Scarecrow and Mrs. King
“Stranger Than Fiction”
Written by Anne Riener
“Stranger Than Fiction”
Written by Anne Riener
Lee Stetson was exhausted. The past week had been overwhelmingly hectic and all Lee could think about was hot food, a hot shower, and a hot woman, and not necessarily in that order. He tapped on the partially open door and casually peeked inside Billy Melrose's office. His section chief glanced up from the manila folder on his desk and raised a hand, beckoning him to enter. Lee walked into the room and shut the door. “You asked me to come report to you when I got back.”
Billy rose from his chair and extended his hand to his field agent. “Lee, glad to see you back and good job on the Strahovski case.”
“Thanks,” Lee returned. “Now, if there is nothing else, I could really use some vacation time.”
Before Billy had a chance to answer, the telephone shrilled. He held up his finger in a one-moment gesture and picked up the receiver. “Melrose.”
Lee stuffed his hands into his pant pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“Be reasonable, man!” Billy sulked into the telephone. “We can’t possibly—” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Yeah. Fine.” Billy slammed down the receiver. He then opened the top drawer of his desk, took out a bottle of Rolaids, and popped two antacids into his mouth. Subsequently, he looked over at Lee. “Scarecrow.”
Lee’s brows furrowed. “I know that look and the answer is no.”
“I haven’t even asked the question yet.” Billy leaned forward, spreading his immense fingers across the files on his desk.
Lee shook his head several times. “No! No, no, no!!”
“It’s just a simple assignment.”
“That’s what you always say,” Lee bemoaned, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Well, I’m always right, aren’t I?”
Lee shifted his weight from one foot to another and then raked his hand through his sandy blonde hair. "Do you honestly expect me to answer that?”
Billy sat on the corner of his desk and beckoned Lee to sit down.
Exasperated, Lee reluctantly sat down in one of the chairs across for Billy’s desk. “What about my vacation?”
“This will be like a vacation. You’ll just be going on a little road trip.”
“Come on, Billy.” He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and scowled. "Why can’t Abernathy do it?”
“I’m short staffed this week as it is with half of field section out with the flu, thanks to Bob.”
Lee dropped his shoulders and grudgingly shook his head. “What is it that you want me to do?”
*****
Honk. Honk.
“There’s my cab,” Amanda told her mother as she hefted her suitcase and stepped out the door and onto the front porch. “Give the boys a hug from me and don’t let them eat all the chocolate chip cookies I made for the PTA bake sale and have them clean their room.” Amanda put the suitcase down and quickly hugged Dotty. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Dotty said, returning the gesture. “Have fun in California.”
Amanda hoisted the bag again and then grabbing her purse from her mother, she slung it over her shoulder. After walking down the pathway, she opened the white picket fence gate.
“Help you with your bags?” She heard a familiar deep voice ask.
“Lee,” she jumped, startled. “What are you doing here dressed like a cab driver?” She quickly glanced around the yard. “Mother could see you.”
“Relax, she’s gone back inside the house.” He took her suitcase and tossed it into the trunk. Then he opened the passenger door for her. Amanda slid into the passenger seat and he went around the cab and climbed into the driver’s seat. He then turned over the engine. Amanda was still putting on her seatbelt when Lee pulled away from the curb.
“No problems getting away for a few days?” he asked her.
Amanda shook her head. “No, Mother thinks I’m going to California to help a sorority sister with a new baby.”
“And she bought that?”
“I told her my friend’s husband was deployed and she already has a toddler and needed some help with the new baby. You know, it’s sad when you think about women who don’t have help right after childbirth. I don’t know what I would have done if Mother had not been there for me,” she rambled.
“Aman-da, you’re talking about a fictional person.”
“I know that.” She crossed her arms defensively in front of her.
Lee chuckled and shook his head. “What about Joe?”
“Joe? He wasn’t really around much after Jamie was born.” She paused for a moment and her eyes narrowed. “How did you know about Joe? Did I tell you about my ex-husband?”
Lee did not answer and suddenly appeared to be very interested in the road.
Amanda shrugged it off. “Must have been on one of the hundred forms I filled out for you and the Agency. You know it’s kind of funny, you know everything about me and I still know nothing about you.”
He sighed heavily. “I’m a spy, my past is classified.”
“Yeah. Fine. Whatever.” Irritated, she threw up her hands and then stared out the passenger window.
Lee glanced over at her and licked his lips nervously. “What do you want to know?”
Amanda perked up immediately. “Ummm. . . okay, have you ever been married?”
“No,” he answered quickly. “Next question.”
“Why the name Scarecrow?”
Lee tightened the grip he had on the steering wheel. “Nope, that question is off limits.”
“Off limits?”
“Yes, off limits.” He gestured fervently, slicing through the air with his left hand.
“It was just a simple question.”
He cocked his head toward her. “Okay, why did you and Joe get a divorce?”
“That’s a rather personal question—” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Okay, fine. Personal questions are off limits. Why did you ask me to go on this assignment with you?”
“Actually, it was Billy’s idea. You see, half the Agency is out sick with the flu.”
“Ohhhh. Nasty stuff.”
“Yeah, I know. Anyway, no one else was available.”
She gave him a sour look. “Well, that sounds like a ringing endorsement.”
A heavy sigh left his lips. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
She gave him a dubious look, but continued, "And we are on our way to California to pick up this scientist.”
“Yeah, Dr. Vedmid. We need to take him to a symposium on alternative fuels.”
“The conference that the President of the United States is attending?”
“That’s correct.” Lee turned on the right turn signal, looked over his shoulder and then maneuvered the cab off the main road, turning onto the freeway.
“Another question?”
Lee rolled his eyes heavenward. “Aren’t we done playing twenty-questions?”
“No, this is related to our mission. Why doesn’t he just fly to Detroit?”
“Well, you see, Nicky, he’s a bit eccentric and doesn’t like flying, and Venus is not in something or another; therefore, we are flying to Oakland, picking him up and then driving him to Michigan. And it’s not a mission; it’s just a simple assignment.”
Amanda’s foot tapped against the floorboard. “That’s what you always say,” she lamented.
“Well, I’m always right—” Lee started to say, and then clamped his mouth shut. “Never mind.”
*****
Lee pulled the rental car to a halt in front of the science and technology building. "This must be the right place.”
Amanda stretched and then nodded. “Do we really need to start back today? I’ve never been to California, let alone San Francisco. Can’t we at least have dinner on the wharf?”
“Aman-da, this isn’t a vacation.” He stepped out of the car and headed toward the passenger door, opening the door for her. “And we’re on a tight schedule.”
“Yes, Sir.” Amanda saluted him mockingly.
Lee rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Plus, I want to get a jump start on traffic.”
“Do you want me to get out the Rand McNally Road Atlas and be your navigator?” she asked, gesturing back toward the car.
“No, Amanda. I do not need a navigator. I know where I'm going.”
