Chapter 5 - Riddles and Repercussions
**Agency Sublevel Three
Friday Afternoon - 1:10PM**
Lee, Amanda and Francine stepped of the coat elevator and turned toward the entrance to the bullpen. Amanda worked her hands nervously in front of her, so Lee reached out and separated them, linking his fingers through hers. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him, nervousness pulling at the corner of her lips.
"It's going to be fine," he whispered as they walked. "Whatever happens, it's going to be fine."
"How can you say that, Lee? This could be your career. This is what you've always been."
He stopped short and pulled her back with him. Francine continued on, but stopped at the entrance of the bullpen with her arms crossed over her body and a perturbed look on her face. She tapped one high-heeled foot at a staccato beat. Lee turned Amanda so she faced him, and put his hands on her arms, rubbing her sweater with his palms.
"Amanda, being an Agent is what I was. It used to be that was the only definition I had of myself. But that's not true now. Not anymore. I'm an Agent, but I'm a husband, too. And a step-father. And a son-in-law. And so many other things. So, I mean it when I say it'll be fine, no matter what happens. Because I'll still have you."
Amanda smoothed his lapel and did her best to put on a confident smile. She slipped her hand beneath his jacket and laid her palm against his heart. The smile that seemed to fill her entire face and sparkle in her brown eyes warmed Lee's blood.
"I love you," she said in a slow, raspy whisper.
"Billy is waiting," Francine said impatiently.
With their hands joined, Lee and Amanda Stetson walked into the bullpen. The other agents and staff throughout the room made no effort at hiding their blatant stares and whispers as they passed.
**Dead Agents walking . . .**
Francine knocked on Billy's door and opened it. "They're here, Billy," she said and stepped aside so they could walk in.
As they passed her, Francine mumbled, "I hope it was worth it."
"Every minute," Lee replied and walked inside.
Billy sat behind his desk, his hands pressed together on top of his blotter. He looked up, but Lee couldn't read the clouded expression on his face. Dr. Austin Smythe sat across from Billy with his legs crossed and a thin cigar in his fingers. The thick smoke hung heavy in the air, and Lee heard Amanda stifle a cough.
"Scarecrow. Amanda. Have a seat," Billy said, motioning to the two empty chairs beside Dr. Smythe. An extra one had apparently been brought in from the bullpen. Lee waited for Amanda to sit, then took the seat between her and Dr. Smythe. He continued to hold her hand in the space between them.
"I'm sure the two of you know why we're here," Billy said, leaning forward on his desk.
"Yes, sir," Amanda squeaked and Lee felt a small tremor go through her hand.
"Billy, we know - but before the ax falls, can we talk about what we came up with this afternoon?" Lee asked.
"Too late for reestablishing priorities, Scarecrow," Dr. Smythe said in his singsong voice. "Tick tock tick tock. For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you."
Immediate annoyance, just like every time he spoke to Dr. Smythe, rushed through Lee's veins. "Can the nursery rhymes, Smythe. Let's just get to the point so we can move on, okay?"
"Tsk tsk, Scarecrow. Be careful of the hand that feeds you. Bite, and I might bite back."
Lee raised his hand in concession. "Fine. What happens now."
"Nothing," Billy stated.
Silence settled between the four until Lee could absorb what Billy said. "Nothing?"
"Sir?" Amanda said in question.
"Nothing. Nil. Zip. Zilch. Nada," rattled off Dr. Smythe.
"Okay, so let's just drop the other shoe and get it over with. What's going on here?"
Dr. Smythe stood and walked to the window, looking out onto the bullpen through the shades. He puffed on his cigar and blew smoke rings into the air, then snapped the blinds shut with a jerk. "We need no curious eyes to let the cat out of the bag, until we say so." His voice had a strangely cryptic tinge to it, even more so than usual.
Lee looked from Dr. Smythe to Billy and back to Smythe. He then stole a glance in Amanda's direction. She just shrugged and shook her head. She was as lost as he was.
"Let's just move to the main event, shall we, kiddies?"
"Yes, please," Amanda said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I've been aware of your secret little love affair since your unfortunate incident in California, Mrs. King. Oh, I really must stop doing that. Do you prefer Mrs. Stetson? Or is it Mrs. Scarecrow?"
"You've known for over two years?" Lee exclaimed, knowing Dr. Smythe referred to their honeymoon when Amanda was caught in the middle of a shoot out and nearly died.
Dr. Smythe made a clicking sound in his cheek and touched the side of his nose. "You got it, bucko."
"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you -." Lee lost the ability to speak, his thoughts running wild. Why didn't Smythe split them up years ago? Why did they both still have jobs?
