A few days later:
The late crowd was just beginning to come into The Capitol Steps, and Phillip was working late that night to give his hostess the night off because her son was sick. He had just seated a couple toward the front of the room when a large explosion tore through the room from the back where the kitchen was. There were screams as people went flying from the force of the blast. When Phillip awoke there were paramedics and the fire department dispersed all over the restaurant treating
people's injuries. A paramedic was treating his wounds which were minor because he had been far enough from the blast.
"Wha...What's going on?" he stammered.
"Hey buddy what's your name?" asked the worker who was attending him.
"Phillip King, the owner. Hey is everybody ok?" Phillip tried to sit up but had to lie back down because he was dizzy.
"Looks like you may have a concussion and a few lacerations and cuts from flying debris, but I don't think the people in the kitchen fared too well. It looks like the blast originated from there," the fireman stated.
" How or I guess why was there an explosion? Did I have a gas leak?" Jamie sat up again and this time he was able to stay upright.
" We don't know yet, but our fire department investigators will find out what caused it. You don't have any broken bones. I do recommend you go with us to the hospital because of a possible concussion. You can stay overnight for observation." The paramedic helped Philip up and steadied him. He found a chair that was still intact and gave it to him to sit on.
"I'd rather not, but I am gonna call my wife to let her know what's going on," Phillip called Lauren and when he explained to her what happened she insisted that he go to the hospital and that she would meet him there.
Late that night Lee's phone rang and woke him and Amanda up.
"wha..huh... I mean Stetson" Lee spoke groggily into the phone. "What?" Suddenly Lee was wide awake and sat up. Amanda woke, hearing Lee's voice, and leaned up on her arm when she heard the tone in his voice.
"Ok, Lauren, yes I see...do you want us to come down there to be with you? Are you sure?...ok...uh-huh, that's good...yes, the investigation will determine why it happened…yes...we'll talk to Philip tomorrow. We love you both."
Lee hung up and pulled his hand through his hair, and sighed.
"Well, what's wrong, Lee!?" Amanda turned the lamp on next to her bed and looked at Lee's face which looked ashen.
"There was an explosion at Philip's restaurant and..." Lee couldn't finish because Amanda exclaimed
"Oh my gosh! What happened? Is he ok? Why was it Lauren calling?...did."
Amanda was unable to finish her thoughts as Lee interrupted her. He embraced Amanda and kissed her temple.
" Calm down, Amanda, Philip has a concussion and he is staying in the hospital overnight for observation. Lauren said that the fire department is investigating the explosion since there was a fire. I guess the explosion happened first. That's what they have to find out."
"But was Lauren there? And what about..." Amanda kept thinking of more things to ask as Lee shook his head.
"No, she wasn't, thankfully. There's not a lot to know at this point. They will have to go over the debris more tomorrow in their search for what happened. Phillip also had some cuts and lacerations from things flying. No broken bones but I guess there were some fatalities." Lee shook his head.
Oh gosh, that is terrible! I can't imagine! We should go to the hospital and be with Philip and Lauren. Poor thing she has been having such bad morning sickness and now this. Amanda rambled as she started to get out of bed.
Lee stopped Amanda from getting up.
"Not tonight hon, They both have had a hard night and need their rest. We'll go tomorrow morning and stop by on the way to work.
Yes, that will be better. I'll get up early and make some of Philip's favorite double chocolate chip cookies to take to him. Do you think anyone was targeted, Lee?
"In this town, you never know. Philip's restaurant is a pretty popular spot for the movers and shakers in DC. Let's get back to sleep. You'll need to get up early If you want to make those cookies"
Amanda laid her head on Lee's shoulder as he cradled her in his arms. She always felt safe when Lee did that and he knew it.
"Such a terrible accident!" Amanda murmured into his shoulder as she once again drifted off to sleep.
However, Lee lay awake a little longer. His instincts were nagging at him, warning him that it wasn't an accident.