Getting Caught

Chapter 10

Lee and Amanda were alone in Rutherford's library.

And she wanted to help him find the coded numbers.

He wanted to push aside her request, but in actuality, he could use her help. There were a lot of places in this room that the millionaire could have hidden the notebook and he only had minutes before Rutherford returned.

"Okay, here's how you could help, Amanda. I'm looking for more of those torn sheets of paper with the coded numbers written on them. The pages should be all bounded up together on one small notepad."

She tilted her head, "So if we find it, is this for a good cause? Is it important for national security?"

As usual, she wanted more information than necessary and he was rushed for time.

But since he already learned his lesson about lying to Amanda, he decided to tell her the important parts of the mission.

"It is for a good cause, Amanda," he stated as he searched another drawer while still explaining, "In the world of shipping, smuggling drugs is rampant because of the ease of transporting them across ocean waters. For years Rutherford has been suspected of smuggling drugs in and out of the country via container ships to various locations on the first of every month, but we could never catch him because he transports his goods to so many international city ports."

"But you already have one of his coded sheets," Amanda pointed out, "isn't that enough evidence if you want to bring up charges against him?"

"That was an old sheet that one of our agents had recovered well after shipment had gone out ," Lee explained, as he checked another drawer, "and it's not enough evidence to bring to a DA because it wasn't in Rutherford's hands when we had taken possession of it. No, the best way to bring Rutherford up on charges is to catch the crew on his container ship smuggling the drugs red-handed, and that's why we need to find that coded notebook!"

Her response was immediate, "How can I help?"

Lee paused to reconsider. If Hunter caught them in the act of rummaging through his tings, the mission could become dangerous for her. But he didn't want to ponder the consequences too long; he desperately needed to find that notepad!

"You could help by checking the bookshelves to see if the coded numbers could be hidden inside or in between the books," he suggested, "The coded numbers would be written on a small notepad, the size of that torn sheet you had originally spotted."

Amanda listened carefully to everything Lee told her.

"Got it," she obediently stated as she quickly turned around to look through the books.

At first she began feeling the empty spaces between the books, and then figured that Rutherford would want to keep all the information together. She then proceeded to skim the titles of the books located at eye level, figuring that if Mr. Rutherford hid the coded papers inside a book, it would have to be in a book within easy reach.

Luckily, Hunter Rutherford was a very organized individual, with every book seemingly in its proper place.

She began by searching on the far side, where there were books with the writings of the great philosophers throughout history, from ancient Greeks to the modern era. After that section came books about politics, then atlases, history and biographies. She then had arrived back to Mr. Rutherford's fictional and nonfictional books. She re-checked the book titles again.

"That's weird," she stated. breaking the silence of the room.

Lee had been checking the cushions underneath the brown tufted sofa. He stopped and looked over at her, "What's that?"

'This book here has been misplaced; it doesn't belong here at all."

She took the book from the shelf and studied the cover.

The book titled The Art of Mixology that had been shelved between a political and history book.

Perhaps, Amanda internally reasoned, Hunter Rutherford had hidden the coded numbers sheets in here, knowing no one would ever be interested in opening this book, due to its nonentity subject matter.

When she flipped the book open, excitement thrummed through her at her discovery and made her gasp in delighted surprise.

"Leeeee!"

He had just finished checking under the sofa and turned her way, "What?!"

"Come look! I think I may have something here!" she waved him towards her.

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Meanwhile, the party at Hunter Rutherford's backyard patio continued on.

Earlier, Francine had noted when Rutherford had taken Lee and Amanda inside the mission. Immediately after they disappeared, she snuck into the kitchen, intent on getting a huge quantity of popcorn to explode in the microwave.

Although it wouldn't look suspicious for her to be going in and out of the kitchen, she hoped none of the kitchen staff had spotted her anywhere near the microwave. She then set the timer to give herself enough time to escape. The assumption would be that the popcorn would sound like gunshots being fired somewhere in the kitchen. Though not the greatest of ideas, it would make a great delaying tactic. With her plan initiated, she rejoined the party outside.

She had been inconspicuously serving a tray of appetizers to a foursome, when she glanced up and noted Rutherford and his men rushing urgently into the kitchen.

