San Angelo With A Twist

Chapter 21

As the work day was coming to an end and Francine still hadn't said anything about what she witnessed in the parking lot earlier, they decided to grab the bull by the horns and confront her.

The opportunity arose when Billy came out of his office and stated, "I have to go see Internal Affairs and then I'm heading home. Have a good evening everyone."

The three members of his team nodded and murmured their good nights to him. Seeing the elevator doors close behind Billy, Francine got her purse and rose from her desk remarking, "Time flies when you're having fun. I'll see you both in the morning-"

She turned to leave but Lee was quick to grab her elbow and stated,"Uh-uh. First, Amanda and I need to talk to you."

They steered her towards Billy's office and sat her down and Lee locked the door.

He then started with, "Okay. We know what you saw. So, what do you want in exchange for keeping quiet?"

Francine put up both her hands and replied, "Hey! I'm not saying a word. Whatever happened between the two of you last night is your business-"

Amanda sighed and looked at Lee and then stated, "All that happened was that we were watching a movie with the boys and it ran a little late so I let Lee stay in my den and he showered in my room so Mother wouldn't be put out. Okay?"

Francine shook her head and answered, "And of course Lee left the watch laying around so your family found it-"

Amanda shook her head. "No, Mother found it-"

Francine chuckled and stated, "Ah, hence the phone call you had with your mother before leaving for lunch. I get it now-"

Lee growled, "Okay, so you got it. Are you going to do your gossip ritual and make people here get the wrong idea?"

Francine sighed and commented, " I already told you that I wouldn't."

Looking at Amanda she remarked, "I don't have kids obviously, but don't you think you're sending the wrong message to your boys?"

Lee groaned, "What message? Amanda's a great mother-"

Francine responded, " Maybe so. However, her mother knows you and the kids know you now. Don't you think that her mother will start to think that the two of you don't want this divorce after all if you continue on this path? And don't look at me that way, Scarecrow. You know I'm right-"

Lee had been shaking his head and rolled his eyes at Francine while Amanda had sat there shocked by Francine's words.

Getting up finally Amanda remarked, "I'd better go. Thank you, Francine. You've given us a lot to think about. Goodnight."

She headed out the door and made her way to the elevator while back at Billy's office Lee yelled at Francine. "What the hell is wrong with you? Now you have her feeling insecure about how she's handling this with her kids! Stay outta this from now on, huh? You don't know anything-"

Francine bit back. "And you don't know enough! Right now, I'll bet her mom's got a chapel picked out with a nice reception at her house. What about your black books, Lee? Have you already gotten rid of them, or is Amanda another one in there? Tell me, have you cancelled any of your upcoming dates yet? You'd better think of something soon because I have a feeling that Amanda's not the kind of woman to tag along on a date with the infamous Lee Stetson-"

Lee swallowed hard and sucked in a breath and let it out slowly stating to her, "You and I are done talking about this. You know what? You were right the first time. It's none of your business-"

He went to the door and Francine quickly grabbed his arm to stop him and stated gently, "Hey. I'm sorry, okay? I don't want to see either of you lose your friendship over this but I already see something there between you and I'm sure I'm not the only one here."

She went to get her purse and went back to the door and looking at him remarked, "If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't have brought it up. At least Amanda's smart enough to pick up on it. Goodnight."

As she left, Lee sank down on the couch and shook his head. What the hell was happening, he thought as he went over the talk they just had. Was she right? He kept telling himself that they were just friends and it was just an innocent evening. But would Dotty tell the boys anything about last night? Would they get the wrong idea?

He got up finally and left the office and went to his car. Maybe he didn't know how to handle this after all. He pulled out and headed home more confused than ever.

TBC