The Silent Killer
Chapter Two
Monday morning – July 20th - The Agency
"And," Billy Melrose continued speaking to the group of agents seated around the table, "need I remind you that Smyth is meeting today in preparation for Wednesday morning's ATAC review meeting. Nine o'clock sharp for those participating."
Groans came from several of the agents seated, most nursing cups of coffee or some variation of a cold carbonated can of caffeine to help them start another week in the playing arena of secrets and intelligence.
"And that," Billy said, "concludes this morning's meeting. As they say, another week has started."
"You can say that again," Francine grumbled, not nearly loud enough to be heard over the noises from the agents rising from their chairs to leave the room. But, the man sitting next to her heard and he chuckled.
"Don't like Mondays, Francine?"
Francine glared at Lee Stetson, momentarily, as several choice responses came to mind. Then, visibly perplexed, she began studying him.
"Wait a minute, Monday morning, not even ten, and you're in a good mood," she began.
"Your point?" Lee asked her as he gathered up his own notes and stood up.
"Just who are you and what have you done with the real Scarecrow? You know, the one who used to party all weekend and barely drag himself in here before noon?"
"I never did that," Lee denied.
"Yes, you did."
Francine stood up as well and then shook her head.
"Oh, I get it. Another weekend in suburbia. What was it this time? Junior trail hoppers or kickball?"
Lee laughed.
"If you really need to know, missing boards in the backyard fence, two cars that needed washed and waxed, and the best steaks on the grill that I've ever had."
Francine shook her head.
"Next thing you know you'll be telling me that you actually enjoy all of that."
"May sound boring to you, Francine, but yes, I do enjoy it."
"Maybe we need to limit your time with Amanda, before you become too normal," the blonde agent suggested.
"And what's wrong with normal?"
"God," she groaned. "It's too late."
Lee laughed and he thought he detected a hint of amusement in Francine's blue eyes despite the tone of her voice. Then, he decided that it was time to employ a change of topic tactic. There were some details from the weekend that he wasn't going to divulge to anyone, no matter how wonderful they had been.
"And what did you do with your weekend?"
Francine was going to tell him, but Billy's coming back into the conference room saved Lee from hearing all of the sordid details.
"If you two are done with the comparisons of the intricacies of daily life, we've got work to do. Francine, I need those files on Bain Engineering and Lee, there's a call for you on line three."
"Thanks," Lee said and he meant it, enormously. He smiled somewhat apologetically towards Francine and then picked up the phone.
"Stetson."
"Hi Rhonda, what's the word?"
"No, can't say that I have."
"No, no, I appreciate it. It might come in handy later."
"Yeah, I will."
Lee laughed over something she said.
"Yes, I will. Thanks. Bye."
He hung up the phone and shook his head.
"Anything?" Francine inquired.
"I don't know. She wanted to know if there's anything up with the Russians. Seems there's been a flourish of little meets, she thinks it looks suspicious."
"That's all?"
Lee nodded.
"For the moment. She hasn't heard much, but she'll keep her ears to the ground."
"Great, a Monday morning, you're becoming normal and the Russians have a new bag of tricks up their sleeves. Doesn't get any better than this."
With that, Francine walked out of the conference room, leaving Lee to stand there and smile. He couldn't help it that he'd had a wonderful, perfectly normal weekend.
A glance at his watch told him that Amanda should either be here already or was on her way. He headed off to the Q-Bureau, wearing a smile on his face.