FLASHBACK: Part Twelve
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Lee Stetson strode into the bullpen and knocked on his supervisor's door. "You wanted to see me, Billy?"
"Come on in," Billy called out, motioning for him to sit down.
"What's up?" Lee questioned, but he had an idea what was on his supervisor's mind.
"I was wondering if you'd heard anything from Justice?"
"Not yet, but I only interviewed with them Monday," Lee reminded him. "It'll probably be a couple of weeks before they make a decision."
"They'd be fools not to grab you," Billy commented dourly.
Lee shrugged indifferently. "I got a call this morning at home from the State Department, Bureau of Investigation and Research. I'm not sure how they found out I was looking…"
"News travels fast around this town; you know that. The SDBIR has been watching you for a long time now. You're not seriously considering going over to them, are you?" Billy inquired; a worried look on his face.
"I remember a time when you were pushing me to take a job with them," he reminded him, with a raised eyebrow. "All I said was I got a call from them… I haven't decided to set up an interview with them - yet. I told them I'd think about it."
"I'm glad to hear that. That means I still have time to convince you to reconsider leaving the Agency."
Shaking his head, he answered. "No way, Billy. Amanda and I have discussed this at length. We're both leaving the field. It's time to let the younger crowd save the country and make the world a safer place. We've done our share. Besides, Amanda might not be leaving the Agency. I think she's got a good shot at the 'Program Coordinator' position, down at Station One. She had a second interview there yesterday."
"You're right about that. She's perfect for that job. Would you consider staying with the Agency if the right position came along?"
"Of course, I would. If there was a position available, with a good fit, but at the moment, there isn't. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I want out of the field. I want more time for Amanda and the family. We've made this decision together and I won't break my promise to my wife. It's the right time and the right choice."
"Lee, I'd never ask you to take a job you didn't want," he reassured him, pulling a file from his desk. "Would you be interested in this?"
Taking the file from his supervisor's hand, Lee opened it, scanning the contents quickly. Closing it as quickly as he opened it; he glanced back up at his supervisor, a perplexed look on his face. "Station One? Are you crazy? Isn't this the job Amanda interviewed for?"
Shaking his head, Billy suggested. "Look again."
Opening the file again, studying it closer, Lee blinked before he looked back up. Shaking his head, "Director!? I didn't know Jay Milliken was leaving. Amanda didn't mention it."
"It hasn't been announced yet, and the job is not posted, but it's official. He's taking a position at West Point. He's an old Army man and his family comes from New York. Apparently, he wants to be closer to them. What do you say? Are you interested?"
Lee chuckled this time. "No way, Billy, I'm not doing anything to jeopardize Amanda's chances at that job. She has her heart set on it and to be honest, I think she'd be a great addition down there. That whole place needs to be reorganized and Amanda's the one to get it started."
"You're right on both accounts. She knows what skills you need out in the field; she notices things other people overlook and her organizations skills are top notched. You couldn't find a better candidate," Billy agreed, crossing from behind his desk, he sat in the chair next to Lee. "Just say, for a moment, that Amanda wasn't in the equation; would you be interested?"
Raking his hand through his hair, Lee Stetson shook his head. "But she is in the equation."
"Indulge me for a moment, please, Scarecrow?"
Staring at his boss, he gave it serious thought before he answered. "All right, Billy. Answer me this, how long has Jay been down at Station One?"
"Nine years."
"When was the last time the place was renovated? And I don't mean a paint job. The facility's not the only thing that's outdated. The entire program is behind the times."
"You're right, of course."
"Even Dodge City could use a facelift. Look at the recruits that have come out of there lately. They might be physically up to the challenge, but a lot of them aren't up to the task, even after Beaman puts them through the paces. Also, what's the retention rate?"
Nodding, Billy agreed. "The retention rate is definitely a problem."
"Half of them shouldn't be getting into the front door and a good number of them shouldn't make it out the back. That whole place needs a major transformation; they're way behind the times."
