all morning calling his contacts to find out any news on the terrorist groups, who were taking ownership for the bombings here, in Munich, or for both. So far he was coming up with nothing. Usually these groups want to take credit for their terror, he thought dismally. He had also been able to sneak in a few personal calls too. One he called a contractor, who would come out this weekend to look at the garage's attic. Secondly, he called the movers, who would be at the Maplewood house Saturday morning to move.
While Lee had been busy with phone calls, Amanda had been poring over the two bombings entail. She knew that Lee wasn't totally in agreement, but it looked like it had Karbala written all over it. She decided to go down to the bullpen to use their computers to see if she could find more details.
Since Amanda was out of the office, Lee called some places relating to their public wedding; which consisted of a photographer, a travel agent, and Magda's Boutique. He was feeling very pleased with his productivity.
Amanda, who was down in the bullpen, was getting frustrated with her research; which wasn't really mounting to anything concrete, when Duffy approached her and called her name. She looked up from the computer and greeted him with her trademark smile, "Hi Duffy," she said cheerfully.
"Hi Amanda, I was able to get a hold of the prison in East Germany and Addi Birol is still in the maximum security part of the prison."
Before hearing those words, Amanda didn't realize what a relief they would be. "Thanks Duffy. I appreciate you getting this information quickly," she replied.
"No problem," he said as he moved through the bullpen to his desk.
Amanda packed up her files and made her way back to the Q-Bureau where she would see if Lee wanted to go to lunch.
Wed. July 3, 1987 The Agency, Billy's Office
"What have you found out about the bombings?" Billy asked his two agents.
"The two bombings are definitely related, sir."
"No terrorist group is taking responsibility for them. None of our contacts have heard anything; not even a whisper," Lee said in frustration.
"I guess we'll have to set this aside for now, but keep your ears open to any entail out there."
"I've told our contacts to inform us immediately if they hear anything."
"Good! I've heard from Francine and she is in Houghton. There still is no sign of Von Eiger. Maybe he didn't go to Michigan after all. She said Copper Harbor was the end of the line, which she felt they should be able to finish the search by the end of the week. I told her and McMillan to take tomorrow off. Which reminds me; you two finish up any loose ends you have and get out of here until Friday morning."
Lee broke into a huge smile and replied excitedly, "Thanks Billy!" He turned and took Amanda by the hand and ushered her out of Billy's office before he changed his mind.
Thurs. July 4, 1987 Rockville House, MD
"This was a wonderful idea to have a cookout here this afternoon. It's so lovely and just think we'll be living here permanently before we know it," Bubbled Dotty to her family as she surveyed the back yard.
Lee and Amanda just shared a smile that brought sparkles to their eyes. The boys made faces at the affection Lee and their mother were showing each other, but inside they were very happy that he was going to join their family at the end of the month. "Yuck, come on Jamie let's go pitch some ball if they are going to be all mushy," Philip said in mock disgust while flashing a smile at the couple. Jamie moved from the table to the backyard with his brother.
Dotty came back to the table and sat down. "This patio with the built in grill and fire pit is just captivating; but this back yard that goes into the woods is to die for! Do you two mind if I make flower beds?"
Lee smiled and lovingly said, "Plant all you want Dotty; this is your home too. The contractor will be out Monday to look at the attic and to tell us when he can start."
Dotty smiled and said excitedly, "Oh, this really is too good to be true,"
"The movers will come to the Maplewood house Saturday morning at eight. I would like to come with the first load to show where things go and to start unpacking. Would you stay in Arlington Mother for when the movers return?"
"No problem dear. When will you move your things Lee?"
"This weekend the movers will move my large things which aren't much. After this weekend you guys will be all moved in," he excitedly stated while showing a huge smile which exposed the dimples in both cheeks.
"Amanda did you ever make it over to Magda's?"
She let out a sigh, "No I haven't, things have just been too busy. I'll do it next week."
"You should take Dotty with you. She might find something she likes too," Lee winked at his "bride" and gave a conspiratorial smile to his mother in law.
"Sounds like a good idea. I do want a new dress for the wedding."
"Hey, Lee, can you show me that pitch again; you know the one you showed me last week," Philip hollered from across the lawn.
"Sure thing chief," Lee called back. Rising from the table he smiled at his women and said, "I've got father duties to take care of!" which caused Amanda and Dotty to laugh in delight.
After an afternoon of playing catch with the boys, but mainly with Philip and working with Jamie on his photography; Lee was dozing on the floor in front of a small TV he had brought over. Philip and Jamie came into the room to see the news on, so they went to switch the channel. Without Philip or Jamie knowing Lee was awake, he stated, "Don't change that I'm listening to the news."
Both boys jumped and Philip said hotly, "Man Lee, you scared me half to death. You were sleeping anyways."
"Dozing. Big difference," Lee explained matter of factly as he sat up and stifled a yawn.
As they were having this exchange the news gave an update on the bombing in DC and Munich which didn't reveal anything else new about the events.
"Lee we've seen the Glockenspiel," an excited Jamie said as Amanda and Dotty brought in some lawn chairs to sit in.
"Yeah, I remember that trip. You guys were a lot smaller then," Lee said through a yawn.
Philip gave a curious look to Jamie that said what he is talking about while Amanda gave a panicked look to her mother.
