Stemwinder Part One
********************* I glared at the federal agent in charge. He was so calm and almost condescending. I wasn't happy and he was going to know all about it.
"WHY? What right do you have to come in here and terrorize me and my grandchildren?! Interrogate us like we are criminals, occupy our house, tap our phones… I want to tell you something. I have some questions too."
Billy Melrose stood up and said "I'm sure you do." He walked around the coffee table and stood by the landing " Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to discuss anything"
"Don't give me that!" I found myself yelling at him. I was angry. Where was Amanda? Was she off with Mr. Tuxedo? What in the world have they done? Why wasn't this man giving me answers? I wanted to throttle him. " You are at liberty to do anything you darn please and you know it! Now, where is my daughter? When is she coming home? Who is this Stetson man she keeps mentioning?"
The agent turned around and started looking at pictures of Amanda and the boys. I almost had a feeling that he knew her. Not just from this….well whatever this was. He smiled as he looked at the picture of the boys and I. Did he know my daughter? I wanted answers! He sighed and said "I really wish I could answer most of your questions, Mrs. West. But unfortunately, I just don't have the answers. That's why I need your help." Just then another agent came down into the den and whispered something to Mr. Melrose. He looked at me and said " Mrs. King's ex husband's here"
I jumped off the couch and into Joe King's arms. "Joe! Thank God you are here! You're a lawyer. You'll know what to do."
Joe looked at me as he glanced over at Mr. Personality, and said "It's okay Dotty, don't worry. Everything will be all right."
I smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I said " I'll tell the boys you're here." and I glared at Mr. Melrose as I walked up the stairs. I stopped as I listened to their conversation.
"I'm Joe King, Amanda's ex husband. We've met before."
He reached to shake Mr. Charming's hand. "Yes, when you returned from Africa"
Just then Phillip bounded down the stairs and said to me "Grandma, is Dad here?" I looked up at my grandson and nodded. "Tell your brother that your dad is here. He's talking to the federal agent." I sighed and continued to walk up the stairs. I wanted to listen to their conversation but my head was starting to hurt. I wondered… Joe and this federal agent seemed to know one another, he seemed to know Phillip and Jamie…even myself. Like he had seen us before. I looked at Phillip and said " Darling, I am going to lay down for a little while. I am getting a headache. If they need me please come knock on my door" I walked into my bedroom and shut the door. Tears started falling as I thought about my daughter and if she was okay.