The missing link…
 
 

Friday morning…
 

Amanda Stetson sat outside an interrogation room at the Department of Justice.  In the room, on the other side of the glass/mirror, Wanda Luciano fidgeted nervously in her seat.  The door behind Amanda opened, and she expected it to be her husband to start the interrogation, but instead it was her supervisor entering the room.

“I thought I might find you here,” Billy Melrose commented in a pleasant tone.  “Lee hasn’t started yet?”

Shaking her head, she answered, “No, they just brought her in.  Lee wanted her to sit and stew for a few minutes.”

Billy nodded, obviously understanding the tactics, and he pulled up a chair next to Amanda and sat down.

“You know, Amanda, you’ve done a great job keeping your composure throughout this whole ordeal, and getting Woody’s confession on tape,” Billy praised her.  “I’m not sure I would have been as unruffled given the circumstances.”

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, sir,” Amanda admitted letting out a long breath.  “I wish that Woody hadn’t gotten away.”

“He can’t go very far,” Billy replied.  “We’ve got agents watching his house, the airports, and there’s a BOLO on his car.   We have his passport, all his bank accounts are frozen, and his credit cards are flagged.  We’ll find him.”

“It’s been over 36 hours, sir.  We both know the longer he’s out there, the less likely we are to find him,” Amanda worried.  “Besides, he knows how we work.”

“Yes, he’s a trained agent.  I would expect him to stay hidden for a few days.  I didn’t say it was going to be easy, but eventually he’ll make a mistake,” Billy reasoned logically.  “You know, I appreciate the effort it took going through all those personnel records at NIH to find her,” Billy nodded towards the window and the woman sitting in the interrogation room.

“It had to be done, sir.  We needed to find the woman Woody was talking about.”

“Is there anything new to report about our possible collaborator?”  Billy asked, studying the woman on the other side of the glass.  She was a slender woman, a few years older than Amanda, with jet-black hair, which was cropped short.  She dressed fashionable, but budget minded.  Currently, she sat at the table nervously wringing her hands.

“I left an updated status report in your ‘in’ box this morning,” Amanda explained.

“I haven’t made it to the Agency yet today,” he explained.  “Can you fill me in?”

Amanda opened the file that she had with her.  “You already know that Wanda Granato, worked as a research technician at the National Institute of Health from 1966 until 1969.  Our investigation revealed that she left there in the summer of 1969 and started college.  Wanda earned a degree in nursing in 1972.  She has worked in the private sector at various hospitals since then, and married Bob Luciano in 1975.  They have two kids, a dog and according to the officers who brought her here, a very loud parrot.”

“Anything interesting in her bank accounts over the years that might suggest money laundering, or any drug related arrests?” Billy inquired, as he closely watched the woman.

“There was the one instance that Woody mentioned when she was working at NIH where she was accused of stealing drugs.  They never proved it either way, and the case was dropped.  The bank records from the late 60’s, early 70’s are on microfiche.  We’re still waiting on that.  What we pulled up from the 80’s onward wouldn’t suggest anything out of the ordinary.  She’s lived a normal, middle class life, paid her taxes regularly and has never been audited by the IRS.”  Amanda closed the dossier she had created on the woman and placed it back on her lap.

“Still a big gap left open without all the bank records,” Billy mumbled, but before he could discuss it any further, Lee Stetson came into the room.

“Billy, I didn’t know you were going to be here this morning,” Lee commented, offering his hand to his former boss.

“I’d like to find out if she was an innocent pawn, like George Tipton, or an active member of the plan,” his former supervisor replied.

“Yeah, so would we,” Lee nodded, observing the woman who sat inside the interrogation room, who was glancing around jittery.  “Did you read our report?”

“No, but Amanda briefed me,” he answered.

“I would have liked to see her bank records from the 60’s and 70’s, but that’s going to take a few days.  I’m hoping with a little pressure in there, she’ll give up anything we might not have found,” Lee remarked.

“It’s in her best interest to come clean now.  If we find out later she’s lying, we could charge her with conspiracy…”

“I guess its show time!” Lee said, as he walked towards the door with great anticipation.

