It took four hours for Amanda to come up with Plan B. While the rest of the house slept, she paced her bedroom, trying to recall everything she knew about Zakir (which wasn't much) as well as everything she knew about the KGB (more than Zakir, but hardly extensive). She thought about the rescues she'd participated in during her years at the Agency and how they'd relied, more than anything, on deception. The Agency hadn't won on speed, strength or the accuracy of their shooting. They'd tricked the perpetrator into revealing themselves. She could do that, Amanda thought. All she needed was the right bait. By five that morning, Amanda had a list of tasks which - if she were lucky - might give her a prayer of getting Lee back. She didn't want to think about what would happen if luck deserted her.

She dressed in jeans, a tee shirt and running shoes. As quietly as she could, she scoured the house for spare change. She didn't think the Agency monitored her phone as a rule, but Billy knew her well. He would guess that she might try something, so it was safer to make the call from somewhere else.

She drove to a nearby convenience store that had a pay phone in its parking lot. The streets of Arlington were deserted at the early hour, making it easy to spot a tail. Fortunately, she didn't see one. She fed the phone more than two dozen quarters, then dialed the number she'd written down. She waited as it went through a series of clicks and pauses as it completed the international call.

"Hello?" The voice belonged to a woman; her accent polished and educated, similar to the one Lee's Barnstorm contact spoke with.

English, oh thank God. Amanda straightened and spoke crisply. "This is Amanda King, calling to speak with Penelope." She paused and corrected herself, "Excuse me, the princess." The slip-up was deliberate. She wanted whoever was on the other end of the phone to know that she and Penny were close, and that the princess would be upset if she wasn't told about the call.

She hoped that wasn't an exaggeration. Like many long-distance relationships, Amanda's friendship with Penny had waned over the years. When the princess had returned to Zakir after her visit to the U.S., they had spoken regularly. Amanda had given Penny advice when she was expecting the first royal baby and had soothed the new mother's worries after she'd given birth. But after a couple of years…well...life was busy for both of them, and they'd settled into a pattern of greeting cards at holidays and notes for important occasions. Amanda had sent Penny a short letter for Philip's graduation that included a photo of her oldest son. The letter had said something to the effect of, this is the little boy you saw in the play at my house seven years ago - look at him now. Penny had not written back.

"I do not know if the princess is available," the woman on the phone replied. "I will check."

Amanda nodded. So far, so good. If Penny was traveling or unable to take the call, the woman would have informed Amanda immediately. With the time zone change, this was a perfectly reasonable hour to be phoning. So, there was a chance. "Thank you," she said.

Then she waited.

A minute ticked by; then two…and then five. A car pulled into the convenience store parking lot and a woman got out of it. She went around to the passenger side and removed a baby from a car seat before entering the store. Amanda let out the breath she'd been holding. As far as she knew, the Agency hadn't resorted to using infants in car seats to tail anyone.

"Amanda?"

Amanda recognized the voice immediately. It sounded exactly as it had as seven years ago. "Penny?"

There was laughter on the other end of the phone. "Oh my God, Amanda. I couldn't believe it when my assistant said you were calling. How long has it been since we've spoken?"

"I don't know." Amanda waved a hand. "A couple of years, at least."

"More like three or four! Thank you for sending the picture of Philip. He's grown into quite the young man."

"It happens fast. Your two will be there before you know it."

Penny groaned. "I don't even want to think about it. I like them being little. I'm having too much fun playing with them. College can wait forever, as far as I'm concerned." She hesitated, then added, "Philip is headed to Georgetown in the fall?"

"Yes."

"You must be very proud. I intended to write to congratulate you, but a phone call is so much better. It's good to hear your voice."

"And to hear yours," Amanda agreed, wondering how much time she should allot for small talk. It really was good to hear Penny, but Lee's life could be hanging in the balance. There would be time to catch up when she knew he was safe.

And she didn't have a whole lot of quarters left either.

She dropped six more into the phone. "I'm actually calling to ask you a favor," she began. "I'm sorry, Penny. I know it's rude to phone out of the blue and ask for something, but you're the only one who can help."

