"Good morning, Mrs. Marston,” she greeted cheerfully as she stopped to pick up her ID badge.

“Mrs. King,” the receptionist nodded.  “Dr. Smyth requested that you come to his office immediately.”

Amanda tried to hide her grimace.  Dr. Smyth had a way of getting under her skin.  “Thank you, Mrs. Marston,” she replied with a definite lack of enthusiasm as she glanced towards the stairwell, but instead of heading towards the familiar surroundings of the Q Bureau, she walked to the closet/elevator to report to Dr. Smyth.

The elevator went down to the lower level of the Agency to Smyth’s office.  She walked through the corridor and entered his outer office.  His secretary was already hard at work, only glancing up briefly at Amanda when she walked in and gave her a succinct glance.

“Amanda King to see Dr. Smyth,” Amanda announced quietly to his secretary.

“Yes, he’s been expecting you.  Have a seat and I’ll let him know you’re here,” she replied impersonally.

Amanda turned and sat down on one of the three uniform chairs that rested against the wall.  In the stark outer office there was little decoration.  Being a typical Agency waiting room, there were no magazines to pass the time, no relaxing or motivating pictures on the wall.   She’d never been called to Dr. Smyth’s office before, although Lee seemed to be summoned here on a regular basis.  She anxiously waited for permission to enter, but the minutes seemed to pass rather slowly.

She sighed heavily. A stolen glimpse at her watch told her she’d been waiting for 15 minutes already.  If Doctor Smyth didn’t see her soon, she’d miss the morning roll call meeting.  She hadn’t even gotten the chance to drop her purse in the Q Bureau and grab her files for the meeting.

It seemed as if an hour passed before the secretary finally made her curt announcement.  “Mrs. King, Dr. Smyth will see you now.”

“Thank you,” Amanda responded, smiling politely as she walked to the office door, knocked on it twice before she continued inside, trying to exude confidence.

“Mrs. King, have a seat,” Dr. Smyth commanded as she came into his office.

She sat down in one of two large leather chairs that sat in front of his desk and glanced about the rather impressive office.  Unlike the sterile environment in most Agency offices, this room was paneled in dark mahogany with impressive crown molding.  Behind his large wooden desk was a matching wooden credenza above which were bookcases filled with an impressive array of books and statuettes.  The artwork on the walls were copies of some of the masters; quite a striking difference from the outer office.

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by her surroundings and slightly nervous by the impromptu meeting she finally choked out a greeting.  “Good morning, Dr. Smyth, you wanted to speak with me?”

Removing he cigarette from his teeth and puffing smoke into the air, he replied.  “I’ve been reviewing your file, Mrs. King.  If I approve your return to the field, you will no longer be a civilian or Scarecrow’s protégée.  You will be a full fledged intelligence agent who will, at times, be entrusted with national secrets. It could be expected, at some point, that you may be asked to give your life to protect those secrets.  I’m not certain you’re fully conscious of that demand.  This position requires immense sacrifice both personally and professionally.”

“With all due respect, sir, I think over the last few years my record has shown not only my sacrifices, but my loyalty to the Agency and the U.S. Government,” she countered, slightly ill at ease.

Smyth raised an eyebrow as he pulled a file closer to him.  “Is it possible that the recent events in California may have hindered your abilities, perhaps even slightly, to do your job… competently?”

“No, sir, I’m sure you received my fitness report from Dr. Kelford,” she replied, obviously relieved by the topic of the discussion.

“Yes, as well as your evaluations from Dr. Pfaff,” he offered.  “They both seem to feel you’re mentally and physically fit to return to active field duty.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m not as easily satisfied,” he commented in a cold voice as he opened the file in front of him.  His eyes squinted as he scrutinized it carefully.  The long silence in the room was palpable.  Finally he looked back up at her.  “That California interlude has me a bit stymied.  What I’d like to know is why you were out in California in the first place, Mrs. King?”

Amanda’s pulse quickened, but she was determined to retain her composure.  She was starting to wonder whether this conversation was about her field status or her marriage status.  Swallowing hard, she forced out an answer.  “I took vacation time.”

“Rather odd for a freshman agent to take a week off in the middle of her training, wouldn’t you say, Mrs. King?” Smyth queried with an unblinking stare.

Amanda didn’t answer immediately.  She knew he was fishing for something, she just wasn’t sure what it was.  “The vacation time was approved, sir.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that, but that wasn’t the question, Mrs. King,” he countered in exaggerated patience as he scowled across his desk at her.  “That’s not the only oddity that I’d like answers for.  I also find it more than a coincidence that Scarecrow was out in California at the same time and in exactly the same place.”

Amanda didn’t say a word.  She knew from the tone of the conversation and the direction it had taken that this was not a casual chat.  She also knew Dr. Smyth well enough that before he called her into his office he had all the answers to the questions he was asking.

‘Keep your breathing under control, relax, focus on a point in the room,’ she said to herself remembering her training on how to stay calm during an interrogation.  She stared past Dr. Smyth at a bust on the shelf.  However, trying to remain calm while sitting in his office – alone - seemed more daunting than being interrogated by the KGB.

“I’m waiting for an answer, Mrs. King,” Dr. Smyth demanded with an angry glare.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you asking a question.”

Smyth got out of his chair and stalked around his desk, clutching a file tightly in his hand.  He leaned back against the desk and stared down at her.  His voice was steady but demanding when he asked the next question.  “I would like you to explain how you and Scarecrow ended up on vacation at the same exact time, taking the same exact flight and apparently to the same exact place, Mrs. King?”

Amanda knew her goose was cooked. Why did this have to happen now when Lee was out of the country?  She knew eventually their marriage would come out, but she always thought they’d handle the situation together.  “I have a feeling you already know the answer to that question, don’t you?”

“How can you expect the Agency to trust you with National Security secrets when you’ve lied to the Agency about your relationship with your partner?  He’s not only your partner, he’s your husband, Mrs. Stetson!”

Her face lost all color.  She didn’t know what to say.  Her mouth was as dry as cotton.  She searched for something to say, but this intimidating man had her cornered and she had no way out.

“What do you have to say for yourself, Mrs. Stetson?” he bellowed.

Amanda shrugged.  She had no defense, although she had committed no crime.  Trying to appear unruffled she finally answered him.  “As I’m sure you already know, Lee and I got married back in February before we flew out to California for our honeymoon.  Our honeymoon was interrupted by the shooting.”

Dr. Smyth nodded as he turned, walked back behind his desk and sat down.  “At least you’re sensible enough to come clean and not compound your lies.”

“We never lied to anyone about our marital status.  We merely omitted any reference to it,” Amanda clarified, but as truthful as that statement was it seemed less like a defense now as she sat alone on the hot seat.

“Mrs. Stetson, an omission of the truth is just as serious as a lie in this business!  It won’t be tolerated,” Dr. Smyth lectured, grabbing for his silver cigarette holder and lighting up another cigarette.  “You realize that as a freshman agent, you can be terminated - without cause?   Obviously, considering what you’ve done, I have sufficient cause.”

“The government has invested a great deal of time and money in training me, sir.  Perhaps you’d consider an official reprimand and a transfer?” she suggested in an unsteady voice.

