A/N: Prior to 9/11, the TIPOFF system existed as part of the U. S. security apparatus. I did take a few liberties on how the system worked.


Duty's Price 2


Chapter 2

"Oh, God… When?" Lee asked, taken aback by the news.

"Yesterday," Billy said. "Three men got into the detention area where Sandoval was being held. No one knows how they got access. They killed several guards and wounded another. They freed Sandoval and one of his men. Everyone got away. The surviving guard said he recognized one of the men."

Lee slammed a pen down on the countertop. "And they're just now telling us? What the hell, Billy?"

"I know, I know. I said the same thing. I'm sorry to do this, but I need to see you and Amanda ASAP."

Lee glanced at Amanda. "We'll be right there."

Lee hung up the phone, shaking his head. "This is unbelievable."

"Lee, what is it?" Amanda asked.

He looked into Amanda's eyes. "Sandoval escaped yesterday."

Amanda breathed in sharply. "Oh…"

"Billy said three people, allies apparently, broke him out of jail. He wants to see us now. I'll fill you in on the way."

"Oh, gosh. Let me tell Mother we have to leave."


Her mind racing with the implications, Amanda hurried upstairs and knocked on her mother's door. "Mother?"

"Come on in."

Her mother was turning the bed back. "Did I hear the phone?"

"Yes, there's… well, there's a problem at work. Lee and I have to go talk to Mr. Melrose."

"Right now? Lee just got home."

"I know, but it's a…"

Her mother sighed heavily. "National Security matter. I understand. I don't like it, but I do understand."

"Hopefully, we won't be too late. If we don't get back before the boys get home, tell them goodnight for us."

"I will. Please be careful."

"Always." They were always careful. Sometimes, being careful was not enough.


After shutting the bedroom door, she dashed downstairs, where she found Lee waiting with her jacket. Still, in his suit, he had already put on his overcoat.

He helped her into her jacket. "Thank you. Okay, I'm ready," she said, grabbing her purse.

"What did she say?" Lee asked as he locked the front door.

"She said she understood. I think she's getting used to all these crazy hours. I don't know if that's good or bad."

"We've gotten used to them."

"Maybe you have. I endure them."

Lee grasped her hand. "Honey, you're the champ."


Lee glanced at Amanda, then knocked on the door to Billy's office.

"Come on in," Billy said. A woman sat in one chair in front of his desk. "Lee, Amanda, this is Sofia Camilo Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez is Labada's Embassy liaison with the State Department. Ms. Gonzalez, these are Agents Lee and Amanda Stetson. Lee brought the information on the coup attempt back from Labado."

The woman looked at them curiously as she shook their hands.

Amanda smiled at the woman. "Lee and I are married."

"Oh, I see. I wasn't aware of that. Mr. Melrose, do agents marry very often?"

"No, it's an unusual situation," Billy said, smiling.

Impatient to get the facts, Lee was not in the mood for small talk. "Billy, you said three men helped Sandoval escape."

Billy glanced at the woman, who nodded. "The guard who survived said that there were three men," she said. "He had seen this man visiting Sandoval the day before. He also said the man looked familiar."

"We have a sketch of him. We're running it through our system to see if we can match it up with anyone," Billy said.

Lee looked down for a second. "Ms. Gonzalez, why did it take so long for us to be notified?" He tried but failed to keep the irritation out of his voice.

The woman looked at him in apology. "I'm very sorry for the delay. It happened late last night. There was chaos and indecision, mistakes were made."

His anger cooled at once. Labado did not have the resources or expertise to handle such a crisis. A sudden unease coursed through his body. "This means the information we got from Felipe wasn't complete."

"There are still Labadans who are loyal to Sandoval," Amanda said.

Billy, his expression grim, nodded. "It looks that way. Lee, how much does Sandoval know about you?"

Lee took out his billfold and removed a business card. "He knows IFF is located in DC. The address is on the card, but he might not remember that. It wouldn't be hard to find out what the address is. It's in the D. C. phonebook."

"Ms. Gonzalez, does the detention center have closed-circuit cameras?" Amanda asked.

"Yes. Regretfully, the footage was deleted before they could review it."

Damn, Lee thought. Well, it's par for the course for this mess.

"Mr. Melrose, Ms. Gonzalez, do you think Sandoval will try to kill Lee?" Amanda asked.

