Inside the van, Amanda adjusted her skirt and checked her makeup again. Watching her, Francine smirked a little. "Gee, Amanda. I never thought I'd see you in that get up. Usually they make me wear it."

Sighing, Amanda glanced briefly at Francine. The nausea had gone away, and now she was hungry. She was grumpy, but she did her best to be patient with the blonde agent. Francine is just trying to keep me from being nervous. "This really is not my thing."

"Oh, but in that dress, you'll turn a few heads. Whitsett will notice you. No problem."

"I just hope Lee isn't listening to my mic, if I get a proposition."

"He'll be watching, but Emily will keep him under control. You know, it's amazing how besides you, she's the only person who can do that. She's like his mother or something."

Amanda knew that there was a good reason for that. The two had a connection—Lee's mother had been British, and Emily still used her British accent in the field. And she had mysteriously alluded once to knowing the Stetsons when Lee was young. She had covered quickly for herself, but Amanda was certain that it had been a slip. If Emily had a story, she was not ready to share it. But Amanda had suspected that some kind of history with Matthew and Jennifer Stetson accounted for Emily's motherly concern for Lee.

Francine broke into her reverie. "So, you feeling better?"

"Yes. I had some tea. I guess I'm past it."

"Let's check your wire again. We'll be dropping you off soon. Chang and Swanson said that Whitsett met with a high-ranking officer—a Colonel Marshall—this morning. My guess is the KGB gave Whitsett some blackmail material. I'm surprised he's talking with the colonel himself and not hiring someone else to do it."

"So he should be ready for a drink and looking for some company."

"Uh, yeah." Francine smiled at Amanda, trying to reassure her.

They completed the check while Efraim Beaman parked the van in an alley behind the hotel. Lee drove the Jeep to the front entrance, leaving the vehicle with the agent who was undercover as a valet.

Kevin drove his Chevy Nova past the hotel and parked around the corner. "What now, Junior?"

It was Jamie's turn to roll his eyes. "We go in, of course."

"But what if your mom's boyfriend sees us?"

"We won't let him." And I want to know why he's taking that lady to a hotel without Mom.

"How will we manage to keep Lee from seeing us, Wormbrain?"

Samantha elbowed Phillip. "Hey, don't call him that, Phillip," she whispered.

Jamie ignored the name-calling. "There's another entrance over there. Kevin can follow Lee and the lady into the hotel, and we can go in the side entrance and wait for him to tell us what's going on."

Opening his door, Kevin said, "Sounds like a plan, Junior. Let's go, or he may go upstairs with her or something."

Jamie and Phillip exchanged looks and jumped out of the car, Samantha in tow.

SMKSMKSMKSMKSMK

From their seat in the lounge, Lee and Emily had an open view of the room. The bar ran along one end of the room. A large mirror dominated the wall behind the bar. Lee and Emily nursed their sodas as they watched Amanda saunter in and perch herself on a stool by the bar. Keeping her back to the room, she watched in the mirror for Whitsett to enter. She ordered a glass of champagne, but only pretended to sip it. No need to get drunk on an empty stomach. And get sick again.

From his hiding place near a pillar in the lobby outside the lounge, Kevin could see Lee and Emily, but he had missed Amanda walk in and could not see her at the bar. He sat down in the chair nearby and watched. The adults made small talk and sipped on their drinks, but Kevin saw nothing unusual in their behavior. A middle-aged man with a moustache and a receding hairline temporarily blocked his view as he walked into the lounge and went towards the bar.

Seeing Whitsett enter, Amanda slowly swiveled in her stool and crossed her legs.

In his seat, Lee fidgeted nervously. Eyeing him, Emily whispered, "Now, Lee. She needs to get his attention." She patted his knee.

"I just wish she didn't have to show off her assets like that."

Emily raised her eyebrows and did not say anything more.

From his vantage point in the lobby, Kevin blew out his breath a little. This is kind of boring. Maybe I should tell Junior the latest. He got up and went to the hallway that led to the side entrance.