Hastily, a tall, but harried-looking man with thinning light brown hair came through the sliding glass doors of the science and technology building. Amanda surmised he was probably in his early forties, maybe a few years younger. “Lee Stetson, good to see you again,” the man spoke with a distinctive Russian accent.
Startled, Amanda grabbed Lee and pulled him toward her.
“Hey!” Lee protested, scowling.
“Lee, he’s Russian.”
Lee gave her a droll smile, but Amanda was startled again when she heard a voice to her left. “Actually, I’m from the Ukraine.”
“Yes, Amanda, I’d like you to meet Dr. Nicolai Vedmid. Dr. Vedmid, Mrs. Amanda King.”
The doctor took her hand and kissed it. “Amanda, such a pretty name. May I call you Amanda?”
“Umm,” Amanda stammered, but gave a curt nod. “Yes, Dr. Vedmid.”
“No.” He wagged his finger at her. “No Dr. Vedmid. My friends call me Nicky.”
“Okay, Nicky.”
“Why don’t you sit in the backseat with me? I would love the pleasure of your company.”
Lee grabbed Amanda pulling her toward him. “Actually, I need Amanda to sit in the front seat and be my navigator.”
Amanda gaped at Lee. “Umm, I guess I’m sitting in the front with Mr. Stetson.”
“Okay, but if you get tired, there’s much more room in the backseat.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Let’s get loaded up, people. Just pile your stuff into the trunk, Nicky.”
“What are we taking?” Nicky asked, looking around the parking lot.
“The largest car on the rental lot – a Buick LeSabre.”
“No!” Nicky protested vehemently.
“No,” Amanda repeated, surprised. She looked over at Lee and observed his jaw pulsating.
Lee closed his eyes and counted to ten. “What’s wrong with the LeSabre?” he finally asked.
“I want to go in style.”
“The LeSabre is a very stylish car. I can’t take a sports car; there would be no room for the three of us and our luggage.”
“No sports car. I want a limousine.”
“Are you crazy? We are going to a conference on alternative fuels and you want to take the biggest, gas-guzzling vehicle around? Why don’t we just rent a semi?”
“Now you are just being silly, Lee.”
“Yeah, Lee,” Amanda affirmed. “Well, you have to admit a semi-truck would be rather silly.”
Lee shot her a glance and swore under his breath. “I’m not going to do it. Now get into the car.”
Nicky shook his head. “No.”
“Then we will have to take you by plane. Don’t make me do what I had to do last time.”
“You wouldn’t dare?”
Lee stood toe to toe with Nicky. "Try me.”
“Fellas,” Amanda interrupted, taking over the role of peacemaker. “Let’s try to come up with some sort of compromise. The longer we sit here and argue the more time we are wasting. Lee, really, what’s wrong with driving a limo? I know you have done it before.”
“Yes, across town, but not across the whole damn country.”
Amanda gently touched his shoulder and pleaded with him with her eyes.
He threw up his hands in protest. “Fine. Let me call the Agency and see if the travel department can make arrangements for us to get our hands on a limousine.”
*****
"Don't you just love the open road?" Lee questioned sarcastically, sometime later when they were in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate leading out of San Francisco.
Amanda, who was sitting in the passenger seat, tensely clasped and unclasped her hands.
Lee slapped his steering wheel in frustration as a car cut in front of him, "It's going to be three hours before we are even out of this damn city! Of course, we would be further down the road if we had not had to stop for all that food.”
“We’re on a road trip, Lee. We have to load up on snacks," Amanda rationalized.
“Yes, but did we have to stop at three different stores?”
“Well, we didn’t want just junk food. And one of the stores was your idea, because you had to have your moldy cheese.”
“It’s not moldy cheese – it’s a Camembert.”
"Awe, yes," Nicky's voice came from the backseat. "I can just feel the love."
*****
Several hours and several miles later, Lee continued to drive down the dark deserted Nevada highway. He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and stole a quick glance at his companion. Amanda sat in the seat beside him, her arms folded across her chest as she watched the bleak desert scenery flash by them. Her face glowed in the soft moonlight. He then looked in the rear-view mirror and saw that his other passenger was lying down across the seat, snoring softly.
“Are there anymore grapes?” He quietly asked Amanda.
“Huh?” Amanda questioned, her thoughts broken by his voice.
“Grapes?” Lee asked again.
“Oh, yeah.” She opened a small cooler that lay at her feet. Then grabbed a small bunch of grapes, put them on a paper towel, and handed them to him. She then yawned and tried to stretch the kinks out of her neck.
“Tired?” he asked with a shrug.
“A little. Are we going to be stopping soon?”
“I was hoping to make Salt Lake on our first day, but I don’t think we’re going to get that far, so I think we’ll stop in Reno for the night.”
“That will be nice.” Amanda grabbed a can of Coke from the cooler and popped open the lid. “Did you need me to drive?”
“No, I’m okay, but I might have you take the first shift in the morning.”
Amanda nodded her head. "You know, this is actually kind of fun," she said after taking a swig of her soda. "Being on the road with you and all. And thanks for taking the time to let me eat at Alioto's on the Wharf.”
Lee nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, trying to appear indifferent. “We had the time anyway waiting for the Agency to make the arrangements.” He then gave her a dimpled grin and laughed heartily. “You should have heard Billy. His voice raised two octaves.”
She reached her hand out and patted Lee on his thigh. They then both looked down at where Amanda had her hand, she quickly drew it away and Lee cleared his throat. Her touch had sent jolts of electricity coursing through him. He rolled down the window and took several deep breaths.
She gave Lee a quizzical look and cocked her head. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I just needed some fresh air, I was getting a little drowsy.”
“Maybe we should stop for the night?”
“Yeah, maybe we should.” He rolled up the window, but left it open just a crack. Cool air whistled through the open window.
“Maybe the radio would help?” Amanda suggested, turning on the stereo. The radio crackled to life and she twisted the dials until she came to a news station.
“Weather for Reno tomorrow will be a high of 57°F and a low of 32°F,” the radio announcer reported.
“Not too bad for the middle of winter,” Amanda stated.
“I guess you would rather be snuggled up next to Dan?”
“Who?” Amanda asked perplexed, looking around the interior of the car.
“You know Dan, Dan the weatherman,” Lee spat.
“You mean Dean. And why I never—” she huffed. "You're sounding like a jealous person." Amanda pointed an accusing finger at him.
Lee could not believe his ears. "I do not sound like a jeal…" he began to protest.
“Actually, Lee, you do,” came a sleepy voice from the backseat.
“Put a sock in it, Nicky.” He snarled, while he rolled up the divider between the front and rear seats.
*****
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting shadows over the Sierra Nevada Mountains while Amanda expertly maneuvered the limousine down Interstate-80. She yawned viciously.
“Tired?” Lee teased from the passenger seat. “What happened to ‘Miss Perky in the Morning’?”
“She was enjoying the warmth of her bed and did not appreciate the knock on her door at o’dark-thirty.”
“Well, I came bearing gifts. I brought you coffee with sugar.” He held the cup in front of her.