"Sounds like you have several ideas already…"
"Oh, sure, I have lots of ideas. Amanda and I have tossed a few around when she was notified of the second interview. There's not an agent in this place that couldn't come up with a couple of proposals. They need additional personnel who demand more from the recruits and more time with them, but I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guy."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Oh, no, Billy, don't even think about it. If Amanda lost her opportunity as the Program Coordinator because I applied for the job as Director, she'd shoot me herself."
"If things were different, would you be interested?" Billy pressed.
"I don't know, maybe, but I couldn't throw my name in the hat now," Lee grumbled, flustered by the question. Standing up, he walked over to the window and glanced out at the busy bullpen. Turning back towards Billy, Lee continued. "And don't you submarine her chances either, Billy."
Throwing his hands up in the air defensively, he answered. "I'd never do that to her."
"Why don't we drop the subject?" Lee suggested, walking back to where he'd been sitting and sat back down. "I'm not rushing out the door for the position over in Justice or the State Department. The money's there, but I'm not totally sold on either post. It might take a while, but I'll find the right job - eventually. Just think; you might be stuck with me for a while."
"What if I told you, that the Director position is yours, if you want it?" Billy asked, point blank.
"Billy, I'm flattered, really I am. If things were different, if Amanda hadn't already interviewed twice for the Program Coordinator post, I might have given it some serious thought, but…"
"But what?"
"But that's a lot of 'ifs'. I certainly won't step over her on my way up the ladder for the job. My marriage is a hell of a lot more important than that. Besides, there's a lot that needs to change down there. We both know I'm definitely not the type to wheedle the board to get the money or approval for what needs to be done. I'd be butting heads with them in a week and out the door in less than a month." Lee stared Billy in the eye. "The only reason I've lasted in my job as long as I have is because you've run interference for me."
Billy chuckled. "Yes, you do have a tendency to butt heads with the upper echelon, but, Lee, whatever position you take in management, you're going to have to deal with certain issues, budgets, manpower requests. Whether you're over at Justice, SDBIR or here at the Agency; at least here, you already know the personalities."
"Yeah, like Dr. Smyth. Do I need to remind you that is not a big selling point?"
"Smyth's not on the board, but Harry Thornton is. He's always been one of your biggest supporters."
Lee grinned and nodded. "Yeah, Harry and I understand each other. We're cut from the same cloth. Let me guess, he's the one who suggested me for the position in the first place?"
"No, actually, it wasn't Harry; we both know you'd get his vote. What if Amanda came with the package; would that sway you?" Billy asked, raising his brow.
Tilting his head like he'd heard incorrectly, Lee asked. "Come again?"
"You heard me right, Scarecrow,"
Now Billy had piqued his curiosity. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Believe it or not, Lee, some people like the way the two of you work together. Your weaknesses are her strengths and vice versa. Together, you balance each other out extraordinarily. The board recognizes that and sees this as an exemplary opportunity to make Station One the model for training, not the laggard."
"I don't know what to say…" Lee choked out.
Nodding his head, Billy smiled. "They're going to offer the job to Amanda before the week's out; the board voted on it this morning. I can't say who made the suggestion to have you replace Jay Milliken, but the board knows you're leaving the field. They voted to approach you with the idea."
"Must have been a close vote," Lee joked, "and there must be a few, rather thick strings attached."
"None that I'm aware of. Are you interested?" Billy questioned.
"Interested, yeah, maybe," Lee answered, shoving his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels, "but I still have a lot of questions."
"Rightfully so," his supervisor nodded. "Lee, this is an important decision. Take a drive; spend the rest of the day down there and poke around the place. I hate to lose you, but if you're going to leave the field, I'd like to see you at Station One. The Agency needs your talents; you can make a difference. What better place than molding the next generation of field agents?"
"Is the board really ready to spend the money to make the necessary changes? I'm talking about major changes…"
"Jay notified the board a couple of months ago, when he first applied for the job at West Point, that he might be leaving. The board has discussed revamping the program. You know I've been fighting for changes to Station One for several years and I think, with the right person at the helm down there, the board will finance what needs to be done. Jay had a different vision, but with his tenure over, it's clearly time for change."
