Author's note: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Production Company. It's meant for enjoyment purposes only. I retain the right to the plot and not the characters.  Some of the people mentioned in this story are real, but are only mentioned because of their historical significance to the topic at hand.  The characters in the story itself are fictional.   Do not copy or distribute this story in part or full without prior consent of the above author.
 
 

SMK TIME: July 1987
 

Lee Stetson raced his car down the street and came to a screeching halt in front of Amanda's house. He jumped from his car, pushed past the gate on the white picket fence and hustled the remaining distance to the front door.

"Amanda?!" He shouted as he ran into the house on Maplewood Drive without as much as knocking, startling Phillip who was talking on the phone. "Phillip, where's your Mother?" Lee demanded harshly.

Phillip, still unsure why Lee barged into the house so abruptly, shrugged his shoulders and pointed. "She's in the kitchen."

Lee rushed into kitchen, frantic to locate his wife and partner. "Amanda, you're all right!" Lee gushed with relief. "Where's Jamie and your Mother?" he questioned nervously.

"Of course, I'm all right. Lee, calm down," Amanda answered reassuringly, giving her husband a curious stare. "Mother's out back in the garden and Jamie's upstairs…."

"Good, they're all here. Everyone needs to pack a bag - now!" he ordered sternly.

"Lee, what's wrong?" she asked with growing concern.

Ignoring her question for the moment, he glanced at his watch and walked over to the window scanning the backyard. He rapped on the window loudly getting Dotty's attention. He motioned for her to come inside. "We don't have time to go into that now," he urged as he tried to retain some modicum of control. "Get the boys packed for at least a night or two. We've got to be out of here in five minutes!"

"Five minutes? Lee, what are you talking about? I'm in the middle of cooking dinner," Amanda questioned nervously.

"Turn off the stove," he ordered, shaking his head. "I don't have time to explain - trust me. We've got to move fast. Get the boys going. I'll talk to your mother…"

"What are you going to tell her?" she worried.

"Amanda, take care of the boys," he challenged with a direct stare. "Now move…"

Amanda took a deep breath, then nodded her consent and went into the living room. Moments later she and Phillip were hurrying up the stairs to start packing. Dotty was dusting the dirt off her hands when Lee opened the door for her.

"Always a gentleman, Lee," Dotty commented as she came in smiling. "So what do we owe the pleasure of…"

"Dotty, I need you to listen carefully and not ask any questions right now," Lee interrupted imperatively. "You need to go upstairs and pack a suitcase for a few nights away from home."

"Lee, what are you talking about?" she laughed, shaking her head. "I've got a date later tonight…"

"Dotty, I know this sounds crazy, but please, just do what I ask. Amanda and the boys are already packing. They'll be ready in less than five minutes. I promise to answer all your questions once the family's safe," he stated in a determined voice but his face was beginning to show signs of strain. "But I'm not leaving this house without you."

"Lee, you're scaring me," Dotty stated defiantly.

"Trust me, please," he persisted anxiously. "Amanda's helping the boys pack. We really don't have time to debate this…"

She nodded her head, a skeptical look on her face but finally conceded. "All right," she replied in a reluctant voice as she walked to the stairs.

"Hurry!" Lee encouraged as Dotty went up the stairs. Lee heard a car go down the street as he stood near the front door. He peered out the window and watched making sure it continued without stopping. His hand felt for his holstered gun, which was carefully concealed under his suit jacket. When he was finally satisfied that the car was not doubling back he climbed the stairs and peeked into the bedrooms looking for his wife. She wasn't in her bedroom. He walked down the short hallway and momentarily stood at the door to the room Phillip and Jamie shared and listened as Amanda instructed her boys on what to pack.

"A couple of shirts and pants, throw in at least one pair of shorts and make sure you have plenty of clean underwear," Amanda counseled as her sons packed without much concern as to what they were bringing.

Lee finally interrupted. "Amanda, we need to put a rush on! You need to pack, too."

"Lee, what's going on?" Phillip appealed.

"Fellas, the sooner you're in the car and we're on the road the sooner you'll get your answers," Lee advised as he forced a pleasant smile to his face. Then he pulled out his wallet. Ten bucks to the first person packed and waiting by the kitchen door!"

With that challenge, Phillip and Jamie both began to pack with newfound enthusiasm. Lee grabbed his wife's arm, tugging on it gently and dashed into her bedroom.

"What's wrong?" she insisted once they were in the privacy of her bedroom.

"Later," he whispered, not willing or wanting to go into a long explanation. "You have an emergency bag stashed somewhere in here, don't you?"

"Of course," she nodded and pointed to the closet. "It's in the back of the closet inside the big suitcase. Get them both out for me. How long are we going to be gone?"

"I'm not sure. Grab as much as you can as fast as you can!" he urged as he pulled the suitcases from the back of the closet. "We've got two minutes."

"We're not going… you know," she swallowed hard and asked anxiously, "underground with my family are we?"

"No, I promise you that," he advised. "Please, Amanda, get packing."

She sighed heavily as she began rummaging through her dresser for clothes and essentials for a destination that was unknown to her. "What did you tell my mother?"

"Nothing more than I've told you," he answered casually, as if it was a normal everyday request. He pulled the curtain back ever so slightly and glanced out the window, scanning for any signs of trouble. "Let me check on her. Just hurry!"

He left his wife's bedroom, walked a few feet down the hall and spied on his mother-in-law. "You almost ready, Dotty?" Lee asked cordially as he knocked on the open door.

"No, not really," she answered anxiously as she stood staring at a half empty suitcase. "I'm not sure what to pack."

"As much as you can fit in that bag in the next minute," he implored imperatively.

"Lee, it would help if you'd let me know what's going on," she insisted with frustration. "How much should I pack?"

Lee was trying to remain calm despite his understanding of the urgency of the issue. As much as he'd like to share the situation with his family, time was of the essence. If Dotty knew the gravity of the situation she'd be frantic. He glanced as Jamie hustled into the hallway with his bag packed. "Good job, Jamie!"

"You owe me ten bucks, Lee!" Jamie cheered as he held his packed suitcase up like a trophy.

"You got it, champ! Wait in the kitchen for us," Lee encouraged with a bright smile before turning his head and glancing back at Dotty, who was now mulling over which shoes to bring. "Dotty, please, if they fit in the bag throw them in. We're running out of time!"

Amanda finally stepped out into the hallway with her suitcases packed. She shrugged her shoulders at Lee. "I've got enough for a few days…"

"Good! Jaime's already waiting downstairs," he answered trying to put on a cheerful façade, at least for the benefit of Dotty and the boys. He peeked his head into the boys' bedroom. "Phillip, you ready?"

"I can't get this zipper to close all the way," he grunted as he tugged on the zipper once again. "My shirt's stuck in it."

"Don't worry about it," he winked. "It'll hold. Go on downstairs with your mother and brother. Wait for us in your car."

"Right!" Amanda answered without hesitation and then disappeared with Phillip down the stairway.

Lee glanced at his watch one more time. "Dotty, whatever you've got packed will have to do. Give me your bag and get in the car. Amanda and the boys are waiting!"

Dotty glanced around the room, rather bewildered. "I just don't know…" she mumbled.

Lee noticed her nervousness and saw that there were tears in her eyes. "Hey," he said in a soothing tone as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to bolster her morale. "You know how much I love your daughter?"

Dotty nodded, but didn't speak.

"I care deeply about this entire family. So please, trust me." He persuaded using all his charm.

