Daniel and Relationships
Chapter 16
After searching Daniel and Liz's room, Lee and Amanda left and went down to the library.
They were scheduled to interrogate Dean's brother, Daniel, in about half an hour. He was the only person besides Olivia they had not interrogated yet. They sat side by side on one of the long sofas. Isabella had earlier brought in some tea, and Lee had poured a cup for Amanda for him as well.
"Well, that was unexpected," Lee commented, as he handed her a cup and she accepted it.
"What was?" Amanda asked, taking a sip.
With a straight face, Lee playfully answered back, "The conversation we overheard on Quantum physics. New theorems always excite me... What do you think I'm talking about, Amanda? The argumentative exchange between Daniel and Liz, of course!"
Amanda agreed, "I know! Who would've guessed those two actually couldn't stand one another?"
"Yeah, those two aren't the lovebirds they profess to be."
"But why would they pretend to be happy?" Amanda wondered.
"I have a feeling it has to do with matriarch Olivia's purse strings," Lee commented.
"If that's the reason, then it's a very shallow reason," Amanda stated and then after some thought, added, "Relationships are difficult, aren't they?"
"That's why I try to stay as far away from them as possible."
She tilted her head, "Is that the reason you've stayed away from relationships, Lee?"
Lee shifted uncomfortably. How had a conversation about a bickering couple turn into a conversation about his commitment issues?
"Lee?" Amanda called him back.
He subconsciously cleared his throat, "To be honest, Amanda, I wouldn't say I've actually shied away from relationships—after all, I've certainly had plenty of them!"
Amanda forced herself not to roll her eyes, "I wouldn't exactly call a one-night-stand a relationship!"
"I'll have you know that some of them were two-night stands," he corrected her.
"Either way, they ended quickly." She then peered at him closely, "Are you that scared of being hurt, Lee?"
Lee stared off into the distance. He wasn't prepared for these types of questions. But something about Amanda made him want to answer her, "Me, being hurt? Perhaps. But not for the reason you're thinking of...I just think I haven't found someone worth being hurt for," he sadly analyzed.
Amanda was going to respond when there was a sharp rap on the door.
The door opened and Daniel stuck his head in and impatiently asked, "I'm here. You two ready?"
"You're early," Lee noted as he waved him in.
There was a scowl on Daniel's face as he shut the door and explained, "I purposely arrived early because I just want to get this questioning over with!"
He obviously was not in a good mood, Amanda surmised. But she knew why. After all, Lee and she had just overheard Daniel and Liz admitting they hated one another.
"Have a seat," Lee gestured, in a very businesslike tone.
"Would you like some tea, Daniel?" Amanda politely asked.
"No. I won't be staying long," Daniel grumbled, as he sat across from them.
The first set of questions were the questions Lee and Amanda had asked everyone else. Yes, Daniel knew about the taser. No, he was not awake in the morning hours when Eunice had been murdered. And no, he had no idea what the motive was in the killing of the maid.
"So is that it?" Daniel brusquely asked, half getting up.
"No, you need to stay seated," Lee ordered and then asked, "Had you noticed your wife being upset with Eunice prior to her death?"
Daniel's expression turned suspicious, "No, not that I've noticed. But why are you asking me about Liz's thoughts anyway?"
"Just trying to be thorough in my investigation," Lee offhandedly answered back, as he jotted something in his notebook.
"Well, if you need to know anything about my wife, ask her directly next time!" Daniel snapped.
Amanda chimed in, "We don't mean to upset you, Daniel," she lightly stated, "We can see that this has not been a good day for you."
Daniel's brows went up, "Really now? Could you really tell that or did you see my wife today? Did she say something to you about us?" he asked, causing Amanda to slightly panic.
"Um, no, we haven't seen her to talk with her all morning," she truthfully stated, "but your demeanor seems...off. I'm sorry if you're having a tough day," she again empathized.
He seemed to calm down a bit as he sighed, "It's just that ...some days are harder than others."
"Yes, that's very true," Amanda assured him, "and...relationships are very hard to deal with at times—wouldn't you agree?"
He shifted uncomfortably, "Uh, I think I'll have that tea after all, if you don't mind."
"Of course," Amanda reached over and poured him some in a cup, "Cream? Sugar?"
"Two sugars," he stated, as she dropped two teaspoons in, stirred it up, and then handed it over to him.
"This should relax you a bit," Amanda told him.
He took a sip, sat back, and did seem more composed.
"It is rather soothing," he admitted.
Amanda half-smiled, "I'm glad," and then quickly questioned, "-so, you were saying about having a tough time with your wife?"
"I was? I said that?" Daniel asked, confused, as he took another sip. He looked as if he were trying to recall what he had said about Liz.
Amanda nodded, "Yes, and I totally understand why you would say that. But all relationships hit rough patches. Like my mother always said to me, "No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and survive the storm together."
Daniel looked impressed, "Your mother said that?"
Amanda nodded, "She did. She's very wise. Frustrating, but wise."
Daniel shook his head, "You don't understand my situation. Disagreeing with Liz is like getting arrested. Everything you say CAN and will be used against you!"
"I hear that," Lee mumbled out loud as Daniel and Amanda both turned their heads towards him. He noted their surprised looks "What?" he questioned, "I can't be a good guy? I can't show empathy?"
Daniel shook his head, "No, that's fine. It just that I've never seen that side of you!"
"And what side is that?" Lee wanted to know.
