Chapter 37

Joe sat in amazement as he watched Lee and the boys dice vegetables, beat the eggs, stir the butter in the pan and saute the garlic just before adding all the ingredients. The boys laughed with Lee, asked questions not only about the recipe but the chef who had taught Lee, and what it was like living in Capri, Italy. He was even impressed with Lee's knowledge of history when Lee asked Philip if he had studied for his test yet, tossing out questions left and right even Joe didn't know the answers to.

Carrie arrived amist a round of laughter when Jamie decided to demonstrate his juggling skills and ended up dropping an egg on Lee's foot, the yolk soaking into this sneaker. Lee took it all in stride, as he cleaned up the floor, kicked off his soiled sneakers, and informed Jamie he was on dish washing duty for the night all with a smile on his face.

Dotty joined the rest of the family, stealing a few pieces of chopped vegetables, commenting on all the wonderful smells she still had a hard time believing her grandsons helped create.

Dinner passed comfortably. Joe and Carrie talked about the last minute plans for their wedding, Amanda and Lee discussing a few ideas for their own wedding. When dessert was over, Amanda sent the boys to their room to get their backpacks ready for school the next day. Hearing their bedroom door close, she turned to Joe.

"Joe, I've been meaning to ask you… I know it's really going to be your weekend to take the boys but Lee and I were wondering if you didn't mind if we took them to Virginia Beach. There's a festival the weekend before our wedding and we thought they'd really enjoy seeing the sand sculptures and the art shows," she explained.

"Well, I was kind of hoping to have the boys that weekend but I think the festival sounds like a great weekend for them. Tell you what. Why don't Carrie and I take the boys the week you and Lee are on your honeymoon… you know, give your mom some time to herself that week," Joe suggested.

"Mother, how do you feel about that? Joe and Carrie taking the boys while Lee and I are on our honeymoon?" Amanda turned to ask Dotty who was sitting beside Lee, complimenting him again for dinner.

"What was that dear? Oh… I think that would be a wonderful idea. Speaking of honeymoons… have you told Joe where you're going yet?" Dotty asked.

Lee smiled as he said, "Amanda and I are heading to Newport, Rhode Island for a few days."

Carrie looked slightly confused, "Newport? Rhode Island? That doesn't sound like a popular honeymoon destination."

"No, not your typical destination but the mansions are beautiful in the fall. There's Bowen's Wharf and the seafood festival and if we're lucky we might even catch the end of the Jazz festival they have every year. If the weather cooperates, there's always the hike along the Cliff Walk. I'm hoping we can rent a sailboat for a day, take it out on Narragansett Bay," Lee rattled off.

Amanda smiled, excited to hear the ideas he had. Up to now, he hadn't said a word about what they would be doing.

"Sounds like you two are going to have a fun week," Joe said before turning to Carrie, "We should get going. Amanda, Lee, thank you for a wonderful dinner and for being so understanding about last night."

The adults stood and moved toward the door. Joe called up to the boys and when they came back down to say goodbye, he reminded them about the rehearsal dinner on Friday. After a round of hugs and goodbyes, Amanda slowly closed the front door announcing "Bedtime, fellas." Amanda and Lee did another once over around the house to check doors before heading up to bed.

Monday morning brought the typical frantic flurry to get the boys up and off to school on time. Amanda and Lee made the decision to head to the Agency so Dotty wouldn't ask questions about why they weren't working again that day They had just entered the Q Bureau when the phone on Lee's desk rang. Answering it with an eyebrow raised, he said "Stetson."

"Scarecrow, I need you and Amanda in my office, now," Billy's voice boomed into his ear.

"On our way," Lee said as he hung up the phone. Turning to Amanda he stated, "Billy wants us in his office now."

"Why, what's going on? Did Internal Affairs come up with something?" she asked nervously.

"I don't know. Let's go find out." Together they made their way to Billy's office where they could hear him yelling into the phone. As they opened his door, he slammed down the receiver muttering to himself. "Billy, what's going on?" Lee asked.

"Internal Affairs has called you all for a hearing at 2:00 this afternoon. I just sent Francine over to pick up Edwards from the hospital. You wouldn't believe what I had to do to convince the doctor to release him a day early. Practically sold my left kidney for that boy. He better be a damn good agent down the line for me to stick my neck out like that," Billy answered.

"A hearing, sir? Does that mean they found something?" Amanda asked. She couldn't hide the stress in her voice.

"A hearing is what they call a judgement. They've either completed their investigation or they have enough evidence to made a ruling against one or more of the agents involved. Meaning they could clear all of you or one of you which is why I need you all there," he explained. "We just don't know what they're going to do."

"Sir, what if…" Amanda began but stopped.

"What if what, Amanda?" Billy asked knowing how nervous she must be. Lee was already familiar with the process as he had been before the board on more than one occasion as a young agent.

Amanda took a deep breath before continuing, "What if they rule against some of us? What happens then?"

Lee stood and put his hand on Amanda's shoulder, "That depends on their ruling. If they think we're guilty, then that's it. There's no appeal process, like in a regular court of law. If Internal Affairs says we're guilty, then its sayonara, baby."

Just as Amanda began to speak, Billy's phone rang. "Melrose!" he barked. "What do you mean you lost him? Isn't it your job to keep an eye on him? Well go find where the hell he is! We can't afford a mess like this!" Slamming down the phone, Billy leaned forward on his hands on his desk. "Heads up, they just lost Poda."

Lee blew out tghe breath he was holding as he shook his head. Running his hand through his hair he replied, "So what does that mean for Schavesky? Do you think Poda's still going after him?"

"I hope not. Especially if you're still on suspension. Senator Michaels' party is in two days, we can't afford a screw up like this," Billy sat back in his chair, touching his fingertips together.

"Sir, if Poda is still after Dr. Schavesky and he's still going to Senator Michaels' party, shouldn't the Agency be there to protect him?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, Amanda, the Agency will be there but there are very few pictures of Poda available so it's not like the current agents will have a good visual. Both Lee and Francine have dealt with him before. It would be best if you all were there but DAMN," Billy slammed his hand off his desk as his voice got louder, "Internal Affairs has really put a wrench into things."