She swallowed hard as she tried to regain her composure. Finally feeling a little less overwhelmed she stepped from his grasp and nodded with a weak smile. "I trust you, Lee," she finally forced the words out of her mouth.

Relieved that his mother-in-law pulled herself together he sighed. "It's going to be all right, I promise, but time is of the essence."

She grabbed for her purse and then handed her overnight bag to Lee.

"I guess that will have to do," she announced as she hurried towards the stairs.

Lee was only a few feet behind her. He paused momentarily to glance out the front window yet again. The neighborhood appeared as Amanda's neighborhood should be - calm. Moments later he followed Dotty out the kitchen door.

Phillip and Jamie were already in the back seat of the Wagoneer and Dotty took her place in the back seat with them. Lee put Dotty's suitcase in the back and closed it down.

"You want to drive?" Amanda asked as she tossed the keys to her husband.

"Yeah, thanks," he replied with a confident smile as he caught the keys in the air and quickly got settled behind the wheel. He waited for Amanda to buckle her seat belt before he cautiously backed the car out of the driveway. As much as he wanted to floor it out of the driveway and get the hell out of town, he knew that would only upset his passengers more than they were already. Instead he forced himself to drive leisurely out of Amanda's neighborhood appreciative of the quiet in the car. He didn't know how long it would be until the intense line of questioning would begin to flow. He wasn't sure what he was going to tell Dotty or the boys. He still hadn't even had a chance to confide in Amanda yet.

"Are you all right?" Amanda whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

"I'm fine," he mumbled in a tone she wouldn’t like but would understand that he wasn't up for questioning - at least not yet. So much had happened in so little time. He thought back to the year that had passed. It was hard to believe that he and Amanda had only really been involved since last spring. It was just last summer that he finally let down his guard enough to really allow her into his life. They hadn't even been married for six months and now… now this. He swallowed hard as he waited for a lull in the traffic so he could pull onto the congested roadway. Finally there was an opening and Lee accelerated and merged into the traffic.

They hadn't traveled a few miles down the road when he looked down at the dashboard and groaned.

"What's wrong?" Amanda asked, breaking the silence once again.

"Please tell me the fuel tank indicator is broken," he urged as he gritted his teeth.

"No, it's working fine, why?" she advised quickly.

"When was the last time you filled up the car?" he questioned in a tight voice, trying to keep his temper from rising. He didn't want to waste precious time getting gasoline.

Amanda leaned over and took a peek at the gas gauge. "Oh my gosh! I was going to fill it up last night but it was so late the station was closed and this morning it was raining so hard so…"

"Never mind," Lee grimaced, not wanting to hear the details. "How far can you go once the gas light comes on?"

"I don't know," she mumbled softly. "I um, you know I don't usually let it get below a quarter tank…"

"Great," Lee muttered, not wanting to upset his other passengers in the back seat. "We'll make a real quick stop for gas."

"There's one up on the corner about a mile up the road," Amanda volunteered.

Lee nodded silently and continued to drive. He carefully watched his mirrors checking for any possible tails. When he was finally convinced they weren't being followed he pulled into the station, leaving the keys in the ignition.

"Keep your eyes and ears open," Lee warned in a whisper. "If you see anything out of the ordinary let me know ASAP."

"Gotcha," Amanda nodded as she turned the rearview mirror towards her, pretending she had something in her eye.

Lee got out of the car and put the nozzle into the tank. He carefully surveyed the area looking for something out of the ordinary, but for the moment things seemed to be typical. Maybe his luck was holding out and he'd be able to get the family to safety before anything happened.

"Come on, come on," he urged the pump as it slowly chugged gas into the tank. Finally he heard the click that the tank was full. As he waited in line to pay for the gas he continued to scan the parking lot and the busy street. Everything appeared to be fine, but Lee was getting an uneasy feeling. He examined the people in line ahead of him as well as the cashier. He shook his head and mumbled to himself, "You're being paranoid."

The man in front of him turned and stared at him momentarily. Lee gave him a bane smile and was relieved when he turned away. Finally Lee was at the front counter. He grabbed a few candy bars hoping that they would placate the boys for a while and then hustled quickly back to the car.

"All clear," Amanda whispered softly to her husband as he jumped back into the driver's seat.

He pulled the car up to the entrance of the roadway once again and watched as a long stream of cars drove by. He grabbed the bag of candy that he bought and held it up. "Anybody want a candy bar?" he asked knowingly.

"Yeah, great," the boys cheered happily. "Thanks, Lee!"

Amanda turned back toward her sons. "Just one candy bar each for now," she warned in a stern voice, then turned back to Lee and commented with a grin. "Nice touch."

"Yeah, well it's the little things sometimes," he remembered as he finally pulled back into the traffic and headed out of town.

Lee motored through the heavy traffic as swiftly and cautiously as possible. He glanced over to his wife and hoped she hadn't noticed his increase in speed, but he knew she had. She was trying to inconspicuously look out the side view mirror. Lee kept a watchful eye on his rearview mirror as well as the traffic ahead of him. At first he wanted to believe that the dark sedan three cars behind him wasn't really following him, but with every car he passed, the car would eventually follow. It was too much of a coincidence; he'd have to take action.

"Company?" Amanda surmised in a hushed tone.

"Hopefully not," he answered without looking at his partner.

Amanda turned and glanced back at her family in the back seat. "Dark blue sedan with a lone driver?" she commented when she shifted her position, facing forward once again.

"Yeah, can you get a make on the plates?" he murmured.

"Not unless he gets closer," she remarked.

"Don't count on that. Hang on, everyone," Lee finally warned as he maneuvered the car to the right lane and exited the highway with an abrupt sharp right hand turn. The car tires squealed in protest. He accelerated on the side street and watched in dismay as the sedan had managed to make the side street as well. Another quick right, a left and two more rights and Lee thought he'd lost the tail. "Everyone all right back there?"

"Yeah, that was cool," Phillip cheered. "Can you teach me to drive like that?"

"Never mind, Phillip," Amanda replied tersely to her son then she glanced over at Lee and then over her shoulder. "Did you lose him?"

"Hopefully," he answered in a quiet voice as he followed the side street back to the main road. As he waited at the stop sign for traffic to allow him to merge onto the road once again he groaned. "Everybody get down!" he yelled.

"What?!" Dotty exclaimed.

"Mother, put your head down," Amanda yelled just before the glass in the back window was shattered by a stream of flying bullets.

Dotty screamed loudly but she ducked down and made sure that her two grandsons were well protected.

"Keep your heads down!" Lee implored loudly, cringing at the idea that he'd brought his family into harms way.

"Lee, get us out of here, now!" Amanda urged anxiously.

"I'm trying," Lee grumbled as he heard piercing sound of more bullets smashing into the car. With little choices available to him, Lee gunned the engine and pulled onto the highway. Cars around him honked loudly, brakes screeched and cars suddenly swerved and changed lanes to avoid collisions. Lee glanced in the rearview mirror at the melee and floored it, trying to put as much distance between them and the sedan…

End Part One
 
 
 
 

BLACK PESOS… Part Two
 
 
 

Lee maneuvered the car expertly through the heavy traffic and managed to safely elude the sedan. When he finally was certain it was safe he pulled off the main road and drove down a side street.

"You can get up now; it's safe," he advised, trying to sound calm. His heart was pounding and his hands were tightly gripped on the steering wheel. All his fears over the last few years were coming to fruition. Amanda and his family were in danger because of him and it was his responsibility to keep them safe. "Is everyone all right, Phillip, Jamie, Dotty?"

