Summary: Third season. Rated R (Graphic Violence and Language)
Author: Diane Minter
This is a Halloween based story. *This story contains graphic descriptions of murder and non-consensual sex.* Please read at your own risk. This story does contain spoilers from the SMK series. I hope you enjoy it and as always any comments good and bad are appreciated.
Disclaimers: Scarecrow and Mrs. King is copyrighted to Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Production Company. This story, however, is copyrighted to the above-mentioned author. This story is for entertainment purposes ONLY. If you would like to add it to an archive, please just let me know.
***I would like to send a very special thank you to my friend, Amy, for her encouragement, ideas, and support I needed to write this story. Also, a very warm thank you to EmilyAnn, and the SMKauthors group for helping me make this story reach its full potential.
Timeframe: Mid-third season (This story does break cannon)
Trail Of Blood
Chapter 8
Amanda looked at her reflection in the mirror as she put the final touches of her makeup on. She wished she was wearing her new red dress for Lee instead of this killer, but she knew this was something she had to do. Her last task was to put on her listening device. She removed her heart pendant and carefully placed it in her jewelry box. The ruby necklace was quite beautiful she thought as she placed it around her neck. The teardrop ruby hung between her breasts from a gold chain. She put her shawl around her shoulders and headed down the stairs.
Billy looked at his agent as she descended the steps. He remembered the words that Lee had spoken three years ago. Lee had said that a housewife and mother of two could not be a seductive woman. Billy shook his head and thought to himself. 'Lord, when Lee sees her tonight every bone in his body will melt.'
Jacobs stepped behind Billy to see what he was staring at. "Well, if that doesn't get Nick geared up, I don't know what will."
"You look lovely, Amanda. Billy smiled at her, taking her hand as she stepped off the stairs. He turned to Jacobs and gave him a "shut up" look.
"Amanda, do you have your tracking device in place," Billy asked as he escorted her into the living room to wait for Nick.
"Yes, Sir. I have it in my purse." She opened her purse to show him.
"Can you hear me alright?" Billy placed his hand over his ear.
"Loud and clear, Leader One," one of the agents in the Agency van replied.
"They are picking you up fine, Amanda." Billy assured her.
"Now all we have to do is wait," Jacobs flopped down in the chair.
"We have the subject pulling into the driveway, Leader One."
"Affirmative, Baby Sitter One. He's here, Amanda. We will be close by you." Billy nodded towards Jacobs and they headed for the stairs.
As Amanda waited for Nick to arrive, she tried to draw strength from the family portraits hanging on her wall. Although she was expecting it, the knock made her jump. She scolded herself as she headed for the door. She must remain calm.
"Hello, Nick." Amanda smiled warmly as she opened the door.
"Good evening, Amanda. You look ravishing this evening," Nick said, as his eyes raked over her body.
"Thank you, Nick." Amanda felt a shiver go through her from his gaze.
"Are you ready to go?" Nick continued his approving look.
"Yes, let me get my purse," Amanda replied, as she went to the den and picked up her purse.
Outside Nick opened the car door and helped her in. He started to walk to his side of his car and stopped. He looked around at his surroundings as if he suspected something. Amanda held her breath fearing he had found them out. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders, and joined her in the car.
"Suspect is leaving driveway, Leader One."
"Affirmative, Baby Sitter One." Billy and Jacobs left the house and headed for the van. As they entered the van, Billy gave orders to follow Nick's car.
"I think you will enjoy this evening, Amanda." Nick smiled warmly at her.
"I'm sure I will. I have never been to the Soviet Embassy before."
As they drove through the streets of Arlington, they passed the last victim's house. "Have you heard if they know anymore about the death of those. . .women," Nick hesitated with his choice of words.
"I haven't heard anything, but what has been said on the news." Amanda looked out the window seeing the yellow police tape around the house.
"Well, I doubt they will come up with much." Nick turned his clouded eyes towards her.
Turning her attention to him she asked, "What makes you say that?"
"Just from what I have seen on television and read in the paper, the police don't have much," Nick explained as he focused back on the road.
"I feel for their children." Amanda tried to press him for more.
"Why?" Nick turned his attention from the road and focused on her.