"I may not be a romantic, Scarecrow, but I'm not a fool. As William here has pointed out on numerous occasions, you are one of the best teams in the field. Why should I rock the boat when it's sailing so smoothly? I watched you for awhile, made sure your little change in status didn't effect your job performance, and after awhile I stopped watching. If anything, I think you're doing a better job for it."
Lee realized his jaw was open, and snapped it shut with a click of his teeth. Amanda's grip on his fingers grew tighter by the moment, and he figured the same sense of relief was probably hitting her that was making his own skin tingle.
"Does this mean, Dr. Smythe, that you won't, well," Amanda tried to ask, sputtering around her words.
"That I won't split you up? That I won't pull one or both of you out of the field? That I won't kick you out on your behinds?"
"Well, yes, sir."
"No, I'm not. But, you do understand your deception cannot go unpunished."
"I knew there had to be a downside," Lee muttered.
"Officially, as soon as the two of you walk out of this office you will be on Administrative Leave pending an investigation that will determine whether you keep your jobs or not," Billy explained.
"But Billy, we've got this Mancini case cracked open! We could land him tonight!" Lee protested.
Billy raised his hand and tilted his chin, silently telling Lee he wasn't done quite yet. "Unofficially, the two of you begin a six week paid leave to get your minds back on track and get away from the stress of the last few days. Paid, of course. Your leave will begin as soon as we have Mancini in the bag. Hopefully, that will be tonight."
"Thanks to the quick wit of your perceptive partner, by what I understand, Scarecrow."
Lee smiled and looked to Amanda, his partner. A deep blush stained her cheeks, and he wasn't sure what caused it more. The realization that they weren't losing their jobs, the thought of an extended vacation, or the compliment from a man who had been out to tan their hides on more than one occasion.
"Thank you, sir," she said in a low voice.
"So, we're going ahead with a stakeout at the dock tonight," Lee confirmed.
"Francine is already putting it together. The two of you will head it up, but incognito. Not even Francine knows. Only the agents and TAC team that meet you there will know. According to anyone here in the office, you're off the case. Permanently."
Lee nodded and leaned forward in his chair. "So, you believe there's someone in the Agency trying to sabotage the case."
"The case. You. I'm not sure what their ultimate goal is, but I intend to find out. We figure if it's know you're going in there tonight, it'll get back to Mancini before you get to the front door. This way, with alittle play acting on your parts, we'll throw them off the scent."
"Play acting?" Amanda asked.
"Burn out, act two," Lee said with a smile and sat back in his chair again.
"Oooh," his wife said with rounded lips.
They discussed the details further for that nights raid, and when all had been gone through, Billy stood with a nod. "Curtain time."
"Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch the golden ring, Jack fell down and broke her heart, learning what pain deception brings," Dr. Smythe said as he stuck his nearly gone cigar in the corner of his mouth.
Lee shook his head and stood. Someday he would figure out what plane of existence that man's mind worked on, but today he just tried to ignore it.
"Are you ready for this?" he said to his wife.
Amanda gave him a small smile and touched his arm. "I think so."
"Now remember, make it look good. We want everyone out there convinced you're both out of here, and not on pleasant terms. With the Agency, or with each other if you can manage it. If our double-crossing agent isn't in the bullpen, I want them to know about it within minutes. The sooner they know, the sooner they let Mancini know. And the sooner he lets his guard down alittle. If he thinks you're out of the way, Scarecrow, he won't be watching as closely tonight.
"Right," Lee agreed and offered Amanda his hand to help her from the chair. She came to her feet and they stood close together between the two chairs they had recently occupied.
Lee circled her waist with his arm and touched her cheek with his other hand. "This isn't going to be easy, or fun."
"I know," she said barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry for the things I'm going to say. I don't mean any of it. I swear that to you."
"I know, Lee. I understand."
He cradled her cheek in his palm and leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips. "I love you, Mrs. Scarecrow," he whispered with laughter lacing his words.
Amanda chuckled softly. "I love you, too."
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The tension in the bullpen was so thick, one could almost cut it with a knife. Everyone tried to at least appear as if they were working, but eyes remained on the closed door to Billy Melrose's office more than on any work. Voices were raised in the small office, but the thick glass prevented any of the words to be clear enough to understand.
Things were going even better than planned. A Tchaikovsky ballet couldn't have been better choreographed. The person who, in their own mind, felt solely responsible for the downfall of Scarecrow and Mrs. King stood near the coffee machine and waited for the show to really begin.
Melrose's door flew open, and Scarecrow stopped short of storming it to turn and point a finger back into the office.
"You can't do this to me!" he shouted. "I'm the best damn agent you've got, Billy! You're going to clip my wings over this? I've got Mancini by the short hairs and he's going to get away because you want to be the big boss and throw your weight around."
"You broke the rules, Scarecrow. It's time to pay the price."