"Yeah, we're all right," Phillip ventured anxiously as he looked around the car, his eyes wide with fear. "Why were they shooting at us?"

"Lee Stetson, what exactly is going on?" Dotty piped up angrily, her face was white as a sheet.

"It's a really long story, Dotty, and I promise to share it with you, but right now we've got to get you someplace safe," Lee informed them evasively and then looked at his youngest stepson who looked like he was going to be sick. "Jamie, are you all right?"

He nodded once silently, unable to speak.

"It'll be all right, I promise." Lee tried to reassure them one more time before he started driving once again. He kept one eye on the rearview mirror, but luckily, for the moment it appeared that he lost the tail. They hadn't gone far when he tapped on the instrument panel on the dashboard.

"What's wrong now?" Amanda questioned anxiously.

"We'd better get this thing into the shop and see if Leatherneck can set us up with a trade," he whispered as the recently filled gas tank was now showing only three-quarters of a tank. "I think the shooter hit the gas tank. There's no telling how far we can go before we run out of gas."

"Oh my gosh!" Amanda gulped.

Lee put a comforting hand on his wife, but didn't turn to face her. He didn't want her to see his scared face. Never before was there so much at stake. He drove the back roads to the impound lot, not wanting to risk another meeting with the sedan, but keeping a close eye on the ever sinking fuel gauge. It took a little longer, but they eventually arrived safely.

"I'll be right back," Lee announced as he pulled into the Agency impound lot and got out of the badly shot up Wagoneer.

"Mother, boys, stay in the car," Amanda warned as she followed Lee out of the car in search of a trade.

"Scarecrow, I didn't expect to see you here today," Leatherneck greeted as they walked up to one of the garage bays. "I thought you'd be under wraps already."

"You heard, huh?" Lee answered with surprise.

"Yeah, bad news travels fast," Leatherneck replied. "What can I do for you?"

"We need a car for a few days," Lee nodded towards Amanda's Wagoneer parked across the lot. "They got a line on that one, plus a few new holes."

"Yeah, I can see that," Leatherneck craned his neck and took a look at the vehicle. "Everyone inside all right?"

"They're just a little shaken up," Amanda volunteered nervously.

"I really wasn't expecting to be loaning anything out today," Leatherneck informed him as he surveyed the cars in the yard. "I don't have much in stock right now that hasn't been processed. I've got a classic, Volkswagen Beetle, but that's too small for five of you."

"What about the Cadillac over there?" Lee inquired at a newer model near the gate.

"The transmission's shot on that thing - literally. It took a couple of bullets last week before the driver decided to stop. Found some interesting contraband inside it as well. It'll take me a couple of days to make that road-worthy. I'm assuming you don't have that kind of time."

"No, we need something now," Lee confirmed as he glanced at his watch impatiently. Although he was certain he lost the tail, he still needed to get Amanda and her family stashed away and the sooner the better.

"How about the van over there?" Leatherneck nodded. "It's kind of old and it doesn't look like much, but she's got a strong engine and it'll give you good cover. Not very comfortable, but I guess that's the least of your problems right now."

They walked over and Lee and Amanda gave it a cursory inspection. "Your mother and the boys will have to sit on the floor in the back," Lee remarked with dismay as he looked at the old work van that only had two front seats, the back seats had been removed for storage.

"Don't you have anything else, Leatherneck?" Amanda questioned hopefully.

"Sorry, Mrs. King," he apologized with a shrug.

"Does it have a full tank of gas?" she asked, not wanting a repeat performance from earlier in the evening.

"Yup, tanked it up yesterday. Thought they were going to use it last night on a raid but they didn't need it after all," Leatherneck advised them. "It's all yours if you want it."

"We'll manage," she finally consented reluctantly.

Lee reached around her shoulders and gave her a hug. "It won't be that bad," he promised.

"How long will it take to get my car repaired," Amanda asked. "Lee thinks they hit the gas tank."

Leatherneck paused for a second and gave Lee a quizzical look. Lee shook him off, but Amanda caught the exchange. "A couple of days, Mrs. King," he reassured her. "Let me go get the keys to the van…"

"Lee, what the hell is going on? Am I the only one who doesn't know?" she snapped angrily.

"Of course not," Lee replied before he turned away and started after Leatherneck.

"I want some answers - right now! I think I have a right to know what's really going on," she demanded as she grabbed his arm and looked over her shoulder at her frightened family in her car.

"All right," Lee sighed heavily knowing there was so much to tell her and so little time. His first priority was to get them to safety and they were still a long way from that. He reached for her hand and went into the office.

"Well?" she pressed him impatiently.

Lee ran his hand nervously through his hair and shook his head, not certain where to start. "Have you ever heard of 'Black Pesos'?"

Amanda shrugged. "No, I can't say that I have."

"It's a term used by drug smugglers who launder their money. They use legitimate businesses to launder the cash and then convert it into Pesos down in Colombia. It's a black market business with legitimate ties to corporate America, thus the term - Black Pesos."

"How on earth did you get drug smugglers after you? We never work on anything like that," she asked confused and obviously upset.

"I told you it was a long story. Years ago, long before we met I was on a team that was assigned to infiltrate the money laundering aspect of the business. I was never involved with the drug side - that was all DEA, but the Agency loaned me out to help with the business side of the deal," he explained briefly. "It's really complicated and we don't have a lot of time right now, but I managed to infiltrate their shady businesses and found out how they were converting their dollars into pesos. It was a team effort, but my testimony at the trial got one of the major conspirators convicted."

"Well if that happened so many years ago, why is it all of a sudden an issue in our lives?" she demanded in a sharp voice, somewhat overwhelmed by the ordeal.

"He appealed the case…several times. Unfortunately he was recently granted a new trial - based on a technicality and he was released on bond."

"Oh my gosh!" Amanda exclaimed in dismay as she leaned against the wall for strength, clearly shaken. "Drug dealers?"

Lee nodded mutely.

"So what happens now?" she finally asked in a quiet voice.

"We go to trial again. It's a solid case. He'll be convicted again," he reassured her.

Before their discussion continued Leatherneck returned. "Here are the keys to the van. Be careful out there, Scarecrow, Mrs. King," Leatherneck warned as he handed the keys over to Lee.

"Thanks, Leatherneck, I'll be in touch," he answered as he reached for Amanda's hand and led her out of the office.

"But why is he after you now, after all these years in prison?" she asked, still not following the situation fully.

Lee stopped before they got too close to the car. "Because in this case, I'm the only one who can specifically tie him to the drug money. I worked for this guy. If he can get rid of me, the government's case against him doesn't amount to a pile of beans. They'd have to let him go…"

"Oh my gosh!" she gasped with dread.

"Amanda, I didn't want to say anything until we reached the safe house because I knew how much this would upset you. Your mother and the boys are scared to death right now and I know you're scared too, but I need you to keep it together - for now, for them."

"I know," she mumbled and took a deep breath. "Where are we heading?"

"There's a safe house about an hour north of here," he explained and glanced at his watch once again. "Let's get a move on. I'd like to get there and settled in before dark."

Amanda nodded and they walked back to the Wagoneer together. Lee wanted to hold her in his arms, tell her that he'd protect her, but now was not the time.

*** *** *** ***

The sun was beginning to set when Lee finally drove down the street slowly and ultimately stopped in front of the safe house.

"That's it," he remarked in relief as he checked the address from the one written on a small scrap of paper he'd tucked into his shirt pocket. It was an old, red brick ranch house with a single car garage. The other houses on the block were similar in size and cared for but were beginning to show their age. The neighborhood itself sported lots of mature trees, large yards, but also well worn lawns. It appeared to be quiet and Lee prayed safe.

