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“I taught her how,” Kate answers her. “She wanted to video her grandkids when they came over.” Kate looks back at the detectives. “Go on.”
“Like I was saying, she took a video, and it was clear as day showing both Jose Gonzalez and Frank Ramirez pouring what appears to be gasoline all around your house and both patios. Then the video shows them throwing a match and leaving the scene rapidly.”
“That fucker.” I mumble.
“Agreed.” Detective Smith says under his breath.
“When we took them into custody and showed them the video, Frank Ramirez flipped on Jose and then also copped to putting fireworks inside the ovens in Pizza Pizzaz, turning them on high, and leaving. He swears that both him and Jose thought you were leaving right behind them and had no idea anyone was still inside when it all blew up.”
“Why’d you arrest her landlord?” Grace asks.
“Once Jose realized his friend had confessed, he explained he was ‘forced’, his words, by his cousin because he wanted the insurance money and to get out from under the large mortgage he had on the property.”
Kate wipes away a tear. “Why did they burn down my house?”
Detective Kowalski closes her notebook and looks directly at Kate. “I asked the same question to him, and his only reply was that he knew you had money with all the donations you’ve been receiving, and he was mad that people were giving you money, but his business was failing. Basically, he was jealous.”
“He burned my house down because he trashed my business and people were helping me out. Lovely.” Kate shakes her head.
Both detectives nod, but don’t answer her.
“So, what’s next?” I ask.
“Well, the State will file the charges in the morning and since all three of them have confessed, it’s just a matter for the lawyers now.” Both detectives stand, and Kate and I follow them to the door.
“Kate. I’m truly sorry that this happened to you. I loved your little shop and hope you don’t let this keep you from reopening. You had the best coffee and bagels. It was my favorite place.” Detective Kowalski says.
Kate smiles, “Onion bagel, lightly toasted, heavy cream cheese and black coffee.”
The detective smiles. “You should be a detective. You have a great memory.”
“No. I’ll leave that to the professionals. I just know my customers. Thank you for coming.”
We shake hands and watch them climb into their unassuming sedan and back out of the driveway.
“So, now what?” Grace asks. “Plan to reopen?”
“Let’s not go making any major decisions the same day she’s released from the hospital, shall we?” I say as I pull out a beer for me and a diet root beer for Kate. Grace is already drinking a bottle of water.
“You mean, like moving in with her boyfriend? That kind of major life decision?” Grace throws back at me.
“Okay, you two. Stop it.” Kate huffs. “Hudson is right. Today’s not the day for any life decisions. Right now, I want to just heal from this mess. Maybe next week I can talk to my attorney and insurance company and take it from there. And yes, Grace, I’ll reopen. I just don’t know where or when or even how, but it’s all I know and love.”
Grace sticks her tongue out at me. “Good answer.”
“But for now, can we skip the fireworks this year?” Kate asks me.
“Oh, why?” Grace whines.
I watch Kate watch me and I answer, “Because of what she’s been through, Grace.”
“Oh, of course; I’m such a dolt. Sorry. How about a movie? Maybe a Disney movie. Something light.”
“A night in with my boyfriend and best friend? Sounds perfect.” Kate sips her root beer and smiles.
I’ll never get over that beautiful smile of hers. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that’s all she ever does for the rest of her life. Smile.
As we sit around the patio and watch the day pass us by, I watch Grace and Kate talk about everything and about nothing. It amazes me that so much can be said without actually saying anything. It hurts my head trying to keep up with their conversation.