She hoped she gave Lee enough time.

It didn't take long for some of Rutherford's men to rushed out of the kitchen again and reappear out on the patio. They began scanning the party crowd, as if they were searching for someone in particular.

Not a good sign, Francine internally thought, her heart now beating at a faster rate as she walked over to the next group of guests, hoping to be as inconspicuous as possible.

After serving them, she was about to head over to the next party when the man with the salt-and-pepper hair stopped her.

"You," he identified her.

Francine could feel sweat soaking through her blouse, but she pretended to look more bothered than alarmed.

"Yes? What is it you want?" she nonchalantly asked, her heart now pounding so loud she could barely hear herself speaking.

"I want a word with you," his eyes held no emotions as he jerked his head towards the mansion, "we'll talk in the den."

"Hey, I'm on the clock here!" Francine complained, "Can't you just tell me what you want and then go?"

He shook his head, "No."

Francine faked frustration, "What is so important that I have to leave my post?"

He ignored her question as his voice became threatening.

"Enough of this. Come with me NOW. You don't have a choice."

Nope, not a good sign at all, she miserably thought.

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Back inside the library, Lee eagerly stopped his own search and went over to Amanda.

"Lee, look at this!" she stated excitedly.

She passed the opened mixology book to Lee and he peered inside.

The pages of the book had been glued all together and then they were cut to form a perfect rectangular hole; like a secret compartment.

"It's empty!" Lee announced, his tone filled with annoyance at the unexpected letdown.

"Yes, but this book definitely held something secret for Mr. Rutherford!" countered Amanda excitedly, "And what could be more secret than the coded numbers notepad!"

"If the coded numbers were in here, it's not there any longer!" Lee snapped, as he slammed the book in frustration.

"Well, excuse me!" Amanda testily stated.

"Damn!" Lee frustratingly murmured to himself, "If the coded notebook isn't in here, where is it?"

"Maybe it was in here, until just recently," Amanda reasoned, "There would be no reason why Mr. Rutherford would take the notepad out of this book in the middle of a party, so you know what I was thinking? Maybe someone else stole it during the party!"

"Well, it wasn't us!" snapped Lee, wondering how to proceed next.

Suddenly his ears perked up, "Wait! What's that sound?"

"What's sound?"

They listened intently and sure enough, they heard footsteps approaching.

"Lee! You need to put the book back!" Amanda alarmingly exclaimed.

They heard some muffled talking outside the door.

Lee turned around and quickly jammed the book back in the opened space. He then realized it was too late for him to move back across the room, but it would look suspicious with him standing next to Amanda.

So he decided to do what he does best.

Without warning, his arm slid around Amanda's waist and he pulled her towards him.

He heard her gasp.

"What-"

"Kiss me!" he urged in a whispery, husky tone.

His face so close now she could smell his musk scent.

Amanda eyes went wide with trepidation while her heart beat pounded at a staccato rhythm.

"What? NoooOOO! I will NOT-"

But Lee had switched into action mode as he quickly covered his lips over hers, stifling her protest.

His mouth sealed onto hers and instantly warmth spread to the lower part of his body. While his body felt desire, his mind felt pleasure when he realized Amanda had stopped struggling and her body went limp as she instinctively parted her lips.

Now encouraged, Lee dipped his tongue inside her mouth and deepened the kiss as if he wanted to devour her.

Passions stirred inside of Amanda and she felt heady as the kiss lengthened. Her body was trembling with an indescribable craving as her hands instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck while her body yield into his. He was kissing her long and hard, and she could barely take a breath as yearnings emitted throughout her entire body.

Distracted, they were unaware of the sound of the door opening...

As the kiss deepened, a maelstrom of emotions whirled inside both of them. Lee knew the instant her ardor matched his and his desire grew. He felt as if-

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?"

Upon hearing Rutherford's loud outcry, Lee abruptly dragged his lips off Amanda's. Quickly separating from her, he had forgotten that he was playing a role as his head was still spinning while heat burned erratically in his chest.

Next to him, Amanda was awkwardly adjusting her hair. She was having trouble catching her breath as her heartbeat continued to race while her lips quivered with unspent desire.

Meanwhile Hunter Rutherford stood before them with a heavy scowl on his face.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY HOSPITALITY!" he berated them both.