"It looks rather… small. It can't have more than two bedrooms," she commented somewhat astonished.

Lee shrugged, noticing his wife's concern. "It's only temporary, we'll make do."

Amanda looked at Lee with a forlorn glance but didn't say anything.

He pulled into the driveway of the safe house. A man came out of the house almost immediately to greet him.

"Amanda, get behind the wheel - just in case…" Lee warned as he prepared to get out of the car.

"In case of what?" she asked nervously.

"In case the location has been compromised. If that happens, I want you to get the hell out of here. Drive to the nearest police station and contact Billy," he warned her determinedly. "Now I'm going to check things out. I'll open the garage door if everything's all right and you can drive the van in there. If I go into the house and don't come back out in five minutes I want you to leave."

"Leave, without you?" she repeated in a mixture of astonishment and disbelief. "Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you here."

"Amanda, everything is probably fine. I'd just rather have a backup plan and be safe than sorry," he whispered as he opened the door. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she whispered and got behind the wheel of the van.

Lee closed the door and turned briefly, flashing his wife a brave smile. Then he walked over to the man on the front porch.

"Are you Scarecrow?" the other man asked.

"Yeah, I'm Scarecrow. Is everything secure?" Lee asked apprehensively as he listened and watched his surroundings with vigilance.

"We're secure here. I'm Rick Royce, U. S. Marshall Service," he answered as he flashed his identification. "Any problems?"

"Yeah, we were shot at when we left Arlington and had to borrow this van," Lee explained as he carefully studied the photo ID of the other Deputy and then opened his own for the Deputy to see.

"Sorry to hear that. I'll make sure that gets reported," Royce replied as he extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. Who's the woman?" he asked curiously as he nodded towards the van.

"My wife," Lee announced matter-of-factly. "My family's in the back."

"Wife and family?" he repeated in dismay as he began to pace nervously on the front porch. "We weren't advised that you had any family. We were told you were single. We would have never put you up here if we knew you were a family man. This place is going to be, well, rather cramped for a family."

"I was single when this case started, but now I'm married. My family's been through a lot today. They've been sitting on the back floor since we left Virginia. I'd like to park the van in the garage and get them settled in," Lee requested somewhat frustrated at the entire situation.

"Yeah, that's fine," Deputy Royce nodded, regaining his composure.

Lee smiled his relief and walked over and opened the garage door. He signaled for his wife to pull the van in. "At least we're safe for now," he sighed as Amanda turned off the engine of the van and he opened the back door of the old work van to let his tired family out.

Happy to be standing and off the floor of the uncomfortable van, Dotty and the boys stretched their stiff bodies before they entered the tiny house. Lee was surprised and a little concerned that none of them made any comments.

"Why don't you boys go freshen up in the bathroom," Amanda suggested warmly as they stood in the living room looking like frightened, displaced refugees.

"That's a good idea," Dotty finally remarked as she herded the boys down the short hall. "I'm sure we can find it."

Amanda then wandered through the little house. "Lee, it's only got two bedrooms. Where are we all going to sleep?" she questioned quietly.

Lee glanced into the two bedrooms and sighed heavily. "The boys can take the back bedroom and I guess you'll have to share with your mother until other arrangements are made. I'll sleep on the couch. It won't be that bad," he reiterated. They were safe and despite the discomforts of not being home, that mattered more to him than anything.

Deputy Royce came in with the bags from the van and introduced himself politely. "Mrs. Stetson, I'm Deputy Royce from the Marshall Service. I'm sorry about the house, but we weren't aware that Scarecrow here was married," he explained in an apologetic tone. "This house was just temporary anyway. We'll have larger accommodations in a day or two."

Amanda whispered into Lee's ear. "He knows we're married?"

"I had to tell him," Lee defended in a hushed tone. "Amanda, there's too much at stake right now to keep playing this game of charades."

Amanda covered her face with her hands, obviously distraught. "Then you might want to mention to him that Mother and the boys aren't aware of that fact until we get a chance to tell them."

Lee nodded. "Why don't you see what's in the kitchen? I'm sure the boys are hungry," Lee suggested, then nodded to the other deputy. "How about we go outside and check the perimeter?"

Deputy Royce shrugged his shoulders in agreement and followed Lee back into the garage and out the back door. "I assure you, Scarecrow, the perimeter is secure," Royce replied.

"Yeah, I really don't doubt you. I needed to speak to you alone regarding why you didn't know I had a wife and family…"

End Part Two
 
 
 
 

Black Pesos… Part Three
 
 
 

Amanda made sandwiches and snacks from the abundantly filled cupboards in the kitchen. The family sat at the table in silence. The boys ate hungrily despite what had happened earlier, but Lee noticed that his mother-in-law was barely nibbling anything on her plate. Instead, she kept glancing nervously out of the windows as cars drove down the street; she'd jump at even the slightest noise. He'd never wanted his union with Amanda to come to this and he cursed himself for putting his family in such danger. Knowing he couldn't put off telling them what was going on any longer, he finally pushed his half eaten plate away from him and sighed heavily.

"I'm sure you all have a lot of questions, but I want you to know how much I've appreciated your patience and trust today. I realize it's been an extremely difficult day," Lee started thoughtfully, "and I know this house is small, but I promise you we'll only be here a couple of days."

"Lee, enough with the commentary," Dotty interrupted anxiously. "What's going on and why are we here?"

Lee smiled, experiencing first hand how Amanda had obviously had to deal with her inquisitive mother over the years. "About ten years ago I testified at a trial regarding a man who was laundering money." He stopped and shook his head as he glanced at the boys. He realized they probably wouldn't understand the concept of money laundering at their age. Not quite sure how to continue he stood up and paced the room, trying to figure out how to simplify the concept for his young stepsons.

"Lee?" Dotty called out to him, appearing rather impatient and somewhat annoyed.

He nodded and sat back down at the table and continued. "This man was on trial because he was caught trying to convert large amounts of American dollars into Pesos - 'Black Pesos'. This money was obtained illegally, basically it was the profits from the sale of street drugs - mostly cocaine, but also marijuana and heroin as well. He was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison for his involvement in these crimes. Unfortunately, he can afford high priced lawyers and he appealed his sentence. After being turned down several times, he's recently been awarded an appeal. He was released on bond."

"That's why he was shooting at us today," Phillip guessed.

"Well, I doubt that it was Pablo Menendez shooting at us earlier. I don't think he's that stupid. Most likely it was a hired gun or an associate. The government had a very strong case against this guy, but he's been given a new trial based on a technicality. If I testify again, he knows he'll end up right back in prison," Lee added, trying to make it sound less threatening than the situation was. "If he can… scare me off so I won't testify, he might walk free…"

"So there's a contract out on your life?" Jamie suggested in a hushed voice with wide eyes.

"Something like that," Lee answered distastefully, wishing that his stepson wasn't so perceptive.

Dotty's face appeared to be slightly skeptical and less than satiated by Lee's colorful explanation of the earlier events. "How did it happen that you knew so much about the money laundering in the first place?"

Lee stood up and paced in the small dining room once again. He peered out the window into the dark back yard wishing for a simple, easy answer, knowing that the truth he needed to reveal was far from simple. Lee realized that Dotty wouldn't just drop the subject and as much as he hated to admit it, she had a right to know. "I was part of an undercover team."

"Like a sting?" Phillip volunteered eagerly.