Amanda reached for her coffee and took a sip of the bitter liquid. “Thanks, I really needed that this morning.”
Lee glanced at the speedometer. "Amanda, what are you doing?"
“What?” she yelped, surprised.
“It’s a speed limit, not a speed suggestion. Time’s a wastin,’ put some lead into it.”
“Fine, but if I get a speeding ticket, the Agency is paying for it.”
Lee nodded his head in agreement. “Fine.” He then unfolded a newspaper, opened it, and began to read. “Damn!”
“What?” Amanda asked, startled, looking for the tale-tell signs of flashing red and blue lights.
“The NFC beat the AFC and I had money on that game, too.”
Nicky leaned across the partisan. “What was the score?”
“It was a blowout, 45 to 3.”
Nicky let out a whistle. “Do you mind if I have the comics?”
“Go ahead, here.” He handed Nicky a section of the newspaper.
Nicky leaned back and began to read the paper; occasionally Lee and Amanda would hear soft laughter coming from the backseat. They both looked at each other and shook their heads.
Several minutes later, Nicky heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m bored.”
“Tough,” Lee stated, still reading the newspaper. “If we had taken a plane, we would have been there by now.”
“Are we there yet?” Amanda piped in, playing along.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” Nicky then said, jokingly.
Lee turned around to look at Nicky.
“Mom, he’s looking at me.”
“Don’t make me have to pull this car over,” Amanda said in her best ‘mother means it’ tone.
“Come again?” Lee asked mystified. “You both have completely lost your marbles.”
Nicky and Amanda laughed hysterically.
Amanda taunted him after the laughter had subsided, “Oh, come on Lee, didn’t you ever go on any road trips?”
“The Colonel was not big on unnecessary travel, so no.” He held up the newspaper and began to read again.
Amanda returned her attention back to her driving for a few minutes before the silence was interrupted by a loud exploding noise. Lee instinctively reached for his gun under his coat jacket. The black limousine bounced and twisted horribly as a large piece of rubber flew out from under the vehicle, barely missing the car traveling behind them. The car honked its horn as it zoomed past them. Amanda muttered under her breath offering up a silent prayer as she struggled to gain control of the wildly moving vehicle. Somehow, she did, and it came to a sudden, dusty stop on the shoulder of the road. Her breathing was labored, as she took several moments to collect her wits.
"Are you alright?” she heard Lee ask concerned.
Amanda nodded her head and grabbed her chest. “I will be as soon as my heart returns to my chest.”
Lee stepped out of the limo and observed the damage. “Well, you blew the left rear tire. It’s in shreds, but the wheel appears to be fine.” He stood up and dusted his hands off onto his pants. Amanda was standing next to him visually shaken. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Oh, my gosh, Lee! I’ve never been so frightened. I was afraid we were going to flip.”
He pulled her toward him and put his arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay. We are fine. The limo is fine. Now, why don’t you sit in the passenger seat for a while? Nicky and I will get this tire changed and then I will do the driving until you think you can manage, okay?”
A tender smile crossed his face and Amanda nodded slowly. Lee then opened the door and helped Amanda into the passenger seat; he then turned to his attention to his passenger in the backseat. “Come on Nicky, why don’t you help me get this tire off.”
*****
Later that evening, somewhere outside Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lee was driving down the interstate.
"Chips?" Amanda offered, holding out the bag of potato chips. Lee took a handful. “So, what’s yours and Nicky’s story?” Amanda asked him inquisitively.
“I helped him defect. Stole him right under Issac Petrovich’s nose too. Boy, did I put egg on that KGB agent’s face.” He laughed zealously. “The Russians would love to have him back. Don’t tell Nicky, but he really is a brilliant scientist. The United States is lucky to have him.”
“Aw. That’s sweet of you, Lee.” They both turned around when they heard a voice from the backseat.
Lee’s smile faded. “I thought you were taking a nap.”
“I was.” He stretched his arms over his head and then rolled his neck. “Are we going to be stopping for dinner soon? I’m starving.”
“Yeah, we’re almost to Cheyenne. We can stop for dinner, but I would like to push it to Lincoln or at least Grand Island before we stop for the night. Amanda, are you up for more driving?”
“I think I will be after I get something to eat. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”
“Humans need fuel just as much as automobiles,” Nicky added.
“Tell me about your research,” Amanda asked, turning around to face him.
“Don’t get me wrong. Fossil fuels are good, but there is only a limited supply and when we are out, we will be out. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, alternative fuels like alcohol-based fuels are the future. Alcohols can be used in internal combustion engines. My personal favorite is Butanol because it has an advantage to other fuels as it can be transported readily by existing petroleum-product pipeline networks, instead of only by tanker trucks and railroad cars.”
“Remarkable.” Amanda nodded her head in interest.
“Yes, at the university, we have been looking into ways of making alternative fuels work, so hopefully we do not have to face another energy crisis.”
“Yes, I remember the dreadful lines at the gas stations and so many stations selling out of fuel. It was awful.”
“Well, we are working with cars fully capable of running either on methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.”
“And that is what you are going to present at a symposium?”
“Yes, one of the model cars is already in Detroit and we are going to unveil it to the automakers this weekend.”
“That’s incredible!” Amanda looked over at Lee and saw him rolling his eyes; she smacked him on the arm.
“Owww!” he mumbled, rubbing it.
“It’s my hope in less than twenty years this great nation will no longer be dependent on oil from the Middle East,” Nicky continued.
“Well, I’m sure your car will be a star at the conference.”
“If we ever get there,” Lee bellyached. “Time to stop for dinner. We should probably fuel up while we are here, too. Either of you have a preference where you would like to eat?”
“Wherever you decide is fine with me,” Amanda told him.
“How about Marvelous Marvin’s?” Lee suggested to the occupants of the car.
“Not that rock gut, Lee,” Nicky grumbled.
“And what’s wrong with Marvelous Marvin’s? It’s quick and we don’t have all evening." Lee glanced at Nicky in the rear-view mirror.
“I was thinking more along the lines of Italian.”
“Nicky, be real, this is Cheyenne, not New York. We aren’t going to find a nice Italian restaurant.” Lee was trying to keep his temper in check.
“Then how about Japanese?”
“How about a punch in the mouth?”
“Chinese?”
Lee growled and started to pull the car over.
Amanda put two fingers to her mouth and whistled, getting Nicky and Lee’s attention.
“What?” They both asked, surprised.
Amanda turned around to face Nicky and in a gentle, but stern voice said, “Nicky, as much as Japanese or Italian sounds good, Mr. Stetson is correct, we still have a long drive ahead of us this evening and we need to get something quick.” She then turned her attention to Lee. “And Lee, how about Marvelous Marvin’s tonight and when we reach Detroit we can all go out and have a nice fancy dinner together, okay?”
Nicky nodded his head. “Anything for you, Amanda.”
Lee groaned. Then turning on the turn signal, he drove the limousine off the freeway and down the off-ramp.