Amanda appeared in the door, a stricken look on her face. Even from across the room, the damage done to her make-up from crying was apparent.
"Lee, sweetheart, please calm down," she begged.
"Calm down? I damn well will not calm down! Are you happy now, Amanda? Huh? You got what you wanted. I'm done."
"No, Lee, this isn't what I wanted," she tried to interpose.
"You haven't heard the last of this, Smythe. You haven't heard or seen the last of me."
Scarecrow stormed across the bullpen, his meek spoken wife quick on his heels.
"Lee," she called after him, finally catching his arm. "Lee!"
He yanked his arm from her grasp, and the look on her face couldn't be more shocked if he had slapped her.
"You," he sneered, pointing down at her. "You did this to me. You messed with my head, teased me, and talked me into this whole stupid mess."
Amanda planted her fists at her tiny waist. "Me? Me! Who proposed to whom? Wasn't me, buster. This was your idea. Don't blame me because you screwed up everything."
"I used to think the biggest mistake I ever made was giving you that damn package at the train station, but I've changed my mind. The biggest mistake I ever made was marrying you. You've cost me my career, darling." He said the endearment with a near-growl.
Stetson turned away, moving with such force Amanda wavered in his wake, and stormed out of the bullpen. She stood stock still, her hands hanging limp at her side, and tears streamed down her face. A small sob shook her slight frame.
Francine Desmond moved from her desk to touch Amanda's arm. The two women, who were often more rivals than friends, exchanged pained looks and Francine led Amanda from the room.
"I've never seen him so angry," Amanda forced through a strained whisper as she neared the coffee machine.
"What did Billy do?" Francine asked, and their watcher was surprised by the genuine concern in her voice.
"He's put both of us on Administrative Leave pending a full investigation. But Dr. Smythe told us there is a slim to none chance either of us will end up with a job, in any capacity, in the Agency. I can't believe I've caused this," she cried softly, leaning into Francine.
Francine patted her arm in an attempt at consolation. "It wasn't just you, Amanda. Lee had an equal part. What will you do now?"
Amanda shrugged and picked up a napkin from the coffee station. Their watcher took several steps back so as to appear not to intrude, but stayed close enough to hear.
"I don't know what Lee will do. I probably won't see him for days now, **if** he ever speaks to me again. I think I'm going to go away for a few days. Clear my head."
Francine nodded. "Sounds like a good idea, Amanda. You go. Get some fresh air. I'll talk to you later."
Amanda dabbed at her eyes. "Thank you, Francine. You're being very understanding, considering the circumstances."
The two women walked away again, and the Scarecrow Saboteur made a valiant effort at hiding the giant grin of satisfaction that threatened to appear.
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**Office of Anthony Mancini
Friday Afternoon - 2:56PM**
Anthony Mancini sat forward in his chair, and hung his phone up with a smile. He just confirmed with his bank that the seven-point-four million from Prince Rahib had in fact arrived in his front account the day before. Everything was a go, with only one small detail left open.
Scarecrow.
If anyone could bring this shipment down around his ears it was Scarecrow. But if his person inside the Agency did their job, coupled with Mancini's brief kidnapping of Jamie King the day before, Scarecrow would not be a problem for much longer.
The idea of throwing the Agency off his scent by giving them a more tasty fish to fry was brilliant, and he would admit it even if he hadn't come up with the original plan. Planting a note on a murdered agent to implicate Lee Stetson, then having a forged marriage license show up, was perfect. The higher ups at the Agency would be so enraged at Stetson's deception, no matter how much he denied it, Mancini knew who did the license and knew it would be difficult proving anything different, they would spend the next week decided what to do with their top agent and not focusing on a shipment of M16's leaving DC.
Scarecrow had been a thorn in his side for three years, since he first made his move into DC. He heard about Scarecrow. What gunrunner or drug smuggler worth their salt hadn't? Scarecrow played hardball and took no prisoners.
But without even intending to, Mancini found Scarecrow's Achilles' Heel; that pretty little brunette that stumbled on their jump three years before. She had blown it for him that day, but also gave him the out he needed. Mancini smiled at his own ingenuity. Playing the game so Scarecrow shot his own partner, and basically leaving the door open for them to just walk out. A sardonic grin spread his lips as he pondered what it was like for Scarecrow to see his partner, and as Mancini now new, his future lover, bleeding and in pain on the cold concrete warehouse floor. Did Scarecrow curse his name? Did he swear revenge? Mancini's source in the Agency made it quite clear that the two were far more than business partners, which made the set up all that much easier. Made the solution all that sweeter.
His phone rang and he snatched it up, a strange sense of euphoria filling him.
"Yah," he answered simply.
"It's me," and Mancini recognized the voice as his contact.
"Fill me in. What's going on down there?"
