If Anyone Could Manage It

Chapter 1

Lee and Amanda had been on a wedding cruise to San Angelo, and she was part of his cover so he could find out what happened to Orlando Gravas, another operative.

They encountered Emiliano Gomez of the Puerto Faro Security Police, who they discovered was undercover on the cruise as one of the ship's stewards because Orlando had suspected smuggling of some sort while on board, and had disappeared, having sent Lee a coded message with the description, "24-C", and "Ship Of Lies", which later was found to be "Ship Of Spies".

The night before they were to dock in San Angelo for their psuedo wedding, Lee had left Amanda at the Captain's Ball so he could meet with Emiliano in the cargo hold.

She wanted to walk around on the deck while waiting for him, but he insisted she stay put, so as to not get into any trouble. She relented, and off he went.

But sometime later, as he and Emiliano finished their meeting and came upon the deck, Lee noticed a crowd forming near the life boat area, and curiously asked someone nearby, "Is there another drill we need to know about?"

The man passenger shook his head stating, "No! Some lady just fell or jumped off the boat-"

Lee gasped, "What lady?"

The man shrugged answering as he pointed out the ocean area, "Brunette with a white evening gown! I told somebody to stop the boat, but it's probably too late-"

Lee in panic mode, immediately gave his jacket and shoes to Emiliano, and barked quickly as he climbed over the railing, "Hold these! It's gotta be Amanda! I'm going after her! And call the Coast Guard!"

It was several hours later when Lee and Amanda were rescued and brought back to a Miami hospital.

Lee was in fair shape, but exhausted, while Amanda was found to be unconscious.

It was nearly dawn when Emiliano came to see Lee in the E.R. and remarked, "It is good to see you. How are you? How is Amanda?"

Lee sighed heavily shaking his head as he answered, "I'm just tired and feeling waterlogged. When I went after Amanda, I kept calling out to her to pinpoint where she was, and I heard her yelling for me, but when I finally got to her, she had passed out! I had to hold onto her tight so she wouldn't drown while keeping myself afloat! I'm hoping they'll let me know how she is soon. Any of the passengers know what happened?"

Emiliano stated, "When they brought the ship back to port, the Miami police were preparing to question everyone on board, including the crew. Don't worry, Lee. We'll find answers soon."

A nurse named Debbi came by remarking, "Mr. Stetson? Amanda King is awake now. We understand from Officer Gomez that she is your fiancee?"

Lee, deciding to maintain his and Amanda's cover nodded quickly commenting, "That's right. How is she?"

Debbi stated, "She has a concussion and isn't making much sense at the moment. The doctor feels she shouldn't travel anywhere for a few more days. May we contact her family?"

But Lee shook his head answering, "No, I'll take care of it, thanks. May I see her now?"

Debbi nodded commenting, "Alright. But only for a few minutes. They'll be moving her to a private room soon. Are you sure you're able to walk around yet, though? You spent a long time in the ocean yourself-"

But Lee put up a hand, stating, "I-I'll be fine. I'll just take it slow."

Emiliano followed Lee and Debbi out, answering, " Oh, there was a message for you from the port. William Melrose from D.C. He wants you to contact him as soon as possible..."

Lee groaned remarking, " That's our superior from the Agency...All right. Let me see how Amanda's doing first. Thanks, Emiliano."

Emiano nodded stating, "I'll be heading back to the ship. Contact me if you need anything else. Oh, and I took the liberty of sending yours and Amanda's things to the Marriot Hotel nearby, Adjoining rooms of course, when you're ready. Courtesy of the cruise line."

Lee chuckled and shook Emiliano's hand stating, "Thank you, my friend. You've been a big help."

As Emiliano headed out, Lee entered the cubicle where Amanda was, and went to her side, taking her hand. Seeing her move fitfully in the bed, heard her moan, "T-Turn the boat around, Lee! Help me! I don't like this...Wanna go home..."

Lee looked questioningly at Debbi, who shrugged commenting, "It's like that movie..."

Lee, baffled, asked, "What movie?"

Debbi gave him a blank stare, saying, "You're kidding, right? How old are you, anyway?"

Lee, taken aback, was about to respond when a Dr. Jenkins then entered the area, and overhearing Debbi remarked, "Debbi, just because you're a movie buff, doesn't mean the rest of the world is! Now, leave him alone."

Then, checking on Amanda, he said to Lee, "I apologize if she offended you, Sir. She seems to relate every situation in the E.R. lately to a classic film..."

He finished and writing notes on the chart stated to Debbi, "Alright. We can send Mrs. King upstairs now...Get a move on."

Then he said to Lee, "You can see her again shortly once we get her settled, Mr. Stetson, but for now, why don't you get some rest yourself?"

Lee thanked him, and left, but decided to call Billy instead. Going to the nurse's station, he explained who he was to the admitting nurse, Sarah, and asked to use the phone.

She nodded, and Lee thanked her and dialed.

When Billy answered a few moments later, Lee remarked, "Hey, Billy, it's me, Lee."

Billy commented, " Scarecrow? Thank God! Are you and Amanda alright?! We got a call from the Coast Guard, and-"

Lee answered, "Yeah, we were rescued from the ocean and brought to a Miami hospital. A passenger claims that either Amanda fell or jumped from the ship, but I don't buy that theory. Amanda has a concussion, so of course, we can't come home for a few more days. We had help while on the cruise investigating. Emiliano Gomez of the Puerto Faro Security Police was already onboard when we started the cruise-he was undercover as one of the ship's stewards. Apparently, Orlando Gravas was already letting him in on his suspicions when he disappeared."

Billy stated, "I see. Well, I'll just let Mrs. West know it will be a bit longer until Amanda gets home since you're still trying to figure this whole thing out."

Lee, noticing an orderly moving Amanda towards an elevator answered, "Thanks. Listen, since Amanda's not in good shape at the moment, I'll have Emiliano contact you and give you the rundown on what he's found out so far. They're moving Amanda to a private room, so I'm heading there now. I'll call you later, Billy."

Billy stated, "Alright, Lee. And don't worry about things here. Just concentrate on your partner, hmm?"

Lee responded, "You bet. Bye."

Hanging up, he strode towards the elevator and signaled to the orderly at the elevator, "Wait, please..."

Lee entered the elevator, and looking down at Amanda in the hospital bed, prayed that she'd be alright soon...

TBC