*****
Continuing with their journey, the rest of the trip had been uneventful and Amanda snoozed softly while sitting in the passenger seat, her head lulled against the window. Lee stole a glimpse and the car zigged slightly running over the reflector markers making a sudden bumping noise. Lee took control over the car and straightened it out again, but jarred Amanda awake.
“Tired?” she sleepily asked him.
“No, just let my mind wander for a bit. Sorry if I woke you.”
She nodded, stretched, and then flexed her fingers. “Where are we?”
“Just skirted Chicago, should be coming into Gary, Indiana soon.”
Nicky began to hum a tune. Amanda, recognizing the song, began to sing. “Gary, Indiana. Gary, Indiana.”
Baffled, Lee asked, “What?”
“Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but—” Nicky’s tenor voice joined in.
“Gary, Indiana,” Amanda’s sweet alto voice sang out.
“Gary, Indiana,” Nicky parroted. “Gary, Indiana.”
“My home sweet home,” Amanda and Nicky chorused together and then clapped when they finished the song.
“Ok-la-homa!” Nicky began to sing.
“Oh, my God! I’m in musical theater hell!” Staring at the two of them, Lee ran the car over the rumble strip and then straightened out the car again.
Amanda and Nicky laughed energetically.
That same moment, from the corner of his eye, out the side-view mirror, Lee observed an older Volkswagen van swerve suddenly. Not saying anything to his passengers yet, he calmly pushed on the accelerator and sped up the car a bit. The van matched his speed. “We’ve got a problem.” He reached into his coat jacket and removed his Beretta from his holster. Laying it on the center console, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand on the gun, he checked the magazine. He glanced over at Amanda; a look of sheer terror was on her face.
“Get us out of here, Lee,” she pleaded, her voice barely loud enough for him to hear.
“Here,” he said, handing her the gun. “I need you to hold this.”
“Lee, I can’t.” Amanda pushed the gun back toward Lee, but Lee pressed it into her side.
“Yes, you can. I’m not asking you to shoot. Just hold it for now. I need both hands to drive.”
With trembling hands, Amanda took the firearm from him.
“Hang on,” Lee hollered as he pushed the gas pedal to the floor trying to put as much distance between them. With the sudden burst of power, the limousine fishtailed wildly and the tires squealed in protest. Lee corrected it and the car picked up speed.
“Whoa!” he heard Nicky mutter from the backseat.
Lee weaved in and out of traffic on the congested roadway. Around them cars honked their horns and brakes screeched, but the men pursuing them were still on his tail. Glancing over at Amanda, he saw her tighten the shoulder strap of her seatbelt. All of a sudden, Amanda screamed, “Lee, look out!”
Traffic was slowing down for the late afternoon commute. Lee slammed on the brakes and then jerked the steering wheel to the right. The tires lost traction on the gravel lining the shoulders and the limousine fishtailed again. Lee fought to control the car. The car swung uncontrollably up the hillside. Lee turned sharply, spraying dirt and gravel everywhere.
Amanda screamed again. “Oh, my—”
Lee saw what Amanda had observed, they were headed straight toward a motorist information sign. He swerved in time to miss, but scraped a corner of the undercarriage of the road sign. The vinyl ripped away from the roof of the limousine and ragged edges of vinyl waved as the car continued down the road. Lee looked behind him and witnessed the pursuing car swerve to avoid a collision. The van skidded wildly. The driver over-corrected and the vehicle rolled over, finally landing on the roof in the median strip of the interstate. Lee slammed on the brakes and brought the limousine to a screeching halt. He jumped out and ran toward the van. Amanda quickly got out of the car, too.
“Stay in the car,” she told Nicky.
One of the men crawled out from the shattered passenger window. Lee leapt into action and grabbed the scrambling man by the back on his shirttail, then turning him around he punched him in the gut and then an upper right hook to the jaw. The man fell to the pavement and was out for the count. Rubbing his hand, Lee looked inside the van and saw everyone else was unconscious. Amanda ran toward him. Holding the gun in disgust, as if she was holding a dirty diaper, she handed it to Lee. He took his weapon from her and trained the gun on the suspects, then turned slightly toward her and smiled.
*****
Lee and Amanda were slowly walking down the jetway waiting for their flight home. Lee had a carry-on bag and his suit jacket slung over his shoulder.
“It was sure nice of Billy to upgrade our seats to first class,” Amanda gushed, shifting her weight with the bag and purse she was carrying.
“He felt it was the least he could do after driving more than halfway across the country, although it’s just a short flight from Detroit to Dulles.”
Amanda nodded several times and then smiled. “And I was right; Nicky’s designs were a hit at the conference."
"Yes, you were right," Lee agreed.
"So, what happens to Nicky now?”
“He’ll head back to Oakland and continue teaching.”
“How’s he getting back home?” Amanda asked curiously.
“He’s flying.”
A look of total disbelief crossed Amanda's face and Lee just shrugged. Then Amanda laughed and Lee joined her.
“Yeah, his psychic told him it was safe to travel this week. Hey, what can I say, I did tell you he was a bit eccentric and sometimes life is stranger than fiction.” Lee let Amanda board the airplane first and he briefly nodded to the pilot and stewardess.
“So, who were those men chasing us and what did they want?”
“They were KGB," Lee paused for a moment, before continuing. "Do you remember that rest stop we made outside of Juliet?”
Amanda nodded her head.
“They spotted us. A one in a million chance encounter, if you ask me.”
“Kind of like a housewife meeting a spy at a train station?”
“Aman-da, how many times do I have to tell you, it's intelligence operative?”
“Gotcha," Amanda said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. She then settled in her seat.
Lee shook his head, barely repressing a chuckle that threatened to escape. He then placed hers and his carry-on in the overhead compartment. “Do you want to hear the story or not?”
“Yes. Please continue.”
Lee sat down next to her, while she fastened her lap belt. “Anyway, as I was saying, they had flown into O’Hare the day before with the intent of finding Nicky, kidnapping him, and bringing him back to Russia.”
“But we foiled their plan?”
“We?” He quirked an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, we. You and me.” She wagged her finger between herself and Lee and then gave him an intolerable look. “Heaven forbid should one nice thing slip out of your mouth.”
Lee did not answer her, but he waved down a flight attendant.
“May I help you, Sir?” The buxom blonde asked, leaning over his seat, giving him a full view of her cleavage.
“Two glasses of champagne, please.”
“Right away.” She winked at him.
Lee's eyes followed the stewardess as she walked away and he nodded his approval.
“And what are we drinking to?” Amanda asked a few moments later, after the stewardess had brought them their glasses.
Lee gave Amanda a cocky grin. “Umm, how about to gun handling skills?”
Amanda shook her head at him and then softly chuckled. “Fine. Then I guess I will drink to driving skills.”
Slightly embarrassed, Lee flushed and he muttered, “Touché, I guess you got me there.” He clinked his glass to hers. “However, I did get us out of there.”
Amanda nodded her head slightly. “Fair enough. To driving skills.”
They both took a sip of champagne and then giggled.
