IT'S 11:00 PM-DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE?

Jamie scrunched his pillow and flopped back on his bed. The springs squeaked loudly in protest. Philip looked over at his brother. "Hey sprout, what’s bugging you?"

Turning his back, Jamie growled, "Don’t call me sprout!"

Philip reached up and turned off the lamp between their beds. "O.K., so go ahead and sulk," he said, burrowing under his blankets. "I don’t care."

After a few minutes of heavy silence in the room, Jamie squirmed loudly. "Philip," he listened to the sound of his brother’s breathing. "Hey Phil, you asleep?"

"Not yet," Philip answered. "It’s kind of hard to do, with you wrestling with your mattress every ten seconds."

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Jamie whispered.

"Nah!" Philip responded confidently.

"Yeah, well you don’t have to walk down the aisle with Mrs. Andrews," Jamie muttered.

Philip clucked sympathetically, and his eyes took on a mischievous glint. "True enough." Balancing on his elbow, he propped his chin on his hand. "Whatever you do, kiddo don’t trip; if she falls on you it’ll kill you," he teased.

"I can see it now," he continued in a solemn tone, "we’d just hold the funeral right then and there, since everybody’d be there and all dressed up and everything." He paused dramatically, wiped a fake tear from his eye, and then continued, "James Gregory King died on February 12, 1987. He gave he life in the performance of his duty as an usher; crushed under Hattie the hippo."

"Ohhh man, you better not let Mom hear you call her that!" Jamie warned.

Philip tried unsuccessfully to look contrite and added, "OOPS, I mean under the brides mother."

"Jeez, Philip," Jamie sighed, "can’t you ever be serious? What if I screw everything up royally? I’m so nervous. I can’t see how you can be so calm."

Philip flopped onto his back. "I just don’t see any reason to get tied up in knots Jamie. You’re not gonna goof anything up. It’s no big deal. Twenty four hours from now it’ll be over, and all anyone will remember is how pretty the bride looked."

"It’s easy for you to say; everything always comes easy for you."

"I’d come easy for you too Jamie if you’d just loosen up a little. You’d be an OK guy, you know?"

Jamie considered his brother’s advice. "Maybe," he agreed cautiously. "Philip?"

Philip groaned in protest, "Now what?"

"Will you introduce me to Carrie’s niece tomorrow?"

Philip yawned loudly. "Yeah, sure. Now shut up and let me sleep."

Dotty walked past the open door to their room. "There’s an awful lot of talking going on in here. You two had better get to sleep; tomorrow’s going to be a very long day," she reminded them.

"Yes Grandma," chorused both boys at her retreating back.

The receiving line shuffled slowly forward; its rhythm made ragged by the varying length of the congratulatory wishes offered to the bridal couple. Just ahead of Lee and Amanda, an older couple spoke to Joe and Carrie. "Carrie darling, you look divine in that shade of rose! Doesn’t she look beautiful Connor?" She prodded the man by her side. "Welcome to the family Joe," she said warmly.

Connie Andrews thrust his hand out at Joe and pumped it vigorously. "Yes Sir, welcome to the family Son! It’s about time somebody tamed my favorite niece. High time she did the right thing by her Mama, let me tell you." Winking broadly he continued, "I expect our family will be expanding again real soon now that Carrie has a proven stallion in the paddock, Eh?"

Carrie’s answering blush matched the pink of her dress. "Honestly Uncle Connie!" Turning to Joe she said, "Please Joe, Sweetheart let me assure you nobody in the family pays any attention to Uncle Connie! He’s all bluster and no bite." Turning back to the receiving line, she said, "Aunt Joan, Uncle Connor, I’d like you to meet Joe’s sons, Philip and Jamie King. Jamie, Philip, this is my favorite aunt, Joan Andrews, and my most incorrigible uncle, Connor Andrews."

As Philip and Jamie dutifully shook hands with Carrie’s aunt and uncle, Amanda reached over and shook Carrie’s hand. "Carrie you do look lovely. Congratulations Joe," she said.

Joe flashed Amanda a grateful smile. "I’m glad you came today; you too, Lee, thanks."

Lee shook Joe’s hand. "Congratulations Joe," he said with a broad grin, barely containing his mirth at Aunt Joan’s expression as she heard Jamie and Philip loudly greeting their mother.

Her face pink with mortification, Joan dragged her hapless husband away from the receiving line. "Connor Andrews how could you embarrass me like that? And in front of Joe’s ex-wife--"

"But Joanie, how was I to know his ex was right behind me? And anyway what’s so bad about what I said? She certainly knows already he’s a proven--"

"Don’t you dare say it, Connor! Where’s the buffet table," she muttered desperately. "I can see the only way I’m going to keep you quiet is to fill that big mouth of yours with food."

Behind the rapidly retreating couple, Lee wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.

Amanda stood at her kitchen window, watching the clouds move across the full moon, relishing the quiet. The light from the moon flowed throughout the broken clouds in a lacy pattern and she smiled at the beauty of it. Lee slipped in the back door; kicking it shut with his foot. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed her neck. "Hi, is the coast clear?"

She turned to meet his embrace. "Yes, the boys are finally asleep and Mother is out with Captain Kurt."

Lee sat on the couch in the family room, and patted the empty space beside him invitingly. Amanda curled up against his shoulder, tucking her feet beneath her. Lee reached down and clasped her hand. "Thank you for coming with me today," she said. "You made it a lot easier."

"It was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world, Amanda, truly a smorgasbord of bizarre behavior. My favorite was the Uncle in the receiving line." He glanced over at Amanda and saw that she was staring into space. "Hey are you listening?"

"Sure I am; I’m just a little tired I guess. I’m really happy for Joe though."

Lee leaned over and stroked her face gently. "Are you sure about that? You’re not just a little bit jealous that he married someone else?"

"Not even a tiny bit. I’m in love with you, remember?" She kissed him lightly.

"Yes you are, and don’t you ever forget it," he replied sternly. "But I know you Amanda King. You’re upset about something. Are the boys going at each other again?"

"No they’re fine. I’m just out of sorts. I felt so...well, like I was on exhibit all day I guess."

"I told you that dress would make you the hit of the party." He tickled her playfully.

Amanda grabbed his hands. "Stop it please! I’m really not in the mood."

Lee straightened up, his eyes reflecting his concern. "You are upset. Talk to me Amanda."

Amanda curled up in his arms again. "It’s just that people kept watching me. Every time I turned around somebody was wondering how I really felt about my ex-husband getting married, or whispering about Jamie and Philip, or speculating on what Joe and Carrie will name their first child. I suppose it would have been easier all around if I hadn’t gone, but I think it’s important for Jamie and Philip to know I support their Dad’s marriage." She twisted around and rubbed her neck, "I have such a headache."

"Well here," he said, "I can help that." He began to knead her shoulders with a firm hand.

Amanda stretched sinuously to the rhythm of his hands. "God, er gosh, that feels good," she whispered.

"Maybe I missed my calling," he said. "I could go into business--"

"Oh no you don’t Lee Stetson! I intend to be the sole recipient of your magic fingers for a long, long time."

Lee finished the massage. "Feel better?"

"Yes," Amanda answered.

"I thought I’d lost you at the reception this afternoon. Where did you go?"

"I got waylaid in the powder room by one of Carrie’s aunts, who thought I needed to hear the entire history of the Andrews family," she answered.

"I gather that Carrie’s first marriage didn’t sit too well with most of her family?"

"Apparently not," Amanda said. "According to this aunt, she eloped with some counter culture radical; walked out on everything, quit school--gosh if I’d done that, Mother would have called out the National Guard-- anyway, I guess she’s spent the last few years putting her life back together after her husband dumped her and married a rich widow with a European title."

"Obviously her ex is no longer a counter culture type," Lee said.

"I’d say not," Amanda agreed with a faint smile. "Anyway, Carrie’s whole family is besotted with Joe. They think he’ll settle her down, and convince her to raise a family," she finished soberly.

"Amanda," Lee began hesitantly, "did all the talk about Joe starting another family with Carrie bother you?"

"No, of course not!" Lee stared back at her and she squirmed a little under his scrutiny. "It didn’t bother me," she repeated. "Not the way you think, but it was sort of, well, I guess I’d have to say strange," she admitted. "I mean listening to everyone anticipate the ‘blessed event’--which everyone assumes will follow immediately by the way--was odd."

"It’s a natural assumption for people to make isn’t it?" asked Lee. "Isn’t that the way it’s done by normal people?"

"Mmm. Not so long ago I’d have told you so. Now, well I’m not so sure there is any such thing as normal."

Lee traced the curve of her jaw with his finger. "Amanda, you know we’ve got to make our own rules, don’t you?"

She turned to face him. "Here’s to making our own rules," she whispered, kissing him.

April 1990

"Let’s give a big Jackson High Jaguar round of applause to our cheerleading squad folks for the great job they’re doing supporting our team!" Squealing feedback drowned out the remaining announcement. "Sorry folks," apologized the announcer, "let me repeat, don’t forget to buy your 1990 edition of the official Jaguar sweatshirt right away, only $22.50 each, and parts of the proceeds benefit our scholarship fund."

Underneath the stands Jamie King stood with a group of other students who paid no attention to the announcements or to the game. "What’s the matter, baby face?" sneered Rob Coutchie. "I thought you wanted to be one of the guys? Let’s see you prove it!" He thrust a smoldering cigarette at Jamie aggressively. "Well go on King, it ain’t gonna smoke itself you know; take a drag." He smirked as Jamie scowled and took a step backward. Coutchie looked at the others with a triumphant grin. "I told you he wouldn’t cut it!" One or two of the other boys nodded in agreement.

Jamie’s chin jerked up. He glanced nervously around the group, and then awkwardly puffed on the cigarette. His eyes watered and he struggled to look cool as the smoke burned his nose.