“No, a reprimand or a transfer would not suffice, Mrs. King.  I will not be made fool of by Scarecrow or a simple housewife from Arlington.  Not only do I intend to fire you, but I expect you to cease all contact with Stetson – not only professionally, but personally as well.  I suggest a quickie divorce as the best way to handle a disastrous, impromptu marriage,” Dr. Smyth replied calmly.

“Our marriage is not a disaster and was hardly spur-of-the-moment.  We both gave it serious thought.”

“Yet, you two still live at separate addresses.”

“We did that to protect my family.  As you well know, this business is rather dangerous,” Amanda countered.

“Perhaps the real reason is because Scarecrow finds it hard to give up his old ways?” Dr. Smyth peppered, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

“You don’t know Lee Stetson as well as I do.  He’s changed.  Besides, you can’t force us to divorce!” Amanda rebutted, sickened by the man sitting across the desk from her.

“Can’t I?” he contradicted as he exhaled a white puff of smoke.  “Scarecrow is out of the country on assignment.  Are you even aware of where he is?”

She shook her head.  “No, his assignment was ‘Need to Know’.”

Dr. Smyth sported a rare smile, obviously pleased with his handiwork.  “Well, good.  That means Scarecrow still knows how to follow instructions.  I expect you to follow my instructions as well.  If need be, his assignment out of the country could be made permanent.  I do believe your first marriage ended because of logistics problems as well.”

Amanda’s eyes flared with anger.  She stood up and started to walk towards the door.  “You can fire me if you’d like, but you will not break up our marriage.  Lee and I love each other.”

“We’ll see,” Dr. Smyth pledged, still puffing calmly on his cigarette.

Amanda threw open his office door but was startled by the guard who blocked her way.

“Mrs. King, close the door and sit back down.  Your escort can wait a few more minutes.  I want to be certain we understand each other.”

She closed the door, but she stood her ground, refusing to sit back down.  “I understand you better than you think.  Lee warned me about you.  What more could you possibly say to me?  I think ‘You’re fired’ is rather final!”

“I expect you to stay away from Scarecrow.  It’s in everyone’s best interest.  We both know it’s just a matter of time before he’ll stray – if he hasn’t already.  You can hardly compete with the Elisa Danton’s of the world.  A man gets lonely sleeping alone.  Once a playboy always a playboy!”

“You’re wrong about Lee,” Amanda vowed once again as she swallowed hard, the foul taste of bile now in her throat.

“Are you certain?  Your husband was less than enthusiastic about your return to the field, was he not?”  Dr. Smyth suggested in a steady gaze.  “Perhaps this wasn’t entirely my idea?”

Her eyes locked on his and she shook her head.  Smyth was playing on her vulnerabilities, but she wasn’t going to bite.   Coolly, but with venom, she spit back at him.  “You’re a deceitful man who puts his own interest above that of everyone else’s."

“Au contraire, Mrs. King.  You said yourself at the beginning of this meeting that you understood the challenges of an agent’s job.  Sometimes we have to put national security ahead of our personal wants and desires.  There have been many agents who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  I’m merely asking you to end a flawed marriage that has no chance to survive,” Dr. Smyth lectured.

“My marriage is not flawed!” Amanda argued, but she was losing her cool.

He smirked at her.  “I suggest you end this farce quickly and quietly and I’ll see to it that your references from IFF are impeccable.  You’ll find another position quite easily.  Any attempt to contact your precious Scarecrow could be very dangerous.  Interfere with his mission, in any way and I promise that you will regret it.  You won’t even be able to find a job cleaning toilets at the train station.”

She shook her head in disbelief.  “Apparently Lee was right about you, but you’re wrong about us.  You’ll see.”

“You know, Mrs. King, the Agency has a long arm and eyes everywhere.  I suggest you take this opportunity to move on with your life.  I’ll be watching you.  I’ll know every step you take and every word you say,” he smirked as he waved his hand for her to leave.  “The guard will escort you to your car.  Have a nice life, Mrs. King!”

***

Amanda was callously deposited outside the Georgetown entrance by the guard only after she’d been stripped of her Agency ID, keys, and sidearm unceremoniously in the foyer in front of Mrs. Marston’s desk.  She felt like a criminal.  The ever foreboding Mrs. Marston looked on with her usual dour face, showing Amanda nothing but the insensitivity that the government was famous for.  Amanda knew there would be no reprieve from Billy Melrose.  He most likely knew about her departure, but wasn’t given any choice.  She knew by now all her passwords had been locked out if that hadn’t happened before she’d even arrived in the morning.

Amanda reached her car down the street in a daze, but once inside she started the engine and sped off with a vengeance.  She needed to get away from the Agency – and fast.  She struggled to hold back tears as her heart was pounding and her head was rehashing her conversation with Dr. Smyth over and over again.  It was the blaring horn and screeching tires that made her realize she’d run a red light.

"Oh my gosh!” she croaked out as she swerved nearly missing being broadsided by a pick up truck.  She knew immediately that she had to pull over and regain her composure.  Finding the first parking space available on the street, she pulled her car into it and allowed the tears to flow.

Her thoughts were racing, but some of what Dr. Smyth had said gnawed at her.  ‘Was Smyth right?  Was Lee inevitably going to become bored with her, especially now that she’d been fired from the Agency?  Would Dr. Smyth keep Lee out of the country to purposefully force their marriage to fail?’

Amanda tried to shake the thoughts from her head, but in many respects Dr. Smyth was right.  Her first marriage did fail because Joe was never home.  Would her second marriage end the same way?  Would Lee allow Dr. Smyth to come between them?  Or had Lee’s insecurities about her returning to the field found its way to Dr. Smyth, which actually led to her being fired?  Amanda swallowed hard and thought back to a conversation they shared only last week when they took a long lunch to be together…

“I fell asleep, didn’t I?” Amanda guessed when she opened her eyes and saw her husband staring at her.

“You needed the rest,” he reassured her tenderly as his fingers gently caressed her arm.

“How long have I been sleeping?” she questioned as she covered a yawn and stretched the kinks out of her back.

“About a half hour.  How did you sleep?” he asked as he played with her hair.

“A half hour!” she gasped in alarm as she shot up in bed.  “I’ve got an appointment with Doc Kelford at three.  Today’s the big day!”

Lee picked his head up off the pillow and leaned on his arm.  “Big day for what?”

“Come on, Lee!  I’ve been talking about it for a week - my Agency physical.  I’ve been through all of Pfaff’s tests, passed everything Beaman could throw at me. I can finally go back out in the field and um… you know, watch your back,” she teased with a playful smile.

“Amanda, are you sure you’re ready for that?  I mean, physically…” he questioned as he reached for her hand.

“I can’t believe you’re asking me that, Lee!” Amanda grumbled remembering the passion they’d just shared.  “If what we just did wasn’t… physical, I don’t know what is!”

Lee blushed slightly.  “You know what I mean.  Field work requires a lot of, well, different physical abilities.”

“We’ve been over this a hundred times, Lee,” Amanda argued as she got out of bed, picking up her clothes and throwing them over her shoulders, slightly agitated at her husband.  “My family doctor cleared me last week.   Today’s examination is going to prove that I’m fully fit for field duty.  I only waited until this afternoon for the Agency physical to give you a few more days to get used to the idea.”