"They've lost their mother in a horrible way." Amanda eyes widened in shock from his statement.
"I don't mean to be cold hearted, Amanda. It is just that Sergei is doing well without his mother, and I am sure these children will as well." Nick turned his eyes back to the road.
Amanda sat silently until they arrived at the embassy. "I hope I haven't upset you by bringing up the deaths." Nick opened her car door for her.
"No, Nick. I think an evening out with you is just what I need to lift my spirits."
"Scarecrow, suspect is entering the building."
"Affirmative, Leader One," Lee looked to the entrance door in anticipation of their arrival.
"This is beautiful," Amanda gasped as they entered the main hall.
"May I take your shawl, madam?" the doorman asked.
Nick lifted the shawl from her shoulders, gently brushing her exposed skin with his fingertips. "Come, Amanda. I would like for you to meet some of my associates." Nick forcefully placed his hand on the small of her back and led her across the room.
"Is that Amanda?" Francine asked disbelievingly, as she watched Nick and Amanda walk across the room.
Lee felt the muscles in his jaw tighten as his gaze fell upon them. Nick had his hand placed on the bare skin of her back. The red dress she was wearing clung to her body accentuating her every curve. The dress flowed just above her knees showing off her beautifully shaped legs. "Why in the hell is she wearing that?"
"Lee, this is a party," Francine smirked.
"I know that, but the way she looks tonight may put her in even more danger." Lee took a big swig of his drink.
"From whom?" Francine mumbled under hear breath as she watched Lee's powerful gaze on her.
"I'm gonna go over there right now and pull her out." Lee started to make his way through the crowd.
"Lee, you can't. She's safe with us here. If we don't let things go as planned, we may never be able to put a stop all of these 'senseless deaths'." Francine put her hand on his shoulder.
Lee's eyes were full of fire as he turned to Francine. He clenched his jaw and continued to look intently at Nick and Amanda.
Amanda was introduced to many of his associates. Most did not know English so she nodded and smiled a lot. She hoped that Mr. Melrose was getting all of this on tape so he could translate it later.
"Would you care for a drink, Amanda?" Nick asked.
"That would be nice, Nick." Amanda replied, relieved they were finally leaving the group of Russian men who had been openly leering at her.
As they walked to the end of the bar, Nick caught a glimpse of Lee's penetrating stare from the other end of the bar.
Noticing the blonde beside Lee, Nick stated, "I would like to introduce you to someone. She helped me when I first moved to Washington." Nick motioned towards the end of the bar.
"Who?" Amanda asked, innocently.
"The blonde next to the gentleman who is staring at us." Nick pointed to Lee.
"We've been spotted, Leader One." Francine spoke into her microphone as she noticed Amanda and Nick's approach.
"Good evening, Ms. Desmond," Nick said, as he approached them.
"Hello, Nikolai." Francine responded.
"I thought I recognized you. Amanda, this is Francine Desmond. She helped fill out some of my credentials."
"Hello," Amanda said, her heart racing.
"Who is your escort tonight?" Nick asked.
"This is Lee Stetson, Nikolai." Nick extended his hand to shake Lee's. Lee returned the firm handshake never letting his eyes leave Nick's.
"You work with Amanda don't you? Amanda, why didn't you tell me he was coming? We could have all come together," Nick asked, as his eyes clouded.
"I didn't know they were attending, Nick," Amanda replied, weakly.
"Well, since we are all here, why don't we take a seat and talk for awhile?" Nick gave Lee a challenging look.
"Yes, why don't we." Lee hooked his arm through Francine's and led them to a table.
"Lee. May I call you, Lee?" Nick asked, as a small smile crossed his face.
"Lee is fine."
"Well, Lee. Amanda tells me she works with documentary films. Is that what you do as well, or are you involved with Francine's line of work?" Nick continued his challenging look, as he possessively placed his hand on Amanda's leg.
"I deal with documentaries," Lee calmly replied.
"Well, you must have some interesting stories to tell. I can't get Amanda to open up much about it. Can I, dear?" Nick squeezed her leg with enough pressure to ensure bruising, as he gave her a daring glance.
"It's just not all that much to talk about." Amanda placed her hand on his, not wanting to mess up the one chance they had of catching him.
