Chapter 10
Making the drive to the restaurant, Amanda thought of Lee. Already she had seen he was already more relaxed. She hoped she would be as happy with her decision, whatever it was.
She drove into the restaurant parking lot and saw Francine getting out of her car. She pulled into the space next to her.
Francine smiled at her. "Hello, there. We're both early."
"Yes, we are."
"This is good," Sandoval said, watching the women enter the restaurant. Garcia had "If we can just get a break, we'll have Agent Stetson."
He sat back in his seat and waited.
"It's getting cold, isn't it?" Francine asked taking her coat off.
Amanda took a seat at the table the hostess had chosen for them. "It sure is."
"The only time I like cold weather is on a ski slope, followed by a cuddle by the fireplace. If I can talk Billy into giving me some time off, I'm heading someplace warm. Preferably someplace with some handsome men."
She gave Francine a little smirk. "I like that idea, except I'd like it with one handsome man in particular."
Looking over her menu, Francine did a double-take and then returned the smirk. "I'd never expected to hear such words from Amanda Stetson."
"I'm not as naive and innocent as everyone thinks I am."
"Obviously," Francine said and winked at her. "Good for you."
Returning to the menus, then began to laugh.
"I'm going to get a Greek salad. They are so good," Amanda said.
"I think I'll have an Insalata Caprese salad and a piece of their exquisite Chocolate Truffle cake."
"We've never had that. I take it's good?"
Francine looked at her in disbelief. "Good? Oh, Amanda, good is an understatement. It's chocolate heaven. It has the densest chocolate cake I've ever had, a satiny chocolate truffle frosting, and they sprinkle chocolate flakes on the top. You just have to have a piece. Come on, you know you want to get it."
Amanda took a deep breath then nodded."All right, I'll have a piece."
"I knew you would."
A server approached their table. "Hi, can I get you something to drink?"
"Just some coffee, please," Amanda said. "And may we have two checks?"
"Of course. And what about you, ma'am?"
"I'll have coffee, too."
"Excellent. I'll be back in a minute."
"So, how's Lee doing. He must be upset about Harry."
"He's devastated. He's lost so many people in his life, and now Harry. Everyone loses family or friends at one time or another, but to have so many losses in one life..."
"The difference is he has you now. He's not alone."
"Mr. Melrose must be upset, too."
"He is. He's coping by burying himself in his work."
"Lee coped last night by helping Phillip and Jamie with their homework. Everyone has their own way of dealing with grief. "
"That's true. But Lee's okay with his decision?"
"He seems almost at peace with his decision. I don't doubt there will be some rough spots, especially if something big happens. But I think he'll handle it."
"Does he have any idea what he's going to be doing?"
"Not yet. At this point." Amanda chuckled. "I don't think it really matters to him."
"So what about you. Are you going to stay in the field?"
Amanda pursed her lips. "I'm not sure yet. The other day, I did interview for a position in Analysis."
"Analysis?" Francine asked, leaning forward. "That might be perfect for you."
They halted the conversation as their server approached with their coffee. "Here you are. Are you ready to order?"
"We are," Francine said.
They gave their orders to the server, who took their menus.
"Oh, those are great choices. I'll be back with your salads."
"Thanks," Amanda said.
Francine took a sip of her coffee. "So, back to the Analysis job. As I was saying, it could be a perfect spot."
Amanda stirred in a spoonful of sugar. "I think it could be. But well…"
"What are your reservations?"
"I don't doubt I can do the job, it's some other things."
"Let's look at both sides of the issue."
"Okay."
"What are some reasons you'd want to stay in the field?"
Amanda thought for a moment. "I think some people think I lucked into the position; that I rode Lee's coattails to get the job. That I didn't earn the position." She paused, frowning. "That I slept my way into the job. Was that what you thought?"
"No, I never thought you slept your way into the job. I don't think anyone believes that. But I was jealous of you," she admitted, embarrassed. "For a while, I did think that you rode his coattails. And I was jealous of you because you worked with Lee." She shook her head. "And because I was jealous, I was cruel to you. I'm very sorry for that."
"That's okay. That's forgotten."
Francine held up her hand. "But… I've seen the way you work. The instincts you have. Everyone has."
"Thank you. But I want to prove to everyone that I've earned this job, whether it's as an agent or analyst or anything else."
"You have proven it, Amanda. You've earned the respect of every agent. You have a unique way of doing things, but they work. You've earned that respect, not only because of the job you do but how hard you worked to come back after you were shot. You have nothing to prove to anyone."
Amanda looked at Francine hard. "Really?"
"I'm being straight with you."
Amanda relaxed. "I knew you would be."
"What does Lee say?"
Amanda smiled fondly. "He wants me to do what's best for my career. He hasn't pushed me to decide either way."
"That's a healthy way to handle it. What would make you move into another position?"
Before she could answer, their server returned with their salads. "Can I get you a refill?"
Amanda glanced at Francine, who shook her head. "I think we're fine," Amanda said.
They took a bite of her salad before answering. "I don't know if I could ever have the kind of connection to another agent. It doesn't have anything to do with being married. Even before we started going out socially, even if we disagreed on something, even if we yelled at each other, we knew how each of us was going to react in a critical situation. Francine, did you ever have a partner like that?"