“Amanda, what’s the rush? I think it’s too soon.  Why don’t you take another month off?  Spend some time with the boys.  School’s almost out for the summer,” he reminded her.  He reached for his wife as she made her way towards the bathroom.   “Amanda, you almost died out in California – not once, but twice!” 

She avoided his grasp, but stopped before she reached the bathroom door.  She knew this was a major sticking point for them.  If Lee had it his way, she’d be safely tied to a desk in the Q Bureau or accounting or that awful position down in Crypto.  Anywhere but in the field where she could get hurt. 

“The only thing I’m sick of is being cooped up in the vault. I’ve filed until my paper cuts have paper cuts.  I want to get back out in the field.  I’d like to spend more time with you.  Besides, the boys are at an age when their mother is the last person they want to spend time with!”  She reached the bathroom door, but out of the corner of her eye she saw that same fearful gaze in his eyes.  It was clear that he didn’t want her in harms way.

“I want to spend time with you, too,” he answered slowly, forcing a smile as he got up out of bed as well.  “I just want you to be sure.  Nobody would think any less of you if you decided not to return to the field.”

“But I want to go back out in the field.  Lee, I’ve worked hard to get where I am.  I’ll make a deal with you though.  I promise if Doctor Kelford says no, I’ll wait until he says it’s all right,” she reassured him, but she knew she was more than ready.  “I was shot by accident.  We weren’t working on a case.  It was a fluke.  I’m fully recovered.  Lee, our lovemaking is more physical than most things we do in the field.  You seemed to enjoy yourself.  I know I did…”

“I enjoyed myself,” he confided quickly.  “I didn’t mean to imply…”

Amanda walked back towards Lee who stood near the bed looking rather defeated.  She leaned in for a kiss.  “I know you didn’t.  I know you’re worried about me, but don’t be. I was trained by the best.  We’re a team.  It’s time we start being one again.”
 

Amanda shook her head to bring her back to the present.  She concentrated on slowing her breathing.  Finally, after all her tears were spent she rummaged through her purse for a tissue.  Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose she took a deep breath and glanced out the window to see where she was.

“I think I need some fresh air,” she suggested out loud, getting out and locking the car, she walked down the street hoping the exercise would help her calm down.

She walked the streets of Georgetown for hours until her aching feet forced her to look for a café.  Finding one on the next block, she noticed an empty table outside.  She pulled the chair from under the table and wearily sat down.

“Can I help you?” the waitress asked.

“I’d like an iced tea, please,” she replied wanting to cool down as the warm June sun was starting to make its presence known.  She sat back and glanced about.  The sidewalks were still somewhat quiet, but she knew within the hour, the lunch crowd would fill the streets.

“Here you go,” the waitress replied a few minutes later when she returned to the table.

Amanda nodded to her and reached for the glass, gulping down some of the thirst-quenching iced tea.  The cool liquid refreshed her.  “It’s going to be all right,” she reassured herself.

During the few minutes that she sat there the streets started to get busier as lunchtime neared.  She reached for her glass and finished her iced tea when she noticed a familiar face.  Was that Allen from her freshman class across the street lingering at the shop window?  She almost called out to him when she noticed yet another suspicious person lingering down at the corner.

“Damn you, Dr. Smyth,” Amanda cursed, rubbing her temples trying to ease the throbbing in her head as it dawned on her that she was being followed.  She opened her purse, left a few dollars on the table and stood up to begin the journey back to her car, ever aware of the agents who were tailing her.
 

****

“Amanda!” Dotty remarked when her daughter walked into the kitchen.  “What a pleasant surprise.  I wasn’t expecting you home for lunch.”

“Hello, Mother,” Amanda answered, putting on a fake smile, hoping to hide her emotions from her mother.  “I hadn’t expected to be home for lunch today either.”

“I was just making a sandwich for myself, would you care for one?  We have just enough chicken left over from dinner last night for us both.”

“I’m not really hungry.”

“Are you feeling all right?” Dotty worried as she walked over and felt Amanda’s forehead.

“I’m not sick.  I’m a little stressed out,” Amanda replied as she pulled away.

"It’s that crazy job of yours.  You know, they really don’t appreciate you.  You should quit that job and get something with less hectic hours.”

“Mother, please don’t start.  I’ve already got a headache.”
 

“With the hours you work, I’m not surprised.” Dotty continued not taking the hint.  “You should take some time off this summer.  Take the boys on vacation.”

“I can’t afford a vacation,” Amanda grumbled.

“You know it’s always something, sweetheart.  Either you don’t have the time or you don’t have the money.  It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, maybe a few days up in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  We could rent a cabin in the woods.  The boys would love it…”

“Mother, stop!  I know you mean well, but please…” she pleaded, tears filling her eyes.

“Amanda, dear, what’s wrong?” Dotty pressed as she wrinkled her brow in concern.

Amanda swallowed hard then took a deep breath.  She slumped against the counter.  “I can’t afford a vacation this summer because I was just fired from my job.”

“Fired!  Amanda, you’ve never been fired!” Dotty repeated in stunned disbelief.  “You work night and day for that place and they fire you?  That makes absolutely no sense!  Why would they fire you?”

Amanda sighed heavily.  She didn’t know how much she should tell her mother.  She wouldn’t lie to her.  Not about this.  She swallowed hard and took a deep breath before answering.  “They don’t approve of my… relationship with Lee.”

“So they fired you?  Couldn’t they have just transferred you to another department?”

“I suggested that,” she explained shaking her head sadly, “but I wasn’t exactly in a position to negotiate.”

“It’s always the woman who gets the short end of the stick,” Dotty started to rant when the doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting someone for lunch?” Amanda questioned, glad for the distraction.

“Not today.  Why don’t you pour yourself a glass of ice tea and I’ll get the door?” Dotty suggested as she hurried to the front door.  A few minutes later she returned holding a box.

“Not another delivery from ‘Rebecca’s Fantasies’?” Amanda guessed half-heartedly.

“No, it’s not for me.  It’s for you.  It came by courier,” Dotty explained as she stared at her daughter, a puzzled look on her face.  “It’s addressed to Amanda Stetson!”

The color drained from Amanda’s face.  She stared at her mother, speechless and feeling very alone.  In a soft voice, barely a whisper, she choked out.  “I can explain…”

“You and Lee…” Dotty started then shook her head.  Finally she forced out, “You’re married?”

Amanda gulped, trying to hold her own emotions together and simply nodded.

“So this is why IFF fired you?  They found out you and Lee eloped?” Dotty surmised with a raised brow.

Tears began to flow down Amanda’s face.  She nodded, no longer able to conceal the months of lies about the one thing she never wanted to hide from her mother.  In one simple word she admitted the truth.  “Yes.”

“You eloped!  I don’t understand.  When?  Why…Why did you keep it a secret…”  Dotty’s voice was chock full of emotions.  The tears in her eyes told her daughter that she was terribly hurt by the exclusion of the truth.  “from me?”

Amanda cringed at the pain in her mother’s voice.   So many years of lies and deceit had come down to yet another confrontation on what had been an already horrendous morning.  It was in that instant she knew that today would be an end to the lies.  She had to tell her mother the truth… all of it.

“Mother, I think we better sit down so I can explain everything,” she replied in as calm a voice as her years of Agency training had provided.

Dotty followed Amanda into the family room and sat down on the end of the sofa, the box for ‘Amanda Stetson’ still in her possession.  “All right, Mrs. Stetson,” Dotty announced.  “I’m all ears.”

