Chapter 2

Lee Stetson exited the elevator from the Georgetown portal with a spring in his step and a smile on his face; completely blind to how irresistible he looked to all the women he passed in the hallway. He had thoughts for only one woman, his Amanda. If anyone had told him a few years ago that one woman could have such an effect on him, he would have laughed. He had never thought of himself as a one-woman man, let alone one who could be happily (if secretly) married. What was it Amanda had told him Francine had said, "He's never satisfied with just one hors d'oeuvre, he has to have the whole buffet table." Yes, that had been Lee, a pre-Amanda Lee, and he was more than happy to see him go. Entering the bullpen, Lee made his way over to Billy's office and walked in at Billy's wave.

Looking pointedly at his watch, Billy said, "I thought I told you to get here quickly. I called you two hours ago!"

Hoping his smile didn't give too much away, Lee answered, "Billy, you know I told you I had to get the weasel into the cage, and it took a little longer than I thought it would."

Billy smirked and replied, "You don't think I'm buying that weasel story do you? But we don't have time to get into that now. I have an assignment for you. The buzz is that some information vital to national security is going to be passed at the Blue Ridge Resort this weekend. So, I need the two of you in position by 5:00 today. You'll be posing as a newlywed couple . . ." 

Billy continued, but Lee wasn't listening anymore. He would be with Amanda at the Blue Ridge Resort for the weekend, 'posing' as a newlywed couple. This weekend was going to be great. Sure, they would have a job to do, but they wouldn't be on 24 hours. They would have plenty of time to enjoy being together.

"I'll call Amanda and tell her to pack," Lee said with a smile.

"I've already briefed Francine, and she's ready to go," Billy said at the same time.

As Billy's response registered, Lee blurted out with a grimace, "Francine? Billy, why does it have to be Francine? Amanda's my partner. I'm sure that it won't be a problem for her to get away. In fact, her boys are at Joe's for the weekend, and her mother is visiting her sister Lillian. So, you just tell Francine she's not needed and I'll call Amanda."

Billy replied, "Scarecrow, I'm sure that knowing where Amanda's family is this weekend is just part and parcel of being a good partner, but Francine will have to be your partner this weekend."

"Billy!"

"Lee, as I said, the information that's being passed is of utmost importance to our national security. I'm sorry, but Amanda's security clearance is not high enough."

 "But. . ." 

"Lee, it's Karl Opitz."

"Karl Opitz? East Germany's top agent is in the States?" Lee whistled. "Do we have any idea that his contact is, or the nature of the information being passed?"

"No, and that's what makes this so damn difficult, Lee. But with Opitz in the picture, you know it's something big. Now get home and packed. Francine will meet you at the motor pool at one. She'll have all the documents for your covers. I've already booked the honeymoon suite in the name of Mr. and Mrs. Stimson."

"OK, but it better be a two-bedroom suite, Billy."

"For newlyweds?"

"I don't care what it looks like Billy, change the reservations to a two-bedroom suite, or I'm not going."

"What is it with you, Scarecrow? You never had a problem sharing a room with Francine before. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

Lee ran his fingers through his hair before replying, "No, there's nothing I'd like to tell you, but I'm not kidding about the reservation. Will you do it?"

"OK, OK," Billy said resignedly. "I'll try. Now get home and get packed."