"Yeah," Lee answered reluctantly as he finally returned to the table, turning the chair backwards and sat down.

Dotty glanced over at Amanda who sat motionless and pale then Dotty turned to face Lee one more time. "I'm having a hard time believing that the government would allow you, a film producer, to tag alongside them filming a documentary while they're trying to build a federal case against some criminal."

"I wasn't filming this for IFF or for anyone else for that matter, although I was working for IFF at the time. I was working undercover helping this goon convert his illegal American dollars into usable assets - thus the nickname - black pesos," Lee explained persistently, his elbows resting on the back of the chair. "This was before the infamous Medallion and Cali Cartel really got organized, but on this operation, we were very successful, in more ways than one. In the end, we managed to shut down his operation, confiscated a lot of money, learned how they were channeling funds and exposed various illegal facets of their operation." Lee paused for only a few seconds before he proudly added, "and over the last few years because of this case money laundering laws have been tightened."

"I don't believe you," Dotty announced as she folded her arms across her chest in defiance. "Last year you disappear with Amanda for days and have half the Feds in DC searching for you while the boys and I were prisoners in our own home. Next, Amanda goes away alone on what was supposed to be a quiet vacation and gets shot and you're the one who calls me from the hospital to give me the upsetting news. Now this! Do you really think I'm going to believe this story? I'm not that gullible, Lee Stetson! You drive around in that fancy car; you're always impeccably dressed. So what's the real truth? Are you a drug lord or something?"

"Mother!" Amanda gasped in horror at the suggestion as her eyes lit up with anger at her mother's outburst. Then finally, shaking her head, she glanced over at Lee and whispered in a weak voice. "Tell them…"

Lee grimaced and rubbed his temple as if he was fighting off a headache. He glanced over at Amanda not sure he heard her correctly but a slight nod of her head reassured him that he had.

"We don't have any other choice. The truth is better than what she thinks of us now," she suggested softly.

"No, I'm not a drug lord, nor have I ever been one," he stated emphatically. He sat back in his chair at the table and pondered the complex explanation he needed to divulge. "I was working as a special agent with IFF trying to find out how these drug lords were channeling their funds overseas. I'm not a film producer for IFF. It's not really a film company at all. IFF is a front for a covert government agency, which deals in a wide spectrum of national security issues. I've been working for them for almost fifteen years…"

"As in a spy?" Phillip and Jamie chorused together in wide-eyed disbelief.

"We don't use like to use the term spies, but, yes," he concurred as he scanned the room for his coat. He went over and plucked out what looked like a thin wallet and handed it to Dotty. "I'm sorry for lying to you all these years, but it was for your own safety. I never wanted something like this to happen."

Dotty opened the wallet to find Lee's Agency identification. She studied it carefully. Her finger brushing over the metal badge as well. She stared at his picture then up at Lee several times before finally speaking. "I've got to admit this looks real…"

"Can I see that, Grandma?" Phillip pleaded with excitement.

She passed it over to her ever-eager grandson numbly and stared first at Lee then over to her daughter.

"It's not a forgery, Mother, it's as real as it gets," Amanda admitted sullenly.

"I suppose since you work together, you have one of these, too?" Dotty asked Amanda flatly, still in shock from it all.

"Yes, Mother," she admitted. "I've known Lee for over four years now."

Dotty just stared at her daughter in amazement.

"Do you carry a gun, Lee?" Phillip asked, intrigued.

"Sometimes," Lee replied, not wanting to further alarm Dotty or encourage this line of questioning.

"Wow, I can't believe you and Mom are spies," Jamie mumbled as he now examined Lee's Agency identification. "That's way cool…"

"It's not a game," Amanda warned nervously.

"Your mother's right. Because of my testimony and our jobs you're all in danger," he commented despondently.

"But you're one of the good guys," Jamie reminded him pointedly. "So the government's going to protect us, right?"

"Yes, sweetheart," Amanda replied in relief as she reached out and patted Jamie's hand on the table. "That's why we're here now. That's why Lee made us leave the house as quickly as he did today and brought us here where we'll be safe."

"Mr. Royce, who's outside at the moment works for the U. S. Marshall Service and is in charge of our safety for the time being," Lee explained, hoping not to make the boys or Dotty any more apprehensive than they were earlier in the day. "Everything will be all right as long as you listen to him."

"Boys, it's been a long day and it's getting kind of late. How about you hit the showers and get ready for bed," Amanda suggested to her sons.

"Ah, Mom, do we have to?" Phillip balked. "It's not like we have school tomorrow."

"Afraid so. It's been quite a day," she replied with a determined stare. "Now go on."

Jamie got up without further argument and Phillip reluctantly followed a few moments later.

"So that's it? We just sit around here and wait?" Dotty questioned, still looking rather perplexed.

"For now, Mother," Amanda concurred. "That's all we can do. For the boys' sake, we need to try to keep things as normal as possible."

"Normal?" Dotty shook her head. She looked like she was going to say more, but refrained from commenting and got up. "I guess I'll start cleaning up this mess."

"Dotty, I'm really sorry for all this. I never wanted something like this to happen. That's why we've hid the truth from you for all these years," Lee admitted guiltily as he put a comforting hand on his mother-in-law's shoulder.

"You can sugar coat it if you like, Lee, but you both lied to me and the boys! I don't know whether to be angry with you both or scared for you and my grandsons," she answered in an angry tone as she pulled away. "Amanda, why in the world did you get mixed up in such a dangerous line of work in the first place?"

"It was quite by accident, Mother. Do you remember that cooking show, 'The Colonial Cookery' with Mrs. Welch?" she asked her mother with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, she went off the air suddenly because she turned out to be selling…" Dotty gulped, rather startled as the realization as to why her daughter asked her the question. She quickly reached out for a chair and plopped down in it. "You had a part in that…that arrest?"

"Yes, Mother. That was the first case where I helped Lee out on. After that, Lee's boss, Mr. Melrose, found out I had strong secretarial skills so I pitched in now and then, mostly in the office at first, but eventually one thing led to another…"

"You work for that man, Melrose?" Dotty asked with a furious glare.

"Mother, I know you two didn't hit it off well in the first place, but he did help out Harry when he got in trouble gambling with those loan sharks," she tried to jog her mother's memory. "He's really a very nice man."

"I suppose," Dotty reluctantly agreed. "I assume you two were involved in that investigation as well?"

"Yes, Mother," she confirmed. "Harry got himself in the middle of a rather dangerous mess. I can't go into details, most of it's classified, but with the help of Lee and the Agency, we were able to get Harry out of that jam and arrested a couple of unsavory criminals."

Dotty shuddered at the memory and sighed heavily. "Maybe someday you can tell me more about what you do, but right now I don't think I want to hear anymore," she announced, totally overwhelmed. Instead she got up once again and began to clean up the dinner dishes.

"I understand, Mother," Amanda replied as she too stood up to help clean up.

With Amanda and Dotty cleaning up the kitchen Lee excused himself to go out front to speak with Deputy Royce. "Thanks for the privacy," Lee said graciously to Rick Royce who was sitting quietly out on the front porch.

Deputy Royce shrugged. "The first few days are always the most difficult in these situations. I've learned the more space I give my families at first the better. We'll set some ground rules tomorrow once they get settled in so they understand what they can and can't do."

"Speaking of space, how soon can you find us larger accommodations?" Lee inquired anxiously as he stared out into the front yard into the darkness.

"I should have an answer to that question in the morning. I've made a few calls this evening while you were eating. Then we'll just need to make arrangement to get you there," Royce responded. "Couple of days tops."