Billy rose from his chair and extended his hand to his field agent. “Lee, glad to see you back and good job on the Strahovski case.”
“Thanks,” Lee returned. “Now, if there is nothing else, I could really use some vacation time.”
Before Billy had a chance to answer, the telephone shrilled. He held up his finger in a one-moment gesture and picked up the receiver. “Melrose.”
Lee stuffed his hands into his pant pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“Be reasonable, man!” Billy sulked into the telephone. “We can’t possibly—” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Yeah. Fine.” Billy slammed down the receiver. He then opened the top drawer of his desk, took out a bottle of Rolaids, and popped two antacids into his mouth. Subsequently, he looked over at Lee. “Scarecrow.”
Lee’s brows furrowed. “I know that look and the answer is no.”
“I haven’t even asked the question yet.” Billy leaned forward, spreading his immense fingers across the files on his desk.
Lee shook his head several times. “No! No, no, no!!”
“It’s just a simple assignment.”
“That’s what you always say,” Lee bemoaned, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Well, I’m always right, aren’t I?”
Lee shifted his weight from one foot to another and then raked his hand through his sandy blonde hair. "Do you honestly expect me to answer that?”
Billy sat on the corner of his desk and beckoned Lee to sit down.
Exasperated, Lee reluctantly sat down in one of the chairs across for Billy’s desk. “What about my vacation?”
“This will be like a vacation. You’ll just be going on a little road trip.”
“Come on, Billy.” He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and scowled. "Why can’t Abernathy do it?”
“I’m short staffed this week as it is with half of field section out with the flu, thanks to Bob.”
Lee dropped his shoulders and grudgingly shook his head. “What is it that you want me to do?”
*****
Honk. Honk.
“There’s my cab,” Amanda told her mother as she hefted her suitcase and stepped out the door and onto the front porch. “Give the boys a hug from me and don’t let them eat all the chocolate chip cookies I made for the PTA bake sale and have them clean their room.” Amanda put the suitcase down and quickly hugged Dotty. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Dotty said, returning the gesture. “Have fun in California.”
Amanda hoisted the bag again and then grabbing her purse from her mother, she slung it over her shoulder. After walking down the pathway, she opened the white picket fence gate.
“Help you with your bags?” She heard a familiar deep voice ask.
“Lee,” she jumped, startled. “What are you doing here dressed like a cab driver?” She quickly glanced around the yard. “Mother could see you.”
“Relax, she’s gone back inside the house.” He took her suitcase and tossed it into the trunk. Then he opened the passenger door for her. Amanda slid into the passenger seat and he went around the cab and climbed into the driver’s seat. He then turned over the engine. Amanda was still putting on her seatbelt when Lee pulled away from the curb.
“No problems getting away for a few days?” he asked her.
Amanda shook her head. “No, Mother thinks I’m going to California to help a sorority sister with a new baby.”
“And she bought that?”
“I told her my friend’s husband was deployed and she already has a toddler and needed some help with the new baby. You know, it’s sad when you think about women who don’t have help right after childbirth. I don’t know what I would have done if Mother had not been there for me,” she rambled.
“Aman-da, you’re talking about a fictional person.”
“I know that.” She crossed her arms defensively in front of her.
Lee chuckled and shook his head. “What about Joe?”
“Joe? He wasn’t really around much after Jamie was born.” She paused for a moment and her eyes narrowed. “How did you know about Joe? Did I tell you about my ex-husband?”
Lee did not answer and suddenly appeared to be very interested in the road.
Amanda shrugged it off. “Must have been on one of the hundred forms I filled out for you and the Agency. You know it’s kind of funny, you know everything about me and I still know nothing about you.”
He sighed heavily. “I’m a spy, my past is classified.”
“Yeah. Fine. Whatever.” Irritated, she threw up her hands and then stared out the passenger window.
Lee glanced over at her and licked his lips nervously. “What do you want to know?”
Amanda perked up immediately. “Ummm. . . okay, have you ever been married?”
“No,” he answered quickly. “Next question.”
“Why the name Scarecrow?”
Lee tightened the grip he had on the steering wheel. “Nope, that question is off limits.”
“Off limits?”
“Yes, off limits.” He gestured fervently, slicing through the air with his left hand.
“It was just a simple question.”
He cocked his head toward her. “Okay, why did you and Joe get a divorce?”
“That’s a rather personal question—” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Okay, fine. Personal questions are off limits. Why did you ask me to go on this assignment with you?”
“Actually, it was Billy’s idea. You see, half the Agency is out sick with the flu.”
“Ohhhh. Nasty stuff.”
“Yeah, I know. Anyway, no one else was available.”
She gave him a sour look. “Well, that sounds like a ringing endorsement.”
A heavy sigh left his lips. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
She gave him a dubious look, but continued, "And we are on our way to California to pick up this scientist.”
“Yeah, Dr. Vedmid. We need to take him to a symposium on alternative fuels.”
“The conference that the President of the United States is attending?”
“That’s correct.” Lee turned on the right turn signal, looked over his shoulder and then maneuvered the cab off the main road, turning onto the freeway.
“Another question?”
Lee rolled his eyes heavenward. “Aren’t we done playing twenty-questions?”
“No, this is related to our mission. Why doesn’t he just fly to Detroit?”
“Well, you see, Nicky, he’s a bit eccentric and doesn’t like flying, and Venus is not in something or another; therefore, we are flying to Oakland, picking him up and then driving him to Michigan. And it’s not a mission; it’s just a simple assignment.”
Amanda’s foot tapped against the floorboard. “That’s what you always say,” she lamented.
“Well, I’m always right—” Lee started to say, and then clamped his mouth shut. “Never mind.”
*****
Lee pulled the rental car to a halt in front of the science and technology building. "This must be the right place.”
Amanda stretched and then nodded. “Do we really need to start back today? I’ve never been to California, let alone San Francisco. Can’t we at least have dinner on the wharf?”
“Aman-da, this isn’t a vacation.” He stepped out of the car and headed toward the passenger door, opening the door for her. “And we’re on a tight schedule.”
“Yes, Sir.” Amanda saluted him mockingly.
Lee rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Plus, I want to get a jump start on traffic.”
“Do you want me to get out the Rand McNally Road Atlas and be your navigator?” she asked, gesturing back toward the car.
“No, Amanda. I do not need a navigator. I know where I'm going.”
Hastily, a tall, but harried-looking man with thinning light brown hair came through the sliding glass doors of the science and technology building. Amanda surmised he was probably in his early forties, maybe a few years younger. “Lee Stetson, good to see you again,” the man spoke with a distinctive Russian accent.
Startled, Amanda grabbed Lee and pulled him toward her.
“Hey!” Lee protested, scowling.
“Lee, he’s Russian.”
Lee gave her a droll smile, but Amanda was startled again when she heard a voice to her left. “Actually, I’m from the Ukraine.”
“Yes, Amanda, I’d like you to meet Dr. Nicolai Vedmid. Dr. Vedmid, Mrs. Amanda King.”
