Free Hot Fudge Fraud by Anisa Claire West Page B

face.
    “Melanie, are you there?” Her father asked sadly.
    “I’m here, Dad,” she whispered.
    “The investigators are already here on the scene.  I don’t understand how this could have happened.  I know I turned off all the lights last night and didn’t leave any of the machines on.”
    “I’m sure it’s not your fault, Dad,” Melanie said, still unable to fathom that her ice cream parlor was gone.
    “The strange thing is that none of the other buildings on this block were affected.  Only Hot Fudge Fancy.  An electrical fire would have likely destroyed the whole row of buildings or at least damaged them a little,” Mr. Bradley pointed out.
    Touching a hand to her suddenly throbbing head, Melanie replied, “You’re right.  This sounds like arson to me.  I’ll be on the next plane back to Charleston.”
    “But I don’t want to ruin your vacation!  You just got to Ireland.  Oh, I shouldn’t have called you!” Mr. Bradley choked up as Sunny barked in distress in the background.
    “Of course you should have!  This is my livelihood we’re talking about.  Please just see if t he fire department can launch a complete investigation right away.  Because I’m sure that this fire was the result of malicious intent,” Melanie said darkly as Keith bit his lip nervously.
    “Alright, darlin’.  I’ll do whatever I can to work with the fire department.  But if someone set your little ice cream parlor on fire, they’ll have me to contend with!  And I want you stayin’ with me at home while this investigation is under way.  Thank God no one was here during the fire,” he rambled on , feeling a sickening cocktail of emotions as he contemplated the horror of losing his only child in a blaze.
    “Okay Dad.  We’ll talk when I’m back in Charleston.  Keith and I are going to pick up our luggage from the hotel and then we’ll be on our way to the airport,” Melanie said, gathering strength as she spoke.  She had endured an infinitely worse tragedy in her life; this newest crisis would have to be dealt with in a detached, business-like manner.  Melanie clicked the phone off as the tears dried on her cheeks.
    Unsure of what to say, Keith locked his arm more tightly around her and merely whispered, “Let’s go.”
    Mechanically, Melanie trudged through the thick layers of mud back to the waiting taxi.  The driver glanced up in surprise to see the couple back so soon.  Solemnly, Keith directed him to drive them back to the hotel.
    “Who would do this?” Melanie asked glumly.  “Why would someone want to set my business on fire?  People love my ice cream shop.  It brings a smile to everyone’s face.  I just don’t understand.”
    “I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that this was arson.  The fire department hasn’t even scratched the surface of an investigation yet.  There could have been a problem with a live wire or some other technical issue.  Either way, you’ll get a good insurance pay out.”
    Infuriated, Melanie shouted, “Insurance pay out?!  I don’t care about insurance money!” The cab driver stared at her through the rearview mirror as she lowered her voice to a more appropriate tone.  But inside she was fuming.  “I don’t want some consolation prize of insurance money.  I want to work for a living.  Just like my father taught me to do.  That’s why I opened Hot Fudge Fancy.  To merge my career with my dreams.  And now it’s all gone.”
    Awkwardly, Keith patted her hand as she pulled away.  “I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing,” he offered.
    “Money might make you feel better, but it’s no comfort to me,” Melanie said bitingly.
    “Now I resent that, Melanie.  I said I was sorry.  There’s no need to attack my character.  I’ve worked for all the money I have.  Nothing has been handed to me either,” he defended as her expression softened.
    “Sorry.  That was unfair of me to say.  Maybe we just shouldn’t talk right now.  I