Lee remained calm on his outer appearance, but he wanted nothing more than to take Amanda out of the presence of this madman. Lee knew her well enough to see the fear in her eyes. He had to keep his temper under control in order to protect her.
"If you would excuse me, I think I will go to the ladies room." Francine stood to leave.
"I think I will join you, Mrs. Desmond." Amanda followed, grateful for the opportunity to get away from Nick.
"I didn't know you knew him, Francine." Amanda exclaimed as the entered the restroom.
"I didn't think he would recognize me. I only dealt with him for ten minutes or so. I just had him sign a few papers for me and that was it."
"Well, he remembers you. You and Lee have got to get out of here. He knows you're Agency and he will not say or do anything with you around," Amanda exclaimed.
"I'll go back in and say I have a headache. Lee is not going to like this, Amanda."
"I know, but it's what has to be done."
"Be careful. We'll wait out in the van for you to leave." Francine placed her hand on Amanda's arm and gave it a slight squeeze.
Amanda looked at her reflection in the mirror. 'You have to be strong. Just remember that Lee's here if you need him.' Amanda told herself. She straightened her dress and returned to the ballroom.
"I have a terrible headache, Dear. Do you mind if we leave early?" Francine asked Lee with a pleading look on her face.
Lee was about to object when Amanda sat beside Nick and gave him the same pleading look. "I'm sorry you feel bad, darling. I think it might have been the wine."
"Ah yes, now I remember. I knew I had seen you before. You were the nice gentleman that helped me in the grocery store recently." Nick eyes became almost black as he glared at Lee.
"Yes, I believe I remember now as well." Lee returned his heavy gaze.
"Perhaps we can meet for dinner sometime," Francine said, as she stood to leave.
"Perhaps. What do you think, dear?" Nick replied turning his eyes toward Amanda.
Once again he painfully squeezed her leg.
"Sounds wonderful." Amanda flashed him a warm smile, as she bared the pain.
"I will let Amanda and Lee set it up, Francine." Nick stood and kissed Francine's hand.
"Till we meet again," Lee replied, giving Nick another firm handshake.
"Indeed." Nick watched the couple leave the ballroom and returned his attentions to Amanda.
"They make a very attractive couple. Don't you agree, Amanda?" Nick asked, again placing his hand possessively on her knee.
"Yes, they do." Amanda replied, as she continued to control the shaking in her voice.
Lee released Francine's hand as soon as they were clear of the ballroom. As they reached the inside of the van, he allowed his anger to surface. "Francine, I can't believe you didn't tell me you knew him!"
"Lee, I only meet the guy for ten minutes to sign some papers. I completely forgot about it until I saw him with Amanda tonight!" Francine exclaimed.
"Well, he sure remembered you!" Lee exclaimed.
"Can it! Both of you! We can't change things now. We'll just have to play it as it goes." Billy sat between the two.
Lee walked over to where the recording machine was at work. He drew his gun and laid it in his lap. He eyes closed, he leaned his body against the van wall. As he listened intently to Amanda's voice, his body was rigid, ready to take action when she needed him.
All agents had their guns drawn and aimed at the van door as they heard the click of the handle. A crooked smile greeted the agents, as a long trail of smoke exited the intruder's lips. "Well, well, well, I see we have quite a nest of mice here tonight."
"Sir." Billy eyes narrowed at his superior.
"You didn't think that I would miss Cinderella's Ball, did you?" Smyth walked to the back of the van, and took a seat beside Lee. "Is this her chariot?"
"What do you want, Smyth?" Lee ignored Smyth comments and leaned back against
the van wall.
"I just wanted to make sure that Cinderella's chariot didn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight." Smyth twirled his cigarette holder in his fingers.
"We have every thing under control, Dr. Smyth." Jacob's snapped, as he watched the ember glow of Smyth cigarette in the dark.
"Hmmm. . . I believe I have heard those words from you before, Jacobs." Smyth raised his eyebrows at the FBI agent.
"A little birdie told me that Desmond here forgot that she knew the good Doctor,
Scarecrow. I guess that ruffled everyone's feathers a bit." Smyth turned his attention back to Lee.
Lee only nodded to Smyth, refusing to give into the man's taunts.