For months now Amanda had wanted nothing more than to hear herself be called ‘Mrs. Stetson’, but she winced at the indignant tone that her mother used when she spoke the name.  “Mother, you have every reason to be angry with me.  I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me…” Amanda began to explain from the beginning – a trip to the train station, a music box innocently returned via the U.S. Mail, a helicopter ride…The truth came pouring out, leaving out of course, the classified information, but telling her mother, once and for all… the truth.

Dotty listened to her daughter intently, without interruption.  At times her eyes were wide as saucers, other times her mouth dropped open in stunned silence.  In the end, when Amanda explained she was shot – by accident – on their honeymoon, tears welled up in Dotty’s eyes.

“I should wring your neck for all the lies you’ve told,” Dotty whispered incredulously once her daughter finished.

“Can you forgive me, Mother?”

“I can understand not telling me about your job,” Dotty finally admitted after a long silence.  “For heaven’s sakes if I had known I would have tried to convince you to quit.  My daughter’s a spy.  She falls in love with a spy and secretly marries him.  That’s what I’m having trouble forgiving.  A mother wants to be there when her daughter gets married.”

“We wanted you to be there,” Amanda reassured her hastily, her voice quiet as the memories of their simple civil ceremony flashed through her mind.  “We’ve been afraid to expose you and the boys to the dangers of our jobs.”

“Tell me, Amanda, how many times were we in danger and we didn’t know it?”

“There have always been agents protecting us when there’s been a problem,” Amanda answered quickly.  “Remember the termites?”

Dotty nodded slowly.

“You were under federal protection when that happened.”

“And where were you?  With Lee I suppose?” Dotty asked, bitterly.

“Part of the time Lee was protecting me, then Francine…” Amanda’s face paled once again, the painful memory fresh in her mind.  “Mother, I just wanted to make the world a safer place.  I made a difference.  I’ve met some wonderful people because of this job and I’ve helped them.”

“I’m sure you have.  It’s who you are.  So what now?”

"I honestly don’t know,” she sighed.

“So what does Lee have to say about all of this?”

“I’m not sure what, if anything, they’ve told Lee.  You know he’s been sent overseas on assignment.  They might transfer him overseas - permanently,” Amanda replied thinking back to the meeting she had earlier this morning with Dr. Smyth.  Wiping away a stray tear, Amanda’s temper was beginning to swell.

“You’re going to call him, aren’t you?” Dotty’s question was more of a challenge than an inquiry. “He’s your husband, for better or worse.  My guess is that Lee Stetson will be quite upset that you’ve been fired.”

“I don’t know where he is and trying to get in touch with him could put him in danger.  I don’t want to blow his cover.” Amanda closed her eyes as her words trailed out of her mouth.  She thought of all of the things that could go wrong if a message to him got in the wrong hands.

“This whole thing just isn’t fair,” Dotty exclaimed furiously as she put the box on the coffee table and began to pace the floor.  “It’s always the woman who gets fired.  I realize they were probably as surprised as I am about you two eloping, but being married is no reason to fire a person.  You’d expect them to transfer you.”

“You don’t know Dr. Smyth,” Amanda commented.

“I wasn’t too fond of that other man… what was his name, Melman, Melville?”

“Mr. Melrose.”

“Yes, Melrose.  I didn’t like him much either.”

“Mr. Melrose is actually very nice and he helped Harry Berrigan when he got into trouble, remember?  Besides, Dr. Smyth was the one in the background pulling all the strings.  Mr. Melrose was just following orders.”

“Maybe this is all for the best.  Things always happen for a reason,” Dotty conceded as she sat back down on the sofa.

“I hope everything works out.  I just need to get in touch with Lee.”

“How are you going to do that?” Dotty questioned.

“I’m not sure yet.  I need to find someone who’s not involved with the Agency to try to get a message to him, but these things can be tricky.”

“Such a dangerous game you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“You’re right and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize his current mission.”

“Amanda, you’ve always told me that Lee’s the best at what he does.  Of course that was when I thought he was a film producer, but I’m guessing you meant he was a good spy.  Now either he is or he isn’t?”

“He is the best,” she whispered.

“Then stop borrowing trouble.  You’ll get in touch with him, somehow.  You’ll find a way and he’ll find a way to contact you.”

“You’re right, Mother,” Amanda agreed as a smile formed on her face.

“So, are you going to open the package?” Dotty asked her daughter as she pushed it towards her.

“I’m not sure I want to,” Amanda admitted as she reached for the box, weighing it in her hands.  “It’s not very heavy.”

“Probably something from Lee,” Dotty surmised with a knowing smile.

“No, he’d never send something here with the name Amanda Stetson on it.”

“No, I suppose he wouldn’t.  How long is he out of town for?”

“I’m not sure,” she lamented, her voice suggesting her thoughts were far away.  “Maybe a couple of weeks.”

“Open it up and see what it is,” Dotty encouraged as she got up and went into the kitchen for a pair of scissors.  She handed them to Amanda and waited to see what was inside.

Amanda cut through the plastic tape that secured the box, then tugged at the thick brown box flaps.  She peered at the contents and her heart sank.  Inside was a picture of the boys, a bud vase and a monogrammed pen and pencil set, both of which Lee had given her besides a few other assorted items of a personal nature.  “It’s nothing important.”

“Amanda, what’s in there?” Dotty inquired now with even more curiously.  “It can’t be anything that embarrassing.  It’s obviously not from Rebecca’s Fantasies!”

“No, Mother.  It’s nothing like that.”

“Well then, what’s in there?” she insisted.

Amanda tried to blink back the tears in her eyes.   “It’s my personal things from my desk at IFF.”

“They certainly didn’t waste any time now, did they?” Dotty remarked bitterly.

“No, Dr. Smyth never wastes time.  It’s his way of showing me he’s still in control,” Amanda remarked as she let out a slow deep breath.  “I’m going to put these things away.”

“You should get a lawyer and fight this,” Dotty urged her daughter.

“A few minutes ago you wanted me to quit that job, Mother.”

“On your terms, sweetheart, not theirs,” her mother advised calmly.  “I think you ought to call Joe and see who he might know who could represent you.”

“I’ll think about it,” Amanda acknowledged as she again tried to leave the room, wanting nothing more than a few minutes of privacy.

“Why don’t you take that box upstairs and get some aspirins for that headache of yours.  I’ll make us both some sandwiches.”

“I think I’ll skip the sandwich for now.  I don’t have much of an appetite, but I will go take some aspirins.  I’m going to take this stuff upstairs and put it away.”  Amanda finally walked towards the stairs with her precious possessions from her desk at IFF clutched tightly in her hands.

End Part Two
 
 

Part Three - Tuesday Morning
 

After the boys left for school the next morning, Amanda came back down the stairs, her purse slung over her shoulder and she walked towards the back door.  “You know, Mother, you’re right.  I am going to talk to Joe.”

“Good for you, sweetheart.  You really should fight this.”

“All I said was I was going to talk to Joe.  I haven’t decided to fight IFF – the Agency.  I don’t think anyone can fight the Agency.”

Dotty walked over to the door and gave her daughter a hug.  “I realize this must be very hard on you, getting fired and all, but things happen for a reason.”

