Chapter 10 - We Have an Offer

Dirk was waiting in Billy's office when they arrived. "So Scarecrow, I see that you have had fun at the agency's expense once again."

"I don't know what you mean Dirk."

"Don't you? You not only disobeyed a direct order, but you lost one of the most important Leaders of espionage by just handing him over to his freedom. Then just when we are ready to throw the book at you, you manage to come up with a huge smuggling operation and single handily captured all those responsible."

"Well actually, that woman that you all wanted to let die had a very important part of helping me capture that smuggling ring. Amanda King actually amazed even me in her handling of this whole situation of being mistaken for Scarecrow. I mean it helped that my reputation gave her some added security but she played the part very well and she played a very important role in capturing them."

"Why Lee, I almost think you are complimenting Mrs. King." Billy said with a wink.

"Awww, come on Billy. I can't help it. She really did a good job with this one. The agency was ready to let her die but she proved that she is valuable. I'm upset that they don't see it that way."

"Well Scarecrow, the agency does not take kindly to being disobeyed. Not only did you disobey them but you enlisted Mrs. King's help too."

"Yes, that's right, I made Amanda help me so you keep her out of this." Lee demanded as he realized that Dirk could bring her up on charges too.

"Oh no, I wouldn't think of keeping her out of this. See, I have talked to the Intelligence Oversight Committee. They still want to go ahead with the treason charges BUT it seems that you have a friend in high places. The President himself has gotten involved in this whole affair and he has made it known that he wants to give you a chance to fix things. So Stetson starting tomorrow, you will have exactly 2 weeks to locate Rostov and bring him back in. However, you may not use any other agent to help you. You will have your full clearance at the agency so you can continue to use other resources here but the only person that the committee is allowing to help you is Amanda King. So let's see if you are still singing her praises in 2 weeks when she can't help you nail Rostov."

"Come on Dirk, that isn't fair. The original sting took weeks to set him up and then a lot of man power. You expect that just Amanda and I can bring him back in? How do we even know he is still in the country?"

"We don't. That will be your job to figure out. I'm sorry Stetson but as the old saying goes, you made your bed, now you can lie in it. Good luck" Dirk smugly said as he left Billy's office.

"Can you believe that jerk?" Lee asked Billy.

"Lee, he is actually doing you a huge favor. Now I already had agents at all the airports and we know that Rostov has not left the country unless he drove away from the DC area to do it. There is a good chance that he intended to slip out with Zinoviev's group. Now that they have been captured, he might decide to stay here and wait things out for a bit. You are a good agent Lee. If anyone can capture him again, it is you. My hands are tied with giving you actual people but you know I'll give you any other help I can. You said yourself that Amanda did a good job and she's good with the computer. Let her help you. She needs to help you after what you did for her."

"I know. You are right Billy. If we get him though, I want you to help me to encourage Amanda to get out of the agency. This one was too close. She almost left those 2 boys without a mother. It is bad enough that their father is never around, children shouldn't grow up without their mothers." Billy nodded his head realizing that Lee was talking from a personal stand point. This was not a time to open up that wound.

There was a knock on the door and Billy yelled "come in". Francine walked into the office with a grin on her face as she rushed and hugged Lee.

"I'm so glad you are okay. Can I do anything? Are they bringing you up on charges still?"

"It will be okay Francine. I do have a favor to ask though."

"Anything Lee. You just name it."

"I need you to help with the interrogation of Jamison. I think he will be the easier one to deal with. I want to try to find out what he knows about Rostov's current whereabouts."

"Oh, we already got some of that out of him. It appears that when they rescued him, they put him up in a safe house over on the west side of town."

"Wow, great job Francine. How did they find out that?"

"Well a little truth serum and it didn't take much for him to begin bragging. Do you remember how easy it was for Rostov to gain access to Green Briar College? Well there was a reason for that. It appears that Rostov hasn't just been in this country hanging out. He actually has a Masters in Teaching and is a renowned Professor in this country. Everyone knows him within the college/university community but they know him as Professor Sprite. He teaches mostly technical classes like computers, chemistry and physics. It has allowed him to stay in the circles he needed to be in to get clearance to do much of the work he has done since no one thought of him as a spy."

Lee let out a low whistle. "Wow, he sure had us fooled. No wonder he kept giving us the slip over the years. Is he still at the house on the West Side?"

"No, we had our agents go out quietly to check. His friends weren't very talkative but they did say that he had found somewhere else to live but they didn't know where. He's still here Lee. He thinks he beat us all and he's going to continue his operations here." Francine said.

"Well that's good news. Now I just have to figure out how to find him."

"I'll help you." Francine said.

"No, sorry Francine. Dirk was very clear that there would be no agents involved in helping Lee. No, Lee will have to enlist Amanda's help on this one." Billy stated.

Francine let out a sigh. "You know where we are if we can do anything behind the scenes." She gave him another quick hug and a peck on the cheek and rushed off before he could see how upset she was. She loved teasing him but deep down, he meant the world to her and she really hoped he was able to bring Rostov in so he could continue to work for the agency. It wouldn't be the same without him there.

Lee watched her go and said "She's a good woman deep down."

Billy said "Yeah, I know."

"Well I'm going to get out of here. I have a few phone calls to make and I need to start planning this operation." Lee said.

"Are you calling Amanda?" Billy asked.

"Not right now, she has Jamie's birthday party and I want her to be able to enjoy that without worrying about me right now."

"Good plan" Billy said. "Let me know if I can do anything to help. You know I will do my best."

"I know Billy. You are a good friend. Thanks." Lee said as he left Billy's office.

Two weeks wasn't very long to find and capture Rostov. He also didn't like having to ask Amanda to help. He was really determined this would be the last time though. If he didn't need her help this time, he would have had the talk with her now but he would wait until after Rostov was back in custody.

Lee punched the elevator button and stood deep in thoughts. He would miss working with Amanda but it really was for the best. Now if only he could convince her of that.

TBC