The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

48 - Fire

A fire in Minneapolis had Baxter on edge all day. Based on what the fire chief told him, the sprinkler system kept the damage to the break room. Thanks to a toaster, the sprinklers and smoke, the area would require extensive cleanup, but no one was injured. Ironically, much of the liability sat on the head of the tenant, an insurance company.

Joe joined the call from his office and before Baxter could suggest it, Joe said that he would fly out to see the damage for himself.

Baxter knew his father would expect him to go. When Philip appeared at his office door, Baxter was mentally calculating how quickly he could fly out and turn around to come home. He had a request for construction bids going out in two days and needed to make sure everything was in order.

"Are you planning to go?"

"Can we send Kasper?"

Philip smirked slightly as he shook his head. "I'm afraid they'll try to make us liable."

Baxter had put the call on hold. He turned back and pressed the button to return to the call. "Chief, what was the cause?"

"Looks like a toaster. Flame shot out of it."

"Was the wiring the cause?"

"The final say is up to the inspector. It was an old appliance that they probably had never cleaned."

"I need to know the minute you confirm the cause. Thanks for your time."

The call ended, and Baxter sighed. "I guess I should check it out myself."

Philip said, "I'll go. I wouldn't mind getting away."

"But Mother won't let you."

"Your mother needs to relax. My doctor never told me I couldn't travel. I haven't been on a plane since the trip to Vail."

Tate appeared. "Am I interrupting?"

"What is it?"

"This." She stuck her phone out. He read the screen. "How would they know Mother hasn't accepted Ivy?"

Tate shrugged. "A leak."

"Danielle! Have you seen this?"

She shook her head as she bit her lip. "Ivy called, but I told her you were busy."

"Dammit. I have to call her. Dad, if you want to go with Joe, I won't argue." When Ivy answered he demanded, "What the hell is wrong with that jerk?"

Her voice shook. "I called you to warn you."

"But you didn't say it was an emergency."

"You were busy. I'm on the train. We can discuss it later."

She hung up, and he looked at his phone with fires both literal and proverbial at every turn. His personal one had to wait in line. It served his mother right, although he couldn't figure out how it leaked. Maybe someone saw his mother avoid him and Ivy at one of the recent events they had been to since the gala.

The architects were waiting to complete the specs. Danielle joined them when he opened his door. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I've been putting out fires all day."

Danielle had her laptop so she could record changes to the final document. They debated some minor items as they moved through. The process was long and tedious. He would need to hire a project manager to handle future building renovations, but this was his very first, and it had to turn out okay.

Danielle gave him a private look, which meant something else was going on. If anyone else answered her phone, the messages went straight to her.

He stood. "Can we take a break?" He opened his office door. "Donna, please provide our guests with some refreshments?"