Part 6
Amanda took the pages, not sure if she really wanted to see them or not. After glancing at Lee's grim expression she took a deep breath and looked at the top page. There was a picture of Mr. Melrose handing a package to a grey haired gentleman. "Who--?" She didn't even get the question out before Lee answered.
"Karl Janovik—one of the top 'information retrieval' men for the East. He specializes in finding government officials, locating their weak spots and blackmailing them into delivery classified information."
"So what's Mr. Melrose doing with him?"
"There's only one possible reason Billy would be with that guy. Janovik has got to him and is blackmailing Billy into handing over information."
"Couldn't it be a chance meeting?"
"Amanda, there are no 'chance meetings' with Janovik. Besides, there are three other pictures in the file. Each one shows Billy at a different location. Each time he's handing something over."
She flipped through the file and found the photos. Mr. Melrose was pictured with the same man in each.
"Lee—I just can't believe this. Mr. Melrose is a loyal American. Why would he be passing secrets to the East?"
"Janovic goes for the jugular. He researches the background of people with access to sensitive information, finds a weakness—something they don't want known or maybe someone they care about—and then he uses it as leverage. "
"So you think Billy's being blackmailed?"
"Possibly. It's a preferable alternative."
"Alternative to what?"
"That he's an outright traitor."
"Oh." Amanda was silent for a moment as the gravity of the situation sank in. Mr. Melrose could be tried for treason! "So, what are we going to do?"
Lee shook his head. "I don't know. I should call Harry, then report this Dr. Smyth..."
Amanda studied him carefully. Even though you weren't supposed to develop attachments in this business, she knew Lee respected Billy and valued his friendship. Lee wouldn't casually turn in a friend. She smiled slightly. "But you're not going to."
"Not yet. Something doesn't seem right. Harry said the guy I was going to meet had information that could prove the rumours were false. This just confirms them."
"So the informant was lying?"
"Or someone wants us to believe Billy is guilty and is planting information—doctoring the photos."
"But who? And why?"
Lee shook his head and collected the evidence from Amanda. "I have no idea but we're going to try and find out. These photos will have at least four sets of prints on them; yours, mine, the guy at the warehouse and whoever this 'mystery' informant might be. We'll take these to the Agency and have them dusted for prints."
"But won't someone question why?"
"I have some connections down in finger printing. Zoe Smithers owes me a favour."
Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Amanda couldn't help but laugh. "Zoe? I see you've changed letters; this one ends with an 'e.'"
"What?"
"Zoe ends with an 'e'. Usually your girlfriends end in 'i.' You know Bambi, Cyndi, Suzi.."
Lee glared at her. "Zoe is just a friend. She had a flat tire and I helped her jack up the car and change it."
"Ahh...And I'm sure that's all there was to it." Just a trace of sarcasm was woven into her words. She glanced at him, trying to keep a straight face.
"Amanda..." Lee's tone of voice let her know that he wasn't amused, but she couldn't resist prodding him just a little more.
"Lee, I'll bet you coffee and a donut that when we walk into her office, she fawns all over you."
"You're on." He reached over and they shook hands.
Amanda started the car and eased onto the roadway, anticipating her upcoming snack. There hadn't been time for breakfast this morning and just the thought of a donut had her stomach growling. She was going to head straight to the Agency, but Lee asked her to make a detour .
"I want to stop by my apartment first and change. I appreciate the loan of the shirt but advertising motor oil isn't exactly my style and..." He gasped slightly and held his ribs as they turned the corner and he slid a bit in the seat, "I also have some heavy duty pain killers in my first aid kit. The Tylenol really isn't doing the trick."
"Lee Stetson! What are you doing with strong drugs in your apartment?"
"Standard Agency issue for a field agent. They realize we have some pretty rough encounters at all sorts of odd hours. Every agent keeps a well stocked first aid kit and a small supply of prescription pain killers at their house. Otherwise, you'd spend half your time at the doctors."
"But that's not safe! You shouldn't be treating yourself when you're injured."
"Amanda, every agent gets some pretty advanced first aid training and instructions on how and when to use the drugs. After all, the Agency doesn't want its employees accidentally over-dosing."
"I suppose..."
"Don't worry. I'll only take one pill—just enough to take the edge off. "
*****
They stopped at Lee's apartment and he took a pain killer then changed his clothes. He insisted on doing it himself, claiming the drug was fast acting. Amanda didn't believe him for a minute and wondered if he'd been as disconcerted as she'd been that morning when she helped him get his clothes on.
Realizing it might take him awhile to change, she started tidying up his apartment. It wasn't quite as bad as it used to be—maybe she was rubbing off on him! Ater all, it was often said that the longer people were together, the more alike they became. She wondered what would happen if they were partners long enough. Would Lee become a 'rambler' and family oriented? Would she develop his appalling lack of manners or become a 'player' with a new boyfriend every week? Giggling at the very idea, she gathered the dirty dishes and headed for the kitchen.
"What's so funny?" Lee stood in the doorway, wearing a fresh shirt and watching her fill the dishwasher.
"Nothing really. I was just thinking that when people are together for a long time, they sometimes start to take on the traits of their partner. We'd better be careful how much we work together. You might become a 'normal' person."
"And you might become one of the best operatives the Agency has ever produced."
They both laughed and looked at each other. Their eyes locked and the smiles slowly faded. Both seemed to be searching the others face for something...
It was Amanda who broke contact first. "Well..." She shut the door to the dishwasher and rinsed her hands. "I guess we should head to the Agency and find Zoe."
Lee cleared his throat. "Yeah, with any luck, whatever prints we find will be on file in the Agency computer. Then we can go after whoever put this package together."
"But only after you buy me that coffee and donut." She quipped as they exited his apartment.
"Amanda..."