“Good luck,” Amanda offered as her husband went into the interrogation room.  She turned the switch on the microphone, allowing them to hear the interview…

“Wanda Luciano, I’m Lee Stetson, from the Department of Justice,” Lee greeted the woman sternly as he sat down and faced her, his back towards Amanda and Billy.  This wouldn’t be a friendly, Class ‘C’ interrogation.  There would be no flash of the sexy, Lee Stetson smile, no bedroom eyes for this suspect.  This interrogation was strictly down to business.  Lee was going to find out if Wanda was an accomplice, or an innocent bystander.

“Mr. Stetson, could you please explain to me why I’m here?  I just got my kids on the school bus when I was forcibly detained,” she pleaded indignantly.  “Other than the one speeding ticket, and running the occasional red light when I’m late, I can’t imagine what the Justice Department would want with me!”

Lee casually flipped through the file in his hand, not answering her question right away.  Having had years of experience interrogating suspects, he was using the fact that Wanda was on edge to his advantage.  Surreptitiously, he watched the woman squirm in her chair and he had to hide his satisfied grin.  Clearing his throat, he finally began his interrogation.

“We are currently investigating a case and your name came to our attention,” Lee answered vaguely.

“My name?” she repeated, her eyes wide and staring at him.

Lee lifted his head and made direct eye contact with her.  Without blinking, he replied with a simple, “Yes.”  He waited and watched his subject, wondering if she would bite.

“I work at the hospital.  We had a patient die a few weeks ago.  He was a very nice, but elderly man,” she started hesitantly.  “His wife swore she was going to sue the hospital.”

“What did he die from?” Lee asked.

“He came in through the ER with a ruptured appendix.  He died from complications.  The hospital review board investigated, but they didn’t find any wrong doing,” she explained.  “I assure you, the other nurses and I treated him with the utmost care and respect.”

Lee listened to the woman, and turned a few pages in his file.  He then closed the file, put it down on the table, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  “Was the patient given any drugs?”

“Certainly,” she nodded.  “Antibiotics were given to try to fight the infection.”

“What else?”

“Probably something for pain; I’d have to read the patient’s chart, Mr. Stetson.  It was several weeks ago, and I deal with many patients on a daily basis.”

“You handle a lot of prescription drugs?” he probed.

“Yes.”

“So you undoubtedly know a lot about them.”

“I’m a nurse, Mr. Stetson.  My job depends upon giving patients the proper dosage of medications,” she answered with an edge to her voice.

“Have you ever given anyone an overdose?”

She didn’t answer that question directly.  Instead, she stared at Lee nervously.  “Am I being charged with overdosing someone?  Do I need a lawyer?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No, but you’re implying it,” she snapped anxiously.

Lee had his subject right where he wanted her – on the defensive.  Leaning back in his chair, he decided to get to the core of the situation.   “Our records indicate that you were accused of stealing medications from the dispensary at the National Institute of Health in 1967.”

“Oh… my… God!” she gulped, and then her mouth hung open.

“Tell me, Mrs. Luciano, did you have a drug problem?” Lee asked in an even voice and then waited for her to explain.

“Absolutely not!  I assure you, I never, EVER stole any drugs for myself or anyone else,” Wanda stated definitively, once she got her wits about her.  “I swear to you, I was not, and have never used or abused drugs. That whole mess almost cost me my job and my future…”

“Why don’t you tell me about it,” Lee prodded with great interest.  Her reaction, so far, appeared to be genuine, but he wanted to be sure, and he wanted details.

Wanda Luciano leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table, and rubbed her eyes with her hands.  “It was my first job out of high school.  I wanted to go to college and study medicine, but I didn’t have the money.  I took a job as a trainee in the laboratory.  I loved my job and soon they gave me more responsibility.  The money wasn’t great, but I did a lot of overtime, at night and on the weekends, to save money for school.  I knew I’d have to get a degree if I ever wanted to make something of myself.”

“Mrs. Luciano, you still haven’t answered my question.  Can you stick to the facts?  Why were you implicated in the missing drugs?” Lee pressed impatiently.