"If I were you Mr. King, I’d put that cigarette out right now; smoking is forbidden on school grounds I believe." Jamie jumped guiltily and dropped the cigarette. He quickly scuffed it out with his foot. "I suggest you all find seats in the stands," finished Mr. Collier, the Vice-Principal. Collier moved away from the group as they scattered.

Before he walked off, Coutchie jeered at Jamie, "Jesus King you are such a dork! Everybody knows only dorks smoke these days."

Jamie stood scowling at Coutchie’s back; as he turned to go, Chandra Uppala pulled at his sleeve. "Come Jamie, let’s go for a walk."

Lee flipped a page in the planner in front of him. "...On Thursday a diplomatic reception at the Jordanian Embassy," he nodded across the table, "that one goes to Leshart and Hannon. Pay special attention to crowd control. The ambassador is particularly ill at ease in large groups. You’ll want to coordinate with his internal security staff."

He smiled over the heads of the other agents at Amanda. "Mrs. King, you’ll solo at the first lady’s tea on Friday." He closed the planner and everyone began gathering up their notes. "I think that’s it this afternoon everybody. Turn in your activity logs to Ruthie in Ops."

The conference room door opened and Billy Melrose entered. "Sorry to interrupt Scarecrow, but I have one final note to pass on."

Lee stepped back, allowing Billy to take his place at the head of the table. "They’re all yours Billy."

Billy tapped a file folder with his index finger as he spoke. "All right people, I have here a request from the DC Public School System asking us to provide extra security for the Annual International Field Day." Several agents groaned and exchanged looks of dismay.

Ignoring the histrionics Billy continued, "I know that since this is one of Capitol Hill’s pet projects, you’ll be eager to offer as much help as possible." He swept his gaze around the room, as if waiting for objections. When no one dared to speak up, he smiled and finished, "It’s light duty. Just blend in with the other chaperones. Pay particular attention to the children of the Diplomatic Corps, and please remember everyone, this is supposed to be fun for the kids, so keep your touch light." He distributed files to several agents. "Rios, Fisk, Otterbein, King, Chang and Stetson," he said, "these are the itineraries and the assigned groups for each of you. That’s it everybody." He turned and marched out of the room.

Lee followed quickly, a stricken look on his face, "Billy, hold it a minute!"

Jamie and Chandra walked hand in hand around the perimeter of the ball field; stopping at a small commercial shopping district a couple of blocks away from the field. For a few minutes they window shopped, finally stopping at the Sandwich Shop. Jamie bought a Grape Crush for himself and a Lemonade for Chandra. They carried them to a picnic table on the grassy strip next to the buildings.

Chandra studied Jamie’s face intently as he sipped his soda. "I wish Mr. Collier had seen Coutchie give you the cigarette," she said. "Then he would get what is coming to him."

Jamie hunched his shoulders. "Guys like Coutchie never get caught," he said flatly. "Only geeks like me get hassled."

"You are not a geek Jamie!" Chandra said loyally.

"You just don’t know," he complained. "I wish I were a jock like Philip. He never has to put up with crap from guys like Coutchie. Heck, he’d have belted him one, I’ll bet."

"I like you just the way you are Jamie King," Chandra said. "You are the nicest, smartest boy in the whole school." She squeezed his arm companionably. "Please don’t change Jamie."

Jamie took Chandra’s hand and smiled shyly at her. "I’m glad we’re friends, I like you a lot Chandra." He leaned over and awkwardly kissed her on the side of her mouth. Chandra gasped softly and Jamie backed away. "I’m sorry Chandra," he apologized quickly.

Chandra smiled back at him. "Don’t be sorry Jamie," she told him. "I think I would like it very much if you would kiss me again," she admitted, leaning toward him. The hesitant and awkward kiss that followed Chandra’s invitation was abruptly interrupted when a trio of small boys came whooping across the parking area, throwing a Frisbee between them. Self-consciously Jamie pulled away from her. "I guess we ought to get back," he said.

Chandra checked her watch. "Jamie it is nearly 6:00! Madame Pandit will be furious with me because I am late!"

"Come on," Jamie said, "we can cut across behind Fenser’s, it’ll be faster!" He grabbed her hand and they took off running.

As they rounded the corner of the store, a dark blue sedan careened away from the back of the store and into their path. Chandra screamed as Jamie jerked her back against a dumpster.

The car stopped just inches from them. The driver of the sedan started to get out of the car, shouting angrily. "Damn Brats!"

His companion grabbed his sleeve. "Don’t get out of the car you idiot! We cannot afford to let anyone see us here. Let them go." The sedan sped away.

"Man that was close! Where did that guy come from?"

"I didn’t see Jamie, but I think the driver of the car was a member of my uncle’s staff."

"Why would he be hanging around here?" Jamie asked. "You think he’s out looking for you?"

"I hope not! If so, then I am in more trouble than I thought," she said as they ran.

As soon as they were in sight of the athletic field, Philip King hollered impatiently at them, "Hey Jamie! If you want a ride home, I’m leaving now. Get a move on or you’ll be walking."

Releasing his hold on Chandra’s hand, Jamie ran up to the Explorer, and Chandra got into the diplomatic car parked beside it. Philip turned the key in the ignition as Jamie climbed in. "Jeez Jamie, give me a break will you? If we’re late for supper again, Mom will ground us both for sure," he complained. "What were you doing anyhow?"

Jamie stared out the window. "Nothing you’d be interested in. Just drive will you?"

Philip followed the diplomatic sedan out of the parking lot. "Let me give you a little advice Bro. If you’re going to neck with your girlfriend, keep an eye on the clock. It saves wear and tear on the alibis with Mom."

Jamie blushed in spite of himself. "We weren’t necking!"

"Yeah right," agreed Philip. "If you weren’t you should have been," he continued, "she’s kind of cute."

Jamie shot his brother a withering glare. "Just because you and Linda Sue can’t keep your hands off each other!"

"All right, all right! You weren’t necking. I’m sorry. Just leave Linda Sue out of this, O.K.? You sure are in a lousy mood! What’s eating you?"

As Philip and Jamie reached home, the dark blue sedan also reached its destination. "What if she recognized us? If she tells her uncle--"

"She’s not going to tell her uncle anything; and even if she does, he will not believe her. She’s only a girl and a child at that."

"I’m not willing to take that risk even if you are."

"Leave her to me. I can see that she is out of reach easily enough."

His companion glared at him. "I’d prefer that you not to handle her in the same way you handled the clerk at the coin shop."

"There will be no need of such a drastic solution. She is easy to control. A stray word to her uncle, a certain look at her, and she will no longer be a problem for us."

"What about the other one? If he identifies us--"

You worry too much. His mind was on the girl, not on us. He didn’t see anything but the car, of that I’m certain. Once it is destroyed, there will be nothing to connect either one of us to this."

The IFF phone was ringing as Amanda entered the Q Bureau. She scooped up the receiver in a smooth motion as she sat down at her desk. "Amanda King, film library."

"Joe? Hi! Welcome back."

"You’re not? Where are you?"

"Still in London! Did you miss your flight?"

"What do you mean you’re not coming back here?" Amanda clenched the receiver tightly as she listened to his reply.

"Joe, both Philip and Jamie have been waiting for you to get back, you’ve got plans with them, remember? What am I supposed to tell them?"

"Right, I’ll handle it, sure. Maybe I’ll say something like, ‘Listen Fellas, your dad moved out of the country permanently last night, and Oh, yes, he’ll call you later to say good-bye--that is, if he has time.’ "

Behind her, the door of the Q Bureau opened and Lee entered. "Amanda, are you sure we’ll--" He stopped short as he realized she was on the phone. He crossed the room to his desk to wait for her to end the call.

"Don’t you think your sons deserve better than that from you?"

"Yes, of course I know that; you seldom allow me to forget it. It’s just that you’ve missed so much already--"

"That’s not fair Joe. I’ve hardly been away at all since--"

"Let’s not get into that old fight again."

"I’m not being fair! I don’t give a fig about fair Joe! I’m concerned about how the boys feel."

Lee’s head snapped up sharply and he watched Amanda with concern in his eyes, as her voice turned shrill.

"Of course I’m angry!"

"Why? Really Joe, I can’t believe you don’t know why."

"You’ll invite them to visit you in England this summer. That will certainly solve the problem won’t it? Three days visiting cathedrals and museums with hundreds of other tourists won’t make up for--"

"No, I don’t want to--"

"I’m sick of talking--"

"Stop being so damned-darned--"

"I don’t need to be calmed down--"

"Forget it. Just forget all of it. I wouldn’t want you to put yourself out." Amanda slammed the receiver down. "Damn him!"

She looked up and blushed guiltily when she saw Lee at his desk. "That was Joe."

Lee cleared his throat. "So I gathered." He got up and perched on the corner of her desk. "You know what?"

"What?" she asked.

"You’re very pretty when you blush." Amanda covered her face with her hands and blushed deeper. Lee gently drew her hands away from her face. "You want to tell me why you’re doing it?"

"Guess I put on quite a show for you didn’t I?"

"You and Joe? So what’s the problem? I have seen you angry before, you know. No surprise in that, besides it sounded like you have a reason to be mad. Just as long as you’re not mad at me," he quipped, "we’re fine."

"Watch yourself Stetson, you never know when you’ll be in my line of fire," she warned. She sighed again. "I hate being angry. I feel as if I failed. Besides it’s not ladylike."

Lee raised his eyebrows. "Oh really, who says?"

"Every teacher I had from kindergarten on," Amanda replied. "I think the code of ladylike behavior is part of the Virginia school curriculum. And what I didn’t get from school my mother made sure I got--especially mother. I must have heard her definition of how a lady behaves at least a thousand times. ‘A lady keeps her temper in check at all times Amanda, never speaks without thinking first, and always speaks in well modulated, pleasing tones.’ I think I failed the course."