Standing up again, Lee started to pace the room. Glancing out the window again, he watched the action in the bullpen and commented, "I don't know, Billy, trainees? I hated when I was rotated down there."
"You hated it because you had no control over the training courses, the people chosen."
"You have a point there." Lee crossed the room; leaning against Billy's desk, he glanced at his supervisor, continuing his thoughts. "It should be more structured, like the FBI Academy; longer program with instructors who excel in their fields, not just a rotation of agents who aren't always up to the challenge themselves," Lee added.
"Sounds to me, Scarecrow, that you're very interested," Billy observed. "I think you should at least consider the position. There's a big jump in pay for you; in fact, a couple levels higher than the position at Justice."
"This is crazy, Billy! I don't believe the board would be willing to go the full distance to make Station One be what it needs to be. We're talking additional personnel to evaluate the applicants on several levels, a broader curriculum and increased testing on the candidates…."
"All of which are valid requests, several of which Amanda suggested in both of her interviews, and the board is willing to implement, given the right personnel."
"What does Amanda know about this?" he inquired as he sat back down on the chair next to Billy.
"Amanda was told that the board would be making a decision this week about the Coordinator position. She was informed that there would be other personnel changes over the next few months."
"When's Jay leaving?"
"The end of the month."
"Can I talk to Amanda about this or is this 'need to know'?"
"Obviously, you're our first choice for the position. It will have to be posted, but that's only a formality if you decide to take it. We'd prefer that it didn't leak out that you've been offered the job, before it's posted."
"We?!" Lee replied, with a raised eyebrow. "I'm beginning to figure out who on the board made the suggestion!"
Billy tried to hide his smile, but the cat was already out of the bag. "Go down there and look around and promise me you'll give this serious consideration?"
Rubbing his chin with his hand, Lee was contemplating a host of issues in his head. "You're really serious. I should drive down there unannounced and wander around?"
"The board asked me to approach you. Jay was told to expect candidates to come down to inspect the premises. Obviously, we need to fill the position as quickly as possible. You don't have anything pressing right now, do you?"
"Paperwork..." he answered, scratching his head, a little overwhelmed
Billy raised his eyebrow and smiled. "Then I'll expect you down there later this morning."
"I said I'd consider it, Billy," Lee reminded his supervisor. Standing up he walked over to the door, preparing to leave. "I didn't say I'd take the job."
Late that afternoon
Lee Stetson hurried up the stairs to his office in the Q Bureau. Having spent most of the day at 'Station One', he was eager to talk to his wife.
"Hi," he greeted with a cheerful smile, but the suspicious look on her face told him what she was thinking.
"I paged you twice before Mrs. Marston told me you left the building. I called your cell phone, but you didn't answer. Where have you been all day?" Amanda inquired apprehensively when he strode into their office.
"Did you miss me?" he teased, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
"I'm going to strangle you if you don't tell me where you went!" Her arms were crossed against her chest and her glare told him she was annoyed with him.
"I had to handle a favor for Billy. I was probably out of range for the cell phone," he answered vaguely, as he crossed the room and sat down at his desk.
"Lee, you're not supposed to be out in the field. You promised me," she retorted, her voice strained with a mix of worry and anger. "That means you can't keep doing 'favors' or whatever you want to call it, for Billy."
"I promise you; I'm not working a case. I'm doing research," he answered, hoping to put her mind at ease, but the anxiety still shone through on her face. "Amanda, we've talked about leaving the field at length. We agreed to leave and I'm comfortable with that. I assure you; I haven't broken that promise."
Her scowl diminished and she appeared relieved. "Good, I'm glad to hear that, but exactly what kind of research were you doing?"
"I went down to Station One. I wanted to check the place out since, rumor has it, you're going to be offered that job," he smiled brightly at her.
"Check out Station One? Lee, you've been down there dozens of times. Did Jay Milliken ask to speak to you about me? I'm not sure he wants me for the position."