“I’m getting there, Mr. Stetson,” she replied.  “Some of the research required testing be done at specific times, which meant someone had to be there at night, or on the weekend.  Anytime it involved overtime, I’d volunteer.  Mostly, I’d be the only person in the building once the cleaning crew left.  The drug dispensary was supposed to be locked at all times.  I’ll admit, when I was there alone at night, I often left the drug dispensary room unlocked because it was easier.”

Lee was getting impatient.  “Mrs. Luciano, can you please get to the point.”

“I’m trying, but this was complicated,” she replied, obviously upset.  “One night, I was getting ready to lock up, and I found the night security chief inside the dispensary.  I knew I was in big trouble because my boss had reminded me a few days earlier that there had been some drugs missing.”

“He wrote you up for the infraction?”

“Not exactly,” she choked out in a low voice.  “The security chief insisted on inspecting my personal belongings before I left the building.  He searched everything I had, my lab, my desk, my purse, and then…” she stopped and swallowed hard.  Wanda Luciano’s face turned a bright red.  She glanced down at the floor, trying to hide her discomfort, but it was apparent.  “He didn’t find anything of course, but leaving the door unlocked was enough to get me fired.  He said if I agreed to… sleep with him, he wouldn’t report my ‘indiscretion’.”

“So you did,” Lee surmised.

“It was the 60’s,” she shrugged, yet her face showed signs of regret.  “I needed the job, the money.  I locked up the lab, clocked out, and met him in his office.  I knew I wasn’t stealing the drugs, so I figured that would be the last of it.  However, the next day, they did a spot inventory check, and came up short.  Since I was the only one who had a key that night, they suspected me.  I thought I’d be fired for sure, but the security chief vouched for me.”

Lee was intrigued by her story and continued on the line of questioning.  “What did you say his name was?”

“I knew you’d ask me that,” Wanda replied, scratching her head in contemplation.  “That was a long time ago.  It was something unusual - Elbert or Elvin.”

“Did you continue a relationship with him?”

“God, no!  He wasn’t much of a lover.  I only slept with him that once,” she explained.

Lee made a few notes in his file once Wanda finished her explanation.  Then they sat there in silence.

“Is there anything else you wanted to know?” she questioned anxiously.

He flipped through the file, but didn’t answer her question.  “You didn’t continue with a physical relationship, but did you keep in touch with him?”

“Elwood!  His name was Elwood!” she shouted out when she finally remembered.  “No, we didn’t keep in touch.  I think he was promoted, or transferred shortly after that incident.  I didn’t see him around much after that,” she answered honestly.

“You didn’t see him much, or you didn’t see him – which is it, Mrs. Luciano?” Lee peppered, needing a precise answer, and not a vague one.

“I did see him once after that, a couple years later.  I was coming out of the lab, and he was talking with one of the analytical chemists.”

“Do you remember who that was?” Lee asked, taking a shot in the dark.

“Oh, yeah,” she nodded.  For the first time since he began his interrogation, Wanda Luciano smiled.  “He was talking with Dr. Bernard Gammon.”

Lee gasped, even he was familiar with that name.  “The world renowned heart specialist?”

“Yeah, he was a brilliant doctor, but very down to earth.  Dr. Gammon was a wonderful man.  He was working at the NIH on a joint British/US project,” she explained with fond recollection. “Do you know Dr. Gammon?”

“By reputation only,” Lee replied, and then asked her yet another question.  “Do you recall when you saw Elwood with Dr. Gammon?”

“It was several months before I left NIH, and went to college.  I got a full scholarship to college on Dr. Gammon’s recommendation.  It had to have been early in the year – February, no, I think it was March of 69.  Elwood was wearing this expensive suit, which looked out of place in the lab.  That’s what made me notice him that day.  Everyone else at the lab had on a white lab coat.”

“Did he say anything to you?”

“I didn’t interrupt his conversation with Dr. Gammon, but Elwood talked with me later, when I was in the lunchroom.  We spoke only briefly.  He said he was glad I was still working there.  I thanked him for vouching for me.  He asked if they ever caught who stole the drugs, and I told him I didn’t think so.”