Phillip was eager for information. "Whatcha got?"

"Well, they're just sitting there talking. But the lady did put her hand on your mom's boyfriend's knee."

Phillip looked at his brother, his brow creased in a frown.

"Just keep watching them. They can't sit there forever." Jamie gestured for Kevin to go back to the lobby.

Samantha placed a hand on Phillip's arm. "You know, I thought you said they were filmmakers. Maybe he works with the lady and they're waiting for their crew."

"Well, whatever they're doing, now I really want to know." Phillip was still frowning.

In the lounge, Whitsett had not failed to notice the nice pair of legs at the bar. His eyes slowly traveled up Amanda's body as he sauntered over to her. "Why, hello. You look familiar. Have we met before?"

Amanda flashed him a smile. "I'm not sure. You do look a little familiar to me, too." She swiveled her stool to make room for Whitsett and patted the stool next to her. "Have a seat."

Across the lounge, Lee was squirming, doing his best to keep his cool. Emily patted his arm and took a sip of her soda. "She's doing just fine, Lee." They watched as Whitsett ordered a drink and made small talk with Amanda.

With his own glass of champagne in hand, Whitsett failed to notice that Amanda wasn't drinking hers. He kept staring at her face as Amanda pretended to think of ways that they might have met. "Perhaps it was at this hotel. I often stay here when I'm in town."

"That might be it. Or was it an embassy function?"

Whitsett was getting close to guessing accurately, so Amanda knew she had to act quickly. She moved her arm across the bar and knocked her purse to the floor. "Oh!" She started to get off her stool.

"No. Please, allow me."

The capsule ready in her hand, Amanda quickly emptied it into Whitsett's champagne flute and gave the glass a swirl before Whitsett could stand back up. He took a long look at Amanda's legs as he did so.

"I say, would you care to join me for lunch? The restaurant here is quite good."

Amanda could tell from Whitsett's behavior that he was hoping for something else later. She prayed for an excuse to get him to finish his champagne.

"That would be lovely. But I had a late breakfast. Perhaps we could finish our champagne, first?"

Whitsett smiled. He did enjoy a nice glass of champagne. "Certainly." He climbed back onto his stool and began to sip from his glass.

Kevin's chair was occupied when he came back to the lobby, so he found another one near a large plant. This time his view of Lee and Emily was more limited. He watched as they continued to sip their drinks. Bored with their lack of activity, Kevin's eyes wandered to the woman in the red dress at the bar. His eyes popped as he watched Whitsett pick up Amanda's purse and ogle her legs. He did his best not to run as he hurried back to Jamie and Phillip.

"Your mom is here, too! She's hooking up with some guy at the bar. You know, Phillip. I never realized how hot your mom was until just now."

Angry at Kevin's careless words, Jamie and Phillip pushed past Kevin and peeked out into the lobby. Samantha hung back and whispered to her brother. "Couldn't you have worded that a little better, Kevin?"

All four teenagers did not fail to notice Amanda leave the bar with Whitsett, his arm draped over her shoulder. They headed to the elevator and pressed the button.

Jamie and Phillip turned around quickly, missing Lee and Emily as they hurriedly followed Amanda and Whitsett to the elevator. "I think we've seen enough."

Samantha looked back and saw Lee take Whitsett from Amanda as the elevator doors were closing. Emily stood by Amanda, obviously willing the doors to close. Samantha turned to follow the boys. "Wait, Phillip. Jamie!" She ran after Kevin and the King brothers as they all headed for the side entrance of the hotel.

Francine and her crew saw the teens, but did not pay close attention to them as they carried their equipment into the hotel. Having booked adjoining suites, the plan was to record Whitsett spilling the beans to Amanda while Lee and Emily waited nearby as backup.

Kevin unlocked the doors with his keys and all four teenagers climbed in the Nova.

"Jamie! Phillip! You need to listen to me. Your mom's boyfriend followed your mom onto the elevator. There were four people in the elevator when the doors closed."

