Chapter 20

Monday morning came sooner than anyone wanted it to. But here they were, sitting in the agency's conference room, listening to Billy wrap up the meeting.

"Scarecrow, Mrs. King, can I see you two in my office after this?" Lee and Amanda nodded.

"Oh no, what did Amanda screw up with the Princess this time?" Francine questioned. "Please tell me she didn't embarrass you in front of a lot of diplomats? She didn't share recipes with the waitstaff, did she?"

"No, Francine. Amanda didn't mess anything up," Lee snapped.

"She didn't lose the Princess, did she?" Francine interrupted.

Lee continued, ignoring her comment. "In fact, Amanda and the Princess got along fabulously. They even went dress shopping at Kleinfeld's when the Prince and I had business at the U.N.," Lee happily answered.

Francine examined her perfect manicure and softly chuckled, "Kleinfeld's? A prestigious store like that doesn't allow window shopping. You must have the store name wrong."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "We weren't window shopping, Francine. I actually found the perfect dress."

With a raised eyebrow, Francine glared at Amanda. "Really? Do you have any pictures of this perfect dress? I'm sure we'd all love to see it. It's not like your mystery man is here, so it won't ruin the surprise."

Nervously, Amanda scanned around the table, stopping at Lee. "That probably isn't a good idea, Francine."

"No pictures, huh" Oh, wait, let me guess? You found the perfect dress, but you forgot your coupons at home, so you couldn't afford it?"

Billy had heard enough and jumped in. "Francine, button it." Francine straightened up and gave Billy an annoyed look. "We just need to debrief so we can close the file. Okay, people, that's everything for now. Dismissed!"

The table of agents quickly emptied, leaving Lee and Amanda alone in the room. Lee gave Amanda an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about Francine. I'll talk to her if you want."

"No, it's okay. I can handle her. I think I'm starting to get an idea of how her mind works. We should probably get to Billy's office before he sends the cavalry after us."

They both exited the conference room and headed directly to Billy's office. Lee knocked and opened the door, allowing Amanda to walk in first.

"You wanted to see us, sir?"

"Yes, Amanda. Please sit down."

Lee assisted Amanda into her chair and then sat next to her. Billy opened the file in front of him and perused the papers inside. After a few short moments, he set the file down and addressed them.

"Well, everything looks in order as far as the paperwork from the Prince and Princess goes. If you can fill me in with your side of things, we can get it typed up and move on."

Lee cleared his throat as he thought of how to explain their assignment. "Um, okay. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were informed the Prince wanted us to be as casual as possible. Not to bring any attention to them."

Amanda nodded, and Lee continued, "We accompanied them to a museum and their dinner engagement on Wednesday. Thursday, our assignment was on a chartered yacht they had arranged with one of the Prince's friends. Later that afternoon, we split up. Prince Rheza and I went to the U.N. for his meeting."

Lee acknowledged Amanda. "That's when the Princess and Amanda went dress shopping per the Princesses' request. I can't discuss the meeting at all, as it was a need-to-know meeting. Amanda and the Princess don't even know what the meeting had involved."

Lee paused, pursed his lips, and shook his head. "Friday was more escorting the Prince and Princess around to their scheduled appearances. Nothing special to report."

Billy glanced at both Lee and Amanda, waiting for more information. Not receiving any, he grinned and opened the file once more. He pulled out a paper and placed it on the top of the file but held it so neither Lee nor Amanda could see it.

He raised his head and smiled at both of them. "Well, if there's nothing else you want to share willingly, then I guess I'm just going to have to ask." Billy held the file out in front of Lee as he continued, "Would either of you care to explain this picture?"

Lee slowly reached for the file and studied the picture. Amanda leaned in to see what Billy gave him. They both shared a glance. "Billy, I can explain this," Lee supplied quickly.

Billy raised an eyebrow while his grin grew bigger. "You see, the Prince had never been to an American baseball game. The subject came up, and I called in a few favors and was able to get tickets. We—"

With a raised hand, Billy interrupted him. "Relax, Lee. I'm just kidding. I was watching the game Friday night and was shocked to recognize four people behind home plate. I had Ernie pull the footage and blow up the picture. Nobody else knows about it. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Amanda and Lee relaxed and gave a soft chuckle. "Sorry, Billy."

"It's okay. I knew this assignment would be more of a vacation for all of you anyway. I just wanted to see how far you'd go trying to explain it. This doesn't need to be part of your report."

The trio shared a laugh before Billy got serious again. "Amanda, can you get started on typing the report up while I talk to Lee? I'm sorry but this is need to know."

Amanda nodded and stood to get up. "Oh, yes, sir. I'll get started on it right away. See you later, Lee."

As Amanda left the office, Lee wondered what was so important. He didn't have to wait long.

Billy grabbed another file from his desk with classified stamped on the front and handed it to Lee. "This was on my desk this morning. I wanted you to see it right away."

With his scrunched eyebrows, Lee opened the file and started to read. "This is a file on the Mongoose. I thought this file was dormant?"

"It was, until about fifteen hours ago. His calling card showed up on a dead body in Europe. I know I don't have to tell you how serious this one is. Unfortunately, you will have to leave Amanda in the dark on this for now."

"I understand. What do you need me to do?"

Nothing right now. I just wanted to make you aware of the situation. If something comes up, I may need you to leave without much notice."

Lee slanted his head and questioned, "Bil-ly..."

"I know, Lee. I realize you have a family to think about now, but you also have to realize you are still my best agent, and I need you on this if something changes." Lee reluctantly nodded. "What's on your agenda for the rest of the day?"

"Amanda and I have a lunch meeting with Dotty. She saw the safe room on the blueprints and asked about it. We had to tell her, Billy."

Billy nodded. "Well, it was bound to happen sooner than later. How did she handle it?"

"She was shocked. We didn't get into much detail because of that. We decided to let things calm down a little. That's why we're having lunch with her today."

"Okay, let me know if there is anything I can do. You should probably go get started on your report."

Meanwhile, out in the bullpen, Francine closed the file she was working on and tossed it into her outbox. She scanned the bullpen and noticed all her coworkers busy at their desks. Suddenly, she stopped, and an evil grin appeared on her face. She pushed herself back from her desk and stood like a person on a mission.

She strode up to a desk and sat down on the corner. "Are you ever going to tell me?"

"Excuse me!"

"I said, when are you going to tell me about him?" Francine glanced down at her left hand.

"Francine, I will tell you about my fiance when I am ready to tell you about him and not a minute sooner."

Francine huffed. "Well, I don't know what the big secret is, Amanda. I mean, it's not like any of us here are going to know him."

Amanda stopped typing, took a deep, cleansing breath, and looked Francine dead in the eyes. "Francine, why is it so important you know who this person is?"

"It's not important that I know, Amanda. I just want to know. I don't like secrets."

Amanda chuckled. "Well then, dear, if you don't like secrets, I believe you got into the wrong profession."

"Touche," Francine responded. "But seriously, when are you going to tell me?"

"I'll tell you what, Francine. We're getting married before the end of the year."

Francine's eyebrows raised. "That soon? Don't tell me he knocked you up."

Amanda ignored her last response and went on, "You'll know who my fiance is, when, and if you get a wedding invite." Amanda politely smiled, pulled the paper out of her typewriter, placed it in the file beside her, quietly got up, and walked away.