“Anything else?” he asked, suddenly disappointed, expecting more.

“No, our conversation was interrupted by the fire alarm.  I remember wishing I’d see him outside while we were waiting for the all clear.  It was a cold and blustery day, and he had on that fancy suit jacket which would have been much warmer than the blouse I had on.”

“Was there a fire?”

“No, it must have been a fire drill.  Funny thing though, we usually know about them in advance so we can be prepared for them if it’s cold outside.  Unfortunately, that day someone dropped the ball.  Why are you interested in this case now?  I mean, that happened over 20 years ago.  Have there been more drugs stolen?” she inquired with concern.

Lee glanced up from the file, tapping his pen on the table.  With a raised eyebrow, he answered.  “Yes, drugs were stolen again in March of 1969.”

“Oh my God!  That bastard was the thief!” she exclaimed angrily.  “I slept with that pig, and even thanked him for vouching for me.”

Having already come to the same conclusion, there was little he could say to the now irate woman, but allow her to vent her rage.  Lee’s mind was now considering the likelihood that Elwood Kraus had been supplementing his government income by selling the stolen drugs on the black market.

“Have you arrested that bastard?” she swore furiously.

“There’s an arrest warrant out for him, but so far he’s eluded us,” Lee admitted reluctantly.  “We’ll find him, Mrs. Luciano, but we may need your testimony to convict him.  Would you agree to make a sworn statement regarding what you just told me?”

“I’d be happy to help you in any way, Mr. Stetson, but, um, if I do, will he come after me?  I mean, if he finds out that I’m going to testify against him,” she gulped apprehensively.   “I have a family to worry about.”

Lee ran his hand through his hair, and contemplated her question.  Woody had called Tippy, and if he got desperate, he might try to blackmail Wanda into helping him.  Lee looked at Wanda Luciano closely, studying her features, and coloring.  Finally, he asked her, “How tall are you?”

Giving him a strange look, she answered, “About 5’ 8”, why?”

“Because you’re probably right,” he answered but a smile grew on his face.  “Elwood might go after you to keep you quiet, but I’ve got a plan…”
 

*****
 

‘Wanda’  arrived home from her shift at the usual time on Saturday afternoon.  Unlocking her front door, she was greeted by the squawk of her parrot, but the dog was in the backyard, and nobody else appeared to be home.  A note on the kitchen counter from her husband, Bob, told her he took the kids to see a movie.   She went into her bedroom, kicked off her shoes, and slipped out of the nursing uniform into jeans.  Grabbing a diet soda out of the fridge, she went into the family room to relax.

For all appearances, it was an average Saturday afternoon at the Luciano home.  She put on the television set to entertain her while she waited.  It wasn’t long before a visitor arrived.

“You’ve got company coming,” Lee Stetson’s voice called to her via the earpiece she was wearing.  “Everything’s a go.”

She sat comfortably on the recliner and watched as the front door opened.  She waited until he was inside the foyer.  “We meet again, Elwood,” Amanda greeted their foe.

Elwood Kraus blinked a few times before he realized it was Amanda Stetson, and not Wanda Luciano sitting in front of him.  He didn’t say a word, but glanced around nervously.  Realizing he was set up, he turned and bolted for the door.

“Stop right there, Woody,” Lee shouted out to their adversary once he was on the front lawn.

Woody turned and observed Lee standing near his Mercedes.  It was clear that he wouldn’t be able to use his car to flee, so he turned, and ran in the opposite direction.

“Woody, stop!” Amanda yelled from the front door, knowing his attempt to flee would be in vain.  The older man would be no match for Lee, and the handful of agents that surrounded the house and neighborhood.

A few seconds later, Lee Stetson caught up to Woody and tackled him to the ground.  For an instant, she thought it was over, but Woody refused to give up easily.  He attempted to stand, swinging at Lee with both fists on unsteady legs.

Easily ducking to avoid Woody’s punches, Lee retaliated with only one punch of his own.  His left fist landed squarely on the man’s jaw, flinging his head back.  Woody dropped to the ground like a rock.

