CHAPTER ELEVEN
Franks glanced over at Amy as she sat in the passenger seat, typing on her laptop. "What's next?" They'd just finished interviewing the last of the patients who had yet to be discharged from Fairway Hospital.
"We have four patients at the other hospital in their burn unit. Head over that way and we'll see if any of them are up to talking to us. I heard one is unconscious, but the other three should be alert enough to speak to us." Amy kept tapping away on the keys.
"Mostly kitchen staff?" Franks asked as he pulled to a stop light.
"Yeah, they were in the center of the blast it seems. At least that's where the fire was.
With gas stoves, fryers, and who knows what else, it makes sense that the kitchen was the area to catch fire.
What triggered that fire is the question?
I can't wait to get the report from the fire marshal.
" Amy sighed. "It hasn't even been a day and I feel like I've been working this case for weeks.
I keep wanting to complain about how long it's taking to get information about the explosion, then realize we're only fifteen hours into this. "
"The lack of sleep, the personal connections, and the enormity of the violence makes it feel like longer.
Let's hit Starbucks and I'll buy us some caffeine to help get us through.
I heard that the feds were coming in to help.
ATF should be here anytime and hopefully that will get us some answers.
Calling in the big boys makes me think they found something that told them this wasn't accidental.
The thing is, for the life of me, I can't imagine why anyone would blow up a restaurant.
None of the victim names stood out to me as a possible target.
" Franks turned into the parking lot and pulled to a Starbucks drive-thru.
Amy gave him her order, waited while Franks ordered, then said, "I would think if one of the diners was the target, the explosion would have been to the dining area. This looks as if it came from the back of the building where the kitchen and storage rooms were."
"Most of the injuries in the dining area were from the glass shattering or objects impacting people, or broken bones like Angus's father has.
I saw several broken arms last night while I was checking on Lance.
The severe injuries are almost all from the kitchen area.
" They'd spoken to one waiter who had his hand severed by the blast. "Have we looked through Yelp or other review sites to see if anyone has been seriously upset with the company lately?
" Franks pulled up to the window, paid with a wave of his card, and took their drinks.
"I hadn't thought about looking. Good thinking. I was focused on the restaurant's website and information, but I hadn't thought about reviews. We'll look into those once we get back to the station." Amy set her drink in the holder between them. "Thanks for the coffee. I needed it."
"Anytime. We'll grab lunch after we hit the burn unit.
It's going to be a long day." Franks focused on the road while at the same time trying to think about what they were missing in their initial investigation.
"We need to focus on the owners. Search their social media, speak to their families, and find out if they had any problems with someone.
This could be personal and not an attack on the actual business. "
"Horrible to blow a bunch of people up to get revenge against one person." Amy shook her head.
"True, but we've seen it done before. I'm just trying to think of everything we need to do.
Making a mental list for when interviews are done.
" Franks' mind was running at full speed, but his body was reminding him how little sleep he'd had in the last day.
It was hardly the first time he'd lost sleep because of a case, but this case was even more important since Angus was fighting for his life because of what happened.
They still didn't know whether the explosion was an accident or a criminal act.
The fact that explosions like that very seldom happened by accident had his gut churning, telling him this was something malicious.
He prayed he was wrong, but he didn't think he was.
Someone caused the building to blow, and he wanted to find that person and make them pay for what they did to his friends and the others in the community.
"I'll just keep adding to the list I've already got.
This is a nightmare scenario. Too many witnesses, many who we only have names for.
I wonder if we can get a hotline for those who were there or in the vicinity to call in to speak with us.
I know we'll weed through it all, but there has to be an easier way.
" Amy paused typing to slip the hair tie off her wrist and pull her hair back in a ponytail.
"What a damn mess." Franks reached for the pack of gum he had on the console and took a piece.
"You know as well as I do what a joke it is when we're trying to work with fire, and now, we have ATF here as well.
We'll be lucky to get straight answers from any of them.
We'll all run our own investigations, share none of our information, and hope somehow one of us finds the answer to the problem. "
"I don't think it will be that bad. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours.
The scene is still hot and unsecure. Give us time to get in there and search for information.
I want answers as badly as you do. I want to find out if someone nearly killed Angus.
I want to give all the victims the answers they deserve, but it doesn't happen overnight, and it's literally been one night, Franks.
Take a deep breath and focus on this like we would any other case.
Give it time to come together." Amy took the pack of gum he'd tossed back onto the console and took one for herself. "We'll find the answers."
"I can't stop thinking about Angus. I'm glad I didn't see him last night.
I'm not sure I could handle that shit. It's bad enough knowing about it.
Hell, he could have been decapitated. How the hell does that happen?
Then there's his parents. Both of them are injured, can't drive, and will spend the time they should be with Angus at home healing.
Thank God that Lance is there, but did you see how he looked?
He's injured too. He should be home in bed.
I'm glad Jackson is back and can help, but I feel like I need to do more.
I should be focused on Angus and his family, not out here searching for answers to something we don't even know how it happened.
" Franks turned in to the parking lot of the hospital, found a parking spot, shut off the car, and slumped back in his seat with a huff.
Amy slowly closed her laptop, then turned in her seat to face Franks.
"You're doing your job, which will get us the answers you need.
Angus wouldn't want you to sit by his bedside.
He'd want you out here to work on the case and get answers.
There are doctors and nurses watching over him right now.
Let them care for him while we find out what happened to cause this.
We're both exhausted right now. Emotions are running high.
Let's get these interviews done while the other agencies do their part.
Tonight, we'll get some good sleep, and tomorrow, we'll combine all the facts that have been collected and get back to work.
You are doing exactly what Angus wants you to be doing.
" She placed her hand on Franks' arm. "We'll get answers for the victims."
Franks blew out a long breath, resting his head back on the seat with his eyes closed. "What if he doesn't make it?"
Amy gave his arm a squeeze. "We're not going to even think about that. He made it through surgery. He's stable right now. He got through the worst of it. He's a fighter. He's going to recover and then kick your ass for ever doubting him."
Franks smiled. "Probably."
"Come on. Let's go inside and interview these victims. They were closest to the explosion. Hopefully, they'll give us more to go on." Amy released Franks' arm and started tucking her laptop into her bag.
Franks nodded, pulling the keys out of the ignition and opening his door. "How many are here?"
"Four, but one hasn't regained consciousness. I'm not sure how severely the others are burned. Be ready for anything." Amy closed the car door.
Franks got out of the car, locked the doors, then pocketed the keys. He straightened his shirt as he looked at the front of the hospital. "At least the media isn't bothering them here."
"Less people to interview. Less families come in and out who might want to give a statement." Amy hefted her bag over her shoulder as they started toward the doors.
Franks followed Amy inside and let her do the talking.
She was so much better than he was at speaking.
She had a way of making everyone comfortable and somehow willing to open up and talk.
It was a talent he wished he had. He fumbled words awkwardly and had trouble keeping his mouth shut when he needed to.
"Fourth floor. The nurse's station can let you know where to go from there," the older lady responded to whatever Amy had asked her.
"Thank you." Amy smiled and turned.
Franks gave the woman a polite nod, then followed Amy to the elevators.
As they walked through the lobby, he tried hard not to notice the people around him, many with burns scarring different parts of their bodies.
Some with bandages still covering their wounds.
He knew the burn center was well known for its treatments, and that only a partial area was used like a normal hospital.
The rest were clinics and doctor's offices that offered aftercare and rehabilitation to patients.