"Well maybe you took one or two short detours along the way," he teased.

"Thank so much for the vote of confidence," she said. She reached across him for one of the files on her desk. "Come on, let’s finish this a get out of here. Mr. Melrose is expecting you to join him for dinner isn’t he?"

Lee glanced at his watch. "I can cancel if you want me to Amanda. If you need to talk--"

"No, don’t sweetheart. Mr. Melrose will be disappointed if you cancel and anyway I’ve got a ton of chores to do at home."

"I’ll stop by after for a night cap," Lee promised. "You can tell me all about it then."

"I’ll be looking forward to it."

The waitress put the platters down in front of Lee and Billy and walked away. Both men attacked their meals with zest. After a few minutes, Billy leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction. "I needed that! No matter how rotten a week is, one of Randy’s steaks always picks it up."

"Hasn’t been a great week has it?" said Lee. "I don’t know how much longer we can keep going the way we have been. I’ve forgotten what my apartment looks like. What do you hear from the executive floor? Any relief in sight?"

Billy put down his knife and fork and sipped his beer. "Things are going to get worse before they improve Scarecrow," he said. "This is off the record as of now, but it looks like the Oversight Committee will recommend that Asher is out as Smyth’s successor. I guess he stepped on one too many toes."

"Any idea who the next lamb for the slaughter will be?"

Billy’s expression was grim. "I’m sure you meant that as a joke, but it’s likely to be closer to the truth than I care to think."

"You mean you? Hey Billy, that’s terrific!" He raised his beer in a toast, "To the new Director of Covert Activities."

"No toast yet Lee. First of all I’d probably only be Interim Director while they searched for a new Permanent, and second, even that’s not definite yet."

"Well they couldn’t choose a better person than you, Billy. You’ll get the job."

"I don’t think I want the job. I’m not enough of a political animal to handle it."

"After Austin Smyth I consider that a plus," Lee said. "We need someone like you to put the Agency back on solid ground again."

He pushed his plate away and leaned toward Billy. "Uh, listen Billy, speaking of unwanted jobs, how about springing me from the baby-sitting duty?"

"Forget it Scarecrow, you’re on the detail," Billy said firmly. "Amanda tells me her son, Jamie, will be in your group. He eyed Lee closely, merriment reflected in his eyes. You have a problem with that?"

Lee winced. "No, no problem, just because the kid hates me," he muttered under his breath.

"What was that Scarecrow?" asked Billy lightly.

"I said I have a desk full of work in the Q Bureau that..."

"Oh I think I can spare you for one day Stetson," Billy assured him. He chuckled and picked up his briefcase. "Come on, I’ll give you a lift to your car."

"Maybe there’ll be a terrorist attack at the Treasury Building. You’d have to spring me then, Huh?" said Lee as he followed Billy out the door.

Jamie paced nervously in front of the Sandwich Shop, stopping every few minutes to peer up the street, until Chandra came into sight. "Oh Jamie, thank you for coming!"

"You sounded pretty weird on the phone Chandra. I figured I shouldn’t leave you alone. What happened, did you and the dragon lady have an argument?"

"Madame Pandit? No. It is much worse than that," she said beginning to cry.

"Hey, don’t cry on me Chandra!" Jamie said. "It can’t be as bad as all that." Jamie grabbed her hand, "Come on, let’s sit down." He pulled her over to the picnic area. "Now tell me what’s wrong."

Chandra sniffled and swallowed her tears. "My uncle has ordered me to return home."

"Home! I thought you’d convinced him to let you stay another year!"

"The plans have been changed," Chandra said. "He has decided I may not even finish this school year. A...a match has been arranged for me, I am to be married Jamie."

"But you’re only 15! That’s not old enough to get married."

"In my country a girl is often married by the time she is twelve Jamie," Chandra explained.

"That’s crazy! What about what you want?" he asked. "Don’t you have any right to say what happens to you?"

Chandra shook her head. "I am bound by tradition and law to do as I am told."

"It’s my fault isn’t it? They found out you and I were--"

"No Jamie! This has nothing to do with you. The match is with one of his business partners. No doubt an important transaction depends upon my marriage," she said bitterly.

"You mean he’s gonna SELL you!" Jamie hissed. "That’s not legal Chandra!"

"It is in my country Jamie; many such matches are made."

"Well it’s not legal in Virginia," Jamie asserted. "Tomorrow morning we’ll go to the guidance office and tell-"

"That’s just it Jamie," she said. "I am part of the diplomatic mission. We are not subject to the laws of your country, only our own laws. There is nothing Mr. Vernon can do. Oh Jamie, I am so scared!" Jamie tried to comfort her, without much success. In the end, he let her cry it out.

Chandra’s sobs finally tapered off to an occasional sniffle. Jamie stood and extended his hand. "Come on, I know what to do; we can call my dad. He’s a terrific lawyer. If anybody can help it’ll be him." He took off at a trot, eagerly pulling Chandra behind him to the phone booth.

"Jamie, I thought your father was in London," Chandra said. "Surely you can’t call him there!"

Jamie reached into his back pocket, pulled something out, and flashed a calling card under Chandra’s nose. "Sure I can. My mom gave me and Philip a card so we could call her without any hassles when she travels. I’ll just call my dad at his hotel."

Chandra smiled at Jamie for the first time that night, and for the first time that day, allowed herself to hope for a way out.

As he placed the call, Jamie felt a stray wisp of guilt for keeping his mother out of this, but he pushed it resolutely away. His mom was really pretty decent, and could help with a lot of things, but not something like this; no way. This was definitely out of her league; he was absolutely sure about that.

Jamie tapped his foot impatiently while he waited for the hotel in London to answer, straightening instinctively when the hotel desk answered. "My name is Jamie King," he said solemnly, "and I would like to speak to Mr. Joseph King, please."

There was a brief pause on the London end. "I’m sorry, but Mr. and Mrs. King are not in at the moment," said the clerk.

Jamie’s erect posture slumped slightly. "Oh," he said. "Do you know when they will be back?"

"I’m afraid I have no information regarding their itinerary. Would you care to leave a message?"

Jamie kicked at a stone, frustrated. If he left a message, his dad would freak and probably call home. Then his mom and grandma would get into it and that would be disaster. "Um, no-No thank you, I...I’ll just call again later." He hung up the phone. "He’s not in, I’m sorry Chandra. I’ll try later--"

Chandra shook her head. "No Jamie, don’t please. It will only cause more trouble for both of us, and your father could not change my uncle’s mind anyway. It is best if I just go home and do as is expected of me." She turned and ran across the parking lot.

Jamie stood dumbfounded for a second, and then raced to catch up with her. "Hey Chandra, wait a minute, at least let me walk with you to your bus stop!"

After making sure that Chandra was safely on her way home, Jamie retraced his steps to the picnic area. Cutting across the lawn, he ran behind the string of shops. He was going to catch the devil from his mother for being late again, that much he knew. As he passed the rear entrance of Fenser’s his left foot kicked a stone. It flew up glimmering brightly in the light cast by the street lamp and landed a couple of feet in front of him. Jamie stopped, curious, and searched the pavement until he found it. He picked it up and examined it. A ring; it looked like it was pretty expensive too. He’d come back later and see if Mr. Fenser had lost one, he thought. He stuffed it into the pocket of his jeans and headed home.

Jamie inched the door open slowly, paused at the threshold and listened. He could hear his mother’s voice in the living room, and Lee’s deeper voice as he replied. He scowled. At least with him here he had an even chance of getting in without mom noticing that he was late. He kicked off his tennis shoes and padded across the utility room in his stocking feet. He’d almost made it to the stairs when Dotty West breezed in the front door.

"Amanda, I’m back," she called. Spotting Jamie near the foot of the stairs, his grandmother asked, "Jamie honey! What are you doing down here at this late hour?" Jamie froze in place.

Amanda spoke from the living room doorway. "Getting himself into very big trouble is what he’s doing mother."

Dotty smiled sympathetically at Jamie. "Oh dear, I guess I should have kept my mouth shut."

"No you shouldn’t have, mother," replied Amanda. "Jamie should have been in more than an hour ago."

Jamie tried to squeeze past his grandmother, and up the stairs. "I’m not through talking to you yet young man, just hold it right there," Amanda ordered. Jamie stopped two steps up from the landing and turned to face her. "Where were you tonight?" she asked.

"I was with Chris and Spud, at the movies. His brother was supposed to pick us up after, but he was late and..."

Dotty quickly headed up the stairs. "I think I’ll turn in," she said.

Amanda waited until her mother had disappeared and then turned to Jamie. "I know for a fact that Chris and Spud were home before their curfews. I called their mothers; you never showed up at the movies. Where were you tonight Jamie?" she repeated.

When he didn’t answer her, Lee spoke from behind her. "Your mother is waiting for an answer Jamie, I think she deserves one, don’t you? Tell her where you were."

"Just out with some friends," Jamie replied sullenly.

"That’s not good enough Jamie," said Amanda. "I want to know exactly where you were, and with whom."

"Why do you have to know every tiny little detail of my life? Can’t a guy have any privacy?"

"I’m not trying to pry Jamie. I’m your mother, I’m responsible for you, and I worry about you."

"Well you don’t have to worry about me; I can take care of myself just fine. I won’t get in any trouble because you won’t let me go anywhere interesting," he grumbled. "It’s not fair, you let Philip go anywhere he wants to!"