Jamie looked at Samantha, trying to decide if she was telling the truth.

Phillip did not spend any time reflecting on her words. "You're just trying to make us feel better, Samantha. That's nice of you, but I saw what I saw. My mom is two-timing Lee. And he seems to be doing the same to her."

"But why would they be dumb enough to cheat on each other in the same hotel? In the same bar?" Kevin turned around and raised his eyebrows at the King brothers.

"He has a point, Phillip." Jamie looked at his brother, hoping he would see reason.

"But why were they even there? Maybe Lee was with a friend, and they were spying on Mom."

"They weren't doing a very good job of hiding then. Come on, Phillip. I don't know what they are doing. Maybe the guy works with them and he got drunk, so they…"

"…took him up to his room."

Kevin looked around at his sister and the Kings. "Tell you what. I'll go get us some burgers. My treat. This is kind of fun. We'll wait here and see if they come back and get the Jeep." He nodded to a spot across the street. "The valet parked it just over there."

Phillip looked at Jamie, who nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Kevin. He smiled over at Samantha. "Sorry I didn't believe you. I'm glad you stayed to watch."

Smiling shyly, Samantha replied, "I just couldn't believe your mom would do something like that."

SMKSMKSMKSMKSMK

Lee hauled Whitsett to the couch in the hotel suite. He loosened his tie and with Emily's help, pulled off Whitsett's suit jacket. Emily rolled up the man's sleeve and gave him an injection.

Amanda winced. "I wish we didn't have to do that."

Lee put his arm around his wife. "I know. But we are running out of time and can't risk letting the KGB know we are onto them. This was the best way." He made a face. "Except for the part where he was checking you out. And this next part, if he wakes up too much."

Emily raised her eyebrows. "I gave him a minimal amount, Lee. He should stay quite groggy."

Lee realized too late how that sounded. "Of course, Emily. We'd better go in the next room."

They slipped inside the bedroom and closed the double doors most of the way, leaving them open just a crack so they could hear Amanda and Whitsett.

Amanda sat down next to Whitsett on the couch. She ran her hand along his arm and called his name. "Sydney! Sydney!"

"Wha?" He opened his eyes and tried to raise his head, but fell against Amanda. Pushing himself upright, he looked over at her groggily. He smiled at her. "Oh, hello."

Amanda smiled at Whitsett. "You must have had a little too much champagne." She giggled, trying to give the impression she had drunk a little too much herself.

Whitsett tried to put his hand on Amanda's leg, but missed. He tried again, but Amanda caught his hand and held it. "Sydney. You really are a charmer. I have had such a good time with you today."

He looked around. "Where are we?"

"In my suite. Don't you remember? Really, Sydney. I think you've had too much champagne." She giggled again.

In the next room, Lee looked at Emily and rolled his eyes. She smiled back. Things were going well so far.

"Well, things surely are going well, then." Sydney looked at Amanda's face again. "You know, you really do look awfully familiar. I think we met at an embassy function. You were in a lovely white dress. I was… Oh, you're that mule I used!"

Whitsett tried to push himself up off the sofa, but he failed and collapsed back onto the cushions.

"Oh, Sydney. I don't know what you mean by a mule. I do remember you, too, now. You were not feeling well then, either."

"Yes, well…" Whitsett had a vague feeling of unease, but he could not help hoping that he might be able to shake the alcohol enough to enjoy the lovely creature next to him.

"So, what are you doing here in D.C., anyway?" Amanda kept her voice light. "Do you come here often?"

"Actually, I haven't been here in a couple of years. I've been detained." Despite his feeling of unease, Whitsett felt an overwhelming urge to be honest with the woman next to him. He blurted out, "I was in prison."

Emily raised her eyebrows at Lee. He nodded at her and smiled. He should have known better than to doubt her. Whitsett is going to sing like a bird.

"Oh, really? I don't believe it. You don't seem the type at all."

