Chapter 53

Contact!

It was 6:55 on a mid June morning when a call came in on the bedroom line. Amanda and Lee had a separate phone line installed in their bedroom just for IFF calls. There was finally a potential hit on Brody. The case had taken a back seat as there was little activity. While there had been some interest on the research, tying the potential buyers to Brody had been sketchy at best. There had also been a couple cars driving slowly up their street that appeared to be checking out their house. Fortunately, one such car elicited a call to the police by a neighbor due to the close proximity to the high school, raising concern it was someone targeting school aged girls. So, Lee and Amanda determined that moving so close to the high school had provided a certain bit of unanticipated protection for their family. However, something new popped up and they needed get into the Agency right away.

Amanda groaned when the phone rang. She had just fallen back to sleep only an hour earlier after another restless night of discomfort.

"You can stay in bed," Lee told her, trying to be supportive. He'd also not had the best sleep given the fact that their "taekwondo" baby, as they called her, had a propensity to be especially active at night. "I can head in and update you later."

"No, I want to hear first hand. Besides, I'm awake now so I should get moving." She rolled up and sat at the edge of the bed. Getting up with this enormous belly now had become a process. She rubbed her low back, the extra weight had resulted in some back pain. Lee moved over to help her.

"Here, let me," he said rubbing her low back. "How's this?" Lee had taken it upon himself to learn some techniques to help relieve some of the pains of pregnancy. He felt a bit guilty that it was his baby that was causing her pain.

"Oh my gosh," Amanda said. "You could make a fortune with those fingers. That's amazing."

"Well, I think it was these fingers that may have started something to get us into this position."

"Mmmm, I don't know, I think it was another part of your anatomy I have become particularly fond of that caused this," Amanda grinned, leaning back to kiss her husband. "We better get up. If you don't mind, the city bus would like to get into the shower first." She joked, rubbing her very distended belly while heading into the bathroom.

- SMK -

Later that morning, Lee and Amanda walked into bullpen heading for the conference room. Previously, Amanda had worn jackets or sweaters to slightly mask her pregnancy. However, now she had no choice but to move into full blown maternity wear which made for lots of talk when they came in. One such gossip was whether Scarecrow, a confirmed bachelor for many years, would continue to be as supportive of his wife, or if he'd cut and run. Much to the dismay of some of the steno pool girls he was always very demonstrative of his affection for Amanda, and their little bundle on the way. He had become an evolved man and appeared genuinely happy with his wife. However, his demeanor toward work had changed. He was not so ardent as he used to be. He remained an excellent agent, but his propensity to jump into dangerous situations had drastically diminished. It was evident that impending fatherhood was redistributing his priorities.

They walked into the conference room. Francine and Kristen were already there, chatting, and Billy, Duffy and Marquez were on their way.

"Oh my God, Amanda, you're huge." Francine blurted out.

"Francine!" Kristen barked.

"That's ok, Kristen," Amanda grinned. "I know, I'm going to need my own zip code soon."

"Hey, that's my daughter in there," Lee chirped up. "Be nice to her mother."

"Okay, settle down everyone," Billy said as he entered the room with Duffy and Marquez. "Well, some intel headed up by Duffy and Marquez seems to have produced some results." Billy said, directing to Duffy who started some slides.

"Here are some photos just captured last night at the warehouse in Greater Landover." Duffy started. "This is a photo of Lance Dixon, who seems to match the description Agent Adler obtained from Mrs. West, Agent Amanda Stetson's mother." He changed the slide. "This man was also seen on the flight to California and at Caltech the day Officer Butler of the CIA collected the research from the University. Given that this man was seen at both locations, on separate sides of the country, this is no coincidence."

"What is going on in the warehouse?" Lee asked.

"A number of large boxes what of appears to be some sort of equipment is being stored there. Likely stolen merchandise, or maybe equipment to be used once he's been able to collect the research via one of the interested parties who has reached out to Officer Butler."

"Has Brody been seen there?" Kristen asked.

"Unfortunately, no." Duffy said.

"No," Lee added. "He's not going to take the chance. He'll continue to use middle men."

"So, we still need to find something to lure him out," Francine said.