"This is not about your brother Jamie; don’t change the subject." Jamie stared down at his shoes, stubbornly silent. "Sweetheart, you’re too young to be doing the same things Philip does. He’s a junior and you’re only a freshman. Don’t be in such a hurry! You still have plenty of time ahead of you." She moved to put her arm around him, but he pulled away. She sucked in her breath; obviously hurt by his rejection. "All right, you say I don’t let you do anything. How about us getting a camping trip going? You could invite Chris and Spud to come along. We can all use some recreation time."

Jamie rolled his eyes. "A camping trip; that is so lame, mom!"

Lee interrupted angrily, "Hold it right there Mister! You don’t speak to your mother in that tone --ever! Do you hear me?"

Jamie glared at Lee but stopped short of a direct challenge to his authority. "May I go to bed now?" he asked. "I’m really tired."

"Go," Amanda replied, "and consider yourself grounded until further notice, young man."

"It’s only a few minutes past 11:30! That’s not so late."

"In bed, Jamie. Don’t push me," Amanda ordered.

Back in the living room, Amanda dropped tiredly into a chair. "Am I allowed to resign from the National Mother’s Union?"

Lee chuckled softly. "Oh come on, it’s not that bad is it?"

Amanda frowned. "It feels that bad," she said. "I’m so frustrated Lee! It was never like this with Philip. Jamie used to be such an easy going, obedient child. This is the third time this month he’s missed curfew. I’ve tried ignoring it, I’ve tried punishing him, but nothing works. Everything just rolls off his back," she said. "He actually lied flat out tonight. He never had any intention of going to the movies. Why couldn’t he just tell me that? He used to tell me everything. For the first time, I don’t know what my son is thinking and it’s scaring me to death."

"I don’t know what to say Amanda," Lee replied. "I can’t even keep my temper when he gets a little smart mouthed." He ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end. "I don’t know about Jamie, Amanda, but I think we do need some family time. On Sunday, how about we all drive up to Annapolis and check out the Marina? The boy’s will love it. I’ve got my eye on a sweet little sailboat; we can rent it and-"

"Lee, not five minutes ago I grounded Jamie! How can he go sailing?"

Lee flashed her a grin. "I distinctly heard you say ‘till further notice,’ Amanda. Just lift the sentence temporarily. He needs some fun as much as we do. Maybe I can get him to loosen up and tell me what’s on his mind. Besides, if I remember being 15, going on an outing with the family was a kind of punishment."

Amanda sighed. "You’re as incorrigible as Jamie is! All right, you make the arrangements and I’ll tell Jamie his grounding is suspended temporarily."

Amanda squeezed her eyes shut against the annoying buzz of the insect and batted at the air, trying to shoo it away. Finally however, the actual source of the noise penetrated her sleep-fogged brain, her cell phone. She slid up, against the headboard and flipped open the receiver. Her ‘hello’ came out as a dry rasp. Clearing her throat, she repeated, "Hello?"

"Hi, it’s me." Sorry I woke you."

Amanda immediately relaxed, and burrowed back underneath her blankets. "Lee!" She squinted at the clock on the bedside table. "It’s not even 7:00 am yet. What wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong; I just miss you. I wish I could be there to wake you in person, Amanda," he said softly.

Amanda smiled. "If you were here in person Lee Stetson, we’d have only just gotten to sleep."

"I love the way you think Mrs. Stetson."

"So do I, Mr. Stetson. But I don’t believe for a second you called at..." she squinted again at the clock, "...5:47 a.m. just to push my buttons. You don’t seduce when there’s no hope of a payoff. What’s the real reason?"

"Amanda, have you told Philip and Jamie about the sail yet?" The unspoken words hung in the air between them.

"Oh Lee, no!"

"Oh yes, Amanda. I just talked to Billy. He wants us in the office today."

"Did he say why?"

"Not at 5:30 a.m. he didn’t, no. He wasn’t in the mood to argue either. I told him we’d be there by 10:00, Amanda; so you’ve got time to do damage control."

"The boys are going to be as disappointed as I am, but I guess it can’t be helped."

"I’m sorry Amanda. I love you."

"She sighed, her frustration evident. " I love you too, sweetheart, but unfortunately Billy doesn’t. We can’t soften him up with sweet talk. We’ll just make the best of it. I’ll be ready at by 9:15."

Dotty knelt in the garden weeding her rose beds. Wiping perspiration off her face, she got to her feet and waved as Lee’s Corvette pulled into the driveway. Picking up her basket of tools, she went into the house. "Amanda! Lee’s here!"

The sound of Amanda’s feet running along the second floor hallway echoed through the house. She leaned over the balustrade, "My gosh why is he always early when I’m running late? Tell him I’ll be down in a minute, please mother."

Turning, she opened the front door. "Amanda will be ready in a minute Lee."

He waved and shut off the ignition. Setting the parking brake, he popped the hood and disappeared behind it.

Closing the door, Dotty craned her neck and looked up. "From the look of you it’ll be more than a minute; that slip is lovely dear, but I doubt it’s the latest in office wear."

A few minutes later, Amanda clattered down the stairs into the family room, pinning up her hair as she ran. "I thought you had the day off Amanda," said Dotty.

"I did, mother, but something came up at the last minute."

"I swear Amanda something is always coming up with that film company. What can be so urgent about a documentary film?"

"I don’t know mother," she replied, "all I know is the work has to be done." She darted into the utility room and picked up her jacket.

"When will you be back?" Dotty asked.

"As soon as I can be, mother. I’m only going down to IFF."

"That’s what you always say dear, and then the boys and I don’t see you for three days."

Philip handed his mother a cup of coffee as she rushed past him. "Thank you sweetheart!" she exclaimed, grateful for the diversion from her mother’s persistent questions. Gulping the coffee she asked, "Where’s Lee?"

Philip looked out the window. "Hood’s up, he’s checking out his car. From the look of it you’ve got plenty of time, Mom."

"I’ll take him a cup of coffee, O.K., Mom?" offered Jamie eagerly.

"That’d be nice honey," she murmured absently. "Tell him I’ll be right out. Now where’s my purse?"

Balancing the coffee cup carefully in one hand, Jamie joined Lee in the driveway. "I uh...I brought you some coffee."

Lee accepted the coffee and took a long swallow. He shifted from one foot to the other, ill at ease. What was he supposed to do now he wondered. Should he try to talk to Jamie or just go back to his engine? Lee looked toward the house, hoping Amanda would appear to rescue him.

"Mom’s almost ready," Jamie offered.

Lee looked sideways at him and realized Jamie was at least as uncomfortable as he was.

"How’s it going?" he asked.

Jamie shrugged. "O.K. I guess. You and my mom gotta work all day?"

"I hope not," replied Lee, wiping his hands on a clean rag and closing the hood of the car. "What about you? Doing anything special today?"

Jamie shook his head. "No, I’m grounded remember?"

"Oh, right. Sorry about that pal."

Jamie shrugged. "It’s O.K., mom’s usually pretty fair. I guess I deserved it," he admitted. "Um, Lee? You know a lot of government guys don’t you?"

"A few," he agreed. He gave Jamie a wary look.

Jamie glanced nervously up at Lee. "Uh I..."

"You have something on your mind you want to talk about?" Lee asked.

Jamie swallowed and shook his head. "Um no, nothing, I mean nothing really important; I just wondered."

Amanda came out of the house on the run. "Hi," she said a bit breathlessly as she reached the car, "sorry to make you wait." She ruffled Jamie’s hair lightly. "Listen Jamie, don’t forget you promised to help your grandmother clear the back garden this afternoon! I expect a good report when I get back, hear?"

Lee steered her into the car. "Jamie, see you later, O.K.?" he said, closing the door. He jogged around the car to the drivers side."

"Hey Jamie! Phone!" hollered Philip from the front door. "It’s that Chandra girl," he added. Jamie turned and ran into the house.

In the car, Amanda turned and watched him go, as Lee backed the Corvette out of the driveway. "Did I interrupt a man to man talk back there?"

Lee glanced at her. "I don’t have a clue," he admitted. "For a minute it felt like it, but then he backed off. I guess I pushed too hard. I’m sorry Amanda."

She flashed him a grin. "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"I don’t know Amanda, I thought Jamie and I were finally past the rough times. We were building a pretty decent relationship until recently. All of the sudden he’s treating me like I’m Attila the Hun or something. What am I doing wrong?"

"You’re not doing anything wrong," she assured him. "These days Jamie is treating all of us like we’re the enemy. If he’s even half way interested in talking to you it’s a good sign."

They found Billy in the Q Bureau, staring moodily out the window. He turned as they entered the office. "Lee, Amanda. I appreciate your giving up your Sunday--"

Lee waved Billy’s apology away as he perched on the corner of Amanda’s desk. "What’s up Billy?"

"Have either of you ever had dealings with a coin collector by the name of Otto Fenser?" asked Billy.

"I have Sir," answered Amanda. "When Philip was about 10, his dad bought him one of those starter coin collecting kits; you know, pennies, nickels, dimes that sort of thing. For about six months after that, Philip was in and out of Fenser’s every week buying pennies; but then he got bored and dropped the whole hobby."

"Late last night, Otto Fenser returned from a vacation and found his shop torn apart, and his assistant dead," said Billy. "The Arlington police are treating were treating it as a simple robbery, but early this morning they called in the FBI’s violent crimes unit."

"Sounds like it’s cut and dried, Billy; not our business. The FBI is already involved, why not let them run with it?" asked Lee.

Billy frowned. "The assistant who was murdered was a foreign national, attached to a cultural mission. In the director’s opinion, that makes it our business. One of the FBI’s up and comers, an Agent Mulder, has drawn the case. You two contact him and at least establish a presence in the investigation."

"Yes Sir," Amanda said quickly, before Lee could make the retort she could see on his face.

Billy crossed to the door. "Oh and Scarecrow, try not to let this escalate to the level of an international incident, please. I’ve had enough trouble with inter-agency rivalry."

