Chapter 4
*See part 1 for disclaimer
Lee stepped into the Agency foyer, kicking the snow off of his shoes, and shaking it off of his jacket. Grumbling the whole time. He had slipped and slid the whole way to work, and he was glad that Amanda had a bigger car since she had to come from farther away.
Good morning to you too, Mr. Stetson, The familiar voice of Mrs. Marsten intruded into his other wise bad morning.
he glanced annoyingly at her.
Good morning, she repeated.
he questioned. There must be four feet of snow out there. What's good about it?
she answered. She had been around long enough to recognize Lee Stetson's foul moods, and decided to quit while she was ahead.
Lee stepped over to the front desk, gave the word of the day, which was very ironic, and only worsened his mood. he rolled his eyes as he said it, and Mrs. Marsten handed him his ID badge.
I'll be in the Q Bureau if any body needs me, he growled as he headed up stairs. He couldn't wait to get to his office, and wrap his cold arms around his warm wife.
Lee opened the door to the Q bureau and called out, to which there was no reply. Amanda, he repeated again, louder this time, then noticed the door to the vault was ajar, and walked over. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he planned his sneak attack. He slowly opened the door only to find the vault empty, and remembered that he had left the door open the previous day.
Oh, where is she? He walked over to the window to watch the still falling snow. Traffic must be really bad. She usually beats me here. Lee continued to watch the snow, and the sky that signaled no end in site. He looked over at the clock. 9:30,' he thought to himself. If I'm lucky I can stop her before she leaves. It's too dangerous for her to be out in this mess.'
Lee picked up the phone on his desk, and dialed Amanda's house. He was greeted by the sound of a busy signal. Phillip's girl friend,' he thought to himself. Trying to think of another way to reach Amanda, as he placed the receiver back down in its cradle.
His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. There she is, she hasn't left yet,' he thought very relieved.
Lee began, only to be cut off.
came the angry voice of Billy Melrose. Get down here on the double. I have some questions for you about the Valozkovich case.
Oh, come on Billy can't that wait? That case has been put to bed..., he was cut of again.
Not according to Dr. Smyth, Billy hissed into the phone. He's going to have both our hides if you don't get down here and explain this report to me.
Lee sighed loudly, not caring if Billy heard him. Alright, I'm on my way.
Billy's voice was only slightly calmer now.
Oh, Billy, Lee started, before his section chief had time to hang up.
Billy sounded angry again.
Is Amanda down there? Lee questioned, his eyes showing how anxious he was to see her.
No, isn't she up there? Billy answered Lee's question with a question.
No, she's not up here, Lee replied.
She was probably smarter than all of us, and stayed home today. Now, get down here! Billy was yelling again.
Alright, Alright, Lee said, and hung up the phone.
He tried calling Amanda's house one more time before heading down to the bullpen, but only got he same busy signal. Billy's probably right, I bet she did stay home. She finally listened to something I told her to do,' he thought as he laughed to himself.
***TBC****