There was a laugh over the line. "Better than you can imagine. Are you ready for this?"
"I'm already in a good mood. Can it get any better?"
"Sure can. Seems that Scarecrow and Mrs. King - pardon me, Mrs. Stetson - really were secretly married. They have been for two years. Melrose and Smythe nearly took out the moon when they shot through the roof."
Mancini laughed hard, leaning back in his chair. "Damn, that's sweet!"
"All hell broke out here last night, after you dropped of the King boy. And by the looks on their faces when they came in this morning, their night didn't fare so well either. Smythe and Melrose called them into Melrose's office acouple hours ago. The yelling was incredible."
Mancini was feeding on every word, seeing the one obstacle he considered moving right out of his path.
"Stetson and King come out of the office, and Stetson is yelling at everyone. Then he turns on her! By the time he stormed out, she was reduced to tears." The glee in his contact's voice was contagious.
"So, what did they do to them?"
"They're both on Administrative Leave until Smythe decides what to do, but my understanding is that the chance of them keeping their jobs is slim to none. Stetson has taken off, no one knows where, and his wife," the caller snickered, "she told someone she was going away for awhile. I don't think you'll need to worry about either of them for quite awhile. And even if this were to somehow blow over, I doubt they'll be partners ever again."
Mancini slapped his hand down on the desk. "Hot Damn!"
"I take it you are pleased."
"Pleased? Damn straight! And I am so damn pleased I'm going to make sure you get a big fat bonus for this one."
With a flourish, Mancini hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. Life was good. Life was very good. He stood up and headed for his liquor cabinet to toast his success.
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**Lee's Apartment Friday Afternoon - 5:22PM**
Lee paced the length of his apartment, from bedroom to kitchen and back again, desperately trying something to calm his nerves and kill the time. He moved to his dining room and stared out the window, scanning the street below for Amanda's Wagoneer. There was no sign of it.
"Come on, Amanda," he mumbled to himself. "Come to me."
He hated how they parted at the Agency, but they decided in Billy's office it was the best way. If anyone paid attention, they would see him leave in a fury, and she would leave some time afterwards. Lee went to a local bar, downed two or three stiff drinks which he made sure the bartended watered down for him first. He and Matty had a code worked out so the man knew this was what Lee wanted.
After some time at the bar, Lee left and came straight home, making sure again that whomever might be watching saw a stagger in his step and tightness in his doubled fists.
But once inside his apartment, Lee began to worry, began to think about what went down in the bullpen, and the regret set in. He knew it had been an act. Amanda knew it had been an act, but one of the hardest things he ever had to do in his life was tell her marrying her was a mistake. The look in her eyes nearly killed him. It was everything he could do not to call the whole charade off and pull her in his arms.
Lee went back to the kitchen and pulled a can of soda from the refrigerator. He wasn't all that thirsty, but he needed something to occupy his hands.
The sound of a key in a lock brought Lee's attention around full focus. By the time the apartment door opened, Lee was out of the kitchen and headed for the entry. Amanda barely had the door closed behind her when he pulled her into his arms and held her so tight he was afraid she would break, but he couldn't let go. Her arms wrapped around him, and Lee wanted to hold her for the rest of his life.
"Amanda," he whispered against her hair and kissed her temple. "What took you so long to get here?"
"Francine," she answered simply, but Lee needed no further explanation.
Lee pulled back enough to look down at her, holding her face in his hands. He could still see the redness and puffiness of her eyes from crying. The glistening of unshed tears still made her eyes seem brighter than usual, and her cheeks were flushed pink.
"I've been watching out the window for you," he told her as she kissed his wrist.
"I took the car home and went out the back to catch a cab down the street. So no one would see my car here."
Lee smiled. "You're getting better at this every day."
Amanda's chin trembled and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "I'm trying."
Lee covered her lips, tasting the salt that still lingered there, and tried to confirm with the intimate touch that she was there and with him and the last twenty-four hours had just been a nightmare. The need to feel her, to know his wife, flooded his body like an ocean wave slamming into his chest. It pulled at him, leaving him unsteady but needful at the same time.
Amanda's fingers shifted to his side, and he felt her fingers curl into his shirt. Her breath warmed his cheek as he deepened the kiss and tasted his wife. She hummed against his lips, and the shockwaves pummeled his body.
"What time are we meeting Billy at the docks?" she whispered against his mouth, not breaking the contact.
"Nine thirty," he answered, pulling her closer.
"Good. We have time."
Needing no further encouragement, Lee bent his knees and swept Amanda into his arms. She pressed her face against his neck and clung to his collar as he maneuvered around the living room furniture and carried her to the bedroom. He didn't even bother kick the bedroom door closed as he lowered her to the bed.