"Yeah, I had one. He was a guy named Peter Clark. We weren't romantic with each other, but we had that kind of connection."
"What happened to you two?"
"He was an amateur pilot. One day, the engine failed on his plane, and he crashed. He was instantly killed."
"That's terrible. I'm so sorry it happened."
"It was one of the hardest things I ever went through. I spent a lot of time on the shrink's couch, and I tried to work with a couple of agents, but it wasn't the same. I was almost ready to quit when Billy suggested I be his assistant."
"I can't imagine what that would be like to experience."
Francine nodded. "But I'm in a good place now."
"Good. I'm glad you're my friend."
"I am too. It's hard to have friends in this business. You can have acquaintances, buddies, but real friends. That doesn't happen too often."
"You're right."
Francine finished her salad. " Now comes the fun part."
In a few minutes, the server brought their cake.
Amanda's eyes widened as the scrumptious cake was placed before her. She took a bite., and moaned. "Oh my gosh. That is incredible."
Francine had taken a bite and sat, her eyes closed. "I told you so."
Once they had finished their dessert, the waiter came with their bills.
They walked together towards the exit. "We should do this more often," Francine said.
"Oh, I agree. This was fun."
Francine stopped suddenly and pulled out her pager from her purse. "My dentist wants me to call him," Francine said. "And my car phone has committed Hari-Kari."
Amanda laughed. "Okay, I'll talk to you later."
Francine nodded as she looked for the payphones.
Amanda glanced around as she walked to her car, looking for an older white Impala. Nothing. There were several white cars, but none fit the description. She already had her keys out of her purse when she got to her car. It was a habit she had developed a few months before.
As she unlocked the door, she saw movement in the corner of her peripheral vision. She reached for the gun in her purse.
"Please don't do that, Agent Stetson. Slowly take your hand out of your purse."
With a shock, now that she got a good look at the man, she realized it was Sandoval, but an altered Sandoval. With care, she did as he ordered, moving slowly. Could she delay him long enough for Francine to come out and see her?
"Very good. Now, just as carefully, place your purse on the ground by the front wheel of the car next to you."
Frowning, she did this. The car belonged to Francine.
"Good. I think that car belongs to your friend. Is your friend and agent?" He pointed to her Wagoneer. "Now walk forward to the driver's seat."
He waved and a blue car backed out of a parking spot. The car pulled up to them and stopped. "Follow us," he said.
The man, whom Amanda recognized as Garcia, nodded and pulled out of the way.
\She looked at Sandoval in surprise. Where was the white Impala?
"You must have been looking for a white Impala," Sandoval said, with a sneer. "Oh, I traded that one in right before leaving Texas. It gets much better gas mileage." He waved the gun he was holding. "Now, quickly step into the driver's seat. And be warned, though I don't like to kill women, I won't hesitate if I have to." His voice lost all trace of amiability. "Hurry."
Amanda believed him. She climbed into the Wagoneer. How could she get word to Lee about the car? She took a deep breath to calm herself and tried to think of a solution. There was none. Her thoughts were interrupted when Sandoval climbed into the passenger seat.
"Very good, Agent Stetson. Now let's be on our way. I'd hate for your friend to make an unwanted appearance. I want you to leave the parking lot and take a right turn."
Amanda started the car and drove out of the parking lot. She took the right turn out of the parking lot.
Francine came out of the restaurant, her conversation complete. Walking to her car, she froze as she saw Amanda's purse on the ground next to her front wheel. Wary now, she reached for her weapon. Something was terribly wrong.
Amanda's car was gone. She carefully picked up the purse and raced back into the restaurant. Cramming change into the payphone, she dialed the Agency.
"This is Francine Desmond, I have a Priority One code at Mala's Restaurant. I have a possible abducted agent. The agent's name is Amanda Stetson." Should I talk to Billy or Lee? Billy first. "I need to speak to Billy Melrose."
The operator quickly transferred the call. "Melrose."
"Billy, something's happened to Amanda. Her car's gone, but I found her purse by my car."
"Sandoval, it must be Sandoval. Where are you?"
"I'm at Mala's Restaurant."
"Okay, I'll let Lee know. We'll be there ASAP."
Francine exhaled and then hurried outside to wait. It was not long before she saw a car approaching fast, then another. Lee jumped out of one car before it had come to a complete stop. Charging up to her, he stared at Amanda's purse.
Francine handed him the purse, which he cradled in his arms. "What happened?" he demanded.
"On the way out of the restaurant, my beeper went off and I called my dentist. When I came out, I saw her car was gone. I found her purse by my front wheel."
"That bastard has her. He wanted me to make sure I knew it," Lee said, his voice choked.
"I'm sorry, Lee, I should have come out with her."
"It's not your fault. It's my fault. I shouldn't have let her out of my sight."
Billy put his hand on his shoulder. "It's nobody's fault but Sandoval's. We're going to get her back."
"If he touches her…" Lee said, his voice deadly.
More agents were arriving. "Francine, coordinate things here. Close off the restaurant, talk to everyone in there."
"Right." Francine hugged Lee. "You'll get her back safe." She turned to the gathering agents and began to give them instructions.
"Come on, let's go back to the office," Billy said.
