CONTINUED -EMPTY NEST

PARTS IV THROUGH CONCLUSION


DISCLAIMER: Mentioned in Part I

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: Amanda is offered a higher paying in private industry, which will mean leaving IFF and Lee.
Suspicious circumstances abound.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: No story on this site is a failure to the reader's eyes. Each author has different
techniques. I take exception to the reviewer who came up with that prize comment. I will do my best
to develop characters and a solid plot, and slow down the pace a little, but I don't fail at each attempt.
Neither does anyone else.

PART IV

Amanda input the security word , got access to F. Y. I's main computer base, and then input each
of the bogus names. She found incriminating records of illegal stock fund transfers to German investors,
Mr. Beyers, and Dr. Smyth. Copies of all transactions were printed to be turned over to the Federal
Government.

As for Dr. Smyth's involvement , it seems that in their "agency" days, Smyth and Beyers were once
Adversaries. Mr. Beyers saved Dr. Smyth's neck, keeping him out of jail for misrepresentation on
an important international case. Beyers promised to collect on this favor owed later on down the road. Now, Beyers had Smyth set up as the American liason in these illegal stock trades, which he couldn't
get out of. Since Dr. Smyth profited considerably, he didn't seem to upset concerning the whole situation.

Concerned, Amanda stated "Lee, I think we should call Billy to inform him of the evidence we have
collected, to insure all this data is received into protective hands." Amanda could sense the forthcoming
danger. Scarecrow agreed.

The phone lines in Lee's apartment were bug free, being checked periodically. Scarecrow placed a call
to his boss, Billy Melrose. "Billy, this is Lee. Look, we have retrieved incriminating evidence from
F. Y. I.'s computer exposing Beyers, Steve Solo, Harry Kraft, and Dr. Smyth. What do you want me to
do with this data?"

"Good work, you two. Fax it here to the Agency, and I'll get copies to the proper authorities right away.
Lee, get Amanda out of stricking distance. She is definitely in danger, when F. Y. I. discovers she has
tampered with their computer system. I believe the two of you should strongly think about using the
Commonwealth safe house for a little while. I'll set it up for you starting tonight. Get out of your
apartment as soon as possible. Head straight for the small airport. The Agency Cessna will be waiting ."

Lee turned to Amanda and explained, "Billy thinks it's a good idea for us to take temporary refuge at
the Commonwealth safe house in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Both of us are in danger, especially you."
Lee took both her hands, "Your safety means everything to me, so, after I get this data faxed to Billy,
we need to leave." Lee used a government supplied fax machine kept in his apartment for emergencies,
such as this one.

"C'mon, let's get out of here. Get your jacket. Don't worry about clothing or food, the Commonwealth
has everything we need. We'll use your Wagoneer." They hurried to the jeep, and Lee took off as fast
as lightening. Solo was watching the apartment, and the two partners got a good head start before Solo
could react and follow.

The road trip took an hour. Scarecrow lost Solo at the edge of D.C. Lee had used these detours on
previous cases.

At the small airport, the Agency Cessna was ready to board. Lee locked the Jeep, and hurriedly escorted
Amanda inside. After checking with the Agency pilot, they were on their way.

"We should arrive at the Commonwealth in about half an hour, so just relax," Lee smiled. "By the way,
your work on this case has been great so far, but until Smyth and his cohorts are caught, we want you
protected." "Why this location, Lee? Why, not the Cumberland, it's closer?"

"The Cumberland is being overhauled for modernization . I know this is inconvenient," Lee sympathized.
"I'm fine with the Commonwealth, as long as you're here with me," she squeezed his hand. "You know
you're in danger, too, Lee. Dr. Smyth hates you," cautioned Amanda.

"The feeling is mutual," repeated Scarecrow. "I'll tell you one thing, as long as I live, he won't hurt you,
honey, I'll take care of both of us." Scarecrow's cheeks glowed red when he realized the endearment he
had uttered. "I'm sorry, Amanda, it slipped out," Lee said sheepishly.

Amanda smiled, "Don't apologize, I loved it. In fact, I wish you would use it more often." She held
his hand.

"We're almost there," Lee looked out the window and tilted his head toward the Commonwealth.