"I think we all know who that something, or someone is." Amanda said with her head down.

"Yes, indeedy, we do," Dr. Smyth said, as he entered the room. "Sorry, Mrs. Stetson, but you married the wrong man if you want the neat little family to stay out of harm's way."

"He should not have to sacrifice himself to catch Brody." Kristen said.

"Well, the little Honey Badger bites, doesn't she." Dr. Smyth looked at her. "Careful who you strike as it could get you in the unemployment line." Kristen sat, biting her tongue, but visibly rattled.

"We can have a strike team assembled," Marquez suggested.

"Yes, but too many and you'll scare away the wolf." Dr. Smyth responded. "Let's set the trap and see if we can get the pack to call in their leader. Sorry for the bad news, especially given it appears the Little Scarecrow could arrive any time now. Toodaloo, kiddies.". He said, exiting the room.

"Don't worry, we will protect Lee," Kristen said to Amanda. "We all will." She looked around the room and saw affirmative responses from everyone.

"Excuse me," Amanda said, leaving the room. Lee got up to follow her.

"No," Kristen stopped him, "let me, okay? " Amanda quickly went into the ladies room where she started openly crying. She knew that Lee was the trained professional and was better than anyone at getting out of a scrape, but this time was different. This time he was being personally hunted for revenge, and now there was so much more at stake. Kristen followed her into the bathroom.

"Amanda," Kristen said, "I know this is terrifying for you. It all for all of us."

"I knew it was too good to last," Amanda said. "I was walking around like "I'm so happy", just totally delusional. I hoped that somehow Brody would pop up and he could be captured. I've been frightened in the past, but never like this."

"Look at me," Kristen said, holding Amanda's shoulders. "You, Lee and your entire family welcomed me in. You have all become so important in my life. You ARE my family here, and I love all of you. I'm not going to let anything happen to any of you. None of us will. This little girl is going to not only meet her dad, she is going to grow up with him. Let's end this now." Amanda nodded. She knew there was no other choice.

"You are truly one of the best people to come into our family." Amanda said. "I love you too. Thank you, and YOU need to come back as well, Okay?"

"Of course," Kristen said. "I have plans to be an excellent babysitter." The two women hugged, then walked out of the bathroom and were met by Lee, Francine, Duffy and Marquez.

"Contact the CIA," Amanda said. "Let's get this over with. Promise me Brody does not walk out, but comes out in a body bag." She walked away toward the elevator.

"Was that Amanda that said that?" Francine said.

"She got Lee's DNA growing inside her." Kristen said. "I think it's coming through."

- SMK -

A meeting was set with the CIA contingency. Through some of their photo surveillance they found evidence that Dixon had met with a member of one the groups showing interest. The next step was for Ryan to make the call and arrange the meet up. However, he would make it clear, no trade would take place unless they met with Brody personally.

Ryan made a call from a secured line in the CIA offices. Kristen listened in on mute. Ryan made the call to the number for the group contacted by Dixon.

"Hello,"

"This is Ryan Butler," Ryan said, trying to keep his cool. "I understand you may be interested in some laser research that has come into my possession."

"Hold on." They sat on the phone for several minutes.

"Well, Hello, Mr. Butler of the C - I - A" the voice said. BRODY Kristen mouthed to Ryan. "You think I didn't know? I understand that it was quite a little show you and your cute little girlfriend put on while on the flight." Ryan's stomach dropped as he looked at Kristen. "Don't worry, you want to retire early with the little cutie, you both know what I want to complete this transaction. Stetson, and Lee Stetson alone, not his knocked up little wife, makes the drop."

"No, we're part of the deal. You want him to come, fine, but we're with him."

"Fine, as you say, but my rules. Tomorrow, 10 am, outside the National Zoo. Connecticut Avenue and North Road. My men will be out and have no problem assassinating any of you in a crowd."

Ryan and Kristen filled in Lee, Francine, Duffy and Marquez. He picked a highly touristed area so no one would take shots at him. However, knowing Brody, killing a tourist or two to get rid of a couple of agents was of no concern to him. They would meet the next morning at the Agency at 8:00 am and head over to the drop together. Francine, Duffy, Marquez and the CIA contingency would surround them. The plan was in place.