The Next day:
Philip was asleep as Amanda tip-toed quietly into his hospital room and laid a plate of cookies on the bedside tray. Lee followed behind. She noticed Lauren was on a cot sleeping near his bed. Amanda gulped hard as she noticed all the bruises and cuts on his body. She gently brushed the hair off his forehead and kissed it. Philip stirred and groggily stared at her.
"mom?"
"Yes, sweetheart...Dad and I stopped here on our way to work. I brought you your favorite cookies" Amanda whispered
"Dad?"
"Yes, Chief...I'm here too"
"Thanks for coming…I-" Philip was woozy and out of it and drifted back to sleep.
"Oh, my poor baby" Amanda Cooed.
Lee took Amanda's arm and gently led her out of the room "Let's go...You can call him later and talk to him when he's more awake"
A Week Later:
It was early morning in the Stetson home, and Amanda had gotten a call from Philip the day before asking to come over early today before they went to work to discuss with them what the fire inspectors had found. Lee was having his usual morning coffee and Amanda had fixed a nice veggie omelet with cheese for herself. She had also made some poppy seed cake the night before knowing Philip always liked it. When Philip walked in the door Amanda rushed over to give him a big hug. She had seen him numerous times since the morning at the hospital after the explosion but each time she saw the bruises on his face and arms made the reality of what transpired the week before all too real.
"Philip, how are you feeling, Sweetheart? Do your bruises hurt much?" Though her firstborn was a grown man, her mothering instincts naturally flowed through her.
"I'm better now, Mom, but they hurt a lot at first!" Philip acknowledged.
Lee came over, hugged Philip, and said "Come over and sit down and we can talk. Do you want some coffee or your mother's poppyseed cake?" He had learned long ago that food was always a way to show love and comfort from Amanda.
"Thanks, Dad! Mom, I would."
Amanda quickly got him some coffee and a slice of the cake. They were both anxious to hear about the report.
Philip began "I met with the fire inspectors a couple of days ago and they said it was not a natural accident-there had been some explosives planted in the kitchen. Whoever did it wanted to make it look like an accident. There were traces of the explosives that were used but nothing was conclusive because it's all stuff that could be found here in the U.S. They are going to refer my case to the FBI who can do a more thorough exam of what the fire department found since they have more experience tracing these things."
Lee pulled his hand through his hair and spoke. "I think I will call over there to ask for updates on their investigation-call it a professional courtesy. Since we are working on some joint things right now I want to make sure it's not related," Lee informed Philip.
"Thanks, Dad! I don't want you to think I want special treatment though."
"It's not a problem, Philip, glad to do it for you," reassured Lee.
Amanda looked shocked and the color drained from her face at what Lee said. He had not shared his suspicions with his wife.
"Lee you think...I never." Amanda was unable to continue because Lee cut her off.
" Amanda, we can't discuss this now in front of Philip but as I said, I'll ask for a copy of the FBI report when they are finished."
Amanda nodded and turned to Philip and asked "So what are your plans to do about the restaurant?"
"I want to reopen it. I have had some talks with the insurance company. They said once they got the report from the fire department I could send them a copy and then they could get the ball rolling for a payout. I want to reopen as fast as I can. I don't want people to get settled into a new routine at a new restaurant."
"Good thinking, Sweetheart! And Lee and I talked and we could give you some money too to help with expenses." Amanda offered and Lee nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, Mom, Dad. That would help, especially with Lauren being pregnant too. Once we get the insurance money that will help a lot. I was also concerned that if it proved to be an explosion—and not an accident-they might accuse me of trying to get money off the insurance. But the rep told me that my restaurant was too successful for them to be suspicious of that."
"Oh my gosh, Philip, how terrible if they thought that. I don't know how they could think that" comforted Amanda.
Lee smiled to himself. His wife, always a mother first, would never consider that anyone could be suspicious of her son. But if she was thinking like an agent first, she would consider all the possibilities.
"Well, I gotta go. I've got a meeting with an architect and designer for the new restaurant. Thanks again, Mom and Dad!"
All three hugged and when Philip left, Amanda asked Lee about the possible intended bombing.
"Lee, why didn't you tell me you suspected that the explosion could be related to all this with the terrorist threat? It never occurred to me this could be related," questioned Amanda.
"Because I didn't want to upset you! But it could be because the restaurant is so popular with people in the government. Just another target. It could be the beginning of more such attacks."
They hugged tightly, considering the possibility of what Lee said.
Later that day, Francine had called Lee and Amanda into her office to discuss their progress on the Homeland Security investigation. They were going over the possible weak points and countries of origin of the terrorists.
Amanda pointed out, "We're pretty sure they didn't fly non-stop. It is easier to enter the country from a different point of entry and to make different stops-it's harder to trace that way. So we are looking at the airline personnel first, and matching them to the city where the terrorists entered the U.S., and then going back and tracing the flights from where they originated.
Interrupting Amanda, the priority phone on Francine's desk rang. Upon answering it, Francine quickly turned on the t.v. in the office. "Ok, yes, wonderful! Interesting." There was a long pause on her end. "I see. Thank you. Looking forward to hearing what is found!" Hanging up she said to Lee and Amanda, "The FBI just captured what they think is the second terrorist cell group. They led a sting today; it was a decoy convoy of cars that was supposed to be a couple of the joint chiefs of staff. Of course, it was filled with the FBI. There were six suspects apprehended who had tried to run them off the road! They found addresses on them and were able to search the residences, and laptops and passports were confiscated. So that will be invaluable to your investigation too. They promised that they would make a thorough summary of what was found on the laptops and collaborate with your team. As you can see on the t.v., CNN, unfortunately, got wind of the aftermath of the sting. It will be harder now to find this last cell."
"I want to go over to FBI headquarters and help them sift through their evidence," Lee stated.
"You know how possessive they get when it's their collar," Francine warned. "I'm not sure that is a good idea."
Lee got up and started pacing. "Damn it, Francine. Forget their feelings and protocol. We need all eyes on this as much as possible!"
"Sweetheart, you know I agree with you but listen to Francine. You would be irritated if the FBI was wanting to look over your shoulder," soothed Amanda.
Lee stopped and stood staring at Francine and Amanda. His jaw was twitching wildly. This was an assignment that had gotten his agent senses in gear again and it was all he could do not to charge out the door to FBI headquarters.
"Scarecrow, you know I agree but let's just be patient and let them do the digging of evidence. Again, let's have inter-department courtesy."
Lee sat down and sighed. "I just think there is going to be an abundance of significant documentation, part of which I think could be tied up with the explosion at Philip's restaurant."
Francine looked surprised. "Why do you think that?"
"I can't explain really, but I've just got this gut feeling and it won't go away."
"Lee is usually right about these things. I wish he wasn't!" added Amanda sadly.