PART V

After signing in, the partners retreated to the bedrooms assigned for their stay. Amanda was too keyed
up to sleep. She was frustrated and edgy. Lee sat with her in her room. He wrapped his arm around
her shoulder, and tried to sooth her worries.

"Don't be upset, Amanda, everything will work out. That was a good meal we had. Steak and potatoes.
Try and relax." Lee comforted her as best he could. "Thank you for being my comfort, my best friend.
I don't know what I would do without you," she smiled into his eyes, and caressed his cheek.

Lee responded and smiled, "You're welcome, honey," he touched his lips to hers lightly. Amanda
reacted eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Enjoying her reaction, Lee deepened the kiss,
with all the passion that was in him. "Amanda," he whispered. After a while, they broke apart
breathlessly.

"Amanda, I don't want you to ever leave me. I need you in my life. I'm in love with you. If you had
really left, I don't know what I would have done. This case has made me realize what I have right in
front of me. How much you mean to me, and what a stupid fool I've been not to have realized it
sooner."

"Lee, I'm glad you told me. I love you, too." Amanda moved in closer to Lee. "I'm scared, Lee."
"We'll be fine, Amanda. Don't worry. There are guards downstairs, and I'm here with you.

Steve Solo contacted Mr. Beyers and told him that the F.Y.I. computer had been tampered with,
and the bogus name list copy was missing. Beyers suggested that he and Kraft retrieve their belongings
and exit the country. Beyers contacted Dr. Smyth at home and repeated the same news to him. Beyers
was heading back to Germany.

Billy's phone at the Agency happened to be wired since the last check two days ago, and Dr. Smyth
had listened in, so he knew where Lee and Amanda were staying. Tomorrow, he would take care
of everything. But, first, he called the authorities on the other three culprits, so they would be caught.
If he was going to jail, they were going down with him.

The next morning , Dr. Smyth arrived at the Commonwealth. The guard at the door did not realize
that Smyth was being hunted. He presented his Agency badge, and the guard innocently let him in.
The guard didn't check for a weapon.

"Honey, wake up," Lee caressed her cheek and tried to rouse her. He had spent the night beside her.
"Mmmm"... Amanda's eyes opened, and was greeted by Scarecrow planting a kiss lightly on her lips.
"Good morning, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" "At this moment, wonderful. I wish we could
wake up every morning like this."

Dr. Smyth made his way upstairs, readying his gun. He made his way to Amanda's bedroom, after
hearing voices inside.

Smyth banged the door open, and viewed his two best agents cuddled together, sharing an embrace.
"Well,well, children, cozy time. I'm all choked up," seethed Smyth.

Lee and Amanda jumped out of bed startled. Lee, reached for his weapon.

"Forget it, Stetson," Smyth pointed his gun at Scarecrow, point blank. Then he shouted at Amanda,
"That was beautiful work, Mrs. King. You're quite good, for a housewife."
"how did you know where we were, Smyth.?" Lee asked angrily. "I have my ways, Scarecrow,"

"Let's not prolong this, you two are dead meat. Walk this way, please," he pointed across the room
with the weapon. Dr, Smyth looked away for a moment distracted. Scarecrow took that instant to
tackle him, knocking him to the floor, the weapon dislodged to the side. Amanda moved quickly,
and retrieved the gun, pointing it at Smyth.

Scarecrow punched Smyth unconscious. "It's over, Amanda. He's on his way to prison. I'll get the
guards. You watch him." The security guards transported the former Agency head to the nearest federal prison location. Solo, Kraft, and Beyers tried to flee, but were apprehended at the airport.

Back at the Agency in the Bullpen, Billy smiled at Lee and his partner. "It's really going to be strange
not to see Smyth's face around here any more, but justice is served in this case. By the way, the President
is going to see that Dr. Smyth gets the maximum punishment he deserves. You two did a wonderful
job. Take a few days off, both of you. You deserve them."

"Thanks, Billy," Lee and Amanda smiled in unison.

"Rest and romance will prevail, Billy. See ya later." Scarecrow walked hand in hand out of the
Bullpen with his beautiful Amanda

THE END