Chapter 38 – A Favor

Lee watched as Billy and Amanda drove away and then he swiped his hand through his hair as he once again surveyed the damage to the car that Leatheneck had lent to him. It didn't look that bad, did it? The driver's side was all smashed in from where Fedorov's car had plowed into it. The front bumper had been torn off while they played bumper cars down the road. Lee wasn't sure if there was any part of the car that didn't show dents on it and that final crash had even forced the driver's door to crunch which popped off part of the roof. Even the front of the car was smashed in and the trunk cover was crunched so that it was hard to tell if you would be able to get it open without some sort of tool. OH man, Leatherneck was really going to kill him. Well he would just have to get over it because the car had been sacrificed to save Amanda. Thank God Amanda always wore her seat belt. It likely saved her life.

The tow truck pulled up as Lee was lost in his thoughts. Sammy got out and surveyed the 2 cars.

"Which one is yours?" Sammy asked.

Lee indicated the car and said "You are taking both of them though, right?"

"Of course. Lee, most men stop playing bumper cars when the carnivals don't let them into the ride anymore."

"Very funny. Can you please just get the cars loaded?" Lee said as he nervously swept his hand through his hair again.

"Sure, Sure, I didn't know you were in a hurry. It will just take some time to get both cars onto the truck." Sammy was a pro at his job though and in no time, he had both cars loaded onto his flatbed tow truck. Lee had climbed into the truck cab while he waited and Sammy climbed up inside and asked "Aren't you glad you weren't driving the Porsche?"

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Lee agreed.

Sammy drove to the agency garage and Lee noticed that Leatherneck was standing at the entrance like he was expecting him.

"Where do you want them Leatherneck?" Sammy asked. Leatherneck pointed to a spot outside and Sammy backed to the area and proceeded to unload the cars. Meanwhile Leatherneck watched without saying a word. Lee kept glancing at him while expecting him to erupt but instead he just stood quietly and watched Sammy work. After the cars were pushed into their parking spots on the lot, Sammy had Leatherneck sign an acknowledgement for receipt of the cars, patted Lee's shoulder, and then climbed into his truck cab and took off.

Leatherneck walked all around the car he had lent Lee. His hand caressed several spots where the car was badly damaged and he lovingly patted the hood. He then started to walk back into the garage.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Lee asked as he followed. "Come on Leatherneck, yell at me. I know you are mad."

"Mad? Me mad? Why would I be mad Lee. I lent you a car. I asked you to be careful with the car. I trusted you with the car. I gave you one of my favorite cars and what did you do? You not only decided to play bumper cars with it but you ended up in a demolition derby with it. NOW why would I ever be mad?"

"Come on Leatherneck, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Oh I'm sure you didn't. From what I understand you never do. Now I had heard that a beautiful new partner of yours was getting you to calm down a little and take things a little easier. I guess she is failing."

"It just so happens that it was because of Amanda that this happened. I used the car to stop her abductor. I likely saved her life. I'm sorry about the car but it was necessary. Now if there is something I can do to make it up to you, just name it. Otherwise, all I can say is that I'm sorry."

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes, I'm sorry." Lee answered.

"No, do you mean that you would be willing to do something to make it up to me?" Leatherneck asked.

"Yes, what do you want?"

"Nothing right now. It just never hurts to have a favor in reserve; you never know when you might need it. At some point I'm sure I'm going to be in trouble and need your help and I would expect you to help me with no questions asked. Is that a fair assumption?"

"Yes, as long as you are not asking me to break the law, it is a fair assumption." Lee agreed.

"Great than it is a deal." Leatherneck said as he held out his hand and the two men shook on it.

"Okay, well I'm going to grab the Porsche and head home. I really need a shower." Lee said.

"Go ahead. She's parked in the corner. I gave her a tune up while she was here. She should be all set to go for another couple hundred miles."

"Thanks Leatherneck." Lee said as he headed to his car. As he got in and drove it out of the garage, he waved at Leatherneck who waved back. After the car turned the corner and was out of sight, Leatherneck proceeded to his office while he whistled. He couldn't help but smile at the memory of Billy calling him and giving him a heads up about the car and how upset Lee was. He was upset at first but then Billy explained what had happened and Leatherneck was glad Lee was able to save Amanda. He had been hearing such nice things about her and she didn't deserve to be hurt. He couldn't let Stetson just walk away without sweating though. That wouldn't be any fun. Besides, you really didn't ever know when you would run into trouble and it didn't hurt to have the Scarecrow owing him a favor to help him out of that trouble. That favor just might end up being a lot more valuable than that car. He chuckled to himself as he went back to work.

TBC