“I know, Mother,” Amanda replied as she kissed her mother on the cheek.  “I understand how much I hurt you by hiding my marriage with Lee.  I can’t tell you how much I really appreciate your support.”

“Amanda Stetson,” Dotty began her lecture, this time her tone was quite different from their discussion yesterday.  “A mother just wants her children to be happy.  Yes, I was disappointed that you didn’t share your marriage with me, but that doesn’t change how much I love you or for that matter, Lee.  I’ve known for months now that you two were in love.  I just hope you both have the fortitude to get through this.”

“I hope so too,” Amanda agreed as she hugged her mother tightly.  “I’ll see you later.”
 

*** ***

About a half hour later Amanda walked into the lobby of Joe’s office.  “Hello, I’m Amanda King, Joe’s ex-wife.  He’s not expecting me but I wonder if he has a few minutes to spare?” she asked his receptionist.

“He’s with a client at the moment, Mrs. King.  As soon as he leaves I’ll let him know you’re here.  He might be able to squeeze you in,” the young woman explained.

“Thanks,” Amanda replied as she sat in the EAO’s lobby.  The EAO’s lobby was not nearly as austere as the Agency.  On the walls were pictures from all around the world exhibiting the wonderful relief the organization had provided over the years.  Amanda’s eyes scanned the room, eventually finding a picture of Joe King with the Estoccian Prime Minister.  A content smile crossed her face as she remembered the important work that her ex-husband had done.

“Mrs. King,” the voice called to her.

“Hmm, oh, I’m sorry, what did you say?” Amanda asked, not realizing she’d been day dreaming.

“Mr. King can see you now.  His office is through the doors, down the hall on the right.”

“Yes, I know the way, thank you.”  Amanda nodded politely to the secretary and walked through the door, down the hall, and knocked on his door.

“Come in,” Joe called out.

“Hi, Joe, sorry to pop in unannounced, but I really needed to talk to you,” she apologized as she walked into his office, then greeted her ex-husband with a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s no problem,” he reassured her and pointed to a chair near his desk.  “Let me guess, Phillip’s failed history or is it geography this semester?”

“No, it’s not the boys.  They’re both passing all their classes and looking forward to today.  It’s the last day of school for the summer.”

“Yes, they both reminded me that I promised to take them camping as soon as school was out.  Still, I can tell something’s wrong.”

“Even after all these years, you can still read me like a book.” Amanda remarked graciously, but it probably wasn’t Joe’s insight.  It was more likely the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep the night before.

 “I can see it in your eyes.  They’ve lost their usual sparkle.  What can I do to help?” Joe offered.

She sat motionless for a few minutes as she thought about why she was there.  Suddenly she felt reluctant to share her burden with him.  “I don’t know if there’s anything you can do for me, Joe.  I really shouldn’t bother you with this…”

He put his hand on her shoulder as she tried to get up.  “Amanda, we’re still friends.  You’ve been there for me a million times.  Let me return the favor for a change.”

“I was fired from IFF yesterday,” she blurted out.

“Stetson!  I knew he was bad news,” Joe snapped out.

Amanda shook her head.  “Lee doesn’t even know I’ve been fired.  He’s overseas on assignment.”

“So what did you do that made them fire you?” Joe questioned.

“Confidentially?”  Amanda asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Amanda, are you serious?” Joe gasped.

She nodded her head.  “I might need a lawyer, Joe, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.  Either way, since the government is involved I want to make sure our discussion is… protected.”

“Yes, of course.  Lawyer, client conversations are confidential.  I could send you a bill if you’d feel better.”

Amanda’s tense face lightened.  “That’s OK.  How about we call this meeting my free consultation?”

“So what’s happened?  Not another security mix up?”

“No, nothing like that,” she reassured him quickly, shuddering at the memory of last September.  She swallowed hard not sure how Joe would take the information she was about to share with him.  “They don’t approve of my relationship with Lee.”

Joe took a few steps back and leaned against his desk.  “Are you sleeping with him?”

Amanda couldn’t look Joe in the eye.  Instead she glanced out the window at the buildings across the street.  She felt strange talking to her ex-husband about this, but she new she could trust him and she needed his advice.  “It’s more complicated than an affair…”

“Amanda, I know you really care for the guy, and the boys are always talking about him, but I’ve asked around.  He’s got one hell of a reputation of being a ladies man.  He always shows up at embassy parties, government functions with, excuse the expression, but arm candy…”

Amanda turned and faced her ex-husband.  She could tell from the tone of his voice that he was telling her this out of concern, which only made it harder to tell him the whole truth.  “He’s at the embassy parties because it’s part of his job.  I know all about his past, Joe.  I’ve known him for almost five years now.  He was a big ladies man, but that’s all changed.”

“Trust me, sweetheart, guys like that don’t ever change.  They might sit on the sidelines for a while, but it’s in their blood.  He’s not the type to settle down.  Stetson likes the excitement of the chase.  To be honest, I’m surprised you two have lasted as long as you have.”

Amanda could feel her face getting red with anger.  “Lee and I are not having an affair.  We eloped back in February.”

Joe slumped against his desk for a moment like a wounded man.  After a few moments he shook his head.  “He married you after you were shot out in California didn’t he?”

“No, we were on our honeymoon when I was shot,” Amanda corrected, trying to keep her temper in check at Joe’s suppositions.

Joe scratched his head in confusion.  “You two eloped, but kept it a secret, and continue to live apart.  Amanda, none of this makes any sense.”

She took a deep breath, frustrated that she had to spell it out for him.  “You know what we do for a living, Joe.  We were trying to protect mother and the boys from any… backlash from our jobs.  We didn’t tell you we married, mother didn’t even know until yesterday.  This whole problem started because we didn’t mention it at the Agency either.”

“Which is why they fired you,” Joe surmised.

“Exactly.  They fired me and they’re threatening to permanently transfer Lee out of the country to break us up.”

“So what is it that you want me to do?”

“I don’t know.  Mother had this crazy idea that I should fight being fired.  She thought you might know of an attorney who might handle this type of case.  I don’t even know if I have the energy to fight it…”

“Personally, I think you’re better off getting a normal job than ever going back to the Agency.  You said yourself it was dangerous for you and the boys.  And as for Stetson, you probably have grounds for an annulment.  It’s only a matter of time before he…”

“Joe, stop!  Not another word about Lee.  I don’t want marital advice from my ex-husband.  I’m not interested in getting a divorce.  I should have never come here.  Send me that bill for your time.”  She stood up and walked headily for the door.

“Amanda, wait!  I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“Never mind, Joe.  Just forget we ever had this conversation.”

Joe quickly fumbled through his wallet and pulled out a business card.  “Here, take this.  I think this firm can help you better than I can.”

“Who are they?” Amanda asked as she took the business card from him.

“Hamilton, Madison and Monroe.  They’re the best.”

“Do they specialize in wrongful termination?”

“No, they specialize in family law.”

Amanda threw the card back at Joe.  “Thanks, but I don’t need a divorce lawyer.”

Joe picked the card off of the floor and put it back into her hand.  “Make an appointment with Virginia Hamilton.  I think you two will get along rather well.  Besides, your first visit is free.”

Amanda tried once again to give it back to Joe.  “Goodbye, Joe.”

He slipped in into her purse.  “Keep the card, Amanda, if you don’t use it, you can pass it on to a friend.”