Neither Billy nor the woman said anything for a minute. "Agent. Stetson, I wish I could say he wouldn't, but it may be his end game," the woman said. She hesitated again before speaking. "During his interrogation, he swore that Lee Steadman would die." She turned towards Lee. "Was that your cover name?"

Lee nodded. There was no use denying it. "He knew I had the information. He just couldn't or wouldn't do anything because I was an American."

"Okay, here's what we're going to do," Billy said, shifting into action. "We're going to add Sandoval and the other escapee, his name is…" he looked at the file on his desk. "His name is Ramon Garcia—"

Lee held up his hand to stop Billy. "What's this Garcia's position in the organization?"

"According to the Labadan's report, he's a flunky, a gofer."

"He'll still be able to help Sandoval."

"True… We're going to add their photos and description to the TIPOFF system," Billy continued. "It'll go to every Border Station and U. S. airport. I'll also send it to the local sheriff's departments and police stations in the border towns."

"In addition, all departures from the Marquee airport are being closely monitored," Ms. Gonzalez said.

"We've also got people stationed at Dulles, National, and BWI airports. That's the first thing I did," Billy said.

"Billy, there are so many holes in the TIPOFF system," Lee said in exasperation.

He thought about the family. Would Sandoval try to hurt them? His gaze turned to Amanda.

Lee tried to clear his mind of worry and think about what Sandoval would do. "I don't think he'd take a chance on a flight. He'll know the Marquee airport is unsafe. No, if he's coming after me. He'll come up through Mexico and cross the Rio Grande, but not at a border checkpoint."

He was used to dealing with dangerous adversaries. He knew how to take care of himself. But now, he had a family to worry about. He felt responsible for Amanda, Dotty, Jamie, and Phillip's safety. What if Sandoval tried to hurt them? He rubbed his temple, a headache was coming on.

The room fell silent until Amanda spoke up. "Are the President and his family safe?"

"Thank you for asking. They are as safe as our security forces can make them." Gonzalez said. "He and his family are being guarded around the clock by loyal security staff. The President is being kept up to date on the developments as well."

"Dr. Smyth has also authorized around-the-clock protection for your family," Billy said.

Lee relaxed a fraction, his mind eased somewhat by this news.

"Thank you," Amanda said.

"Well, I guess that will be all for now," Billy said, holding out a file for Lee. "I'll keep you up to date with any developments," Billy said.

Lee took the file and nodded. There was not much more to say.

Lee, Amanda?"

They both turned. "Yeah," Lee said.

"This isn't necessary, but stay alert."

"We will," Amanda said.


At a stoplight, Lee glanced at Amanda. She sighed and looked at him, her expression uneasy. "This is why we did the whole mystery marriage. To keep the family safe."

"I know. Do you wish we hadn't told anyone? That we'd kept it a secret?"

She shook her head. "No, I'd never want to go back to those days. All that sneaking around, keeping it a secret from Mother and the boys. Of all the secrets we have to keep from them, that was the worst. I was miserable, and so were you. I don't think our marriage would have survived much longer."

"You could be right. It was a stressful time."

"Would it have made a difference in this case?"

He took her hand. "I don't know, but I promise you, Sandoval's not going to get close to Dotty or the boys. Whatever it takes, I'll keep them safe."

She caressed his cheek. "I know you will. I'm worried about you."

"I'll be careful. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I feel a lot better knowing you've got my back."

"I feel a lot better knowing I have your back."

He smiled fondly at her. "Do you want to tell them what's going on? I don't want to scare them, but in this case, maybe we should give them a little background."

"I don't want to scare them either." She pursed her lips in thought. "I think we should let them know that a threat exists, but we're taking precautions to protect them. Didn't that file Billy gave you have a picture of Sandoval and Garcia?"

He nodded. "I have it in my briefcase."

"Maybe we should show them their photos."

He kissed her softly. "Good idea.

Amanda chuckled. "Well, look on the bright side. At least it's taken our minds off our professional future."


They entered the house and found Dotty in the den, reading a book. Jamie and Philip were watching TV.

"Hi," Philip said without turning. "Grandma said we could stay up until nine-thirty."

"That's fine Philip. Hello, Mother," Amanda said.

"Hi, Dotty," Lee said.

"How was the game?" he asked.

"It was great!" Phillip said."Even Jamie liked it."

"Ha, ha," Jamie said.

"Is everything okay?" Dotty asked. "You left in such a hurry."