**Agency Sublevel Three
Friday Afternoon - 1:10PM**
Lee, Amanda and Francine stepped of the coat elevator and turned toward the entrance to the bullpen. Amanda worked her hands nervously in front of her, so Lee reached out and separated them, linking his fingers through hers. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him, nervousness pulling at the corner of her lips.
"It's going to be fine," he whispered as they walked. "Whatever happens, it's going to be fine."
"How can you say that, Lee? This could be your career. This is what you've always been."
He stopped short and pulled her back with him. Francine continued on, but stopped at the entrance of the bullpen with her arms crossed over her body and a perturbed look on her face. She tapped one high-heeled foot at a staccato beat. Lee turned Amanda so she faced him, and put his hands on her arms, rubbing her sweater with his palms.
"Amanda, being an Agent is what I was. It used to be that was the only definition I had of myself. But that's not true now. Not anymore. I'm an Agent, but I'm a husband, too. And a step-father. And a son-in-law. And so many other things. So, I mean it when I say it'll be fine, no matter what happens. Because I'll still have you."
Amanda smoothed his lapel and did her best to put on a confident smile. She slipped her hand beneath his jacket and laid her palm against his heart. The smile that seemed to fill her entire face and sparkle in her brown eyes warmed Lee's blood.
"I love you," she said in a slow, raspy whisper.
"Billy is waiting," Francine said impatiently.
With their hands joined, Lee and Amanda Stetson walked into the bullpen. The other agents and staff throughout the room made no effort at hiding their blatant stares and whispers as they passed.
**Dead Agents walking . . .**
Francine knocked on Billy's door and opened it. "They're here, Billy," she said and stepped aside so they could walk in.
As they passed her, Francine mumbled, "I hope it was worth it."
"Every minute," Lee replied and walked inside.
Billy sat behind his desk, his hands pressed together on top of his blotter. He looked up, but Lee couldn't read the clouded expression on his face. Dr. Austin Smythe sat across from Billy with his legs crossed and a thin cigar in his fingers. The thick smoke hung heavy in the air, and Lee heard Amanda stifle a cough.
"Scarecrow. Amanda. Have a seat," Billy said, motioning to the two empty chairs beside Dr. Smythe. An extra one had apparently been brought in from the bullpen. Lee waited for Amanda to sit, then took the seat between her and Dr. Smythe. He continued to hold her hand in the space between them.
"I'm sure the two of you know why we're here," Billy said, leaning forward on his desk.
"Yes, sir," Amanda squeaked and Lee felt a small tremor go through her hand.
"Billy, we know - but before the ax falls, can we talk about what we came up with this afternoon?" Lee asked.
"Too late for reestablishing priorities, Scarecrow," Dr. Smythe said in his singsong voice. "Tick tock tick tock. For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you."
Immediate annoyance, just like every time he spoke to Dr. Smythe, rushed through Lee's veins. "Can the nursery rhymes, Smythe. Let's just get to the point so we can move on, okay?"
"Tsk tsk, Scarecrow. Be careful of the hand that feeds you. Bite, and I might bite back."
Lee raised his hand in concession. "Fine. What happens now."
"Nothing," Billy stated.
Silence settled between the four until Lee could absorb what Billy said. "Nothing?"
"Sir?" Amanda said in question.
"Nothing. Nil. Zip. Zilch. Nada," rattled off Dr. Smythe.
"Okay, so let's just drop the other shoe and get it over with. What's going on here?"
Dr. Smythe stood and walked to the window, looking out onto the bullpen through the shades. He puffed on his cigar and blew smoke rings into the air, then snapped the blinds shut with a jerk. "We need no curious eyes to let the cat out of the bag, until we say so." His voice had a strangely cryptic tinge to it, even more so than usual.
Lee looked from Dr. Smythe to Billy and back to Smythe. He then stole a glance in Amanda's direction. She just shrugged and shook her head. She was as lost as he was.
"Let's just move to the main event, shall we, kiddies?"
"Yes, please," Amanda said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I've been aware of your secret little love affair since your unfortunate incident in California, Mrs. King. Oh, I really must stop doing that. Do you prefer Mrs. Stetson? Or is it Mrs. Scarecrow?"
"You've known for over two years?" Lee exclaimed, knowing Dr. Smythe referred to their honeymoon when Amanda was caught in the middle of a shoot out and nearly died.
Dr. Smythe made a clicking sound in his cheek and touched the side of his nose. "You got it, bucko."
"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you -." Lee lost the ability to speak, his thoughts running wild. Why didn't Smythe split them up years ago? Why did they both still have jobs?
"I may not be a romantic, Scarecrow, but I'm not a fool. As William here has pointed out on numerous occasions, you are one of the best teams in the field. Why should I rock the boat when it's sailing so smoothly? I watched you for awhile, made sure your little change in status didn't effect your job performance, and after awhile I stopped watching. If anything, I think you're doing a better job for it."