"Let's make sure we don't let our Midnight Rambler have a chance to strike again." Smyth rose from his seat and walked to the van door.
"Do I make myself clear, Melrose." Smyth glared at Billy.
"Yes, Sir." Billy nodded.
"Good." Smyth exited the van with a trail of smoke behind him.
The evening continued with more of Nick's associates joining them, and discussing politics. Amanda smiled and nodded, as they spoke in their native Russian tongue.
"It is getting late, my Dear. Would you like for me to take you home now?" Nick asked, rubbing her back.
"Yes, I have to pick Phillip up early tomorrow." Amanda gave him a grateful smile.
They retrieved her shawl and headed to her home. "I have enjoyed this evening, Amanda." Nick said, as they pulled up her driveway.
"I have too. Thank you for inviting me." Amanda opened the car door anxious to get away from his touch.
He quickly joined her as she reached her door. "I would like to see you again." Nick jerked her around to face him. "The evening was much to short." He placed his hand on her chin, forcing her to meet his powerful gaze.
"I would like to go out with you again." Amanda turned from his touch and unlocked the door.
"I WILL talk to you tomorrow, Amanda." Nick gently turned her to face him and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Amanda smiled up at him and entered her house. Nick listened as she bolted the door and allowed a smile to cross his lips as he went to his car.
She rested her back against the door, and breathed a sigh of relief as she heard his engine start. She pulled herself together, and went to open the back door for Lee.
"Amanda, are you all right!?!" Lee rushed through the back door as she opened it.
"Yes, Lee." Amanda whispered as she allowed him to take her in his arms.
"God, I didn't want to leave you alone in there with him, but after he recognized Francine. . ."
"It's okay, Lee. Nothing happened." Amanda interrupted him as she pulled out of his embrace.
"I told you we had the wrong man, Scarecrow," Jacobs said, as he walked through the door.
"You wait just a damn minute, Jacobs. He didn't say anything because he had recognized Francine as Agency." Lee turned to face him.
"All right, everybody tonight was a wash. That doesn't mean he's still not our man." Billy exclaimed, as he joined them in Amanda's living room.
"It does for the FBI! We have to start looking into other leads instead of relying on one woman's instincts. This animal needs to be stopped before he kills again." Jacob aimed his angry words at Lee.
"Look, Jacobs. . ." Lee seethed.
"I said enough of this. We need to head back to the Agency and regroup. I don't think that Nick will cause any trouble tonight, especially after seeing Francine. I feel like he has connected Lee with the agency by his comments tonight." Billy explained.
"So what do we do now?" Lee grumbled.
"We go back to the Agency and start from scratch." Billy replied.
"I'm not leaving Amanda alone tonight!" Lee exclaimed.
"Scarecrow, I need you with us. The Agency van is still outside to watch after her." Billy gave Lee a stern look.
Lee knew that there was no point in arguing with Billy. He turned to ask Amanda if she would be okay, but couldn't see her in the room. "Amanda?"
"She walked out back a few minutes ago when you were shouting, Scarecrow." Jacobs replied with a smirk.
"Give me a minute, Billy." Lee walked out the back door to find Amanda sitting in the gazebo.
"Sure, I'm going outside and talk to the agents in the van. I want to give them some strict orders for tonight anyway." Billy walked out the front door to give them some privacy.
"You all right?" Lee asked, as he sat beside her.
Amanda nodded her head and turned her tear filled eyes to him. "Amanda, everything is going to be fine."
"I just wish that it was all over. What if he's not the right one? What if we let another woman die tonight because we were after the wrong man?" Amanda whispered, against his chest.
"We'll find out who it is, Amanda." Lee stoked her silky hair with his hand.
They sat in silence for a few moments relishing the comfort they shared. "Amanda, I have to go with Billy for a little while. The Agency guys will still be outside in the van if you need them. Will you be alright?"
"I'll be fine. You are going to come back here, though, aren't you?" Amanda turned her hopeful gaze up to him.
Lee flashed her a bright smile. "You can bet on it. Come on, let me get you inside and lock up before I leave."
Amanda followed Lee to the door as he left. "Don't open this door for anyone but me."
"Lee, I want you to have this." Amanda opened her hand.