Lee stood over the man and egged him on, “Have you had enough, Woody, or do you want to go a couple more rounds?”

Woody shook his head, trying to clear it.  Finally, he sat up, very slowly.  Blood was spurting from his lip and it was obvious that he’d had enough.  His head slunk down in defeat, and he didn’t say a word.

Amanda saw that the fight was over and rushed to his side.  “Lee, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” he answered.  In fact, there wasn’t a mark on him.  He reached his arm around his wife and gave her a hug.  He nodded towards their catch.  “I’m not so sure that Elwood is feeling too well.”

“It might have taken twenty years, Woody, but you’re going to be charged with my father’s murder.”

Woody took his hand off his bloody lip and scowled at the two of them.  Feigning innocence, he asked, “What is she talking about?  I didn’t murder anyone.”

Amanda lunged towards the man, but Lee held her back.  “Amanda, don’t; he’s not worth the effort.”

“You’re right,” she nodded, glancing up at Lee knowingly.  “After all, we’ve already got his confession on tape!”

The beaten and bedraggled Woody glanced up at her in despair.  “My confession?”

“You remember our conversation at the dorm the other night, Elwood?” she answered, with a bright grin on her face.  “I used Philip’s tape recorder.”

Woody groaned.

Another agent slapped handcuffs around his wrists and gruffly pulled him to his feet.  While he walked Woody to the nearest police car, they could hear the agent read the prisoner his rights.

“Come on, let’s get out of here, you look tired,” Lee commented, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“I am,” she answered, sighing heavily; thankful the entire ordeal was over.   Amanda pulled the wig off her head, and ran her fingers through her own hair, glad to be free of the encumbrance.   “We should call Wanda and let her know it’s safe for her to come home.”

Lee wrapped his arm around his wife.  “I’m sure Wanda, Tippy, and their families won’t have to worry about Woody bothering them ever again.”

“Woody certainly tampered with a lot of lives, and hurt a lot of innocent people.  At least Tippy’s record will be expunged; and they’ll remove any reference to the stolen drugs from Wanda’s personnel file.”

Lee watched his wife carefully.  His heart was breaking for her.  Despite all she’d done for Tippy and Wanda, there was little justice for his wife.

“It doesn’t bring your dad back though,” Lee replied, as they walked back to their car.  He wondered what he could do to help her through this.  “Are you going to tell your mother about any of this?”

They walked in silence for a moment before she answered.  “I hadn’t given that much thought, yet.  I’m sure it would bring her comfort to know that daddy did so much for his country,” she paused.  “I’d like to tell her about the Freedom Medal.”

“Yes, that’s something you should share with your mother and the boys.  The Freedom Medal is quite an honor.  What about you,” Lee asked once they reached their car.  “You’ve had to take in a lot about your dad these past few days.  How do you feel about everything?”

Leaning against the car for a moment, she glanced up at the clear blue sky and stared at it for a while.  The tired frown she wore began to fade.  It was replaced with a small smile.
“I’m really proud of him.  Maybe it’s silly, but knowing what I know now, I feel closer to my dad than I have in a long time.  Without realizing it, I followed in his footsteps.”

“Yeah, you did, and I think he’d be very proud of you, Amanda West Stetson.  I know I am,” Lee whispered as he pulled her into his arms, and tenderly kissed her lips…
 

End Part Eleven
 

Continue down for the TAG scene
 
 

****
 

TAG scene...
 
 

Several weeks later…
 
 

The light from the chandeliers, hanging from the high ceiling cascaded around the room.  It glistened in the mirrored columns giving the dining room a distinguished, yet romantic ambiance.  Most of the tables in the large room were filled, but Lee and Amanda were scarcely aware of the other guests.   Their attention didn’t drift any farther than their intimate table.

“Would you like some more champagne or perhaps some dessert, tonight?  I hear the chef’s chocolate mousse is top-notched,” Lee proposed to his wife as his fingers gently stroked her hand.

Amanda sat back in her chair and let out a relaxing breath.  “None for me thank you.  I couldn’t eat another bite.  If you’d like something, I’ll be happy to wait.  This room has such an elegant, southern charm.”

