Chapter FOUR - The man in the red hat

Amanda King opened her eyes and sighed. She looked down at her left hand and saw her diamond engagement ring sparkling. She smiled to herself and thought about the events of the night before. Lee actually proposed in front of her family and their friends. He was ready to end this mystery marriage and live together as man and wife. She was so happy he made the decision to go ahead and get engaged again so her family could be a part of everything. She wished she could have spent the night with Lee but she was due into the Agency early that morning. She threw the covers back and sat up in her bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and flopped her hands down on the mattress. Just then her phone rang. She leaned over and picked it up.

"Hello"

"Amanda, it's Effrom. I know that it's not normal procedure for me to call you at the house but I need you to go to the train station and meet up with an informant of Lee's. I need you to look like…well…like an everyday housewife…nightgown…overcoat…you know. That's how the informant will know that you are their contact. Can you do it?"

Amanda smiled "Of course Effrom, I will be glad to do it. Is there anything else I need to do or say?"

Effrom explained the drop to her and she said she was getting ready. She hung up the phone and stood up. She went over to her dresser and started fumbling in the drawer. Look like a housewife. Why in the world do I need to look like a housewife….and one that wears a nightgown to the train station. Francine probably put him up to this. I am surprised she didn't tell him to ask me to wear curlers! She saw something blue in the back of the drawer and she smiled. Well, if I have to look the part I might as well wear this. It kind of brought me good luck once upon a time!

Amanda went into the bathroom and changed into the baby blue nightgown. She brushed her hair and put on a little makeup. She found her heels and her tan overcoat and she went downstairs.

Dotty and the boys were already downstairs eating their breakfast. Dotty looked at her and said "Darling is that all you are going to wear?" Dotty was smiling at Amanda and glanced at the boys who were trying not to laugh.

Amanda had to come up with a story quickly to explain why she was in her nightgown and overcoat. She stumbled on her words " Oh Mother, we are doing a film on housewives and how hectic their days can get. I am going to be the frantic housewife that has to leave the house in a rush."

Dotty tried to muffle a laugh and said "Oh well that sounds like it's going to be an interesting morning. Will you and Lee be home in time for dinner?"

Amanda smiled at her mother as she kissed the boys goodbye " We should be Mother. I will check in with you later this afternoon. You fellas have a good day. Goodbye!"

Amanda got into her car and drove to the train station. She parked her car, grabbed her purse and headed towards the platform. She really wasn't sure who she was looking for so she decided to just walk back and forth on the platform until someone approached her.

****Lee Stetson watched as Amanda arrived at the train station. He smiled to himself when he saw what she was wearing. He didn't even have to plan that. He wondered if Francine told Beamon to tell her to dress like a housewife. She wore her blue nightgown on her own. He picked up the package sitting on the passenger seat of the Vette and he jumped out. He made his way to the other side of the train that Amanda was aimlessly walking back and forth waiting for her contact. Waiting for him. He passed the two agents that would be chasing him and he nodded to both of them. He took a deep breath and dogged under the train and onto the platform. He looked around for Amanda as he pushed past several commuters. He saw her walking towards him and he jumped ahead to grab her.

"Just walk with me!"

Amanda saw the white tuxedo first and then slowly realized that it was her husband. He had a package and his arm was firmly wrapped around her.

"Lee! What is going on? Thought I was here for a drop …."

"Please. I'm in trouble"

"Lee…what do you mean you are in trouble! What's going on?"

"I'm in trouble. Please."

Amanda looked at his beautiful hazel green eyes and wondered if something was really wrong. The look of desperation in his face reminded her of the first time they met…at the very train station they were at. She sighed "What is it you want me to do?"

He put his arm around her as they started walking. He handed her a small brown package and said "Just take this. Get on the train. Its a matter of life and death."

Amanda looked at Lee. " Life and death, really Lee? What's going on?"

"Hand it to the man in the red hat."

Suddenly Amanda realized what Lee was doing. He was recreating the moment they met. She just wasn't sure why?

"Lee, is this for real?"

"Just get on the train, hand it to the man in the red hat. You can get off at the next stop and forget all about this. But do it!"

Lee started to walk away from Amanda and waved her to get on the train. She held the package in her hands and made her way into the car. She stood on the bottom stair and looked out towards where Lee ran off. Suddenly she saw two men in trench coats running after Lee. She watched as they caught up to him and they tumbled onto a luggage rack. Her mouth dropped open. She contemplated jumping off the train for a second but decided against that since she was in heels. She turned around and said to herself,

"Man in the red hat. Man in the red hat." Maybe whoever the man in the red hat was could give her some answers! She looked into the car and saw about a dozen men all wearing red fez caps! She took a really good look at the men that were all sitting there and she started giggling and rolled her eyes. They were ALL agents! When they realized she noticed who they were the entire car erupted in applause. She smiled at them all and saw that Billy Melrose was at the end of the aisle wearing a red baseball hat. He was grinning at her. He walked up to her and took her hand.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Stetson! I hope you had no trouble getting the package?"

Amanda weakly smiled at Billy at the mention of her last name and said "No sir. No trouble at all. Scarecrow handed it to me with no issues but there were two men following him. I think he may be in trouble. You may need to send someone for backup."

Billy squeezed her hand. "Don't you worry about Scarecrow. His partner will meet up with him shortly. Now, I need you to open the package."

Billy offered her a seat and she took it. With all of the agents looking on she opened the package. Inside was a beautiful little music box. When she opened it she heard a sweet tune. She smiled as she heard the song " Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Inside was a beautiful bracelet with a tiny train charm and a letter. She fought back tears as she opened it. The letter was from Lee. She recognized his chicken scratch handwriting anywhere. She took a deep breath as she read the letter.

Mrs. Stetson,

Meeting you was fate, becoming your best friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no choice. That was the easiest part - falling in love with you. But making you my wife was the best decision I ever made. Amanda, I cannot tell you enough what you mean to me. So today, on the anniversary of the day we met I want to show you just how much you have changed my life. And how much I love you. You are going on an adventure! You have already made it to your first stop - the train station. Where this crazy journey started. I don't think I ever told you but I think the words "Just walk with me" is a great way to start a life together. So, your next stop will be where we became man and wife for the first time. Connie Beth never knew what hit them! Have fun and I will see you at the end of this case! I love you, Mrs. Stetson.

Lee

Amanda looked up at Billy with tears in her eyes. He took the bracelet and put it on her wrist. She smiled at him as she stood up and said "Thank you, sir." She gave Billy a hug and he grinned at her "I take it you know where you are going for your next stop?"

Amanda nodded and said goodbye to the agents and Billy. She stepped off the train and walked to her car. She wiped a tear from her face and pulled the letter and music box to her chest. Her heart felt like it was about to burst. Lee was planning a wonderful day. Her stomach had butterflies as she thought about the next stop on this scavenger hunt. She sighed as she got into her Wagoneer and drove off towards the Betsy Ross Estates.