The door clicked shut behind Billy. "Just great Amanda! On top of our already heavy case load we’re doing PR work for the director."

"Let’s just contact this agent Mulder and get it over with. Probably won’t be more than just one quick meeting," Amanda replied. She handed him the phone. "You suppose he’ll be in his office on a Sunday morning?"

He took the receiver from her hand. "We are, aren’t we?"

"Call," she said.

As Lee and Amanda approached the picnic table between Fenser’s Coin Shop and the Sandwich Shop, Fox Mulder stood and extended his hand. "I’m agent Mulder, you must be Stetson and King."

Lee shook Mulder’s hand. "Lee Stetson," turning to Amanda he added, "and my partner, Amanda King."

Mulder sent a slow, lazy smile in Amanda’s direction. "Nice to meet you Mrs. King; you too, Stetson. How much do you know about this?"

"Not much," replied Lee. "We’re only here because the murder victim is a foreign national. Our director hates to read about these kinds of problems in the morning flash reports."

"Let me guess," said Mulder, "he has a peptic ulcer."

Lee grinned at Mulder. "I think we’re going to get along just fine agent Mulder."

The three of them began walking toward the coin shop. "Victim’s name was Sanjay Cashmir, age 27," said Mulder. "He was attached to the cultural mission for the Lakshadweep Island Group off the Malabar Coast." Mulder led them into the interior of the shop. "State is nervous because the victim had a civilian job without the proper authorizations. Treasury doesn’t trust Fenser because of his business; currency and coins from around the world pass through his hands." Mulder swept his arm around the room, emphasizing the destruction.

Amanda stared in dismay at the wreckage. Mr. Fenser’s neat little shop was no longer neat. Display cases were overturned and glass was scattered everywhere. Coins and curios marked a sinister path to the tape marks that showed where the body of the victim had been found.

"I don’t believe robbery was the motive--despite the fact that the place was ransacked," Mulder said. "Fenser insists nothing is missing from his inventory."

"Then you think the this mess," Lee pointed at the floor, "was just a clumsy attempt to make it look like a robbery?"

Mulder smiled. "That’s about it. There was also a clumsy attempt to make the killing look like suicide. I think it may be a ritual killing."

"Ritual killing?" Amanda said.

"Yeah, the weapon was a jeweled dagger that belonged to the victim, and there were certain signs in the arrangement of the body and his clothing. Even though it appeared to be a self-inflicted wound, there is a possibility he may have been forced to do the deed..."

Amanda slipped through the kitchen door quietly, so as not to waken the household. Dropping her purse on the washer, she stepped out of her shoes and hung her jacket on the coat rack.

"Amanda is that you?" called Dotty.

"Yes mother," she answered as she padded across the family room.

Dotty was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the evening paper. "It’s late mother. I thought you’d be asleep by now," Amanda said.

"Didn’t feel sleepy I guess. Besides, you know how I worry when you’re late."

"Yes, I know, I’m sorry. The...editing session ran long," Amanda said.

Dotty peered over the top of her glasses, "It always seems to, doesn’t it? Amanda, darling--"

"Gosh, I’m starved," Amanda said, heading for the refrigerator. "Is there any ham left?"

"That’s right Amanda," muttered her mother under her breath, "avoid the subject as usual." Aloud, she answered Amanda’s question. "Yes, look toward the back dear. As late as you are, I assumed you and Lee went out to supper after work."

Amanda poured a glass of milk to go with her ham and sat down at the table. "Not tonight Mother, we’re both too tired."

"Why don’t you let me make that into a sandwich for you?" asked Dotty.

"This is fine the way it is," Amanda said as she nibbled on the ham. She picked up her mother’s discarded newspaper, scanned the headlines, and laid it aside.

Dotty turned to Amanda. "Oh Amanda, I was talking to Lydia Kroll earlier tonight, you remember her don’t you?" Amanda nodded her head, frowning slightly. "Well anyway, she always knows everything that goes on in the neighborhood, and she told me the most horrible story. It seems that Otto Fenser came back early from his vacation and found his shop absolutely ransacked. And what’s much worse, his assistant was lying dead on the floor! The poor man must have surprised the burglars. Lydia says there were police crawling all over her neighborhood for hours, talking to residents.

"Amanda’s frown deepened. I’ll talk to Philip and Jamie in the morning. I don’t want them hanging around that area until the police have made an arrest."

"What makes you so sure they’ll be able to catch anyone?" asked Dotty.

"I have to believe they will mother, otherwise I’d never get any sleep, for worrying about the boys’ safety." The moment the words came out of her mouth, Amanda regretted them, for they returned her mother to the very topic Amanda had been avoiding since she’d come home.

"I swear Amanda, I worry about you too, what with you always out so late at night. Lord knows what kind of harm you could come to. I just thank God that you aren’t alone are you, Amanda? Remember there’s safety in numbers--" The whistle of the teakettle interrupted Dotty’s train of thought, and she moved to the stove to brew her tea.

Taking advantage of the interruption, Amanda changed the subject. "Speaking of the boys," said Amanda, "were there any problems tonight?"

Dotty poured a cup of tea and took a doughnut from the bread keeper before she answered. "No, in fact Philip actually beat curfew, and Jamie spent the entire evening in his room, quiet as a mouse." She hesitated and then plunged ahead. "What are you going to do about the field trip Amanda? Are you going to let him go?"

Amanda took a swallow of her milk. "I don’t know, he’s still grounded for curfew violations."

"He’ll be awfully disappointed if can’t go. After all not many freshman get picked to go on this field day you know. You ought to be very proud of Jamie, Amanda."

"I am proud of him Mother, but this has nothing to do with pride, it’s discipline."

"Why not give him a break this time, Amanda?"

"Mother, you’re always after me to be firmer with the boys. I finally get tough with Jamie and now you want me to back down. I’m not sure that’s such a good idea."

"I seem to remember someone else who was grounded and got a break from her mother one summer. What was it she did? Oh yes, she hid another little girl in our attic for nearly 48 hours. The entire neighborhood was frantic if I recall, but her mother--"

"All right, all right, I get the point mother," said Amanda. She rinsed her glass and set it on the drain board. "You’re never going to let me forget that one are you?"

Dotty laughed. "I’m sorry sweetheart, but I thought it was important to remind you what it was like to be 14."

"I was only 12 at the time, mother, and anyway Jamie will be 15 in a month."

"15? Amanda where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday he and Philip were babies."

"I know," Amanda sighed. "I miss my little boys. Philip seems so grown up, that sometimes I don’t know him anymore. And Jamie’s been so difficult lately! I wish I knew what was on his mind."

"I’m sure what’s on his mind is nothing terribly serious Amanda. All fifteen-year-olds are moody and defiant sometimes. He’s a good boy, don’t fret over him so. What about the field trip? It is technically a school function, and you’re going to be one of the chaperones. Why not let him go?"

"Jamie told you that, I’ll bet!" Amanda laughed and shook her head. "Technically! I knew I’d be sorry one day that his father is an attorney."

"He’s a very bright child Amanda," Dotty said with a smile. "You will let him go won’t you?"

"I’ll talk to him first thing in the morning. Maybe by that time I’ll have figured out how to let him off the hook without looking like a wimp. And I promise I won’t fuss over him," she said.

"If you want to look tough darling, I suggest you get rid of the mustache," Dotty pointed to her upper lip, "milk."

"Thanks for the tip," Amanda answered, hastily wiping her mouth.

A light wind buffeted the full size station wagon as it sped along in the darkness. As it swayed lightly on its springs, Mindy Piper leaned over the back of her father’s seat. "Daddy can’t you go a little faster? We’re going to be late, I just know it," she moaned. "What if Mrs. King gets tired of waiting for me? What if I miss the whole trip on account of being late?"

Donald glanced in the rearview mirror. "Calm down Princess, we’re right on schedule; and I promise you if this Mrs. King person isn’t waiting for you, we’ll find her."

Frances Piper opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. "Melinda, you’re over-dramatizing again. You know very well you won’t miss the entire trip; the field day doesn’t take place for another day. Mrs. King will certainly wait for us, no matter when we get there. According to your Aunt Laura, she is a very responsible person. Your father and I would never allow you to stay with anyone who wasn’t. Now stop worrying so."

Donald grinned reassuringly. "Go back to sleep Mindy honey, we’ve got at least three hours before we hit the Beltway."

Mindy slumped back in her seat. "I wish I could have stayed home and gone with the rest of the kids on our field trip," she pouted. "I just know I missed the best time! Why did Aunt Florence have to go and have her dumb old wedding just when I was supposed to be in Washington?"

"I’m sure she didn’t plan things just to inconvenience you, Melinda," answered her mother. "It would have broken her heart if you hadn’t been with us. Be grateful your Aunt Laura and Uncle Remington were kind enough to arrange this alternate trip for you. Not many young ladies are so lucky."

"Yeah lucky us," grumbled Danny Piper from his seat next to Mindy, "we have to leave the party just when it’s getting really fun, just so Mindy can go on some rinky dinky field trip. Holy Pete!"

"It is not a rinky dinky field trip!" Mindy said. "I might even get to meet the President."

"Oh cripes," Danny snorted, "Like the President is going to have time to meet a bunch of kids. Man!"

"Daniel Piper, what did I tell you about that kind of talk? Donald, speak to your son please."

"Daniel," interjected Donald equably, gentlemen do not use words like cripes."

"I think it had better get very quiet in this car," said Frances, "or I’ll have your father turn around and we’ll just go straight home. Both of you stop complaining and hush before you wake your sister."

The Explorer slid smoothly to a stop in the Park and Ride Lot. Turning to Jamie, Amanda said, "Keep an eye out for a blue and white station wagon. They should be coming along any minute now."

