Unfinished Business, Unresolved Feelings chapter 23
The moment that Billy sat down with Amanda on the small sofa in the Q Bureau he began to rethink his initial urge to rush to her with the news he'd received about Lee. What am I doing here? I'm making sure that Amanda doesn't hear bad news about Lee from anyone who doesn't realize how much they care for each other. I'm here but I-
"Sir, sir", Amanda repeated quietly to gain Billy's attention as she noticed that he appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.
"Yes, Amanda", Billy responded as her large brown eyes looked at him intently.
"A few days ago I told Lee that I'm stronger than I look; I really am. Please just tell me whatever it is that you've come to say", Amanda said as she clenched and unclenched her hands in her lap.
"When I spoke to the Colonel a little while ago he told me that Lee had decided that he wanted to get home as soon as possible. The Colonel drove Lee to the airport and waited with him while he was making his flight arrangements. The only direct flight that was available wouldn't have landed in DC until very late tonight so Lee decided to take an indirect route that would get him home much sooner. The first leg of the flight landed in a small airport outside of Dallas. While Lee was waiting for-"
"Please", Amanda begged as she began to feel as though all her worst fears were coming true. "Just tell me what's happened to Lee; I need to know."
"I wish it were that simple; but it isn't. I know some of what happened but I don't have all the answers that you deserve", Billy responded. Tell her already. Putting it off won't make this any easier for her to hear. She'll need time to prepare herself if it's as bad as it could be.
"Mr. Melrose, I have to know what happened. Do I have to call the Colonel myself?"
"That won't be necessary", Billy said as he squared his shoulders and began to tell Amanda all that he knew. "When Lee's flight landed he found out that all the departing flights had been temporarily grounded due to severe weather in the area right around the airport. Shortly after that the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for that area and the surrounding suburbs."
"Oh my gosh", Amanda exclaimed as the color drained from her face. She couldn't bring herself to say anything but she nodded for Billy to continue.
"Within a few minutes of when the tornado warning was issued a small but powerful tornado struck the oldest terminal at the airport. It hadn't been built to present day standards so there was severe damage. The tornado passed quickly but there was still very bad weather in the area. Rescue workers are getting there as quickly as they can."
"That's awful; but Lee could have been in one of the other terminals. I'm sure he's fine, maybe a little shaken up, but fine", Amanda said in a voice that suggested that she didn't believe that herself.
"The airline that Lee was flying only operates out of the damaged terminal. The authorities down there are doing everything possible to get to the victims quickly. I've put a call into the Agency's Dallas office. Our people will get us as much detailed, current information as they can. The Colonel is using his contacts to get information also", Billy finished sadly.
"That's not good enough", Amanda shot back. "I'm flying down there now."
"You can't do that", Billy fired back.
"If our places were reversed you know that Lee would-"
"I don't doubt that but in this case nobody is flying into that area. All the flights are still grounded. Let me have Francine drive you home. She can stay with you while we wait for news."
"No, thank you. I'll wait at Lee's apartment. Alone", Amanda said as she rose from the sofa. She walked across the office, took her handbag from her desk drawer, and left the office without allowing the tears that were burning her eyes to fall.