"I'm not good at being on this side of the fence. I've always been the one responsible for protecting people. I feel rather helpless," Lee lamented with a heavy sigh.

"I can't say that I'd want to switch places with you," the deputy replied shaking his head. "Luckily I don't have a family."

"That'll change," Lee informed the younger deputy. "One of these days she'll walk right into your life, turn it upside down and you won't know what hit you."

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience," Royce laughed quietly.

Lee nodded but didn't want to talk about it further. There were too many thoughts going through his mind. After six months of a mystery marriage his job had endangered not only Amanda, but also the family he cared for so deeply. The two men sat out on the porch in the warm summer air. The neighborhood had been quiet at the late hour, only the crickets chirping and the rustle on the leaves as a gentle summer breeze blew through penetrated the night.

Then a car drove down the street and stopped right in front of the house. The engine stopped and the lights were shut off. Lee's relaxed postured changed immediately.

The young deputy sitting next to him quickly noticed Lee's look of concern. "Relax, Scarecrow," Deputy Royce reassured. "That's my replacement for the evening. I'll be back early tomorrow morning."

Lee tried to relax, but he couldn't. It wasn't just another job, another assignment. The inhabitants inside this house were more than just average people. They were his family.  He'd lost his family once when he was a small boy, he couldn't survive losing this family as well.

An older Deputy sauntered up the driveway nodding to Deputy Royce. "Scarecrow, I presume?" he asked as he reached the two men on the front porch.

Lee extended his hand, trying to act casual. "Yes, pleasure to meet you…"

"Deputy Ken Gibbons, U. S. Marshall's Service," he announced somewhat formally as he took Lee's hand and shook it firmly. "Sorry to meet under these circumstances. Everything satisfactory inside?"

"The house itself isn't the problem. It's the size…" Lee began to explain.

"The file didn't mention his wife, two stepsons and his mother-in-law," Royce interrupted with a frustrated tone.

The older Deputy winced. "Got to be a little crowded in there right about now."

"We should have another house available within 48 hours," Royce responded.

"I hope so," Lee replied.

"It's a tough business to try to raise a family in," Deputy Gibbons cautioned as he pulled out a cigarette from the pack in his shirt pocket and lit one, inhaling deeply.

Lee's face quickly grimaced from the unwanted reminder. "I, um, better get back inside," Lee answered not wanting to delve into that discussion.

"I've got two grown kids myself, so don't go second guessing yourself now," Deputy Gibbons volunteered as he exhaled, then coughed a heavy smoker's cough before he continued. "Family is everything. It's the only thing you can ever really count on."

Lee cracked a slight smile. "I hope you're right. Did you want to come in and meet…"

"I'll be in a little later. Don't want to crowd you more than you already are. If you need anything just give me holler," Deputy Gibbons explained. "First nights always the hardest. You don't need an audience right now. Try to get some sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."

"I trust you'll fill in Gibbons with the issue we discussed earlier?" Lee reminded Deputy Royce that his marriage had been, until now, a secret.

"Yeah, I'll brief him fully," Royce promised.

"Thanks, I'll see you later," Lee announced before heading back into the house.

"I was starting to get worried about you," Amanda confided as she sat in the living room channel surfing.

"I was just chatting with the evening replacement for Royce," he explained.

"Chatting or grilling?" she wondered aloud with a faint smile.

Lee chuckled, his wife knew him quite well. "Chatting, I promise."

"Are you all right?" she asked, giving him a nervous glance.

"I'm fine," he answered quickly as he stood in the small living room. "The boys get to bed?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Mother's getting ready now, but I'm not sure she'll sleep. She's rather edgy at the moment."

"I noticed that…Amanda, I'm really sorry…" Lee apologized.

"Lee, this isn't your fault, so don't start blaming yourself now," she chastised.

He nodded, but didn't answer. He knew she didn't blame him personally, but he was the reason they were ripped from the safety of their home and friends. "We're going to have to tell your mother and the boys tomorrow about us being married. I thought about telling them tonight, but I wasn't up to it," he admitted sheepishly.

"My mother was rather rough on you and you didn't deserve it. I'm really sorry," she atoned.

"How about you don't apologize for your mother and I won't apologize for getting us into this mess, all right?" Lee suggested.

"Sounds fair," Amanda answered as she patted the cushion next to her on the couch. "Care to join me? It's not that bad."

"I don't mind if I do," he answered with a tired smile.

Lee had barely gotten comfortable and Dotty came out of the bathroom. "Good night, Amanda, Lee," she announced.

"Good night, Mother, I'll be in in a few minutes," Amanda advised.

"Sleep well, Dotty," Lee suggested, hoping his mother-in-law could shake the jittery feeling he could see was still with her.

"I hope to," she answered and then opened the door to the front bedroom and slipped inside without further discussion.

"Tomorrow they'll all settle down. Things will get better," Amanda reminded her husband.

"Will it?" he asked with concern, not as easily convinced by the statement. "We've got to tell them the rest of the truth. We can't hide that we're married any longer. If one of the Marshall's slips before we come clean it'll be a disaster…" he trailed off in concern.

"Don't go borrowing trouble," Amanda advised in a warning tone.

"I'm just worried about the boys adjusting to everything. There'll be so many changes in their lives…" Lee worried as he pulled his wife closer to him.

A while later, Deputy Gibbons slipped into the house stealthily, careful to lock up behind him. Nodding to both Lee and Amanda, but not engaging them in conversation. He took up residence in the dining room of the small house and dimmed the lights. From that vantage point he still had a good view of both the front door and the side door.

Lee and Amanda eventually drifted off to sleep watching the television on the couch. It wasn't until the shrill ring of the kitchen phone that brought them back to consciousness.

"You're not expecting a call, are you?" Deputy Gibbons questioned as he glanced over at Lee and Amanda who were now awake.

"No," Lee replied as he tried to think clearly. "I don't even think the Agency has this number yet."

"I'll get it," Gibbons declared walking into the kitchen and picking up the receiver. "Hello… HELLO? Who is this?" he demanded in a harsh voice.

Lee had gotten up and was now standing next to Ken Gibbons. They both heard the resounding 'CLICK' as the phone was hung up on the other end. Lee glanced nervously at the other deputy.

"We couldn't have been located this quickly," Lee professed as he paced nervously in the little kitchen. "I'm certain we weren't followed here. I'm not a rookie, I ran several avoidance patterns and at the time there wasn't anyone tailing us. There's no way we were followed…"

"Don't worry, Scarecrow, I'll have the call traced," Gibbons reassured him as he waited for dial tone and started the process.

End Part Three
 
 
 
 
 
 

BLACK PESOS - Part Four
 

Lee paced nervously in the tiny little house, but then glanced over at his wife and put on a fake smile. "It's probably just a crank call. Why don't you go to bed? No sense in both of us waking up with a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch."

"Lee…" Amanda began to protest, anxiety clearly written on her face.

Lee walked over to his wife and hugged her, hoping to give them both some much-needed moral-support. "Seriously, that couch isn't that comfortable so go sleep in a real bed."

"I don't mind staying up," she responded in a soothing voice.

"Your mother would probably be more at ease if she woke up and found you in the room instead of all alone in a strange place," he surmised. Then without waiting for her to reply he kissed her gently on the lips and motioned for her to go.

Amanda walked silently into the bedroom, but left the door slightly ajar.

Lee went to the front window, pulling the curtain back ever so slightly and peered into the dark night. The street outside was quiet at the late hour. He could see no movement in the yard, not even a car ventured down the street, but that proved to be little comfort to him.