Jamie scowled, then answered glumly, "Sure mom."

Amanda glanced at her son. "Jamie honey, I wish you’d cheer up. Everything will work out, I promise. I know you feel bad about your dad--"

Jamie straightened up, eager to avoid that topic of conversation. "I’m just sleepy mom. I don’t see why this Mindy person had to get here practically at dawn."

Amanda smiled. "According to Mrs. Steele, they’re driving all the way down from some family occasion in Canada just so she can make this trip. I don’t think they had any choice in the timing."

"Having her hanging on to me the whole trip is going to be such a drag anyway," Jamie said. "What am I supposed to do with her? I have plans with Chandra and everything."

"I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised Jamie. I met Melinda Piper when I visited her aunt and uncle; she is a very nice girl. She didn’t seem like the drag type at all. As for your friend Chandra, if she’s as nice as you say she is, I’m sure she’ll like Mindy too." Jamie rolled his eyes. Amanda’s voice turned serious and even acquired a bit of steel. "I expect you to treat our guest kindly and with the proper respect. Understood?"

Knowing he’d pushed his mother about as far as he safely could, Jamie dropped the subject. "Yes, ma’am." They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Jamie spotted the car coming off the ramp. "There they are mom!" In a flash, he was out of the car, Amanda following behind at a more sedate pace.

After meeting the Piper’s, Amanda returned to the Explorer to wait for Jamie and Mindy to join her. She studied Mindy, who was receiving one last flurry of instructions from her mother. She certainly looks like the typical California girl, Amanda thought. She has all the key requisites: golden, wavy hair down the middle of her back, finely tanned skin with a sprinkling of freckles across the nose, and an open, friendly smile. She’s changed some since I met her. She’s not a little girl anymore; she’s a young lady, Amanda realized. She watched Jamie as he worked along side Mr. Piper, gathering Mindy’s luggage. Jamie’s no little boy anymore either, she thought. Somehow in the last year, he’s become a young man--and I missed it.

The twinge of regret she felt at that realization was cut short as Jamie and Mindy reached the car. Jamie slid into his seat beside her and Mindy climbed into the back seat. Leaning over he whispered, "You were right mom, she’s definitely not the drag type."

Amanda stood at the front of the bus, holding a small microphone in her hand. "This is Union Station," she said. "We have a 90 minute lunch break here, and you may shop if you wish; just be sure you’re back here by 1:15 p.m. for head count. We pull out at 1:30 sharp."

Lee spoke from beside her. "Point of entry from this parking garage is the Train Concourse. Follow that south and you’ll reach the Station Concourse, and beyond that the Main Hall. From the Station Concourse, you can access the Metro Concourse. That’s probably your best bet for cheap eats." As the kids began filing out the door, Amanda spoke to each one, "Mind your manners and have fun--and remember, head count at 1:15 p.m."

Jamie, Chandra and Mindy sat around a table inside The Pizza Queen. The remains of a large double cheese pizza graced the center of the table, but the three teens had long ago forgotten the food.

"Let me get this straight," said Mindy. "Your uncle is sending you home to marry some business associate of his, and there’s nothing you can do about it?"

"You got it," answered Jamie. "I thought maybe my dad could help, but he’s in London, and I couldn’t reach him, and Chandra won’t let me keep trying." Jamie frowned in Chandra’s direction.

"Jamie, I just do not wish to get you in any more trouble," Chandra sighed. "As long as I am part of the Cultural Mission there is nothing anyone can do."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" asked Mindy

Jamie waved her off. "Don’t pay any attention to her, Mindy. She just thinks it’s her fault that I got grounded, is all." He turned to Chandra. "I told you, mom grounded me because I was dumb enough to get caught in a lie; you had nothing to do with that."

Mindy shrugged. "I get grounded about once a month, it’s no big deal. My mother and I are having a major philosophical disagreement; I think I’m old enough to make my own decisions about friends and curfews, and she doesn’t. So what else is new?"

Jamie grimaced. "I’m glad you think it’s no big deal, but believe me, my mother takes things like that very seriously. I almost didn’t get to go on this field day. I think it was my Grandma who talked her into it."

Mindy leaned back in her chair and swirled the ice at the bottom of her glass. "There must be something we can do to convince your uncle to change his mind Chandra."

Chandra shook her head. "My uncle is firm; I must return home. He even says he regrets allowing me to attend a public school. He now wishes he had kept me at the mission with a tutor. The arrangements have already been made. After today I have two days to say good-bye to all my friends here," she concluded softly.

"What we need is to postpone Chandra’s trip for a while. I’ll bet if all three of us could just talk to him, we could make him understand how you feel." Mindy said.

Jamie frowned and shook his head. "We’ve talked about this long enough," he said. "Chandra’s right, there’s nothing we can do about it. Let’s walk around for a while. We’ve only got 45 minutes before we have to be back on the busses." He stood and turned toward the cashier’s desk.

Mindy leaned forward suddenly, grinning broadly. "Listen, you guys, I’ve just had the most scathingly brilliant idea!" She pulled Jamie down into his chair again. Is there a stationery store in this mall?"

"Yeah, I think so; what’s that got to do with anything?"

"Chandra doesn’t want to marry this old geezer business associate of her uncle’s, right?"

"Right, so what? We already told you there’s nothing we can do--"

"Oh yes there is. She can’t marry him if she’s already married, can she?"

Jamie stared at Mindy. "Haven’t you been listening? She’s not married and doesn’t want to be married."

Mindy glanced at the two of them. "Correction, Jamie; Chandra’s not married yet. But, if you and Chandra--"

"You are crazy!!" Jamie announced. "How’re we gonna get married? We’re both too young--and even if we weren’t too young my mother would absolutely freak--"

"Not so loud, Jamie," Mindy cautioned. She looked around the room to see if anyone noticed his outburst.

Chandra’s calmer voice supported Jamie. "Mindy, Jamie is right, we are much too young to marry."

"In Virginia," said Jamie, "you have to be 18 to get married--unless you have parental permission then you can be younger. I absolutely guarantee my mother will never give permission. Criminey Mindy, she won’t even extend my curfew past 10:30 p.m. without a total inquisition!"

Mindy smiled conspiratorially. "Who said anything about legal? You just pretend to be married."

"Man Oh man, you’re nuttier than I am," Jamie said. "What makes you think Minister Nakul would believe such a wild story anyhow?"

"Easy Jamie; you show him a license all signed and legal looking. Can’t have better proof than that. I bet we can make Chandra’s uncle think the two of you are married. And if Chandra is married to an American citizen, I’ll bet her uncle can’t force her to go home."

Mindy jumped up. "Come on you guys let’s go!" She was halfway to the exit before Jamie and Chandra realized what was happening. Jamie practically threw the money for their bill at the waitress, and then he and Chandra hurriedly followed Mindy out into the mall. "Hey Mindy, wait up!"

Gunjan Nakul addressed his assistant. "I shall accompany my niece home at the end of the week, Madame. While I am gone, you will assist Manjeet in representing our interests here."

"How long shall you be away?" asked Madame Pandit.

"Not more than five days. I shall remain only long enough to see that Chandrakala is properly introduced to her husband."

"You will not remain for the marriage?" Madame Pandit asked, her amazement evident by the expression on her face.

"Unfortunately it is not expedient for me to do so at this time. My responsibilities here are--"

"Gunjan, we both know that you have no responsibilities here that could not wait for you to properly discharge your duty to Chandra."

"Do not assume that our friendship permits insubordination Karabi!"

Madame Pandit lowered her eyes. "I ask your pardon. It is only that I care very much for Chandrakala and I fear this sudden marriage is not in her best interest. This rapid change of mind is unexpected. Do you no longer wish Chandrakala to learn western ways?"

Nakul’s eyes softened slightly. "I appreciate very much your vigilance on my niece’s behalf, though I fear she does not realize the value of it. No, Karabi, she is already several years past the age her mother, my sister, was when she was given to a husband. It is time. She will be well provided for."

Madame Pandit raised her eyes to his again. "You fear something here, do you not, Gunjan?"

"You are as perceptive as always. Of late, Manjeet has shown interest in things he should not, and the contacts he has made here recently trouble me. We have already had shame visited on us in the death of Sanjay. If my doubts about Manjeet are realized, I wish my niece to be free of further shame that will attach itself to our mission. I will not risk further damage to her future. This marriage will protect her."

"You are the leader of this mission. If you suspect Manjeet of impropriety, why do you not confront him?"

"Manjeet has many powerful friends at home, Karabi. I dare not make unsupported accusations. This is why I must return here as soon as possible."

Madame Pandit nodded her head. "I shall see that Chandrakala is ready to depart."

"You couldn’t have cut that any closer could you, Jamie?" Amanda asked, as Jamie and the girls scrambled past her, up the bus steps at 1:27 p.m.

"Sorry Mom," Jamie said, "we lost track of time." He hurried away from his mother to the back of the bus where Chandra and Mindy had already staked out seats.

"That’s the last of them," Amanda told Lee, dropping into her seat beside him, as the bus pulled out into traffic. "Wouldn’t you know the straggler’s would be ours?"

Lee glanced briefly back at Jamie. "I can’t say I blame him Amanda. If I’d had two cute girls hanging on to me at his age, I’d have lost track of time too."

"You mean to say that you didn’t? I thought all the girls were gaga over Lee Stetson; they certainly were when I met you."

Lee grinned. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear. "Why Amanda Stetson, I believe I detect a note of jealousy." Amanda’s face flushed slightly, and Lee grinned again. "Yep, definitely jealousy," he repeated.

"Don’t look so smug, Lee Stetson. I was merely making an accurate observation of the conditions that existed at the time we met," Amanda whispered, slapping his shoulder to punctuate her remark.

