Chap. 5

2 weeks later...

Jan and Mimi were working out of an office room they had rented in the new mini mall. They were busy calling and faxing everyone involved in their company. Finally they were back on track. It had taken every bit of the two weeks to get themselves back on their feet. The factories went into over time to regenerate the stock, and Mimi and Jan had worked on handling the orders and sending apologies and coupons to those orders they couldn't fill just yet.

"So, what to do for lunch?" Mimi wanted to know.
"Well, um I'm going out for lunch." Jan said evasively.
Mimi could read her like an open book. "Oh, really? With whom?"
Jan looked up startled, "Who? No one really. I mean he's not no one, he's- Philip, ok? I'm going to lunch with Philip. Are you happy? Now you can put away your bamboo shoots, I told."
Mimi laughed, "I didn't twist your arm, Jan."
"Not yet," Jan grumbled. "I'll be back in a little while."
"Take your time," Mimi called after her.

Mimi locked up their office and headed across town to the Brady Pub. The food was always great and Mimi needed a chance to talk to Belle.
Belle usually ran the Pub during the week. Shawn's grandparents were getting to old to deal with the day to day things of running the Pub and Bo and Hope were too busing with work and Zack and JT. (AN: In my world, Hope has both her boys.)
So that left Shawn and Belle. Belle ran things during the day and most night. Nights that he wasn't patrolling, Shawn helped tend bar.
Mimi sat at the bar and waited for Belle to get to her.
"Hey, sweetie. What' ll it be?" Belle asked with a grin.
Mimi laughed, "Well barkeep, how about a sweet tea no lemon to start."
"Coming right up." Belle made the drink and then slid it down the bar to Mimi. The two women laughed at themselves. "Oh Belle. This is sad, we are too easily amused."
"That's for sure." The two turned their heads at the deep voice.
"Jason Masters! When did you get back in town?" Belle cried as she ran from behind the bar to hug him.
"A couple weeks ago, I guess." Jason answered the still peppy blonde.
Belle slapped his arm, "And you're just now coming to see me! I must be losing my touch." Jason laughed. "Never Belle. Still gorgeous as usual."

Mimi sat there and listen to Jason and Belle play flirt with each other. It was something to two had done since high school.
"Actually, Belle I came in here to see Mimi." Jason said.
Belle raised an eyebrow, "I see. Well, Meems I'll go ahead and put your usual order in while you two chat."
"Make that two, Belle." Jason added as he sat beside Mimi at the bar.
Belle fixed him a glass of tea and headed for the kitchen.
"So, Masters. What do you want?" Mimi asked.
Jason grinned, "Still can't stand me, huh? That's ok. Most folks don't. I just wanted to let you know that we have an eyewitness."
Mimi's eyes widened, "For my fire?"
Jason nodded, "Yeah. An old man owns a fishing boat down at the pier and he says that he was on his boat the night of the fire and remembered seeing someone around your warehouse."
"Did he give a description?" Mimi pressed.
Jason shook his head, "No, he was too far away, but we do know that it was a man who set the fire."
"Well, duh. I mean didn't you already know that this was arson."
Jason sighed, "Mimi, things have to be done in a certain way. Sure you can tell things just by looking at them, but good cops never assume anything. Everything has to be proven with hard evidence or it won't stand up in court. I have to prove without a doubt everything that I discover. This isn't TV. Nothing is solved in thirty minutes."
Just then Belle came out with two Brady Pub specials and Mimi and Jason sat and ate companionably together.