Lee realized his jaw was open, and snapped it shut with a click of his teeth. Amanda's grip on his fingers grew tighter by the moment, and he figured the same sense of relief was probably hitting her that was making his own skin tingle.
"Does this mean, Dr. Smythe, that you won't, well," Amanda tried to ask, sputtering around her words.
"That I won't split you up? That I won't pull one or both of you out of the field? That I won't kick you out on your behinds?"
"Well, yes, sir."
"No, I'm not. But, you do understand your deception cannot go unpunished."
"I knew there had to be a downside," Lee muttered.
"Officially, as soon as the two of you walk out of this office you will be on Administrative Leave pending an investigation that will determine whether you keep your jobs or not," Billy explained.
"But Billy, we've got this Mancini case cracked open! We could land him tonight!" Lee protested.
Billy raised his hand and tilted his chin, silently telling Lee he wasn't done quite yet. "Unofficially, the two of you begin a six week paid leave to get your minds back on track and get away from the stress of the last few days. Paid, of course. Your leave will begin as soon as we have Mancini in the bag. Hopefully, that will be tonight."
"Thanks to the quick wit of your perceptive partner, by what I understand, Scarecrow."
Lee smiled and looked to Amanda, his partner. A deep blush stained her cheeks, and he wasn't sure what caused it more. The realization that they weren't losing their jobs, the thought of an extended vacation, or the compliment from a man who had been out to tan their hides on more than one occasion.
"Thank you, sir," she said in a low voice.
"So, we're going ahead with a stakeout at the dock tonight," Lee confirmed.
"Francine is already putting it together. The two of you will head it up, but incognito. Not even Francine knows. Only the agents and TAC team that meet you there will know. According to anyone here in the office, you're off the case. Permanently."
Lee nodded and leaned forward in his chair. "So, you believe there's someone in the Agency trying to sabotage the case."
"The case. You. I'm not sure what their ultimate goal is, but I intend to find out. We figure if it's know you're going in there tonight, it'll get back to Mancini before you get to the front door. This way, with alittle play acting on your parts, we'll throw them off the scent."
"Play acting?" Amanda asked.
"Burn out, act two," Lee said with a smile and sat back in his chair again.
"Oooh," his wife said with rounded lips.
They discussed the details further for that nights raid, and when all had been gone through, Billy stood with a nod. "Curtain time."
"Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch the golden ring, Jack fell down and broke her heart, learning what pain deception brings," Dr. Smythe said as he stuck his nearly gone cigar in the corner of his mouth.
Lee shook his head and stood. Someday he would figure out what plane of existence that man's mind worked on, but today he just tried to ignore it.
"Are you ready for this?" he said to his wife.
Amanda gave him a small smile and touched his arm. "I think so."
"Now remember, make it look good. We want everyone out there convinced you're both out of here, and not on pleasant terms. With the Agency, or with each other if you can manage it. If our double-crossing agent isn't in the bullpen, I want them to know about it within minutes. The sooner they know, the sooner they let Mancini know. And the sooner he lets his guard down alittle. If he thinks you're out of the way, Scarecrow, he won't be watching as closely tonight.
"Right," Lee agreed and offered Amanda his hand to help her from the chair. She came to her feet and they stood close together between the two chairs they had recently occupied.
Lee circled her waist with his arm and touched her cheek with his other hand. "This isn't going to be easy, or fun."
"I know," she said barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry for the things I'm going to say. I don't mean any of it. I swear that to you."
"I know, Lee. I understand."
He cradled her cheek in his palm and leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips. "I love you, Mrs. Scarecrow," he whispered with laughter lacing his words.
Amanda chuckled softly. "I love you, too."
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The tension in the bullpen was so thick, one could almost cut it with a knife. Everyone tried to at least appear as if they were working, but eyes remained on the closed door to Billy Melrose's office more than on any work. Voices were raised in the small office, but the thick glass prevented any of the words to be clear enough to understand.
Things were going even better than planned. A Tchaikovsky ballet couldn't have been better choreographed. The person who, in their own mind, felt solely responsible for the downfall of Scarecrow and Mrs. King stood near the coffee machine and waited for the show to really begin.
Melrose's door flew open, and Scarecrow stopped short of storming it to turn and point a finger back into the office.
"You can't do this to me!" he shouted. "I'm the best damn agent you've got, Billy! You're going to clip my wings over this? I've got Mancini by the short hairs and he's going to get away because you want to be the big boss and throw your weight around."
"You broke the rules, Scarecrow. It's time to pay the price."
Amanda appeared in the door, a stricken look on her face. Even from across the room, the damage done to her make-up from crying was apparent.