Lee rubbed his shoulder. "Ouch! And touché Mrs. Stetson," he murmured.

Amanda looked back at Jamie. "What was it like for you at Jamie’s age, Lee?" she asked.

"I don’t recall many specifics, Amanda. I do remember alternating between having a terrific time and having a miserable time of it. I can tell you that the Lee Stetson you met didn’t come along until much later. At 14 and 15, Lee Stetson was all elbows, knees, and nose. I had trouble finding one girl at a time who could put up with me and the Colonel, let alone two of them."

Mindy pulled the certificate out of the bag and studied it critically. "Gosh Jamie, it does look authentic doesn’t it?" she murmured. "You did a terrific job filling it in."

"I took calligraphy is the 5th grade," he said. "I guess my grandma was right; it finally came in handy."

Chandra looked at Mindy. "The letter of permission still needs to be signed, Mindy. Can you really copy Mrs. King’s signature?"

"Doesn’t need to be her real signature, Chandra. It only has to match the handwriting on the note and that’s mine anyway."

Jamie frowned. "Where’d you learn so much about this stuff Mindy? Fake licenses, phony marriages--do they teach classes like that in California?"

Mindy grinned. "Now you sound like my mom. Even though she grew up in Los Angeles, she thinks everybody there is a fruitcake. Mostly I learned about this stuff from my Uncle Remington and Aunt Laura. They’re very famous private detectives, and my Uncle Remington is a specialist in con games. He knows all the tricks of the trade."

"I do not understand this ‘con game’ Mindy," said Chandra. "How is it played?"

"It’s not that kind of game Chandra. Actually it’s what we’re going to do to get your uncle to change his mind about sending you home." Mindy smiled confidently at Jamie and Chandra. "My Uncle Remington calls it the art of deception; making someone believe you are someone other than who you are."

Jamie shook his head. "Man, Mindy, you have got some wild relatives."

"Not wild, just interesting," Mindy said. "Once when my Aunt Laura didn’t know I was listening, I heard her and my uncle talking about some case or something when there was this phony marriage and a fake wedding license and everything. That’s where I got my idea for you guys."

Jamie slid the license and letter back into the shopping bag. "I just hope this works and that Minister Nakul will listen to us."

"It will if we just follow my uncle’s advice. He say’s it’s easy to make someone believe what isn’t true if you just act like whatever you’re doing is the most normal thing in the world."

Mindy, if my uncle believes our story, how long must Jamie and I pretend to be married?" asked Chandra.

"Just long enough for the arranged marriage to fall apart, Chandra. I bet your uncle will cancel everything as soon as he sees the license," Mindy said.

Jamie shifted nervously in his seat and looked forward warily, to where his mother was sitting with Lee. "Don’t worry Chandra, if it takes longer than that, you’ll be a widow anyway. If my mother finds out what we’re doing she’s gonna kill me."

A short time later, two of the four buses on the field day pulled into Rock Creek Park. Once all the students and chaperones had disembarked, they broke up into groups.

"O.K., all canoeists go with Mr. Chang and Mr. Otterbein," said Mr. Rakkowski. "Those of you who want to go horseback riding, go with Mr. Stetson and Mrs. King. Bicyclists, you go with Mr. Raleigh and Mr. Karnes. All those who want to tour the Nature Center meet Mrs. Aten and me at the Tourist Center. It is now 2:10 p.m.; all groups meet back here at 4:30 p.m., sharp. We’re due back at school by 5:15 p.m. this evening."

As the group of cyclists rode south along Rock Creek Parkway, Jamie, Chandra and Mindy slowly dropped back until they were the last three riders in the group. Jamie watched carefully for a place where they could leave the park. When he thought they were as close to Belmont Road as they could get, they dismounted and walked their bikes the brush until they were outside the park.

"I can’t believe we actually pulled it off," he cried as they pedaled toward the Kalorama Circle neighborhood and the Cultural Mission where Chandra lived.

Chandra smiled him, as she moved up to ride along side him. "I too was certain that Mr. Karnes or Mr. Raleigh would notice that we had left the group."

Mindy moved up beside Chandra, so that the three of them rode side by side. "I told you my Uncle Remington was right; the bolder you are, the easier it is."

Their feelings of exhilaration lasted all the way to the mission. Bypassing the security cameras at main gate, Chandra led them to the West Side of the grounds. "No one except me uses this gate and these gardens can’t be seen too clearly from the house," she said.

Once they were inside the compound, Jamie stopped. "Wait a minute Chandra. I almost forgot!" He reached inside his pant’s pocket and retrieved the ring he had found several days earlier. "Hold out your left hand Chandra," he said. The multi-colored stones in the ring gleamed as he slid it on her finger. I hope it isn’t too big on you."

"Jamie it is beautiful," Chandra breathed.

Jamie’s face reddened. "If we’re gonna do this, we might as well make it look right."

"O.K., are we ready?" asked Mindy.

"As ready as we’ll ever be," Jamie answered. Chandra led them through the garden toward a rear door of the residence.

Halfway across the garden, Mindy suddenly stopped. "Wait! I hear voices." They crouched beneath a hedge of Scotch Broom and listened.

"...Your misdirection of the police investigation appears to be failing."

"What do you mean failing? The police are still as baffled today as they were a week ago," said Manjeet.

"Not only are the local police and the FBI investigating, but there’s another agency interested as well. I can’t get a line on which one, but a couple of anonymous types met with the FBI’s agent in charge last week."

"As you have reminded me many times Alana, this is Washington’s way, is it not? To have agencies competing with one another for approbation and eminence? With so many investigating, there will be much confusion; and confusion will only benefit us."

Alana Rujen shook her head angrily. "No, Manjeet, every new probe increases our vulnerability..."

As the three teens listened to the argument, Mindy’s eyes grew large. "Holy Pete, Chandra! Whoever they are, they’re criminals."

"I do not recognize the voice of the one who speaks," whispered Chandra, "but Manjeet is an aide to my uncle."

"Come on," Jamie hissed, "let’s get out of here. "Keep low," he instructed, as he cautiously moved away from the shelter of the flowering shrub, with Chandra and Mindy at his back.

As they rounded the end of the hedge, Chandra nearly tripped over the feet of Alana Rujen. "Birds indeed, Manjeet! I told you I heard someone," she said, grabbing Chandra’s arm and halting her flight.

As she ran, Manjeet caught Mindy by her jacket, jerking her roughly backward. Before she could regain her balance, he clamped his arm around her waist, holding her immobile.

"Let them go!" Jamie cried, turning back to help them.

Chandra kicked at Alana. While Rujen struggled to regain her footing and secure a hold on her, Chandra warned Jamie away. "No, Jamie! Go, quickly. They will not hurt us." Jamie hesitated for only a second and then sprinted to the gate.

Alana Rujen grabbed Chandra’s left hand. "Manjeet, she has my ring!" She glared at Manjeet. "There is only one place she could have gotten it. I told you she recognized us!"

Manjeet spun around to face Chandra, dragging Mindy with him as he moved.

"It is regrettable that you choose to come here with your knowledge. You leave us very little choice."

Mindy fought against the hold Manjeet had on her. "She doesn’t know anything! We didn’t hear anything, honest. We’re just here to--"

Manjeet clamped a hand over her mouth. "Whatever your plans were, as of this moment they have changed."

Shoving Chandra to the ground, Rujen untied the scarf she wore at her neck and tied it firmly around Chandra’s mouth. Then she removed the sash belt from her cardigan, and tied Chandra’s hands behind her back. Once finished, she helped Manjeet similarly secure Mindy.

"Take them out of here," Manjeet said, pulling Mindy to her feet and pushing her in Alana’s direction. "I’ll go after the boy. Quickly! Before someone inside decides to investigate the noise!"

Lee spoke into his cell phone as he strode along the bank of Rock Creek. "I haven’t seen a sign of them yet, Amanda. What about you?"

"Nothing. Lee where could they be?"

Lee could hear the panic resonating in Amanda’s voice. "I’m heading back toward you, Amanda. I think it’s time we call the police. This park is too large for two of us to cover alone." He snapped the phone shut and jammed it in his pocket as he began to jog back the way he had come.

Jamie crashed through the brush, re-entering the park at about the same place that he, Chandra and Mindy had left it earlier. He spotted Lee, jogging up the road, just a few yards ahead of him. "Mr. Stetson! Mr. Stetson!"

Lee pulled up sharply at the sound of his name, and turned to see Jamie emerging from the tangle of brush at the edge of the road. Jamie dropped the bike at the side of the road and sprinted to Lee’s side. "Jamie! Thank god, you’re all right! Where--"

"Oh man, Lee," he gasped, words tumbling over one another as in his haste, "you gotta come right away! Chandra doesn’t think he’ll hurt her, but I’m not so sure. I--"

"Whoa, easy Jamie; you’re talking so fast, I can barely follow you. Slow down and tell me everything one step at a time." Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Jamie recounted the events that had taken place in the garden. Lee’s frown deepened as he listened.

"I’m sorry Lee, I know we shouldn’t have left the group," he finished.

"We’ll talk about that later Jamie. Let’s concentrate on what needs doing right now. And the first thing we need to do is get your mom." He opened his cell phone.

"Do you have to tell my mom? Can’t we just go and get Chandra and Mindy and tell her about it later?"

Lee shook his head, in spite of the plea in Jamie’s voice. "Jamie, I won’t keep this from your mother. That would be both cruel to her and irresponsible to you." Jamie’s doubt was clearly visible on his face. "Trust me, Jamie; everything will work out. Give your mom a chance, she’ll understand how you feel," Lee said, as he dialed.

"Amanda, I’ve got Jamie."

"No, he’s alone."

"Yes, he’s fine."

"Yes, I’m sure Amanda; he hasn’t got a mark on him."

