Disclaimer: I don't own the situations or characters portrayed herein. I'm just playing with them for a while.
Chapter Five: Two is a Crowd
"It's like this, sir. You've been chosen to infiltrate a group with suspected ties to Russia and break their intelligence ring."
The words hung in the air between Lee Stetson and Leonard Baynes — hung in the air until Baynes felt like squirming uncomfortably. Somewhere in the hall outside the room, a soft click sounded. Neither man gave any indication of having heard it. Perhaps neither one of them had.
Lee spoke at last.
"What do you mean? How would I infiltrate this group, and how do we know that they have ties to Russia?"
"Your wife absolutely must not know anything about it," said Mr. Baynes. "If you agree to take on this assignment, it will be strictly need-to-know only, and you may not discuss it with your wife or anyone else. Do I have your word?"
The hazel eyes studied him intently for a full three minutes. Then Scarecrow nodded and answered crisply.
"I won't say a word," he replied.
Baynes had almost hoped that Mr. Stetson would have refused the commission, when he heard that his wife could have no part in it. It seemed so out of character for Lee Stetson to agree to do anything without consulting Mrs. Stetson.
"Good," he said, sticking to the script he had been given. "The group is operating out of Washington, D.C., and we have reason to believe that it has ties to, and influence over, some at the highest levels of government."
"Sure," said Mr. Stetson. "But what is this group, and how do I infiltrate it?"
"You aren't as well-known as you used to be, if you will excuse me," Mr. Baynes answered. "It should be easy for you to infiltrate the group. They seem to be operating out of a well-known philanthropic society, one that has access to a great many senators, representatives, and cabinet members. You will join that society, make yourself one of them in every respect, and report — ah, hmm — report to me."
Lee had been nodding quietly. He scuffed at a small water spot on the desk with his thumbnail, then answered slowly.
"I see. What training will I receive?"
"You'll go to Fort Detrick for an orientation week. You will be given a cover and a scenario, which you will learn by heart. You will then be given instructions on how to join the philanthropic society, and you will follow those instructions."
Lee nodded, slowly.
"Which philanthropic society?" he asked.
"The Greater Washington Society for Public Welfare, sir."
Mr. Baynes watched carefully as the other man's fingers steepled thoughtfully in front of his mouth, his eyes straying around the office and fixing on a point behind him. Another few minutes passed, then Mr. Stetson spoke decisively.
"All right. I'll do it."
Mr. Baynes rose to his feet a little clumsily, since the chair was so very low. He stumbled a little, catching himself just in time on the side of the desk. He righted himself and held out his hand.
"Your country thanks you, Mr. Stetson. Await instructions in the next two days."
The older man grasped his hand briefly, then stood as well.
"I'll show you to the door," he said. "But first, take a cookie. They're the best."
Fifteen minutes later, Mr. Baynes would have seen the blue sedan grinding laboriously over the gravel driveway as Mrs. Stetson returned. But he didn't see her return, because by that time he was a few miles away, on his way back to Washington with the news that Scarecrow was back.
The front door banged behind Amanda, and she hurried to the office to confer with Lee.
"What did he want?" she asked, sounding a little out of breath, and his eyes twinkled at her.
"Wouldn't you like to know the details?" He grinned. "It's nothing, really. Just a conference they want me to speak at. All very hush-hush and, I'm afraid, just a few levels above your clearance. I can't tell you more. I'll have to be gone for at least a month, with security the way it is."
She pouted a little. "You won't be home for a month?"
He shook his head. "It's very need-to-know. Zero contact, too." He slipped his arms around her and drew her close. "You know I love you," he said.
She nodded against his chest. "I know." She pulled back from him with a falsely bright smile. "I love you, too."
He didn't like having to lie to her and keep things from her.
"I wish it wasn't like this."