Without another word, Amanda opened the door and hurried out of Joe’s office.  She rushed back to her car, searched her purse for her keys and opened the door to her Wagoneer.  She tossed her purse on to the passenger seat, put the keys into the ignition and started her car.  When she pulled out of the parking lot she noticed a four door, black sedan behind her.   In the shadow of the parking garage she couldn’t tell who it was, but her instincts told her she was still being followed.

“Don’t be paranoid, Amanda,” she chided herself.  “They wouldn’t be that obvious.” She continued her trip home but the morning traffic was thick and she found herself stuck at almost every traffic light.  Her eyes kept scanning the rear view mirror.  The same black sedan was behind her again, this time two cars back.

“All right, let’s try some tactical moves.”  When the light changed, Amanda changed lanes quickly and turned the corner.  She drove down the street, but got the next light red as well, but the sedan, stuck in traffic as well, hadn’t followed.  Another turn at the next light and she was reasonably certain she’d lost the sedan.

She rubbed her weary eyes while the traffic was stopped and turned the radio on, hoping for a distraction when the car behind her honked at her.  Amanda glanced up, saw the light was green and started forward again. She listened to the radio for a moment, but it did little to soothe her frayed nerves.

‘It’s going to be unseasonable warm today.  Clear skies with highs in the 90’s.  Tomorrow more of the same.  Looks like summer is just around the corner, folks. The traffic report is up next…’

“Enough of that! I’m already stuck in traffic,” Amanda grumbled and she turned off the radio.  She inched along the downtown streets as her temper seemed to grow shorter with every block.  She’d barely gone a mile in the last five minutes.  Another glance in her rearview mirror and she noticed the black sedan once again.  She adjusted the mirror trying to get a good look at the person driving.  The face was familiar… it was Allen from her freshman class.

“I can’t believe there isn’t anything more important for you to do than to follow me around town all day.” Amanda drummed her fingers on the steering wheel when she noticed something sticking out of her purse.  She reached down for it, immediately recognized it was the business card Joe had given her for ‘Hamilton, Madison and Monroe.’  She studied the card for a few moments when she realized their offices were only a few blocks away.

“All right; let’s make this game a little more interesting, Dr. Smyth. I’ll give your boys something to report to you that will make you happy…” she remarked as she put her blinker on and headed over to there office.

*****
 

Amanda slipped through the glass doors of the rather impressive office of Hamilton Madison and Monroe.  She cagily glanced around the room like a frightened child.  “Hello,” she whispered as she walked up to the receptionist’s desk.

“Can I help you?” the young receptionist asked as she looked up at Amanda.

“A friend gave me this card,” Amanda continued in a hushed voice and nervously glanced over her shoulder at the glass doors.  “I need to speak with Virginia Hamilton.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

Amanda shook her head.  “No, is that a problem?”

“Ms. Hamilton is in court today and she’s booked solid for the remainder of this week.  The best I can do is next Tuesday afternoon at three.”

Amanda threw her hands over her mouth and leaned closer to the receptionist.  “A week?  Oh my gosh!  I don’t know if this can wait that long.  If my husband even finds out I’m here… talking to a lawyer…”

“Perhaps you’d like to see one of her partners?  Mr. Monroe is available on Thursday.  I could have you fill out some paperwork today.”

“Thursday, is that the soonest?”

The receptionist nodded.  “I’m sorry, but unless we have a cancellation.”

“I don’t know.  I think I’d rather have a woman attorney,”

“I can assure you that Mr. Monroe is an excellent attorney.  I’m sure you’d be more than pleased.”

“I guess I could try to get back here then.” Amanda whispered once again as she looked furtively over her shoulder.  The lobby door opened and she shrunk towards the counter appearing alarmed.  “Is there an office I could sit in while I fill out the paperwork?  I think he, my husband, is having me followed.  I took the elevator up to the third floor, then walked up the remaining two flights just to throw them off.”

“He’s one of those control freaks, huh?” the receptionist nodded sympathetically as she pulled some paperwork out of her desk and placed it on a clipboard.  “Come with me.  There’s an empty conference room down the hall.  Nobody will bother you there.”

Amanda followed the woman down the hall to a small conference room.  “Thank you so much.  I really appreciate your understanding.”

“No problem.  I’ve seen it all here.  Take all the time you need.  You can drop off the paperwork on your way out.”

“Could I make a phone call in here?  It’s a local call.  I’d just like to check in with my mother, tell her I’m all right, but running a little late,” Amanda asked, acting quite flustered.  “She worries about me whenever I’m late…”

“Sure,” the receptionist nodded sympathetically.  “Dial nine for an outside line, then the number.”

When the receptionist closed the door and left Amanda alone she flipped through the paperwork fleetingly before she reached for the phone.  She took a deep breath and dialed a familiar number, but it wasn’t her mother.

“T. Percival Aquinas,” the friendly voice answered.

“Hi, T. P., it’s Amanda King,” she greeted cheerfully, quickly dropping her charade of the frightened wife.

“Mrs. King, how lovely to hear from you.”

“How’s everything over at the Library of Congress?” Amanda asked politely.

“Splendid.  However, I heard a rumor that our Scarecrow been sent out of the country for a few weeks.”

“Yes, T. P., that’s true.  What else have you heard?”

“Not much, but I would think you’d have a better line on that than I would.”

She swallowed hard.  Either he hadn’t heard about her being fired yet, or he was being polite.  “I guess you haven’t heard the latest.  Dr. Smyth fired me yesterday morning.”

“Oh, dear, I had hoped that was just a nasty rumor.  You must be quite upset,” he answered compassionately.  “Now why would Austin Smyth do a crazy thing like that?”

“He found out Lee and I eloped in February.  He fired me and practically ordered me to get a quick and quiet divorce if I want to work in this town again.”

“Oh, dear, I assumed he’d find out about your marriage, but I never thought he’d fire you over it, my dear.”

“You knew we were married?” she gasped in surprise.

“Hmm, oh yes.  I came upon it quite by accident I assure you.  Only learned about it last month.  You’re not seriously considering a divorce, are you?  You and Lee seem like the perfect couple.”

Amanda started to rub her temple to ward off the headache that was threatening to start.  “No, but I’m currently sitting in the office of ‘Hamilton, Madison and Monroe.’”

“Pretty big guns to be talking with if you’re not planning on a divorce.”

“I’m being followed by the Agency.  You’d think I’m public enemy number one.  Dr. Smyth has threatened to reassign Lee overseas permanently if I don’t follow his orders.  I need to buy myself some time so I can figure out what to do.”

“So, let the games begin, eh, Mrs. King, or would you prefer I call you Mrs. Stetson?” T. P. asked.

“I’d prefer it if you’d just called me Amanda.  T. P., I really need your help.  I need to get a message to Lee, but if the Agency finds out, it could mean problems for him and I certainly don’t want to blow his cover.  I don’t suppose you know where Lee was sent?”

There was silence on the phone for a few moments before T. P. answered.  “I’d have to check with my sources.  My guess is Eastern Europe, maybe Germany.  I don’t have anything solid at the moment, but that would be an educated guess.  It would probably take me a day or two to be a little more precise.”

“I assumed Europe as well and right now you’re my best hope.  Do you think you could get a message to him?”

