The Ties That Bind: A Scarecrow and Mrs. King Continuing Story Book 1

Chapter 9

"Well, hey there, Ace!"

"Leatherneck. How ya doin'?" Lee grinned as he entered the mechanic's garage and walked over to the cluttered desk in the corner.

"What brings you down here to my neck of the woods?" Leatherneck stood and offered a handshake.

Smiling, Lee shook his hand and sat in one of the utilitarian chairs facing the desk. "Well, my friend, I have a favor to ask." He cleared his throat. "A pretty big one."

"Aw, Lee." Leatherneck sat back down behind his desk. "There isn't much I wouldn't do for you and Mrs. King. What's up?"

Lee brushed imaginary lint off his pant leg. "Uh, I'm not sure where to start." He took a deep breath and blew it out. "Amanda's in danger, Leatherneck."

Leatherneck's eyebrows lowered. "What kind of danger?"

"The only kind of danger there is – the bad kind." He leaned both elbows on his knees and propped his chin on his clasped his hands. "We think someone is trying to get her out of the way so they can get to me. When we refused to give into his demands, the threats on Amanda escalated."

"Wow," Leatherneck frowned. "That's got to be somewhat scary for you, my friend."

Lee's jaw tightened. "Yeah, it is. Uh, why do you say that?"

Leatherneck quirked a smile at him. "You don't really think you can fool the whole world, do ya, Ace?"

Lee blew out a chuckle as his smile cocked up on one side. "What are you talking about, Leatherneck?"

"Well, it's as obvious as the sky is blue that the two of you have something going on between you – and have for a while." His eyes sparkled.

Lee leaned back in his chair. "It is, is it?"

"Aw, come on, Lee. How long have I known you?"

"Quite a few years."

"Exactly. And I know you're not the same man you were four years ago, my friend."

"Well, that's true, Leatherneck. That's certainly true."

"What do you need, Lee?"

Lee sat forward in his chair. "I need you to keep an eye on someone in the Agency. Her name is June Phelps."

"Yeah, I think I know who she is," Leatherneck nodded his head. "She's the one that's been delivering mail for a while now, right?"

"Yes, that's her." Lee sighed and sat back again.

"Am I allowed to ask why I'm watching her?"

A smile crossed Lee's face at his friend's tacit agreement. "For now, let's just say there's something suspicious going on with her. I need you to let me know if she spends time with anyone unusual at the Agency...hangs around places or people more than necessary...or just seems suspicious in any way."

"Yeah, I can do that, Buddy." Leatherneck frowned again. "Is she a clear and present danger to Mrs. King?"

Mrs. Stetson Lee dearly wanted to correct his friend. This 'Mrs. King' stuff was really starting to rub him the wrong way. She didn't belong to Joe anymore; she belonged to him. He sighed. Maybe he just needed to start thinking about it as her code-name. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. But it's a possibility, and she's really the only lead I've got right now."

"Sure thing, Lee. I'm assuming you want me to start today?"

"Yeah. As soon as possible, Leatherneck." He stood to leave and rubbed the back of his neck again. "Something tells me we've got to get this figured out and figured out quickly."