CHAPTER 66

Part 1

Once all of his passengers were inside, Leatherneck keyed the inanition and the Bronco's engine roared to life. He guided the vehicle expertly back down the road, around the curve and avoiding some of the potholes that would have bounced his passengers around.

That's when he noticed. It was the feeling of being watched.

He turned his slightly, smiling as he found Jamie steadfastly observing every move he made.

"You still want your driver's license?" Dwayne chuckled.

Jamie nodded shyly before he spoke.

"But Mom will never let me now," he said solemnly.

Leatherneck smiled over at the teenager. He knew the feeling, the burden of having multiple worries hanging on your shoulder. The only difference was that Jamie was far too young to be having that dilemma. What the boy needed now was something positive, a reassurance among the worries.

"You don't worry about your Mom on this one," Dwayne told him.

"You ever seen my Mom when she's angry?" Jamie asked him.

Dwayne chuckled.

"Like I said, I've known your mom for awhile now and don't you worry, I can take care of this one for her as well."

Jamie looked at him, a puzzled expression on his young face.

"Is that the cabin?" Leatherneck suddenly asked him

"Yeah," Jamie told him.

"Good. Let's go take care of your Dad and brother, okay?"

Leatherneck easily maneuvered the vehicle close to the porch and killed the engine.

Jamie was already hastily unbuckling his seatbelt and Dr. Joyce and Beaman were already scooting out.

Dwayne placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder before the youngster could open his door.

"Jamie?"

"Yeah?"

"I promise I'll take care of the Jeep for you, okay? Trust me?"

Jamie looked at the man who, up until a few minutes ago, he had never seen before in his life. His mother had always cautioned her sons about strangers. Heck, both he and Phillip could recite her rules and speeches in their sleep. He probably shouldn't be trusting this man but there was something about him, whether it was the voice or the expression on the guy's face Jamie was not sure, but deep down inside he knew that he could trust the man.

"I trust you," Jamie finally said.

Leatherneck smiled at him.

"Come on, son. Let's go help your family, okay?"

Part 2

When Jeannie Melrose entered the little office that had been converted into a sick room, she found Francine sitting up in the one bed, her back against the wall and huddled in a blanket. The agent's normally glamorously styled blonde hair had been pulled back haphazardly in a ponytail and her face was far too pale for her complexion. Dark circles were very evident under her eyes and she looked as exhausted as Jeannie felt.

On the other bed, Lee Stetson was propped up against the pillows, his arms wrapped around his wife. Lee didn't look much better than Francine, his handsome face seemed etched with worry lines, his hair clearly showed that he had been raking his hands through it, and dark shadow revealed the need for a shave.

Jeannie couldn't see any of Amanda's face. The younger woman's face was hidden from view by a mass of tousled dark waves as she snuggled against her husband's chest.

"Sleeping?" Jeannie asked in a soft voice.

Lee nodded.

"I just wanted to see how you were all holding up," she told them.

Francine shrugged.

"Probably as good as anyone else," she offered.

Jeannie smiled.

"Actually, the Agency seems to be holding up better than some of the other groups, according to Billy."

"Really?" Lee asked.

Jeannie nodded as she lowered herself into the chair beside the bed.

"Billy's been on some phone calls but I gathered that the President was quite impressed with how quickly the Agency managed to jump into action."

"Well, we're slightly smaller than some of the other groups," Francine said.

"I don't think size has anything to do with it," Jeannie told them. "I believe the wording had something to do with efficiency."

"Efficient would have been stopping this thing before it started," Lee grumbled.

Jeannie watched the man, observing how his hand continually moved in a light stroking pattern on Amanda's back.

"I think it would be rather hard to stop something that you can't see," she replied.

Francine coughed a little before adding her own input.

"They're going to wish they never started this," she croaked out, before coughing again.

"Revenge isn't always sweet," Jeannie pointed out to her.

"No, but Desmond retaliation is going to make me feel so much better."

Francine's voice may have sounded weak and raspy from the illness, but there was no denying the spunk hidden beneath the words.

The three of them were all surprised to hear another raspy voice, supposedly asleep but obviously awake and listening to every word.

"I'm all for a little retaliation," they heard Amanda mumble.

Jeannie chuckled softly.

"I'd hate to be the bad guys with you three on the case," she stated.

"That's why Billy keeps us on the payroll," Lee said with a tired laugh.

The slight brevity of the moment was broken by the soft sound of a knock on the door.

Four pairs of eyes turned to look, each one wondering what the new visitor had to bring them in way of news and each one of them hoping that the hour of bad tidings had slipped into the past.