“For you, Amanda, of course I’ll try,” he replied without hesitating.  “But if he’s under cover we’d need to be extremely vigilant.  What message would you like me to pass on if I can locate him?”

Amanda sighed heavily.  “Oh my gosh!  I hadn’t given that much thought.  I can’t just send a note saying I’ve been terminated by Dr. Smyth.”

“Well, maybe you can.  Let’s think about it…  You two were married by the Justice of the Peace in Marion back in February?”

“Is there anything you don’t know, T.P.?” she questioned in amazement, surprised by the depth of his knowledge.

“Unfortunately, there are a myriad of things I don’t know, but I do so enjoy trying to ease the gap so to speak.  Now let's see.  The message would have to be cryptic and generic so not to raise any red flags or blow his cover.”

“I’ve got it!” Amanda exclaimed after a few moments of silence.  How about, ‘The doctor has reviewed Marion’s file.’  Is that generic enough?”

“Hmm, that a good start, but I think we need something that will get his immediately attention.  He needs to know you’ve been fired.”

“You’re right.”  Amanda closed her eyes, hoping for inspiration, but she was tired and her head was starting to throb.

“How about, ‘The doctor has reviewed Marion’s file.  Her condition is terminal.’  That ought to get his attention, but not blow his cover,” he suggested to his friend.

“That’s perfect!  Now you just need to get it to him.”

“Easier said than done.  I’ll try my best, Amanda, but if you can use any of your other sources, I suggest you try.  Have you tried to contact anyone at the Agency?”

“No.  Considering the way I was booted out of there yesterday, I doubt they’d put my call through to anyone.”

“Yes, they can make the termination process seem rather… foreboding.”

“You can say that again,” Amanda replied, sighing heavily.  “Thanks, T. P.  I really appreciate your help.”

“Anything for a friend.  You know, Amanda, if you’re looking for a job, I could always use someone with your experience over here at the Library of Congress.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied with a small smile.  “I’d better get off the phone.  The receptionist is expecting me to turn in a ream of paperwork and I don’t want to keep my Agency tails waiting too long.”

“Be careful out there, Amanda.  Austin Smyth doesn’t like to be crossed,” he warned.

“And I don’t like it when people interfere with my family.  I will be careful, but I’m not giving up Lee without a fight.”

“Have you checked your house for bugs?”

“Not yet, but I plan on it as soon as I can shake my tail and visit one of Lee’s favorite electronic stores,” she vowed as she tapped a pen on the desk in frustration of her current plight.

“Our Scarecrow has taught you well.  How would you like me to get in touch with you?”

“How about we meet at your favorite ice cream stand in… say a couple of days?  You can fill me in with anything you might have.  I wouldn’t mind a short visit with a true friend.”

“I’ll pencil you in for Thursday around three.  With any luck I might know where he is by then.  And by the way, the Tootie fruitie is on me.”

“I can’t thank you enough, T. P.  I’ll see you Thursday.”  She hung up the phone, glanced at the paperwork and stuffed it in her purse.  She exited from the conference room, peered down the hallway, observed the receptionist was busy on the phone and snuck out of the office without her noticing. She walked down the hallway ever mindful of the people around her until she reached the elevator and finally her car.  As she drove out of the parking garage she glanced back and smiled as her tail was pulling out behind her.
 

***

Tuesday afternoon:

“Hello, sweetheart, did you get to talk to Joe?” Dotty asked her daughter as she came in the back door.

“Yes, Mother, I talked to him,” Amanda answered flatly, tossing her purse onto the kitchen counter.

“So, how did it go?”

“Not very well, I’m afraid.  He’s actually happy that I no longer work for the Agency,” Amanda remarked, with frustration.

“I can understand his point of view.  I just don’t agree with the way they did it.  I’m surprised he didn’t have any suggestions for an employment attorney.  I would have thought he’d have plenty of contacts.”

“Hmm, you would think,” Amanda mumbled not wanting to tell her mother that Joe had suggested she meet with a divorce lawyer.  She glanced at her watch.  “At least I made it home before the boys got home from school.”

“Well, it will be nice to have you around for a change,” Dotty commented in a cheerful voice.  “You’ve been keeping rather odd hours with that crazy job.  I bet you won’t miss that.”

“No, I certainly won’t, but I’ll have to work on my resume and start hunting for a new job.  Unfortunately, I still have bills to pay.”
 

“Of course, dear, but with the boys starting summer vacation tomorrow it will be nice to have you home.”

Amanda kissed her mother on the cheek.  “Thanks, Mother.  It’s nice to know someone still loves me.”

“I’m pretty sure Lee Stetson loves you, too.” Dotty winked at her daughter, but their quiet conversation was ended as the boys rushed in from their last day of school.

“Mom, I got straight ‘A’s’,” Jamie shouted joyfully as he rushed into the kitchen and tossed his backpack on the kitchen counter, which caused Amanda’s purse to go sliding off the counter spilling its contents onto the floor.

“Slow down, Jamie!” Dotty warned her grandson.

“Don’t worry about my purse, Mother.  There wasn’t anything breakable inside.  Let me see your report card, sweetheart,” Amanda said with a smile.

Jamie held out his report card with a bright grin.

Amanda studied the paper and hugged him tightly.  “I’m very proud of you, Jamie.  That’s quite an accomplishment.”

“What else would you expect from a bookworm?” Philip replied.

“You’re just jealous.  The only ‘A’ you got was in gym class.”

“It’s still an ‘A’!”

“Fellas, enough!” Amanda warned.  “Let me see your report card, Philip.”

Philip yanked his report card out and reluctantly turned it over for his mother to peruse.

“One ‘A’, two ‘B’s’ and four ‘C’s,” she read out loud.  “You brought your ‘D’ up to a ‘C’ in history, good for you.  Maybe next year you’ll have a few less ‘C’’s?” Amanda suggested with a pointed stare.

“I’ll try, Mom,” Philip promised.

“Why don’t you two put all your stuff away in your room,” Dotty suggested to her grandsons.  “Go put on some shorts and we’ll celebrate the end of school and go out for some ice cream – my treat!”

“Cool!” the boys shouted out grabbing their backpacks, racing out of the room and up the stairs.

“I can’t believe another school year’s over,” Dotty shrugged.

Amanda chuckled and nodded.  “I remember when I first sent Philip off to kindergarten.  He loved school then.  Now if I can get him to crack open a book I’m lucky.”

“At least he passed all his classes.”  Dotty bent down and started picking up the contents of Amanda’s purse.

“Mother, I’ll get that.”

“Don’t worry about it, dear.” Dotty replied trying to organize the papers that has scattered on the floor.  Suddenly she stopped and picked up a business card.  She stood up slowly.

“What’s the matter, Mother?” Amanda asked in concern as she noticed her mother staring at something.

Dotty handed her daughter the business card for ‘Hamilton, Madison and Monroe, Family Law Attorneys.’  “Amanda, why do you have this is your purse?”

She gritted her teeth and sighed heavily.  “Joe gave it to me,” she reluctantly answered.

“Joe gave it to you?  You’re not seriously thinking about divorcing Lee, are you?” Dotty asked incredulously.

“No, Mother, it was Joe’s idea, not mine.  I have no plans to divorce Lee Stetson!” she answered angrily.