"Um Lee, What do you mean you remember the trip? We didn't know you then," Jamie asked with curiosity.
"Oh I meant, I remembered your mom telling me about winning a trip to Munich," Lee stammered. Jamie gave Philip a knowing look of we can add this information to the growing pile of evidence to support Lee being a spy.
Dotty motioned for Amanda to follow her to the kitchen. On their way out of the room she asked, "Would anyone like something cold to drink?"
"If there is any more tea in the thermos I'll take some please," Lee called.
"I'll have a soda!"
"I'll have one too!"
"Now fellas I think you have had plenty for today," Amanda admonished in her famous mom voice.
"Aww, mom it's a holiday," both Philip and Jamie whined.
Lee taking the boys' side asked, "It is a holiday. It wouldn't hurt for just this day would it Amanda?" he finished with his trademark wink.
She gave her husband a smirk and added as she turned toward the kitchen, "I guess it won't hurt for this day."
Once she made it into the kitchen her mother approached and whispered, "Was Lee the business associate you ran into while we were in Munich?"
Amanda rolled her eyes as she admitted, "Yes!"
"Did the Agency tract you down to get your help?" Dotty asked in awe.
"Not exactly," Amanda replied as she started to get two sodas out of the cooler.
"What do you mean not exactly? Surely you can tell me some of it Amanda!" An incredulous Dotty huffed.
Amanda sighed and replied in a conspiratorial whisper, "They didn't have to track me down because they arranged for the trip."
"Why? Do you mean you didn't win that trip?"
"No, I didn't win; the Agency had it all arranged because they wanted us to just be tourists."
"You mean the Government paid for our whole family to go to Munich because they wanted you to look like a tourist?" Dotty said in disbelief.
"Yes, a woman with two kids and her own mother along definitely looks like a tourists."
"You knew all along?"
"Oh no, I thought that I had really won until Lee told me differently while he was briefing me on what the Agency needed me to do."
"Lee, I thought Mr. Melrose was in charge?"
"He is, but Lee until I went full time had mostly been my contact with jobs."
"Did you help?" Dotty asked with a smile.
"Yes we completed the mission."
"If that was a fake trip then, I don't suppose you meeting a Baron was real either?"
"Oh no, he was real all right. Actually he was the criminal. He is also the one who kidnapped us," Amanda quickly told her mother.
Dotty stood and looked at her daughter as this news sunk in. Dotty asked in a little lower of a voice, "Do you think he has anything to do with these bombings? I mean after all he is from Munich and he has been in the DC area," she shrugged her shoulders and went to pour three glasses of tea.
Amanda stood to ponder this a moment and then muttered, "It might be worth looking into." She took up the two sodas and followed her mom back to the family room.
Fri. July 5, 1987 The Agency, Q-Bureau
While Lee was away testifying at a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill, Amanda had pulled all the files and entail on the two bombings again. She had contacted the prison, which Von Eiger had served at, and the prison, that Birol was currently locked away in, to obtain the list of all prisoners since 1984. She had been told that it might take up to a week to receive the lists. She let out a long sigh as she stood up and walked over to the window to look out.
As she was taking in the street below, she didn't hear Lee enter the office. He saw the top of her desk and stopped to look at what his wife was doing. He saw the note about Von Eiger, Birol, and their prisons. He asked rather sharply, "Amanda what is this?"
A startled Amanda turned and snapped back, "I hate it when you do that!"
He looked up at his wife and offered an apologetic smile, while he replied, "Sorry," and then in a softer tone asked, "What is this? I thought Billy said to put it away for now? Did you hear something while I was gone?"
It was now Amanda's turn to smile at Lee's rapid fire questions as she answered her husband, "No we didn't get any new information, but Mother gave me an idea last night," she finished excitedly as she crossed the room.
"Your Mother!?" Lee asked in a perplexed voice.
"Yeah, remember when you slipped up about the Munich trip?"
"Hey, I thought that I covered that well," He said defensively.
"If you keep slipping up then we might as well tell the boys what we do for a living," She admonished.
"Okay, Okay, what idea did your mother give you," He hurriedly asked to change the subject.
"When she found out the trip was rigged she asked if there had ever really been a Baron or was he made up too. I told her he was real and that actually he was the one who had kidnapped us. She asked if he could be connected to the bombings since he was from Munich and had been in DC. I figured it wouldn't hurt to look." She stopped when she saw the look of disbelief cross her husband's face, so she quickly continued as she put her arms around his neck, "Listen Lee, I know that we don't agree, but there is something about this that makes me think Karbala. Plus, somewhere in that drug induced fog during the kidnapping I vaguely remember questions and comments about Birol, Karbala, and the Habib brothers." She could see this part of her admission was causing her husband to soften.
"What are you thinking?" Lee asked as he looked intently into his wife's eyes.
"I'm just asking you to let me look at the prisoners list from the two prisons to see if there could be a connection which links Von Eiger to Birol. If it turns up nothing I'll put it away until something new comes along."
"How long will it take?"
"It'll be about a week for me to receive the prison lists and then a day or two to compare them," Amanda said hopefully.
"Okay I'll agree to that, but in the meantime you'll have to work on current business."
Amanda kissed her husband on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you!"
He couldn't resist so he tightened his grip and pulled her closer as he thought, I'd figure out a way to give her the moon if she ever asked for it.