Folding his napkin, he placed it on the white linen tablecloth.  Finishing the last drop of champagne from his glass, he glanced around the room, pleased that their evening had gotten off to a wonderful start.  “As charming as it is, I think I’ll forego that delight,” he winked.  “I’d rather be alone with you. Can I interest you in a stroll outside in the gardens?”

”That sounds delightful,” she answered, beaming happily at her husband.

Soon, they were walking, hand in hand through the lush grounds of the Greenbrier.  The sunset had painted the sky a rainbow of colors, from deep orange towards the horizon, to a dark bluish purple where the clouds tried to hold back the encroaching night sky.

“I’m glad you talked me into coming up here for the weekend.  Spring is the perfect time to visit, look at the beautiful daffodils, the tulips, and even the rhododendrons are starting to bloom!”  Amanda reached out and gently touched a blossom as they wandered leisurely by the garden.  She took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh, flowery fragrance in the air.  “It’s so beautiful up here.”

“You’re beautiful,” Lee replied, squeezing his wife’s hand, and giving her a wink.  “I’m glad we came up here, too.  Besides, the plates had to be returned to the bunker under the Greenbrier.”

“I’m relieved we got that done this afternoon,” she replied with a shudder.  “That bunker gives me the creeps.  Now, we have the rest of the weekend to relax.”

“It was a tough assignment, but somebody had to do it,” he teased.

“If Francine ever finds out that Billy sent us up here for the night, I’ll never hear the end of it.”  Amanda chuckled at the thought, and then leaned her head onto his shoulder.  “This place brings back many wonderful memories.  The Greenbrier was great fun when I was a kid,” Amanda’s voice was soft, but filled with happiness.  “It’s paradise now, though.  I get to spend a weekend alone, with my charming and handsome husband.”

“You forgot incredibly sexy,” he playfully added to her list.

“No, Mr. Stetson” she replied, stopping on the path and brandishing a devilish smile.  Grabbing the lapels on his suit jacket, and pulling him closer, she answered in a sultry voice, “I’d never forget that.”

Lee smiled down at his wife, flashing his irresistible dimpled grin.  He took her face lovingly into his hand, and brushed her lips with his own.  Then he caressed her soft skin with his hand before kissing her again.  This kiss was longer and deeper, with a sense of tender urgency as their passions began to flair.

“Definitely incredibly sexy,” Amanda whispered breathlessly when she pulled away for air.  “I could melt right here in your arms.”

“Maybe we should cut our walk short and return to our room.  It is starting to get dark,” Lee wisely suggested.

“And a bit chilly.”

Instinctively, he took off his suit jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.  Reaching around, he pulled her protectively to him, kissing the top of her head, before they began to walk back to the hotel.  When they reached the hotel, Lee opened the front door for his wife, and followed her inside.

As they crossed the lobby, heading towards the elevators, the concierge called out his name, “Mr. Stetson?”

Amanda glanced anxiously at Lee, but he shrugged and walked towards the man, “Yes?”

“There was a package delivered for you earlier,” the concierge explained, handing him a cardboard, Fed Ex envelope.

“Thank you,” Lee replied, taking the package, and glancing briefly to see who sent it.  Then, with a smile and a nod, he returned to Amanda’s side, and continued towards the elevator.

Amanda strained to see the address of the sender.  “Lee, who’s it from?”

“Hmm?” he asked, pretending to dismiss the importance of the envelope while they waited for the elevator door to open.  When the bell chimed and the door opened, he held out his arm for her to step inside.  Lee pressed the button for the third floor and smiled cheerfully at his wife.

She reached for the envelope, but he pulled it away.  “Lee, what is it?” she inquired curiously.

“It could be classified,” he countered, holding it protectively, his thumb carefully hiding the return address.

“No it couldn’t.  They would have never sent it here,” she insisted.  “Now what is it?”

The doors opened to their floor, and they walked down the hallway together, but it was evident, Amanda was snooping for answers.  Taking out the room key from his pocket, Lee opened the door before responding.  “I’m not sure.”

