Chapter 7: All Fenced In
A chopper was preparing for takeoff on Warren Jakes' private helipad, and Jakes and another large Soviet man were encouraging Bill Fence to board at gunpoint, flanked by six armed goons.
"It has been a pleasure doing business with you," said the Soviet. "As usual."
It was the closest that the big Soviet ever came to smiling. He handed Jakes a briefcase, which Jakes had one of his goons check. When the goon nodded, Jakes smiled and shook the Soviet's hand.
"The pleasure is mine, comrade."
Before the two men could finish their goodbyes, a shot rang out, piercing the briefcase, causing it to fly open, and wrapped bills to spill out. The goons turned to fire back, but Lee had already rolled out of the way of their fire, and came up, firing a shot into the helicopter's cockpit. Blood sprayed the glass, guaranteeing that the aircraft would remain grounded. The six gunmen, however, had pinned Lee down, as he hid behind one of the service vehicles.
"Can you fly that thing?" Jakes shouted to the Soviet.
"Da!"
"Then get Fence out of here!"
The Soviet made for Fence, who had panicked and thrown himself to the ground, but Lee fired at the Russian goon, striking him in the leg.
"The place is surrounded," shouted Lee, bluffing.
"Kill the Scarecrow," shouted Jakes at his goons as he made to leave the helipad.
The goons complied, renewing their assault on Lee, and moving to surround his position. Lee managed to shoot one of them in the head, reducing their number, but they were getting wise to him, and he had nowhere to go that he would not be vulnerable.
Jakes turned to leave, only to be confronted by a speeding Corvette that rounded the corner. He turned to run, but the car was already hitting triple digits, and Jakes was struck by the silver sports car, sending him flying. The goons turned to fire at the car, but it was too late; Dotty plowed into them, taking them out. Lee pumped his fist and said, "Yes!" Then he made for Zolnerowich. Dotty used the Soviet's being occupied by Lee to call out to Fence.
"Bill, get in the car! Now!"
Fence shakily complied, and Dotty was soon speeding away with the computer genius as Lee mopped up the bad guys.
Billy Melrose arrived with a brace of federal agents to clean up the Jakes estate, and to take the Soviet into custody. As Billy and the agents secured the area and questioned Fence, Lee and Dotty stood together, basking in their victory.
"You know, Dotty, unlike Amanda, when I sent you to the car, you actually stayed in it," Lee observed. "You didn't stay in one place, but you did stay in the car."
"I'm sorry, Lee," Dotty protested, "but I couldn't leave you alone against an army. I figure we're a team, so I need to pull my weight."
"You did more than pull your weight, Dotty," Lee said admiringly. "You really saved the day. I'm glad you came on this trip with me."
"You're not mad?"
"I was worried for you, but you handled that car like a pro. And since it's a rental, I won't have to deal with the damage on my own Vette."
Dotty slid her arm around Lee's waist. "We do make a good team, don't we?"
"We do," he agreed, pulling her close and kissing her as Billy and Francine walked over. "Well, Billy, looks like agency work runs in Amanda's family, wouldn't you say?"
"I have to admit," interjected Francine, "I was skeptical of Amanda's mom being able to handle this mission, but you proved me wrong, Dotty."
"That's 'Mrs. West' to you, Ms. Desmond," replied Dotty coolly.
"Be that as it may," said Billy, "Francine is right; I had my doubts too, but Lee vouched for you, and you turned out to be more than up to the task. Bill Fence is safe, and the two of you just prevented vital information about SDI from falling into Soviet hands. Job well done, both of you. Mrs. West, your daughter has been a real asset to the agency, and Lee's right; it looks like she inherited the talent from you. You wouldn't be interested in any future assignments, now would you?"
"Billy, I have no aspirations to be an agent," Dotty replied, holding up her hands, "but if my country needs me, don't hesitate to call. And you may call me Dotty."
"So whose home should we call, Mrs. West," asked Francine snidely, "The King residence or Lee's apartment?"
"Now Ms. Desmond," said Dotty condescendingly, "what kind of international woman of mystery would I be if I told you the answer to that?"
Lee and Billy laughed heartily, as Francine pouted.