Chapter 5 - THE FIRE THAT NEVER MADE SENSE
The investigation into the warehouse fire began with a discrepancy in the insurance records.
Five years earlier, Preston had been working late at a commercial property owned by a company connected to his business partner.
The building caught fire.
Preston became trapped.
I arrived after receiving his frantic phone call.
I ran inside.
Found him unconscious.
And dragged him toward the exit.
I remembered almost nothing after that.
Only heat.
Smoke.
Pain.
And waking in a hospital.
Now Gideon's investigators had discovered that the warehouse's insurance coverage had increased shortly before the fire.
The building had also been scheduled for demolition.
Several records were missing.
And a former maintenance supervisor had reported concerns about disabled safety equipment.
Gideon invited me to a meeting with the firm's legal counsel.
“Vivian,” he said, “we need to ask you some difficult questions.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
“Did Preston tell you why he was at the warehouse that night?”
I thought back.
“He said he was meeting someone.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Did he mention any financial problems?”
I hesitated.
“Yes.”
Gideon leaned forward.
“What kind?”
“He said his business partner had made mistakes. He was worried about losing money.”
The attorney took notes.
I swallowed.
“Are you saying Preston started the fire?”
Gideon shook his head.
“We don't have evidence to make that conclusion.”
I exhaled.
He continued.
“But the circumstances warrant further investigation.”
I looked down.
For years, I'd believed the fire was a terrible accident.
Now I didn't know what to believe.
That evening, I visited Owen.
He opened the door carrying a tray of lasagna.
“Viv!”
I smiled.
Then began crying.
Owen immediately set the tray down.
“What happened?”
I shook my head.
“I don't know.”
He hugged me.
I held on tightly.
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For five years, I'd carried the physical evidence of that night.
Now I feared the emotional truth might be even harder to survive.