"The understanding-of-another-person's-feelings side. I gather you're more the type who would punch a person while on the phone with him, if you could!"
Amanda hid her smile as Lee stood taller.
"You know, I actually consider that a compliment." he commented, "but we weren't talking about me."
"He's right," agreed Amanda, "So Daniel, feel free to say whatever you want about your relationship with Liz."
Daniel looked hesitant, "I don't know...it's so difficult to admit certain things..."
"But you can do it," Amanda encouraged, "I can't promise you that we will have any answers for you, but what we CAN promise is that you won't be facing your troubles alone."
Daniel was quiet for a time, as if he was warring within himself. At last, he leaned in and stared directly at Amanda.
"Like I said, I love my wife, but...I'm thinking of having an affair," he admitted to her, as Amanda became wide-eyed, "I know that sounds awful, but I feel so distant from Liz, especially when she gets so negative. And as far as the affair goes, I haven't done anything yet, but I've been communicating...with someone else. Privately. Or so I thought."
Lee followed-up, "Are you saying that Eunice overheard that particular conversation?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying," he admitted, and then his expression changed, "and then that old bag tried to blackmail me with that knowledge!"
He looked very upset as Lee asked, "So you paid Eunice off, even though you hadn't actually done anything with this woman?"
"That's right," Daniel concurred, "Because I didn't want to deal with the consequences if Liz found out. You've seen how bitter she can get..."
Amanda gently added, "She's allowed to have a few off-days, Daniel."
"So how do I deal with her when she's being like that?" Daniel asked.
Amanda leaned in as if she were revealing a secret, "I can only tell you this, Daniel. A strong relationship requires both people choosing to love one another, even in those moments when both struggle to like each other."
Daniel contemplated that, "Don't tell me—another one of your mother's wise sayings?"
Amanda shook her head, "No, it's called living my life."
Lee was surprised at Amanda's last remark. He had always thought of her as all about sunshine and rainbows. He forgot how she had gone through the ups and downs of life, just like everyone else. Only she accepted it better.
Daniel nodded, accepting her words, "I get it. But when it comes to Liz and me," he sighed, "I miss the way we used to be."
Amanda's tone was gentle, "Maybe you need to tell her that."
Daniel looked down, "I don't know. Maybe it's too late. I've lost that magical feeling that you have with Dean."
Lee awkwardly looked away while Amanda almost choked and stated, "To be honest with you, Daniel, I don't know if it's magic I feel for your brother."
Daniel looked directly at her, "Really? Because I may be wrong, but you seem to have the look of love about you."
Amanda could have sworn she heard Lee cough in the background. She didn't dare look his way.
"W-Why would you ever that?" she nervously asked Daniel.
"It's this kind of joy you seem to exude from the inside out," Daniel explained, "I could feel it even now, even when Dean isn't here, which is rather strange."
Amanda's mouth dropped as the color drained from Lee's face. The room became strangely silent as Daniel looked from Amanda to Lee.
"Amanda? Agent Stetson? Are you two alright?" he asked concerned.
Lee was the one who recovered first, "I think I have enough information from you for today. You may go."
Amanda sat still for a second longer, despite the room seeming to spin. Is that what she is feeling? Love? But with whom?
She gave a stiff smile to Daniel, "Yes. Thank you for your time, Daniel."
####
Later that afternoon, Dean and Amanda took a walk along the pathway in the backyard. She held onto Dean's arm as the slanting rays of the sun cast long shadows on the grounds of the Estate.
They walked awhile, recalling their trips hunting or fishing. Then after some time, Dean gestured towards the white bench located underneath the low- hanging tree, "Would you like to sit down a bit?"
He had gestured towards the exact spot that she and Lee had rendezvous with the first two nights. Somehow, Amanda wanted to cherish those thoughts.
"No!" Amanda stated immediately, and then realizing how abrupt she sounded, she added, "I mean, it's so much nicer taking in the lovely scenery as we stroll, isn't it?".
"I...suppose so..." Dean stated with uncertainty, his forehead slightly wrinkled, "So how's the investigation going? Am I on the top of the suspect list?"
"Ha! That's funny, Dean," Amanda stated. But when she turned to face him, he had a serious look on his face, "...except you weren't kidding, were you?"
He shrugged, "I'm sorry you had to find out that Eunice had blackmailed me about my job promotion, but Amanda, I'm telling you the truth when I said I didn't do it. I didn't kill Eunice."
She stopped walking so that she could face him, "Of course I believe you, Dean! You could never do such a horrible thing!"
He smiled and put his arms around her waist to pull her in, "You're my special girl, you know that?"
He drew her in and lowered his head until their lips met. Amanda closed her eyes, wanting so much to feel something, anything. But she felt empty when he pulled away.
If kisses were like the days of the week, this would be the Monday of all kisses.
Why doesn't she feel more for him?
Dean was looking dreamily at her.
"Amanda, tell me something." he was saying, "do we have a future together?"
And that was the question Amanda needed to hear.
Because now she had the answer.
She had always been the type of woman who yearned for the heart- pounding, fast-fluttering sensations when being in the presence of a special man. And she now knew she would never feel that way with the man standing across from her.
Amanda looked straight into Dean's eyes, "You're...very special to me, Dean. You're the right person for someone, but that someone is not me," she sadly admitted out loud, "I hope you understand."
A scowl appeared on Dean's face when the realization hit him that Amanda was breaking up with him.
He squared his shoulders, his mouth set in a determined line.
If that was what was happening here, he was NOT going down without a fight!
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