“Divorce?  Lee?” Phillip asked as he walked back into the kitchen.  “When did you get married?”

“Who got married?” Jamie questioned a moment later when he popped back into the kitchen.

Amanda’s face cringed and she closed her eyes.  This was certainly not the way she wanted her children to find out she was married.

“You’re going to have to tell them sooner or later,” Dotty pointed out as she threw her hands up in a mock surrender.

“OK, fellas, time for a family meeting and I’ll explain everything to you…” Amanda responded as she took the card for ‘Hamilton, Madison and Monroe, Family Law Attorneys’ ripped it up and threw it in the garbage.

She ushered her family to the dining room table.  Dotty quickly took a seat while Jamie slumped down into his chair staring at her, a confused look on his face.  Philip seemed more impatient for an explanation than concerned and didn’t sit down at first.

“So did you and Lee elope?” Philip asked.

“Yes, Philip, we did.  Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll explain some things to you both,” Amanda answered and waited for her eldest son to take a seat.  She glanced over at Jamie who was now sitting more attentively with his eyes wide open.

“When did you get married?” Jamie choked out.

“A few months ago,” she answered as she carefully studied their faces for a reaction.  Phillip seemed to take the news in stride, but Jamie was staring at her in silence.

“But Lee doesn’t live here…” Jamie mumbled.

“Yes, sweetheart. I know.  Let me explain.”

“’Cause you acted like such a doofus,” Philip groused.

“Philip, stop it, that’s not true,” Amanda scolded and she took a deep breath.  She could tell by the look on Jamie’s face that he wasn’t at all convinced.

“Philip’s right, isn’t he, Mom?” Jamie asked with a shrug.  “Lee doesn’t live here because, well, because of me?”

“No, sweetheart,” Amanda answered immediately shaking her head.  “I can honestly say that Lee would love to live here and I think when he gets back from his latest mission, I expect he’ll be moving in.”

“Mission?  You mean movie.  I thought he was over in Europe filming another documentary,” Philip questioned blankly.

Amanda shook her head.  “No, not really, sweetheart.”

“So what’s he doing and why the big secret about getting married?” Philip demanded.  “I can understand you guys eloping, but when were you going to tell us?”

Amanda swallowed hard, reached out to her two sons and grabbed each of their hands, squeezing them gently.  She knew there was a lot to tell them, but she didn’t know how to start.  Smiling guiltily she finally took the plunge…

“I’ve known Lee for a lot longer than you have.  We met by accident a few years ago when I took Dean to the train station.”

“That’s why you dumped Dean!” Philip exclaimed.

Amanda glanced at her mother’s raised eyebrow, but luckily she didn’t say a word.  She was about to delve into why she broke up with Dean, but she stopped herself.  “Let’s stay on track here, fellas.  I helped out Lee back then.  I was looking for a job at the time and I ended up working with him part time.”

“That was… like… four years ago, Mom,” Jamie remarked.

“That sounds about right.  But the thing is Lee and I don’t really work for a film company.  We work for the government.”

“And the government has secrets,” Philip chanted his mother’s mantra sarcastically.  “Are you getting to the point soon?”

Amanda nodded.  She could see that Philip didn’t really seem interested in what he considered boring details.  She had a feeling that what she was about to tell them would change that – forever.  “Lee and I work for  the ‘Agency’.  IFF is only a cover.”

“You’re spies?” Jamie gasped, immediately figuring out what his mother was telling them.  His eyes gawked widely at her through his glasses.

“No way!” Philip protested in disbelief, but his mouth hung open in disbelief.

Amanda tried not to chuckle at the different faces her sons wore.  “We prefer the term, Intelligence Agents actually, but yes, we’re spies.  We’ve kept it a secret from you because our jobs can sometimes be dangerous.  We come in contact with a lot of people, sometimes famous people, royalty, but occasionally we deal with some rather unsavory characters.   When I first started with the Agency you were both so young.  Your safety has always been a priority to both of us.”

“This is sooo cooool,” Philip whistled.  “Too bad today was the last day of school.  I can’t wait to tell the guys about this.”

“You can’t tell your friends.  That’s why they didn’t tell us in the first place, isn’t it, Mom?” Jamie reasoned.

“Your brother is right.  You can’t tell anyone,” Amanda answered in a soft voice and a pained face.  She knew it would make for great story at the ball field, but if word leaked out to the wrong people if could mean deadly consequences.

Almost immediately, Philip lost the grin on his face and it was replaced with a scowl.  Then he ventured.  “Do you have a gun?”

“Yes, sweetheart, I carry a gun.”

“Have you ever shot anyone?”

“No, and I probably won’t either.  Listen, fellas, the other reason we didn’t tell anyone we were married was because we didn’t know how the Agency would react.  Lee and I are partners and normally they don’t let married people work together.  Unfortunately, the Agency found out and yesterday I was fired.”

“Can they do that?” Jamie asked.

“Apparently they can.”  Amanda gritted her teeth, trying to hold back her anger.

“So what did Lee say when you told him you got fired?” Jamie asked.

“Lee’s doesn’t know.  At least I don’t think he does.  You know he’s overseas on an assignment.  I don’t know where he is and it’s going to be hard to get a message to him.  I don’t want to blow his cover.”

“But you’re a spy; can’t you get a secret message to him?  You know, in some sort of secret code?  Like the time you slipped us a message when you were involved with that security mix up last year,” Philip paused then added.  “Hey, that reminds me, what actually went down when that happened, Mom?  You two were like public enemy number one!”

“Nice try, Sherlock, that’s still classified information. Just because the government fired me doesn’t mean I can divulge secrets,” she answered rapid fire, then she took a deep breath, hoping it would relax her.  Her tone softened, “I’m trying to get a message to him, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“So, are they going to fire Lee when he gets back?” Jamie asked.

“I don’t think so, but I honestly don’t know.  Now I am sorry that I kept some secrets from you, but I hope you understand why.  I expect that you two are old enough to keep the secret about our jobs?” Amanda glanced from Philip and Jamie.

“Yeah, we understand,” Philip answered. “I still think it’s pretty cool.”

“Thanks, fellas.  I hope you’ll forgive Lee as well when he gets back.”

“When’s that going to be, Mom?” Phillip asked.

“I don’t know, sweetheart.”

“He’ll be moving in then?” Jamie questioned shyly.

“I hope so.  I also hope you’ll both make him feel welcome when he does.”  Amanda smiled at the thought that they’d finally be a real family.  She glanced over at both of her sons, wondering how they would handle the transition.   She watched as they contemplated the idea.

Phillip spoke for them both.  “Yeah, Mom, Lee’s a cool guy and we know how much you love each other.  When he comes back we’ll both be happy to help him move in, won’t we Jamie?”

Jamie nodded.  “You can count on us, Mom!”

“I’m really proud of you both,” Amanda replied with tears in her eyes, obviously relieved to have the conversation behind her.  She stood up and hugged each of her sons.

“So is anyone still interested in ice cream?” Dotty reminded them of her earlier offer.

“Let’s go!” the two boys cheered, bolting from the dining room and racing towards the door.

“Seems to me that we have a lot to celebrate,” Dotty remarked as she and Amanda got up from the table.

Amanda reached out for her mother before they left the dining room and gave her a hug as well.  “Thanks, Mother,” she whispered before she followed her family out the door.

End Part Three