Lee looked at the key she held out to him. It was the key to her home. He felt a wave of emotion flow through his body. Was it love he felt as he looked into her shining eyes? "Amanda, I don't know. . ."
"I want you to have it." She interrupted him.
"Thank you." He took the key from her palm. He lowered his head and gently brushed her lips.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. You make sure you lock the door behind me. Don't answer it for anybody." Lee reminded her as he reluctantly pulled away from her.
"I promise, Lee. Now go so you can get back sooner." She gave him a warm smile and closed the door.
Lee waited to hear the deadbolt click and went to join Billy in his car.
"Did you see her kiss him? She lied to you. She does have a lover!"
"He was with another woman tonight!"
"Perhaps she likes company!"
"You don't know what you are talking about!!"
"We will deal with her shortly my friend."
Lee wasn't exactly happy with Billy as he drove away from Amanda's house. He was at least glad that Billy had given specific instructions to the guys in the van. No one, other than Agency personal, was to enter the King house.
Walking into the bullpen, he turned to Jacobs. "You head on into Billy's office. I'll join you and Francine in a moment."
Jacobs shook his head as he watched Lee pick up the phone. He knew whom Lee was calling. He thought to himself 'That boy has got it bad.'
Lee dialed Amanda's number. After three rings, Amanda finally picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Amanda tried to keep her voice from shaking, but with little success. "I'm fine, Lee. I guess I'm just a little worried about being alone."
"Well, make sure all the doors are locked." Lee instructed.
"We did that...." she paused as she caught a glimpse of a shadow pass outside the den doors. She let out a slight gasp.
Lee heard her and almost shouted into the phone "Amanda, what's wrong!?!"
"Lee...I think . . . " Just then, a hand crashed through her back door. She let out a scream at the sight she saw before her. A shadowy figure had forcefully thrown open the door and now stormed towards her. He was dressed all in black and carrying a large knife.
"Amanda!..." Lee started shouting into the phone. He got out one more "Amanda!" before the phone went dead.
Billy had heard the commotion in the bullpen, ran out of his office. "Lee, what's wrong?"
"Damn it, Billy! I knew we shouldn't have left her there. He's in the house!" Lee was almost out the bullpen doors when he turned back. "Try and get in touch with the boys in the van, I'm on my way back over."
Jacobs caught up with him. "Hold on, I'll head over with you."
Lee wasn't about to argue. There wasn't enough time. "Fine, you can call Manny from my car."
Vladimir had grabbed the receiver out of her hand and pulled the phone from the wall. "You lying, BITCH. Why did you lie? You told me you didn't have a boyfriend!"
"Nick...honest, I don't have a boyfriend." She tried to remain calm. She wanted more than anything to calm Nick down. His eyes had clouded over and he definitely wasn't the same man.
"Nick? Nick isn't here. My name is Vladimir. I want you to remember the name of the man who cleanses your deceitful soul." He started to advance towards her.
Amanda slowly backed away from him. She was suddenly aware of how truly insane the man in front of her was. His outward appearance was that of Nick, but his mental state was another man completely. She thought back to their lunch yesterday, at how his eyes clouded over, but had calmed down when she...what was it that calmed him?
'I need to keep him talking.' Glancing around for something to defend herself with. "Vladimir it is then. I apologize, you reminded me of Nick."
Vladimir kept up his steady advance on her. "Nick is a blind fool. He believes that there is good in all women. But I know the truth. They lie. They break vows and want to take up with other men."
She desperately racked her brain for what she had said to him to calm him down yesterday. "Break our vows? How?"
"They marry one man, and then turn around and decide he is no good anymore and move onto the next. They do not have the hindsight to realize divorce is evil." With each word he stepped closer and closer to her.
She knew she was running out of room to back up. "What have I done to then to need retribution?"
"You divorced your husband. You let your boys grow up without a father." Vladimir grew angrier.
The boys. . . that was it! "Is this because Sergei's mother was going to leave both of you?" she asked.
Vladimir stopped walking towards her at the sound of Sergei's name. She saw his eyes start to regain their color again. But just as quickly as they had gained their color, they clouded up again. "You leave Sergei's name out of this. He is an innocent. He had to be saved, just as your boys do."