The doctor took her hand and kissed it. “Amanda, such a pretty name. May I call you Amanda?”
“Umm,” Amanda stammered, but gave a curt nod. “Yes, Dr. Vedmid.”
“No.” He wagged his finger at her. “No Dr. Vedmid. My friends call me Nicky.”
“Okay, Nicky.”
“Why don’t you sit in the backseat with me? I would love the pleasure of your company.”
Lee grabbed Amanda pulling her toward him. “Actually, I need Amanda to sit in the front seat and be my navigator.”
Amanda gaped at Lee. “Umm, I guess I’m sitting in the front with Mr. Stetson.”
“Okay, but if you get tired, there’s much more room in the backseat.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Let’s get loaded up, people. Just pile your stuff into the trunk, Nicky.”
“What are we taking?” Nicky asked, looking around the parking lot.
“The largest car on the rental lot – a Buick LeSabre.”
“No!” Nicky protested vehemently.
“No,” Amanda repeated, surprised. She looked over at Lee and observed his jaw pulsating.
Lee closed his eyes and counted to ten. “What’s wrong with the LeSabre?” he finally asked.
“I want to go in style.”
“The LeSabre is a very stylish car. I can’t take a sports car; there would be no room for the three of us and our luggage.”
“No sports car. I want a limousine.”
“Are you crazy? We are going to a conference on alternative fuels and you want to take the biggest, gas-guzzling vehicle around? Why don’t we just rent a semi?”
“Now you are just being silly, Lee.”
“Yeah, Lee,” Amanda affirmed. “Well, you have to admit a semi-truck would be rather silly.”
Lee shot her a glance and swore under his breath. “I’m not going to do it. Now get into the car.”
Nicky shook his head. “No.”
“Then we will have to take you by plane. Don’t make me do what I had to do last time.”
“You wouldn’t dare?”
Lee stood toe to toe with Nicky. "Try me.”
“Fellas,” Amanda interrupted, taking over the role of peacemaker. “Let’s try to come up with some sort of compromise. The longer we sit here and argue the more time we are wasting. Lee, really, what’s wrong with driving a limo? I know you have done it before.”
“Yes, across town, but not across the whole damn country.”
Amanda gently touched his shoulder and pleaded with him with her eyes.
He threw up his hands in protest. “Fine. Let me call the Agency and see if the travel department can make arrangements for us to get our hands on a limousine.”
*****
"Don't you just love the open road?" Lee questioned sarcastically, sometime later when they were in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate leading out of San Francisco.
Amanda, who was sitting in the passenger seat, tensely clasped and unclasped her hands.
Lee slapped his steering wheel in frustration as a car cut in front of him, "It's going to be three hours before we are even out of this damn city! Of course, we would be further down the road if we had not had to stop for all that food.”
“We’re on a road trip, Lee. We have to load up on snacks," Amanda rationalized.
“Yes, but did we have to stop at three different stores?”
“Well, we didn’t want just junk food. And one of the stores was your idea, because you had to have your moldy cheese.”
“It’s not moldy cheese – it’s a Camembert.”
"Awe, yes," Nicky's voice came from the backseat. "I can just feel the love."
*****
Several hours and several miles later, Lee continued to drive down the dark deserted Nevada highway. He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and stole a quick glance at his companion. Amanda sat in the seat beside him, her arms folded across her chest as she watched the bleak desert scenery flash by them. Her face glowed in the soft moonlight. He then looked in the rear-view mirror and saw that his other passenger was lying down across the seat, snoring softly.
“Are there anymore grapes?” He quietly asked Amanda.
“Huh?” Amanda questioned, her thoughts broken by his voice.
“Grapes?” Lee asked again.
“Oh, yeah.” She opened a small cooler that lay at her feet. Then grabbed a small bunch of grapes, put them on a paper towel, and handed them to him. She then yawned and tried to stretch the kinks out of her neck.
“Tired?” he asked with a shrug.
“A little. Are we going to be stopping soon?”
“I was hoping to make Salt Lake on our first day, but I don’t think we’re going to get that far, so I think we’ll stop in Reno for the night.”
“That will be nice.” Amanda grabbed a can of Coke from the cooler and popped open the lid. “Did you need me to drive?”
“No, I’m okay, but I might have you take the first shift in the morning.”
Amanda nodded her head. "You know, this is actually kind of fun," she said after taking a swig of her soda. "Being on the road with you and all. And thanks for taking the time to let me eat at Alioto's on the Wharf.”
Lee nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, trying to appear indifferent. “We had the time anyway waiting for the Agency to make the arrangements.” He then gave her a dimpled grin and laughed heartily. “You should have heard Billy. His voice raised two octaves.”
She reached her hand out and patted Lee on his thigh. They then both looked down at where Amanda had her hand, she quickly drew it away and Lee cleared his throat. Her touch had sent jolts of electricity coursing through him. He rolled down the window and took several deep breaths.
She gave Lee a quizzical look and cocked her head. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I just needed some fresh air, I was getting a little drowsy.”
“Maybe we should stop for the night?”
“Yeah, maybe we should.” He rolled up the window, but left it open just a crack. Cool air whistled through the open window.
“Maybe the radio would help?” Amanda suggested, turning on the stereo. The radio crackled to life and she twisted the dials until she came to a news station.
“Weather for Reno tomorrow will be a high of 57°F and a low of 32°F,” the radio announcer reported.
“Not too bad for the middle of winter,” Amanda stated.
“I guess you would rather be snuggled up next to Dan?”
“Who?” Amanda asked perplexed, looking around the interior of the car.
“You know Dan, Dan the weatherman,” Lee spat.
“You mean Dean. And why I never—” she huffed. "You're sounding like a jealous person." Amanda pointed an accusing finger at him.
Lee could not believe his ears. "I do not sound like a jeal…" he began to protest.
“Actually, Lee, you do,” came a sleepy voice from the backseat.
“Put a sock in it, Nicky.” He snarled, while he rolled up the divider between the front and rear seats.
*****
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting shadows over the Sierra Nevada Mountains while Amanda expertly maneuvered the limousine down Interstate-80. She yawned viciously.
“Tired?” Lee teased from the passenger seat. “What happened to ‘Miss Perky in the Morning’?”
“She was enjoying the warmth of her bed and did not appreciate the knock on her door at o’dark-thirty.”
“Well, I came bearing gifts. I brought you coffee with sugar.” He held the cup in front of her.
Amanda reached for her coffee and took a sip of the bitter liquid. “Thanks, I really needed that this morning.”
Lee glanced at the speedometer. "Amanda, what are you doing?"
“What?” she yelped, surprised.
“It’s a speed limit, not a speed suggestion. Time’s a wastin,’ put some lead into it.”
“Fine, but if I get a speeding ticket, the Agency is paying for it.”
Lee nodded his head in agreement. “Fine.” He then unfolded a newspaper, opened it, and began to read. “Damn!”