"Why don't you take some of your own advice?" Deputy Gibbons suggested. "It was probably just some bored kids messing around."

"Just the same, I'd rather wait until we know for sure," Lee replied.

"Scarecrow, it could be an hour or more before we hear back from anyone. You're tired. Get some sleep. If there's a problem, I'll wake you up," the deputy promised.

Again Lee felt the frustration of not being in charge. He wasn't used to relying on others to protect him. In the past it was just him, now he had four other people to worry about. As much as he wanted to protest he knew Gibbons was right. "Even if it was a crank call, I want to know."

"Get some shut eye," Gibbons suggested. "I promise I'll keep you informed."

Lee went back to the couch and fluffed the pillow with a resounding punch, trying to rid his frustration. It did little to settle him down and now, alone, he found the couch anything but comfortable. He grabbed the remote and channel surfed, hoping to find something that would take his mind off his current predicament. He looked over his shoulder and called out to Deputy Gibbons. "If I fall asleep, wake me up - either way…"

Lee did drift off to a fitful sleep and wasn't sure how long he'd been dozing when he heard the distinct ring of a cell phone. He jumped up from the couch, trying to get his bearings in the dimly lit room.

"What… what's going on?" he called out in a gasp, his heart pounding with the sudden rush of adrenaline.

Deputy Gibbons held up his hand for Lee to wait while he finished his phone call. "Right… you're sure? Must have scared the hell out of them! Yeah, that will make a few people here sleep easier. Thanks," he replied before ending the call.

Amanda scurried into the room. "I heard the phone," she admitted softly as she stood by Lee's side and held his hand tightly.

"Relax, both of you," Gibbons ordered. "Good news! They traced the call. It was from across town."

"That's awfully close. Who was it?" Lee demanded in a sharp voice.

"It was a couple of high school boys making prank calls to some girls and they dialed wrong. I don't think they'll be doing that again. We had an Deputy search the house and question the occupants. The whole incident scared the hell out of them! Their parents aren't too thrilled with them at the moment either," Gibbons chuckled at the image.

"They're sure?" Amanda asked anxiously.

"Relax, they're sure," he answered, trying to allay their fears. "Go back to bed."

Lee nodded to her. "If they thought there was even the slightest chance of a security breach they would've pulled us from here immediately," Lee concurred knowingly. "Go on back to bed."

"No," she shrugged. "I'm staying out here with you."

"Amanda…"

"Lee, I haven't slept a wink tonight. I probably won't. I'd rather be out here with you than staring at the ceiling listening to my mother snore," she answered definitively.

Lee nodded and reached for his wife's hand and guided her gently back to the living room couch. "I'm looking forward to when we can share a comfortable bed instead of this overstuffed sofa," he whispered as they tried to get comfortable together.

"The sofa isn't that bad," she reminded him.

"That's not entirely what I meant and you know it," he whispered. "As much as I dread telling your family we eloped, I am looking forward to… you know, being like a regular family. Maybe spending an entire night with my wife, even if her family is sleeping in the bedrooms across the hall."

"You'll be getting your wish pretty soon then," Amanda whispered back as she rested her head against her husband. "We'll tell them first thing in the morning."

"Now that thought will help me fall asleep," he grumbled as he pulled his wife closer to him. "Good night, Mrs. Stetson, I love you," he whispered just before he planted a tender kiss on her head.

"I love you, too, Mr. Stetson," Amanda mumbled before she yawned.

They both eventually succumbed to sleep in the quiet little house, but by the time they fell asleep, dawn was just a few hours away. The sun hadn't yet crept into the room when Lee awoke; however the telltale signs of morning were beginning to take hold. Amanda was leaning against him and as much as he didn't want to wake her, his arm had been wrapped around her and had fallen asleep. He tried carefully to extricate it from her, but the movement disturbed his wife.

"Morning all ready?" she mumbled sleepily.

"Not quite. Why don't you try to go back to sleep?" he admitted as he cringed from the pain of pins and needles as it rippled through his arm.

Amanda tried to stretch the kinks out of her neck. "I think you were right about the stiff neck."

"I'm going to take a quick shower before the rest of the family gets up," Lee decided.

"Don't use up all the hot water," she warned.

"You could join me," he suggested with a grin.

"So I've brought out the conservationist in you, huh?" Amanda laughed, shaking her head. "I'll get some coffee started."

"I'll take that as a no," he pouted.

"Go take a shower before there's a line," she answered, rolling her eyes. "And save some hot water for me."

Lee took a brief shower and dressed. Before leaving the steamy bathroom he took a deep breath. He wasn't looking forward to Dotty and the boys getting up. He couldn't shake the unsettled feeling about the impending conversation with his mother-in-law and stepsons. Last night hadn't gone too bad, but how much could he expect to spring on his family before they rebelled? Would the truth shatter the relationship he'd built with Phillip and Jamie? Would Dotty be pleased that they had married like she'd hinted over the past months, or would she be angry at the piles of lies that had suddenly been exposed?

Lee pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and opened the door. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted down the short hall and greeted him. "Smells good," he commented when he stepped into the kitchen and grabbing a freshly poured mug of coffee.

Amanda smiled at first when he appeared, then frowned. "Lee, isn't that what you were wearing yesterday?"

"Yeah," he shrugged, then quickly changed the subject. "Where's our company?"

"Mr. Gibbons went outside with his coffee to smoke a cigarette," she replied. "Lee, why didn't you pack a bag?"

"There wasn't time to run to my apartment," he explained as he peered out the window at the sunrise. "I figured the boys would be more inconvenienced by this than I would. I'll need to do some shopping sometime today, tomorrow at the latest. I'm sure there's some local store I can pick up a few things from."

"I'm sure the boys won't appreciate the sacrifice, but I do. We owe you our lives," she said with a heavy sigh.

"It's the least I could do since it's my fault we're in this mess in the first place," he reminded her.

Amanda put down her coffee mug on the kitchen counter and wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. "We're in this because you helped stop a major drug ring and put a drug dealer behind bars. Don't be sorry for that," she warned him.

"Thanks," Lee replied as he kissed his wife on the nose. "I needed to hear that."

"It's a parent's biggest nightmare that their kids experiment with drugs. It's such an easy trap to fall into," she reminded him. "Phillip and Jamie are at that age where a lot of kids make bad choices regarding drugs. Maybe because of this, they'll make the right decisions."

"I hope they do," Lee answered reflectively, looking somewhat lost.

"I do too.  Are you all right?" Amanda queried.

"I feel so…so… I don't know how to explain it," he answered with a puzzled look.

"You're just not used to taking a back seat and letting someone else run the show," she answered knowingly. "Lee, try to relax. The Marshall's have everything under control. Everything will be fine."

"It's not just that…" Lee mumbled uncomfortably searching for the words to express his feelings. "I'm scared to death that everything could fall apart around us."

"You're underestimating our family," she warned.

"Our family," he repeated, the sound was still foreign to him. "But we've told so many lies, I'm worried about telling your mother and the boys the truth…"

"The truth about what?" Dotty asked harshly as she stepped into the room. "So yesterday's explanation about why we're here WAS a lie?"

Lee closed his eyes, wishing this was just a nightmare, but he knew he wasn't dreaming. He didn't turn to face his mother-in-law right away. His face grimaced as if he'd been shot. His jaw tightened and he swallowed hard. Finally he opened his eyes to see Amanda staring at him helplessly. Her face paled at the surprise encounter with her mother. Lee turned and faced his accuser.

