Chap. 3

Mimi followed the direction of the man's pointed hand. There stood Jason Welles. It a fireman's hat and jacket. He was the Arson Inspector? Mimi didn't even know he was back in town. Mimi pushed through the crowd after him.
She caught his shirt sleeve, "Jase?"
Jason felt a small tug at his arm and turned to face the woman he had seen earlier. He recognized her as Mimi Lockhart immediately. "Mimi?"
****

Philip continued the hold Jan as she cried. She was a wreck. Understandably upset. Everything she had worked for went up in smoke and fire tonight. Philip stroked her hair and tried to soothe her. Philip barely felt the November air at his back. All that matter was keeping Jan calm. They had become friends after school. They all had.
Jan couldn't stop crying. She knew she must be making a scene, but everything she and Mimi had worked so hard for was gone. Everything. They had just received their stock from their Paris connection and about 65% of their stock was in that warehouse along with everything that was in their office.
She nestled her face into Philip's neck again. He had given her his coat and she was enveloped in his scent.
Philip looked down at Jan, "Do you want to go home?"
Jan shook her head, "I really don't want to be alone right now."
Philip nodded his head. He would take her home with him. He searched the crowd for Mimi.
****

"Jason, you're an Arson Investigator? You think this was arson?" Mimi asked with wide eyes.
Jason smirked, "Well, it's nice to see you again too Meems. I just got here. What are you doing at my fire scene?"
Mimi narrowed her eyes, "See that big burning building?" Jason nodded. "That's my life. That's my building. This is MY fire scene."
'@#%$,' Jason thought. He hadn't known it was her building. "Look, I'm sorry Mimi. I didn't know. But listen I have a job to do here. I'm fresh on the scene, so I'll talk to you later. There is nothing you can do, so just go home and get some rest."
Mimi watched his retreating back. She didn't know whether to trust him or not.
Just then, Philip approached her with Jan tucked under his arm. "Meems. I'm gonna get her out of here. This is no place for you guys."
"I agree Philip. Jan, honey. It will be ok. We'll fix everything." Mimi and Jan shared another hug and then they took off.
Mimi got into her own car and watched the hot flames lick into the air. She started up her car and headed home before the tears broke through.
****
Philip pulled his car into the garage and he and Jan walked in the dark mansion. Philip walked towards the den, not lighting any lamps on the way there. Jan followed blindly behind him. She watched him go through what seemed like a well learned routine.
He tossed his suit jacket over the chaise lounge, tugged at his tie and undid the first button and poured two scotches. He silently handed one to her and sank into one of the leather chairs.
Jan sipped at her drink, the bracing alcohol warming her insides. Philip stared into the darkness.
"Phil?"
Philip jumped. Not used to having anyone around him, "Hmm?"
"Are you okay?" Jan asked him.
Philip laughed bitterly, stood and walked to the windows staring out into the darkness, "Here you just lost your business and you're asking ME if I'm ok. Jan, I'm as well as I can be."
Jan moved to stand near him, "I know it must still be hard on you. Having almost your whole family dying like that. I can't imagine how you must feel."
Philip turned to her and with dead, dull eyes looked at her, "No, Jan you don't. You have no idea what it's like to lose your mother, father, and brother. You have no idea at all."
Jan felt so terrible for him. She wished she knew how to make him better.
Philip shook himself out of his morbid thoughts and showed Jan to her room.
Just as he was settling into his own bed, he looked at the picture of his mother, father, and brother Lucas and said a silent prayer.
****

Mimi crawled into her empty bed alone and finally let the tears flow free. Here in her home, where no one could see her weakness.