Chapter Three

Lee walked past the stage and cleared his throat as he walked past Amanda. He had spent the morning following Carl Valentine and sure enough Dr. Serge Krutiov was spotted with the producer. Lee knew that things were going south regarding this case and he didn't want Amanda near it. But at the same time he wanted her to work with him on this one. They were partners after all. Oh come on Stetson, you just want to be near her. She really is becoming an incredible agent. You miss her when she's not around. You have it bad…you are in love with Amanda King. Just face facts. He sat down and watched as Amanda stood up and headed towards him. She sat down and sighed.

"These revised scripts were waiting for us when we got here this morning. Tony nearly had a fit."

"Where is he now?"

"He headed towards his office with Valentine."

"Who was just cheek to cheek with Serge Krutiov"

She looked at him. "In Washington?"

Lee nodded. "I don't know what bizarre web he is weaving but I can guarantee you it will be unpleasant. Now it is time for you to hit the what Billy said"

He knew she was going to put up a fight. "Lee, this is a good cover. Krutiov will probably never come here. It's a good cover."

He nodded. She was right. Krutiov would never set foot in the theater. That would expose him and Krutiov wouldn't risk it.

They looked up and saw Tony Martinet and Valentine walk out on stage. Valentine announced to the group that they were going back to the original script. Everyone started clapping. Amanda leaned over towards Lee and whispered "For a playwright that just got his script back Tony doesn't look very happy." Lee agreed. Something didn't look right about this. Valentine went down the stairs and headed towards the exit. Lee looked at Amanda and said "All right, you stay with Martinet for now. I'll hang with Valentine. Remember…."

Amanda nodded as she said "Be careful."

They both got up and Lee headed for the door. As he reached the doors of the theater he looked back at Amanda and smiled. She really is something, isn't she? How did I get so lucky? More importantly, how do I let her know what she means to me? I have some thinking to do….just gotta get this case solved first. Lets go Stetson. You can't sit here and watch Amanda all day.

He chuckled to himself and headed out to follow Valentine.

He really didn't like stake outs. Especially when he was alone. He had nothing to do except watch Carl Valentine. He followed him to a quiet restaurant for lunch and then the Potomac Plaza Hotel. Lee followed him up to the fourth floor. Interesting? What is going on? A hotel room? Lee thought to himself. He decided to hang out in the lobby and wait to see what would happen. Then he saw her. Amanda. She walked into the lobby and headed towards the pay phones. He quickly stood up and headed towards her without her seeing him. He could overhear her conversation with Francine.

"Francine, are you telling me that Lee hasn't picked up any of his messages?"

"All right, when he does will you tell him that I am at the Potomac Plaza Hotel and ask him to meet me here as soon as he can?"

"Thank you very much. Goodbye" Amanda slammed the phone down and Lee came up behind her. He leaned up against the wall and she gave him a look. "Oh well, hello."

He grinned at her "What are you doing here?"

"You'd know if you picked up your messages?"

"I have been busy following Valentine. He's in a room on the fourth floor. You were supposed to stay with Martinet."

" I am, he's gonna be here any minute."

Lee looked over Amanda's shoulder and sure enough there was Tony Martinet walking in carrying what looked like some flowers. Lee grabbed Amanda and pulled her towards him. They peaked around the corner and watched Martinet head towards the elevator and the third floor.

They headed up the elevator and saw Martinet with some bodyguards. What in the world is going on? What's with the muscle? Who is Martinet meeting here and what does Valentine have to do with it? Lee was trying to figure this all out. Something was off about this. He found a room that was hopefully across Martinet's room enough that he and Amanda could see what was happening. He picked the lock and they snuck into the room. Lee opened the balcony door and said " Well, this is perfect."

Then they saw her. A woman. Lee pulled out his mini camera and started taking pictures. Amanda was right behind him. She whispered "This is embarrassing."

Lee smirked "It's the seamy side of secret agent work. Just be glad we're not hiding under the bed"

She gave him a look. He sighed and said "Well, it happens."

Lee kept snapping pictures and Amanda piped up "He put something in that glass"

"Yes he did."

They watched the woman come back out and she was holding up a very short black negligee. Lee immediately approved of it and his thoughts traveled to seeing Amanda wearing something like that for him. What the hell! Where did that come from? Maybe one day she would wear something like that. Just for me. She would look absolutely amazing in it. And of course it wouldn't stay on her very long. Damn. I need to stop. You haven't even kissed her yet. You are such a chicken. I swear once this case is over…I am going to kiss her!

His thoughts were interrupted by the man on the roof of the hotel. They were looking at them through binoculars and talking on a walkie talkie. He looked at Amanda as someone started banging on the hotel room door. They locked eyes and both knew where they had to go. Over the balcony….thank God the pool was below them. As they climbed over the railing Amanda said "Can we discuss this?"

"Yeah sure….later"

They both jumped off the balcony and splashed into the pool. Lee swam over to the edge and pulled Amanda out of the water. They ran towards his car and took off.

"I am sorry about your car, Lee."

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I don't care about the car, Amanda. I care about you. Are you okay?"

Amanda smiled at him and nodded. "I'm fine Lee. It's not like I haven't jumped off buildings before. The things you make me do sometimes…." She laughed and squeezed his hand back.

"When did you jump off a building?"

Amanda looked at him and laughed. "Oh Lee…don't you remember? When we were in Austria looking for Emily. We jumped into the lake by that castle. We were soaking wet then too!"

Lee laughed "I had forgotten that. We sure have been on some adventures, haven't we?"

"Yes….we certainly have."

"You don't regret any of them….do you?"

Amanda reached over and put her hand on his cheek. "I don't regret one moment of my time with you Lee Stetson. Never doubt that."

Lee beamed at her and reached up and took the hand that was on his face. He kissed her palm and said "Same here, Amanda. I mean it."

They pulled onto Amanda's street. He said he would park down the street and wait for her. They had to get back to the Agency with those pictures. Amanda nodded and before she got out she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"I'll be out in a few."

Lee smiled at her and nodded "I'll call Billy while you get changed."

Amanda got out of the car and ran into the house. Lee sat there and took a deep breath thinking about all the things she did…..for him. He felt very lucky.