"Really? He didn't say anything like that to me," Lee teased. "I think you're the perfect candidate for the job. If I had any say in the matter, it would be a done deal."
"I know they're down to three applicants, but I'm not sure who else applied for the position. The board guaranteed they'd make a decision this week," she remarked, taking her pen and circling Friday on her blotter. Glancing up at her husband, she appeared less than confident. "I'm not sure how well the board liked my ideas and suggestions."
"What suggestions did you make?" he prompted eagerly.
"Some of the ideas you and I discussed. That they need to expand the program considerably, update the facilities and hire additional staff. They did admit that further staff changes were in the works."
With a raised eyebrow, he nodded for her to continue.
"The board seemed interested in my ideas, but we both know to implement them, we're talking a good deal of money. I don't think Jay Milliken was that enthused about them. I get the impression, he thinks 'Station One' is just fine the way it is."
"Jay's been there for a while."
"Yeah, nine years," Amanda remarked, looking up at her husband. "He seems like a very nice man, but in all honestly, I think he's the biggest stumbling block down there. He's rather unyielding. I think any changes will only be cosmetic, you know, enough to satisfy the board and keep them off his back."
"Are you going to take the job if they offer it to you?" Lee probed.
"Yeah, I would. I still think it's a good fit for me and it has a lot of potential. It might take some time to get real change, but I think in the long run, the Agency would definitely benefit."
"What if I told you that Jay won't be there much longer?"
Studying his face, she furrowed her brow. "Spill it, Stetson, what have you heard?"
Unable to avoid her intense stare and itching to share his news, he got up and locked the door. In a hushed tone, he began to explain. "You know Billy asked me to come to his office this morning?"
"Yes, just before you disappeared."
Lee sat on her desk. Keeping his voice to just above a whisper, he continued. "Jay's leaving 'Station One' at the end of the month."
"Really?" she gasped.
"Really."
"Oh my gosh! I wonder who they'll find to replace him?" Amanda wondered aloud. "Maybe I don't want that job down there after all…"
"Billy wants me to take his position."
"Oh, Lee, that's a wonderful opportunity for…" she began, and then her voice trailed off. Glancing down at her blotter again, she picked up a red pen and crossed out Friday's date on the calendar, and replied dejectedly, "I guess that means I won't be offered the job after all."
"I never said that."
"Lee, come on, Smyth tries to split us up every few months."
"First of all, I'd never take the position if it meant you losing yours. I have it on good authority that they're going to offer you the position, regardless of whether I accept the post as Director." Reaching down, he lifted her chin. "Secondly, Smyth is not on the board and apparently, they're not as shortsighted as he is."
"Are you…serious? The board will agree to that? Letting you and I work together, at Station One?"
"You don't think I'd even consider it if they chose anyone else for job, do you?" he responded, a broad smile on his face.
"You are serious!" she gasped in disbelief.
Nodding his head, his eyes sparkled. "I'm seriously considering the post, if you agree to take the Program Coordinator position. We won't be working as partners, like we have been, but we'd be working pretty closely. What do you say, Mrs. Stetson? Would you like to continue to work with me?"
Nodding, she answered. "Yes, Mr. Stetson, I can't think of anything I'd like more."
"I was hoping you'd say that," Lee remarked moments before he leaned down, found his wife's lips and sealed the deal with a kiss.
End Part Twelve
FLASHBACK:
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Epilogue: Several months later…
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"Lee!" Amanda called out when she walked into the auditorium at Station One. "Look who I found wandering the grounds!"
Glancing up, Lee waved to her before excusing himself from the group he was speaking with. He hurried towards his wife and greeted his old supervisor cheerfully. "Billy! I wasn't sure if you were going to make it."