"Dotty, I didn't know you were awake," Lee managed to force out.

"Obviously," she snorted angrily.

"Mother, what Lee told you yesterday is the truth," Amanda stated evenly. "It's just that there's more to tell you."

"More?" Dotty repeated loudly, rolling her eyes. "You mean it's not enough to find out that my daughter and her boyfriend are both spies?"

"Mother, lower your voice or you'll wake the boys up," Amanda pleaded softly.

"Why don't you sit down?" Lee suggested as he began to move over to the dining room table.

"I don't want to sit down, I'd like to know what is really going on around here. You drag us from the safety of our home, we go for a wild car ride and get shot at before you throw us in the back of a filthy old van and drive around for a couple of hours. I still don't even know where we are!" she balked loudly. "Why don't you forget the tall tales and tell me the truth!?" Her voice was loud and anxious enough that it drew out the occupants of the back bedroom.

"What's going on?" Phillip questioned as he entered the room, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Jamie asked in concern as he too now joined the group.

"Nothing's wrong," Amanda blurted out quickly, trying to diffuse the situation before it got anymore out of control. "Everyone stop. Just stop! Since everyone's up, we might as well have a family meeting."

Lee shook his head in agreement. As much as he didn't look forward to the discussion that lay ahead, he'd be just as glad to have it over with. "Good idea. We can continue our discussion from last night."

"There's more?" Phillip questioned, rather surprised, suddenly feeling wide awake.

"Apparently," Dotty remarked snidely as she ushered the boys into the dining room for yet another family discussion.

The boys eagerly slid into their chairs despite the early morning hour with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Dotty was less than amused but quickly took a seat as well. Amanda sat down, but Lee stood nervously leaning against the wall as if he needed its strength to support him. Amanda reached for the chair next to her and pulled it out, patting the seat. "Lee, sit next to me. We'll explain everything to them - together."

Glad to have his best ally nearby, Lee followed her instructions and sat down next to her. He reached for her hand under the table and held onto it tightly. He smiled at his wife and for a moment he didn't feel entirely overwhelmed by the situation. Lee swallowed hard.

"We've kept the truth from you about a lot of things. Considering what happened yesterday I hope you understand that our jobs aren't quite as glamorous as they show in the movies," Amanda started trying to lay the foundation of understanding.

Lee picked up on what she was doing and continued on. "Some of the people we come in contact with are less than desirable with means and motives that come out of greed or hate or ignorance. Often they don't care who they hurt or even kill to get what they want. Some of those people will use whatever leverage is necessary to get what they want."

"Have you ever been shot at or killed someone, Lee?" Phillip asked, almost in awe of the situation.

Lee swallowed hard and glanced briefly at Amanda. It took a few moments of thought before he turned to answer. "Phillip, at times I've done what was necessary for national security or to protect people who I was responsible for," he replied in a solemn voice that the boys had never heard before. "So - yes, there are times when I've been shot, shot at and had my life threatened and there were times I had to use deadly force. It's not something I take lightly; it's a decision that I have to live with every day."

"So that time Mom was shot out in California, that wasn't just an accident? You two were working on a case or something?" Jamie asked curiously.

"Well, no, that incident was one of those times when I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Amanda explained honestly. "But I'm glad you brought that up. As we mentioned last night, Lee and I have known each other for some time now. Over time we became more than just partners at work."

"It's been really difficult for your mother. She hated keeping so many things from you in order to protect you, but your safety was always extremely important to us both," Lee added, trying to paint the picture of how their relationship blossomed. "Somewhere over the last year, our good friendship deepened and we fell in love."

"Lee, Amanda, I appreciate the trip down memory lane, but is this story going anywhere?" Dotty asked impatiently.

"Yes, Mother, I'm just not sure how to tell you what we're trying to tell you," Amanda confided.

"Why don't you stop beating around the bush and just tell us," Dotty requested, short on patience at the moment.

Amanda nodded.  "Mother, you remember when I told you I needed some R&R and I flew out to California last February?"

"Yes, dear, how could I ever forget that rather dreadful trip," she answered with a shudder.

"As I'm sure you figured out, I didn't go out there alone. I went with Lee, but it wasn't work that sent us there. We were out there um... well, we were out there celebrating the fact that we got married," she blurted out anxiously.

"You eloped!" Dotty gasped as her mouth hung open.

Amanda and Lee nodded wordlessly and listened to the rapid-fire questions that came forth.

"You're married?" Phillip questioned as if he hadn't heard right.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Dotty said over and over again. "You were on your honeymoon when you were shot!"

Jamie sat back in his chair his eyes wide open, his jaw gaping wide. Finally he spoke accusingly. "That's why we had to come here with you. It wasn't just because of Mom. It's because we're your stepsons!"

"We've always been concerned about your safety," Lee nodded and explained in a hoarse voice, thinking back over the years, not only to recent cases, but to how he himself became an orphan. "That's why we've gone through such elaborate means to keep our profession, as well as our personal life a secret. IFF didn't even know that we're married…. Well, they didn't until now…"

Dotty sat shaking her head, but a smile grew on her face and tears formed in her eyes. "I thought…" she stopped and scratched her head almost in disbelief. "Of all the things I was thinking you were going to say… You have no idea what I was thinking! I can't believe it. You've been married for almost five months… You're married?!"

"Mother, boys, I just hope you're not angry at us," Amanda announced.

"I'm not angry," Dotty admitted. "Well, maybe just a little. I guess I'm upset you didn't confide in me, but considering everything I can understand. I'm flabbergasted!"

"Phillip? Jamie?" Amanda encouraged an answer from her sons as well.

"Like I told Junior here a while ago. I thought Lee was pretty cool guy," Phillip answered as he jostled his brother's shoulder.

Jamie stared at them both, uneasy with being in the spotlight. "I don't know, I guess," Jamie shrugged, uncomfortable with discussing the subject and somewhat overwhelmed by all the newfound facts regarding his mother and step father.

"Jamie, I really care about all of you," Lee spoke from the heart. He wasn't sure how to continue, but the words seemed to spill from his lips. "I'm sorry I've lied over the last few months, but I did it out of love - for all of you. You two are the sons I wished I had."

"I just don't want my Mom to be hurt again," Jamie admitted shyly.

"Trust me, Jamie, there's never been a person in this world I care about more than your mother. I promise I'll do everything and anything to make her happy and protect her - that goes for this entire family," Lee answered from the heart leaving no question for anyone at that table that he was anything but sincere.

"I um, care about you too, Lee," Jamie finally added as he blushed uncomfortably.

Dotty finally stood up with tears in her eyes and went over and hugged Amanda and Lee. She shook her head and asked one question. "Is there anything else you need to tell us?"

Amanda and Lee both laughed. "No, Mother, there are no more surprises," Amanda admitted with relief.

Lee looked at Amanda, almost amazed at their reaction. His face showed relief and surprise. "I guess you were right," he admitted to his wife. "I did underestimate our family."

A moment later there was a soft knock on the front door, then Deputy Royce walked in.

"Wow, you're early risers!" he noted as he saw the entire family in the dining room. "I was hoping to get here before you had breakfast. I brought fresh donuts!"

"All right!" Jamie and Phillip cheered together as their faces smiled brightly.

"Actually, we haven't had breakfast yet," Lee advised. "All we can offer is fresh coffee."

"Sounds like a fair trade to me," Deputy Royce replied as he walked to the dining room and placed the donuts on the table and they all quickly reached into the box of freshly baked donuts.
 

End Part Four
 

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