“What?” Amanda asked, startled, looking for the tale-tell signs of flashing red and blue lights.
“The NFC beat the AFC and I had money on that game, too.”
Nicky leaned across the partisan. “What was the score?”
“It was a blowout, 45 to 3.”
Nicky let out a whistle. “Do you mind if I have the comics?”
“Go ahead, here.” He handed Nicky a section of the newspaper.
Nicky leaned back and began to read the paper; occasionally Lee and Amanda would hear soft laughter coming from the backseat. They both looked at each other and shook their heads.
Several minutes later, Nicky heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m bored.”
“Tough,” Lee stated, still reading the newspaper. “If we had taken a plane, we would have been there by now.”
“Are we there yet?” Amanda piped in, playing along.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” Nicky then said, jokingly.
Lee turned around to look at Nicky.
“Mom, he’s looking at me.”
“Don’t make me have to pull this car over,” Amanda said in her best ‘mother means it’ tone.
“Come again?” Lee asked mystified. “You both have completely lost your marbles.”
Nicky and Amanda laughed hysterically.
Amanda taunted him after the laughter had subsided, “Oh, come on Lee, didn’t you ever go on any road trips?”
“The Colonel was not big on unnecessary travel, so no.” He held up the newspaper and began to read again.
Amanda returned her attention back to her driving for a few minutes before the silence was interrupted by a loud exploding noise. Lee instinctively reached for his gun under his coat jacket. The black limousine bounced and twisted horribly as a large piece of rubber flew out from under the vehicle, barely missing the car traveling behind them. The car honked its horn as it zoomed past them. Amanda muttered under her breath offering up a silent prayer as she struggled to gain control of the wildly moving vehicle. Somehow, she did, and it came to a sudden, dusty stop on the shoulder of the road. Her breathing was labored, as she took several moments to collect her wits.
"Are you alright?” she heard Lee ask concerned.
Amanda nodded her head and grabbed her chest. “I will be as soon as my heart returns to my chest.”
Lee stepped out of the limo and observed the damage. “Well, you blew the left rear tire. It’s in shreds, but the wheel appears to be fine.” He stood up and dusted his hands off onto his pants. Amanda was standing next to him visually shaken. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Oh, my gosh, Lee! I’ve never been so frightened. I was afraid we were going to flip.”
He pulled her toward him and put his arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay. We are fine. The limo is fine. Now, why don’t you sit in the passenger seat for a while? Nicky and I will get this tire changed and then I will do the driving until you think you can manage, okay?”
A tender smile crossed his face and Amanda nodded slowly. Lee then opened the door and helped Amanda into the passenger seat; he then turned to his attention to his passenger in the backseat. “Come on Nicky, why don’t you help me get this tire off.”
*****
Later that evening, somewhere outside Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lee was driving down the interstate.
"Chips?" Amanda offered, holding out the bag of potato chips. Lee took a handful. “So, what’s yours and Nicky’s story?” Amanda asked him inquisitively.
“I helped him defect. Stole him right under Issac Petrovich’s nose too. Boy, did I put egg on that KGB agent’s face.” He laughed zealously. “The Russians would love to have him back. Don’t tell Nicky, but he really is a brilliant scientist. The United States is lucky to have him.”
“Aw. That’s sweet of you, Lee.” They both turned around when they heard a voice from the backseat.
Lee’s smile faded. “I thought you were taking a nap.”
“I was.” He stretched his arms over his head and then rolled his neck. “Are we going to be stopping for dinner soon? I’m starving.”
“Yeah, we’re almost to Cheyenne. We can stop for dinner, but I would like to push it to Lincoln or at least Grand Island before we stop for the night. Amanda, are you up for more driving?”
“I think I will be after I get something to eat. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”
“Humans need fuel just as much as automobiles,” Nicky added.
“Tell me about your research,” Amanda asked, turning around to face him.
“Don’t get me wrong. Fossil fuels are good, but there is only a limited supply and when we are out, we will be out. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, alternative fuels like alcohol-based fuels are the future. Alcohols can be used in internal combustion engines. My personal favorite is Butanol because it has an advantage to other fuels as it can be transported readily by existing petroleum-product pipeline networks, instead of only by tanker trucks and railroad cars.”
“Remarkable.” Amanda nodded her head in interest.
“Yes, at the university, we have been looking into ways of making alternative fuels work, so hopefully we do not have to face another energy crisis.”
“Yes, I remember the dreadful lines at the gas stations and so many stations selling out of fuel. It was awful.”
“Well, we are working with cars fully capable of running either on methanol or ethanol blended with gasoline.”
“And that is what you are going to present at a symposium?”
“Yes, one of the model cars is already in Detroit and we are going to unveil it to the automakers this weekend.”
“That’s incredible!” Amanda looked over at Lee and saw him rolling his eyes; she smacked him on the arm.
“Owww!” he mumbled, rubbing it.
“It’s my hope in less than twenty years this great nation will no longer be dependent on oil from the Middle East,” Nicky continued.
“Well, I’m sure your car will be a star at the conference.”
“If we ever get there,” Lee bellyached. “Time to stop for dinner. We should probably fuel up while we are here, too. Either of you have a preference where you would like to eat?”
“Wherever you decide is fine with me,” Amanda told him.
“How about Marvelous Marvin’s?” Lee suggested to the occupants of the car.
“Not that rock gut, Lee,” Nicky grumbled.
“And what’s wrong with Marvelous Marvin’s? It’s quick and we don’t have all evening." Lee glanced at Nicky in the rear-view mirror.
“I was thinking more along the lines of Italian.”
“Nicky, be real, this is Cheyenne, not New York. We aren’t going to find a nice Italian restaurant.” Lee was trying to keep his temper in check.
“Then how about Japanese?”
“How about a punch in the mouth?”
“Chinese?”
Lee growled and started to pull the car over.
Amanda put two fingers to her mouth and whistled, getting Nicky and Lee’s attention.
“What?” They both asked, surprised.
Amanda turned around to face Nicky and in a gentle, but stern voice said, “Nicky, as much as Japanese or Italian sounds good, Mr. Stetson is correct, we still have a long drive ahead of us this evening and we need to get something quick.” She then turned her attention to Lee. “And Lee, how about Marvelous Marvin’s tonight and when we reach Detroit we can all go out and have a nice fancy dinner together, okay?”
Nicky nodded his head. “Anything for you, Amanda.”
Lee groaned. Then turning on the turn signal, he drove the limousine off the freeway and down the off-ramp.
*****
Continuing with their journey, the rest of the trip had been uneventful and Amanda snoozed softly while sitting in the passenger seat, her head lulled against the window. Lee stole a glimpse and the car zigged slightly running over the reflector markers making a sudden bumping noise. Lee took control over the car and straightened it out again, but jarred Amanda awake.
“Tired?” she sleepily asked him.
“No, just let my mind wander for a bit. Sorry if I woke you.”
She nodded, stretched, and then flexed her fingers. “Where are we?”
“Just skirted Chicago, should be coming into Gary, Indiana soon.”