"Lee, sweetheart, please calm down," she begged.
"Calm down? I damn well will not calm down! Are you happy now, Amanda? Huh? You got what you wanted. I'm done."
"No, Lee, this isn't what I wanted," she tried to interpose.
"You haven't heard the last of this, Smythe. You haven't heard or seen the last of me."
Scarecrow stormed across the bullpen, his meek spoken wife quick on his heels.
"Lee," she called after him, finally catching his arm. "Lee!"
He yanked his arm from her grasp, and the look on her face couldn't be more shocked if he had slapped her.
"You," he sneered, pointing down at her. "You did this to me. You messed with my head, teased me, and talked me into this whole stupid mess."
Amanda planted her fists at her tiny waist. "Me? Me! Who proposed to whom? Wasn't me, buster. This was your idea. Don't blame me because you screwed up everything."
"I used to think the biggest mistake I ever made was giving you that damn package at the train station, but I've changed my mind. The biggest mistake I ever made was marrying you. You've cost me my career, darling." He said the endearment with a near-growl.
Stetson turned away, moving with such force Amanda wavered in his wake, and stormed out of the bullpen. She stood stock still, her hands hanging limp at her side, and tears streamed down her face. A small sob shook her slight frame.
Francine Desmond moved from her desk to touch Amanda's arm. The two women, who were often more rivals than friends, exchanged pained looks and Francine led Amanda from the room.
"I've never seen him so angry," Amanda forced through a strained whisper as she neared the coffee machine.
"What did Billy do?" Francine asked, and their watcher was surprised by the genuine concern in her voice.
"He's put both of us on Administrative Leave pending a full investigation. But Dr. Smythe told us there is a slim to none chance either of us will end up with a job, in any capacity, in the Agency. I can't believe I've caused this," she cried softly, leaning into Francine.
Francine patted her arm in an attempt at consolation. "It wasn't just you, Amanda. Lee had an equal part. What will you do now?"
Amanda shrugged and picked up a napkin from the coffee station. Their watcher took several steps back so as to appear not to intrude, but stayed close enough to hear.
"I don't know what Lee will do. I probably won't see him for days now, **if** he ever speaks to me again. I think I'm going to go away for a few days. Clear my head."
Francine nodded. "Sounds like a good idea, Amanda. You go. Get some fresh air. I'll talk to you later."
Amanda dabbed at her eyes. "Thank you, Francine. You're being very understanding, considering the circumstances."
The two women walked away again, and the Scarecrow Saboteur made a valiant effort at hiding the giant grin of satisfaction that threatened to appear.
SMK ~~~ SMK ~~~ SMK ~~~ SMK
**Office of Anthony Mancini
Friday Afternoon - 2:56PM**
Anthony Mancini sat forward in his chair, and hung his phone up with a smile. He just confirmed with his bank that the seven-point-four million from Prince Rahib had in fact arrived in his front account the day before. Everything was a go, with only one small detail left open.
Scarecrow.
If anyone could bring this shipment down around his ears it was Scarecrow. But if his person inside the Agency did their job, coupled with Mancini's brief kidnapping of Jamie King the day before, Scarecrow would not be a problem for much longer.
The idea of throwing the Agency off his scent by giving them a more tasty fish to fry was brilliant, and he would admit it even if he hadn't come up with the original plan. Planting a note on a murdered agent to implicate Lee Stetson, then having a forged marriage license show up, was perfect. The higher ups at the Agency would be so enraged at Stetson's deception, no matter how much he denied it, Mancini knew who did the license and knew it would be difficult proving anything different, they would spend the next week decided what to do with their top agent and not focusing on a shipment of M16's leaving DC.
Scarecrow had been a thorn in his side for three years, since he first made his move into DC. He heard about Scarecrow. What gunrunner or drug smuggler worth their salt hadn't? Scarecrow played hardball and took no prisoners.
But without even intending to, Mancini found Scarecrow's Achilles' Heel; that pretty little brunette that stumbled on their jump three years before. She had blown it for him that day, but also gave him the out he needed. Mancini smiled at his own ingenuity. Playing the game so Scarecrow shot his own partner, and basically leaving the door open for them to just walk out. A sardonic grin spread his lips as he pondered what it was like for Scarecrow to see his partner, and as Mancini now new, his future lover, bleeding and in pain on the cold concrete warehouse floor. Did Scarecrow curse his name? Did he swear revenge? Mancini's source in the Agency made it quite clear that the two were far more than business partners, which made the set up all that much easier. Made the solution all that sweeter.
His phone rang and he snatched it up, a strange sense of euphoria filling him.
"Yah," he answered simply.
"It's me," and Mancini recognized the voice as his contact.
"Fill me in. What's going on down there?"
