Chapter 29 – Amanda's Forgotten Family

Billy hung up the phone from talking to the President with a grim look on his face. Lee and Amanda had rushed back to the agency to let him know what they had figured out and he had immediately reacted. They watched him as he talked to the President and could tell the conversation was not going well especially when Billy reached into his desk drawer and pulled out the familiar container; opened it and popped several of its contents into his mouth. After he hung up the phone, he sat looking into space for a few minutes until Amanda had to clear her throat. He then found himself focusing on her. Finally he spoke "I have spent many years with this agency and have enjoyed most of my time here. I don't think I have ever felt as helpless as I do right now."

"Sir? He wouldn't agree not to attend the parade would he?" Amanda asked.

"No, he is quite stubborn. He said that he couldn't disappoint all the people who enjoy his presence in this parade and that he is sure that we can protect him. I wish I was as confident as he is about that."

"Aww, come on Billy. We have some really good men and you know it. Why don't we see if he will allow Francine to ride in the car with him? The parade always has people who just walk along so we can dress up some agents to be everyday people and have them walking all around his car and keeping an eye out." Lee suggested.

Billy nodded as he listened. "Will that be enough though? Besides, I'm worried that if we put too many agents on the scene that Eduardo might realize what is going on and fulfil his promise of going someplace else and hurting a lot of people to punish us. We have to be so careful to make this look like we haven't filled this parade full of agents."

"I know, I thought of that too. I agree, we have to be careful." Lee admitted.

"When do you think they intend to try to take him?" Billy asked.

"Well I've been thinking about that and I think they will let the parade nearly complete itself and then jump the President so they can easily move the trucks through the city and escape. The streets will be cleared of traffic still from the parade but it will be easier to move quickly out of the area if they are at the end of the route."

Amanda had been pretty quiet since they came back to the Billy's office. Billy sat down beside her on the couch in his office and took her hand and pulled it into his lap. "Mrs. King" He said gently. "You know I appreciate all you have done for the agency and you certainly have already shown that you have a lot of courage and loyalty but if you want to back out of this and stay safe with your family, you know that I won't think anything less of you."

"Oh My Gosh!" Amanda said as she looked at Billy.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"My Family always goes to this parade. They are going to be there tomorrow. Are they going to be safe Mr. Melrose? How do I convince them that they can't go this year?"

"Amanda, you didn't tell me that." Lee said. "How are you going to explain why you aren't there with them?"

"Oh I intended to tell them that I was too busy with my pet service and that I would have to meet them later on after the parade."

"You don't think they will recognize you?" Billy asked.

"Oh no Sir. They aren't expecting me in this parade so I'm pretty sure they won't recognize me. The clown outfits that Lee and I picked should hide my identity so they don't know it is me." Amanda said. "Sir, I want to continue. We have come this far and well you need my help. Lee doesn't have time to teach someone else our clown routine and I know he will protect me the best he can. Please let me help." She pleaded.

Billy breathed a sigh of relief because he knew that Amanda would keep Lee under control and he was bound to be a little erratic considering how high the stakes were now. Even Lee had no objections.

"Okay you two. Go home and get some sleep. You are going to need it. We are all going to need it." Billy said. They all said their Good nights and then Lee guided Amanda out to the parking lot and made sure she got safely to her car. "Okay Amanda, the parade starts at 10 am so I'll meet you here in the morning at 8am so we can go over together, okay?"

"Sounds okay." Amanda agreed. She then got into her car and headed home. She had to face her mother who she knew was going to be upset that Amanda wouldn't be going to see the parade with them. Some day she hoped she could tell her Mother the truth since she really did hate lying to her. However, this was one time that it was probably better that her Mother didn't know what might be happening around them. All Amanda could do was to pray that her family would be safe and that Lee could save the President before it was too late.

TBC