"Yes, well, I fell into some bad luck. Anyway, I had some help getting out, and I'm here to do a job."

"Oh really? What kind of job?"

"My former employers have asked me to get some plans for them."

"Oh, that sounds interesting. My brother is an architect…"

"Not those kind of plans. Military plans. I told Rostov I would have them to him by tomorrow. I've already set things up so I should be right on time."

"I'm sure Rostov will be pleased. As will his bosses. Who is giving you the plans?"

"Colonel Marshall. The people who got me out of prison gave me some photos of him with a woman. And let's just say it wasn't his wife."

Whitsett's uneasy feeling was growing. Why am I telling her all of this? I can't seem to shut up. He realized that he did not know the name of the woman next to him on the couch. And they were doing far too much talking and not enough…

"You look thirsty. Would you like some more champagne? A glass of water?"

Better not drink any more champagne, chap. "Oh, some water would be nice."

Amanda brought the water after emptying another capsule into it.

Whitsett put the glass to his mouth and drained it. He made a slight face. "The water here has an off-taste, don't you think?"

As Whitsett's head began to nod, Amanda called out to him. "Sydney! You're falling asleep again!" She caught him and did her best to lower his head to the couch's seat cushion. She met Lee and Emily at the doors to the bedroom.

"Good work, Amanda! We'll take him to his room and head back to the Agency."

After they shut the door to Whitsett's room, Amanda turned to Lee. "You must be hungry. It's well past lunch." She hoped that Lee would not ask her about her own stomach. A growing conviction about the cause of her daily nausea had been on her mind, and she did not want the very observant Emily to start thinking along the same lines. But she was starving and beginning to feel faint from a lack of food. And if it is what I think it is, I can do something to make some of these symptoms go away, if I plan ahead.

Lee looked sharply at Amanda, who had grown pale. "I am. Do you want something?"

"That would be great."

"Okay. You should ride with Emily and me back to the Agency. We'll stop for sandwiches."

In Billy's office, Lee was leaning against the window in his usual spot, trying not to let Amanda notice him observing her. Now that she had eaten, her color had returned, but he was growing more and more concerned about her health as each day went by. At the deli, he had insisted on helping Amanda to a seat, leaving her there with Emily while he went to order their lunch.

Maybe she went back into the field too soon. He forced himself to focus on the conversation, as Emily laid out her plan to meet with Colonel Marshall.

"That sounds like an excellent plan, Emily, but I insist you have our agents close by. The KGB is likely to be watching Marshall, and I'd like to make sure you make it back to England safe and sound."

Amanda spoke up. "She can wear a wire, Sir, and use her American accent." Amanda looked over at Emily, hoping her friend would not mind that minor disclosure.

Billy was firm. "But you and Lee will not leave the van. The KGB will spot you in a second. Francine can come along as backup."

After the meeting broke up, Lee stopped Amanda in the hall. "Amanda, I'm worried about you. You haven't been yourself for the last three days. You were pretty pale earlier. Are you okay? We could drop you by your house…"

"I'm fine, now. I just need to change my clothes, and I'll be ready to go."

Placing his hand on her back, Lee walked with Amanda to the elevator. He wanted to insist that Amanda go home to rest, but he knew from past experience that she would only argue with him and become frustrated. Not knowing what was wrong with his wife, he did not want to upset her. He had been trying to overcome his fears for her safety, and he could not help but admit that it was good to be working in the field together again. It just had not been right without her. Oh God. What if it's her heart again? Maybe some kind of relapse from her wound… Lee mentally shook himself. Let's just get through today. Hopefully I can get her into the doctor tomorrow.

On the street outside, the teens watched the Jeep once again.

"It was kind of weird that they left without the guy. I guess he was sick or something." Jamie wrinkled up his nose, trying to work out his mother's and Lee's strange behavior. And that lady with them looked familiar.

"And why was Mom wearing that dress?"

Samantha tried to be helpful. "Was it some kind of costume? Does she act in the films they produce?"