There was a laugh over the line. "Better than you can imagine. Are you ready for this?"
"I'm already in a good mood. Can it get any better?"
"Sure can. Seems that Scarecrow and Mrs. King - pardon me, Mrs. Stetson - really were secretly married. They have been for two years. Melrose and Smythe nearly took out the moon when they shot through the roof."
Mancini laughed hard, leaning back in his chair. "Damn, that's sweet!"
"All hell broke out here last night, after you dropped of the King boy. And by the looks on their faces when they came in this morning, their night didn't fare so well either. Smythe and Melrose called them into Melrose's office acouple hours ago. The yelling was incredible."
Mancini was feeding on every word, seeing the one obstacle he considered moving right out of his path.
"Stetson and King come out of the office, and Stetson is yelling at everyone. Then he turns on her! By the time he stormed out, she was reduced to tears." The glee in his contact's voice was contagious.
"So, what did they do to them?"
"They're both on Administrative Leave until Smythe decides what to do, but my understanding is that the chance of them keeping their jobs is slim to none. Stetson has taken off, no one knows where, and his wife," the caller snickered, "she told someone she was going away for awhile. I don't think you'll need to worry about either of them for quite awhile. And even if this were to somehow blow over, I doubt they'll be partners ever again."
Mancini slapped his hand down on the desk. "Hot Damn!"
"I take it you are pleased."
"Pleased? Damn straight! And I am so damn pleased I'm going to make sure you get a big fat bonus for this one."
With a flourish, Mancini hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. Life was good. Life was very good. He stood up and headed for his liquor cabinet to toast his success.
SMK ~~~ SMK ~~~ SMK ~~~ SMK
**Lee's Apartment Friday Afternoon - 5:22PM**
Lee paced the length of his apartment, from bedroom to kitchen and back again, desperately trying something to calm his nerves and kill the time. He moved to his dining room and stared out the window, scanning the street below for Amanda's Wagoneer. There was no sign of it.
"Come on, Amanda," he mumbled to himself. "Come to me."
He hated how they parted at the Agency, but they decided in Billy's office it was the best way. If anyone paid attention, they would see him leave in a fury, and she would leave some time afterwards. Lee went to a local bar, downed two or three stiff drinks which he made sure the bartended watered down for him first. He and Matty had a code worked out so the man knew this was what Lee wanted.
After some time at the bar, Lee left and came straight home, making sure again that whomever might be watching saw a stagger in his step and tightness in his doubled fists.
But once inside his apartment, Lee began to worry, began to think about what went down in the bullpen, and the regret set in. He knew it had been an act. Amanda knew it had been an act, but one of the hardest things he ever had to do in his life was tell her marrying her was a mistake. The look in her eyes nearly killed him. It was everything he could do not to call the whole charade off and pull her in his arms.
Lee went back to the kitchen and pulled a can of soda from the refrigerator. He wasn't all that thirsty, but he needed something to occupy his hands.
The sound of a key in a lock brought Lee's attention around full focus. By the time the apartment door opened, Lee was out of the kitchen and headed for the entry. Amanda barely had the door closed behind her when he pulled her into his arms and held her so tight he was afraid she would break, but he couldn't let go. Her arms wrapped around him, and Lee wanted to hold her for the rest of his life.
"Amanda," he whispered against her hair and kissed her temple. "What took you so long to get here?"
"Francine," she answered simply, but Lee needed no further explanation.
Lee pulled back enough to look down at her, holding her face in his hands. He could still see the redness and puffiness of her eyes from crying. The glistening of unshed tears still made her eyes seem brighter than usual, and her cheeks were flushed pink.
"I've been watching out the window for you," he told her as she kissed his wrist.
"I took the car home and went out the back to catch a cab down the street. So no one would see my car here."
Lee smiled. "You're getting better at this every day."
Amanda's chin trembled and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "I'm trying."
Lee covered her lips, tasting the salt that still lingered there, and tried to confirm with the intimate touch that she was there and with him and the last twenty-four hours had just been a nightmare. The need to feel her, to know his wife, flooded his body like an ocean wave slamming into his chest. It pulled at him, leaving him unsteady but needful at the same time.
Amanda's fingers shifted to his side, and he felt her fingers curl into his shirt. Her breath warmed his cheek as he deepened the kiss and tasted his wife. She hummed against his lips, and the shockwaves pummeled his body.
"What time are we meeting Billy at the docks?" she whispered against his mouth, not breaking the contact.
"Nine thirty," he answered, pulling her closer.
"Good. We have time."
Needing no further encouragement, Lee bent his knees and swept Amanda into his arms. She pressed her face against his neck and clung to his collar as he maneuvered around the living room furniture and carried her to the bedroom. He didn't even bother kick the bedroom door closed as he lowered her to the bed.