Steps To Peace

Chapter 2

Amanda and Francine arrived at the Agency early the next morning for Amanda's debriefing of the bomb scare from the grocery store.

As they came in and sat down, Billy was on the phone and acknowledged them with a nod.

He answered to the party on the other end, "Well, something has to be done. There's been enough disruption here lately, including that message we received earlier."

Looking at Amanda he straightened in his chair and nodded thoughtfully."I see. Well, I'll discuss the matter with Mrs. King. But I'm still waiting for Mr. Stetson to arrive...Oh? Well, are you sure we should proceed with what you had in mind earlier?"

He listened and nodded again saying, "Yes. Yes, I think it will be best for all concerned. All right. Fine. I'll get right on that. Thank you, Sir. Goodbye."

Billy hung up and greeted both ladies. "Good morning, Amanda, Francine. Any word from Scarecrow?"

Francine shook her head. "No. As a matter of fact, I had Amanda stay at my place last night due to everything that happened."

Billy was puzzled. "But I remember that I had Scarecrow make sure she got home all right."

Amanda interjected. "Oh, yes, Sir. He did. It's just-"

Billy furrowed his brow. "What is it, Amanda?"

Amanda shrugged lightly and answered quietly, "He seemed pretty angry with me. Plus worried, I think. Anyway, Francine called me right after Lee left, saying it would better if I stayed at her place. Sir, am I still in danger? I thought Jepard was gone?"

Billy cleared his throat glancing at Francine. "We heard a rumor that someone from Jepard's group was responsible for the bomb."

Amanda gulped. "I thought Jepard was dead and that Falker and Karl Eagles were in jail?"

Billy nodded as he reached into the bottom right hand drawer of his desk and pulled out a manilla packet.

Handing it to her he told her,"I'm sorry, Amanda. But until we're able to eliminate the threat once and for all, we have no choice but to move you and your family to a safer location-"

Francine stared at Billy dumbfounded! "Billy, are you kidding? I can get a team to neutralize it. This hardly calls for-"

But Billy put up a hand as he played back the message from the phone. "There's nowhere in Arlington that Amanda King can hide! We won't rest until she's taken care of. Permanently!"

The line went dead as Billy looking at Amanda, shut off the machine and asked, "Do you recognize the voice, Amanda?"

Amanda gulped then sighed shaking her head. "N-No, Sir. But what about my family?"

Getting up from her chair she said quickly, "I've gotta go to them-"

But Billy stopped her. "It's all right. They're already enroute to your new destination, and know that you're on your way to them. Your ex-husband has been notified as well...I'm sorry, Amanda. I know this is sudden, but-"

Just then, Lee burst through the door!

He yelled, "Billy! I just heard you're sending Amanda away because of last night! Don't you think you should have at least let me in on it?! After all, I am her partner!"

Amanda went to Lee's side. "Oh, Lee. You can't protect me by yourself-"

But Lee shook his head angrily. "The hell I can't! Look, Jepard's dead, and Falker and Eagles are in jail-"

Billy cut in. "Karl Eagles has been released."

Lee was stunned! "Since when? Why?"

Billy sighed. "He had an angina attack. They released him early. But he's on probation."

Amanda lightly touched Lee's arm to reassure him. "I'll be okay. Really."

Billy motioned Francine to follow as he gestured to the door, "C'mon, Francine. Let's check on Amanda's transportation."

On their way out of the office Billy said to Lee, "You're welcome to ride with Amanda to the airport."

Lee scoffed at the man and grumbled, "Really? Gee, that's big of you, Billy. Thanks, Loads."

Billy then narrowed his eyes at Lee answering sternly, "You know, Fred Fielder will be back soon from his vacation. And he'll need lots of help with "Spring Cleaning" and-"

Lee blanched suddenly looking at Amanda and back at Billy, nodding quickly, "Okay! Okay, I'm sorry! I'll be quiet."

Billy with a nod winked at Amanda as he and Francine left saying, "That's better."

Watching Billy leave Amanda shrugged lightly to Lee, "Spring cleaning here isn't so bad-"

Lee chuckled as he shook his head. "O-Oh? Do tell."

Amanda then reached up to straighten his tie and while she worked on it remarked, "I know when we did it we had a few strange cases, but other than that, it was just getting rid of old files, and reorganizing the cabinets and desks."

Lee shook his head as he looked at her. "Don't you remember that wacko seance group we had to check out? Oh, and the Elizabeth Sullivan case, and-"

Amanda finished straightening Lee's tie and smoothed it over answering, "Yes. What about them?"

Lee threw up his arms in consternation gesturing to the bullpen! "I'm not doing any of that with Fred Fielder!"

Amanda cocked her head to the side. "Really? Because I'm sure if you're really nice, Fred will treat you to dinner?"

Lee glared at her as Billy came back in."That's not even remotely funny, Amanda!"

As Amanda giggled Billy asked, "What's not funny?"

Lee groaned and waved it away. "Nothing."

There was silence for a moment and Amanda cleared her throat. "Time to go?"

Billy nodded and they headed for the Agency garage.

When they reached the Agency limo Billy slowly stated, "Francine and I have a meeting with Dr. Smyth, so..."

Amanda swallowed hard. Leaving him was hard as he'd been like a second father to her.

Nodding she kissed his cheek. "Thank you for everything, Sir."

Billy patted her hands. "You'll be fine, Amanda. Take care."

Lee opened the back door of the limo. "Ready?"

With a deep sigh she nodded in finality and got in with Lee following suit, and then they were off to the airport...

TBC