More Chocolate... And a Complication

Is Lee alive, somehow? Is Francine being set up?There's obviously something going on to spook her badly enough to go off radar and show up here.

Amanda stood up and walked to the freezer, pulling out a box. "I think we're going to need more chocolate. I'll brew us another mug. Now does this call for hot fudge and sprinkles? Or should we just use spoons, right out of the carton?"

As the two women demolished half a container of Death By Chocolate ice cream (lots of gooey hot fudge, hold the sprinkles), Francine brought Amanda up to date on everything she'd been able to piece together implicating Agency involvement in the Energy Summit disaster that had left so many people, including Lee Stetson, dead or unaccounted for. Amanda had listened quietly until the narrative ended with Francine arriving at her front door.

"Where did you park?" she finally asked.

"About half a mile up the road. I saw a sign for the campground parking lot. There were a few other cars so I figured one more wouldn't attract attention."

"Chestnut Ridge starts to get pretty popular this time of year. People come from all over the country to see our Eternal Flame. There are only eight of them in the world. It's a pretty easy walk from the back yard. I used to go there a lot when we first moved here."

Francine stretched a bit, trying to stifle a yawn. "It's getting late and tomorrow could get hectic. I should try to get some sleep. Would you mind giving me a ride back to my car? I know it's not far, but-"

"I'll drive you to get your things out of the car, but it would be a good idea to leave it there. You're staying here tonight, and we'll take my car tomorrow. Don't even think I'm not going with you. Now, I know it's not Niagara Falls, but if you're being tracked, the campground would fit your sightseeing story, at least for tonight and tomorrow. And it wouldn't lead anybody to the house."

"Me? Camp?" she snorted at the outrageous idea. "But you're right. I'm glad at least one of us isn't too tired to think straight right now."

"You've had a long day." A lifetime ago Amanda would have been pleased. Compliments from Francine, even slightly backhanded ones, were rare.

Half an hour later, Francine was slipping under the cozy down comforter in Amanda's guest bedroom. She expected a long, sleepless night, but the stress of the previous 36 hours, and the relief of finally unburdening herself of several months of suspicions and deductions had her sound asleep by the time her head hit the pillow.

Downstairs in her own room, Amanda also prepared for a restless night. The day had started out so peacefully, uneventfully. The Spring semester had just finished, so Jamie and his family had left yesterday afternoon for a much anticipated Disney cruise. The kids were finally old enough to enjoy it, and had talked of nothing else all week. She could have gone with them, of course, but for the first time since Lee's death, she was looking forward to some quiet time at home. Alone. She'd vacuumed, finished weeding and tending the flowers in the garden, gone to dinner and a movie with-

Oh my gosh! She'd been spending a lot of time with Andrew lately. He was quite a few years her junior, but an inheritance had allowed him to retire early from the FBI. He had understood immediately when she told him she'd worked for IFF, but never pressed her for details. She quite enjoyed his company, and it was a relief not having to lie about her background. If Lee really was alive, how was she going to explain this? To either of them? I suppose I'll cross that bridge once it starts burning.

Somehow she managed to drift off to sleep.