"Oh! Mr. Rutherford!" Amanda felt her cheeks burning hot, "I was just, uh...showing Mr. Silverman one of your books on antiques...and... and when I was putting the book back on the shelf, you surprised us with your sudden entrance!"

"Mrs King," Rutherford snarled through gritted teeth, purposely calling her by her formal name, "That's not ALL you did with your wanton behavior!"

"Hey, now, whoa, whoa...slow down there, Mr. Rutherford!" Lee interjected, "There's no need to get so riled up at Mrs. King! It's not as if we were doing anything nefarious in here...like stealing, for instance! It happened just as Mrs. King had described. She was showing me one of your books, and I was standing so close to her that I thought, why not? I made my move...and she accepted it! Sure, we may have gotten a little carried away, but...you know how it is when we men are around a pretty woman! You yourself have many beauties out there that I'm sure you've found quite challenging, and between you and me, what could be more challenging than going after a straight-laced librarian? "

Hunter continued to stand there, contemplating, a serious look on his face.

Amanda's cheeks were red as she tried to forget how she melted in Lee's arms and yet wanting to get out of this awkward situation.

"Believe me, Mr. Rutherford," she fumbled about, "it was a foolish thing to do...but it won't happen again!"

"It won't happen again?" Lee sounded incredulous as he spoke to Rutherford, "The little lady likes to break hearts, doesn't she? But I have a feeling she'll be wanting to talk 'antiques' with me again soon enough, if you get my drift!" and then he followed up his words with a wink Amanda's way.

Amanda began fuming. First she was a straight laced librarian and now he was implying that she's...a floozy!

No longer play acting, she scowled at Lee with thinned lips, eyes flashing.

She was tempted to reach out to slap Lee when she heard some chuckling coming from Rutherford and turned his way.

Hunter was shaking his head in amusement, with admiration in his tone as he told Lee, "Mr. Silverstone, you are quite the charmer, aren't you? If only I were 15 years younger and had your looks!"

"Well, for me, it's all in a day's work!" Lee smugly exclaimed, bonding with the millionaire, "Anyway, getting back to business, which is why we are here after all, Mr. Rutherford, I think I've seen enough here, and again, let me reiterate that your collection is quite impressive! I'll be able to give you my quote in the next two days!"

"That'll be perfectly fine," Hunter stated, his tone once more very businesslike.

Amanda stared in shock at the two men. How they switched from one topic to the next without a second thought simply astounded her. She'll never understand men!

What she didn't realize was that Lee's own heartbeat had just returned to normal over the kiss.

He acted as if nothing was wrong as he crooked his arm to her, "Then I say, it's time we go out and enjoy some more of Mr. Rutherford's wonderful party; wouldn't you say so, Amanda?"

Amanda's lips were still pursed in frustration, but she had to admit, Lee had managed to get them out of a tough situation. As she peered over at Lee, she could feel Rutherford's eyes boring into her.

She took Lee's arm, trying to forget the sensations he had earlier caused in her with that mind blowing kiss.

"I think I am quite done with your all of your antiques, Mr. Silverstone!" she stated, her head held high, "and yes, I'd like to leave!"

From the side of her, she heard Rutherford amused chuckling again.

As Lee led her out, he felt Amanda's hand trembling on his arm. He didn't know if it was from the close call or from the kiss itself. He laid his other hand over hers. She initially stiffened, but when he squeezed her hand to let her know she had done a good job, he felt her entire body relaxed. He was further relieved when she looked up to give him a trembling smile back.

They were near the exit door when Rutherford called out her name.

"Oh, Mrs. King..."

Upon hearing Rutherford's callback, Amanda's legs almost gave way, they felt so rubbery. If Lee hadn't been holding onto her, she would have collapsed. Momentarily shutting her eyes to gather up her courage again, she opened them and then turned around slowly.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Rutherford?"

"My bartender has just arrived and his mango smoothies are now available at the patio bar," he nonchalantly stated, "it's a specialty of his. I'd highly recommend one for you."

Amanda took a deep breath in to gather up her newfound fortitude.

"Of course, Sir, thank you," she acknowledged, as she and Lee re-joined the party again.

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