Amanda had seven rookie agents in the class. They were discussing the case regarding Steven Sallee when Lee came back from his meeting and went and sat down in the back of the room.
Amanda was lecturing to the class. "Now this man was thought to be dead by the intelligence communities. By some fluke I got into a fender bender with the man. He didn't want to go through the insurance company and gave me $400 cash. It turned out only to cost $175 so I wanted to return the rest of the money."
One of the recruits named Brown who was in his mid-thirties and had worked at the Pentagon said "That wouldn't even cover the paint now a-days!"
The class laughed.
Amanda continued "True, but anyway I was able to track down where he lived in order to return the money. Later Lee was substituting and was giving an orientation class for the new recruits, and I came into the room when he was showing a picture of Steven Sallee. He said he was dead, and I recognized him and told Lee I believed he was still alive. We were given a day by our section chief Mr. Melrose to try and see if it really was Steven Sallee. He had also killed his landlord, Millicent. From searching his room in his home, the only things that were found were a burned out light bulb, a thumbtack, two rubber bands, and a broken pencil lead. Also, a diary that was Millicent's was found in the floorboards. Now what could you deduce from those things of the suspect?"
A young woman named Carlotta raised her hand and said "Nothing much, except that maybe he wanted to recycle the light bulb."
"Ok. But does anybody have any other ideas about a burned out light bulb? Remember we were trying to figure out where he worked," Amanda reminded them.
Another of the woman students, Simone, who was more eager and an analytical thinker suggested "Maybe try and find out what local businesses use those kinds of light bulbs?"
Amanda nodded. "Yes that's a good idea, except there is a problem."
Brown added, "Yeah-it's like finding a needle in a haystack. Where do you search first?"
Amanda asked the class, "Anybody like to answer that?"
The young college student Adrian suggested "I would start from the house and go outward in each direction to hit businesses."
"Yes, right, that is a good way. Now I want you to add Millicent's diary into the mix. I sent everyone emails from parts of her diary. You may now open up those files and read them-then tell me what you think."
A few minutes later Simone called out "I have an idea!"
"Simone, go ahead and give us your opinion." said Amanda
"I would use the diary and the bus route and learn about the area by reading what Millicent wrote and pinpointing the businesses on a map."
Lee spoke up, "Yes, exactly! That's what Amanda did! And that's one of the reasons why she is teaching this class-to help agents learn to think outside of the box."
Amanda blushed. Lee was a great cheerleader for her deductive skills, although early on in their partnership he chalked it up to luck!
"My husband is one of my greatest admirers, so please excuse his outburst!" The class laughed and Lee winked at Amanda. "So to continue on, Simone is right with her reasoning. That's what I did. Using a map, I looked for businesses which Millicent referenced in her diary, and I also took the bus route to trace his steps. These actions eventually led us to figure out what important high level security events were happening in the different sectors. I'll let you read the rest of the case in the second file I sent you in your emails. That will be all for today. Please enjoy the rest of it. See you next class."
The recruits filed out saying goodbye to Amanda and Lee. After the last person left Lee raised his hand from where he sat in the back of the room. Amanda raised her eyebrows.
"Mr. Stetson, I dismissed the class. You are free to go."
"Does Mrs. Stetson give extra points for staying overtime?" Lee winked and smiled in his most charming way and gave her his best sultry look.
Amanda walked over and stood next to him in his chair, taking off her glasses and putting them on top of her head.
"And what is it you had in mind?" she saucily asked.
Lee pulled Amanda down on his lap, rubbed his thumb over her lips and began to give her a passionate, kiss that parted her lips. As their tongues tangled with each other's they got lost in the moment and forgot where they were. As she pressed herself against Lee's chest his hand started to reach under her blouse to caress her soft skin. Suddenly the door flung open. Amanda stood up quickly as one of the young students came back in to retrieve a sweater that was over a chair. Knowing he had interrupted something intimate, Stevens kept his eyes down and quickly said "Uh, just forgot this!" and hurried back out.
Amanda blushed and Lee laughed. Amanda said "Put a bookmark where we left off for later tonight!" she winked.
"That I will, Mrs. Stetson," Lee promised with a searing but quick kiss on the lips.
Amanda cleared her throat. She was having trouble getting back to reality. "Ok, well, Sweetheart, how did your meeting go?"
Lee's face clouded and Amanda braced herself for bad news. "It was a waste of time and I told them that. Especially after the state department suits wanted to know how the terrorists got through the No Fly list. I basically told them they needed to investigate Homeland Security."
"Good for you!"
"Oh and by the way, one of the justice department lawyers was Joe."
"Really! Did Joe have anything to say?"
"Yeah, he waylaid me out in the corridor and wanted to discuss something with me over coffee."
Amanda's brows furrowed and she said "Let me guess what it was about- Jamie and Philip!"
"Bingo! The guy is clueless! He just can't see why they won't talk to him."
Amanda sighed. "I feel bad for him...but Jamie and Philip are not little boys anymore…they figured it out. This is always what I was afraid would happen, and when I would try and say something back to Joe then he would always shut me down."
" Well, I am thankful to the guy," Lee confessed.
"What do you mean?"
"If he wasn't such a jerk then you two would still be married, and we wouldn't be together. And I told him to leave you and me out of it."
"Thanks! Maybe he will stop texting me." Amanda reached up and straightened Lee's tie. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.
"He's been texting you?! And I thought I was being nice! If I had known that I would…" Lee's jaw started to twitch.
Amanda cut Lee off "And that's why I haven't told you! But it sounds like after today I won't hear from him."
"You bet you won't! Now I am in a bad mood again," scowled Lee.
Amanda smiled. "I know a good way to get you back into a good mood again! Remember our bookmark? Let's go home and open up that book!" Lee's face lit up and he grabbed Amanda's hand as they sped out the door heading for their car.