“Don’t tell me that,” she argued once they were inside their room, again trying to get hold of the envelope.  “I saw the look on your face.  You know very well what’s inside.  Now spill it!”

“It might be a surprise for you,” he answered hesitantly, as he held it out of her reach, and gave her a reproving stare, “but until I open it, I won’t know for sure.  Now wouldn’t you like to freshen up, or change into something… more comfortable?”

“OOOhhhh, you’re infuriating!  Fine, I’ll freshen up,” she snapped, and went into the bathroom and closed and locked the door.

Lee tried to keep a straight face, but Amanda’s clear annoyance at him made it difficult not to chuckle.  He sat down on the small couch in the sitting area, opened up the cardboard envelope, and retrieved a smaller envelope.  Opening its unsealed flap, he pulled out two sheets of paper.  He read the one addressed to him, and then glanced at the other, beaming happily.

“You can come out whenever you’re ready, Mrs. Stetson,” he called to her, placing the one letter back into the envelope while he waited, but there was no answer.  Now slightly concerned that she was angry with him, he repeated his request, but in a charming voice, “Amanda, please come on out, sweetheart.”

The door open slowly, and Amanda stood there, hands on her hips and grumbled.  “So you’re going to share what’s inside now?”

“Come sit next to me, please?” he asked, patting the spot next to him, and flashing his dimpled smile that she could never resist.

She sauntered over to the sitting area, but sat down in the chair a few feet from him, clearly still annoyed.

He took a deep breath, hoping she’d be more affable after his explanation.  “You knew I flew to Boston on Wednesday for business,” he started to explain and she nodded.  “Believe it or not, things went rather smoothly, and I finished up by noon.  I thought about booking an earlier flight home, but decided to put my free time to good use.”

She furrowed her brow, not having a clue as to where he was going with his explanation.

“I knew the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library was in Boston, and I decided to visit.  Typically you have to make an appointment to do research or see his private papers, but I um, well… security clearances do have their privileges.”

It was evident now that she was very interested, leaning forward in her chair, she nodded, “Go on…”

“One of the researchers there was very helpful and showed me the ropes, but even then, it took hours to narrow down my search.  Unfortunately, they were closing when I finally found what I was looking for.  The library didn’t have time to pull what I wanted, and the microfilm machine I was working on didn’t have a copier.”

A smile grew on his wife’s face, and she got out of the chair and sat down next to him on the small sofa.  Leaning in close to him she asked, “You… found it?  You found the West Memo?”

With a raised eyebrow, he nodded, “The reason it took so long to locate the memo was because it’s not officially the West Memo.  President Kennedy knew your father from the Navy, and officially, it was named, and filed, under his rank.  The full name of the memo is, ‘Senior Chief, West Memo’!”

“Oh my gosh!   You actually found it!  Wha… what did it say?” she croaked out in an unsteady voice.

“It corroborates what we figured out, and then some.  Your father was everything you said he was, and more.  Go on; read it,” he urged, handing her the envelope with the letter.  .

Amanda’s hand trembled so much; she had trouble opening the letter.  When she finally got it opened, she savored each and every word.  When she was finished, tears of joy were running down her face.   “I don’t know what to say.  You understand how much this means to me,” she cried out blissfully, carefully folding the paper and putting it back into its envelope and then hugging her husband.  “Thank you, so much, sweetheart.”

“You’re more than welcome,” Lee replied, his hand gently brushed the tears away, and tenderly caressed her face.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you, Lee Stetson?”

“Almost as much as I love you, Amanda Stetson,” he whispered, as he placed two fingers under her chin, lifting it up slightly.  “And I intend to spend the rest of the night showing you how much that is,” he whispered moments before leaning in, and capturing her lips…
 

THE END
 

Author’s Footnote:The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia housed a secret government bunker from 1962 until May 1992 when an article from the Washington Post revealed its secret.  Since then it has been decommissioned as a government site.  They currently give tours of the underground facility (no, I haven’t been on it yet).  For those of you who may be interested, here’s the web address:  http://www.greenbrier.com          .Now that the bunker is no longer a secret, it makes you wonder, what replaced it????
 

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