There was a pause. Then Penny said, "Well, now you've got me curious, Amanda. I'm happy to help, if I can, especially after you were so kind to me during our visit to the U.S. But I'm having a hard time imagining what I can do for you from here. Your boys are a little old to be doing reports on Zakir for school." She chuckled. "You're not planning on starting your own oil refinery, are you?"

Amanda didn't return the chuckle. She was too aware of the minutes ticking away. "No, this has nothing to do with oil," she said. "It's about my work at the Agency. Do you remember the agent that was leading your security detail when you and Rheza came to DC?"

"Mr. Stetson?" Penny sounded puzzled. "Yes, I remember, mostly because he was cute and he was always hanging around your room. I was rooting for the two of you to get together."

"He's in trouble now, Penny. He's being held captive in Zakir, but we don't know exactly where. I think you can help me find him."

There was another pause, longer this time. "Well, now I understand why you sound so serious," Penny said quietly. "Of course, I want to help you find Mr. Stetson, but how on earth can I? I don't have access to intelligence reports. I'm not even allowed to attend most of the briefings Rheza receives. Are you certain Mr. Stetson is in Zakir?"

"Yes," Amanda replied, hoping she spoke the truth.

"Why would we be keeping a U.S. agent captive? I can't imagine Rheza being okay with it."

"I'm pretty sure Rheza doesn't know. We have solid intelligence that suggests your undersecretary of defense is holding Lee." Amanda explained about the undersecretary's plan to sell Lee to the KGB for a large sum, without saying anything about the Barnstorm contact.

When she finished, Penny said, "Oh my God. I always thought the undersecretary was a snake, but I never thought he would do something like that."

"Yeah…well…money is a powerful motivator. And apparently your husband is doing a good job cleaning up the government and shutting off the spigot, so to speak. The less honest people are looking for options."

"Rheza is doing a good job." Penny's voice was warm. "He's keeping his word to the people. He'll be furious to hear about this."

"Please don't tell him, Penny. Not yet."

"What? Why on earth not?"

"We don't know who the undersecretary is working with. The fewer people who know we're watching him, the better - at least for now. Someone Rheza trusts could be in on it."

Penny exhaled. "I don't like keeping secrets from my husband. And how can I help you without involving him? It's not like I have regular conversations with the undersecretary."

Amanda bit her lip. This is it, she thought. I'm really going to do this. Once I ask, things will be set in motion. She clutched the phone tighter and said, "You need to hold some kind of event at your palace and invite senior government officials to it, including the undersecretary."

"An event?" The princess's voice rose. "What kind of event?"

"Something social, not political - it doesn't matter what. Just find something to celebrate, schedule a party, and make sure the undersecretary accepts."

"O-kay," Penny said slowly. "Rheza and I actually have a wedding anniversary coming up. It's a little self-serving to throw a party for myself but-"

"It's perfect."

"Really?"

"Yup. Schedule it for three days from now."

"That's awfully short notice."

Amanda shrugged. "Say that it's an impromptu celebration and keep it small. The important thing is that the undersecretary attends. I need an excuse to get near the man."

"You? You mean you're coming here in person?"

"Yes. I'm hoping to get a flight this evening or tomorrow at the latest."

More silence. "Wow," Penny eventually said. "When we met, you told me you were barely an agent. And now you're coming to Zakir on a rescue mission? Your career must be taking off. I'm very happy for you, Amanda. Not to mention that I'm thrilled I'm going to see you in person."

Amanda frowned. When she'd planned this call to Penny, she had debated how truthful to be about her reasons for coming and the Agency's role in her mission. She'd worried that Penny would refuse to help if she knew that Amanda was freelancing. But hearing the princess's voice now, remembering that Penny had been all in favor of romance seven years ago, she decided to go with honesty. It seemed like it would help more than it would hurt.

"I haven't risen all that much," she said flatly. "The truth is, the Agency isn't sending me. They're pursuing another avenue for finding Lee. I'm doing this on my own."