With a quick look in Jamie’s direction, Lee lowered his voice. "From what Jamie told me, I think we have an abduction on our hands."

"No, not the park police; from what little I know right now, this may be a strictly need to know situation. Call Billy; we need a car and me may need backup."

"Yes, we’re on the way now. We’ll meet you at the Nature Center."

"...Yes, Minister. Manjeet left at 5:15 p.m., through the main gate."

"No Minister, he was alone."

Minister Nakul replaced the phone in its charging stand. "He left here alone."

"Could they have been in the trunk?" asked Lee.

"It is doubtful," said Nakul. "In order to get a car, Manjeet had to pass two sets of security cameras and a guard. He could not have taken the children with him unnoticed."

"He might have used the same gate Jamie used," said Amanda.

"That gate faces the street. Would the girls have gone quietly?" asked Lee.

"No way!" Jamie said. "When I left, Chandra was kicking and scratching like a wild cat. If he’d tried to stuff her in a trunk, half the block would have heard it."

Lee frowned. "Minister if you’ll give us the license plate number, we’ll have your aide detained and the car searched anyway, just in case we’re wrong." He turned to Amanda. "We should start a search of the house and grounds too."

"Minister," asked Amanda, "do know of any likely hiding places in the house or on the grounds?"

"I think I know a place, mom," said Jamie. All three adults turned to him. "Uh...there’s this old house at the back of the property, on the other side of the garden. You can’t see it from the main house on account of the trees and stuff, but you can get to it through the hedge. Maybe she took Mindy and Chandra there."

"With your permission, Minister?" said Amanda.

"Of course, Mrs. King."

Amanda turned to Jamie, "Show us."

Jamie led his mother and Lee out into the garden. He lined himself up with the ornamental hedge that marked the perimeter of the grounds and pointed. "If you follow this hedge all the way to the back of the property, you can see it."

They walked swiftly to the rear of the mission property. "What do you think?" Amanda asked.

"It’s possible," Lee said. "At one time this was probably a much larger estate. Before it was divided that could have been a caretaker’s house or gardener’s shed. Jamie, did either of the people you saw in the garden have a weapon?" asked Lee.

"No, sir they didn’t--and they weren’t wearing the kind of clothes that could hide one either," he added."

"I say we give it a chance." Lee stepped away from Jamie and Amanda and spoke quietly into his cell phone. "This is Scarecrow. We’re going in from the south. See if you can approach from the block north of here."

Moments later he received a response. "We’re in position Scarecrow. Target is a rental, a renovated carriage house."

Lee spoke into his phone again. "Give us a five minutes lead then move in."

Jamie stood with Lee, watching his mother knock on the door. There was no response, and she knocked again. Finally Alana Rujen opened the door, just wide enough to permit conversation. "Yes? What is it?" she asked.

"Good evening, my name is Amanda King and I’m canvassing for Mother’s for a Safe Environment." She stepped forward, forcing Alana to open the door wider. "Please won’t you look at the brochures on our latest project? We hope to clean up the pollution in Rock Creek. It’s such an important cause, the environment, don’t you agree?"

"That’s her Lee" said Jamie, that’s the same person who was at the mission today--and I know where else I’ve seen her!" he said abruptly. "She was in the car behind Fenser’s when Chandra and I nearly got run over," added Jamie in a shaky voice.

Alana stepped back involuntarily. Lee and Amanda quickly stepped over the threshold after her. Lee showed his badge. "We’d like to speak to you about two children--"

Alana whirled and ran to the back of the house, where she collided with the back up team as they entered.

Amanda and Jamie began checking rooms. "Mom!" Jamie called, running into a room, "here they are."

Amanda unfastened the belt that bound Mindy’s hands and rubbed Mindy’s wrists briskly to restore her circulation. "Chandra, are you all right?" she asked, as Jamie copied his mother’s actions with Chandra.

"I am better, now that Jamie is here, Mrs. King," replied Chandra softly, wiping tears off her face. "I knew that he would bring help."

"Oh Mrs. King, it was awful! I thought I was going to die," Mindy said through tears.

"It’s all right now, Mindy. No one’s going to die," Amanda soothed, drawing the girl into a hug.

"Amanda?"
"In here Lee," she answered. "We found them, and they’re fine."

"Leshart and Tally will wrap up things here Amanda," said Lee, stepping into the room. "Let’s get everybody out of here."

In the Q Bureau, Amanda poured herself a cup of coffee and returned to her desk.

"Thanks for calling, Mulder. I’ll be sure to tell Jamie," said Lee.

"What will you be sure to tell Jamie?" Amanda asked after Lee hung up the phone.

"Mulder wants Jamie to know how crucial he and Chandra were to the success of the Fenser investigation. Once the kids confirmed their identifications, Rujen and Salil tripped over one another in their haste to implicate one another, both in the killing and in a money laundering scheme they were running out of Fenser’s shop."

"Lee, I’m not sure we should encourage Jamie. I don’t want him to get the idea that what he, Mindy and Chandra tried to pull was O.K. Fake marriage licenses indeed! Just wait till I see Laura and Remington--"

Lee moved behind her and began to massage her shoulders gently. "Relax Amanda, after enduring the embarrassment of explaining their marriage scheme to Minister Nakul and to us, I doubt Jamie will ever try anything like that again," Lee said. "It won’t hurt him to know that he helped. Besides, his self esteem needs the boost."

"You’re right, of course," Amanda said. She tipped her head back to look him in the eye. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

"Yes, you have but don’t let that stop you. My self-esteem needs a boost every now and then too," Lee said. She perched on the edge of his desk. "Amanda, I’ve been thinking about us a lot since this business with Jamie."

"Us?" Amanda repeated faintly.

Lee took a deep breath. "Three years ago I came up with the idea of a secret marriage because I wanted to protect our family; but what happened to Jamie and Mindy has shown me that there other things more dangerous to a family than risky jobs."

Amanda opened her mouth to speak, but Lee stopped her. "Wait, let me finish before I lose my nerve," he said. "Amanda, I’m sick of sending you home alone at 2:00 a.m. and sick of worrying that you’ll be mugged before you get there. I’m tired of sneaking in and out of your house like a thief. I think it’s time Jamie and Philip know they have a step-father they can count on--"

"It’s time our secret marriage stopped being a secret," finished Amanda softly.

Lee cleared his throat nervously. "Amanda, will you take a chance and marry me again?"

Amanda took his hand in hers. "Any time, any place," she said. Lee leaned in to kiss her but pulled back quickly when Billy opened the door.

"Good, you’re both here," he said as he entered the room. "I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done with the Fenser investigation."

"Thanks Billy," Lee said.

"Oh, and one more thing," said Billy, "the oversight committee has made a final choice for DCO. "

"Any one we know, Billy?" asked Lee.

"That depends on how well you think you know me, Scarecrow."

Lee’s shook Billy’s hand. You got the director’s spot! Congratulations Billy, I told you you’d make the cut."

"Yes, congratulations, Sir. They couldn’t have made a better choice even if it will seem awfully strange in the bullpen without you," Amanda said. "Do you know anything about your replacement yet?"

Billy’s smiled widened. "As a matter of fact I do, Amanda. The best part of accepting this promotion was the privilege of recommending my successor. Lee, I recommended you for the position, and oversight sent down the approval 30 minutes ago." He held up his hand, anticipating Lee’s response. "Before you tell me you don’t want the job, Scarecrow, there’s more. The budget committee has finally approved filling Francine’s vacant position and oversight also approved my recommendation for that spot. Congratulations, Amanda," Billy said. "I know I couldn’t have made a better choice either. Now, both of you get out of here. I’m giving you a long weekend and you’d better make the most of it, because come Monday, we start the transition."

"There’s fishing tackle with your name on it, that’s going to waste, Jamie. How about it?"

Jamie turned to look at Lee. "No thanks, I’m not in the mood."

Lee joined Jamie at the rail, and stared out over the water. "I talked to agent Mulder, yesterday," Lee said. "He wanted me to give you a message."

"Me?" said Jamie.

"He’s very impressed with the way you handled yourself, Jamie. He said to tell you, that the anytime you want to work for the FBI, to let him know."

"No kidding?"

"No kidding," Lee repeated. "I’m proud of you too, Jamie. Not many kids would have kept their heads in the spot you were in."

"So how come I feel like a total screw up?" Jamie asked.

Because you’re human, I expect, "Lee said. He turned to look Jamie in the eyes. "Listen Jamie, everybody makes mistakes. I do, your mom does, your brother, too. You and your friends made a couple of poor decisions the other day, but you kept your head in the crisis and came to the right place for help. That’s not the behavior of a screw up, that’s the behavior of a young man I’d be proud to call my step-son."

Jamie’s eyes opened wide with surprise, "Are you and my mom getting married?"

"What do you think of the idea?" Lee asked.

Jamie was quiet for a full minute and a half. "I think it’s pretty terrific," he said at last.

"It means big changes for all of us," Lee said. "I don’t know much about being a father you know. I won’t always have the answers Jamie, but maybe with a little help from you and your brother, we can figure things out. Are you game?"

"You bet!" Jamie said. I--"

The clang of the ship’s bell interrupted Jamie’s reply. "Lee, Jamie! Galley’s open for business. Anybody hungry?" asked Dotty.

Lee slung his arm around Jamie’s shoulder. "What do you say? Shall we go tell your grandmother and brother the news?"

Lee followed Jamie down the steps into the galley. He slid into the chair next to Amanda, and kissed her on the cheek. "Everything O.K.?" she asked.

"Everything’s great, Amanda," Lee answered. As soon as Dotty joined them at the table, Lee tapped a knife against his water glass. "Attention everyone, attention please!" He glanced at Amanda, who nodded her head. "Amanda and I have some news..."