Part 4

Washington, D.C., Nedlindger's Washington Pub

October 20, 1998

Lee entered Nedlindger's, his eyes scanning the sparse afternoon crowd, then walked up to the bar and approached an attractive redhead sitting alone. In his most charming voice, he asked her, "May I join you?"

The woman turned her gaze to him, and looked him up and down appraisingly with her sparkling green eyes. Apparently liking what she saw, she nodded her assent. Lee sat down next to her and said, "Let me buy you a drink." Turning to the bartender, he said, "Ned, get me a scotch and get the lady another of whatever she's drinking." Ignoring the disapproving look in Ned's eyes, he turned his attention to his beautiful companion, and with a dazzling smile said, "I haven't seen you here before. New in town?"

The woman smiled back and replied, "Yes. But I don't know anything about the city. Some friends who live in D.C. told me they'd meet me here, but it appears I've been stood up."

Ned scowled as Lee's smile brightened. "Well, it must be my lucky day. How about we go somewhere so we can talk in private, and then maybe I can show you the sights," he said with a wink.

Her eyes brightened as she replied, "Sure."

Lee threw some money down on the bar and said, "Keep the change, Ned."

Ned frowned and shook his head. "Poor Amanda," he thought, "Looks like Lee's back to his old tricks."

Lee helped the woman off the bar stool and extended his arm to her. She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and the couple walked out into the Washington sunlight, where they got into Lee's car. After a few blocks, Lee's passenger reached up and took off her red wig, revealing her own blonde hair. She said, "Well, Stetson, I see marriage hasn't made you lose your touch. Can you tell me now why all the cloak and dagger?"

Lee sighed, "It's really serious, Francine. Jamie's been kidnaped by 'The Foundation.'" He paused at her sharp intake of breath, then continued, "That's not all. There's a mole in the Agency. Amanda and I need your help because we know we can trust you." He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, "Thanks for responding so quickly, and without question."

"Well Lee, the message was marked Zulu Blue. What choice did I have? But, even if it hadn't been, I'd still be here. You know I'd do anything for you; we're family. Just let me know what I need to do."

Lee smiled, "You'll get the whole story when we get to the Agency. And Francine? Thanks again."

After a few minutes, Lee pulled his car onto a side street and parked. "We're here," he announced.

Francine said in surprise, "I thought we were going to the Agency."

"We are. Come on, Francine."

The two left the car and walked toward a set of outdoor steps that led below street level. They descended the steps and entered the basement of what appeared to be an abandoned building. Lee turned to Francine and asked, "You trust me, right?"

"Of course, Lee."

"I need to blindfold you."

"You're kidding, right? Do you know what my security clearance is?"

Seriously, Lee replied, "I know it's not high enough. You have to wear the blindfold."

Francine sighed before agreeing, "OK."

Lee led Francine through a maze of corridors and a series of locked doors. After about ten minutes, they reached an expanse of blank wall. Reaching out with his right hand, he touched a barely visible metal stud in the wall, and with his left hand, pushed in on another one a few feet away. A small panel with a numeric pad popped out of the wall in front of him. Lee punched in a code and then swiped the magnetic edge of his ID card through a slot in the panel. The panel disappeared back into the wall and then the whole wall slid to the right, revealing the interior of an elevator. Lee guided Francine in and the wall slid back, sealing the two agents inside.

As soon as the wall closed them in, Lee took off Francine's blindfold. Francine was startled when a computer voice began talking, "Use of this facility by persons with less than Triple Omega Red clearance is strictly prohibited. Please step forward for retinal scan."

Lee turned toward the panel that started glowing and stared into it, trying not to blink as the scan was made. The computer voice returned, "Identity confirmed: Lee Stetson. Assistant Director of the Agency. Clearance Level Triple Omega Red. Please enter pass code."

Lee punched in a number and the elevator began to move. When it stopped, the door slid open, revealing a small corridor painted a dismal grey.

Francine, who had been uncharacteristically quiet the entire time, finally found her voice and asked, "Just where are we going?"

"My office."

Francine's eyes widened, "We're in the Agency? I don't recognize this place at all."

Lee replied, "I wouldn't expect you to. Very few know about these passages because they're 'need to know' only. From them, you can get to any office in the building. And, even though you're not cleared, I had to bring you up this way. In fact, you'll be using them the whole time you're here. We don't want the mole to know what we're planning. No one can know you're in D.C., let alone helping us out."

"Speaking of clearance, Lee, I didn't even know Triple Omega Red existed."

"In a way, it doesn't, except for those who have it."

"Oh," she responded thoughtfully.