Penny gave a small gasp. "Why?"

"Because I think the Agency's approach is going to take too long. And because Lee is very important to me."

"Is he now?" Penny gave a low chuckle. "So, you two did get together! I knew there was chemistry there, dammit. How come you never told me?"

"We did more than get together, Penny. We got married three years ago. He's my husband."

"The hell you did! And you didn't invite me to the wedding?"

Amanda shook her head. "We didn't have a wedding. Only a justice of the peace one afternoon after work. My mother doesn't even know about it."

"Why on earth-"

Amanda heard the phone giving a warning beep and dropped her last four quarters down the slot. "Penny, I'd love to tell you the whole story - and I will at another time, I promise. But right now, I need to get moving. I've got a list of things to do before I get on the plane. Just do what you can to set up the party and plan on seeing me in the next day or so."

She waited, hoping for the best.

Penny cleared her throat. "I'd be lying if I said I had no reservations," she replied, far more soberly, "especially about saying nothing to Rheza. But Lee must mean the world to you if you're willing to stick your neck out like this. You must be worried sick."

"Pretty much."

"Can I at least ask how you plan on getting the undersecretary's attention? You don't strike me as someone who's going to kidnap and torture him."

If the circumstances weren't so dire, Amanda might have laughed. Instead, she smiled grimly. "No," she replied, "nothing so dramatic. I'm going to give the undersecretary what he wants. I'm going to bring him a Russian buyer."

Francine hung up the phone and raised her arms over her head to stretch, feeling the tug in her shoulders and neck. She'd been talking to agents in the Middle East for hours now, ever since Billy had woken her from a sound sleep and ordered her into the office early on a Saturday morning. Her ear ached and she needed another cup of coffee - or maybe an entire pot.

Not that she begrudged the work if it brought Lee home. Like Billy, she was skeptical of the news that Scarecrow was alive, but she was willing to talk on the phone for days if there was the smallest chance of finding him. Francine was fond of Lee. They had worked together for more than fifteen years and he'd always been a supportive colleague, even if he sometimes enjoyed teasing her. In their early days, she thought they might become more than colleagues. International assignments and late nights led to a few hookups, and Francine had enjoyed Lee's enthusiasm and inventiveness in the bedroom. But despite her nontraditional occupation, Francine was a traditional girl at heart. When it had become clear that hookups were not going to grow into commitment, she had regretfully put a stop to them. To her disappointment, Lee hadn't tried to talk her out of it.

It was a shame Lee Stetson was a confirmed bachelor because he was a truly decent guy. Not as wealthy as Francine would have liked, but intelligent, good looking, and dashing, in his own way. Those qualities worked for him now, when he hadn't yet hit middle age. But if Lee wasn't careful, he was going to find himself alone someday; one of those attractive, silver haired gentlemen who hung around bars trying to pick up much younger women. That is, he would if he hadn't been killed…which it now seemed he might not have been.

"Any luck?"

Francine looked up to see Billy standing beside her desk.

She shook her head. "If Lee is being held in Zakir, whoever is holding him is keeping it very quiet. No one has heard even a whisper. But I've got a half dozen agents with their ear to the ground now. Maybe they'll come up with something."

Billy nodded. "Let's hope."

Francine pursed her lips. "Amanda is certain about her intel? You know she can be a little…optimistic, especially where Lee is concerned."

"She seems convinced. And she does have good instincts, good enough that I don't want to ignore them. There's too much at stake."

"I'm surprised she didn't offer another scheme for finding him," Francine said dryly. "She's not the type to sit and wait quietly. I can't imagine her liking Agency protocols in this case."

Billy shrugged. "She had a couple of suggestions. We discussed them, but none were feasible and I told her we'd stick with the protocols. I'm sure she's not happy. We've been monitoring her phone since two this morning in case she decides to try something on her own."

"And?"

"So far, she's called no one."

Francine tapped an inquiry into her computer. "But she has come into the office. The security system shows her badging in a half hour ago."

"Really?" Billy frowned. "I wonder what she's up to?"