"They produce documentaries. There are no actors." Jamie had a nagging feeling that something was not right. He did not say anything, but he thought Amanda looked tired. The old fears about her health started to come back. But she told me that she was all better now. That's why she went back to work. He pushed the thoughts away, trying to concentrate on the mystery before them.

Soon they were following the Jeep once again. This time Amanda rode up front with Lee, and Emily sat in the backseat.

"Obviously that was some kind of costume. Your mom is wearing her normal clothes again. And they all know each other. Maybe they are acting." Samantha tried to sound reassuring.

The Jeep stopped at a hotel near Embassy Row. All three got out, but the strange woman waited on the curb while Lee asked a valet to park the car. Then he and Amanda went to a black van that had pulled up on the street nearby. Lee opened the back door and helped Amanda climb inside before he shut the door again. They did not come out.

"Hey, I think I saw that black van at the other hotel." Kevin sat up in his seat, watching.

Soon the valet appeared with a non-descript sedan. The strange woman gave him a tip and she got in the car, driving off with the van following her.

Soon the two vehicles approached a government office building. The van drove away from the woman's car and parked at the far end of the parking lot. Kevin parked his car a few aisles over from the woman's car, so they could watch her as she entered the building.

"Did you guys notice that she had changed her clothes again? She looked like a scientist or something." Jamie turned to the other teens in the car.

"Maybe they're shooting another scene." Kevin was somewhat bored again. It was more fun to watch Mrs. King and the old guy at the bar. He tossed some Red Hots into his mouth.

In the van, Francine, Lee, and Amanda had donned headsets. Lee watched his wife as they ran the mic checks with Emily and each other. She seems fine now. Just tired. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe it's just a bug. As Lee thought over her symptoms, something in the back of his mind seemed to tie them all together. Before he could think it through, he was brought back to the task on hand by Emily's voice over the headset. Her accent was American. Southern, to be exact.

"Good day. I am here to see Colonel Marshall."

"Please set your I.D. on the counter, Ma'am, and sign this register."

"The weather is lovely today, isn't it? I was afraid it would start to warm up."

"Yes, Ma'am. Do you know how to find the colonel's office?"

"Third floor, to the left of the elevator, right?"

"That's right."

Apparently Emily rode the elevator alone, because she spoke into her mic. "All is well so far."

The three listened as Emily greeted the secretary and was sent back to speak with the Colonel. They could hear his voice in the background as Emily walked into his office.

"Dr. Farmer? You'll excuse me if I'm not familiar with your name."

"Oh well, there are so many of us working on this project. But before we start, I wanted to tell you about something strange that happened to me this morning. Do you know that someone actually tried to blackmail me into giving away the plans for the spy satellite?"

"Oh, really?" Amanda, Lee, and Francine exchanged looks. Colonel Marshall did not sound comfortable.

"Because if I was going to be blackmailed, I wouldn't cave to some small-time artist like this man Whitsett who approached me. Besides, he had the wrong person. I'm certainly not Dorinda Thurgood, who looks more like a model than a researcher, if you know what I mean."

"Well, one would hope none of us would or could be blackmailed."

Lee smiled over at Amanda and Francine. "I can practically hear the sweat dripping off this guy."

"No, of course not. As you can imagine, I contacted the authorities right away. I went to the trouble of contacting a federal agent and reported Whitsett. They are launching a full-scale operation to catch him and anyone who has leaked information to him."

"Really? Do you think you could give me the name of the agent? I might want it if this Whitsett contacts me."

"Actually, I have his card. William Melrose. Here's the number—there."

"Terrific. Thanks. So, what can I do for you, Dr. Farmer?"

"Well, I wanted to go over some of the details for the reflective panels, and see if you could increase the budget for us."

"Not a problem. Where can I sign?"

"Sheesh. She's made his day. Now he thinks he's making hers. No wonder people criticize the DOD budget."

Amanda and Lee snickered at Francine's remark.