Nicky began to hum a tune. Amanda, recognizing the song, began to sing. “Gary, Indiana. Gary, Indiana.”
Baffled, Lee asked, “What?”
“Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but—” Nicky’s tenor voice joined in.
“Gary, Indiana,” Amanda’s sweet alto voice sang out.
“Gary, Indiana,” Nicky parroted. “Gary, Indiana.”
“My home sweet home,” Amanda and Nicky chorused together and then clapped when they finished the song.
“Ok-la-homa!” Nicky began to sing.
“Oh, my God! I’m in musical theater hell!” Staring at the two of them, Lee ran the car over the rumble strip and then straightened out the car again.
Amanda and Nicky laughed energetically.
That same moment, from the corner of his eye, out the side-view mirror, Lee observed an older Volkswagen van swerve suddenly. Not saying anything to his passengers yet, he calmly pushed on the accelerator and sped up the car a bit. The van matched his speed. “We’ve got a problem.” He reached into his coat jacket and removed his Beretta from his holster. Laying it on the center console, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand on the gun, he checked the magazine. He glanced over at Amanda; a look of sheer terror was on her face.
“Get us out of here, Lee,” she pleaded, her voice barely loud enough for him to hear.
“Here,” he said, handing her the gun. “I need you to hold this.”
“Lee, I can’t.” Amanda pushed the gun back toward Lee, but Lee pressed it into her side.
“Yes, you can. I’m not asking you to shoot. Just hold it for now. I need both hands to drive.”
With trembling hands, Amanda took the firearm from him.
“Hang on,” Lee hollered as he pushed the gas pedal to the floor trying to put as much distance between them. With the sudden burst of power, the limousine fishtailed wildly and the tires squealed in protest. Lee corrected it and the car picked up speed.
“Whoa!” he heard Nicky mutter from the backseat.
Lee weaved in and out of traffic on the congested roadway. Around them cars honked their horns and brakes screeched, but the men pursuing them were still on his tail. Glancing over at Amanda, he saw her tighten the shoulder strap of her seatbelt. All of a sudden, Amanda screamed, “Lee, look out!”
Traffic was slowing down for the late afternoon commute. Lee slammed on the brakes and then jerked the steering wheel to the right. The tires lost traction on the gravel lining the shoulders and the limousine fishtailed again. Lee fought to control the car. The car swung uncontrollably up the hillside. Lee turned sharply, spraying dirt and gravel everywhere.
Amanda screamed again. “Oh, my—”
Lee saw what Amanda had observed, they were headed straight toward a motorist information sign. He swerved in time to miss, but scraped a corner of the undercarriage of the road sign. The vinyl ripped away from the roof of the limousine and ragged edges of vinyl waved as the car continued down the road. Lee looked behind him and witnessed the pursuing car swerve to avoid a collision. The van skidded wildly. The driver over-corrected and the vehicle rolled over, finally landing on the roof in the median strip of the interstate. Lee slammed on the brakes and brought the limousine to a screeching halt. He jumped out and ran toward the van. Amanda quickly got out of the car, too.
“Stay in the car,” she told Nicky.
One of the men crawled out from the shattered passenger window. Lee leapt into action and grabbed the scrambling man by the back on his shirttail, then turning him around he punched him in the gut and then an upper right hook to the jaw. The man fell to the pavement and was out for the count. Rubbing his hand, Lee looked inside the van and saw everyone else was unconscious. Amanda ran toward him. Holding the gun in disgust, as if she was holding a dirty diaper, she handed it to Lee. He took his weapon from her and trained the gun on the suspects, then turned slightly toward her and smiled.
*****
Lee and Amanda were slowly walking down the jetway waiting for their flight home. Lee had a carry-on bag and his suit jacket slung over his shoulder.
“It was sure nice of Billy to upgrade our seats to first class,” Amanda gushed, shifting her weight with the bag and purse she was carrying.
“He felt it was the least he could do after driving more than halfway across the country, although it’s just a short flight from Detroit to Dulles.”
Amanda nodded several times and then smiled. “And I was right; Nicky’s designs were a hit at the conference."
"Yes, you were right," Lee agreed.
"So, what happens to Nicky now?”
“He’ll head back to Oakland and continue teaching.”
“How’s he getting back home?” Amanda asked curiously.
“He’s flying.”
A look of total disbelief crossed Amanda's face and Lee just shrugged. Then Amanda laughed and Lee joined her.
“Yeah, his psychic told him it was safe to travel this week. Hey, what can I say, I did tell you he was a bit eccentric and sometimes life is stranger than fiction.” Lee let Amanda board the airplane first and he briefly nodded to the pilot and stewardess.
“So, who were those men chasing us and what did they want?”
“They were KGB," Lee paused for a moment, before continuing. "Do you remember that rest stop we made outside of Juliet?”
Amanda nodded her head.
“They spotted us. A one in a million chance encounter, if you ask me.”
“Kind of like a housewife meeting a spy at a train station?”
“Aman-da, how many times do I have to tell you, it's intelligence operative?”
“Gotcha," Amanda said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. She then settled in her seat.
Lee shook his head, barely repressing a chuckle that threatened to escape. He then placed hers and his carry-on in the overhead compartment. “Do you want to hear the story or not?”
“Yes. Please continue.”
Lee sat down next to her, while she fastened her lap belt. “Anyway, as I was saying, they had flown into O’Hare the day before with the intent of finding Nicky, kidnapping him, and bringing him back to Russia.”
“But we foiled their plan?”
“We?” He quirked an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, we. You and me.” She wagged her finger between herself and Lee and then gave him an intolerable look. “Heaven forbid should one nice thing slip out of your mouth.”
Lee did not answer her, but he waved down a flight attendant.
“May I help you, Sir?” The buxom blonde asked, leaning over his seat, giving him a full view of her cleavage.
“Two glasses of champagne, please.”
“Right away.” She winked at him.
Lee's eyes followed the stewardess as she walked away and he nodded his approval.
“And what are we drinking to?” Amanda asked a few moments later, after the stewardess had brought them their glasses.
Lee gave Amanda a cocky grin. “Umm, how about to gun handling skills?”
Amanda shook her head at him and then softly chuckled. “Fine. Then I guess I will drink to driving skills.”
Slightly embarrassed, Lee flushed and he muttered, “Touché, I guess you got me there.” He clinked his glass to hers. “However, I did get us out of there.”
Amanda nodded her head slightly. “Fair enough. To driving skills.”
They both took a sip of champagne and then giggled.
**Cheryl's Challenge Story: True story: the other day I was driving in my home town, which is in Michigan. (For those of us who do not live in the States, Michigan is about 2,000 miles from California) I saw a limousine with California plates. The car was black and in good condition except for the roof. The vinyl was ripped away from the roof. Ragged edges of the vinyl waved as the car moved down the road. The challenge: why was this car 2,000 miles from home and what caused the damage to the roof? The rules: as long or short as you'd like, any genre, containing at least two characters with interactive dialogue.