Amanda shut down the computer in her Q Bureau office and scribbled a few notes. The contact information for Zhmed Doorlof hadn't been hard to find, not if you understood the Agency's approach to defections. Zhmed had been placed in the defector program three years ago, largely because he'd helped the Agency catch a tough adversary in the KGB. But he had other skills, too, including a photographic memory and the ability to solve complex mathematical models in his head. Once the Agency decided they were going support his defection, they would place him where those skills would be useful. Given Zhmed's experience with the KGB, they would also locate him close to headquarters, in case they needed to call on that experience again.

Knowing this, Amanda had searched the employment records for scientific firms within a one hundred mile radius of the Agency. Sure enough, Prime Tech had hired a data scientist named Mikael Turunen at the very same time Zhmed had entered the defector program. According to Prime's records, Turunen was a green card holder from Finland, the same nationality Zhmed had pretended to be when he'd come to the States. Dollars to donuts, Amanda thought, Mikael from Finland was really Zhmed from Russia. She finished jotting down his address and phone number, then stuffed the piece of paper into her pocket.

She felt bad about dragging Zhmed into her scheme to save Lee. But her plan hinged on convincing the Zakiri undersecretary that she had a Russian buyer, and it would be far more credible if she had someone who could actually speak Russian. Of course, there were plenty of people within the Agency who were fluent, but she couldn't ask them. News would get back to Billy and he'd shut her down in a heartbeat. So, she was going to ask Zhmed, her conscience be damned.

Amanda rose and picked up her purse, her nerves on edge. She was consulted on plenty of operations at the Agency these days, but she was rarely responsible for planning one - especially not one this big. All of the planning she had done in her career had been with the Scarecrow.

"What do you think, Lee? Am I completely crazy?" She said the words aloud, as if her voice could find a wormhole and travel the thousands of miles to wherever he was being held.

She received no answer, but she did hear footsteps approaching her door. Damn. She should have left as soon as she'd found Zhmed's address. Now, she was going to have to explain herself. She considered her options for a nanosecond before stepping to the door and opening it. As expected, Billy and Francine were coming down the hall.

"Sir...Francine," she said quickly, "I was just coming downstairs to find you. Have you talked to our agents in the Middle East? Have they heard anything?" It didn't require much acting on her part to look worried.

"Not yet," Billy replied, with an encouraging smile. "But we've got at least a half dozen agents investigating. They should come up with something soon."

"How soon?"

"Any time now, Amanda. Just sit tight."

Francine narrowed her eyes. "What have you been doing for the last half hour?" she asked.

Amanda did her best to look confused. "I'm sorry?"

"The security system shows you badging in a half hour ago," Francine explained. "I was wondering why you came up here to Q Bureau instead of going straight downstairs to find Billy."

"Oh." Amanda waved one hand. "I needed a little time, Francine - you know, to compose myself. I was kind of emotional."

Francine studied Amanda's face for a minute, then stepped around her to look into the office. She scanned the room until her gaze rested on the vase of flowers Amanda always kept on Lee's desk. Her expression softened.

"These agents are good, Amanda," she said. "And they care about finding one of their own. They'll work until they get something."

Which could be how long? Amanda thought. But she nodded and replied softly, "Yes."

Bill reached out and closed his hand lightly over hers. "There's no point in waiting around here. Go do something else. Time will pass more easily if you're busy."

Don't give in right away, Amanda told herself. They might not believe it.

"But sir-" she began.

"I promise, we'll call the second we hear something," he said.

Francine nodded. "You'll be the first person."

Amanda gave it a long moment. "Very well," she agreed reluctantly. "But please call me if there's something I can do."

"Certainly," Billy concurred.

"Of course," Francine said.

Amanda nodded and headed for the stairs to the foyer. It was true there was nothing more she could do at the Agency. What she needed was to find another pay phone. She had to make a call to Zhmed.

A/N: Just a quick note to say thank you for the interest and feedback on this story. Writing for older series is usually a labor of love because there aren't a lot of readers, but SMK has one hell of a following.