"Station One's first graduating class with you at the helm? Scarecrow, I wouldn't miss it for the world," Billy Melrose answered; his eyes looked around the room at the numerous guests. "Besides, I wanted to see all the changes the board has approved the last few months for myself. Francine mentioned to me that you're still looking for a few good agents…"
"Hey, we're always looking for talented people, right, Billy?" Lee reminded him, patting his old supervisor on the back and pulling Amanda close to his side. "Besides, we haven't stolen any of your staff – yet! We've only pilfered a few instructors from the FBI Academy, one from the Secret Service, a senior Pentagon analyst and we swayed a retiring Marine Drill Sergeant to give Station One a try. "
"Steal Francine on me and see if you get anymore budget approvals!" Billy teased his friend. "How many made it through the program?"
"We started with twelve candidates; we decided quality is better than quantity," Lee explained. "We're graduating nine."
"It should have been ten, but one of the candidates pulled out before Dodge City because of a severe hamstring injury. She'll finish with the next class, if the doctor approves it," Amanda explained before they heard a commotion in the back of the room. "Excuse me; I better check on what's going on."
"Amanda looks great," Billy mentioned after she disappeared into the crowd.
"She exhausts me!" Lee chuckled with a proud smile. "Nobody can keep up with her, not even the construction workers, but she really has a good handle on things down here."
"I can see that."
"Billy, this place wouldn't be half what it is today without her. She organized this place and makes it run like a well oiled machine."
"Don't sell yourself short, Scarecrow. Graduating 75% of the first class is quite an accomplishment."
"I can't take all the credit for that, either. The selection team had it narrowed down to fifteen. I gave Amanda the final approval of the candidates. She whittled it down to an even dozen and all of her picks made it through!"
"She has the ability to see more in people."
"She always has," Lee nodded. "I think the board was a bit concerned that we only started with a dozen. They've spent a great deal of money down here the last few months."
"Don't worry about the board. They're results oriented. Considering only two candidates dropped out, I think they'll be pleased. Like you said, quality is better than quantity. Not to mention, with all the construction going on around here, you probably wouldn't have room for many more candidates the last few months."
"You're right about that. We had to juggle the training schedule a couple of times because of construction issues. Next year, we can train more in each class if we have enough qualified applicants. If you hang around after the ceremony, I'd be happy to give you a tour," Lee suggested. "There have been a lot of changes, and we have plans for more."
"Sure, if you'll have the time," Billy answered.
"I'll make the time for a board member who helped approve all my budget requests."
"You're learning fast, Scarecrow."
"I owe a lot of thanks to you the last few months, pushing through my requests with the board. I know once everything is complete, even the FBI will be jealous of our program," Lee boasted happily.
"When our nation's security is on the line, it's not time to cut costs. Besides, you're doing an exemplary job."
"It's a team effort, Billy; the entire staff has put their hearts into this place. Most of Jay's old employees are just as excited about the changes as the new personnel we've hired," he explained confidently.
"You know, Scarecrow, I had some doubts whether you could pull off all the changes you pushed so hard for. It seems to me that not only were the changes you made essential, but you really are the right person to take the helm," Billy observed.
"I had some reservations myself," Lee admitted in a quiet voice. "It's been hectic at times, but having Amanda's office down the hall, makes all the difference in the world. There's always someone here who can make a decision so we can keep moving forward, steadily. If there's a problem, she's a realistic sounding board and she keeps me grounded. Overall, it's been a surprisingly positive experience."
"You look… happy, more relaxed than I've seen you in a long time," Billy observed.
"I've got what I've always wanted: a great job, my wife at my side and a family life. What more can a man ask for?"
Billy grinned, obviously pleased at Lee's transformation from Field Agent to Director of Station One. Patting his friend on his back, he said, "Scarecrow, as much as I miss you at the office, I think this is where you belong."
"Who would have guessed," Lee nodded.
Amanda hurried back to both men. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time to get started. Lee, you need to go up to the dais. Everybody's finally here. Billy, I saved you a seat up front with me."
The three of them walked to the front of the auditorium. Lee squeezed his wife's hand before they parted.
"Good luck," she whispered as she and Billy took their seats in the front row. Moments later, Lee walked up to the podium.
"Good afternoon and thank you all for coming…" Lee Stetson announced as a new chapter in his and Amanda's life commenced.
The end…
