Disclaimer: Scarecrow and Mrs. King and its characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. The plot of the following story was co-conspired. My thanks to Amy for the story idea and the inspiration to this sequel. Enjoy the read.
The story is a sequel to "I Would Never Cause You Pain". This deals with the aftermath of a drugged Lee beating Amanda.
Good Intentions
Amanda walked through the back door laughing as Lee finished recapping his version of a compromised Francine during a busted courier assignment. "…so Francine looked at the man and told him her blood would 'clash terribly with her new shirt'."
"I see my daughter's pain isn't the only pain you take lightly." Dotty commented coldly having heard the end of his story.
"Mother?" Amanda questioned realizing that two policemen were standing in her kitchen. She also saw the look of pure hatred burning in her mother eyes as she stared at Lee. Amanda squeezed his hand and drew herself closer to him not sure what was going on.
"Don't mother me Amanda King. Lee Stetson you get away from my daughter and don't ever think of touching her again!" Dotty yelled trying to get Amanda out of his arms. She closed her hand over the bruise on Amanda's arm and Amanda cried out in pain. Dotty very gently began to talk to her daughter, "You see Amanda he's hurt you badly this time. I know you're trusting but this is only going to get worse."
Amanda was speechless. She looked at Lee to the police. Taking their queue they looked at Lee. "Sir, we need to know if you've been beating Mrs. King."
"Has he what?" Amanda asked stunned. Lee couldn't believe what was happening and said nothing.
"He heard them. Tell them Lee. Tell them about the broken ribs you gave her and the horrible bruises you scarred her with."
Lee couldn't look Dotty in the eyes. Amanda spoke quietly, "I was mugged."
"No. You weren't." Dotty returned. "There was no police record filed. No ones in jail for hurting you. Yet." She finished vindictively.
"Sir did you cause Mrs. Kings injuries?" The officers asked again. Lee could only nod. He had after all beat her. They ushered him against the wall and began frisking him as they read him his rights.
"Stop this!" Amanda yelled. "Mother how could you?" She asked weakly.
"How could I what? Look out for my daughter who is in an abusive relationship?" Dotty replied.
"I. Am. Not. In. An. Abusive. Relationship." Amanda said through her teeth hoping to get through to her mother. As she finished her statement the police found Lee's gun and Dotty went through the roof.
"He could have killed you!" Dotty yelled trying to get through to her daughter. This was not like Amanda at all.
"That's it." Amanda said winded the strain showing. "Officers, please. Can Lee and I speak with you privately?" She asked and led them to the den shutting her mother out. Once inside Amanda sank into a nearby chair unable to remain standing.
Lee came to her side now handcuffed and couldn't even hug her to comfort her. "Amanda, it's going to be alright. Officer we can explain." Lee started never taking his eyes off of hers.
"Why don't you start by explaining why you were carrying a gun." The cop told him sternly.
"Amanda my ID." Lee said motioning to his jacket pocket. Amanda reached in and pulled out Lee's Federal Identification.
"We're federal agents. My mother doesn't know I'm an operative for my families safety." Amanda explained handing her ID over as well. "My injuries were obtained from a case we just closed."
"And that would be?" The officers were still skeptical.
Amanda looked at Lee unsure of how much to reveal. "All I can tell you was we arrested Armon Santiago. I need to call by boss to verify what I can and can't disclose." Amanda said evenly.
"We'll want to talk to him anyway to confirm your story. Mr. Stetson, why did you confess to beating Mrs. King?"
"Because I did." Lee answered flatly.
"Sir, he was drugged and had no control over the situation. Mr. Melrose can explain." Amanda replied.
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After 20 minutes the group emerged from the den with a freed Lee Stetson and an angry Dotty waiting for them. "We're sorry for the confusion Mr. Stetson. Take care of yourself Mrs. King." The police told them politely and began to leave.
Dotty couldn't believe what was going on. That man confessed to beating Amanda, had a gun and was being released and allowed to remain in her house! She began to protest when a very serious Amanda spoke. "Mother let them go."
"Let them go! I can't believe your okay with being brutalized and they're going to let in continue! Lee leave now!"
As Dotty spoke Joe came running into the house. "Mother, if Lee leaves I leave." He heard Amanda say. He had no idea what was going on.
"Amanda?" Joe broke in.
"Joe what are you doing here?"
"Dotty called me and said you had been beaten."
"Mother! I can not talk to you right now or I'll…" Amanda trailed off as the pain that had been building from the stress and yelling escalated to a point she could no longer ignore it.
Lee saw her shake. "Amanda?" He said stepping closer.
"You stay away from her." Dotty warned.
"Mother no." Amanda whispered. "You stay away. Lee."
"I'm right here." He said closing the gap and giving her support.
"Bed."
"Okay. Hang on, I'll carry you." Amanda merely nodded.
Dotty began to protest again but Joe put a hand on her arm. "Dotty. There's more here than you realize. Trust Amanda."
"I trust her but not—"
"Trust her judgment." Joe replied and silenced Dotty.
**************************************************
"I can't believe this." Amanda said weakly.
"Amanda just rest okay." Lee answered as Joe walked into the room.
"What happened?" Joe asked.
"Joe we can't talk about it." Amanda explained.
Joe was clearly frustrated but concerned for Amanda. "I just want to know if you're okay."
"Right now I've been better. How could mother think I would put up with abuse? How could she think Lee would do such a think?"
"Dotty said she over heard you two talking this morning. Lee said he beat you and Dotty had seen horrible bruise covering you stomach and side. She was concerned, understandably, and drew conclusion from the information she had." Joe answered reasonable.
Amanda smiled in spite of everything, "Are you never not a lawyer? You sound like you're her defense attorney."
"I'm not on anyone's side Amanda. I care about this family and there are a lot of people hurting right now. I know this has something to do with your job and I want to help."
Lee had been silent the whole time not sure how much to tell Joe but desperate to resolve the situation. To resolve his current situation he need all the help he could get. He looked at Amanda and started, "I could get in huge trouble for what I'm about to tell you…" and Lee recapped the last four days hoping for an easy way out with Dotty that didn't burn whatever bridges were left.
To be continued…