CHAPTER 5

Amanda's arms flailed out as she desperately tried to escape the hand around her throat. Reaching out, she grabbed the soap dispenser and hurled it at her attacker's head. The dispenser shattered on the ground, but her aggressor was not the least bit affected.

Gasping for each breath, Amanda fiercely tried to pry off the fingers clutching her throat. The man glared at her as he removed a filthy cloth from his back pocket. Amanda's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the assailant in front of her.

"Say good-night, Mrs. King," the large man sneered as he plunged Amanda's face into the cloth. She struggled against him, but his strength easily held her still. Fighting with all her might, she tried and tried to scream out the one name who would keep her safe, but darkness swallowed her.

Lee let out a deep breath as he impatiently looked at his watch again. He tapped his foot on the ground as he shifted in his seat, his eyes continually watching for Amanda. Several minutes had passed, and she still didn't return. Running a hand through his hair, he threw his napkin on the table in frustration.

In contrast to the upset agent restlessly moving across from him, Conrad grinned brightly and leaned back in his chair. He felt so relieved that he could finally tell Lee and Amanda about the conversation he heard at the shoe store.

Conrad's smile widened as he remembered Amanda gently touching his arm when she entered the deli. He always enjoyed Amanda's company, in fact, he felt very much attracted to her. Conrad dreamily gazed off into the distance, lost in thoughts about Amanda and the softness of her touch.

The table shook in front of Conrad, quickly pulling him out of his thoughts. He turned his head and jumped in surprise as Lee slammed his fist down a second time.

"What's wrong?" Conrad asked, his eyes wide.

Lee abruptly stood up, shaking his head back and forth. He just knew that something was wrong. Concerned that Amanda had fallen in the bathroom, Lee didn't even respond to Conrad's question. He turned and strode over to the bathroom, quickening his pace as worry squeezed his chest.

Lee forced himself to stop in front of the restroom door. Every instinct he had screamed for him to charge through the door, but he didn't want to cause an embarrassing situation if Amanda was still inside.

Lee took his fist and pounded heavily on the door. "Amanda!" he urgently called out. Not hearing a response, he yelled her name again. "Amanda!"

No longer caring if he caused an embarrassing situation with all the women on the planet, he reached into his jacket and pulled out his weapon. Holding his gun with his left hand, he kicked open the bathroom door and rushed inside.

"Hold it!" Lee yelled, his weapon ready to fire. His eyes quickly scanned the area, but he didn't see any sign of Amanda or anyone else. He pushed open each stall, only to find them empty.

"Oh no," Lee breathed out as his eyes locked on the soap dispenser pieces scattered across the floor. He knelt beside them and grabbed the shattered pieces in his hand.

Lee instantly knew that Amanda was in trouble. Unable to contain the worry deep in his chest, he lifted his head and let out a piercing howl, "A-MAN-DA!"

At the sound of Lee's voice, Conrad ran into the restroom and saw Lee kneeling on the ground. Putting his hand over his mouth, he stared at Lee, wide-eyed. "Oh no," he whispered in horror. "They got her."

Lee quickly stood up and stared at Conrad, his eyes blazing with anger. "What do you mean 'they got her'?" he demanded harshly.

Conrad's face went pale. He looked at Lee in shock, his hand still covering his mouth.

"Answer me, man!" Lee's voice shook with intensity.

Conrad sank against the wall behind him and shook his head."I overheard some customers at my work," he said, breathing rapidly. "They said some really horrible things." He paused for a moment, trying to find his voice. "They were... they were going to use her to get to you."

Ice-cold fear encircled Lee's heart at Conrad's words. He closed his eyes briefly and then grabbed Conrad's arm in a numbing grip. He hauled Conrad to his feet.

"Come on," Lee ordered. "We're going to the Agency."

TBC