About an hour after returning from lunch, Jasmine and her three coworkers heard a firetruck's siren as the emergency vehicle raced through the bank's arches and under their central station. Those irritating sounds constituted only a momentary distraction and didn't induce any strong sense of foreboding. The eight acres Jasmine's parents had built their home upon provided privacy from the nearest neighbor. That seclusion had always been a desired aspect of the location. Felonious crimes had been almost nonexistent in the valley throughout Pinewhittle's history. So when another hour passed and Jasmine saw Chief Mountain enter the lobby, looking troubled, she still has no reasonable cause to suspect a lifetime of irreplaceable personal possessions had been completely destroyed . . . a rather severe repayment for a sharp kick in the shin. Miss Jade smiled and waved at Max who nodded grimly and went in search of Mick. The chief located Loneshark in the memorial dome, guiding a tour. Max stepped close to Mick and whispered in the detective's ear that he has an urgent matter to discuss with him. Mick saw the seriousness of Mountain's expression, gave the chief a nod, and turned his attention back to the group, announcing, "That concludes our tour, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for coming."
Loneshark and Mountain took one of the internal elevators to the lobby and went to the employee break room for their discussion. Mick bought two paper cups of coffee from a vending machine and handed one of the cups to the chief. They sat across from each other at the nearest table. "I don't know any pleasant way to say this, Mick."
"Say it, Max!"
"Jasmine's house is burning to the ground." Loneshark's lasers fired. "I've got to tell her."
Mick nodded, rose, and walked to a phone hanging on the wall. He grabbed the receiver and punched the code to activate the intercom function. In a professional tone, Mick spoke the words, "Miss Jasmine Jade, come to the employee break room, please."
Jasmine arrived a few minutes later and took in the two men's somber features. She sat to Mick's right and Max's left. "What's going on?" Miss Jade asked, looking worried.
Max swallowed hard and tried to speak but faltered. Do you want me to tell her?" Mick asked kindly, looking at Max.
Mountain found his voice. "Thank you for the offer, Mick, but it's my responsibility." The chief turned sympathetic eyes toward Jasmine and said as soothingly as he could, "I'm sorry. I have some bad news to give you, Jasmine." Max sighed, drew a deep breath, and gently related the facts. Miss Jade stared at the chief in silent shock. Tears began to form in her gorgeous eyes.
After a few moments, Jasmine managed a choked, "How?"
"We don't know," Max admitted honestly. "The firemen are still trying to extinguish the flames. They were radioing for a second tanker truck of water to spray down the surrounding