Amanda stared out the back window. Somewhere out there, agents were already guarding the house. For a moment, she wondered if they left the field, would they still need protection? She started as she felt a hand on her arm.

"Amanda?" her mother asked.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something," Amanda said. "Family meeting time."

"Oh, okay," Jamie said. He reached over and turned off the television.

Dotty took a seat on one of the side chairs. Amanda and Lee sat together on the couch, holding hands.

Lee nodded to her to start.

Dotty looked intently at them. "What's happened?"

Lee squeezed Amanda's hand in support. He had her back as always. "We need to tell you about a situation that's developed in our jobs," Amanda said. "We've discovered that a man Lee helped get arrested has escaped from his captors."

"Really? Wow," Jamie said. "Is he a really bad guy?"

Amanda looked at Lee.

"Yeah, Jamie, he's a really bad guy," Lee said. "We don't think you guys are in danger, but to be on the safe side, there'll be some federal agents watching the house."

"Oh, they won't be in the house, will they?" Dotty asked.

"The only time they'll come in the house will be to check it when everyone has been gone," Amanda said. "Otherwise, you might not even notice them."

"Okay, I can accept that," Dotty said. "It was so annoying and frightening that time when… you had that mixup. Opening our mail, bugging our phones. It was terrible."

"I know, Mother. This is different. The government agents are here to protect you when we're not here. They may look like utility workers or road maintenance workers. Don't pay any attention to them. They won't talk to you unless there's an emergency."

"Sweetheart, why don't you show them the pictures?" Amanda asked.

"I'll do that." Lee rose and left the room, returning in a few seconds, carrying his briefcase. Unlocking it. hr retrieved two photos. He handed the photos to Dotty.

"What are their names?" Dotty asked as she gazed at Sandoval's photo.

He pointed at Sandoval. His name is Mateo Sandoval." Lee realized that in Spanish, Mateo meant the 'gift of God.' That couldn't be farther from the truth in this case. "The other guy's name is Ramon Garcia."

Dotty studied the photo, as though committing it to memory. The boys gathered around her, staring at the photos.

"This one, Sandoval looks mean," Jamie said.

"He is mean," Amanda said.

"Mom, Lee, what do we do if we see him?" Philip asked.

"Don't talk to him, and for heaven's sake, don't be a hero," Amanda said. "If you see him, the agents guarding you will see him too. Let them take care of the situation. Try to get out of the way as fast as you can. Please promise me you'll do that." Amanda looked hard at her mother. "That goes for you, too."

"I promise, Amanda," Dotty said.

Amanda hoped that was true. Her mother had a talent for getting in trouble, just as she had in the early days.

"Yeah, me too," Jamie said.

"Same here, I promise," Philip said.

"This is just a precaution, okay?" Lee asked.

"We understand."

Amanda held out her arms. "Come here and give me a hug."

The boys engulfed her in a hug. She had told them as much as she dared. "Well, I guess you fellas need to head for bed," Amanda said.

"Okay, Mom," Phillip said. "Don't worry about us. We're going to be fine."

"I always worry about you. If you look up the word 'mother' in the dictionary, I bet it says one who worries about her children."

"Isn't that the truth," Dotty said.

Jamie laughed and hugged her. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you, too."

"Night, Lee," Philip said.

"Night, guys."

Philip and Jamie's calm reaction impressed her. She guessed they trusted her and Lee to keep them safe.

Lee picked up the photos. "I'll be back."

Amanda watched him place the photos in the file folder, then close and lock the briefcase which he carried upstairs.

"Amanda, can I ask you something?"

"Okay," she said warily.

"Is this man the reason why he had to leave so suddenly last week?" Dotty raised her hand. "I know but just in general terms, if you can tell me I'd like to know."

She thought for a moment. "Yes, it's a continuation of the same situation."

Dotty nodded. "And one other question."

"Mother."

"Please humor me."

Amanda sighed. "All right. I'll try to answer."

"Is Lee in danger?"

Amanda had not expected that question, and she found she could not answer. They were in danger every time they went into the field, but there was something about Sandoval that scared her.

"He is in danger. I can see it by your expression."

Amanda nodded. She did not want to tell her Sandoval was determined to kill Lee.

"But this time, I'll be with him. We'll keep each other safe."

"So, I'll be worried about both of you. It's so hard for me, Amanda."

Her heart went out to her mother, and she hugged her tightly. "I know it is."