As Lee maneuvered the Vette at blinding speed through the streets of D.C., he remembered the listening devices. "Jacobs, the ear pieces. They're behind my seat. We're close enough now to be in range. I just hope she still has the necklace on."
Jacobs found the devices and put one in his ear as he handed the other to Lee.
Amanda backed up one more step and found herself against the sink. She knew her only recourse was to try and get the real Nick to resurface. "Nick, I know you're here. I can help you. Please. If you continue on this path, what will happen to Sergei?"
Vladimir had reached her by this point. He grabbed her arm and started pulling her out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. His anger at this woman was growing. "I told you NOT to mention his name! Nick does not want to save YOUR soul!"
"Damn it! Where are those agents? They should have seen this bastard enter her house!" Lee was shouting at Jacobs.
"Maybe they weren't able to, Lee." Jacobs tried to make sense of the situation.
Lee glanced at Jacobs understanding his meaning. He increased his speed as the images of the other women flashed before his eyes.
"I don't understand the conversation they're having. Why is this guy talking about himself in the third person?" Jacobs adjusted his earpiece.
"He's insane, Jacobs. I never should have left her alone. If anything happens to her!"
"Shut up and drive, Lee." Jacobs shouted, feeling the same sense of regret at his own lack of faith in Amanda.
Amanda had lost all control of her emotions the minute Vladimir had grabbed her. She began to struggle, but he was too strong for her. In her last efforts to tear free from his grasp, the knife he was holding sliced down her arm. Blood ran down her arm and began to pool on the floor.
Amanda was too scared to feel the pain that seared through her arm. She continued to try and make Nick resurface. "Look, Vladimir, I know Nick is in there. He's a kind, decent man who loves his son. Please, you don't want to do this" Tears began to stream down her face.
Vladimir whipped her around. He wanted to see the fear in her eyes. He grabbed her throat with his right hand ripping the ruby necklace from her neck. He allowed his knife to trace the outline of her body as he watched the fear well up in her eyes. "BE Quiet, Bitch! You talk too damn much," he growled as he started pulling her toward the stairs.
Vladimir stopped his movements at the sound of sirens in the distance. "Krosniva Sobaka! Now I will have to continue this elsewhere," he hissed.
"Please, Nick, don't let him do this to me." Amanda pleaded trying to buy time.
"I said BE Quiet!" Vladimir slapped her across her face causing her to fall against the stair railing. She struggled to regain her foothold only to be met by another blow to the head. Her last conscious thoughts were of her own impending death.
Vladimir smiled at her unconscious body. He picked her up and carried her to his waiting car. "I am going to take you home, my dear," Vladimir whispered, as his maniacal laughter filled the air.
Rage, fear, and, helplessness ripped through Lee's body as he heard the abuse Amanda was enduring. They were only minutes away when Lee turned the corner of a neighboring street, and was met with the blinding lights of a moving truck. In a split second decision, he swerved, slamming head-on into a parked car.
Chapter 9 Conclusion
Manny Trudeau was rounding the same corner as he heard screech of tires and the crash of metal. He jerked his car to the right and allowed the truck to pass. Just then he noticed Lee's damaged corvette.
He pulled up alongside the accident scene and ran out of his car to inspect the occupants. He let out a sigh of relief as he opened the door and saw that both agents were alive.
"Stetson, Jacobs, you okay?" Manny asked, as he pulled the door open.
Lee began to groan. "Damn it! I don't have time for this shit!" He slowly pulled his head away from the steering wheel. Lee looked over at Jacobs seeing the blood that now covered his dashboard. "I'm fine. Just a little headache, but I think Jacobs is doing so well."
"Ugh, remind me not to get in a car with Mario Andretti again, will you?" Jacobs moaned.
"We don't have time to cry over 'boo boos' at the moment." Lee grumbled, as he pulled himself up and out of his car. Steadying himself against his car door, he looked at the detective. "Come on; we have to get over to Amanda's. Time is running out!"
Manny had walked to the passenger side of the car and was now helping Jacobs out. "We can drive over in my car. I'll have one of the squad cars take you to the hospital."
