Unsung Chords

Chapter 1

It was just after the Elizabeth Sullivan case when things between Lee and Amanda were beginning to change.

They had dinner together that night at his place with no shop talk as he'd promised.

It was strange and yet exhilarating at the same time for the two whose feelings for one another were obvious to outsiders but for some reason remained hidden from each other as they were unable to bring them to the surface.

As they went from coworkers to partners and now friends over the years, it seemed something was holding them back from being more.

The following morning as they were deep in paperwork, Billy had summoned them to his office.

As they came in Billy was on the phone and signaled them to sit.

Lee and Amanda sat in the chairs opposite Billy's desk and took note of their boss' expression.

It was a cross between controlled and humored as he listened to the caller.

Answering the caller he stated, "Well, they are my best team. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, they can..."

He listened to the response and then added with a shrug, "Listen...If you knew them the way I do, you'd know they could pull it off..."

Lee and Amanda looked at one another with puzzlement and then Lee asided to her,"He told whoever it is that it's his best team. That's us! I'll bet it's a cinch case."

Amanda cocking her head to the side and shaking it replied quietly, "I dunno about that. I seem to recall several over the years that weren't that way at all."

Lee chuckled and patted her arm commenting as he gestured to himself, "Oh relax, will ya? I'm here."

Amanda rolling her eyes answered softly with a tease putting her hands up, "Oh okay, Mr. Cocky."

Billy then said his goodbye to the caller and hung up.

It was a long moment where he stared at the two agents thoughtfully as if he were pondering something.

Lee clearing his throat asked, "What is it, Billy?"

After a pause Billy remarked, "Sonny and Cher."

Lee queried, "What about them?"

Billy answered, "Marvin and Tammi."

Amanda perplexed nodded replying, "Yeah. They were great too, Sir. What-"

Billy finished with, "Elton and Kiki Dee."

Lee whistled lightly as he got up stating, "This has been fun Billy, but I've got reports to finish..."

Amanda rose from her seat as well commenting, "I've got a lot of filing to do. Excuse us, Sir."

As the two reached the door Billy announced, "Sit down now, Leo and Annie!"

Lee and Amanda were stunned as they answered in unison, "What?!"

Billy gestured to the chairs and responded, "Please have a seat and I'll explain..."

They sat once more and Billy asked them, "Do you remember Gary and Jean from Baltimore? The songwriters who infiltrated the NATO plans, sending them to the KGB a month ago?"

Amanda sighed and nodded sadly remarking softly, "What a mess. Their poor families never saw them again..."

Lee nodded agreeing as he swallowed commenting, "Yeah. I still wish we could've helped them. They were great."

Billy nodded somberly answering, "I know. Well, I just found out that the plans are back here in the country but we haven't been able to figure out where. Rumors are flying that the plans have been hidden in song sheets."

Amanda queried, "I don't understand, Sir. In the notes or the lyrics?" Billy shrugged replying, "No one knows, Amanda. But we have a team in the West Coast checking it out and I'll have you two here checking on this end as Leo and Annie. Tell me, do either of you sing?"

TBC