Manny's car came to a screeching halt in front of the house. Lee bolted from the car, with his gun in hand. He stopped suddenly as he reached the yard. His question of where the agents were was made clear as he scanned the ghastly scene before him. Frank's body lay spread eagle at the end of Amanda's driveway. As Lee approached closer, he saw the deep cut across his throat. He glanced towards the agency van to see Lucas's lifeless hand hanging from the passenger window. Manny motioned for one of his officers to check on the agent. Lee inhaled deeply trying to steady his hands as he approached the front door.
Manny tried the doorknob and motioned to Lee that it was locked. Lee retrieved the key Amanda had given him from his pocket and opened it silently. Lee moved through the front foyer with Manny watching his back. He stopped only momentarily to look at the blood stained carpet at the bottom of the steps. He entered the kitchen while Manny went around through the dinning room hoping to catch Nick off guard. The sight in the kitchen stopped Lee's heart. "Amanda!" Lee screamed as he raced up the stairs to her bedroom. His calls for her went unanswered.
"Manny, any sign of them downstairs!?!" Lee yelled racing back down the stairs.
Lee found Manny in the kitchen by the sink holding Amanda's ruby necklace. "Oh my God, we can't even hear what the bastard is doing to her now." Lee turned and headed for the front door.
"What happened?" Billy asked as he entered the front door.
"They're not here! We have to get to Nick's house NOW!" Lee rushed past Billy.
Manny followed Lee, and briefly stopped in front of Billy to hand him the necklace. "Get all of your units to his house or there is going to be another blood bath."
Manny ran to catch up to Lee. "I'm driving!" Lee firmly stated as he got into the driver's seat.
Manny surmised by the look of rage on Lee's face there was no point in arguing. He joined Lee in the car and handed him the keys. Lee started the engine and sped off into the night towards Nick's.
Amanda tried to focus on her surroundings. When she tried to massage her throbbing head, she found to her dismay that her hands had been restrained to a bed. Suddenly, the events of the past few hours came rushing back.
"I'm glad to see you have awakened. I had hoped to spend more time with you, but that boyfriend of yours seems most persistent." Vladimir walked by her side holding his knife so that the light shone off of it.
"Nick, please!" Amanda cried, pleading once more. "I know you're in there somewhere. Don't let Vladimir have his way. Remember, Sergei. He needs you, Nick, now more than ever!"
"BE QUIET!"
"Vladimir, tell me what happened to make you feel this way. If I understand, maybe I can change my sinful ways." Amanda tried to force herself to remain calm.
"Listen to her, Vladimir." Amanda looked at the man arguing with himself. She had been able to bring Nick to the surface. Now she needed to bring Nick out totally.
Vladimir looked at her and began to pace the small room. "I don't want to listen to her, Nikolai. She is evil, just like your wife."
"You must listen to her, Vladimir. She may be able to help us in our quest."
Vladimir returned to her side, and she stilled. "Perhaps we should talk. Maybe I should explain things before I take your life. That way you can beg your God for forgiveness before you die."
"Yes, I need to save my soul." Amanda tried to appease the man.
"You do understand that we didn't used to be this way. We were innocent to women's wandering ways. Until one day when Nikolai came home from work and found his wife in bed with another man. She had demanded a divorce, saying that she didn't love him anymore. I had to take over and protect Nikolai. I had to take her body forcefully, to prove I was her master. That I was the only one she was to bed with. I had to kill her and purify this earth from her sinful ways. She had broken her wedding vows. I must continue to do this. I want to help all the men who have suffered because of you wicked women. I must save the children from following in their sinful footsteps." Vladimir explained, calmly stroking her cheek.
Amanda remained still and tried to encourage him to continue talking. "Tell me more."
"Enough of this small talk. I feel the need to rid this earth of this woman. I need to kill my wife! She has betrayed me."
"I'm not your wife. I'm Amanda King. I have two small boys that need me. Please listen to me. I'm not your wife. She's already dead!" Amanda pleaded, as tears started to run down her cheeks.
"Vladimir, perhaps you should show her your paintings. You know how excited that makes you," Nick encouraged.
Vladimir began to cut the ropes that held Amanda's right hand. "I have made these beautiful paintings from the blood of the sinful. I felt that if their souls were captured on canvas, it would be a reminder to all women to cherish their vows."
At the sound of footsteps Vladimir, stopped his tasks and went into the shadows of the room. Amanda took this chance to pull her wrist free from where Vladimir had cut and began to untie her other bonds.
Lee and Manny had followed the trail of blood up the walkway. Lee opened the front door as Manny went to the back of the house in order to prevent Nick's escape. Lee followed the trail of blood to a door leading down to the basement. He descended the stairs and headed towards a room not far from the steps. Lee eased the door open and stepped in. As he looked into the darkened room, what he saw sent anger, pain, and relief through his veins like lightening. "Amanda!" Lee gasped heading to her aide.
Vladimir stepped from the shadows, grabbed Lee from behind, and placed the knife to his throat. "I don't like uninvited guests. Please toss your gun in the corner."
Lee did as he was requested. Vladimir pushed him to the floor and looked over at Amanda. "This could be interesting. I like the thought of your lover witnessing my work," Vladimir gave Amanda a wicked grin.
"Nick, you have to fight him. You are stronger! Make him go away," Amanda screamed.
Vladimir shook his head as if to clear it. "He cannot win, Amanda. Remember he is the weak one."
Lee took this opportunity to sweep Vladimir's feet out from under him. The men struggled with the knife that was now held between them. Amanda freed herself and went to retrieve Lee's gun. "Stop!" She shouted, as she aimed the gun at the ceiling and fired. Vladimir tore the knife from Lee's hands and rolled away from him. He stood and faced Amanda, "Don't make me shoot you, Nick. You can do it! You are stronger than this monster. Fight him, Nick. Think of what this will do to Sergei. Sergei needs his father."
Lee went to Amanda's side to take the gun, when a loud cry of pain escaped Vladimir's lips. He shook his head violently and dropped to his knees. Nikolai looked at Amanda with soft, tear filled eyes. "I'm sorry, I have to end this," Nikolai said, raising his knife to his chest and plunging it through his heart.
Lee watched the scene before him, not fully understanding the meaning, but knowing the end results meant that Amanda safe. He took her shaking body into his arms and helped her from the room.
As they reached the main floor Manny ran through the house to them. "I heard shots!"
"He's in the basement." Lee continued to direct Amanda out of the house.
Once outside, her emotions took over as she finally broke down and cried. He wrapped his arms around her possessively.
"Scarecrow, what happened?" Billy placed his hand of Lee's shoulder.
"Manny's inside, Billy. He'll tell you."
"The ambulance is on its way." Billy continued to the house, followed by a small army of agents.
"Shhh... Amanda its over, I'm here," Lee placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and pulled her back to look at her arm.
Amanda winced in pain as he gently lifted her arm to inspect her open wound. "Lee, I'll be okay." Amanda saw the pain in his eyes.
"Amanda, I should have been there." Lee whispered, as he pulled her into his embrace.
"You came for me." Amanda smiled into his chest.
"I just should have been there when the bastard came to your house. I could have stopped him from. . ." Lee struggled with his anger towards the monster.
"Oh, Lee. I tried to talk to him. I did. . . he was utterly insane." she cried.
"I know, I know. But it's over now. He won't be killing anyone ever again." Lee tightened his grip around her waist.
"If someone could have helped him with his depression over his wife, this would have never happened. Lee, he was so pitiful." Amanda pulled back to look into his hazel eyes.
He saw the look of sadness cross her features. It would never stop amazing him how this one woman could care about even the lowest of human beings. "Amanda, he chose to die. For him it was the way to end it all."
"I know, it's just that he was so tortured. I think he could have been saved himself. Poor Sergei." Amanda started to wipe the tears from her eyes, but her arm was too weak.
Lee was about to offer more words of comfort when he heard the ambulance pull up. "Come on. I need to get you to the hospital."
She laid her head against Lee's chest and closed her eyes as he carried her to the waiting ambulance.
As they rode to the hospital, Lee held Amanda's hand in his. He thought back to their first ride in an ambulance together. "Haven't we played this scene before, Mrs. King?"
A warm smile came to Amanda's lips as she held his hand. "Yes, Lee. Are you going to say something nice to me?"
"I'll do more than that," Lee whispered as he leaned over and took possession of her lips.
The End